The Sandra M. Hicklen Foundation

8 minutes on YouTube from Saturday Night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C1h-PZw_zA

What a wonderful evening on Saturday! The memorial and celebration was full of memories, full of some laughter and tears, and full of celebration for Sandy's life. I was very proud of the event, and very proud to see families and friends come together for it.

Thank you to everyone--all 500 of you-- who joined us at Genesee Valley. Thank you to every one who participated from more remote areas, as well. Toasts were raised in Sandy's honor from beaches along the east coast, homes in the Midwest and Canada, California, and countless other places.

There was a tremendous effort by "volunteers" to pull Saturday's event together. I cannot begin to thank everyone individually, but trust me when I tell you that the pictures, the caterer, the flowers, the help from parking attendants, even the use of the property at Genesee Valley would not have happened without the spectacular effort from many family and friends. I simply could not have done it without you, and your efforts allowed me to focus on my family and to prepare myself and others for Saturday. I will forever be grateful.

On Saturday, I proudly announced the formation of the Sandra M. Hicklen Foundation, Incorporated. The foundation’s status as a 501(c)3 non-profit is pending. Your donations are tax deductible while 501(c)3 status is pending. Please check back regularly for updates on the mission and activies of this exciting, new charitable foundation.

Donations can be sent to:


The Sandra M. Hicklen Foundation, Inc.
c/o Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
300 East Lombard Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

A Memorial & Celebration - Updated

UPDATED

Saturday, July 12, 2008, 7pm

Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center

Please check the blog frequently for possible updates.

Update (7/9):

1) Car pools are encouraged to keep parking requirements to a minimum. Additionally, there is a Park-n-Ride just west of I-83 on Middletown Road. It is easy to meet and carpool over from there.

2) Seating for 200 will be provided, and indications are that attendance will exceed this number. People may consider bringing folding/camp chairs.

I will post instructions for donations in lieu of flowers... I just have not gotten around to that yet. Thanks for your patience.

Memorial will be followed by refreshments and Andy Nelson's World Famous BBQ

We're doing our level best to estimate the number of people...we sincerely hope that you all get to eat! (If not, thanks for your understanding)

What To Wear
Please note that Sandy's wish was for people to dress in what she liked to call "Summer Brights." No dark suits and ties...

Guys: comfortable shorts or slacks are fine, colored shirts are great
Gals: Sandy referred to "Lilly"as the example during these conversations-- wear your favorite bright and festives, with fun colors.


Where to Go
Directions to Genesee Valley http://www.geneseevalley.org/contact/directions/
Take the first entrance to Genesee Valley that appears on your left as you approach. It will be marked clearly and parking attendants will direct traffic.

Where to Stay
The nearest hotels to Genesee Valley are in Hunt Valley and Cockeysville, Maryland.

Hunt Valley/Cockeysville (between Genesee Valley and Towson)
Marriott Hunt Valley
Courtyard by Marriott
Hampton Inn
Crowne Plaza North Hunt Valley

Towson (closer to our home; the Inner Harbor of Balto. is about 10 miles south of Towson)
Sheraton Baltimore North
The Berkshire Marriott Hotel

Two Good Days

We have had two good days. That's not a bad start, if you ask me.

Today, Hannah and Haley joined me, Beth (Sandy's sister), Bobby (her brother), and Sandy's parents, Mac and Gerry, to walk the grounds at Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center. Our dog, Riley, joined us, and I was glad to have him by my side. The family that owns Genesee Valley has been long time friends and their place has come to have significant meaning to our family over the years.

We did this to scope out a place to hold the memorial. A collective decision could have been a dicey endeavor for a group that is so emotionally raw, but it is important to me that we all did it. It was a positive experience-- I actually enjoyed it and we were unanimous in our opinions that this facility is completely consistent with Sandy's intent.

Hannah and Haley embraced the activity with smiles and memories of their mom. They are certain that this will be an ideal setting where we can all gather to recognize our loss and share in the celebration. We covered a lot of ground-- the facility is large, with over 300 acres of varied terrain in rural, northern Baltimore County. The property includes open fields and hills, ponds, and woods. Riley embraced the streams and ponds, in particular.

It was Sandy's wish that she have a memorial, not a funeral. She asked that it be held outside and be marked by celebration. No dark clothes allowed-- just "summer brights," as she called them. I will share more details about her wishes as our plans are confirmed. Know that all are welcome to join us in the spirit of celebration.

Please check this site over the next 1-2 days as details are finalized. The intention is to hold the memorial & celebration at Genesee Valley during the evening of Saturday, July 12th, or Saturday, July 26th. Thank you for understanding that our schedule is pretty complicated right now. I am working to finalize plans as quickly as possible and look forward to sharing the time together.

My Heavy Heart

It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I must report that Sandy passed away on Tuesday evening while at Gilchrist/Hospice of Baltimore in Towson, Maryland. She fought every inch, every second, including the final seconds of her life. I am so proud of her.

In a cruel irony, my mother also passed away last evening in Bay Harbor, Michigan, after her fight against lung cancer for the last two and one half years. "Dotto," as her four grandchildren affectionately called her, was a non-smoker.

Losing two loved ones in less than twenty-four hours is damned tough. This has been the saddest and most difficult day of my life, but your support helps. I hope that I will be able to share more with you through this blog at some time. Right now, the girls and I are just very, very sad.