News Items - 4

By TAMMY WATSON
c.j.'s closet

As a member of the Women' Network Committee, I was asked to write about our experience a Windham's Relay For Life. Well I went home and sat in front of the computer and drew a complete blank. How do you explain such an energized, positive and worthwhile event in 300 words or less? Simple, I'll share my experience that day.

My alarm rings, I look outside and groan. It's still raining. Not enough to cancel the event, just enough to chill you to the bone and wreck a perfectly good hairdo. After showering and dragging three teen-agers to the event for 10 on a Saturday morning, we trudge over to ECSU's baseball field and search for the rest of our team­mates, the Chamber Chicks.

Lura Swanback Chamber administrative assistant, Lisa Manville co-owner of Greyledge Equestrian Wet-Down Systems and Grey Stone Timber Harvesting (who at that time was nine months pregnant), me and a handful of teen­agers step onto the track and start the first hour of the 24-hour walk. Wearing a plastic garbage bag-style rain dress I start a mantra in my head; if it doesn't stop raining by 2 p.m., as the meteorologists continuously reassure us, I am going home. I continue this whining in my head for nearly an hour and a half as I keep circling the track until I really look around at my fellow walkers.

Right in front of me is a family of six, mom sporting a pink bandana to warm a hairless head, father and four young boys. Not one was complaining, none wore any protective rain gear or carried umbrellas, just quiet persistence and a smile. Nothing could have been more inspiring or better shown the courageous spirit in all of us.

Next year at least one member of the Women's Network Committee will be wearing a smile and standing a little straighter. Our committee will be raising funds for next year's Relay throughout the year and at our quarterly events. Any additional team members or donations will be appreciated.

The Women's Network Committee would like to thank Lisa Manville for her commitment to us and this event and for being our team captain. She really pulled everything together for us. Also, congratulations to her on her and her husband Chris's brand new baby girl.

Be sure to join the network at the upcoming health event in January. It will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at Immaculata Retreat House at 5:30 p.m.
Call the Chamber at 423-6389 for more info.

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