Hope Rising Update #41

 Dear Friends,

Be sure to watch tomorrow's Friday message that will come via email and be posted on our website. It was filmed inside the Noah's Ark building which is now being called The Gathering Place @ St. Michael's, until it is returned to being our beloved Thrift Shop when we move back into the main building. Some exciting news about the progress and how The Gathering Place will be used to support the entire island community is contained in the video. Things are rolling and there is activity at the site. 

The structural engineer will be presenting options for repairing the floors of the main building and the two bidding companies will present us with the costs for the floor repair options. Once we select a company, they are ready to submit the materials needed for the permit to the City of Sanibel and we will be on our way to restoration. 
 
Our Hope Rising event was a phenomenal success last Wednesday, with hundreds of people viewing and listening to amazing works of art, storytelling, poetry and music that inspired and uplifted. You can relive Hope Rising by checking out our new webpage https://www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org/hope-rising. Thanks to the committee and all the volunteers who made it such a special evening for the community. There are several community opportunities coming up on our island; they are listed below. Happy St. Patrick's Day tomorrow! 

Peace, 
Bill+ 

Upcoming Sanibel Events:
1.Tomorrow, March 17 St Patrick's Day Lunch of Corned Beef and Cabbage 12-2pm at The Sanibel Community House.
2. March 28 from 3-5pm visit the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village's celebratory opening and the new Sanibel lighthouse exhibit. 
 3. March 29 4-7pm We're Still Standing Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Community House. 
4. March 30 San Cap Volunteer Expo 4-7:30pm at Big Arts. St. Michael's will be at the resource table with ways community members can help with work projects and The Gathering Place.  Register to attend here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sancap-volunteer-expo-tickets-530586497497
5. April 4 Ding Darling Reopens! Wildlife trail and Visitor center open, 7am-5pm with a ribbon cutting at 9:30am 
6. April 8 Community Egg Hunt at the Sanibel School Pavilion St. Michael's will be providing a craft activity for the kids. 
7. April 9 Easter Sunday - 8:30am Easter Service for the Island at the Sanibel Rec Center, hosted by St. Michael's.