This week we are excited to announce that the Arc of Abilities is reopening on June 23, with lots of adaptations so that everyone will be safe. For now, we will only have 1/2 of the gang each day, meaning each associate will be back for two days each week. Everyone will have their own table to allow for social distancing, we will do health screenings upon arrival, wash our hands frequently, and take no field trips, among other precautions. But it's a start, and we are looking forward to it!
This will be our last blog post featuring what our guys are up to at home during quarantine...or at least we hope it is. The COVID-19 situation remains ever-changing and unpredictable, and we know a return to home quarantine could become necessary again in the future. 😔 So, at least for now, we'll be back to highlighting our AoA adventures beginning next week!
Meanwhile...
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month! The Arc of Abilities is known for an affinity for celebrating all kinds of "food" holidays, but our guys truly love their fruits and veggies. We focused on vegetables, and "fruits" that are actually vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and more...ask a botanist!) during our Tuesday Zoom.
After learning the difference between fruits and vegetables, we played veggie Bingo and then and asked for pictures of our guys enjoying their veggies. Check these out!
Sam says the highlight of his Zoom sessions has been our many Bingo games!
Laura's family has a small garden, growing all kinds of "fruits." They are about to reap some fresh and healthy goodness! Let's hope the critters don't get them first!
Wonder what they will make with these tomatoes? Salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes...so many possiblities!
We learned during our lesson that flowering plants produce fruits! Therefore, Laura will soon be enjoying zucchini fruit! Fruits contain seeds and develop from the ovaries of flowering plants. Not all "fruits" are sweet and juicy!
Sam's family receives a delivery of fresh fruits and veggies twice a week! These look delicious and of course, nutritious!
Our MG friend Linda send another update about the Botanical Garden at Freedom Park. There are veggies and fruits there, too! She said the radishes are huge and very spicy. These that she pulled up were as big as apples! Linda says they are "beyond" harvesting and she will pull the rest of them up the next time she checks the garden. However, if you go before then, and want to harvest some, just remember to slice them very thinly for your salads, because they are HOT! 🔥
The pole bean plants are climbing the trellis. Since they grow on a flowering plant, they are technically fruit! Linda also reports that garlic and onions can be harvested now, and spinach should be ready next week, but the lettuce is quite bitter, having grown too tall. The zinnia seeds have sprouted, and if you find them, you will also see a big round oregano plant nearby. Linda says to clip some and sprinkle it on salads or scrambled eggs! Thank you, Linda, for providing these excellent updates! We're so happy to see the garden flourishing during these trying times.
Sometimes we get vegetables from produce stands or the market, as in the case of Alexis this week. Here, she's enjoying a plate of heart-healthy veggies with her lunch.
Kevin's mom sent this photo and said he may not look like it here, but he absolutely loves veggies. This is him about to chow down on one of his favorites, zoodles, aka, a fun and tasty way to prepare zucchini! 😋😋😋
Some of our friends took advantage of the warm weather (before all the rain came this week) to spend time in the water. Cameron and his dad Brian look sooo relaxed as they float around the pool!
Cameron keeps the relaxation going out of the pool, too! Ahh, summertime!
Kate and Devin got together for some pool time fun. They had their goggles on for some serious swimming, too!
Can't you almost feel the spray from the sprinkler as Annmarie and her niece Dani hang out together?! That looks so refreshing!
We had some walkers this week, including Liz's dad who joined Liz and her mom for a walk down to the bridge at Freedom Park with Liz, Rose, and Annabelle. This was Sunday and the weather was beautiful!
Liz spent some time visiting her Aunt Anne this week and got to take her aunt's dogs for a walk at a very pretty Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville. Meet Rose's brother Hank, and their mom, Hannah!
Alexis and Lisa walked around Colonial Williamsburg last Sunday with Lexi's cousins Haley, Scott, Kelly, and John. Duke of Gloucester Street has been repaved during the quarantine.
We had a special guest for Thursday's Zoom session. Susan Harmon, president of James City County Rotary, and financial consultant at Merrill-Lynch, joined us to present a lesson on spending money wisely and understanding the difference between needs and wants. We enjoyed her presentation and learned a few things, too.
But the highlight of our visit with Susan was when she presented The Arc of GW with a $5,000 donation from the James City Rotary! Thank you, James City Rotary, for your continued support of The Arc of GW. We appreciate you!
Kate was in the kitchen again! Not sure what she was cooking...could it be spaghetti?!
Kate also got to hang out with her cousins, Ashley and Katy this week. We know she enjoyed that!
Laura has been working on a puzzle that makes a picture of the AoA gang when we went to the pumpkin patch in Surry. Your friends are always with you, Laura!
Laura has also been practicing wearing a mask. This is a great photo, Laura, and we are proud of you! When we return to the center next week, we know you'll set a good example for all of us!
Sam and his dad were spotted wearing masks with their hoodies on, too. While being safe and considerate of others, they also look, to Sam, like Ninjas...haha! Sam loves it!
And speaking of next week.... Here's what you need to know as we return to our regular programming at AFCC. Well, make that as we return to our "new normal" at AFCC!
Our plans are to follow the same plans for both groups.
Tuesday/Thursday: We will focus on the procedures and guidelines we have to follow for our safe reopening. We'll also work on updating our room by taking down March and Winter reminders and updating the calendar to June! Lunch on your own.
Wednesday/Friday: We will resume our study of the states with California, which was number 31! It's Parchment Paper Day, too. For lunch, we will use ham we have in our freezer to make honey-glazed ham and pineapple parchment packs served with a side salad and breadstick. Ranch Dressing was invented in California, so we'll also attempt to make a homemade version for our salads!
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 10 a.m., we will Zoom just as we have for the past 3 months. That way, we will still have time to spend all together, until we are, literally, all together! 💻
Finally, we wish all of the dads, grandpas, uncles, and caring friends who love our guys so much a very Happy Father's Day!
Lisa, Carol, Nan, and the AoA Gang
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