from Michael, 1/6/08

Me and my peeps in downtown Boone.

from Michael, February 1 ’08

At Wilkes hardware, hangin’ with the good ol’ boys.

“Thank you,” from Michael, 12/18/07

I am amazed and humbled by the compassion and generosity of the network of friends I have. You’ve really turned my prospects around. The power of a community of right-minded people to care for one another is a miracle that deserves our notice whenever it’s manifested. It dispells the illusion of aloneness and powerlessness that haunts these times and which we individually experience as hopelessness and fear. God is among us, and is us.

That bite of the fruit of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil” was not original sin but original self awareness which separated us from the innocence of the other animals and gave us the possibility of conscious choice, the basis of our humanity, and our power to re-create our world. When we come together in loving compassion we are more than the sum of the parts and, the more people included, the more the world can be shifted.

Sorry I got all preachey but YOU HAVE THE MIGHT OF GODS! I just thought you should know I’m on to you.

Love and big sloppy kisses, and thank you much.
Michael

p.s. I’ve been promised a contact list so I can thank you all properly but I don’t think I’ll see it ’till after the holidays, so Happy Whatever-You-Celebrate and A Joyous New Year!

MC Day Recap

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to announce that last week’s MC Day raised $6139.16! As of this morning, December 14th (thanks to tracking), a FedEx envelope has arrived in Boone, N.C. and Michael received it today plus various envelopes and a wad of $2 bills. Thank you for all who participated! Through cash donations, raffle tickets, and donated items, we far exceeded our expectations. Obviously, this reflects what a great guy Michael is and how much we love him. It also reflects his terrific extended family here in North Central Florida and the strong sense of community, purpose, and caring that this diverse group of people have for those who make a difference, like Michael.

Invitation to Write Up a “Michael” Story

Do you have a classic *Michael* story? This is your chance to write it up! AND read the stories already posted.

Click “YOUR MICHAEL STORIES” on the right and under “Leave a Reply!” write up your story, and click on “Submit Comment.” It will appear shortly.

If you have a photo you’d like to add to the Photos page, contact smickelb@ufl.edu. To contact Michael, click “Contact Michael” on the right and “Leave a Reply!”

Bulletin on MC Day

To all you friends of Michael who will be heading out to Books this evening: we have obtained permisssion from Mr. Goodbike next door to use their parking after they close, if the parking runs out at Books Inc.!

Michael said we should get some ballerinas so we could have ballet parking. Any takers?

We have wonderful items at the silent auction tonight, including as an idea: Satchel’s gift certificates, Hippodrome passes, gift cards from Magnolia Plantation, autographed copies of Harry Crews books, a Kohler faucet from Morgan Bros., acupuncture by Pam Smith, massage (by Jessie Mae Sawyer and Julie Krim) tequila, an organic facial, an oral history, a day of handiwoman services, and art and photography by many (including Harriet Huss, Dana Rasmussen, Charlie Meier, AND Michael himself).

Oh, and don’t forget–we have hand-painted plungers by local artists! Plus, buy some raffle tickets for one of our donated poinsettas.

Come on out, talk with Michael on ichat, and have some fun!

Michael Crum Day at Books, Inc./Booklover’s Cafe

Friends of Michael Crum are holding a “Fundraiser for the Crum” to help defray the cost of his medical bills. Please join us at this fun event, which will feature food, a silent auction, a raffle, music and your stories. Got photos? Bring them along! Come share your best Michael stories and enjoy the company of some great people. PLEASE spread the word.

Events: Silent Auction, 6–8 p.m; iphone w/Michael

To make this fundraiser a success, please bring donations from you or your business of items that can be placed in silent auction including artwork, books, massages, discounts on services or gift certificates, and unopened bottles of wine. We already have a promise from Michael for some of his original photography! See the post below, “Donation Info,” for complete information on donating items.

Paint a Plunger. As part of the fun, we invite guests to customize a plunger before the event that will be offered for sale at the fundraiser. If you would like to donate your creative talents, we’ll provide new plungers—please contact Peter Polshek at: pmaxp@well.com

Phil and Anne Haisley have generously offered Books Inc. as the location for MC Day. They are also contributing gift certificates to the auction/raffle and a percentage of proceeds from the Café. So come early and have dinner. What’s on the menu? Plumber’s Pasta, for sure.

Oh, and there will be live music! BLUEGRASS with Tim Taylor & Friends (6ish) & COUNTRY with Dan Stepp & Friends (7ish).

To help with the fundraiser, or for more information, contact one of us at the email addresses below.

John Krigbaum krigbaum@ufl.edu
Susan Mickelberry smickelb@ufl.edu
Peter Max Polshek pmaxp@well.com

To get in touch with Michael see the “Contact Michael” link in the right-hand column! His cell phone number is still local.

donation info

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Thank you so much for your donation to MC Day! We appreciate your generosity to a great cause, the inimitable Mr. Nature Call’s—Michael Crum. Donated items and in-kind services will be auctioned (cash/check) in silent auction on December 6th from 6:00-8:00 pm.

If you are unable to attend the event, please contact either John Krigbaum, Susan Mickelberry or Peter Max Polshek and provide donation information (title/description of item, name of donor, and starting bid–generally 50% of value or whatever you think best) so that one of us can arrange to pick up the item(s).

If you do plan to attend (and we hope you do!), please arrive at Books Inc. between 5:30-6:00 and bring your donation (bottle of wine, gift certificates, artwork, massage, plungers, pottery, services, hot tubs, etc.) or a picture of it to the check-in table where we will provide bidding cards dedicated to each item you contribute. We will assign each contribution a number and and place it on tables for people to browse and bid. PLEASE provide the following information (title/description of item, name of donor, and starting bid–generally 50% of value or whatever you think best) for each item donated.

If your item is service-related, please also provide contact information (e-mail/phone) so that the winning bidder has that information. Thanks and we look forward to your participation!

John Krigbaum – krigbaum@ufl.edu
Susan Mickelberry – smickelb@ufl.edu
Peter Max Polshek – pmaxp@well.com
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