March 2011

 SANA H&I Learning Day and St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

By Ross W.

            On Saturday, March 12, the SANA Hospitals and Institutions (H&I) subcommittee, along with the SANA Public Information (PI) subcommittee, hosted a learning day at the Unity Club for members of the Siouxland recovery community. An H&I Learning Day is a presentation by experienced H&I members to an audience of recovering addicts. The purpose of the learning day is to train recovering addicts to carry the message of recovery into jails, treatment centers, hospitals, and institutions – or any place where suffering addicts don’t have access to regular NA meetings. But getting educated wasn’t the only thing in store for the recovering addicts in attendance. Following the learning day, a night of games, food, and fellowship ensued. According to some eyewitness accounts, about one hundred recovering addicts and their families packed in to the Unity Club to take part in the event.

            The H&I learning day, hosted by SANA’s H&I chairman Jason P., started at noon. What is H&I and what does it do? Well, if you attended the learning day, you would already know, having received the information straight from the horse’s mouth. Or you could ask any of nineteen recovering addicts who completed the learning day and are now equipped to carry the NA message to addicts who don’t have the opportunity to attend regular NA meetings. In any case, the H&I committee is responsible for reaching out to addicts in jails, institutions, and treatment centers. As mentioned before, they take our message to people who can’t get to an NA meeting.

            Jason P. gave a very informative presentation on H&I: the do’s and don’ts, the emphasis of the NA message, and more. Jason P. is a great example of why H&I does what it does. A few years ago, Jason was that suffering addict sitting in a treatment center, hungry for hope of some kind. Sure enough, the SANA H&I committee came to Jason’s treatment center and delivered a message of recovery. And that was the spark that ignited his recovery. H&I “planted the seed,” as the saying goes. One of the most important things H&I stresses is that addicts get to an NA meeting as soon as they get out of treatment: your chances of recovering decrease drastically the longer you procrastinate attending a meeting. But Jason started hitting meetings right away, and in the years that followed, the miracle came full circle as now, Jason carries the NA message to the very treatment center he first heard it in. Former H&I Chairman Rennie L., who helped carry the message to Jason, has said, “There’s no better high than seeing someone in a meeting you spoke to in treatment or jail through H&I. In meetings, I’ve had people who got out of treatment come up to me and thank me for coming to their treatment center. No drug can compare to that feeling.”

            H&I is, in my opinion, the embodiment of the foundation of this program, which is one addict helping another. And the value of one addict helping another is truly without parallel – just ask Jason P.

            The H&I Learning day lasted a little over an hour. As mentioned before, nineteen recovering addicts participated, a very impressive turnout. These addicts will go on to carry the message of recovery to all the places our SANA H&I committee goes – the Dakota County jail, the Boys and Girls Home, Synergy Treatment Center in Cherokee, Iowa, and possibly even the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Yankton.

            After the learning day, the stage had to be set for a long day of games and fellowship.  The Unity Club is essentially a large, open room. There are several couches and chairs positioned in a circle in the middle of the room. At the north end, there’s a pool table. At the sound end, by the entrance, there’s a Ping-Pong table. And in one corner, there’s a small dance floor.  Volunteers carted two large TV’s into the club. They positioned them back-to-back in the middle of the dance floor, and this would be the arena for the Wii bowling tournament. The fridge was stocked with pop and water. A steady flow of food began arriving around 1 PM: chips and dip, cookies, brownies, veggies and dip, fruit snacks, and more. But the main event, as far as food went, wouldn’t arrive until 5 PM.

            The Unity Club is not that big of a building, perhaps comparable to the size of a moderate-sized restaurant. We all know what a crowded restaurant looks like with its tables full of people, waiters and waitresses bustling back and forth from the kitchen to the tables, the ceaseless chorus of people’s voices laughing, joking talking. This was exactly the atmosphere of the Unity Club, only factor onto it the added volume and energy of twenty or so young children. As you can see, the Unity Club was a happening place on March 12.

            At all times, children and adults occupied the Ping-Pong table, batting the little white ball back and forth. If you happened to be conversing near the Ping-Pong table, you were liable to have the ball fly past your face in the middle of your sentence. The same was true of the pool table, except that there were thankfully no instances in which pool balls flew past anyone’s face.

            The Wii bowling tournament started at about 4:30 and lasted for several hours. Kids and adults alike competed. I honestly don’t know who won the tournament because I was in one of the first groups to bowl, and consequently, was one of the first to be eliminated from the tournament. But for the next few hours, shouts of joy or disappointment could be heard coming from the dance floor. At times, I’d look over and see someone yelling at the TV, as if the TV were a referee that had just made a bad call. Other times, I’d see someone victoriously hold clenched fists above their head or exchange spirited high-fives with their friends.

            At 5 PM, Jesse K. arrived with two huge tubs, one containing cabbage, the other corned beef, carrots, and potatoes. A traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner, Jesse K’s corned beef and cabbage is second to none. I will be the first to say it was delicious, and I’m sure the many people who I saw shoveling it in their faces would agree with me. All who feasted on the corned beef and cabbage would like to graciously thank Jesse K. for taking the time and effort to prepare the great meal.

            After dinner, the Wii bowling tournament raged on, the Ping-Pong tables staid frantically busy, and game after game of pool was played. The bowling tournament eventually ended and the gamers then started playing a game called Just Dance, which proved to be even more entertaining for spectators than bowling. In Just Dance, a song is played and a digital player on the screen busts out dance moves. The object is for the human player to hold the Wii controller and mimic the bodily movements of the player on the screen. So what this means is you get to watch people dance in front of a TV screen, a truly unique opportunity. Kids and adults alike shook their bodies in rhythm with the music, trying to earn the highest possible score.

            The night capped off with the 8:30 Saturday Night Unity Meeting. With its debut on November 6^th, the Saturday Night Unity Meeting is a relatively new meeting to SANA. But it has succeeded in garnering a sizable following every Saturday night. If you haven’t been to it yet, I would encourage you to check it out. Joe R., the dude who started the meeting, always opens the Unity Club early so show up early and take part in Ping-Pong, pool, and fellowship. Also, the Unity Meeting will be giving out NA Literature for the next six weeks. You’re automatically eligible to win books just by showing up to the meeting, so that’s even more incentive to attend!

