Happy Summer!

Happy Summer! Right around the corner, you can enjoy a perfect summertime afternoon, at the Longcreek Winery. Join us on Sunday, July 1 for music, food and wine if you choose, all while supporting the Domestic Violence Program.

The event is from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Music will be provided by"BAM!" with the Cunninghams & Mike Lewis. These great musicians are sure to make it a fun afternoon!

There will be food available for purchase - Secret Recipes being one vendor as well as Christine Hansen who will be selling her yummy baked goods! Part of the proceeds will benefit the program.

The theme for the event is "Land of the Free, because of the Brave." There is a $10 entrance fee, but Veterans are admitted free. We hope this can be the first of your 4^th of July celebrations.

 "Plan to come out on a nice summer Sunday afternoon and listen to some music, share some wine, and gather with friends - all while you are supporting Dove’s Domestic Violence Program! Hope to see you all there!", Teri Ducy, Domestic Violence Program Director


Longcreek Vineyards is located in Macon County. From Decatur, take US Route 36 east of Route 121 (Airport Road) about two miles to Long Creek Vineyards, Sebens Concrete on the left, and the Long Creek water tower to the right. Immediately east of Sebens, turn right on 70th Street. Go to the T (about a block) and turn left. It is the sixth house on the right (white with a green roof). The winery is around back. For addition information on the winery, see www.longcreekvineyards.com

This event is sponsored by Dove’s CADV, Committee Against Domestic Violence. This dedicated group of volunteers serves the Domestic Violence Program by planning fundraisers, awareness events such as the October Candlelighting Ceremony and serve as support to staff as they take care of the primary mission, providing services to domestic violence victims. Dove provides victim services to Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby and DeWitt County.

For additional information, please contact Dove at 428.6616 or www.doveinc.org.

Barbara Blakey
Director of Volunteers and Community Relations

County Fair & Family Fun!

It’s fair time!!!  The Macon County Fair is June 1-10 so this upcoming weekend is your last chance to go enjoy it.  Why not make it a family day?

When children are little it seems that every day is family day.  As the children grow it becomes obvious that there is a great deal of importance of family days that help to build the familial bridges and keep one another in touch with the other. As days become filled with school, work and outside activities it can become rare that the whole family is together to enjoy a meal or watch a favorite show on TV while being in the same room.

When kids are little they completely take advantage of getting to spend so much time with mom and dad.  As they enter school parents begin to revert back to their old ways of doing things and spend less and less time actually being together. They no longer go to the zoo or circus thinking that our children are too old and won’t enjoy it any longer. That is not true!

The importance of family days becomes even more instrumental as children get older. The problem becomes when you try to create a family day you are met with rolling eyes, shrugs and issues because your plans have interfered with theirs. The thing to do is persevere! Force them to go; you are making memories here! Years down the road they will remember and thank you.

Sometimes being together as a family can mean everyone lying around on a weekend morning in their pajamas waiting to eat scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast.  But this weekend, with the gorgeous sunny forecast and fair available, why not get out and enjoy it?

Get all the need-to-know info here http://www.maconcountyfair.com/web/

Some planted, some tended

Volunteers play an incredible role at Dove.  Volunteer Board of Directors and  program volunteers.  One time supporters to lifetime advocates. 

Last month in May, we had two large groups in to volunteer, one from CAT and one from ADM.  They both chose to work on projects originally created by volunteers in previous years. 

Our front entrance landscaping was created from an amazing Eagle Scout project last year.  The CAT crew weeded, added mulch and planted flowers.  A church group was in earlier to add flowers too.  It is again so welcoming to those working, visiting and living here at the shelter. 

A group from ADM was here on Wednesday, cleaning up the children's play area and adding mulch.  Moving in the playground equipment was an Eagle Scout project along with weather-proofing the fence.  The landscaping was updated by a small group effort from one of our churches several years ago.  The ADM crew made it all look wonderful again.

Wander the halls of the shelter, you can see the many, many ways volunteers and supporters have contributed to Dove.  Murals, artwork, books to painted walls.   And most days, you can see volunteers sharing their time and talents. 

Volunteers originally created Dove back in the 70's and some are still involved today.   And now there are many of us tending to Dove.  We work to uphold the mission of Dove and honor its heritage.  We work to keep it looking great and  meeting the needs and challenges of the future.

Have you been one of the many volunteers?  Thanks.  Would you like to join us?  Please contact us - come to an event - explore ways for you to become involved. 

Barbara Blakey, Director of Volunteers and Community Relations