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Kate
Ariel's Cabin Caretaker, Retired
United Kingdom
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
June 10 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - June 11 2002 : 08:13:25 AM
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Many of you will be going to the Annual Great Mohican Gathering for the second, third, fourth… maybe even the FIFTH time! Why? Because, you’re dying to see much loved friends again!!! You’re going to look out at that fabulous ‘location’ scenery again!!! And - you’re going to watch that special movie for the umpteenth time… *drool…* MOST IMPORTANTLY, y’all want to see Soldier No. 2 doing his thang, again!!! Awwww MAN, are YOU lucky or what!!!
Raise yer hands - how many folks that do this trip year after year, think this is a pretty special event??? Yeah, most folks!! It’s pretty hard to argue THAT! Well… ever noticed how this fantastic weekend is about ‘seeing’ something you love’? ‘Watching’ something special? ‘Looking at’ things that mean a lot to you? Just imagine if you couldn’t see. What kind of weekend would it be? Some of the magic would be missing, for sure. Imagine not doing this trip because the whole point of it would be lost? THINK WHAT YOU’D BE MISSING!!
If this is yer FIRST ‘go-round’, well boy, are YOU in for a treat!! And you won’t want to miss it NEXT time!!! Just wait and ‘SEE’!!
Boy, are WE lucky we have eyes and we can see!!! Well… I don’t know about lucky. Is it ‘lucky’ that YOU were born with eyes to see your friends? Are you ‘lucky’ to be able to see that beautiful North Carolina scenery?? Are you ‘lucky’ to be able to watch that movie – and watch for Soldier No. 2?? I’ll say you are!! One thing I can assure you of – yer DARNED LUCKY to be able to ‘see’ a map and find all those little roads to all those locations!! Otherwise… ye’ll still be in NC this time NEXT year!
But, there are many people who AREN’T so lucky! They can NEVER see their friends OR their family, they can’t come back to NC every year and see that fantastic scenery and watch that FABULOUS sunrise – and they will NEVER, EVER have the privilege, NAY! The PURE THRILL!! of EVER seeing Soldier No. 2 on that magic screen!
One of these truly ‘unlucky’ people is someone really special to us – someone who has become a little mascot for Mohicanland – someone who keeps our feet on the ground and reminds us how lucky WE are. Ariel. Little Ariel Boutette has no eyes. How unlucky is THAT!!
But… little Ariel doesn’t just have to deal with the ‘unlucky’ problem of not being able to see. Not having eyes isn’t just about not having sight. For Ariel, not having eyes is also about operations, MANY operations. As she grows, so it normally means another operation to ensure correct natural growth of her orbital/cranial bone structure. And from a purely aesthetic perspective, operations mean a more ‘normal’ appearance, which hopefully will allow her to socialise and mix freely with her peers without being seen as ‘different’ or ‘weird’. Well, in a realistic world, it has to be considered – kids can be so cruel. Ariel has many other physical problems, such as sequestered lung, backward aorta, etc., which often means hospitalisation, and various unpleasant treatments. This medical intervention does, and will, continue to go on and on. And yet, this child is as alert, bright – and as happy a child as you could wish to meet!
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Kate
Ariel's Cabin Caretaker, Retired
United Kingdom
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
June 10 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 11 2002 : 08:19:36 AM
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It’s hard to imagine what this little girl goes through. It’s also hard to imagine what this little girl’s PARENTS go through! Having to stand by and watch and wait, feeling helpless, while their child goes into an Operating Room for the umpteenth time – thank God, it isn’t me!! There but for the Grace of God… What am I saying?? Actually, that WAS me, once upon a time!!
My son had to have heart surgery – twice! What a time that was!! The worry, the fear, the feeling of helplessness at having to depend on strangers to get my child through the operation; the heartbreak of watching him having to cope with pain and fear and be powerless to ‘fix it’ for him; this time unable to ‘kiss it better’… I remember it well!! My son survived and he is now a happy and healthy man. And I hope I NEVER have to go through that again with either of my children!!
