Domo.
That's what I got from the bumper sticker of the car parked at the end of our road as I returned from my run this morning. Today, as I ran, I remembered it was Clean Valley Day. The world seems fresher and new. It is easy to see why April was chosen for National Poetry Month. Everything is inspiring. The yellow daffodils, the purple grape hyacinths, and the dainty periwinkles all were on parade. Lovely low to the ground violets, who come out a week before my birthday every year, were welcoming early buzzing bees. Even my favorite color, the blue in my wife's eyes, is sparkling even more it seems.
As I ran, I passed a few boxes in the road, a few bottles and various riff-raff. The same thought came to my head. We should get somebody to clean this up. I looked around and I thought of Betty Grable's quote: "I've got two reasons for success, and I am standing on both of them."
Something we tell the students all the time...If it is to be it is up to me...
So, I came back from my run, boxes, bottles, cigarette containers, cups, etc. in hand. And I truly received a parade for my efforts, thanks to the flowers and the budding trees... plus the little guy waving to me on the bumper sticker, saying "Domo."
Yes, we will be there. Rain or shine to continue to clean up for Clean Valley Day. I hope you can join us. Fishburn Park - 10 AM til 2 PM. Bring a picnic lunch, some gloves, and whatever reason you may have for success. Hope to see you there. Doughnuts donated by Krispy Kreme. Until they run out!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
KIVA for Clean Valley Day, April 5th!
Hello all. As we have mentioned, KIVA - Kids In the Valley, Adventuring! will always be free. The only thing we ask of you is to consider giving back to our lovely town by participating in a few volunteer events. Roanoke and the surrounding areas offer so many great places to play. Let's do our part to keep them beautiful!
KIVA - Play, Learn, Volunteer
Here's a chance to do all three of these things. Bring your gloves, hats, water bottles, and smiling faces. Lets make it shine!
Meet at Fishburn Park at 10 AM. Doughnuts will be provided by Krispy Kreme. Bring a picnic lunch. We will clean, eat and play throughout the day (10-2). Come pitch in when you can.
ALSO - Please be aware! April 26th is our next meeting! KIVA takes on Happy Hollow Gardens for a marvelous hike, day of adventure and our first annual talent show. Email us if you would like to be added to the ever growing list of performers! KIVAinfo@gmail.com
KIVA - Play, Learn, Volunteer
Here's a chance to do all three of these things. Bring your gloves, hats, water bottles, and smiling faces. Lets make it shine!
Meet at Fishburn Park at 10 AM. Doughnuts will be provided by Krispy Kreme. Bring a picnic lunch. We will clean, eat and play throughout the day (10-2). Come pitch in when you can.
ALSO - Please be aware! April 26th is our next meeting! KIVA takes on Happy Hollow Gardens for a marvelous hike, day of adventure and our first annual talent show. Email us if you would like to be added to the ever growing list of performers! KIVAinfo@gmail.com
Monday, March 24, 2008
Thank you all so much!
WOW!
Saturday was our best turn out yet!
It could have been the beautiful weather.
It could have been the wonderful book talk given by my wife for Ryan and Jimmy: And the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together - http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ryan-and-Jimmy/Herb-Shoveller/e/9781553379676/.
It could have been the fantastic walk for World Water Day, led by Mr. Earl Morris of the Virginia Bluebird Society - http://www.virginiabluebirds.org/
It could have been the glowing remarks about KIVA by Mr. Robbie Schaefer on his radio show for XMKIDS. Do check out more by Robbie here: http://songsforkidslikeus.littlestarrecords.com/
Mostly though, I think it was the parents and the 50 plus kids who showed up to have an adventure together. Thank you for making KIVA a success once again. Parents, we appreciate all you do for your children.
The Roanoke Times surprised us by coming along for the day. Thank you to Mr. David Harrison and Ms. Jeanna Duerscherl for coming out. Your thoughtful story and beautiful photographs added so much to our progress as a group and raised awareness about how families can get out and play, learn and volunteer to make a difference in our area. We had 20 families write in yesterday, to ask for our newsletter because of the article!
Lastly, a book was pointed out to me and I am looking forward to reading this. Written by an associate professor of English at Radford University Rick Van Noy, A Natural Sense of Wonder, Connecting Kids With Nature Through the Seasons, will certainly be a book that the Donahues will feature at one of our meetings later this year. Check out a preview at
http://www.ugapress.uga.edu/0820331031.html
Please forward our information to friends. We would love to see you out April 5th. For Clean Valley Day, KIVA is continuing to play, learn, and volunteer by cleaning up at Fishburn Park April 5th from 10 AM until ---Well I guess until the Krispy Kreme doughnuts run out.
Thanks.
Saturday was our best turn out yet!
It could have been the beautiful weather.
It could have been the wonderful book talk given by my wife for Ryan and Jimmy: And the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together - http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ryan-and-Jimmy/Herb-Shoveller/e/9781553379676/.
