Sunderland DI

D.I. Reunion!!

2010-12-31T06:17:00.000-08:00

Great time was had by all as the Deane's hosted the first annual Disaster Masters Reunion!! After follies in the basement... pizza was devoured by all and an afternoon of fort building ensued outside! The wind was unforgiving... but the Disaster Masters were tough as they burrowed their way to new civilizations with tree covered tunnels and top secret passageways! After being forced inside, the team enjoyed some rich delicious hot chocolate and homemade chocolate chip cookies! Holy cow... it's good to be a Disaster Master... even a year later!!

AND THE WINNER IS!!

2010-06-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Flossie Hill-Miller for holding the winning ticket in the Quilt raffle. $288 was raised and the proceeds was split between the Disaster Masters and the Sunderland Public Library. We are so lucky to have such supporters!

Sheila draws the winning ticket.

Happy Birthday Anna - on her way home

2010-05-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

The team has landed in Charlotte and are killing time before they board their flight to Hartford. Tony and Deb are estimated to arrive home around 6 tonight!!

Safe travels.

Totally Amazing - these kids

2010-05-29T20:04:00.001-07:00

They finished 13th!! See the results.
http://globalfinals.org/index.php/results/322-results-challenge-b-dir-bot

Closing Ceremonies - The energy is amazing

2010-05-29T18:27:00.001-07:00

Performance pictures

2010-05-29T15:25:00.001-07:00

Amy forwarded this to me!

They have the "official" photos of the Disaster Masters performance
posted on page 14 and 15 of the DiBOT area:

http://idodi.smugmug.com/Global-Finals-2010/challenges/Challenge-DI-Bot/12288358_T2LJK#882735387_dheht

They are just SOOOO Cute

Best Performance yet!

2010-05-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

The kids keep outdoing themselves!!

now that is some waaaavy hair!

Ready Set Go

2010-05-29T05:46:00.000-07:00

Morning Pep Talk

Breakfast of Champions

Final Day Schedule - Main Challenge and Pool Party

2010-05-29T03:26:00.000-07:00

Too tired to type more than necessary.

Breakfast will be at the same time as yesterday. 7. Be there or be square.

Focus : Challenge. What else can I say? The hair is braided, Mr.
Shrimpton is loose, Aquaman us pumped up! Game on!

See you in the morning.

Okay. Now that I realize Julie is posting these emails......

After the challenge we are cutting loose! Back to the dorms to change into swim gear then down to the Presidential courtyard for pin trading
- we will get pictures - lunch that is not pulled pork or chicken, and then some major pool action. Slip n'slide, diving board, floatees....kid (and manager!) chill time.

Then back to the dorms to change and pack up and off to closing ceremonies. I can't believe it's over. Didn't it just start?

--Judy

Check out the new videos and pictures posted!!

Video, New pics

2010-05-29T03:23:00.000-07:00

Deb uploaded some video of the kids. (Look at the bottom of the post for more pictures and link to the album where more pictures are available to view.

Ta Da moment after Instant Challenge

Missing Home on the way to Opening ceremonies

Singing the llama song on the way to opening ceremonies

Why Fish in the llama song?

I uploaded a bunch of pictures to the DI pages, Go and browse there. here are a few.

Cave Caves Everywhere

2010-05-28T13:04:00.000-07:00

Caves...400 feet Below the Ground!!

2010-05-28T13:01:00.002-07:00

Tuckaleechee...Tuck-a-what-ee?? Tuckaleechee...as in caves!! Everyone took a very cool field trip to these very famous caves in Tennessee's Smokey Mountains. Waterfalls 450 feet below the earth... vernal pools, stalactites, stalagmites, and the cleanest, clearest, freshest, tastiest drinking water you've ever tasted! Very Impressive!

