Tour de Togo Online

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TDT 2008 and 2009 Preview

TDT08 – Sweeeeet… and Sour
The tour is over and now camp is over too. As the girls reconnect at Super Nanza this weekend, I’ve decided it’s time to get a little blurb out there about how the tour went this year. Well,… awful and great. So, let’s talk about next year. Ok, ok stay tuned for talk of TdT09.

I say awful as we just didn’t see the massive turnout we’ve coming to expect each year. We fell short of our rider goal and short of last year’s tour size. In fact, you have to go back to the 2000 tour to find a pack so small. We only had four rookies (I’m blaming the rookies here). So we’re really going to have to turn up the volume for next year.

I say great because for a tour so small in riders, only one other tour in our 17 year history has raised more funds for Flaming Pine. Yep, we rolled up over 14 thousand for the camp in total pledges. Even when we calculate in the expenses of putting on the tour, we were blessed with an awesome result. Leading the way were the usual suspects, Allen Keller, Stan Due, Linda Barnacle, and Robert Pappas. Robert brought in over 45 hundred just him. Yikes.

I say awful as we had our first broken bone of the tour, ever. Stan Due shouldered into a ditch and the ditch won - Broken Clavicle, a.k.a. collar bone. This is a painful injury which takes a long time to heal so, no pats on the back or hardy hand shakes for Stan for the time being. Talked to him tonight and he says he’s about 50% back.

I say great because we put on a really quality event with lots of rider goodies and we didn’t break the bank. Only 6% of tour proceeds went toward expenses. Very few charity bicycle events can make that claim. And even with such a slim margin we offered riders a lot of value for their efforts, including a full custom cycling jersey.


We had lots of support of the corporate variety too. Trader Joes gave us hundreds of dollars in bananas, bars, and bottled water. Dunn Brothers sent coffee and cash. PowerBar put their top-notch performance eats and drink in our support vehicles. Panera Bread Co. of Woodbury offered five dozen fresh hot bagels to kick things off. The Deacons of the Woodbury church of Christ bought space on our jersey and put Ephesians 2:10 on our shoulders. Thanks also to Target Greatland of Woodbury for the $25 gift card and Penn Cycle for the pack of 15% off coupons (I still have some).

Our support drivers were really great this year. So great we married one of them off! Dawn Eichers, Bill Barnacle, Joanne Nading, and Crystal Parks (the bride driver) did an outstanding job keeping our bottles filled, our spirits up, and everyone heading in the right direction.

Thanks to all the husbands, wives, and families who let us do this intensely fun event and especially my wife who puts up with my constant musing over each little detail.

Thanks finally and above all to God our Father, who gave us life and breath and wheels.

-Kent


Tour Jerseys Available
There’s still time to help Camp though the 08 tour. We have about a dozen Cycling Jerseys left. We want to turn them into cash for camp, so the entire $40 price goes 100% directly to FPYC. They are good looking and top-shelf bicycling quality with 3 pockets in the back and a ¾ length hidden zipper in the front. Sizes are a bit limited so please drop me an email soon.


2009
Interested in steering the entire tour in a new direction? We’re thinking ahead to next year and that thinking is outside the box. There’s a SURVEY underway which is revealing some interesting ideas on the route for next year. Get a map
and dream with us. You don’t have to be a tour veteran to participate – we want to hear from next year’s rookies too.

Tour De Togo Survey

Hey All,

Have a little fun and dream about a way cool route for the 2009 tour. Take the SURVEY and put your spin on the tour for next year.


Thanks so much!

-Kent

PS: Yes, we still have some Jerseys to sell.

Tour De Togo 2008

Hey everyone,

As we struggle to rid ourselves of snow and ice and all things wintry, it's exciting to start thinking about summer, and when it comes to summer, few things are as exciting as the Tour de Togo Benefit Bicycle Ride.

You should try it this year.

No really, hear me out. This event has a great purpose and is truly doable for most anyone who puts their mind to it. It's no race, just a fun tour with friends. A tour means seeing new things and new places. Besides the scenery, there's seeing for yourself what you can accomplish. We've had very young riders do this distance, and very old as well - both amaze us and remind us how much God can do through us if we'll let Him talk us into it.

The funds we raise for Flaming Pine Youth Camp will be used to teach children about Jesus. The camp is so far away from the big city - it's just the right place to push aside the cares of our modern age and focus on what God has done. Riding to camp while helping the good mission of FPYC is just a side benefit - gravy.

And if that weren't enough, riding for and giving to the camp comes with such additional blessings. Great fellowship, ample food, support, personal challenge, encouragement, even fun and prizes.


Mark July 25, 26, and 27 on your calendars right now!

Online registration has now been opened - CLICK HERE!


An exclusive for TDT2008 - a top-secret full custom Rider's Jersey. Believe me, it looks awesome. If you remember 2004's jersey, I think this one's even better. I am seeking corporate sponsorships so if you have someone in mind, please let me know. In fact, Mark Spoto's Dunn Bros Coffee shop (Woodbury) has signed on as a sponsor. Be sure and thank him and get a great cup of coffee while you're there. I am in talks with other potential sponsors, so stay tuned.

To encourage new riders, the tour will once again offer gifts of appreciation to those who recruit new riders. We had 14 rookies last year - ah the fun we had with Pam and Billy. The tour is always looking for new people to give it a try. We get so many back year after year - it really is the way to grow the tour.

Please, feel free to contact me with questions. I can be even more convincing in person.

-Kent
651-734-0521

FPYC Auction Sets Record!

Cash and checks collected for food, rolls, and auction items: $14,333
Yet to be paid: $825
Software donated to sell on eBay: $3400

Grand total: $18,558

What a great response this year from the supporters of camp. What a
blessing! Thanks for all your effort Paul, Brett, and Barry (and a lot
of others).