It could have been the fantastic walk for World Water Day, led by Mr. Earl Morris of the Virginia Bluebird Society - http://www.virginiabluebirds.org/
It could have been the glowing remarks about KIVA by Mr. Robbie Schaefer on his radio show for XMKIDS. Do check out more by Robbie here: http://songsforkidslikeus.littlestarrecords.com/
Mostly though, I think it was the parents and the 50 plus kids who showed up to have an adventure together. Thank you for making KIVA a success once again. Parents, we appreciate all you do for your children.
The Roanoke Times surprised us by coming along for the day. Thank you to Mr. David Harrison and Ms. Jeanna Duerscherl for coming out. Your thoughtful story and beautiful photographs added so much to our progress as a group and raised awareness about how families can get out and play, learn and volunteer to make a difference in our area. We had 20 families write in yesterday, to ask for our newsletter because of the article!
Lastly, a book was pointed out to me and I am looking forward to reading this. Written by an associate professor of English at Radford University Rick Van Noy, A Natural Sense of Wonder, Connecting Kids With Nature Through the Seasons, will certainly be a book that the Donahues will feature at one of our meetings later this year. Check out a preview at
http://www.ugapress.uga.edu/0820331031.html
Please forward our information to friends. We would love to see you out April 5th. For Clean Valley Day, KIVA is continuing to play, learn, and volunteer by cleaning up at Fishburn Park April 5th from 10 AM until ---Well I guess until the Krispy Kreme doughnuts run out.
Thanks.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
KIVA March 22nd and a few links!
Hello there!
Just a quick reminder about this month's KIVA - Kids In the Valley, Adventuring! Meet us at Green Hill Park at 1:00 PM as special guest, Mr. Earl Morris discusses local bluebird habitats that have been set up around the area, and then walk with us as we participate in World Water Day. We will be hiking and walking by the river. Dress accordingly! We look forward to seeing you there. Come adventuring with us!
Speaking of birds: Check out Andy Runton's webpage for our favorite winged friend, Owly! This little big bird has a heart of gold and was a big inspiration for the outdoor adventuring idea behind KIVA. http://www.andyrunton.com/ He signed an original drawing for me years ago, and it is hanging on the wall before me as I write this. Next time you come out to KIVA, check out the Owly books on the table!
Visit our World Water Day walk site at: http://www.worldwaterday.net/network/052/KIVA - Kids In /the Valley, Adventuring!
Also: Plan to meet with us as we return to Fishburn Park to join a special Team KIVA clean up crew for Clean Valley Day, April 5th, this time at 10 AM. Bring gloves and we'll bring doughnuts! As always, KIVA is free. Tell a friend.
Chip and Ashley Donahue
Just a quick reminder about this month's KIVA - Kids In the Valley, Adventuring! Meet us at Green Hill Park at 1:00 PM as special guest, Mr. Earl Morris discusses local bluebird habitats that have been set up around the area, and then walk with us as we participate in World Water Day. We will be hiking and walking by the river. Dress accordingly! We look forward to seeing you there. Come adventuring with us!
Speaking of birds: Check out Andy Runton's webpage for our favorite winged friend, Owly! This little big bird has a heart of gold and was a big inspiration for the outdoor adventuring idea behind KIVA. http://www.andyrunton.com/ He signed an original drawing for me years ago, and it is hanging on the wall before me as I write this. Next time you come out to KIVA, check out the Owly books on the table!
Visit our World Water Day walk site at: http://www.worldwaterday.net/network/052/KIVA - Kids In /the Valley, Adventuring!
Also: Plan to meet with us as we return to Fishburn Park to join a special Team KIVA clean up crew for Clean Valley Day, April 5th, this time at 10 AM. Bring gloves and we'll bring doughnuts! As always, KIVA is free. Tell a friend.
Chip and Ashley Donahue
Thursday, February 28, 2008
See anything fun in the paper today?
KIVA - Kids In the Valley! was introduced today to the local Roanoke area through today's issue of The Roanoke Times. We would like to welcome any new readers who have learned about us by reading this article. My wife and I would also like to thank Ms. Jennie Tal for writing about our free monthly outdoor adventure club.
The story in today's paper can be found online here:
http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/152384
I am concerned about the sentence that states that I got tired of hearing about what my students are doing after school. If you are a present parent of one of my students or a parent from the past, you know that I frequently attend my student's games and activities after school and on the weekends. I also apologize for the word "most," as this wording does not properly reflect my feelings about my classes as a whole. I know many of my students attend many fantastic activities; such as sport practices, church services, scouts programs, and family fun activities. Again, I apologize for any way that this may take away from the amazing things you do with your families.
However, over all, I feel that the article captures our spirit of adventure and does a great job of welcoming all families to join us in thanking Roanoke for providing all of the fun places for us to play.
Please join us March 22nd for our third KIVA meeting of the year. If you would like to be added to our mailing list and to receive our monthly newsletter, please e-mail us at
KIVAinfo@gmail.com
Thank you all for visiting.
Chip Donahue
The story in today's paper can be found online here:
http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/152384
I am concerned about the sentence that states that I got tired of hearing about what my students are doing after school. If you are a present parent of one of my students or a parent from the past, you know that I frequently attend my student's games and activities after school and on the weekends. I also apologize for the word "most," as this wording does not properly reflect my feelings about my classes as a whole. I know many of my students attend many fantastic activities; such as sport practices, church services, scouts programs, and family fun activities. Again, I apologize for any way that this may take away from the amazing things you do with your families.
