Events & News
Kayaking ⋅ Journaling ⋅ Inspiring
Events
Returning to Joy: Grief Support Book Club
Returning to Joy: Grief Support Book Club Dates: Thursdays March 7-28 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Place: Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center Investment: $60.00 (includes the book for those who register by February 22) This four-week-long group is intended for people...
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Writer’s Wisdom Circle at Marywood Spirituality Center
In January 2024, Mary Anne participated as a facilitator of the Writers’ Wisdom Circle at a retreat for writers. She shared her knowledge of self-publishing with the other writers.
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Cancer Survivor’s and Caregiver’s Kayak Retreat
Saturday, August 19, 20237 a.m. – 1 p.m.Facilitated by Kayaker and Author Mary Anne Smrz The journey of cancer survivorship and caregiving presents unique challenges in “normal” times. COVID-19 complicated the process and took an even heavier toll on those...
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Boulder Junction Library Presentations
Special thanks to all those who attended the presentations at the Boulder Junction Library in 2023.
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Paddlin’ with Thoreau…Book Launch!
I am grateful and humbled to have had the unique opportunity to launch my book in mid-May at Thoreau College in Viroqua, Wisconsin. In May of 2023, a serendipitous collaboration manifested at Thoreau College. On the evening of May 15th...
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Healing on the Water: Cancer Survivors’ and Caregivers Kayak Retreat
Saturday, September 3, 7:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. Marywood Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae Facilitator: Author and Kayaker Mary Anne Smrz “Change: Our Ever-Present Companion” is the theme of this retreat. Mary Anne takes cancer survivors and their caregivers on the water for a...
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Personal Stories of Thoreauvian Resilience
In July of 2024 I had the honor of being selected by The Thoreau Society to present excerpts from my book, Paddlin’ with Thoreau… at their Annual Gathering in Concord, MA. Founded in 1941, The Thoreau Society is the largest...
Read MoreWhat are our Alumni Up to?
University of Massachusetts – Amherst Isenberg School of Management Class Notes May, 2024 Isenberg alumni have been out and about, making an impact with their careers and passion projects—and it shows! Most of these updates have been submitted by alumni...
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Judge’s Commentary
Early in 2020, I entered my third book, Change: Our Ever-Present Companion, Reflections from the Red Kayak, in the 28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. Although the book did not win, it received the highest marks for structure, organization,...
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A Weekend of Healing for Grieving Parents and Grandparents
Sherry and Joe Anicich of the Purple Project are hosting a retreat of love and hope for grieving parents and grandparents Thursday, July 21 through Sunday 24th at the Portiuncula Center for Prayer in Frankfort, Illinois. The lovely, wooded 50-acre...
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Team RKI in 2016 Human Race – Successful Event!
Red Kayak Represented at Giving Dupage! 2016 DuPage Human Race on Saturday, April 30th in Downers Grove, IL The Red Kayak Institute was on the run again. Last year we needed our paddles, but this year we had fun in the sun....
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Red Kayak Institute Receives First Grant
RKI has been awarded a $5,000 grant from The Friendship Fund to fund general operating expenses for the organization. The Friendship Fund is a Boston-based organization that provides support for a wide range of educational, environmental, health-related and cultural interests....
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Red Kayak Institute Helps with Healing
mySuburbanLife.com Article August 5, 2015 | By Evan Shields – eshields@shawmedia.com WESTMONT – Through water-based therapy a Westmont nonprofit is helping people who may be in the same boat with grief or addiction issues. Mary Anne Smrz, a Westmont resident,...
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It All Comes Right on the Water
NC State University Philanthropy Journal Article August 3, 2015 | By Staff of Red Kayak Institute When a novice kayaker writes, “I was truly able to calm my thoughts and worries,” the staff of Red Kayak Institute fulfills its mission....
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Red Kayak Institute and Edward Cancer Center Retreat (6-15)
Chicago Tribune Article June 17, 2015 | By Community Contributor obtener33 This month the Red Kayak Institute held the third annual kayak retreat for Edward Cancer Center survivors and caregivers at Saganashkee Slough Forest Preserve. Social workers from Edward Cancer...
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