Take the kids egg-hunting
    The big annual AA Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Fort Hunter (on the river side) starting at noon April 7. The Intergroup event has been growing in popularity, and this one promises to be the best ever---given a little break in the weather.  The eggs will be plastic, stuffed with nice goodies, and if you have something that will be stuff-in-able, bring it along---change, gift certificates, whatever.  And even if you don't have kids, drop over after the Saturday morning AA meetings for a really good time.  Just in case you've never been to Fort Hunter,  drive west on Front Street in Harrisburg about as far as you can go.  You'll see signs, big play and picnic areas on the right, and picnic tables and play area on the left, which will be the river side.  Word has it that even Mister Bunny will be there.

15 groups represented at HAI meeting
    A total of 15 groups, plus some observers and volunteers for special projects were present at the March meeting of Harrisburg Area Intergoup, continuing the gradual upturn in participation.  Those attending were 19th Street, Fisherville, Winding It Up (Lykens), Trudgers, Hershey, Lambda, Out of the Dark, District #36, Progress, Women's Serenity, Ain't You Had Enough, Pine Street, Joy of Living, Dillsburg, and 40th Street. Two items that involved major discussion were 1)How to make literature purchases more accessible; and 2)Continued consideration of alternatives to using a commercial answering service for AA Hotline calls. Both issues are expected to come up for additional discussion and possible action at the April meeting. More next issue.

TMtoL marks 12 years April 28
    Here's a celebration you absolutely don't want to miss.  The There's More to Life Group will mark its 12th year on April 28 with a two-hour gala that promises lots of good food, fun, and fellowship and two outstanding speakers.  The speakers, Sammie G. and Valerie O., will share their experience, strength, and hope in a joint presentation "The 12 Steps---A Design for Living." Anyone who has gone to Serenity Weekend in Richmond, VA, or to the Shenandoah Roundup in Harrisonburg, VA, knows these women and can testify to the fact that yes, indeed, they do live the 12 steps---with gusto!  The meeting will take place at the Community Methodist Church at 16th and Bridge Street in New Cumberland.  There's lots of parking in the lot on 16th Street right across from the church, and there should be ample room for everyone inside, too, since they'll be taking out the room dividers for this one. Everyone's welcome!
 
 
 
 
 

Intergroup finances get more red ink
    With not a single group contribution in February, Intergroup's bank balance at the end of the month stood at just $659.23 over the $2,000 prudent reserve---a loss of $188.23 over the previous month's balance of $848.52 over the prudent reserve.  The fact that Intergroup didn't buy any new schedules or books for its literature stock helped avert an even bleaker financial picture.  The only income for February was $230.65 in literature sales.  Expenses included $98.58 to Medical Bureau (answering service handling AA Hotline calls), $121.36 to Verizon for our own telephone, and $200 to Alanon Association Inc. for rental of space in Fellowship House, for a total of $419.94.  The good news is that March looks better already.  Treasurer Craig P. reports that nine groups came through with a total of $845.01 in contributions by month's end.  They include West Shore Area Women, 19th Street, Winding It Up (Lykens), 40th Street, New Beginnings, Hershey,  Pine Street, Bridge Street, and Happy Destiny. A big "Thanks" goes out to these groups who make it possible for Intergroup to help carry the message to the still suffering alcoholic.  No one can force a group to contribute to Intergroup.  That's strictly voluntary. However, as a flyer from the AA World Service Board says:
                "But we do have expenses...when you 'put money in the basket' you
                support  your group and AA worldwide.  You help make sure that:
                *AA gets meeting space
                *Phones get answered
                *Prisoners get Big Books
                *Professionals get correct answers
                *Loner AA's get the message
                *Newcomers get literature and meeting books
                *Patients get meetings
                *Your voice is heard
                *AAs around the world share experience, strength and hope

Anniversaries
    Some of us may think that group anniversaries aren't very important.  Others, however, say they are even more significant than individual anniversaries---that they remind us of the many recovering alcoholics who came before us to pave that road of happy destiny with solid experience from which all of us can grow.  That was indeed the case April 2 when the 7 a.m. Attitude Adjustment meeting at Fellowship House marked its 16th year. Many of us can remember at least one life-saving moment from that meeting, and we can trace close relationships in AA to the time when we just suited up and showed up at that early hour when we least felt like rolling out of the sack.  When Georgia S. "counted the house" at the anniversary meet, there were 31 of us there---a far cry from the three or four who began getting together in the "half measures room" when the meeting first began.  So here's a special thanks to the many early players who kept the meeting going:  Jim S., Bob D., Eddie H., Skip A., and all the rest.  Jaymie G. was there, celebrating her fourth year of continuous sobriety (March 25).  So was Bill Z., who celebrates 22 years April 17....
 
