By Jamey Helgeson

The Arc Mower County

Well, here we are already planning activities for this fall. Can you believe it?

I don’t want summer to end, it just started. Activities, fund-raising, softball tournaments, bowling registration, bowling tournaments, you name it, we have it going on.

If you ever hear of exciting things going on in our community, let us know. We would have to have the information pretty early because we are doing the newsletter two months at a time. We are always looking for exciting new adventures. If you are interested in helping with any of these events, please contact us at the office.

Have you heard about the latest buzz? It is called Person Centered Planning. Each of us want to live where we are supported by and can contribute to our community. We all have our own plans and dreams. We want the opportunity to meet new people, try new things, change jobs, change who we live with and where we live.

We want to stay healthy and safe, and to be with people we want to be with. This means we have more control over what we are doing, than the system telling us where to live, who to live with, when to eat, when to go to bed, where we should spend our money. Are you getting the drift? Things are changing. You will be hearing more about Person Centered Thinking and Planning. It is the new way of thinking.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer, let’s hope it doesn’t end until about the end of November. Until next time.

 Arc needs support

Applebee’s will donate 15 percent of your check to The Arc Mower County when you dine at Applebee’s in Austin from 4 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19. Flier are available at The Arc office or online at www.thearcmc.org.

Park picnic

Friends and families of The Arc Mower County will gather for an afternoon of fun from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Todd Park at the northwest pavilion. Picnic goers enjoy a delicious meal, activities and the opportunity to meet with friends, old and new.

This event is for families who have children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The picnic is free for members and non-members of The Arc. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 20.