Bonus Blog - 5k and An Occasion for the Arts!

Real men and speedy racers wear pink, and it's very handsome on our guy, Drew!

The Williamsburg Landing 5k for The Arc was held last Saturday and it was a huge success!  The drizzly rain held off until all the walkers and runners were finished, pizza and bananas had been snacked on, and medals had been awarded!

Also taking place last weekend was An Occasion for the Arts in Colonial Williamsburg.  The Arc proudly displayed beautiful works of arts from several of our talented clients, including many at the Arc of Abilities.  

  Lisa grabbed a few pictures at both events, and family and friends send her others, so here's a bonus blog that's short on words and long on pictures!

Laura brought her mom, Lisa, sister, Erin (and soon to be new niece or nephew for Laura), brother-in-law Andrew, and Dad, Tom!

Arc board member and Drew's dad, Andy. was everywhere as a shuttle driver and onsite direction-giver and cheerleader, but we never caught up with him and Drew together.  Patrick and Alexis were happy to stand in for a picture with him!

Devin's Uncle Bret and Aunt Sam joined us along with Sadie (in Sam's arms) and Quincy, Dev's cousins.  Behind them in the cap and glasses is our friend and Lexi's cousin from APEX PT, Scott.  Uncle Bret is a PT at APEX, too!

Here's Lexi's cousin and another friend of ours from APEX PT, Kelly, along with her little girls Haley and Jordan.

Later, we snapped this pic of the entire APEX PT Team, which also included Denise and Nick (on the left).  Thank you, APEX PT, for being 5k sponsors.  We appreciate your support and love that you are "family," too!  In more ways than one! 😉

Patrick and our fellow Arc friend Chris enjoyed walking with members of the W&M Women's Basketball Team and Men's Tennis Team.  What a super friendly group of student athletes, and we are grateful for their friendship and volunteer hours!

Michelle and Max, Kate, Patrick, and Devin cheered for walkers and runners near the finish line.

Here's Alexis, Michelle, Kelly, and Haley with the tennis team guys!  They invited us all to come to a match in the spring.  Sounds like a great opportuity to return the support!

Moose Patti!!!  Doesn't she look fabulous?!  She had just completed the 5k, too!  Thank you, Patti for always supporting The Arc!  Thanks also to the Women of the Moose who are sponors of the 5k!  We love you!!

A little drizzle didn't stop Annmarie from stopping by to show support!

Aww, what a sweet picutre of Alexis, Drew, and Patrick!  It also shows the beautiful skies under which we held the 5k before the clouds rolled in.  The Williamsburg Landing fitness center is in the background.  We are thankful to Williamsburg Landing for hosting the 5k each year!  It was a wonderful event, as always!

Liz and her parents, Greg and Lise, were out of town (can you guess where?!), so they walked virtually!  Way to go, Kline Family!!

After attending the 5k, Michelle made her way over to Merchants Square in Colonial Williamsburg to check out The Arc's display at An Occasion for the Arts.  She found the mermaid she made during lessons with Artist Jeff, and her Halloween watercolor/ink piece, too!

Michelle contributed this picture of the Community Quilt Project that Steve Prince, Director of Engagement and Distinguished Artist in Residence at Muscarelle Museum of Art, has been spearheading with our community for a couple of years.  

Here's Steve with Xavier and Xavier's mom, Leah.  Steve also happens to be Xavier's stepfather, and a very cool friend of the Arc of Abilities, too!  (As is Leah...their gluten-free pancakes are the bomb!)

Leah was all smiles to find Xavier's watercolor/ink artwork on display!

Here it is!

Laura and her family checked out our art, too.  Here, Laura is standing by two pieces she submitted.  One is a pineapple she painted during one of our lessons with Christina at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.  The other is a picture of her house that she filled in with what we call "Laura's signature colorful colors!"  She's got style!

Thanks to Laura's mom, Lisa, for sending the following 4 pictures showing all of The Arc's entries into the show!  

Alexis visited the event on Sunday with Haley and Jordan along for the ride!  

We want to give a shoutout to Tessa's mom, Michelle!  She's the art teacher at Clara Byrd Baker Elementary School, and located near The Arc's display was this beautiful display of her students' amazing artwork.  Yay, Michelle!  Your students created beautiful art under your skillful direction!

It was a busy weekend for Arc folks with the 5k and the art show, and we appreciate those who were able to make it out to one or both of the events!  It's a great time of year to enjoy the many opportunities offered in the Williamsburg community!

Go, Arc!

Lisa, Carol, Nan, and the AoA Gang