But – while I waited and paced the floor of the waiting room and watched for the Doctors to bring my precious child back, safe and well again, I DIDN’T have to worry myself sick about where the money was going to come from, to pay for that much needed treatment! Or consider whether I could AFFORD the next operation that he would have to have, to be assured of some quality of life. I DIDN’T have to worry about medical bills arriving daily – and for the rest of my child’s life!! I was lucky! THERE’S THAT WORD AGAIN!!
Well… Ariel’s parents AREN’T so lucky!! Ariel’s parents can’t have her operations paid for, courtesy of a National Health Service, as I did. THEY will have to find the money themselves. LOTS of money!! But… it’s not their fault that their child was born with such a disability. And it seems such a shame that THEY have to carry the burden alone. When you think about it, surely a sick child is EVERYONE’S business? Surely helping a child get the treatment s/he deserves, is everyone’s concern?
Well, I know that, in the past, the folks in Mohicanland have been generous to a fault!! The last two years, folks at the Third and Fourth Mohican Gatherings really did show that Mohicanland was a community with a strong, generous spirit! And so, on behalf of this year’s ‘Ariel’s Cabin’, I would just like to ask – no, I’m not too proud to BEG, for help again! If all you wonderful, generous folks going to the Gathering could help out just A LITTLE, it would help this family such A LOT!! It won’t take much, it’s SO EASY to do and – you could find it’s actually FUN!!
This year, Jayne Langan has very kindly volunteered to take over ‘Ariel’s Cabin’, the little Shoppe set up to raise funds to help Ariel and her family. Jayne and her sister, Karen, have worked really hard to get together a stock of merchandise that she’s RARING TO SELL!! All you have to do to help Ariel is, donate something to ‘Ariel’s Cabin’ – and buy something else, hopefully buy MANY things!!!
Just drop Jayne an email before the Gathering and let her know what you would like to donate. (Don’t have Jayne’s email address? Well... its jml@iquest.net)!! ‘Before the day’ info is always appreciated! Alternatively, if you aren’t sure what you want to donate yet, take yer donation with you and hand it in to ‘Ariel’s Cabin’ when you get to the Gathering!!
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Kate
Ariel's Cabin Caretaker, Retired
United Kingdom
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
June 10 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 11 2002 : 08:21:41 AM
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Donate an item and BUY (at least!) ONE item – THAT’S how easy it is to help little Ariel and that’s how easy it is to help her parents help her!!!! IT’S AS SIMPLE AS THAT!! Isn’t THAT ‘lucky’???!!!
Have a GREAT Gathering!
Kate.
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Lainey
TGAT
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 18 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 11 2002 : 09:43:40 AM
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{Now I forgot what I was trying to edit before the crash ...
It was a thank you & whatnot on behalf of Ariel. No biggie, I suppose.}
Edited by - Lainey on July 26 2002 2:34:30 PM |
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Jayne
Overseer of Ariel's Auction
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 23 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 11 2002 : 11:49:23 AM
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Kate,
Your words are a true inspiration and a wonderful reminder of how worthwhile our efforts have been. Since the beautiful NC landscape is the main draw for me (as far as the movie goes, anyway), I have often felt that similar sense of "luck" for being born with the ability to take it all in. I can't imagine life without that opportunity. So thanks for bringing it "home" for all of us. Karen and I look forward to doing our part in helping out Ariel and her family. We'll MISS you, Kate!!
Jayne
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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
Administrator |
Posted - June 11 2002 : 12:54:25 PM
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quote:
Donate an item and BUY (at least!) ONE item – THAT’S how easy it is to help little Ariel and that’s how easy it is to help her parents help her!!!! IT’S AS SIMPLE AS THAT!! Isn’t THAT ‘lucky’???!!!
Have a GREAT Gathering!
Kate.
Well, Kathleen [private joke] I see you figgered it out pretty quickly you fooler you.
Folks, Kate & I have a very odd relationship. We haggle about every word we say to one another. It does get tiresome [for both of us], but it's all worth it. Just read them words above!!! Very special ...
Anyway, before I get all gushy ... I thank you Kate, for doing what you could do. And about your last words, I truly hope all the folks coming do have a great Gathering ... it would be greater, I am sure, if you were here.
R |
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Jayne
Overseer of Ariel's Auction
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 23 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 12 2002 : 4:46:44 PM
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Just to reiterate part of Kate's message - DO bring your donations to the Gathering even if you haven't dropped me a note first. We'll take anythin' and everythin' (well, within reason anyway) at any time!
