75th Year Celebration Cruise
CHATCOLAB: Northwest Leadership Laboratory will be celebrating our 75th year with a private cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene and we want YOU to join us!
JUNE 14th at Lake Coeur d’Alene Resort
Boarding time: 3:30pm-4pm
Cruise time: 4:00pm-6:00pm
$35 per person includes a 2-hour private cruise around the lake and other fun surprises. Purchase your tickets HERE. Space is limited so hurry and get your tickets TODAY!
Regional Mini-Chats 2023
A Mini-Chat is a regional gathering of labbers (old and new) to connect, build community, and participate in activities including crafts, cooking, games, and leadership. A Mini-Chat is also a really good way to introduce friends and family to what a week at Chatcolab may be like.
In 2023 the board has committed to FOUR Regional and ONE virtual Mini-Chat. We hope you are able to attend one or more of the opportunities listed below (bring a friend or two).
~ VIRTUAL MINI-CHAT | August 19th from 12p-2p Central Time
Hosted by Janell Marmon, Mayville, North Dakota on ZOOM
Mary Driskill will be presenting on Inclusion
Explore Chatcolab’s leadership model and brainstorm programming for diverse audiences and interests
Slideshow about Chatcolab
Questions? RSVP. Contact Janell at [email protected] or call/text (863) 969-9272
~ BOISE MINI-CHAT | August 19th from 3pm to 7pm
Hosted by Nel Carver, Betsy Carver & Kevin Laughlin, 6198 West Robertson Drive, Boise, Idaho
Join us in Nel’s backyard for crafts and yard games
Learn more about what Chatcolab is all about
Bring a potluck dish to share for an early dinner, drinks will be provided
Questions? RSVP. Contact Betsy at [email protected] or call/text 310-776-0346
~ PACIFIC COUNTY FAIR MINI-CHAT | August 24th from 3pm-7pm
Hosted by Toni Gwin and Pam Watson, Pacific County Fair, Menlo, Washington
Learn what a Leadership Laboratory is all about
If you have been to Chatcolab – Let’s reconnect
Make a chorded bracelet
Questions? Contact Pam at (360) 425-9634 or [email protected]
~ WESTERN OREGON MINI-CHAT | August 26th from 10am – 6pm
Hosted at the home of Mary and Stew White, 40197 SE Kitmiller Rd, Eagle Creek, Oregon
The setting is a construction zone as Mary and Stew are rebuilding the residence
Bring a friend, your voice, and your hugs!
Water, coffee and tea will be provided
Potluck – bring something good to share for lunch and a snack
Some chairs are available, more would be welcome.
Questions? RSVP. [email protected] or call Stew at 503-658-3995 or Mary at 503-706-1568
~ GREAT FALLS MINI-CHAT | August 13th starting at 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Hosted by Dave & Annette Chandler, & Sally Heard
Redeemer Lutheran Church, 332 Riverview Dr 3W, Great Falls, MT
All ages welcome
Bring a potluck dinner Item to share
Plates, cups, utensils and beverage included. Bring own beverage if desired.
Sally will speak of writing a book
Annette will teach Rock Painting
Dave will teach raccoon circles teamwork
Questions? RSVP. Contact Dave & Annette Chandler at [email protected] or (406) 781-2711
Chatcolab in the News
Janell Marmon attended Chatcolab 2023. She reflected upon the experience and the people she met in an article printed in the Cass County Reporter with a readership of around 4000 in rural Cass County, North Dakota. She also shared the article with 57 4-H staff in North Dakota’s county and university programs, as well as the 12 board members of the North Dakota Home School Association.
Read the article: 4-Hers forever, the Chatcolab experience CCR, 28 June 2023 A5 (1)
A Chatcolab Memory Stream
By Stewart White
Being on the Chatcolab board as a young man of about twenty-three was exciting. It as the first day of lab, early to mid-May. My partner and I were driving out of Camp Easter Seal under a blue, sunlit sky to set up ‘Burma Shave’ signs to reassure labbers that they were still on the right gravel road, all seven and a half miles of it!
I was expecting to meet Nancy E’s little sister, Patty. After setting the ‘last’ two signs, in reverse of-course, we saw a light-colored sedan approaching. As they passed by, I caught the license plate – those were the Montanans and the driver was Nancy!
Failing to warn my passenger, I spun my truck around in a smooth-but-fast 180 degree turn and pulled over behind the then stopped car. I guess Nancy noticed the truck. Ladies started climbing out of the car and a series of hugs were exchanged.
Out of the rear passenger side of the came a pretty darned short gal. “You must be Patty,” I said. She replied with a definite and somewhat snarky, “No.”
“That’s okay, you deserve a hug anyway,” I replied. I proceeded to a bear-like E-hug. That’s a serious hug that often elicits an “eee” sound.
I guess it was a pretty good hug. We got married a few years later and we’re still together after nearly 41 years. Oh, and we celebrate our “monthaversary” on the 21st of each month.
Stew White wrote his memory stream at 2:14 a.m. on the last day of the Chatcolab Northwest
Recreational Laboratory as he ended another stint on the board, this time as Vice-Chair. He and
wife Mary are integral members of the Chatcolab family, and for those who don’t know, Stew is
still giving hugs to Mary and others who are lucky enough to know this couple of sweethearts at
Chatcolabs during the past 40-plus years.