Arc of Vigo County
Newsletter
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 4
JULY 1, 2010
Welcome to the Arc of Vigo County Newsletter
Welcome, our newsletter will be offering information such as but not limited
to upcoming Community events, employee recognition and helpful hints.
The Arc of Vigo County has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that
information provided through its publications is accurate at the time of
inclusion and accepts no liability for inaccuracies or omissions. If anyone
has an article or information to share please contact us at 812-232-4112.
Our Mission
Arc of Vigo County is a
non-facility, family
centered organization
providing individualized
community services to
assist persons with
disabilities in choosing
where they live, work,
and play. People know
that we are in
existence for our
consumers and that we
are willing to work with
families, other
agencies and the
community at large to
complete our mission.
What’s happening?
This month we celebrate America’s Birthday.
Many will be celebrating this fourth of July with Parades, Fireworks, and Backyard
BBQs, but do you know why America celebrates this day?
The fourth of July is Independence Day, a national holiday of the United States of
America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the
Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of
England’s King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the
taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as “Taxation
without Representation” as the colonists did not have any representation in the
English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the
colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13
colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to form the First Continental
Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to
declare war.
In April 1775 as the King’s troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts, Paul Revere
would sound the alarm that “The British are coming, the British are coming” as he
rode his horse through the late night streets.
The Battle of Concord and its “shot heard round the world” would mark the unofficial
beginning of the colonies war for Independence.
The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental
Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with
England, again without formally declaring war. By June 1776 their efforts had
become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal Declaration of
Independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas
Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the
congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the
afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted no, Delaware undecided and New York
abstained.
To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, Signed the
Declaration of Independence.
The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to
print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8
the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia’s Independence Square.
Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church
bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The “Province Bell” would later
be renamed “Liberty Bell” after its inscription – Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the
Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof.
89 Cherry Street
Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of
July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States Independence.
The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year-July 4, 1777.
By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics and fireworks were established
as a way to celebrate America’s birthday.
Terre Haute, IN 47807
What’s Happening in the Surrounding areas
Phone 812-232-4112
June26-7/04
Brazil (Diamond Anniversary) 75th Annual 4th of July
Forest Park-Brazil
State Rd 59 South of Brazil
June26-7/25
Linton Freedom Festival
Linton, IN
Greene County
July 2nd
Rockville Lake Park 4th of July Celebration
828 North Marshall Rd Rockville, IN 47872
F-5 Band Playing at the event
Fireworks begin at dark (10ish) by Arial Arts Fireworks
July 4th
Independence Day Celebration
Fairbanks Park, Terre Haute, IN
Free, Fun filled 4th of July on the Banks of the Wabash River
Arc of Vigo County
Toll Free Number
800-786-4112
Fax 812-232-3052
www.arcvigo.org
July 10th
Family & Teen Gaming-Youth Program
10am to 12pm Vigo County Public Library (Main branch)
Meeting rooms A,B, & C
Family and teens are invited to stop in and play board games
or Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360 video games, together.
July 11th–17th 81st annual Vigo County Fair
Wabash Valley Fairgrounds
US 41 South in Terre Haute
July 17th -24th Clay County 4-H Fair
6659 North state Rd 59
Brazil, IN
July 17th-24th Sullivan County Fair
Sullivan, IN
Demolition Derby 7/17 at 7:30pm
July 24th-31st Parke County Fair
Rockville, IN
Carnival- Luehr Ideal Rides, Inc 7/28-8/1
Demolition Derby 7/31 7pm
July 29
Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Terre Haute Rex Baseball
Bob Warn Field-931 North First St-Terre Haute
812-237-2830 Game Time 7:05pm
The Arc of Vigo County assisted at the 41st Special Olympics Indiana
June 4th on the ISU campus where over 2,550 athletes and coaches from
all over the state attended.
Arc of Vigo County
89 Cherry Street
Terre Haute, IN 47807
The Arc of Vigo County has joined in The Community Garden Project
located 219 N. 11th Street. The Community Garden Project provides
gardening opportunities for the educational, social, and physical well-being
of the community. The goals of the Terre Haute Community Garden Project
include:
Phone 812-232-4112
Toll Free Number
800-786-4112
Fax 812-232-3052
www.arcvigo.org
Promote food security and awareness of hunger in the local
community
Support education of children and adults regarding gardening,
nutrition, and the environment
Improve access to healthy and nutritious food in the local community
Contribute to the beautification of the community
Provide a model of the best gardening practices and demonstrate
what community members can do in their own yards
Contribute to the environmental sustainability initiatives of the local
community and ISU
Service Recognition
On behalf of the Arc of Vigo County we would like to recognize the following
employees for their one or more years of dedicated service for the month of
July:
*Bekki Garthwaite for Six years of service.
*Tracy Smodilla for Two years of service.
Thank you for your care and dedication.
WALK NOW FOR AUTISM
The 2010 Walk now for Autism will be September 25, 2010 at 10:00am. The
walk will be at the Vigo County Fair Grounds. The Arc of Vigo County is
looking for team members to join us on the walk. Anyone interested in
joining our team can go to www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/terrehaute.
If you do not have access to the internet but would like to join, please
contact Stephanie Rightsell at 812-232-4112.
PENNY WAR
Arc of Vigo County
89 Cherry Street
Terre Haute, IN 47807
Phone 812-232-4112
The Arc Office staff is having their 2nd annual Penny War. The staff with the
most pennies by September 25 th wins. Any dollar bills or silver coins in any
ones container gets subtracted from their total pennies. So be sure and put
pennies in the team you want to win and silver in the other containers. The
teams are: Darin and Georgia, Bekki and Stephanie R, Joni and Angel, Mike
and Stephanie B. The proceeds go to walk now for autism.
Toll Free Number
800-786-4112
Fax 812-232-3052
www.arcvigo.org
Helpful Hints
Safety
First
Summer is a great time to get out and enjoy the
outdoors. Remember to use suntan lotion, and avoid
long exposure in the sun. Beware of the heat index.
Contact information
The office staff is always here to answer any of your questions.
Office: 812-232-4112
Our Staff:
Darin Propst- Executive Director- [email protected]
Bekki Garthwaite-Office Manager- [email protected]
Stephanie Rightsell- Secretary/ Billing Clerk- [email protected]
Georgia Study – Human Resources Coordinator – [email protected]
Joni Scioldo - Programs Coordinator – [email protected]
Angel Erst – Community Supports Coordinator – [email protected]
Stephanie Brenton – Employment Specialist - [email protected]
Mike Padgett – Employment Specialist – [email protected]
Arc of Vigo County contact Information
89 Cherry Street
Terre Haute, IN 47807
812-232-4112
Fax 812-232-3052
Website: www.arcvigo.org