            When it was all said and done, March 12^th saw over ten hours of continuous fun and fellowship, starting with the H&I Learning Day, then games and food, and finally the Saturday night NA meeting. All who attended were sure to have a good time, but let’s not forget, all this was only possible because several recovering addicts donated their time and energy to make it happen. So on behalf of the entire SANA recovery community, we would all like to thank those who made the day of fun and fellowship possible. It was a raging success, so give yourself a pat on the back if you helped out. And Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

January 2011 news

this website got a new web servant.  

June 2010 News

SANA Mania V

Under the Stars in Le Mars 2010

By: Ross W.

            SANA  Siouxland Area Narcotics Anonymous

            Mania  noun excessive excitement or enthusiasm; craze

            The behavior of the recovering addicts who attended this years SANA Mania literally lived the definition of mania. If you wondered what mania actually looked like when displayed by humans, you would have to look no further than SANA Mania V. On the weekend of June 4^th-6^th, the municipal park campground in Le Mars was overrun with maniacal addicts infused with the spirit of recovery. The chanting could come at anytime in the middle of dinner, in the middle of a conversation it didn't matter. Someone merely had to utter the words SANA Mania and in an instant, like crazed fans cheering for the game-winning goal at a soccer match, a chorus of recovering addicts would shout SANA MANIA!!!, like it was a war cry. And they never let up the whole weekend. It was the type of free-spirited jubilation rarely seen in the world, and it was all a celebration of freedom from active addiction.

            On the evening of Friday, June 4^th, recovering addicts from the Siouxland Area and beyond showed up at the municipal park campground in Le Mars, Iowa. The campground is located on the edge of town. A stone archway welcomes campers at the entrance. Upon entering, one follows the gravel road to the left and is offered a great view of the small lake at the center of the campground. The lake has two wooden docks from which to fish, as well as a small beach at the southern end. A flock of friendly ducks can be seen at all times of the day, swimming about the water or waddling along the shoreline. Following the gravel road, one sees campsites to their left and the lake to their right. At the end of the gravel road is a large, open campsite about half the size of a football field. The road circles around this large patch of grass and trees and then eventually returns to the entrance. It is on this large campsite that recovering addicts pitched their tents, parked their campers, and settled in for the weekend of SANA Mania.

            About forty addicts showed up for the first night of SANA Mania. The first ones to arrive wasted no time in getting a campfire going, despite the setting sun still providing more than adequate light. They roasted hot dogs and made smores, drank soda and sat in their lawn chairs around the campfire. Others assembled the cowboy golf sets and played, preparing themselves for the tournament on Saturday. Some of the parents and their children stood on one of the fishing docks, casting their lures in the water in hopes of catching a massive bluegill.

            At 10:00 PM on Friday night, the sun had disappeared to the other side of the earth and the moon and stars and black sky had replaced the bright blueness of day. Recovering addicts settled into their lawn chairs around the crackling fire for a campfire meeting of Narcotics Anonymous. Tammy B. from Omaha, a regular at SANA events, chaired the campfire meeting. Though the majority of the recovering addicts present were from Sioux City, there were about twelve people from Omaha, NE, three people from Storm Lake, IA, and even two all the way from Dubuque, IA. It was a gratitude meeting, and starting with Tammy, the opportunity to share what one was grateful for was extended to every addict present. Halfway through the meeting, it became apparent to everyone that there was no way we could possibly express the innumerable things we are grateful for, the unlimited gifts we have received in recovery. Nonetheless, the gratitude continued on around the circle until everyone had shared. Despite all of us sharing in our own unique way what we were grateful for, after the meeting, we had only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg. Because the gifts of recovery are so abundant, we are only able to put our finger on a few of them at a time. We are living examples of the free exchange of compassion, empathy, and love. Following the meeting, everyone stood from their chairs, joined hands, and recited Just For Today.

            It was now midnight, and many people were ready for bed, myself included. However, others stayed up late into the night, conversing under the stars, burning lasting memories into their minds beside the campfire.

            On Saturday morning at 9:00 AM, breakfast was served in the shelter house. The shelter house is only about fifty yards from the campsites, and it is a wooden, one-story building that resembles a classic log cabin, only bigger. Inside, there is a kitchen and a large open room with tables. It probably seats close to eighty people, and recovering addicts piled in to get their hands on some of Jesse Ks moms delicious egg bake. Also at this time, Jesse K. arrived at the shelter with a fresh hog carcass. The hog weighed two hundred fifty pounds. It was taken out of the back of the van and put in a large, cylindrical grill. I asked Jesse K. if he had ever roasted a hog before, and he said that he hadn't, but he had done a ton of research prior to SANA Mania. He looked like a natural, sprinkling the seasoning all over the hog, wrapping the tenderloins in tin foil and placing them in the ribcage. It was the first stage of a feast that would take place later that day.

            Following breakfast, Tammy B. hosted an interactive spiritual workshop in the shelter house. The discussion was lively, with addicts participating by answering questions Tammy posed pertaining to recovery. The workshop was a collective brainstorm of ideas in recovery. Many addicts offered their input on certain recovery-related concepts, and by the time the workshop was done, everyone was successfully refreshed on the fundamentals of recovery.