 
 

Speakers and short snorts
    Speakers at the 19th Street Friday 8:30 p.m. meetings in April will be Ed H., April 6; Gary S., April 13; and Laurie B., April 20; the last Friday in the month is the group's anniversary meeting.  At the Bridge Street Sunday 8 p.m. meetings in April, the speakers will be April 8, Ron D., Chambersburg; April 15, Bill C., Fisherville; April 22, Mary J., 19th Street; April 29, Allen M., Survivors. Your group can give a little boost to its speakers, too, just by e-mailing Sobriety News at wcampbel@epix.net.  Try to do it before the end of the month for the next month's speakers....The City Limits Group, which holds an open Big Book meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays is looking for support.  Another group that needs support is the Elizabethtown Midnight meeting which is held at the Cornerstone Cafe, 1 Centre Square, E'town. It used to be that when the call for help was sent out, a meeting would be jam-packed with visitors.  Is it still that way?  If not, why not?.....How's this for giving it away to keep it.  The Dillsburg Area Group recently donated---as in "gave"---a case of Big Books for the Camp Hill Prison meetings.  Thanks!...And once again, we remind you to make sure the purpose of any checks you send to intergroup is marked in the legend blank on the check.  When checks come in to our treasurer, Craig P., with no indication of what they are intended for, hornets start buzzing around his head.....District #36, our link to the AA New York Office, will host a hospitality room at the August AA State Convention in Carlisle.  Drop in for a visit.  They'll also present a panel discussion on the 12 Traditions at the PENNSCYPAA statewide conference here on July 28.  Finally, our district will be getting its own archivist to keep track of AA history in this area and is planning a workship centered around archives as a theme.  The next District #36 meeting is at 6:30 April 9 at Fellowship House.

More on-line meetings
        We will continue to run, a few at a time, the many on-line meetings that are available to those recovering alcoholics who can't get out to a group meeting.  If you know someone who is homebound, or in any other way limited to the meetings they can attend, pass on the information: Alfamail online AA, alfamail@eunet.no; AAWOl (AA Way of Life), lawrence@combdyn.com; AA Woman/AA Women's Step Study, aawomen@aol.com; Carry This Message, message-approval@world.std.com; Chapter Seven Men's #1, cowboy@cts.com; CSM2, nfc@ozermail.com.au
 

Retro-Dance
    This one is sure to give you a good time---unless you've planned otherwise.  PENNSCYPAA will put on a big "Retro-Dance" April 14 at Union Deposit Fire Hall in Union Deposit.  The night will start at 7:30 with Joe S. sharing his experience, strength and hope---if he can keep a straight face.  You see, everyone in his audience should be decked out in old clothes "that you thought you'd never wear again:" tie-dyes, leisure suits, grunge, polyester pants or any other outfit from your favorite era of the '60's, 70's and '80's.  There'll be all kinds of music: disco, rock n' roll, Motown...you name it.  Admission is $5 at the door.  This is just one more of those great fun(d)raisers that PENNSCYPAA is using to pay for the statewide PENNSCYPAA convention slated here for this summer.  These folks have been working night and day to make sure the convention is a real winner, so they deserve the support of all of us.  Always more info at warrenm@pennscypaa.org.
 

Traditions check

Polly gives us a shot of new enthusiasm
    "An evening like this can be a life-changing event."
    That's how Jim S., of Carlisle, characterized the hugely successful "An Evening With Polly P.," held by the Survivors and Trudgers groups of Middletown March 31.  And many of the 175-200 members and guests present would no doubt have echoed his assessment. With Bob H. acting as emcee, the evening got underway with a "Traditions" skit, a hard-hitting Hollywood-level drama depicting everything imaginable that a group could do to fly in the face of the 12 Traditions and assure its own demise. The stars---all from the Trudgers or the Survivors---included Bob as "The Newcomer"; Missy as "Eager Beaver"; Charna as "The Founder," who considers the group her's and her's alone to rule as she sees fit; Mike, "The Delegate" (who eventually sets the group straight); Craig, "The Politician"; and Rich, "Money Bags." Jaymie was the narrator. The skit---an attraction from Founders Day in Akron--- drew a lot of belly laughs, but it also had a few of us red-faced and squirming  with embarrassment to see ourselves in the drama.  The big attraction of the night was, of course, Polly P., originally scheduled to appear here last autumn but grounded by flight snafus. A regular on the national speaking circuit, Polly was determined to make it this time, and make it she did---in spite of a good dose of the flu.  Her talk focused on the theme: "Alcoholism---a Disease of Perception." And as she shared her experience, strength, and hope, it was immediately obvious that she was indeed speaking from the heart. "Anyone hearing that talk has to be filled with new enthusiasm and a heightened commitment to recovery," said one old-timer.  Thanks, Trudgers and Survivors!  A Great night of fun, fellowship and very good food! Do it again!

Serenity Day
    The first annual Spring Women's Serenity Day will be held May 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1124 Kent Drive, Mechanicsburg.  As the flyer says: "Please join us for a beautiful day of serenity and fellowship with women." A $5 bill covers the cost of coffee, other drinks, and bagels; bring your own bag lunch.  Slots are limited, so if you want to go, you'd better get in quick touch with Deb S. at 728-1985 or Gail S. at 796-1554.
 
 

Pearl of the Month

Grapevine-type articles welcome
    We would like to begin publishing member's writings about their AA experiences, similar to those that appear in "Grapevine" but, because of space considerations, much shorter.  Maybe you have a fond recollection of something in particular that helped you get sober and stay that way.  Maybe you have a personal insight into the 12 Steps.  A gripe?  That's okay, too.  Write us---no more than 30 typewritten lines, e-mail to wcampbel@epix.net or snail mail to Bill Campbell, 1186 Tourist Park Road, Halifax, PA 17032. We will publish all that we receive.  We reserve the right to edit for spelling and obvious grammatical errors.