Dear Patriotic Poolios,

As your designated "Fourth of July Queen," I've come up with some
ideas (and a partial plan, toward end of message) for our festivities
tomorrow. Each activity will need two adults to host/manage it, so if
you're game, please step up to the plate! We don't have to have every
below-mentioned activity happening, but the more, the merrier.

* * *
Races and contests:

- water balloon relay race
- egg and spoon race (kids carry an egg on a spoon, trying not to
drop it)
- three legged race
- fathers race (laughing at fathers is always entertaining)
- over-40 and/or kids and/or teens cannon ball competition (can be
organized by age group, or not)

Arty stuff:

- face painting (I have one face painting kit, but we'll need more)
- sidewalk chalk (I've got a bunch, but one or two more buckets of
chalk would be great)
- "nail salon" with red white & blue nail polish
- temporary tattoos (unless someone wants to do permanent ones) ;-)
- make your own flag (or some such patriotic craft)
- make your own beaded necklace/friendship bracelet/other jewelry item

Foodie stuff:

- Patriotic Pantry contest: bake, fry or otherwise concoct the most
patriotic food item you can dream up! The more red, white and blue it
is, or the more American-themed, the more likely to win the prize: a
bottle of red, white or blue wine (OK well maybe just red or white!) ;-)

* * *
Here are the events that are already planned & manned:

3:30 p.m. Tricked-out Bike Parade (hosted by The Queen, aka Cynthia,
aka Tristan's Mom)

Decorate your bike and show it off at the Pool! Bikes line up in the
parking lot, enter pool grounds on the path, circle the big pool and
ride out again. Gussy up your bike at home and ride it to the pool,
saving the planet from global warming at the same time as cracking up
everyone you pass!

4 p.m. Drum Circle (hosted by Keith S., aka Fast Forty - http://
www.myspace.com/fastforty)

Start the fireworks early on July 4 with PG Pool's first Drumming
Extravaganza. Much more than a drum circle!
Bring your own percussion -- drums, shakers, bells, tambourines,
bongos, hubcaps, scrap metal, anything that you can bang on, tap on
or shake to make some noise. Homemade instruments are especially
welcome. Think creatively. It's July 4, after all, so it's about
freedom. Liberate those things from the basement, the garage or the
attic. We'll have some instruments to share, as well, especially with
the young people. We hope to get a good groove going.

?? p.m. Diving for Treasure (Ellen generously volunteered to host
this, but I don't know what time she wants to do it - Ellen, please
let me know and I'll include the info in my next missive.)


* * *
So, Happy Poolio Volunteering Types, please get in touch with me and
let me know which activity idea suits your fancy and sign on to make
it happen. Thanks in advance for bringing your enthusiasm, ideas and
energy to make this day a total blast!

Cheers,

Queen Cynthia