The Sizzlin’ Summer Challenge is over and we had an amazing time.
There’s still time to get your entries in but the diligent people who posted throughout deserve some applause and we have to share some of the highlights. Take a look at the joy and wisdom of your Vermont school employees as they worked on family and community wellness this summer and early fall:
Week 1 we asked people to “Grow Something”…
Week 2 we asked you to have a healthy meal with loved ones…
Week 3 we said go to a farm stand or market and try new produce…
Week 4 we asked you to help someone. Great stories ensued. You cleaned up beaches, you helped reseed a lawn, and you greened up roads even though it wasn’t green up day. You recycled scrap metal (including a slinky which never occurred to me but is a great idea!). And, one of you saw in the Front Porch Forum that someone needed a Little Tikes bench. Suddenly there was one on the side of the road for free and you picked it up and delivered. Amazing!
Week 5 we asked you to try a new summer activity. Oh my the posts went wild! You peddle kayaked… Who knew? You took up water skiing. You did your first sprint triathlon. You ran your first 10k. You ran the Brooklyn Bridge! You stopped and took in the beauty of Vermont.
Week 6 you had to start a new tradition. Nicole Cave, who we have to thank for all the really cool pictures with the captions inside (she’d win a prize for that if there was one), started visiting historical places. Linda, who’s story made me cry, started hiking with her son. He gently coaxed her almost to the top of Mount Mansfield. We’re so proud of you!
Kara went to the beach in Maine (as did many of you, or to the Cape) with her mom who snuggled with the grand kids. Some of you went on vacation, some of you had family get-together’s. Many of you did amazing healthy things for the first time. And, Susan had healthy tea with her sister – pinkie up!
Week 7 you were to visit your favorite place. Again, the posts went off the charts. Lots of sunsets, toes on vacation, chairs, cozy corners, walking paths and more.
Week 8 we said savor a summer memory and thankfully at this point you had plenty… Going to an amusement park, remembering being little kids, lounging on a hammock and the list goes on.
Week 9 as you headed back to school we asked you to remember your summer and laugh out loud! And how! Nicole found a funny statue of Bewitched! haha!
Week 10 we closed out with asking you to test your favorite 90-second stress management tool so you were tip-top ready to dive into the school year. We know transition is hard so we wanted to help you focus on the good as change taps out some of your energy. That way, you can stay focused and ready for action. You sent us lots of animal pics, more pretty places, and lots of fun family moments – hugs, smiles, hands held and hearts full.
All we can say now is, “Wow!” You all are beautiful, amazing people and your trajectory toward health at home and in your communities skyrocketed. Thank you for sharing it with us, your peers and our world of health. Good luck in the prize drawing and stay in touch!
For those of you who want more, go to our Facebook page and click on “Posts by Others.” Sorry if your picture isn’t represented here. We chose quickly and totally subjectively in the moment to get this post up right away. All your pics were wonderful and deserve a frame and prominent spot on the wall.
If you still want to post for the prize (and you really did the work all summer), the deadline is Sept 13 (mail in your game card by then to VEHI Summer Challenge, 52 Pike Dr., Berlin, VT 05602, and put up your pics with week numbers on FB to qualify). We’ll announce the Winner this Monday!
See you on the PATH Ahead.
(Photo credits go to Nicole Cave – again, thanks for the captions, Kara Cassani, Cari Causey, Carmen Cormier, JenniferDeuso, Rhonda Drake, Heather Fergerson, Kristin Holcomb, Doug Kussisu, Susan Ladd, Jane MacKugler, Linda Senecal, Susan Winsor, Wendy Lynde. In no particular order.)