However, over all, I feel that the article captures our spirit of adventure and does a great job of welcoming all families to join us in thanking Roanoke for providing all of the fun places for us to play.
Please join us March 22nd for our third KIVA meeting of the year. If you would like to be added to our mailing list and to receive our monthly newsletter, please e-mail us at
KIVAinfo@gmail.com
Thank you all for visiting.
Chip Donahue
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Thanks for coming out!
Hello All,
Thanks so much to those families that came out for KIVA and those families who happened to be playing at Fishburn Park and decided to come play with us for a while. I hope everyone enjoyed their free frisbee(*donated by Advance Auto Parts*), making the craft (a hiking journal donated by the Salem Wal-Mart), and the yummy hot chocolate and coffee (*donated by Starbucks). We had a great time. We will definitely need to put Fishburn Park on our list for next year. An extra special thank you to Michael Overacker for presenting the game of Disc Golf and walking us through a couple of rounds.
An extra special group stayed after and helped us clean up and walked the trails looking for trash. Team KIVA has signed up to help with Clean Valley Day - April 5th! Please contact us and let us know if you would like to help out on that day. Let's let Roanoke City know how much we appreciate all the great free parks by helping them keep them clean.
Our next KIVA is already planned out for March 22nd. We will meet again at 1:00 PM. By the way, this is our winter time. Once the weather warms up, we will start meeting earlier. I know this is nap time for many of our crew. March 22nd, please join KIVA in welcoming Mr. Earl Morris of the Virginia Bluebird Society at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County. Mr. Morris will walk us around the park, showing us the bluebird houses along the trail, and teaching us about the life of the beautiful bluebird.
Speaking of walking, this day is also set aside for World Water Day. Please join us as we join people around the world focusing on the world's need for clean water resources. Our walk that day is registered with their website. Check here for our address:
http://www.worldwaterday.net/network/052/Daniel/Donahue
Join us then, make a memory with your child and make a difference in the world.
And as always, it's free!
Thanks so much to those families that came out for KIVA and those families who happened to be playing at Fishburn Park and decided to come play with us for a while. I hope everyone enjoyed their free frisbee(*donated by Advance Auto Parts*), making the craft (a hiking journal donated by the Salem Wal-Mart), and the yummy hot chocolate and coffee (*donated by Starbucks). We had a great time. We will definitely need to put Fishburn Park on our list for next year. An extra special thank you to Michael Overacker for presenting the game of Disc Golf and walking us through a couple of rounds.
An extra special group stayed after and helped us clean up and walked the trails looking for trash. Team KIVA has signed up to help with Clean Valley Day - April 5th! Please contact us and let us know if you would like to help out on that day. Let's let Roanoke City know how much we appreciate all the great free parks by helping them keep them clean.
Our next KIVA is already planned out for March 22nd. We will meet again at 1:00 PM. By the way, this is our winter time. Once the weather warms up, we will start meeting earlier. I know this is nap time for many of our crew. March 22nd, please join KIVA in welcoming Mr. Earl Morris of the Virginia Bluebird Society at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County. Mr. Morris will walk us around the park, showing us the bluebird houses along the trail, and teaching us about the life of the beautiful bluebird.
Speaking of walking, this day is also set aside for World Water Day. Please join us as we join people around the world focusing on the world's need for clean water resources. Our walk that day is registered with their website. Check here for our address:
http://www.worldwaterday.net/network/052/Daniel/Donahue
Join us then, make a memory with your child and make a difference in the world.
And as always, it's free!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Here we go again!
The weather outside is frightful...
Keep an ear on the forecast. Last call said it would clear up for us on Saturday.
I'll take that! We are really excited about meeting with you all again. Advance Auto Parts of Roanoke has donated 300 frisbees for KIVA! We will bring them along to share so that everyone gets to take something home. We will also be giving away a few Nalgene bottles donated to us by Nalgene themselves. Wal-Mart has donated hiking journals for each participant, as well. After a tour of the Disc Golf Course, we will be making hiking journals and heading out for some fun around Fishburn Park.
A special thanks to The Roanoke Times for announcing the KIVA meeting for us and chosing us again for a Hot Pick this Saturday.
Come prepared to make a memory with your child.
Keep an ear on the forecast. Last call said it would clear up for us on Saturday.
I'll take that! We are really excited about meeting with you all again. Advance Auto Parts of Roanoke has donated 300 frisbees for KIVA! We will bring them along to share so that everyone gets to take something home. We will also be giving away a few Nalgene bottles donated to us by Nalgene themselves. Wal-Mart has donated hiking journals for each participant, as well. After a tour of the Disc Golf Course, we will be making hiking journals and heading out for some fun around Fishburn Park.
A special thanks to The Roanoke Times for announcing the KIVA meeting for us and chosing us again for a Hot Pick this Saturday.
Come prepared to make a memory with your child.
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