Re-Creation USA, Inc.

OK. SO THIS HAPPENED. The photo shoot for the new variety show did not get off to a great start. You know that old adage that if your work is ineffective, the enemy will leave you alone? Well, we must be doing something right! All of this happened in preparation:... 1. One of the cameras for the livestream inexplicably stopped working. It would no send signal and could not be manipulated from the control room. To Jon's and Thomas's credit, they tried everything I would have tried to troubleshoot the issue. But nothing worked. We knew we had to get a new one. No one sells that kind anymore...at least not in a nearby store...and online would have taken days. We needed it now. Jon and Thomas ran to Best Buy. The very nice lady confirmed that they don't carry that model anymore BUT they just happened to have one more floor model and we could get it half price! WOW! (Thanks God!) 2. I ran to the storage room to get a prop for a pic. Apparently I was running too fast, tripped over a tub of "Baby Medley" props (just wait, you'll see that in 47!) fell headfirst, narrowly missing my head on the steel reinforced shelving, but slicing up my arm and leg pretty badly. 3. ...back to the photo shoot, where the kids were positioning themselves on a table so as to get all 10 kids' faces (always important to include the technicians!) could be featured in a horizontal picture. A couple of snaps and then it happened. The table collapsed. Now much to Jon Gagnon's credit again (Boy! HE was earning his pay that day...oh wait, they're volunteers...ha!) he had already replaced one table for the one that broke, thinking the first one would not be sturdy enough! Love this guy's instincts! Everyone was fine, except Nick, who took the brunt of the fall. His ankle swelled, but, being the trooper he is, Nick persevered and got through the rest of the day, albeit hopping around a little bit. He's all good now. 4. Our other photographer arrived and soon came to me with "Um, we have a situation." Any of you who know me at all or understands the pitfalls of administration, knows these words are far-too-common and always anxiety provoking. "My keys are locked inside my car with the camera for today's shoot." I simply replied, after the journey of the day so far, "Of course they are." The photographer had no luck with her individual avenues of assistance so I called Selinsgrove Ford, who are always responsive and helpful! (Thanks Paul!) They sent someone down immediately and the keys and camera were free...in minutes. Actually, the rest of the day went SUPER well. We got some amazing shots of the new show and we're excited to share RC 47 with you! **When you see these posters and pics, you can recall with us how things may start out dismal and arduous, but what we're creating together for our VETERANS is overwhelmingly worth all the effort, scrapes and travails. Enjoy! Both new shows are featured on the website now...check it out.

WE HAVE THREE MEMBERS LEAVING US! And before they go, we'd like to celebrate each RC cast member who has served you so admirably. Carol Simmons will be leaving us after three years. And since her family is sponsoring the final public live stream of ENCORE this coming Monday, the 28th at 7:00 pm on YouTube...AND the fact that the 28th is also Carol's Birthday...well, it's a perfect time to highlight this remarkable young woman who has grown immeasurably these past three years...! FROM CAROL: It is no exaggeration to say that Re-Creation has completely changed my life. I came into Re-Creation 3 years ago not really knowing what I was getting myself into. Since being here, I have learned so many valuable lessons and they have grown me into the woman I have always striven to be. I learned the merit of discipline and hard work, the importance of community and friendship, and the faithfulness of God. But the most valuable thing I will take from my time here, is my heart of service. It was so beautiful to be a part of this amazing mission and to serve our nations heroes. I will definitely keep this service in my heart as I move on to start college at West Chester University. I have so much gratitude in my heart. First, I would like to thank God for His incredible faithfulness throughout this whole journey and for bringing me to Re-Creation so I could learn to reflect His heart of service and grow in His truth and love. Next, I want to send a huge thanks to all of the supporters, from my parents, to the Elks, BVL, the FSEA for their wonderful scholarship(!) to CHF and FMK and all of the F.O.R-C.E.S members who have made this journey possible. Third, I want to send my sincerest thanks to the Muller’s. Mr. Muller has been an amazing director and supporter. He has had my back every step of the way and has been the number one catalyst for all my growth in this organization. Mary Muller has given me life changing vocal direction, yes, but has also been a mentor, confidante and friend. There are no words that can express my gratitude to both of the Muller's for their investment not only in this mission, but in me! Lastly, I want to thank all of the veterans who fought for our freedom to make this mission possible. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve these last 3 years!" ------- *Mary and I have some special thoughts about Carol, but we will save those for the final shows of RC 46... which you can see at Central Oak Heights in about a month! Join us! See you Monday night the 28th on YouTube!!

