UPDATES FROM THE GABESTER

Dear World,

I want you to meet Suzan.  She is the newest addition to my team and I am very happy about that.  Suzan and I have something in common---She has a son named Gabe!   Her Gabe is a year younger than me.  Suzan is very kind and nice.  We have a lot of fun.  We listen to a lot of music.  Yesterday we were singing the National Anthem and I was singing at the top of my lungs.  Everyone in our building could hear me sing.  At work we have been studying about hurricanes.  My hurricane advice?  Get out of Dodge!!!

My friend, Mark, who was featured in my first book, is doing well.  I have plans to see him on the 4th of July.  We are going to have a Good Luck Hurricane Party! 

Till we meet again.

Your friend, 
Cool Gabe

GARDENING AND MAY ACTIVITES

Hello World,


May is the time when everyone works in the yard or the garden., plant flowers, and celebrates  Mother's and Memorial Day.  Our class has been talking about gardening and mother's day so far. We planted some plants in a pot for that someone special for mother's day. We started planting some flowers and veggies in a big yellow dish in the court yard.

I went to a park to participate in the relay for life and sang in  the the choir. Boy did I have fun.

singing my heart out

with my buddies

the choir group

Our class will be talking about fruits and Memorial Day, indy 500 and other special events.

WHAT DID YOU DO FOR YOUR MOTHER'S DAY AND WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR MEMORIAL DAY? 

Your Friend,
Cool Gabe,

MUSIC TIME

Hello World

   I have been learning about different types of music in the last few weeks. I learned about rhythm and blues, country, jazz and gospel so far. Next week I will be learning about rock and roll. I enjoyed gospel and country music better than jazz and rhythm and blues. It was nice to explore other kinds of music and can't wait to hear other types that I haven't  heard yet.


WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SINGERS AND MUSIC BANDS?

Next week is rock and roll music. Let's rock and roll!


Your Friend Cool Gabe

LET'S GET UP AND EXERCISE

Hello World

check out my new muscles

How many of you exercise everyday? I learned how to do exercises in my wheelchair (my yellow bus) this week. I learned to do new exercises with  my arms and legs. I exercise both in my classroom and on nice days, outside. It's recommended  that adults should exercise 30 minutes or more most days of the week if not everyday. Here is my challenge question. How many  of YOU are doing 30 minutes of exercise a day?

Your friend,
 Cool Gabe

REPORTING FROM THE TROPICS

Hello World,

Cool Gabe here reporting from the tropics.  I feel sorry for everyone up in the cold north, because I'm at work today wearing shorts and a T-shirt. 

As you know, I've been waiting for my new wheels.  I had a fitting recently for my new custom fitted wheelchair and it's a beauty!  To quote my mother,  "Woo Hoo!"  I want to give a big SHOUT OUT to Chris, the guy helping me with it, and to the scooter store because they are great.  Thank you!

Here's what been happening on the home front:

• My Aunt Mona and Joe came for a visit a couple of weeks ago.  We ate a lot of seafood  (I like to "see food and eat it").  We have so much wonderful, fresh seafood in Sebastian.  Shrimp is one of my favorite foods.  Aunt Mona and I enjoyed our visit.  
• Our neighbor, Ms. Vic and her family (kids Patty and Lenny and grandson Nick),  were over for Christmas dinner.  We had lots of great food.  Ms. Vic is one of my best friends!  Ms. Vic is from New York and is a great Italian cook which might be one of the reasons why we're such great friends.  Pasta, ravioli, spaghetti -- she can make it all!  It's always nice to share a meal with Ms. Vic.

Last week in my cooking class we used purple cauliflower from Veggies of Vero.  It was my first time to see it and eat it.  We cooked it up with some garlic, olive oil, and squash.  Yum!!!! 

Here's a fact that my teachers shared with us:  Purple cauliflower's color is caused by the presence of the antioxidant group anthocyanin, which can also be found in red cabbage and red wine.

Playing around in the kitchen!



Just having fun!

 Off for more adventures! 

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

THE IMPORTANCE OF TABLE MANNERS

Hello World,

Let me ask you a couple of questions:

• Do you know how to act at the dinner table?
• Do you know how to set a table?
• Do you use the words "please" and "thank you" at the dinner table?
• Do you enjoy your food?
• Do you how to eat? 

These questions are a clue about what I've been studying this week at ARC of Indian River County.  My teachers, Barbara and Jacque, have been talking with us about Table Manners.  We've been using the computer lab to watch some really funny TV shows about bad table manners.  We've also been having demonstrations in our classroom about how to set the table and how to eat slowly.  Did you know that if you eat slowly, you digest your food better, and are less likely to overeat? 

I'm going to give you a challenge about table manners.  When you eat dinner tonight, time yourself.  If you eat dinner from start to finish in less than 20 minutes, then we have some work to do to help you slow down and enjoy your food.  Call me, because Cool Gabe is ready and able to help YOU learn good table manners! 

Off to my Healthy Cooking class!  Talk with you next week.

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

Here I am in the computer lab doing some research yesterday.

INSPIRING YOU

Hello World,

I'm so proud of my sister, Taylor.  She just made the softball team at Sebastian River High School!  She has been working hard to get on the team and now her dream has come true.  Go Sharks!  I'm looking forward to seeing you play. 