            At 1:30 PM, I had the privilege of officiating the legendary SANA Mania Cowboy Golf Tournament. The tournament was held right at the campsite. It was a blind-draw tournament, which means addicts signed up and then names were randomly drawn to determine team partners. A total of twelve teams competed in the tournament. A crowd of addicts sat in their lawn chairs and watched the action unfold. There were several great matches throughout the tournament, providing exciting entertainment for everyone. Breanne E. and Michelle M. were especially fun to watch. In their first match, they were losing by six points until unexpectedly, Breanne accomplished the unthinkable: the rarely-seen three-ringer. The three-ringer occurs when a player rings their balls around the top pipe, the middle pipe, and the bottom pipe without their opponents scoring any points. If this happens, the game is automatically over. Breanne couldn't believe it, and neither could the crowd. Everyone went wild. It was proof that miracles do happen in recovery! Later on, in the semifinals, Michelle and Breanne were tied with Shawn and Bryce at match point, meaning the next team to score would win the match. Amazingly, Breanne tossed her balls and got a ringer on the top rung, sealing the victory for Michelle and her and earning themselves a trip to the finals. On the other side of the bracket, partners Dave E. from Omaha and SANAs own JJ H. played smoothly in each of their matches. They looked like a well-oiled machine, consistently and systematically racking up points and defeating their opponents. They made their way convincingly to the finals. In the championship match, Breanne and Michelle's magic ran out, and Dave and JJ continued their onslaught, downing Michelle and Breanne by a score of 21-7. Congratulations to Dave E. and JJ H. for being the 2010 SANA Mania Cowboy Golf Champions! The winners earned free SANA Mania t-shirts, and Michelle and Breanne earned a free hog dinner and free admission into the dance.

            The Cowboy Golf Tournament took about three and a half hours, so by the time it was done, everyone was ravenous. The tantalizing aroma of the roasting hog filled the air, and I will confess, my mouth watered. At 5:30 PM, addicts lined up in front of the shelter house and filed their way through, grabbing pork sandwiches, salads, and soda along the way. The quarterly Regional Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous was being held at the Le Mars Hospital close by, and when it was over, several recovering addicts from around the state of Iowa showed up to feast at the hog roast. These addicts came from places like Des Moines, Mason City, Marshalltown, even as far as Davenport. Fortunately for everyone, Jesse K. did an incredible job on the hog. The meat was very tender and had a great smoky flavor. I get hungry just remembering the taste.

            Following dinner, addicts were treated to a speaker meeting that was held outside the shelter house. Our speaker was Keith B. from Omaha. He stood in front of about eighty recovering addicts, with microphone in hand, and shared his experience, strength, and hope. He has been clean for seventeen years, and he touched on some of the essentials of recovery. He stressed the importance of sponsorship. He said that even though he's been clean for awhile, he still needs his sponsor just as much as he did when he first got clean. In fact, in Tammy's spiritual workshop, Keith B. made a commitment to call his sponsor everyday from now on. Appropriately enough, Keith's sponsor had made the trip from Omaha and was present to hear Keith speak. If I don't change, my clean date will, Keith said. And he's right. If we didn't make significant changes, we wouldn't be clean today. Recovery is about changing our lives, and Keith emphasized some of the important changes he's made in his life, all of which have helped him grow in his recovery. The Siouxland Area of NA would like to thank Keith B. for sharing his powerful message of recovery with us.

            After Keith spoke, Bill O. led a spirited Clean Time Countdown. Lets lose our voices! Bill kept shouting. The newcomers of the Clean Time Countdown were presented with an NA Step Working Guide and a Basic Text.

            At 9:00 PM, DJ Jazzy Jess took over the entertainment department. The tables in the shelter house were pushed to the walls, opening up space for an expansive dance floor. As usual, Jesse K. provided us with premium entertainment. He served up a diverse blend of music while including dance standards such as Billie Jean ,Love Shack, Play that Funky Music, The Cha-Cha Slide, and The Electric Slide. Spirits were high and recovering addicts really let loose, busting a move with an energetic vigor. Three separate raffles were held throughout the dance, and a plethora of prizes were given away. Perhaps the most coveted prize was a little commemorative blanket that Tammy B. made. Everyone present had signed the blanket, and it would've been a great memento for anyone. Breanne E. was the lucky winner of the SANA Mania blanket. She was pretty pumped up to have won it, so it was nice to see it go to someone who really wanted it.

            The dance raged on until midnight, at which time the shelter house was cleaned up and the DJ equipment was dismantled. However, the main event at this time was the second SANA Mania campfire meeting. This time, the theme of the campfire meeting was character defects. In a character defects meeting, recovering addicts share those one or two character defects they feel are their biggest liabilities, and after they have shared them, they symbolically toss a stick into the campfire as a way of signaling their willingness to have God remove these defects of character.

            The campfire meeting lasted late into the night. Several addicts, exhausted from the fun-filled day, were simply too tired to make it though the whole meeting and retired to their tents, falling asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow. Others, filled with recovery energy, stayed up for the whole meeting and longer. It is not clear what time these addicts finally went to bed (if at all).

            On Sunday morning, a final breakfast was served in the shelter house. After words, many recovering addicts donated their time and effort to help clean up the shelter house and the campground. Addicts then hit the road, leaving the campground behind but taking with them the incredible memories of a spirited weekend.

            In a word, SANA Mania V was a blast. Jesse K. did an utterly fantastic job of making it happen. He was the chief coordinator of SANA Mania and basically in charge of running it. He held four planning meetings prior to SANA Mania, and his precise planning and organizing made sure that the event ran smoothly and efficiently. Moreover, he roasted a hog for the first time in his life and provided DJ services for the dance. The recovery community is deeply grateful for the time and effort Jesse K. put in to SANA Mania. Also, Jesse had a committee of recovering addicts who helped him along the way. Many people's services went in to making SANA Mania what it was, and a big thanks goes out to everyone who contributed time and energy to this event. It was great having recovering addicts from beyond the Siouxland Area present as well. When it was all said and done, well over one hundred addicts attended this years SANA Mania, and everyone helped make the amazing memories which we all took away.

            SANA Mania rejuvenates the recovering addicts spirit. I know I feel refreshed after spending a weekend under the stars in Le Mars. And it is all made possible by recovery. I experienced some incredibly beautiful moments at this years SANA Mania, moments I searched for in drugs but never found. Recovery, especially in the form of events like SANA Mania, teaches me that this journey is one that will exceed the limits of my dreams.

May 2010 News

2010 First Moonlight Campfire Meeting!

SANA Moonlight Meeting

By: Ross W.

