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eMatrimony.org Supporting, Encouraging, and Challenging the WWME Community |
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| News - Local MA/RI Area WWME Cabin Experience Ray & Beth Ginepro There was a surprising chill in the air as the 2007 WWME family campout at Holy Cross Campground in Goshen, MA began Friday night. All the warm hellos to old and new friends gathering around the campfires couldn’t shake the cool 40 degree temperatures that first night. Most found themselves drawn to the heat of the fire or their own sleeping bags. Eight families camped through the weekend and were joined by six more families for the Saturday mass, activities and enrichment. Saturday began with a Free Throw Shooting Contest. Competition heated up as the day did. Winners of the children’s Hoop Shooting best of five were Kendall Walsh (under 5), Kara Danielczuk (ages6-10) and Melissa L’Heureux (ages 11-15). It was close among the adults, down to the last shot. In the end, Ray & Beth Ginepro came out on top in the men’s and ladies categories. The annual WWME Scavenger Hunt followed, with groups of two or three campers searching furiously for items such as wildflowers, something round, the longest married couple, the youngest camper and the most recently encountered couple. First to the “judges” picnic table with all the correct items and answers were friends, Siobhan McArdle and Jess Ginepro. Good hunting ladies! To work up a good appetite, the Annual Couple’s Canoe Race was next. Two heats of three couples each were held with the winners going head to head in one final race. A good start is critical to gaining the lead early. In the turns there were moments of near collision as canoes jostled for the tightest turn around the buoys. With stellar technique and amazing teamwork, Robert & Nelsey Peppler were victorious in heat one. John & Kathy Danielczuk, last years champions, won heat two. It was a close finish in the final race, but John & Kathy surged ahead at the end to pull off the win. Congratulations to all who went beyond their comfort zones to participate or cheer others on.
Well before mass, the annual Pie Eating Contest was held. Most participated enthusiastically. Few took the added challenge of whipped cream on top of their pies. The only rule being you can’t use your hands, they ate with gusto. First to finish swallowing his last bite in the youth category was Thomas Laporte winning the champion’s Frisbee. Defending 2006 adult champion, Josh Ginepro, was sidelined this year after having his wisdom teeth out a couple days earlier. Men and women went head to head scarfing their favorite pie. In a real “photo finish”, Felix Pizzi rose above the tough competition to claim the Pie Eating Championship and rolling pin trophy. It was the first year that someone with a last name other than Ginepro or Robillard got their name on the rolling pin. Bravo! Next came the community enrichment, borrowed and adapted from An Introduction to Family Nights Tool Chest by Jim Weidmann and Kurt Bruner, with Mike & Amy Nappa. (available through Focus on the Family) The activity taught how to love, serve and share with each other. The lesson was that actions speak louder than words. To encourage each person to show their love to those around them, everyone cut 8 hearts they were to leave, one at a time, at the place they had done something for someone secretly. The authors called this the secret serve of love. While supplies were available, we quickly turned to the craft activity for the group. Each person was asked to layer two different colors of paper together, trace and cut out their hand prints and fold them into an “I Love You” sign language symbol. They were then invited to write a word or phrase if they wanted to about what Worldwide Marriage Encounter or family means to them. These “loving hands” were then sent on to the couple creating a MA/RI WWME banner. Mass was especially heartfelt as the two intentions, MaryLou Haughey and Howard “Butch” Guilmette, had been long time WWME friends and campers and had belonged to the same share/love circle. Their spouses, Jim Haughey and Irene Guilmette, brought photo memories for the chapel and selected the songs for the service. Fr. Chris Malatesta presided over the mass. There was a wonderful sense of community as friends supported and shared in this memorial mass for our dear departed friends. Saturday night’s bonfire is something so many look forward to each year. Leading the group in song and fun around the bonfire this year were Nelsey & Robert Peppler. Nelsey was the maestro as she showed us how to “make a rainstorm” come and go and taught us some great songs. The floor was open to all as they shared their contributions. It was a beautiful way to wrap up the night among friends. Sunday brought more sunshine and fun beginning with a Geezer vs. Whippersnapper Whiffle ball game. Laughter abounded as bases were literally stolen(!), carried with the runner to the next base, and the youth team renamed the Geezers, “the Glaciers”...”because they only move an inch a year”! There was plenty of enthusiasm and effort, but in the final inning, the Elders were victorious 7-6. Turnabout is fair play and so the Whippersnappers won the soccer match against the adults, 3-1…The Geezers would not give up until they scored at least one point in that hot sun! There’s always a most memorable event on any given campout. This year’s special mention goes to enduring friends Jeff Destromp and Paul L’Heureux. That they remain such good friends after this is testimony to the strength and tolerance of their friendship. Jeff, thanks for teaching the rest of us how not to PANIC about bats flying about and not to swat at them while night fishing in a canoe. It’s still a mystery how you managed to save the tackle box, Paul! We hope your swim ashore with the capsized canoe was refreshing and will give you many smiles in years to come! Nov. 10 Dec. 9th Feb. 2008 To get information/participate in these events please contact: Some Dialogue questions for you:
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