Great company, food and fun at Family Day at the Woods

A day at the Woods wouldn't be complete without a visit
with the SPs alpaca herd, a gentle animal raised for
its quality fiber and gentle spirit.

Hundreds of parents, grandparents, children and even pets came Sunday to sample the games, food, musical performances and fun at this year's 5th Annual Family Day at the Woods, sponsored by the Sisters of Providence.

Yesterday proved to be a warm and beautiful setting for a free day dedicated to families and old-fashioned fun at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. The Eco-Obstacle Course, the Soccer Challenge (new this year), Children's Crafts and many other activities enticed children and parents alike.

When the temperature reached more than 85 degrees, families sought respite at the Church of the Immaculate Conception for three unique musical performances, a visit to The Gift Shop at Providence Center or Face-painting at Woods Day Care/Pre-School. Hot dogs, cookies, Pepsi products and popcorn were all available, free, while supplies lasted.

This young flying student studies
his "flight map" (Booth Bingo sheet)
inside the cockpit of the guest helicopter
provided by Terre Haute Helicopter,
Robert "Bobcat" Garzolini.

Back by popular demand this year was the Sugar Creek Fire Department, their fire truck and their personable staff complete with free fire hats and official "stickers". Also back this year was Terre Haute Helicopter out of West Terre Haute with their Bell helicopter. Lucky participants were able to sit inside the helicopter, get a feel for the controls and instrument panel and peer out the clean, sloping windows.

It seemed like a record crowd turned out this year, as many said they heard about it from friends who had attended previous years, on the radio, they had seen the ad in the newspaper or they'd read about the event on Facebook. Whatever brought families to Family Day, the sisters were grateful to see such an enthusiastic crowd visit the Woods. One family commented on how "peaceful" it was to visit the home of the sisters, whether they were on the hayride, eating dinner at the shaded food area or listening to the performances in the church.

Children who got 10 stamps on their Bingo Sheet received a stuffed animal from the Prize Booth. People also entered to win two Sunday Brunch tickets at the Woods simply by entering their name and contact information into a drawing.

Providence Associate and volunteer Dick Hillier built to the
sisters' specifications these two Football Toss
frames. Children received prizes for throwing the ball
through the tire. General Officer Sister Jenny Howard (far left)
prepares to return the ball as Sister Jeanne Knoerle,
(second from right, helps a winner choose a prize).

 Sisters, Providence Associates, staff members and volunteers all pitched in to make the day a success. It's a wonderful way to enjoy Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence and the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College campus.

If you attended this year's event and helped to make it so special, we thank you and invite you to next year's event. We appreciate you sharing your time and energy with us and look forward to seeing you again soon.

June 10 at the Woods is a family affair!

With the onset of warmer weather, I’m looking for outside activities to do with family and friends. Like most people, I’m on a tight budget. That’s why I’m looking forward to the 5th annual Family Day at the Woods on June 10, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods! It’s become one of my favorite public events of the year, sponsored by the Sisters of Providence. The event is free of charge and runs from 1 to 4 p.m.

During the first Family Day in 2008, I heard many families remark that they didn’t know that they could visit the Sisters of Providence and just walk around the beautiful grounds. Grandparents joined parents and children to take part in the crafts, listen to the choir performances, have their faces painted, ride the hayride and Alpaca Shuttle, visit the alpacas and cool off inside watching the puppet show. People even brought their pets!

Since that first year, the event has grown. Last year featured a helicopter where children and adults were allowed into the cockpit. The Sugar Creek Fire Department fire truck and the Balloon Animal-making Motorcycle-riding Clown are returning favorites.

I admit that I enjoy seeing the Woods filled with families walking from tent to tent, gathering marks on their Booth Bingo sheets and choosing from a variety of stuffed animals at the end. The hot dogs, Pepsi products and homemade cookies aren’t bad either. Did I mention that everything is free?!

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is just a 10-minute car ride from the Vigo County Courthouse and on a regular day offers amazing attractions, including the European-style Church of the Immaculate Conception, the alpaca barns and horses, White Violet Center for Eco-Justice organic gardens and education center and Sunday Brunch. A newly added attraction is the 1840s-period log cabin that is reminiscent of the first chapel visited by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin when she arrived at the Woods from France.

I hope to see you at this year’s Family Day at the Woods. Bring the entire family and enjoy the afternoon. Enjoy the Sisters of Providence hospitality and budding acreage. I hope it will become a favorite activity of yours, as well. Feel free to call me at 812-535-2802 for more information.