            On the weekend of May 22^nd, temperatures in the Siouxland area soared into the nineties. Those eager for summer were graciously satisfied. Recovering addicts in the Siouxland Area were especially excited because warm weather means OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. Tho summer doesn't officially begin for another month, the recovering addicts in the Siouxland Area don't care. As long as it's nice out, they're going to get out and enjoy it!

            The Moonlight Meeting was an idea conceived last summer by SANA's former Activities chairman, Mitch K. and our current chairwoman, Sarah T. The idea was to have a Narcotics Anonymous meeting at night around a campfire. Fortunately, Stone Park is the perfect venue for this to take place: there are fire pits, outdoor grills, playgrounds, picnic tables, bathrooms, and plenty of open space for kids to frolic about.  Mitch and Sarah chose the Dakota Valley Campsite as the place for the moonlight meetings to be held. After four fun and successful moonlight meetings last summer, Sarah T. and the activities committee has brought them back.

            On Saturday, May 22^nd, around thirty-five recovering addicts and their families showed up at the Dakota Valley Campsite in Stone Park for this summer's first moonlight meeting of Narcotics Anonymous. Everyone was invited to come at 6:00 PM for food and fellowship. Hot dogs were roasted over an outdoor grill. Many recovering addicts graciously brought chips and salads. A gigantic cooler of soda and water was provided by SANA, so everyones thirst was successfully quenched.

            Aside from food, there were also some games to play. A badminton net was set up, and many addicts, myself included, and children tried their hand at it. I was a bit rusty and struggled to get the birdie over the net, but I had fun all the same. There was also the ever-popular cowboy golf. Cowboy golf has become a staple at outdoor NA events. Its like the unofficial sport of Siouxland NA. Recovering addicts were eager to toss the golf balls back and forth, trying to wrap them around the PVC pipes to score points. If youve never played cowboy golf, you ought to try. Its a lot of fun and really easy to learn. And dont miss the legendary cowboy golf tournament at this years SANA Mania in Le Mars!

            At 9:00 PM, the sun had begun to descend and darkness spread about the sky. The campfire was ablaze and addicts circled around on lawn chairs and picnic tables for the moonlight meeting. Fifteen minutes into the meeting, the sun was completely set and the fire glowed all the more brilliantly. Its a very spiritual thing to sit around a campfire with other addicts and talk about recovery. Maybe its because were out in nature, but when Im sitting in my chair at the moonlight meeting, I always get the strong sense that Im just a part of this greater whole, that life is so much bigger than me, and a calmness sets in. Its like this peace just descends on everyone and you get the feeling that its going to be okay, no matter what. We are where were supposed to be. I dont know how, but the campfire meetings teach me acceptance. Maybe its because everyones so calm, so peaceful, so loving. I dont know exactly how it works, I only know that it does work.

            The Moonlight meeting was a special event. Its intensely spiritual, and it always fills me with a sense of renewal, a revived vigor to press onward in my life and my recovery. A big thanks goes out to Sarah T. and the activities committee for putting this event on. Also, a special thanks goes out to Dallas. He provided all the firewood. What a guy! None of our NA events would be possible without the team effort that goes into them, without recovering addicts working together. Dont miss the next Moonlight Meeting on June 26^th!

April 2010 News

Recovery and Root Beer Float night at the Hawkeye Club!

Recovery and Root Beer Floats

By: Ross W.

            On the evening of Wednesday, April 28^th, the SANA Activities Committee served up a buffet of root beer floats to around fifty recovering addicts at the Hawkeye Club. The event was dubbed Recovery and Root Beer Floats by SANA Activities chairwoman Sarah T. The event was held in conjunction with the Guardian Angels III meeting of Narcotics Anonymous.

            Sarah T. and her helpers dished out the floats at 7:30 PM. Her hands were a blur as they zoomed over the countertop, scooping ice cream and pouring root beer into cups. Happy addicts anxiously stood in line, eager to get their hands on the tasty floats. Some addicts brought their children along for the fun. We all know how kids devour root beer floats, about as rapidly as us recovering addicts used to devour drugs. Thankfully, the Recovery and Root Beer Floats event offered recovering addicts a safe place to hang out and enjoy a treat while socializing with others in recovery.

            Following the hour of root beer-floating and fellowship, addicts took their seats for the speaker meeting at 8:30 PM. The speaker was Gabe P. He delivered a very clear and simple message of recovery. He emphasized the importance of continual growth in recovery, how he strives to always move forward. Improvement is the name of the game,he said. And its true. Recovery teaches us to avoid becoming complacent. Though we might not like to admit it, we can always do better! Gabe P. has been clean for over sixteen years, and his message was especially powerful to the young addicts, because Gabe got clean when he was only seventeen years old. Being a younger addict myself, its nothing short of inspirational to have someone in recovery who has already walked the path I am trying to tread. Gabe P. has been and continues to be a valuable member of the Siouxland NA community.

            Recovery and Root Beer Floats was an evening of smiles, laughter, and fellowship. For many addicts, it was a return to childhood. Man, I haven't had a root beer float since I was a kid,one addict told me. Several others commented on how long its been since theyhad had a root beer float. I honestly couldn't remember the last time Id had a root beer float. Now I can! A big thanks goes out to Sarah T. and the Activities Committee for facilitating this fun event. Also, another big thanks goes out to the Hawkeye Club and the Guardian Angels III NA meeting for providing a great venue for this even to take place in.

Want to speak at Reno??

Sierra Sage Regional Convention XV wants your Speaker CDs !

