Among Friends is a fun and varied place that its participants and volunteers look forward to every Tuesday because they never know what awaits them. Recently, the Gugala family of River Falls brought their talents to our program. These multitalented children have shared their 4-H projects with our participants. In November, the three boys–William, Caleb, and Benjamin–performed magic tricks, an interest prompted by their reading about Wisconsin legend Harry Houdini. They then joined their sisters Abbey and Anna, who play keyboards and guitar, to sing some songs.
The “string band” from HOPE Lutheran Church visited Among Friends in late November. Ukuleles, acoustic guitars, and electric guitars–all creating fun for our participants, joining John Hamilton, Steve Kaste, Lynda Meyers, Pastor Sandy Johnson, Paula Klacan, Jean Loudon, and Karen Rodewald in old familiar tunes.
If that wasn’t enough fun, UW-River Falls students enrolled in the Paw PADS program visited Among Friends with their furry friends. Paw PADS–“Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs–is a new academic program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences training service dogs for people with physical mobility disabilities but also for those with diabetes, autism, as well as veterans with PTSD. The dogs enjoyed our group, and participants really loved the dogs. We are hoping that these pooches will be regular visitors in the future.
a social respite program 