At the closing of the year

www.DanielMcCree.Org

December 10th

I must admit to you that the past month has been one of lack-luster inspiration, and in fact for the first time in nearly 5 years i have not kept our facebook updated as often and am still having the challenge to muster the inspiration for the December issue of MetroEast NEWS.   In fact I have considered the option of ending this outreach project for lack of inspiration, collaboration and funding.

Nonetheless, I find myself firmly in the grasp of winter and nearly halfway thru the month and simply playing catch-up to what usually happens here at the closing of the year.   Last month, Daniel's birthday passed without much fanfare and for the first time since our inception World AIDS Day came and went without much notice.

What I am reminding myself of is the simple blessing that I am here to continue to write to you, and the understanding that others out there may actually expect some of our traditions to go onward.  So humbly I take on that my own inspiration is not ever what it has been about.  Its about you who follow us and of course that which Danny held in his heart as important.    Most of his artwork is in the sun room of the house which I rarely go into anymore, so I'm admitting he's been telling me to move it for a month now and listening is not optional with Daniel.  The framed work will likely be in the living room by weeks end.  And I also decided it was time to upload the artwork releases again to the MySlart Gallery to be visible once again and viewed by other artists around St. Louis. The revolving display has also been updated to our own landing page so we can share with you other artists from our region.

This week or perhaps next I will wrap my brain around our foundation's board meeting which is supposed to happen in December as we review the past year and decide on a piece of artwork to be reproduced in the summer of 2013.  For those of you who look for these releases, as our tradition it will be available in June and given away to our supporters and collectors.   In 2012 we produced 10 prints, and if anyone did not get one or wanted one, we may have one or two left.   Contact Emily Smith for more info:  danielmccreeorg@gmail.com   If we have any left they are located in Belleville.

So I have gotten a bit wordy in this update so I will simply close with one of our long-standing traditions of sharing the video "At the closing of the year"   It always seems to bring Christmas to wherever i am so I hope it can do the same for someone else who is like me... hates the stress and obligations that christmas always seems to bring.   If a drum is all you have.. beat that drum until someone listens.  (At the closing of the year)

Happy Birthday Danny Boy!

www.DanielMcCree.Org

A note from the Editor:

At the moment, I will be "On a Journey" that has by some accounts been in the works for several years.  I find the most difficult part of traveling is being away from the tunes that are the soundtrack that reminds me again and again, the vine grows.  And much like any vine we generally find it a both unwieldy and determined.  For several months now I have enjoyed this tune, but haven't shared it as of yet.  Since I will be in LosAngeles the next few days traveling with the Choir from MCC, I thought while im out would be a great time.  The moment I encountered "The Weepies" I knew I had stumbled upon a spirit I knew.  And Like Daniel, it is most likely going to change you.  So enjoy, and may blessings be upon each of you~ The D vine

November 2012 MetroEast NEWS

MetroEast NEWS: "Scrambled Eggs and Love" by: Daniel McCree

MetroEast NEWS: "Scrambled Eggs and Love" by: Daniel McCree: "Scrambled Eggs and Love" 
 by: Daniel McCree
 (an excerpt from Aids Daze - 2005) Scrambled eggs and love were available day and night. ...

National Coming Out Day Candlelight March (BELLEVILLE)

BellevillePride~MetroEast NEWS

via MEPSI

(BELLEVILLE)
Join Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinois (MEPSI) for the 3rd Annual National Coming Out Day Candlelight March on, October 11th.

The Daniel McCree Foundation marches in solidarity with MEPSI and in honor of our loved ones lost too soon to suicide.  This year we walk in honor of Nathan Maue, Austin Mueller, Buck Postwako, Sreeja Smith and Daniel McCree. Each of these "vines" are our local youth lost to suicide in recent years.  This is our first year walking in honor of Sreeja Smith, who ended her life October of 2011.  (READ MORE)   We also remember Ray Ulrich who passed away unexpectedly this past year.
Daniel McCree Foundation board member Amanda Beneze will be participating in the march as our representative in support of NCOD and anti-bullying efforts in the Metro East area.

The march will begin at the Belleville Carnegie Library (121 East Washington) at 6:30 p.m. to step off and walk over to Historic Main St. – and then down Main, across the square , ending at Club Escapade @ West Main and 2nd Streets.  We invite and encourage anyone who is interested to join us in this important event.

Founded in 1988 by Robert Eichberg, National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is an internationally observed civil awareness day celebrating individuals who publicly identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender —coming out regarding one's sexual orientation and/or gender identity being akin to a cultural rite of passage for LGBT people. The holiday is observed annually by members of the gay community on October 11.

MetroEast Pride

3rd Annual National Coming Out Day Candlelight March, October 11th

3rd Annual MEPSI National Coming Out Day Candlelight March

Thursday, October11th

2012 Ezekiel Project Retreat October 26-28,

Ezekiel Project Retreat

The Ezekiel Project and AIN (Aids Interfaith Network) will host an AIDS/HIV weekend retreat   Friday to Sunday, October 26-28, 2012,   at Marianist Retreat Center in Eureka, MO 63025.   The event is FREE.  You are encouraged to register early as space is limited. For more information contact ezekielproject@mccgsl.org or call the church office at 314.361.3221

MADCAP Benefit October 12th (ALTON)

www.DanielMcCree.Org
via  BellevillePride~MetroEast NEWS

(ALTON)

The Madison County Illinois  HIV/AIDS program (MADCAP) will benefit from a special night of performances by the region's top drag talent.   On October 12th, Bubby and Sissy's in Alton will be hosting this special event.
Be sure to mark your callenders and support this important cause.

BUBBY AND SISSY'S of ALTON
602 Belle Street
Alton, IL  62002