Setting the Table

     “And what is the use of a book," thought Alice, "without pictures or conversation?”

    

     I'm thinking that Alice was surely on to something here. Just as our lovely young lady was considering the purpose of pictures in a book, the Zeal for Teal Committee has been considering mightily the purpose of our special day. 

     Raising awareness and raising funds for ovarian cancer are the goals. Ovarian cancer remains one of the most serious of all 

gynaecological cancers and the powers that be are still searching for an early detection test.    

          Meanwhile we will still keep doing our part to help raise 

awareness and funds to aid in the process. AND we will have fun 

doing it! What better way to keep our sisters informed than to gather together in one accord in a room full of laughter and purpose?  

   We have expanded a little beyond scrap-booking, should some other crafty soul want to join us on the journey. We invite anyone who has even a hint of craftiness - whether it be knitting, sewing, computer graphics, painting, quilling, sketching, and more. Or even if you want to bring an entire lifetime of photographs to sort, we would welcome you to spend the day with us. 

          Did I mention our lovely and talented Miss Vicky is back? Miss Vicky will dazzle your day as she offers free mini manicures and a chance to relax and breathe in the atmosphere in Wonderland. 

          So you think you have superior architectural skills combined with

the patience of a white rabbit? Then why not try them out as you challenge a friend to build a house of cards. 

And if that isn't enough, perhaps you might like to etch the day in your memory forever? Grab a friend and get your photograph taken at the photo booth, complete with an ever expanding tickle trunk and prop selection. 

          Surprisingly and for some - good news - we have had a few spots come available down the rabbit  hole. If you know a peculiar mad-hatter type who would fit nicely at our table and who would feel compelled to partake in an incredibly crafty tea party, pass the word on.  

Contact us at sunflower.seeds.team@gmail.com for more information. 

          Don't forget to bring along a donation for the Drayton Food Bank this year. If you do so, an extra door prize ticket is our way of saying 'thank you for your generosity!' Also, bring along any extra pennies you might have stashed away. We are collecting them for our Zeal for Teal Penny Appeal.

          One last thing for now...remember to dress up for the occasion. An afternoon fashion show will delight the crowd as we choose a winner to proudly represent Zeal for Teal 2013. We can't wait to see your creativity in action.

          Can't wait to see you all...the table is set and the kettle's on.     

Zeal for Teal Kits for sale

Kits are now available for purchase!
They are only $15 each with $10 going to Ovarian Cancer Canada. (Two different styles available)*.  

*NOTE: Teacup is not included and embellishments vary.

Paypal option is available for purchasing kits online. Shipping and handling will be added at time of purchase.

 “Begin at the beginning," the King said, very gravely, "and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” 

― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

                                                                          

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    I will attempt to begin at the beginning...not sure where to begin but the beginning it shall be. Oh dear this post is getting curiouser and curiouser. I'm telling you gals, this Alice in Wonderland thing is starting to do strange things to my psyche. Maybe it has something to do with the overwhelming response we have had this year. We are still two weeks away from the Early Bird deadline and we are full. Oh dear...oh dear...oh dear. Now we have a waiting list. 

     We can hardly wait - although there is still a lot of work to be done to make it a memorable day for our participants. We are setting the table for tea and looking forward to a wonderful day. 

     Don't forget to put on your fancy dress according to Alice in Wonderland characters. For those brave enough, we will invite you to show off your fashion creativity in more ways than one. 

     We have a zany game for those competitive souls and lest anyone wonder - our Ye Olde Tea Shoppe will be open for business offering wonderful wares and baked goodies of every description. A giant Eat Me Basket will be up for grabs. Come find out how you could be the winner. 

     This is a mere smattering of what lies in store for you beyond the rabbit hole on April 27th at the Drayton Arena. Zeal for Teal will be celebrating 5 years. We are thrilled to be able to say we have been a part of helping raise awareness in our little community about ovarian cancer. Also we are so thankful to everyone who participates in many different ways to help raise crucial funds for the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope.  

     So ladies, look forward to a superb day of fun, fellowship, laughter and hope as we make this 5th annual Zeal for Teal the best yet. Dig out those mad hats and anticipate greatness with a dash of madness!

                                          

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    “But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.

"Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad."

"How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice.

"You must be," said the Cat, or you wouldn’t have come here.” 

― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

     

 

Alice's Tea Party Coming Soon to Wonderland Near You!

     Don't be late for this very important date. On April 27th, 2013 expect to be pampered and treated like royalty as the 5th Annual Zeal for Teal fundraiser for the Sunflower Seeds Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope, puts the kettle on and brews up another delightful day for scrapbookers and crafters of every persuasion. 

     The Drayton Arena is the place to be once again on this very special day designed just for YOU. Participants will gather to share in the fun and excitement of a jolly good tea party with all the trimmings. We have lined up our lovely vendors along with some special guests. Expect lots of games, prizes and surprises to keep you smiling, not to mention our Mad Hatters in the kitchen will be whipping up some fanciful delicacies for your dining pleasure. 

     And new this year - a fancy dress contest. Pick your favourite look-alike Alice in Wonderland character and come ready to earn a few rounds of applause, and maybe a prize or two. 

     Lest anyone be getting curiouser and curiouser, this tea party promises to be a spectacular time of laughter and charm. We are excited to let everyone know that we have extended our Early Bird deadline this year to February 14th  - a real sweetheart of a deal. $35 before that special day but still a bargain at $45 after that. $10 of your fee automatically goes to Ovarian Cancer Canada and every morsel of money and pinch of pennies earned after expenses will also go directly to Ovarian Cancer Canada. 

