Dawn Manor

A letter to our friends...

As the first flakes of snow gently float down from the sky, it is a reminder that winter will soon be upon us, signaling that another year is coming to a close. A new year is once again just around the corner, and may it be one of joy, prosperity, love and growth for each and all of you.

As we look back at 1998, it has been a wonderful year here at Dawn Manor Retreat Center. Both the Memorial Day & Labor Day Celebrations work weekends were a tremendous success with a record turnout -- we put a new coat of paint on the main house, forged and landscaped a path into the woods, cleaned and cleaned, chopped wood, not to mention dozen of projects that were in desperate need of attention. THANKS. I am becoming increasingly aware of how many things would not get done without your love, dedication and help.

One of the highlights of this year was the 1st Gay Men's Festival in June. It was a huge success. The Wizard of Oz ritual is still a frequent memory in my mind, that sharing of our talents, gifts and resources in our community are unbelievable, and the talent show WOW! Our new Training In The Art Of Loving Program has gotten under way with a big bang. It is really an exciting challenge and stretch for me to be passing on the Skills of Loving and seeing how may of us are trying to make this world a little better place. We will be continuing the Training in the Art of Loving, starting in September 1999, so let me know if you are interested in the next training module.

We are pleased to continue supporting the emerging leadership from within our community as several members are offering their wisdom, dreams, gifts and love by creating and leading workshops/retreats this year:

• Dale English will be leading and facilitating Relationship Building through Creative Movement;
• Exploring Chakra Energy with Sunfire;
• Dan Pienciak, MDiv, is offering three events this year: Bridges to Wholeness, Introduction to Psychodrama, and Break Your Habit Energies (T'ai Chi Chih);
• Embracing Who We Are: Gay Youth Retreat with Ethan Waltz;
• Internalized Homophobia with Jeff Skaar and Al Kurt;
• Tools for Change I & II with Fred Haag;
• David Dowd, professional career coach, Maximizing Your Career Potential;
• Samuel Kirschner and Adam Brown will be facilitating the Men In Touch Retreat.
  
• We have also added two Mixed Retreats that are open to anyone: so you can tell your straight friends who might like to benefit from the experience of the Art of Loving Retreat. Plus much, much more. We are limited only by our imaginations. Check out our Calendar of Events: 1999.

To those of you who have made donations/contributions to the Rainbow Foundation, we are still moving along slowly, though we have raised about $1,000 to date and are working to get the paper work completed. The Magical Land of Oz continues to be evolving and doing well.

There are still some openings in our final Men Who Love Men Retreat, December 3-6, 1998. And for those interested in starting off 1999 with a bang, don't forget about our sober gala New Years Eve Celebration. Hope you can come?

It looks to be another exciting year at Dawn Manor as we dream our futures together; one we hope to share with you all. Additionally, for those who would just like to get away for a couple of days and spend time exploring the solitude of the woods and contemplative time, or co-create a personal retreat, just give us a call.

We look forward to hearing from you - until then, warm wishes for a wonderful 1999.

In Loving Brotherhood,

Terry & Jeff & Dean