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Two energetic Hawaiian teens raise $1600 for NICU!

November 10, 2016 by Administrator

Take a magnificent fundraising organization, add enthusiastic, energetic kids to the mix, and in one situation alone, $1,600 was raised for Kapiolani Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. One shining example of creativity: The Haunted Trolley Tour. Here’s a quick video overview of what two motivated Hawaiian teenagers accomplished for the center’s ICO:

Kidz For A Cause is an organization of kids who are drawn together by a desire to help kids in need. Combining their positivity, talent and energy, KFAC puts on awesome FUNraising events powered by kids to raise money for non-profits that benefit kids.

What sets KFAC apart? From concept until completion, no matter how large the task, all aspects of each campaign are handled by kids. The Board of Directors and Junior Board of Directors lead and inspire hundreds of kids from across Oahu. No matter what fun idea KFAC comes up with each year, the goal is always the same: to put on the best campaign ever, share the beneficiary charity’s mission with the community, and raise as much money as possible for the non-profit . It goes both ways, since Kidz develop leadership, teamwork and organizational skills and learn lasting philanthropic values along the way.

This year’s ThinkTank 2016 FUNraising campaign benefits the frail newborns of Kapiolani Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. ThinkTank challenges each participating kid to come up with and execute his or her own creative FUNraising idea, with all donations going to the NICU. ThinkTank’s goal is to raise $150,000 by Nov. 10!

David Crook shoots New England-2

October 27, 2016 by Administrator

More photos of Autumn in New England by my brother, David B. Crook.

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The last grouping shows cranberry bogs, which have a special meaning for all the Boynton grandchildren: in the late 1800s, our grandfather Solon R. Boynton, worked in the cranberry bogs near his home in Carver, Massachusetts, often missing school to do so. Read more about him and how he finally graduated from Boston University medical school in 1903. We are all grateful for the fact that “Grandpa Doc” harvested cranberries to help his family and that he finally reached his goal of becoming a physician. I believe he delivered all his own children and all of his grandchildren. I was the first to get married, and in time, he delivered Ronald K. Simpson, Jr. However, he decided to wrap up delivering babies after that.

David Crook shoots New England 2016

October 25, 2016 by Administrator

David Crook is my brother, friend, mentor, protector, and a superb nature photographer. He is also a retired (sort of) pastor, and in mid-October he and his daughter, Cheryl Crook Burton, flew from their respective homes in Arizona and Washington State to participate in the wedding of family friend Megan Eyraud in Connecticut.

From there, he and Cheryl headed north to cover as much of New England as possible, also stopping at some of the communities where he pastored (this may not be an actual approved word, but it works) in earlier years. Now we get to benefit from his views of the changing colors of New England in 2016. There will be other posts with his photos.

Return to Waikiki

October 24, 2016 by Administrator

What a privilege to visit Hawaii recently and connect with the place where my kids and I roamed many years ago. Back when we were all younger, Waikiki was THE place to be for sunshine, the ocean, cooing Rock Doves/Domestic Pigeons, the everywhere scents of sun tan lotion and plumeria, the soothing “feel” of warm white sand, and a sparkling blue-green ocean dotted with surfers, swimmers, and boats.

On this visit we drove into a busy Waikiki where I later hunkered down on the 19th floor of an amazing hotel. I loved my time on the patio watching the ever-hopeful surfers and surf paddlers waiting (from dawn to dusk) for the next wave . . . the sweet sound of traffic carrying people to work and to play and to sightsee . . . sunrises and sunsets rich with streaming colors . . . the rich fragrance of plumeria . . . and the ever-present trade winds.

I spent a good part of my visit adventuring around Oahu with my amazing friend and relative, Mary Anne Vorfeld. And other times I was off on mini-adventures, like riding the Waikiki Trolley. What fun feeling the warm wind in my hair and having a savvy driver who maneuvered the trolley through traffic and near curbs like a pro. She narrated the entire time so people could feel history come alive. Refreshing. Fun!

Not so many photos, as I was busy absorbing sights and sounds and experiences. I did manage to get a few shots, including fish & chips from a restaurant in my hotel. The fish was the catch of the day, and the presentation, servers, and the food itself were breathtaking. I’m sure I didn’t gain an ounce!

One evening during the middle of my trip, I had just returned to my room when I heard (and saw) fireworks. Oh, right: this was the night Hawaii 50 was premiering for 2016, and the cast/crew/honored guests were celebrating on the beach near the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Thrilling fireworks for what seemed like a half hour, but who knows?

Some people say, “Well, I never go to Waikiki because they say it’s not like it used to be.” True. But I spent a lot of time wandering around Waikiki, and loved every minute of it. Many people from different countries, different cultures, enjoying themselves. Weddings everywhere! Long white limos everywhere with VIPs and wedding parties. Hotel employees were magnificent. Busy, busy traffic, but not frantic. Courteous drivers. From people wandering around wearing swimsuits to people in formal wedding parties: there was no one “uniform.” Everyone fits in – in Waikiki. Sure, it’s busy, and not the place to visit if one is looking for long periods of serenity. But it’s simply in a class by itself.

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