26 Apr - Westwood Middle School Repair Clinic

I've just returned from Westwood Middle School where we gave a lecture to the Kaleidoscope afterschool program on bike maintenance and repair.  As is common for these types of programs kids come and go throughout the lecture so it's hard to give an attendance number.  There were 18 at the start and 8 at the end though, several of them were very interested.  All of them calmed down and listened after they saw how useful the information could be.  No pictures since I didn't get a volunteer to help me out.  I got to ride my own bike there with all of the tools and presentation materials.  Several of the kids brought bikes to trade so we'll be sending back 3, and 2 helmets.  In case you were thinking of asking, we ARE getting paid for this - pretty reasonably in fact.  Enough to cover our costs and some refueling for me.  Special thanks to Sandy Cress of "Our Studio" for using her truck to bring back bikes from the school.  I have no idea how I would have fit them on the bike trailer.
In other news, our latest MDS student groups have just turned in their time sheets for the last time.  We'd like to recognize them for the great help they've been at repairing bikes, planning/running the tradeup day and general help around the place.  Several of them are staying on til Friday in fact, to help run the bike clinic at Perry Elementary in Mt. Morris.
And this just in from the "Unexpected Good News" bureau, when I got back from Westwood there were 12 donated bikes from a shop in Ohiopyle at the door waiting for me.  Kevin had actually called earlier to me to let me know he would be coming, several of them will fix up nicely.  He said he's been saving these since he got our card 2 years ago and just now finally had enough to make a truckload.  Thanks!

Now to finalize the details for the Perry School clinic, and next week's bike (1100 kids) clinic in Martinsburg.  Do I hear any volunteer helpers who would like to get away for a few days?