See ya all, Jayne (I leave in a WEEK - YAY!) 
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Karen W
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
June 04 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - June 13 2002 : 7:31:19 PM
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Wow Kate, what powerful words! It makes me very
happy that I can do my small part to help this
special little girl by assisting Jayne with Ariel's
Cabin. We'll do our very best to fill your shoes
and we'll miss your smiling face.
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Kate
Ariel's Cabin Caretaker, Retired
United Kingdom
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
June 10 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 15 2002 : 10:35:58 AM
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Aww… Rich, you KNEW DARNED WELL that I couldn’t resist doing something to aid ‘Ariel’s Cabin’ or that little sweetie and her family!!! Aww… GO ON!! GET ‘gushy’… heheheh 
A big THANK YOU to every one of you for all yer kind words! I will miss you guys too! (Though I LOVE the scenery, ‘friends’ were a big part of my Gathering.) But as I said to Theresa, come Saturday night, I will get a HUUUGE bag of popcorn (No! ‘small’ does NOT work!), some ju ju beans and I will pop the DVD into my machine and VOILA!! I am (almost!) there wi' ye!! (In the very darkest corner, RIGHT at the back, where I can drool and hyper-ventilate as is my wont, at all those rippli… uh… without interruption – or without looking extremely foolish, as per usual!).
Girls, I want to wish you EVERY SUCCESS with ‘Ariel’s Cabin’!! I know you’re going to do a GREAT job, whatever!!! The main thing is – have F.U.N. with it!!! Don’t stress, just enjoy!! And a little word for all you potential buyers (and I KNOW I’m talking to the MASSES, here, RIGHT?? * Aren’t I ??*) DON’T YOU GO GIVIN’ THOSE GIRLS A HARD TIME, Y’HEAR????? No crowdin’, no pushin’, no cussin’, no getting’ stroppy wi’ the proprietors!! Ye form an orderly line, talk amongst yerselves and just let the girls get to ye, in the fullness of time. They’ll be HAPPY to take yer money…
Just one last thing – but it’s IMPORTANT!! Jayne – I want a FULL REPORT when it’s over!! Heheheh… 
Have a GREAT time in NC, everyone!!
Best wishes,
Kate.
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Jayne
Overseer of Ariel's Auction
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 23 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 15 2002 : 11:23:41 AM
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Kate,
A full report it is! It'll be the first thing to do on my back-at-home agenda (well, maybe not the FIRST - it's a long drive from NC. That good ole sweetened ice tea goes right through a person, ya know
I'll be thinkin of ya often, Kate!
Mohican hugs,
Jayne
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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
Administrator |
Posted - June 17 2002 : 2:11:24 PM
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quote:
... come Saturday night, I will get a HUUUGE bag of popcorn (No! ‘small’ does NOT work!), some ju ju beans and I will pop the DVD into my machine and VOILA!! I am (almost!) there wi' ye!! (In the very darkest corner, RIGHT at the back, where I can drool and hyper-ventilate as is my wont, at all those rippli… uh… without interruption – or without looking extremely foolish, as per usual!) ... Kate.
Looks like you won't be alone there, Kate ... Just received this from 3-time Gatherers, The Zentners, Sarah & Mark:
quote:
We've decided to watch LOTM on the 22nd, and will think of you all weekend! Mohican regards, The Zentner Clan
Might this be a new phenomenon? Virtual Gatherings????! 
Anyway, just got back from an Asheville rendezvous with Stephanie to pick up the Program Guides ... Will post the cover here, say Wednesday, after all are on the road! No sneak peeks!
Also, stopped by Spirits on the River. Sign out front says something to this effect:
quote:
June 20 - Bill Miller Concert - 2002 Mohican Gathering - SOLD OUT! Sorry!
By the way, I didn't realize it till today. As you go to Spirits from I-240, the shopping mall on your left - The River Ridge Market, across from Bi-Lo Supermarket - contains the warehouse that housed the "cave" in LOTM: I will find you! No matter how long it takes! No matter how far! Just a bit of trivia & still another "location" you'll get to see! |
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