Friday Schedule and More Pics from Thursday Dance/Bed Time

2010-05-28T06:12:00.000-07:00

Another great day is behind us! I know you all hears about how great the kids felt they did on IC today. What you

didn't hear about is the box and ball dance we went to. Check out the blog for some great pictures of this event -

hopefully Julie has time to post them! The highlight of the night was when the band played "don't stop believing!".

The kids truly think this song is for them! The enthusiasm was crazypants! We have the video to prove it.

Breakfast tomorrow 7:00 at the magical Smokey's at the campus center.

Fieldtrip to the caves at 9-4:30.

Dinner once we disembark. And then we will have some team performance practice.

Busy day ahead. Call if you need anything - although who knows what type of cell service the caves get.
Judy

Taaaaa Daaaaaaah!

2010-05-27T18:54:00.000-07:00

After feeling quite accomplished post-instant challenge, the Disaster Masters share their "ta-dah" moment in the beautiful outdoor amphitheater!

INSTANT CHALLENGE

2010-05-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

The team is ready!!

Shana Wrote "All 6 say IC was awesome- couldn't be happier"

More Opening Ceremony Pics and Thursday's agenda

2010-05-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

Can't wait to see the pictures and hear the stories from today. Here is the agenda as emailed late last night!

We had a great first day today. The kids are all asleep and Shana and I have planned out tomorrows activities. Here

is the plan...

Depart for breakfast @ 6:30

Team challenge viewing @ 8:00-9:00 university ballroom

Pin trading and Souvenir Shop visit @ 9-10:30 KCC pin pit

Fuel Up to Play 60 challenge (TBD) in KCC area from 10:30-11:30

Lunch @ worlds fair park @ 11:30

Pool @ 12:30-1:30

Team IC prep 2-3 in room

Team IC depart @ 3 for arrival at the Humanities Building near Thompson Boling Arena.
***please be there for the TaDa moment no later than 4!

Kids choice 4:30-5:30ish

Dinner @ 5:50 @ Smokey's

Box & Costume Ball @ 7:30 - Thompson Boling arena

Whew! Another busy day with these crazy awesome kids :-)

Please call or email with any questions. Good night!

--Judy

Phew! Amazing Day!

2010-05-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

The kids are all asleep, showered and out cold from exhaustion:-) Opening ceremonies was amazing. We sweated it out waiting in a long packed corridor for almost an hour waiting to march in but once we got in there it was big time fun for the team. In other news... pin trading is WAY more addictive and fun than any of us could have imagined. They were all looking at their new pins before bed tonight and rearranging them. Everyone has been brave reaching out to new friends from around the world to make trades. Tomorrow is IC, the kids are gonna knock em dead. They are booming with creativity this week, you can feel it. They sing these really catchy made up songs everywhere they go and folks just love them. The wild hats were a huge hit. I'm going to bed. All six kids are happy and loving this. Great start to our big adventure!

More Soon...

Shana

Thanks New Mexico!!

2010-05-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

After somehow walking right through security without any tickets...Lee and Tony found themselves in need of some seats for Opening Ceremonies. Thanks to New Mexico who quickly and graciously gave us three of their available "sweet" seats. Deb arrived soon after (apparently, unfortunately for Deb, security wasn't about to let another ticketless parent into the show), but she talked her way in and soon joined us! We're "feelin' the love" down here in Tennessee. Where I might add, they put good manners, polite tone, courtesy, and plain old being NICE on the map! Tennessee folks and New Mexico folks are amazing!!

WOW!! Opening Ceremonies!

2010-05-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

Can you say pyrotechnic excitement...complete with marching band leading in the delegations from around the world!! Brazil...Singapore...Korea, United Kingdom...Mexico...Turkey...Wow!! Watching the kids walk in with the Massachusetts delegation was awesome! Finished the evening with a fireworks display and wild and crazy laser show! Kids loved it...let the games begin!

Opening Ceremonies

2010-05-26T18:13:00.000-07:00

They texted that it was HOT! We heard MA DI come out, but didn't really get a glimpse of the kids!!

