We’ve all heard the phrase, “That’s a good problem to have.” Last year, when Incourage hosted our 1^st Annual Community Picnic, we planned for 500 people. More than 1,000 showed up.

That was a great problem to have, and it showed us that residents were hungry for more than free food. The picnic provided an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate living in south Wood County.

This year, our 2^nd Annual Community Picnic is Wednesday, August 7, 4:30-8 p.m. at Lake Wazeecha’s Red Sands Beach. We learned a lot from our first picnic. We’ll have more food lines and we’re utilizing the new shelterhouse. We were also overwhelmed by residents’ generous offers to help out this year, be it with supplies, labor or money. And that’s what a community picnic is all about. That’s what a community is all about.

We hope that you, your neighbors, and people that you don’t know are at the picnic. Our intent in hosting this picnic is to highlight what we have as a community – not only in natural resources – but also in local assets: food, talent, and the people who live here.

Enjoy a performance of local talent in the Aqua Skiers and Shermalot water ski teams and listen to music by the band, Kids from Korea. Adults and kids can enjoy inflatables, visit with clowns, and meet Rosco Rafter and Cranberry Guy.

Incourage is the community’s foundation. Since 1994, we’ve focused on addressing the changing needs of our community. To do that, we need you. We believe that when you get to know your neighbors through conversation, it changes the way we understand our community and helps us realize our full potential.

The picnic and festivities are free. Our only request is that people begin to make new connections and build relationships. Perhaps you’ll meet a neighbor who lives across the street who you haven’t met yet. Or you may meet someone completely new and outside your circle. Either way, it’s good for our community, because strong relationships and connected residents make a community a vibrant place to live.