     Stay tuned for updates and notices. The executive are planning and scheming behind the scenes ready to put some delightfully rollicking plans into place for such an important cause. 

     But the first thing on the agenda was to get the word out to our charmingly and agreeable guests that the registration sheets are up and ready. The PayPal button is ready to  go and all we need to know is that you are pleasantly planning to join us! Can't wait to see you. 

 Get those registrations in soon to make sure there is a place for you in Alice's Wonderful Wonderland! 

     For more information call Glynis at 519-638-3215 or email us for a registration sheet at 
sunflower.seeds.team@gmail.com 

Extra, Extra...hear all about it! (A Snippet from the Latest Press Release... 4th Annual Zeal for Teal Fundraiser Meets the Wild West...)

            ...Community support for Zeal for Teal has been astounding, including Teal Fridays at the Moorefield, Drayton and Arthur Royal Bank branches. Bank employees graciously participate by wearing teal t-shirts each Friday and donating $2 to the Sunflower Seeds for their Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope. Last year they raised over $200 for the cause, thanks to the initiative of Royal Bank Manager, Amber Tuck.

           

 Louis Latham of Drayton has donated the $100 grand prize once again this year. This is the fourth year that Latham has given this substantial and much appreciated prize to one excited participant. The lucky 2011 winner of the Zeal for Teal grand prize was Lorna Weber of Elmira.

           

 The Zeal for Teal Committee includes Amber Tuck, Darlene Hauser, Amanda Hauser, Sue Bauman, Rosemary Latham (set designer and creative advisor), Newton & Belec. They are once again excited to welcome Vickie Downie back as a guest at their new Wild West Shady Lady Hotel where she will be sharing her talents by offering free mini-manicures to participants.

           

As seems fitting in the Wild West, there will be a wonderfully stocked General Store complete with everything from soup to jewelry and everything else in between for sale. A penny table and silent auction promises to be a wonderful experience for participants, too. And if that isn’t enough to ruffle a cowgirl’s frills, there will be lots of opportunity to pan for gold, create a memory in the Barn Door photo booth or toss a horseshoe or two, all for the cause.

            An invitation is extended to the general public who just might want to check out and see what all the hoopin’ and hollerin’ is about at the arena. Guests may visit throughout the day and partake of a little downhome hospitality. For $5 visitors can enjoy refreshments (moonshine muffins, fruit fiasco, candy bar, tea, coffee, cactus juice) visit the vendor’s alley, check out the silent auction, the penny table and the general store. For $10, visits can be timed around the lunch hour (between noon and 1pm) and they can also partake of some mighty fine Chuck wagon Stew, Prairie Spuds, Gold Mine in a pot, Cow Patties, Horseshoe cake and more, prepared by the expert cookies - Ann Kabbes and Yvonne Timmerman (left). All profits from the guest visits go directly to the Sunflower Seeds Team Walk of Hope, too...

...finish reading the story in next week's Community News.            

Yee-Ha! Git' Along Little Dogies...and join us!

We are plum excited! The days are flitting by but we are bang on target as we prepare for a wonderful, Wild West Day for all our scrapbooking and crafting friends!

There have been a lot of generous food and prize donations and we can promise you that you will surely enjoy what we have planned for your day out. Panning for gold and the Shady Lady Hotel (with the free mini manicures) are only two of the more interesting attractions. How are you at horseshoes? Guessing games? Can't wait to shop the General Store? Try out the Wild West photo booth?  Well, ya'll ain't seen anything yet!

Make sure you wear some cowgal duds or a teal and we will give ya'll an extra door prize ticket for being a good sport.

Spread the word, too, about how friends and family can drop in for a visit during the day. For $5 visitors can come by and check out our silent auction, the penny table, the general store, visit our vendors and onsite store and partake of a snack and beverage. That entire $5 will go to the Sunflower Seeds team. Or, if'n it's vittles they prefer tell yore buddies and cowpoke friends that they can join us for lunch at high noon. For $10 they can sample some of our Cookie's great Chuckwagon Stew, Cheese Biscuits, Pot-Lickin' Macaroni and Cheese, Prairie Spuds, some fine mixed greens, Cowpatties, Cowboy cookies, Horseshoe Cake and more! Plus they can stay awhile and enjoy the festivities.

We can't wait.

Our biggest goal, though is to keep in mind why we are doing what we are doing. Awareness...we want this Zeal for Teal day to be a lot of fun and a super time for everyone to relax and play. But we also want to remember those gals who have succumbed to ovarian cancer and to support those who are going through this awful gynecological experience. Of supreme focus, too, is the awareness factor. We want women to know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and to be alerted when something just doesn't seem quite right.

For those that are already signed up and are in the corral - thanks. Bless you for caring enough to support us in our passion and for doing your part in helping us raise awareness about ovarian cancer. For those who are thinking about joining us - no pressure (although you will be plum sorry that ya'll might miss this yee-ha, humdinger of a day!)

Kits are ready!

 Kits are available for purchase now! Please email or Facebook us to get your kits! These are in limited quantities so if you want one (or two!), please contact us right away so I can set it aside for you.

Kit #1

Kit #2

The PayPal option is on the right sidebar if you'd prefer that option. There is a $1.50 processing fee just to cover our costs. THANKS!