I was quite surprised to learn last Sunday that the Vero Beach Press Journal had a story about my blog.  The article was called "Inspiring Others" and it was in the "Good for You" section of the paper.  Boy, was my mom surprised!  I love to inspire others with my smile and my positive attitude.  I inspire others because I know I always have the support of my family and my faith.  Thank you to the Press Journal for the article.  There is a link to the Press Journal at the bottom of this blog. 

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "inspiration" as "stimulation of the faculties to a high level of feeling or activity."  Here's my challenge to the readers of the Cool Gabe blog:  what are YOU doing to inspire others??  I'll be looking forward to hear from you.  You can contact me via this blog or you can send a letter to me at: ARC of Indian River County, 1375 16th Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida 32960.  I think an "INSPIRING OTHERS" campaign is in order to make the world - my world and yours - a better place.  

Your friend,
Cool Gabe

http://www.tcpalm.com/

Here I am holding the newspaper article about my blog!

Working on today's blog with Walter and Kathi

HAPPY NEW YEAR, COOL GABE!

Gabe and I were scheduled to write his weekly blog this morning.  Well, it turns out he didn't come in to ARC today because his mother wanted to spend the day with him because she has the day off from her job.  Enjoy your day with mom! 

While talking with Gabe's classroom teachers, Jacque and Barbara, this morning about how Gabe never misses a day of work, we talked about how excited we are for you to have the whole day today to spend some quality time with your mom.  We decided "the blog will go on" this once without you!

Gabe, we want you to know that you have been teaching us some valuable lessons about life, about our attitudes towards life, and about the time we have to spend together with family and friends.  Every morning when you and your classmates are going outside and I hear you working to get my attention so we can talk about our game plan for your blog, you make me smile. 

You communicate so well!  Every time when you are in your classroom across the hall from my office and you hear my voice when I'm talking with someone and you start working to get my attention, I'm listening to you.  Whether it is the way you communicate with sign language or with your eyes or with your voice, we are all listening to you.  Your faith in God is great and we are all listening to you.  Your smile is contagious and we are all listening to you.  

We all have a purpose in life.  Gabe, we are so grateful to know you and to have you in our lives because you have become our teacher.  I know 2012 will bring bigger and better things for you.  Thank you for allowing me to help you bring your voice to the world through this blog.  I see your blog as just the first of many new tools to come into your life. 

Happy New Year to Cool Gabe from all of us at ARC of Indian River County!

"GABE, YOU INSPIRE US"

Your friend,
Nancy Heinrich

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hello World, 

We're expecting a high of 80 degrees here in beautiful Vero Beach, Florida today as we anxiously wait for Santa Claus to start his trip around the world tomorrow night.  It is Christmas in the tropics and here I am at ARC of Indian River County in shorts, a t-shirt and my Santa hat! 

Today is a busy day at ARC.  I'm in the 9 A.M. cooking class and we're making Christmas Salad.  I heard the greens we're having are from Veggies of Vero! 

In the kitchen with my cooking teacher, Miss Nancy

Later this morning is our annual Christmas party.  We're having subs from Subway, Christmas music, and dancing (my favorite part).



Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas (at ARC with my teachers, Miss Jacque and Miss Barbara)



Cool Gabe enjoying the tropical weather on December 23rd!

I'd like to wish a special Merry Christmas to my mother and my sister.  I'm looking forward to a great Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together with you!

Merry Christmas, everyone! 
Your friend,
Cool Gabe

GETTING ON YOUR CHRISTMAS GROOVE

Hello World! 

My favorite holiday is fast approaching.   I'm really enjoying seeing my neighbors' Christmas decorations going up.  The lights, the decorations, the Christmas songs on the radio, the smell of the Christmas tree in my house - this is what makes December my favorite time of the year. 

I want to do a SHOUT OUT to Mark.  Thank you for getting me safely to and from ARC of Indian River County every day.  It's always a great ride when you do the driving!

Tomorrow is a big day for me.  My new ride arrives!  This is the last day for my yellow wheels.  It's almost like Christmas! 

Your friend,

Cool Gabe

My First Book

Do you know that I am an author?   Earlier this year I wrote a book.  It is called The Adventures of Cool Gabe. The book is about my family, my friends at ARC of Indian River County, and the activities I enjoy doing. My friend, Walter, says that I am a "babe magnet", which I think is a pretty cool name to have!  I think Walter is pretty cool because he runs our snack shop at ARC. 

The author holding a copy of The Adventures of Cool Gabe.

I am very proud of myself for writing the book.  If you know someone who needs an inspiration to live up to their potential, then maybe my book can inspire them.  To get inspired, call Sandy Gaunt at ARC  (772-562-6854, extension 217) if you would like to purchase a copy of The Adventures of Cool Gabe. 

Yesterday, I went on a field trip to Mckee Botanical Gardens with my teachers, Ms. Barbara and Ms Jacque, to see different kinds of scarecrows which are planted around the garden. Some of the scarecrows were dressed up in different costumes from local organizations that participated.  McKee  is a hidden treasure filled with tropical trees, bamboo, exotic orchids, and tall palms.  A little known fact to people from outside of Indian River County is that McKee used to be Florida's most popular tourist destination before Disneyworld opened in Orlando. 

Your friend,
Cool Gabe