Well, as you clearly know, this Saturday (Oct 7) is Picture Day.  What does that mean for all of us soccer fans at the park?

VOLUNTEERS – WE NEED YOU!!! We still have less than 75% of the volunteers that we need to make the picture taking process run smoothly, so PLEASE find a couple of hours of time on Saturday to help us out.  Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4EACAF2DA2F85-10072023#/ for any of the shifts – we really, really, really need your help.

On the Café 58 front, there's good news and some tips on how to make this Picture Day a positive and fun experience for you and the kids:

First the good news about Cafe 58:

1.  Breakfast on Saturday starting at 7:00 am - The Snack bar will be open for breakfast at 7:00 am with egg muffin sandwiches, pancakes, grilled cheese, donuts, tator tots, and of course, COFFEE.

3.  Vegetarian options – It looks like the veggie-lovers among us are starting to take a stand, and that stand is at Café 58 (although you can sit down as opposed to stand).  We have pancakes, grilled cheese, tator tots and french fries (both of which are air-fryed with no grease) so bring your friends, family and even strangers, if you so desire, to Café 58 for some of our veggie fare.  If you want more veggie options, please talk to me personally on Saturday, and if the demand is there, we will look at offering more vegge items.

4.  Progress on funding our Region's scholarships - we don't have exact numbers yet, but thanks to everyone's support of Café 58 over the past 3 weeks, we estimate that we have funded over $3,000 in scholarships that we have given to players in our Region.  You can see the updated progress on our website at: http://www.ayso58.org/Default.aspx?tabid=937931  All of those egg sandwiches, cups of coffee, hamburgers, hot dogs, smoothies, snow cones and ice teas really do add up to a meaningful contribution to our community.  When thinking about where to eat breakfast, or where to buy the team a snack or lunch, please consider continuing to support our Region and those among us who would not be able to play soccer if it weren't for your purchases. 

Tips on Making Picture Day fun and safe for everyone:

1.  Parking will be a hassle and some tempers might flare (try to keep it calm out there in the parking lot) - arrive early, don't block other people's cars and don't double park (even for a few minutes).  Keep an extra careful eye out for kids dashing through the parking lot… we need to keep those kids safe!!!! 

2.  Kids will be waiting in what some might consider "lines" for what seems like an eternity to get their picture taken (even though it will only be about 30 to 45 minutes) - buy the kids a light snack or a drink (water or gatorade, but I'd go easy on the coffee before the game for the kids unless they really are craving decaf). 

3.  Games might get started a little late, but they will get started, and once they start, they will eventually end.  If they start late, that's more time for you and your kids to eat that healthy breakfast before the game.  If they end a little late, there's still going to be snack at the end of the game, which might be lunch or a smoothie.  (Are you starting to get the idea here about where to go before and / or after your game???) 

Lastly, enjoy your games on Saturday, have your kids put their best smiles on (they do smile better after eating something at Cafe 58!!!), and let's all have a safe, fair and fun Picture Day.  Oh, and if you haven't figured it out yet, please come to Café 58 to support our program.

Joe Lewis
Cafe 58 Manager, AYSO Region 58
email:  [email protected]

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