SSRCNA XV 2010 is being held at the fabulous Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV on Nov. 5, 6 & 7 2010
Requirements:  Main Speakers Member of Narcotics Anonymous Minimum of 7 years continuous clean time
                         Workshop Speakers Member of Narcotics Anonymous Minimum of 5 years continuous clean time

Send Tapes/CDs To:  SSRCC-XV  Programs Subcommittee  PO Box 7324  Reno, NV 89510
For More Information contact:  Jennifer B. (775) 771-5268 Chris C. (775) 338-6145 Or email: ssrcnaprograms@sierrasagena.org
Tapes/CDs Must Have Speaker Name & Phone Number Tapes/CDs will not be returned and become property of SSRCC
Please submit CDs no later than: June 15, 2010

March 2010 News

Tuesday March 2nd the LeMars Tuesday group held a 6th Anniversary pizza party.  There were about 15 addicts from LeMars, and another 7 that came up from Sioux City to join in the celebration.  Jesse and Kristi sprung for about a dozen pizzas, and received a huge round of applause for starting the meeting 6 years ago and keeping it open all these years.  There was lots of good sharing at the meeting from addicts with only a few days clean to one with over 29 years.  Great party and great work.   Thanks LeMars group!

February 2010 News

SANA Valentines Day Dodge Ball & Dance

By: Ross W.

                On Saturday, February 13^th, the SANA Activities Committee hosted the 2010 Valentines Day Dodge Ball and Dance event. Held at the Boys and Girls Home on 14^th and Nebraska Streets, a grand total of around 120 recovering addicts showed up to take part in a whole days worth of fun and fellowship. Around 20 recovering addicts from Nebraska made the trip to support the event. These addicts came from Omaha, Wayne, Norfolk, and Columbus. The DJ for the event, Scott R., hauled his equipment from Columbus to provide premium entertainment for those in attendance. The event proved to be the biggest and most exciting so far this year.

                At two oclock in the afternoon, addicts assembled themselves into teams of six for the Dodge Ball Tournament, which was held in the gymnasium of the Boys and Girls Home. Addicts had to choose a team name for themselves, and heres what they came up with: the NA Ballers, Team Monstrosity, the American Patriots, the Roughnecks, and a few others whose names escape me. Mike M. served as the referee for the games, and he did a fantastic job of enforcing rules and keeping the pace of the games smooth and efficient.

                The teams lined up at opposite ends of the gym. The balls were lined up along the half-court line. As Mike M. counted down from three, those sitting around the sidelines leaned forward in anticipation. Mike shouted, GO! and the teams sprinted frantically towards their balls, their shoes squeaking against the hardwood floor. In a desperate attempt to grab them before their opponents, players immediately flung balls at each other. The tournament was underway. As the crowd cheered them on, players ran all over the court, whipping balls at each other while trying to avoid being hit. Throughout each game, the intensity flared and the sweat rolled. Players took shots to the arms, chest, and legs. The fun and excitement was outstanding. Team Monstrosity emerged victorious from the Tournament, and the players on the team earned free admission into the dance. The American Patriots won the consolation bracket, and those players also earned free admission to the dance. Although the Dodge Ball Tournament was completed by 3:00, many recovering addicts assembled new teams and continued to play for fun until 4:00.

                After dodge ball, addicts were treated to hot dogs, chili, chips, and soda. Addicts chowed down and enjoyed food and fellowship for a couple hours before turning the gymnasium into a dance floor. Several recovering addicts graciously helped decorate, assemble tables and chairs, and set up the DJ equipment.

                At 7:00 oclock, SANA Activities Chairperson Sarah T. chaired the speaker meeting. She introduced Jason T., the meetings speaker. Jason stood in front of a crowd of around one hundred recovering addicts and told his story, delivering a powerful message of recovery. Jason is heavily involved in SANA Hospitals & Institutions service work. He regularly participates in H&I panels at the Dakota County Jail in Dakota City, NE and the Synergy Treatment Center in Cherokee, IA. He has a tremendous passion for carrying the message of recovery to the still-suffering addict, and he has devoted himself to doing just that. A special thanks goes out to Jason P. for sharing his experience, strength, and hope at the Valentines Day Dance.

                Following Jasons message, Scott R. closed the meeting by leading a Clean Time Countdown. Amidst shouting, cheering, and hollering, everyone formed a gigantic circle that encompassed almost the entire gymnasium. With hands joined, everyone recited the Gratitude Prayer.

                Next, the lights in the gym were put out and DJ Scott R. pumped up the jams and the strobe lights. Scott proved to be a versatile DJ, serving up a wide array of music. For three hours, a continual wave of recovering addicts stormed the dance floor, busting a move, getting their groove on, and having a great time.

                About midway through the dance, a raffle drawing was held. Prizes included NA literature, boxes of chocolate, and goofy stuffed animals that sang and danced when you squeeze their hands.

                The long day of fun came to a close at midnight, at which time several recovering addicts pitched in to help clean everything up. On behalf of recovering addicts in the Siouxland Area, we would all like to thank the Activities Committee for the amazing job they did in making Valentines Day 2010 full of fun and excitement. The Dodge Ball Tournament was a blast, and the dance was hoppin. We are all extremely grateful to everyone who donated time and effort in making this huge event such a great success!

Sana Superbowl Party

SANA SUPERBOWL PARTY 2010 was held Sunday February 7th at the Unity Club.  The SANA activities committee planned
 and hosted the party which started with an open meeting at 3:00 PM.  After that, more addicts staggered in from the cold carrying food  of all kinds for the potluck.  Chips and dip, wraps, loosemeats, cakes, cookies, and various other treats were available for people to snack on while they watched the big game.  Mike M. graciously provided his big screen tv for our viewing pleasure.  Mike wants us to know the the size of his tv is not compensation for anything!  About 45 addicts attended the event, and many spent their time just conversing and catching up with people they hadn't seen for awhile.  The mood was relaxed, and everyone seemed to enjoy the day.  Thanks activities committee for another outstanding event!!

January 2010 News

SANA Snow Day

By: Ross W.

                On Saturday, January 16^th, around twenty-five recovering addicts hit the slopes at Grandview Park for a day of sledding. Fortunately, the 16^th of January was by far the most beautiful day of this winter season, with temperatures reaching into the high 30’s. Our recent blizzards proved to be a blessing in disguise as they left plenty of snow on the ground, setting a perfect stage for those seeking an opportunity to sled.

                Addicts from the Siouxland area met at the Unity Club, located at 2101½ Court Street, at 11:00 AM, Saturday morning. Several addicts graciously brought a smorgasbord of food including cake, chips & dip, beef stew, spaghetti, and various other decadent desserts.  Addicts enjoyed a bit of food and fellowship before departing for Grandview Park at noon. Many recovering addicts brought their children along to join in on the fun.

