6/1/2017

X-Excel Insider

“To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even

greater.”- Bono

WHAT’S NEW AT X-EXCEL?

As many of you know, we opened our new day hab in Jackson on May 1st.

Our Open House celebration will be June 2nd

from 9am- 2pm. We would love to see you, share our early success stories, and our ideas

for the future in this remarkable spot.

Feel free to bring a friend!

We are expanding and doing quality assurance on our chocolate-making at Jackson. If you know a business that would be willing to

display one of our chocolate boxes, please contact us! All boxes have a slot for money

collection, so it is hassle free to the businesses.

FREE EVENTS IN TOWN

STARK COUNTYTues- Sat. (9.30a- 5p)

Art by John Carlson at the Massillon Museum.

June 3rd (2p-4p)Naturalist Series (Dragonflies) at

Mount Union Nature Center. Bring a net to catch them!

June 6, 13, 20, 27Open Mic Night at Muggswigz

Coffee in Canton. Listen or join (buy 1 drink, 2nd 10% off).

June 9th & 10th (Noon- 10.30p)Canton Blues Fest in Downton

Canton.

June 17th (9a- 3p)Canton Flea Market on Court Avenue

NW. Browse through fun & unique items!

June 20th (6.30p)An ensemble of the Canton

Symphony Orchestra will play at Sippo Lake/ Exploration Gateway. Come early to see live animals at

5.30.ASHLAND COUNTY

June 9th (5p)

UPCOMING CRAFT SHOWS

On June 3rd we will set up with other vendors and stage performers for Summit StageFest, held in

Highland Square in Akron.

This event brings together groups for a FREE celebration of live performances, art, and food!

We hope to see you there!

June 3rd

Highland Square11am- 6pm

FROM THE DESK OF TOM RICKELS

ON FIRST DAYS, PHILOSOPHY’S, AND ROCKS

After some obstacles that X-Excel had, we are pleased to open our new location in Jackson Township next to Pat Catan’s. We will focus entirely on vocational habilitation skills and getting people prepared for jobs in the community while still having a little fun.

Here is a photo of the first day.

At X-Excel our philosophy is not based on how much money we have or

don’t have but on what we believe in. If your philosophy has to change due to a change in money, you don’t have a philosophy, you have a budget. So if you believe in Supported Employment, make it work. If you

believe in Person Centered Planning, make it work. Pick whatever you believe in and make it work. There is no difference between a good excuse and a bad excuse, they are both excuses.

Finally, in the world of quick communications, nanosecond thinking, never forget the power of slowing down and allowing a little child to explore the world in the way they want. It is very rewarding and you don’t even need a smart phone.

Till next time…Believe in good.

Tom

GOALS AND SUCCESSEvery week Anthony an employee at X-Excel in Alliance, takes his money

down to the arcade in the mall and plays the big balloon machine (and hits the jackpot on every trip). He has been saving his tickets for over one year. Initially

he was going to purchase a Lego Alarm Clock, but when he went in to cash his 99,999 tickets he saw an Xbox and continued to save. On May 19, 2017, he reached his goal and cashed in 122,000 tickets for the Xbox of his dreams!

Jake, one of Anthony’s co-workers interviewed him to learn a bit more.

1. What emotions do you have when you are at the arcade?

“happy, calm, “woosa”

2. Who is your favorite person at the arcade?

“Miss Mary, she is a marvelous Mary and very nice. I like to see Rachel and Mike. They have tokens.”

3. Do you have a favorite friend to take with you?

“Brendan because he watches me win.”

4. What games are you going to get for your Xbox?

“Olympic Games: London 2012, Wheel of fortune, Jeopardy, Sonic free rider, carnival games, Super Mario World.

We all have goals in life. When we receive support our goals can become reality. If you go with Anthony to the arcade you will see not only his own excitement, but the excitement of his peers. They love to see him hit the jackpot. They clap, dance, and at times sing. Mall shoppers not knowing anything about Anthony, will stop in amazement and watch as he keeps playing, the balloon pops and tickets stream out.

Anthony teaches us all a lesson. Simply put, achieving goals along the way will allow you to reach larger more difficult goals. Anthony mastered the game and eventually hit the jackpot every time. He saved and grew his ticket collection, eventually cashing in for an Xbox. Each small achievement was celebrated by those around him. What would happen if we offered the same support and celebration to everyone we knew?

Anthony and Rachel, an

In front of the balloon machine

with his new

BIRTHDAYSSuzanne Dalton 6/10

Megan Capalingo 6/11

Mandy Grimm 6/14

Adam Small 6/19

Sherry Yenni 6/20

Lana Vogus 6/21

Dorothy Wilson 6/21

Jeff Briggs 6/25

ANNIVERSARIESMichele Lane 6/8/2010

5 Minute HummusIngredients:

15 oz. Canned chickpeas, rinsed 1 Clove garlic¼ cup Olive oil (plus more for serving) 1 tsp Ground cumin2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice ¾ tsp Kosher salt 2 Tbsp Tahini (sesame seed paste; optional) ¼ tsp Paprika

1. In a food processor, puree the chickpeas, and garlic with the olive oil, lemon juice, tahini (if using), cumin, and ¾ tsp salt until smooth and creamy. Add 1 to 2 Tbsp water as necessary to achieved the desired consistency. 2. Transfer into a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with the paprika before serving.

*Aaron suggests eating pretzels with hummus! Recipe found by Aaron L.

Happy Birthday!And

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION!