Posted by Miss Katie on February 07, 2001 at 14:58:26:
To all the wonderful, GENEROUS, caring, (oh hey! Did I say GENEROUS?) citizens of Mohicanland:
Saying hi to Ellen and Jill, not to mention Theresa, another newcomer, and thinking of their kind gestures in offering donations to Ariel’s Cabin, before they had even introduced themselves, got me to thinking that perhaps it was time to remind all the ‘GENEROUS’ citizens of Mohicanland about how to get THEIR names in the tabloids... oops, the PAPERS, now I MEANT the papers!! The Courier to be exact! (Sorry! Not really much better than the Tabloids, is it, when all’s said and done??!!)
ANYWAY, you guys all know that we 'Gather' at Chimney Rock and other locations to see that wonderful scenery we (most of us, anyway!) first glimpsed in our favourite film 'Last of the Mohicans'. We're really fortunate - we can gaze out over ‘them thar hills’ and take in one of the sweetest sights in God's kingdom (and I've seen plenty sights, let me tell ya'!! Some worse than others!!). However, there is one little girl in Canada, that will NEVER see the sun rise over those beautiful blue mountains at 5:45am (!! Sheesh!!), or drool and dribble at the heart stopping sight of those teesy little loincloths on those beautiful, lean bodi... Sorry, sorry, sorry!!! I got a little carried away... (gotta get a grip, here!) *sheepish grin*
‘Gathering’ myself for the serious stuff here: Ariel will never see what we will see in June. Ariel will eventually learn to visualise, using touch to formulate a sense of shape. But she will NEVER actually see that most wonderful film that we love to bits!!
However, through the wonders of medical science, she will have operations that will allow her supraorbital margins (eye sockets) to develop properly so that there is no pressure on her brain, she will have a degree of cosmetic work done which will go some way to 'normalising' the look of her eyes, which will aid greatly in her 'socialising' (I'm sorry but that IS the reality!). And she has many other medical problems, which will require medical intervention most of her life. This means her parents will have medical bills to pay all her life. And all this intervention does not/will not come cheap!!
But - a child with needs is not just the responsibility of his/her parents. A child in need is EVERYONE'S responsibility. And the good folks here in Mohicanland have NOT been ones to just sit on their hands when a child with problems needs some help! Ariel has become our mascot and in various ways, Mohicanland has contributed and donated, in order to raise funds to help with her medical expenses. At the Great Mohican Gathering 2000, a new cabin was 'built' -'Ariel's Cabin', which was stocked with merchandise supplied by the various Gatherers AND non-attendees and the fantastic sum of $1670. (Canadian) was raised!!!
Okay, now - here's where you get to help AGAIN!! 'Ariel's Cabin' will once more be operational at the Great Mohican Gathering 2001 and supplies will once more be needed!! Craft items, LOTM related items, 'colonial' type items - all will be greatly appreciated! Even if you can't 'relate' your donated item, don't let that stop you making that donation!! If you think someone else would like to buy it, then 'Ariel's Cabin' is willing to put it up for sale!! :o)
Already I have some VERY promising items being donated! Hey, Bill, no slacking!! I want to see RESULTS, man! And Betty? She's quilting as we speak?? Good, good! (No, I DIDN'T forget! :o) Christina, for goodness sake, quit whinging – just sew!!! (I don't know WHERE she gets all that 'treats us like lackeys, workers have RIGHTS, y'know' stuff!!) Okay, Rich, you got till the Easter holidays, then... I wanna know they're DONE!!! And there are others that are working HARD (caught that word, did you guys??!!) to get this years 'Cabin' stocked up! Yessir, we got some real nice lines... lined up for the next Gathering!!!
Like Ellen and Jill, and Theresa, all you have to do is contact me and let me know that you wish to help out! Now you know that time’s a’passin’ and Gathering time is comin’!!! BUT - there's still time to get those knitting needles or sewing needles out and movin’! And all those LOTM posters that are just cluttering up your walls, get ‘em down, rolled up and ready to sell! They could clutter up someone ELSE'S walls for a change!! :o)
(MMMM, if I remember correctly, didn’t I see a MOST WONDERFUL poster in your hallway?? *!&*$$*!@”&%!!* Sheesh, I wasn’t asking for your house, your possessions, or your KITTIES, Miss!!! Just one EENSY WEENSY poster… Okay, so it’s HUGE, it’s FRAMED, and *HIS* locks are flowing as he fights his way to his sweetheart's side... dammit, *I* WANT it!!! Anyway, you CAN do it! (Miss Marcia can’t, but…) YOU KNOW *YOU* CAN DO IT!! So…
Consider this... please consider this!
RYMHOS,
Miss Katie,
Proprieteress,
Ariel’s Cabin.