Wednesday to Tennessee

2010-05-26T06:16:00.000-07:00

I will post pictures as they arrive via email/iphone - You can also see "official pictures from the event at The Offical Global DI website
Even at 4:45 they look happy!

At the airport in Hartford

Conveyor Belts are a blast

Stevie's first airplane ride was a success!

Chillin' at Gate C34

The Journey Begins at 4:30am

2010-05-25T03:21:00.000-07:00

8:05pm update: Knoxville - Here we are!

3:30pm update: 80 miles north of Roanoke.

11:am update. They have just gone through Harrisburg, PA. Capital of PA as all those 4th graders know by now!!

The first wave has moved. 4:30am the first stop was for coffee with a packed van and energized parents. Deb and Tony left Tuesday morning for their 13+ hour drive to Tennessee with luggage, props, snacks, etc.... I hope they will have good weather and views on the way.

This is just half of the back!!!

AND THE WINNER IS!!

2010-05-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

Jason Marino has won the IPAD raffle. We hope he enjoys it! Thank you everyone for your support. The kids are on their way to Tennessee!!

Video on the Blog Site

2010-05-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

This is the kids on the way to states!! Imagine what it will be like on the way to Tennessee... we will post more video as we get it.

Rags to Riches to Pins.... OH MY!!

2010-05-22T14:52:00.000-07:00

Don't be jealous, now. Only 6 of these babies in circulation, and the Disaster Masters got every last one!! Can you say... "Let the trading BEGIN"!!!!!!!!

Quilt Raffle at the Sunderland Library Book and Plant Sale

2010-05-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 15th - 9:00am -----

Two Great Causes

The Sunderland Public Library and the Sunderland Destination Imagination Team have teamed up to raise money. Half of the proceeds from the quilt raffle will be donated to the Sunderland Public Library and half will go to the Sunderland Destination Imagination Team, currently raising funds to support their trip to Global Finals in Knoxville TN

Quilt

This beautiful donated quilt is composed of twelve blocks created by members of Round Robin, three of the Hands Across the Valley Quilt Guild. Tarr, a member of the Round Robin, pieced and quilted the project. Timna is the owner of Q Tailored Quilts (www.qtailoredquilts.com)

and an award winning quilter.

Tickets are $2 for 1 ticket or $5 for 3 tickets.

Check out some closeups of the panels.......

Hope to see you buying books, plants and raffle tickets

A Sweet Successful Bake Sale...and a Few Hot Dogs to boot!!

2010-05-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day for some tasty home baked treats! The Disaster Masters had a very successful bake sale, courtesy of our gracious host Smiarowski Farm Stand! Thank you Sunderland and everyone who came in support of our team and their dream to compete in the Global Destination Imagination Tournament in Tennessee representing our supremely awesome town... Sunderland! Parent, Grandparent, Friend and Family bakers... you rock! Team helpers and money counters... you do too! Smiarwoskis Farm Stand...generous host with delicious dogs and ice cream...Thank you for supporting our team!! What a successful day.

Bake Sale and More Photos

2010-04-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

Check out the new photos I put in the album (Thank you Judy and Dave) that have pictures from regionals, states and the tag sale!! They are awesome

Our next big event will be this saturday for the Smiarowski Farmstand And Creamery - 320 River Road (Route 47) Sunderland. 11am - 1pm. Great cookies, cakes, pies and .99 cent hot dogs and Ice cream. Bring your friends come hungry and buy a raffle ticket!!

Can You Say "Mighty Sweet Tag Sale"?

2010-04-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

Disaster Masters teamed up with D.I. families, friends, and let's face it... the Hepburn Drive neighborhood, for one amazing tag sale! Not a square inch of grass could be seen in the beginning, as tons of treasures, ripe and ready for buying lie in waiting! By the end of the day...stuff was GONE, grass was green, and The Disaster Masters cleaned up! What a successful effort on behalf of our D.I. families and friends! So grateful are we to all who donated items, bought items, purchased raffle tickets, drank lemonade, and enjoyed this beautiful day with us! Hard work! Amazing day! Huge success! Well done!

