Ned Erickson: UPDATE Week of March 19

We tried

Hold onto your seats because this Update is slam packed with good stuff.

WEEKLY UPDATE

Caleb fills out his bracket

Monday. It seems like a long time ago, but remember it snowed last Monday? Well, we survived school cancellations and juggling work and kids to end up having a great day.

Lia and I got to spend the afternoon with our sweet dear friends Barnes and Elizabeth Harris. Elizabeth is Natalie's mentor. Both are having a wonderful second semester.

David and I got to play with Winnie possibly one last time in the snow.

Round Table was at Chris and Virginia Perry. Chris had a board meeting to attend. Virginia and I agreed it was about half as fun as usual.

I intended to let the Fellows out early, but we ended up staying late. (So much for my talk on Time Management!) Ha!

Truth be told - it wasn't my Time Management talk that got us in trouble - it was how much we enjoy being together that did us in!

Tuesday. The admissions team interviewed a most excellent Fellows candidate, another home grown talent named Math Gibson.

Mathu has an incredible story.

We extended him an offer. I hope he accepts!

Wednesday Leader Lunch was with my good buddy Drew Gerstmyer. He operates somewhat like a secret agent, which is the reason why he is hiding in this picture.

Where is he?

But he did give me permission to show you the Cougar he made for Winston-Salem's newest music venue the Ramkat.

Thursday. After getting breakfast with another one of our amazing mentors Charlie Barham (I've been trying to meet with them all individually (shout out to Betsy Turner and Michelle Schapira!)

I headed to Davidson College for some recruiting.

I met Anna at Stone Mountain but she is the kind of gal we are looking for!

I love being back at my alma mater. This gal already has a job in DC but it didn't stop me from talking to her about Winston-Salem!

Another highlight was spending time with one of my favorite recent Mount Tabor graduates, Gracie Petty

Gracie is one of the best humans on the planet

She introduced me to a whole bunch of people, including these Buddhist Monks!!!

The Original Shock Top

Is it just me or do these two guys look similar?

It was a fantastic day.

Abbey and Sarah visited David at school while I was away.

Then went up to Pilot Mountain with Morgan to watch the sunset

Only in Winston can you go to work, visit David and watch the sunset from the top of a mountain in one afternoon.

Friday and Saturday.

Tent Life

After class and a recruiting sesh from Wake Forest (Wake was recruiting Fellows for their business programs!), we headed up to Stone Mountain for our long-awaited Spring Campout.

It was a first ever campout for Grace Mezzy and Abbey Sams!

First ever!

Friday was astoundingly beautiful.

Perfect for Spikeball, Frisbee and Football

Lots of Eno-ing.

Hobo dinners and Crescent Rolls on a stick.

Sarah was a grill master!

On Saturday, we climbed to the summit.

the approach

What a day!

We tried to replicate last year's picture...

One of these years we will get it right!

We missed Tucker and Tate who had to miss for various reasons. But great fun was had by all!

Sunday several Fellows crashed Hope Presbyterian to hear from our guest preacher.

Yep. That's Tim Keller

Me and Reese

I actually missed going to Hope because Reese asked me to play guitar for his church. (Their original guitarist got hit by a car on Saturday! Yikes! He's OK.)

More pics at the end...

RECRUITMENT

We have another homegrown talent coming our way via Chapel Hill.

Tim graduated from Mount Tabor and is finishing up a degree in History and Psychology from UNC. I met him over the Christmas Break to administer an assessment that I do with the Fellows that helps them figure out how they tick.

Through it, I became convinced that what Tim really needed was to be a Fellow!

Now, here we are! Welcome Tim. This year is going to be big!

Lots of exclamation points here!

We are waiting to hear back from a couple recent invitations. Another invite is going out after I send this update. I've got a phone call with another recruit this afternoon. And we are pursuing another fine young woman who has yet to apply.

Things are certainly happening! If you know of anyone who has been on the fence (maybe you) about applying - now is the time. You better get on it - now!

FINANCES

Not much to report except we are about to send a big check to Mission Emanuel!

If you want to help us along those lines, please send your contribution to

Winston-Salem Fellows

851 W. 5th St.

WSNV 27101

or online at wsfellows.com/give

LOOKING FORWARD

Round Table is at the Ericksons! Boo-yah!

Leader Lunch is with Mike Ford

Friday Class we continue with Rob and begin a short seminar course with Giorgio Hiatt

This weekend we will definitely be up to some shenanigans...