‘Twas a few days before Halloween. Vermont-based, best-selling author Kane Gilmour and illustrator Matthew Sylvester delighted costumed students and staff with demonstrations and hands-on activities. Art was created. Comic books were read. Cafeteria staff prepared Batman Burgers, Catwoman Carrots and Kryptonite Soup. “LaraCon is a celebration to raise awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms,” said Jenn LeBlanc, who coordinated the event. “It’s a way to celebrate the historic ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.” “This should happen every year!!” one of our students said. December 2015 Board Members David Bergh, President Anne Smith, Vice President Kyle Senesac, Secretary Sarah Squirrell, Treasurer Matthew Baughman John Connell Mary Moulton Rick Holcomb W. Duncan Tingle Greg Stefanski Executive Director Kryptonite Soup Anyone? LaraCon comes to Laraway Balancing stress during the holidays The holidays can be a wonderful time of gift-giving and celebrations with family and friends. They can also cause some anxiety and stress. “Will I have enough money to buy the presents I want to give?” “Are the roads going to be too bad to travel?” “Who’s going to be (or not be) at the family or friends party?” Our work at Laraway provides great joy and satisfaction as we see our kids discovering new things about themselves while strengthening connections with family and the community. It can also bring about its fair share of stress. We recently took several pauses across our agency to reflect on the stressors we face and the things we can do to reduce our stress levels. We were reminded how helpful it can be to have someone check in and just ask how you are doing. We noticed how encouraging it is to have someone notice the extra effort you put into a project. We observed how refreshing it can be to take a quick walk outside. Maybe you are experiencing some of those pre-holiday stressors. If so, I encourage you to pause and reflect on how you can find balance while celebrating the joys in your life. Maybe you’ll even help others do the same. Happy holidays! INSIDE THIS ISSUE Executive Director’s Letter LaraCon Life Skills Learning Thank You's Notes from Nick Profile Empowering Youth Strengthening Families Building Community
Transcript
‘Twas a few days before Halloween. Vermont-based, best-selling author
Kane Gilmour and illustrator Matthew Sylvester delighted costumed students
and staff with demonstrations and hands-on activities. Art was created.
Comic books were read. Cafeteria staff prepared Batman Burgers, Catwoman
Carrots and Kryptonite Soup.
“LaraCon is a celebration to raise awareness of, and appreciation for,
comics and related popular art forms,” said Jenn LeBlanc, who coordinated the
event. “It’s a way to celebrate the historic ongoing contribution of comics to
art and culture.”
“This should happen every year!!” one of our students said.