Fundraising... and "Sweetness on a Stick!!"

2010-04-24T06:29:00.000-07:00

The Disaster Masters were out in full force, selling raffle tickets and sharing their project with the public Friday! Folks couldn't escape without at least asking... "So, what IS D.I.?" Our team was quick to explain their creative problem solving challenges and solutions, and impressed the most unlikely people into donating toward our cause! Afterall, representing Massachusetts in the Global Final Tournament, in the company of 30 other countries is quite an achievement!
The team had fun cleverly crafting quick slogans to draw in the public...
"Donate to D.I....IPad raffle tickets... a dollar gets you a lolipop...sweetness on a stick!" What to say and how to say it well was our own "on the spot" instant challenge for the afternoon! The team had a blast, and we chipped away... little by little, at raising some money, and sharing the D.I. organization with the public! Well done Disaster Masters!

Tennessee Here We Come

2010-04-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

Plane Tickets have been purchased!! Scary and fun all at the same time. We are getting into true fundraising mode. Some important fun dates to keep in mind.

April 19th - Raffle and donations at Walmart in Hadley
April 24th - mulit-family tag sale - Hepburn Road, Sunderland 9 - ?? Lots of furniture, kids stuff, clothes and lemonade.

Don't forget to pick up your raffle ticket for the Apple Ipad.

May 2nd - weather permitting - bake sale at Smiarowski Farmstand And Creamery - 320 River Road (Route 47) Sunderland. 10 - 1pm.

Don't forget to pick up your raffle ticket for the Apple Ipad.

May 22nd - DI Extravaganza - more to come on this event - great music, food, and fun.

I will be finding out more about getting new shirts for the team - check out Saul's awesome signature.

Top of the fold

2010-04-12T06:42:00.000-07:00

Great press for the Disaster Masters. TOP OF THE FOLD from our local paper. It helps to get the word out. Olivia and Abigail did a little door to door yesterday and it helped that some of the folks had seen the article in the paper. They were amazingly poised when giving their scphiel to the neighbors. I am so proud of them.

Also, last night we were having dinner with friends and they hadn't seen the performance. So Olivia did a one person version of the show. Very amusing and fun!

Raffle tickets are available if anyone needs them!!
The picture in the paper was so funny because of the perspective.

Love This Team!

2010-04-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

Can't believe... Knoxville, Tennessee!!!! Can't wait... Knoxville, Tennessee! Lotta love with this team! Great kids, great families, great coaches, great time to be a Disaster Master!! Atlantis is ready to represent!! Globals...Booyah!

Monday Morning- DI excitement still in the air!

2010-04-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

What a weekend! Last night I was thrilled to get a green light from the families of all 6 of our team members. We are going to Knoxville and there is no turning back now:-) I am moving fast to get a press release written up so we can get the good news about the team's success and the urgency of our fund raising challenge out into the community. I am also just about confirmed on our tax deductible EIN numbers for donations. Once I get a few items in place over the next day I'll confirm a team meeting and we will be out of the gate working toward our goal.

I feel swept up by a force bigger than all of us. We have great families and amazing kids. The kindness, generosity, and spirit of this team makes the work of this effort a joy. Thank you to every family member that has supported us until now. You have my full commitment to see this adventure through to Globals. Kids never forget adventures like this and I feel privileged to be with them on this journey.

Congratulations Sunderland Destination Imagination going to Globals

2010-04-05T06:34:00.000-07:00

April 3, 2010 - The Disaster Masters - Sunderland Destination Imagination team came in 2nd overall in the state competition for DI Bot and qualified to make it to Globals in Tennessee in late May. The team is starting a fund raising campaign to get them to Tennessee, come back to this blog to learn about their journey.