                Once at Grandview Park, addicts toted their disc-sleds, inter-tubes, and toboggans with them and made the trek up the steep slope. The slope itself was one of the biggest hills in Grandview Park. The surface was pretty smooth and conducive to sledding, but it was not without its bumps and divots. There was also a small ramp halfway down the hill that several tried to launch themselves off of in hopes of getting some serious air.

                Atop the slope, looking down across the immense whiteness below, addicts braced themselves to make the plummet down the hill. Addicts and their children hopped in their sleds and plunged downwards. On the way down, with ever increasing speed, they bounced over bumps, momentarily airborne, screaming in exhilaration, smiling from ear to ear. Each run down the slope was a mix of laughter, fright, and excitement. Most managed to hold on and stay on their sleds. Some hit bumps too big to handle, launching them from their sleds into the snow surrounding them. Of course, the wipeouts were extremely entertaining to watch. But the best part of the whole day were the smiles on everyones faces.

                After over two hours of sledding, everyone was soaked, not to mention worn out (the adults more so than the kids). Addicts and their children packed up the sleds and headed for the Unity Club where hot chocolate, coffee, and more food were waiting for them. Everyone enjoyed more food and fellowship. Many addicts hung around for the 3:00 Keepin it Simple meeting of Narcotics Anonymous, which enjoyed a good turnout.

                SANA Snow Day proved to be an exciting and fun-filled day. It was especially touching to see the children interact with their parents. Nothing compares to seeing a grownup and their child climb onto a sled and watch as they surge down the hill, laughing and screaming in joy. In that moment, they are no longer parent and child. They forget themselves. Their souls are exhilarated. They are two humans getting the absolute most out of the present moment. Recovery teaches us to strive for this, making the most of this day, just for today.

October 2009 News

SANA Halloween Dance

By: Ross W.

Close to one hundred fifty members of the Siouxland recovery community came out to the Mayflower Church on Saturday, October 31^st to support the 2009 SANA Halloween Dance. Many were in costumes ranging from funny and creative to downright creepy. SANA Activities Chairperson Mitch K. went out with a bang, as the 2009 Halloween Dance was his last event as Activities Chairperson. On behalf of the Siouxland recovery community, we would like to thank him for the wonderful job he has done throughout the past year providing entertainment for recovering addicts. Fortunately for us, Mitchs successor, Sarah T., has been working alongside him for the past year. The way it looks right now, there will be no end to the fun as Sarah T. takes the helm as SANA Activities Chairperson.

The Halloween Dance was held in the basement of the Mayflower Church located at 18^th and Rebecca Streets in Sioux City. The basement is an ideal spot for the dance: a big, open room with a stage at the front and a large kitchen in the back. Volunteers showed up at 5:00 PM on Saturday to help the Activities Committee turn the basement of the Mayflower Church into a dance hall gleaming with Halloween decorations. Orange and black streamers hung from the ceiling, jack-o-lantern lights were strewn about the tables and walls, bags of candy could be found on all the tables. One recovering addict even carved a pumpkin for the dance, and it was displayed at the entrance.

Fellowship officially started at 7:00 PM. Hot dogs, nachos, chili, and pop were available all night, and many recovering addicts used the fellowship time to chow down on some of the grub and admire each others costumes.

At 8:00 PM, the speaker meeting began. I chaired the meeting with the help of Chris and Diana, who read How It Works and The Twelve Traditions. Next, I had the privilege of introducing the speaker, Mark. An audience of about one hundred recovering addicts cheered as Mark approached the podium (in his Fred Flintstone costume) to deliver his message of experience, strength, and hope. The first part of his talk was particularly touching for me, as he stated that when he first came into the program, he never dreamed he would one day be speaking at one of the biggest SANA events of the year. The program of Narcotics Anonymous is miraculous, and Marks talk further reinforced the truth that the gifts of recovery far exceed what many of us could have ever envisioned when we first set foot in the doors of NA. Mark, who emphasized his gratitude, is a living example of what working the program of NA can do for a person. Another particularly moving moment of Marks talk was when he recognized his sponsor Bill S., who was in attendance, as being an invaluable part of his recovery. Bill has sponsored Mark for over ten years and was the best man in Marks wedding and is also the godfather of Marks children. The value of one addict helping another is truly without parallel. The conclusion of Marks talk was met with a standing ovation. Over one hundred addicts closed the meeting by circling up, joining hands, and reciting the gratitude prayer.

Following Marks talk, SANA Public Information Chairperson Jesse K. led a spirited Clean Time Countdown. Addicts of all ages were cheered on as their clean time was recognized. An NA Basic Text was presented to the newcomer, who had six days clean.

After the Clean Time Countdown, the Monday Night Freedom and Surrender Group had a special treat for those in attendance: a Pie-In-The-Face fundraiser. Elise C., Don B., and John S. were the benevolent volunteers to offer their faces for targets. Jesse K. led an auction as recovering addicts bid for the opportunity to smother the volunteers faces with pie. Some addicts pooled their money together as the stakes were raised higher and higher. Elise, Don, and John were all good sports as their faces got clobbered with pie. Besides everyone having fun, a good sum of money was raised for the Monday Night Freedom and Surrender Group, which is the oldest NA meeting in Sioux City, now in existence for over twenty years.

After the Pie-In-The-Face Fundraiser, Jesse K. once again did an outstanding job of providing music for the dance. The dance floor was literally overrun with recovering addicts and children in costume busting a move and getting their groove on.

At 10:00 PM, Jesse K. facilitated the Costume Contest. Prizes were awarded in the categories of Most Original, Scariest, and Best Kids Costume. Mitch K. and Veronica B. took home the award for Most Original Costume as Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein. I must say, Veronicas sister Brenduh, who did the makeup and designed their costumes, did en exquisite job. Doug T. won the award for Scariest Costume, taking advantage of many peoples phobia for clowns. His costume was very impressive, too, complete with a green wig, face paint, a big red ball on his nose, and an elaborate multi-colored clown outfit. Lily M.s son Andy was awarded the prize for Best Kids Costume. He was dressed up as an inmate in prison, complete with the orange jumpsuit typical of prison apparel.

