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What people are saying...
Hi Laurie, Roxanne and all the family of
angels gathered at 225 W. 14th Street ,
I am taking this moment to say Thank You for being a
center radiating love and care, which happens to be
occurring in Traverse City . I appreciate all the
warmth and friendliness directed my way last week.
—Richard Hammer, Florida
Dear Laurie,
Whenever I am impressed with unexpected beauty,
compassion, or creativity I feel compelled to respond
with a note of appreciation. Such has been the case in my time spent engaged in various offerings at just imagine two weeks ago. Your center is an inspiration for those seeking a creative outlet, and an oasis of joy and peace for those needing a space for time to recover from the occasionally difficult work of life’s upstream swimming. I was impressed with the high quality of the week’s programs and the genuine friendliness of staff and center members. It is quite remarkable what can happen when intention and focus are placed behind an idea whose time has come. just imagine is proof of that.
Recently, I read a poem by Rumi with this
beckoning, “Step out of the circle of time and into the
circle of Love.” It seems to me that this is what just
imagine is offering the Traverse City community.
Namaste, — Richard Hammer, Cape Coral, FL
I stumbled upon this ad in the Healing Garden
journal. I have my Bachelors degree in Art Therapy
from Bowling Green State University and at some point will obtain a masters degree. I have known that I wanted to pursue Art Therapy since I was 15 yrs. old. This website came as a welcome surprise as I have had a dream to open a center in the future that offers Art
Therapy, Dance Therapy, Music Therapy, Yoga and
massage. Now I know that it is possible. Your center and website are inspiring!
--- Stephanie Rozner
“This is not a therapist’s couch. You come to find
creativity and share creativity. This is a place of life,
energy and positive growth…a place to be positive,
not live in your problems. I found support and
positive reinforcement.” -- friend of Just Imagine
“It boils down to one main point…expressing
yourself creatively somehow miraculously heals you”
– Just Imagine supporter who recently lost his
daughter
“This must be what heaven is like.” – friend of Just
Imagine receiving “Heart to Harp” music therapy.
Dear Laurie,
I was so pleased to read the wonderful article in Active Years publication. It’s great to have your vision and energy take root and what a delight to see that lovely old church on 14th being renovated. I actually heard about your project from my friend Vicki Kinney, who had a caste of her beautiful pregnant body done; I had the privilege of being part of her ‘home-birth team’....actively engaged last Monday morning when baby girl, ‘Daisy’ entered this outside world. I love the
synchronicity of life, in that ‘Just Imagine’ played a
part in the birthing circle. I am currently teaching Qigong/Tai Chi classes at Yoga For Health and have done workshops and taught at NMC. My life direction has once again turned towards the healing arts through movement and meditation and my interest has been peaked by all the information coming my way about your project. I look forward to the opportunity of meeting you. —Peace, Jan Matthews
Hi Laurie,
It has been a long time and I hope you are well! I
have seen that there have been so many events going on at Just Imagine and congratulations on your anniversary celebration! Things must be good…I wanted to thank you for allowing me to hold one of my first Pilates sessions in your beautiful, sacred space and hope that, if you are not offering Pilates at this time, you feel comfortable directing any questions regarding Pilates to me at Peninsula Pilates.
My family and I hope to enjoy some of the goings
on at Just Imagine in the near future and until then, bless you for the wonderful space you have created and for the events that you have there. Traverse City is blessed to have such a space! Many continued blessings,
— Heather Skogerson
Dear Laurie,
Thank you so much for helping me sell raffle tickets that financed my trip to Australia as a student Ambassador. I had a wonderful learning experience at Ayers Rock, the Great Barrier Reef, Kings Canyon and with my homestay family. Our tour guide, Craig, showed us how to get a two-week supply of vitamin C by licking a green ants bottom, I was one of the few students to step out of my comfort zone and try it. I really enjoyed the trip to Ayers Rock as it connected me with the past. Aboriginies, who refer to themselves as Anangu in this area, have lived in the shadow of Ayers Rock for approximately 22,000 years. The area has a sacred meaning and there are areas that can not be photographed or you will be fined.
—Hannah DeBortoli, Cherry Knoll Elementary
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...about Just Imagine
Dear Laurie,
Thank you so much for sharing your time, stories and
passion with me. I am so inspired by your enthusiasm!
Just Imagine offers an inviting environment to express yourself freely. I enjoyed our time together on Sunday. I hope the universe continues to bless your endeavor. Thanks again! May peace be with you.
— Rochelle Noynj / Creative Spirit Center, Midland
My name is Jason Glover,
and I am the editor of an art publication called
“Thirdeye: Using Creativity to Build a Better
Community.” I am writing to let you know how I feel
about the Just Imagine: Creative Arts Center . Before this nonprofit was even off the ground, and before my magazine had put out our first issue, they had enough faith in our idea to create a community forum for the arts to purchase a full page ad in our first issue. This
covered nearly half the cost of our first print run, and
without it we wouldn’t have gotten off to such a great
start. Besides working to benefit projects such as
Thirdeye, Just Imagine has made our community a better place for all by providing an outlet for grief, pain and negative energy in the form of creativity. Anyone can participate in the programs at the Center by making whatever donation they can afford. They provide art classes, creative offerings and just plain fun in the form of family concerts, drum circles, and benefits to raise money for worthy causes. Just Imagine helps promote togetherness and community awareness through the use of the arts. I would advocate that the model for this center be looked upon as an ideal for other communities across the country, and around the world. In a time of slashed budgets for education and community programs, especially in the area of the arts, Just Imagine is exactly what is needed to keep all forms of human expression alive and well. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss my feelings on this admirable mission further.
—Sincerely, Jason M Glover / Editor of Thirdeye Magazine
Hi Laurie,
I’ve finally moved to Florida. I really miss Just Imagine though. Both you and Thea were so helpful while I was going through a stressful time. It was wonderful to have a place to go and be able to express myself in a positive, creative way. I always felt a little lighter when I left there.
Take Care -- Linda Denno
Sept 12, 2004
“The garden I have found to tend gives me the peace to just imagine the promise of what may come.
There are angels here, some are mortal, some have wings, some are felt, some are seen. I am worthy. God has brought me here to give me what I need. No longer alone, I am with those who love and care for me and allow me to do the same. I am home at Just Imagine. Thank God I am home.”
– Greg G.
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