Many of you know Mike Newman from Togo. As a refresher, he is the camp's cement "guy". Mike has done the cement work for the girls' cabins, the lodge, the boiler building, the front addition to the caretaker's house, the shop, the shower house, and various cement slabs and repairs around camp. Always at a very fair price, because of the serving that is done here. He has also just left his equipment here for our use at different times. Mike stopped in just before Christmas to
tell us about his granddaughter.

Jolee is six. She has been diagnosed with rhabdomyomassarcoma, a cancer that has allowed a fast-growing tumor to take over her entire right eyelid. She has started 26 weeks of chemotherapy at St. Mary's in Duluth and in March, she will begin radiation therapy every day in Duluth for 5 weeks. She lives in Hibbing with her parents and 4 year-old twin brothers. In order bring Jolee to Duluth every day, her
father has taken all his sick days, vacations, and his fellow workers have donated theirs.

There is going to be a benefit raffle in Hibbing on the 19th of January to help defray the growing costs. They are asking for donated items for the raffle. We realize that it would be hard for anyone, or any church, to bring an item for the raffle. But as an outreach to the Flaming Pine
Youth Camp community would anyone or group be interested in donating funds? It could be written to FPYC, then in turn sent on to the family as one donation.

Thank you,

-Donald & Rebecca Bartch

[I believe the Northern Lights congregation is hosting a "SweetHeart Dinner" on
February 9th, 6 pm at their building with all proceeds to support the Howell
family with medical expenses. For more information call 763-494-4224 -
register by February 6th.]

Camp Reunion - Awesome!!!

The 2007 FPYC reunion was wonderful. It was so good to come together for thei event. Thanks to Mandy Okeson for making it all happen. Thansk to God for there even being a reason to get together.

This photo of the sunrise coming up over the lodge was a good metaphor, I think, of the camp breaking into a new day.

I recall Jesus saying, "I am making everythin new." This is perhaps a little tiny particle of how Jesus is making everything new. Certainly Jesus had an eternal perspective when he said, this but I am sure that the process has, in some way, already begun.

Camp Reunion

It is upon - the Flaming Pine Youth Camp Reunion.

This is going to be fabulous.

Hope to see you there.

Tour De Togo 2007

Tour de Togo 2007

Before Lance and Greg came along, we were going great distances for FPYC. This is our 17th year! Now you can too! And here's why. In fact, here's the top ten reasons to join the Tour de Togo.

10. Find friends who can recite the entire script of The Princess Bride.

9. Prove that all things are possible thru Him who strengthens.

8. See Brothers and Sisters in Christ in a whole new sweaty way.

7. Create your own signature color of Gatorade energy drink.

6. Leave a gear-laden support vehicle in the dust.

5. Because biking 200 miles in 2 ½ days makes a good 'weak end'.

4. Where else will you hear Pizza and Bicycle Bingo in the same breath?

3. Make your teen appreciate when they get to use the car.

2. See how easy it is to win The Lost Lamb Award. "Left, no Right!"

1. Three-day, Guilt-free, Carbo-loading, Calorie-fest!

Register On-line now, it's not too late! CLICK HERE

Play

You can learn more about a person in a few minutes of play than you can learn about that person from a life time of work.

People should play. Children know this inherently. They enjoy playing, they learn best while playing, and they develop healthy relationships and leadership skills while playing. It is one of the best things a child can do.

It is also one of the best things adults can do. Hey grown ups, let's play!!!

Be Like A Child

Children are born innocant and pure. It is nothing short of miraculous to witness the beautiful honesty and willingness of a child. Their faith and trust is so precious. Wouldn't it be nice to bottle it up in our youth and then release it as needed in our adult life?

But we can't. Sometimes it seems like growing up is this relentless process of losing our innocence. We gain experience, get crushed by the cruelty of the world, perhaps hand out some cruelty of or own - we become less of a person.

The thing about innocence is that once it is gone, it cannot be regained.

Or can it?

When Jesus died and was raised, He began a redemption process that is in effect to this day. A great reversal is in motion. Although our bodies have limited and diminishing strength, something special and regenerative is happening in our spirits. In our spirits we are actually growing young.

Boys just want to have fun

Boys like to have adventures. They like to take risks and figure things out by doing. Camp is great place for boys.

What is more adventurous than lakes and forests and critters?

We'd be fools to think that the things that lit up a boy's imagination 50 years ago are any different today. Boys will try so hard to tell us something that has always been true, but is novel and must be spoke in their voices. We must be there to listen.

An unheard boy is a danger to the world. We must listen to boys. A heard boy is a blessing to the world. It is our choice what will happen with boys.

Children Matter

At Flaming Pine Youth Camp, children matter. It is the reason for the very existence for camp.

Children add to the beauty of the world. Their innocence, their sense of wonder, their unawareness to how horrible this world can be is what brings grown ups hope when we look at them.

We are to become like childen. Though we become initiated into sin, and darkness, and doubt, we can reclaim, or at least get a small hint into that childness.

We must strive to be like children as we grow older.

All Camp Reunion

Flaming Pine Youth Camp
All- Camp Reunion
July 20-22, 2007

Join us for an unforgettable weekend! The first All - Camp Reunion is an opportunity to reconnect with people from around the country who have touched our lives through this “Northern Woods” location. There will be something for everyone; including singing, fellowship, campfire time, “skit” night and time to reconnect with friends and family.

As camp continues its 31 year of traditions, please take this opportunity to relax, reminisce, and celebrate all the good things God has done through this unique setting!

Visit the camp web site for more information!
www.fpyc.org