In addition to the Costume Contest, there were three separate raffles held. A variety of raffle items were available to be won, including NA t-shirts, a Just For Today, lava lamps, a Clean Time clock, a $50 tattoo certificate from Little Nickys, as well as many other neat prizes.

The dance raged on for more than three hours. Jesse K. kept everyone dancing with his diverse blend of music consisting of rock, pop, hip-hop, funk, soul, disco, and other music that defies genre classification. As usual, Jesse K. had something for everybody. A special thanks from the recovery community goes out to Jesse K. for offering his services as DJ.

The Activities Committee did a fantastic job of putting on the 2009 SANA Halloween Dance. Food, fun, and fellowship were plentiful. Once again, we would like to thank Mitch K. for the outstanding job he did as Activities Chairperson over this last year. The Halloween Dance was a great testament to his commitment to providing fun and fellowship for the Siouxland recovery community. A big thanks also goes out to Sarah T. and John N. who worked their butts off in the kitchen serving up food all night. Also, it was very touching for me to see the many recovering addicts who willfully volunteered to help out with anything that was needed: helping decorate, taking tickets, cleaning up, et cetera. One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the overwhelming spirit of service that exists in Narcotics Anonymous. We can only keep what we have by giving it away. Happy Halloween!

September 2009 News

H & I Learning Day

By Ross W.

                On September 12, 2009, the Hospitals and Institutions subcommittee of SANA hosted a Learning Day on the function and purpose of providing NA service to hospitals and institutions (H&I for short). What is H&I? What is its purpose? What facilities do they reach out to? The answers to these questions and more were provided at the Learning Day. Recovering addicts in the Siouxland area were treated to three out-of-town guest speakers, including the Regional H&I Chairman for the state of Iowa, John F.

          At about noon, the event began on the third floor of the Boys and Girls home, located on 14^th and Nebraska streets in Sioux City. 

Before  presentations were made, lunch was served, consisting of chili and hot dogs. Following this, attendants were offered an H&I informational packet to supplement the days learning.

          The first presentation was given by guest speakers John F., Al T., and Jim D. They first discussed the basics of H&I, what it is and what its purpose is. H&I is a committee of recovering addicts who go to various facilities, carrying the message of recovery. These committees are headed by a panel leader, and no addict ever hosts an H&I meeting alone. The purpose of H&I is to carry the message of Narcotics Anonymous to addicts in places where they do not have full access to NA meetings. These places can include, but are not limited to: hospitals, treatment facilities, jails, prisons, psychiatric facilities, etc. The message H&I carries differs slightly from regular NA meetings in that they are trying to introduce people to the basics of NA rather than host an in-depth discussion of the Basic Text, discuss open topics relating to addiction, or any other format by which NA meetings are held.  The speakers went on to stress that a clear and concise message of recovery be conveyed in H&I meetings. They also highlighted some of the Dos and Donts that apply to different facilities in which H&I hosts meetings, as well as some of the proper etiquette one should carry out. Audience members were free to ask the guest speakers questions and did so on several occasions. Some of the best, most substantive discussion came as a result of addicts projecting their curiosity onto the panel members.

          Following the H&I presentation, a presentation on NA Public Information (PI for short) was given by the SANA PI Chairman, Jesse K. Jesse gave a very concise, informational talk on the purpose of PI, which is, in short, to provide information about Narcotics Anonymous to the public. PI performs an extremely important function, as many newcomers find their way into Narcotics Anonymous via the information PI provides, be it through the NA Helpline, ads, flyers, or other media. Remember, PI is simply providing information about Narcotics Anonymous, not promoting it.

          After Jesses presentation, Carla J. gave a powerful, heartfelt talk on sponsorship. Though Carla made a point to say that her talk was based only on her experience, she did convey some very universal themes:  Sponsorship is a key ingredient to many addicts recovery. She also stressed the importance of working the steps with another addict. One of my favorite quotes of Carlas is, If youre working the steps in your head by yourself youre not working the steps.

          After Carla's talk it was time for dinner. Addicts were treated to a taco bar along with other refreshments. Following this, everyone made their way from the third floor down to the gymnasium, where John F. stood poised at the podium to tell his story. At about 7:30 PM, he began speaking and proceeded to deliver a powerful, poignant message of recovery. John spoke extensively about the unselfish nature of recovery, the importance of providing service to others, and the need to reach out to the addict who still suffers. As Don B. pointed out afterword, John F. is a man who walks the walk. One of my favorite quotes of John's was, I do whatever service NA calls me to do, because I can never repay NA for what it has so freely given to me.

          After John F. was done giving his inspiring message, it was time for recovering addicts in Siouxland to get their groove on. Aside from serving SANA as our PI Chair, Jesse K. also has some serious DJ skills, and the entertainment he provided at the H&I Learning Day Dance was premium. For 3 hours Jesse served up a lively blend of rock, pop, hip-hop, disco, and other music from every decade. Jesse's eclectic taste provides something special for everyone. However, you can tell he's partial to 80s metal, because when he plays those tunes, you'll see him get out from behind his DJ booth and head bang on the dance floor.

          In summation, the SANA H&I Learning Day was packed with education, fellowship, and fun. The recovering addicts of the Siouxland area are extremely grateful to John F., Al T., and Jim D. for making the trip across the state to come spend the day with us. H&I performs an immensely important role in carrying the message to the still-suffering addict, and our out-of-town guest speakers exemplify this tremendously. And so does our local SANA H&I Committee. If youre looking for service work that is the real deal, H&I is where its at. The SANA H&I Chairperson is Elise C., and she can be reached at 712-204-9708. Give her a call and get involved!

July 2009 News

Floatin Down the River 

By: Ross W.