WELL, that was FUN! Thanks SO MUCH to the SHINE COFFEE COMPANY in Liverpool, PA, for allowing us to shoot some pictures for our upcoming Gospel Program, "SHINE!" Kinda nice how that worked out, mmmm?... We had a wonderful afternoon collecting shots for our posters, CD's, webpage and social media... and delighting the staff and clientele as well. The people at SHINE COFFEE COMPANY are superlative folks who run a top-notch, A+ business! The food is uniquely hand-crafted and delicious! The atmosphere is inviting and contemporary. The vibe is oh-so-cool! And the coffee? Well, let's just say I may just have gotten some the RC kids to join me in my addiction! Haha! THANK YOU SHINE COFFEE COMPANY for your hospitality and ease. You're a class act and we appreciate you! The cast of Re-Creation 47!

Just a few days ago, we posted a video thanking some folks for the funds for two new office computers...and asking for a third. We got an immediate response! So to collectively give credit where credit is due...... THANK YOU to... JOANN TICE: Your and Larry's hospitality at Hegins Community Park for all those years still warms our hearts. We're so pleased we got the time with Larry that we did. And your continued enthusiasm has meant the world to us. Your gift of Mary Reich's new computer will literally help implement the shows as she is 'mission control' for the organization! MATT, JILL, GAVIN & MARIA KIGER: Matt, you remain one of our favorite cast members ever (RC 23) and we've been blessed to fall in love with your whole family as well! You are superlative people. And your thoughtfulness to donate Jen Kratzer's computer is so appreciated. She is THE stop for all receipts, F.O.R-C.E.S. statements, audits...you name it! All things financial and business. Keeping her equipment up-to-snuff is crucial! BOB MERKLEY: I remember so much visiting with you the years Chip, your son, was in RC 24-26! You were always gracious and we had cool chats about arranegemnts, charts, tracks, etc. Since you were a music educator, you had a particular perspetive I appreciated! We used your gift, just today, to get a new, much-needed, computer for the studio. 45 years of music needs to be safely archived and accessible in all formats. We don't want to lose anything, and with your conscientious concern...we're all set! Well, we will be as soon as we get it all set up. Haha! AND we have a recording session next week. Your timing is perfect! THANK YOU JOANN, the KIGER's and BOB for your amazing gifts! Here's the video we initally posted. We 'fixed' it to reflect the new gifts...and there's some good stuff here, so we re-posted!

Today was our first live, in-person TOURS for VETERANS show in 15 months! I will sheepishly admit...I was nervous. How would the kids do after not being in a VA Home for so long?... How would we do performing outside, never easy? And one of my biggest concerns, how would we be asked to navigate all the protocols? We needn't have worried, the medical staff and security folks were fantastic! Everything was SO much easier than I thought it would be. All it took was some conversation and cooperation! (Imagine!) It was a wonderful privilege to see the vets face-to-face again! *One couple started holding hands and singing 'Let Me Call You Sweetheart" to each other. *Another gentlemen gave Jon, at the board, a big thumbs up. *Two ladies watching the show from behind me commented how much they liked Rey's "Elvis" impersonation! *So many were clapping along, smiling and dancing in their wheelchairs or benches! *They liked getting their BVL pictures! *All the vets waived to us during the Armed Forces section! *A gentleman we worked with there 5 years ago was astounded how good the group was and kept telling Jon and me how amazing the kids were. ...and they were. They adapted to distancing requests, waived and chatted from afar and simply delighted the crowd. We were asked not to have any physical contact. But that did not diminish the impact of the show! So many tears. So many cheers. So many laughs. It was an awesome day! Thanks for making it possible.