            On Saturday July 25^th, about forty recovering addicts from the Siouxland area convened at the Little Sioux Campground in Correctionville, Iowa for what proved to be one of the best, most fun days of this summer. What drove these fun-fiending addicts to abandon their typical Saturdays was the event known self-evidently as Floatin Down the River. The process is simple: get a flotation device of some sort, hop in the Little Sioux River, and float for about four hours while having as much fun as you can.

            A handful of recovering addicts decided to make a weekend of it, electing to pitch tents and camp at the Little Sioux campsites. However, most who attended met at the Unity Club in Sioux City at 11:30 AM on Saturday. A convoy of about ten vehicles then proceeded to travel east on Highway 20 towards Correctionville.

            After meeting as a group at the campground, they then traveled a few miles out of town to the Walling Access Point, a small dirt clearing alongside the Little Sioux with a muddy slope dropping into the water. At the access point, a few addicts tediously huffed and puffed their floatation devices to life. Most, however, had the luxury of an air compressor. For a smoker, floating four hours down the Little Sioux without a cigarette might start off serenely, but it certainly wouldnt end that way. To conquer this obstacle, smokers placed their cigarettes and lighters in Ziploc bags where they were safe from water damage, thus allowing them to be taken along for the voyage. Many others brought pop and other refreshments along to enjoy while floating.

            Once in the shallow waters of the Little Sioux, several addicts could not contain their excitement. Some splashed water at each other back and forth, others jumped from their rafts in a fit of joy (or insanity), while still others went so far as tipping each others rafts over. For myself, I used the time to relax and visit with a fellow addict whom I had only just met. Needless to say, four and a half hours later we knew quite a bit more about each other. While most took part in the endless chorus of laughter and antics, a handful of addicts, myself included, took a more meditative approach to Floatin’ Down the River, taking in the scenery and elements of nature in which we were enveloped.

            The float reached its wild climax about three-fourths of the way through the journey. At this point, the waters are their shallowest and a bed of thick, gooey mud rises to the surface of the river. The collective child within manifested itself as addicts of all ages engaged in a colossal mud fight. The mud fight has become something of a ritual in the Floatin Down the River event, and this is usually the fondest memory most have of their time spent on the Little Sioux. As one addict put it, This is the dirtiest clean fun I've ever had.

            The float was followed by a potluck cookout at the Little Sioux Campground. After an afternoon in the sun, everyone was eager to feast on hot dogs, hamburgers, and steaks cooked over a campfire. Vegetable dishes and salads of all kinds were also consumed.

            If there were ever any doubt as to whether one can have fun in recovery, Floatin Down the River drowned this doubt at the bottom of the Little Sioux.

June 2009 News

Saturday June 20th the Misfits Group held a summer chili cook off/tavern and chip feed. The taverns were excellent, as was the fellowship.  Craig and Carly greeted guests, and did a great job of making everyone feel at home.  The Misfits Group has a relaxed atmosphere, some great art, and meetings everyday at 7:00 PM.  They are located at 1911 Grandview Blvd. in Sioux City. 

Friday June 19 Living free held their 2nd annual ice cream social.  Several people got clean time chips at the 5:30 meeting.  Silly string was auctioned off after the meeting, and many people came out of the clubhouse wearing it!!.  (I think Michelle was the instigator)  Burgers and hot dogs were sold as a fund raiser for painting the house.  Every toping imaginable was available for the ice cream.  Thanks to Michelle, Tonya, Bill,  and many others for making this a fun event.  Michelle mentioned that she would like to have this event again next year!!

May 2009 News

Saturday May 2nd was the first of this summers Moonlight Campfire meetings at Stone Park.  The event was a great success, with over 60 people in attendance.  Addicts gathered at a campsite on the west side of Stone Park, where they ate hot dogs, marshmallows, and made S'mores.  A meeting was held around 9:45 and lasted until park closing (when we were asked to leave by the ranger!).  The Moonlight Campfire meetings will continue the first Saturday of each month this summer.  They are sponsored by the Tuesday Night Candlelight and Keeping is Simple Groups!

 Be There!!

April 2009 News

2 New meetings started this month. A 'Women Only'
meeting Monday evenings at the Unity Club,
and a Thursday Evening 7:00 PM in LeMars.
See the meeting page for info!

February 2009 News

Whose the most important one?  NEWCOMER! NEWCOMER!
 Come check out the new Newcomer Speaker Meeting at Living Free.
  Tuesday's at 8:00 PM 

August 2008 News

SANA Wins at SWINA!!

Several SANA members and their family members attended the annual SWINA campout held near Villisca Iowa this Labor day weekend. The campout is a 4 day event featuring workshops, speakers, dinner and a dance on Saturday, and a Home Group Competition.  This year was SWINA XXIII, and the theme was "Riding High in our Recovery".  Saturday nights speaker, Jeff B. from Missouri, gave a very motivational talk on working your recovery, with several humorous stories about his early using years.  SANA hosted the Sunday morning workshop called "When we are beaten, we become willing".   Some members cooled themselves off by taking a swim at nearby Viking Lake.  Attending the campout were areas Heartland and SANA, and SWINA home groups Harlan, Council Bluffs, and Villisca.

The home group competition included the events of volleyball, a fun run,  'how well do you know your N.A. literature', and a scavenger hunt.  Thanks to Adam S. from Waterloo and Pat D. from SCANA for rounding out our volleyball team allowing us to win second place.  An attempt was made to steal our newly acquired trophy, but our fast thinking "spritzer girl" was on him like a Doberman on a jewel thief, and we got it back. 

SANA tied with the Heartland area for first place in the competition, and is in possession of the trophy until Feb of 2009.  Thanks to everyone at SWINA for hosting this fun event.

  Saturday August 2nd SANA hosted Floatin Down the River and a potluck afterwards.  People met and drove to Correctionville, where they got in the Little Sioux river with rafts and tubes.  They floated down to Little Sioux park, and had a potluck and played games.  The float took about 3 1/2 hours, and about 14 people made the trip.  Other people who didn't wish to float showed up for the potluck.  It was a beautiful day and a great time.  Some members got so excited the had to mud wrestle!!