Rogue River Park (open shelter)
6300 Belshire Ave.
Belmont, MI 49306

NEW LOCATION! Rogue River Park, Belmont, MI (See map HERE)

THE THREE SISTERS NF PICNIC

NF Michigan is proud to introduce a new name for our annual picnic. We honor three sisters - Nancy Ward, Mary Ellen McIntyre and Jean Rackes. They joined the group in the very first year - 1985. The youngest, Jean, was born in 1948. Her older sisters passed away recently at ages 83 and 79. In the mid-80s all three women and their eight children contributed DNA to NF research at the University of Michigan Ten of the eleven were born with NF1. DNA from the one unaffected person proved to the Francis Collins Lab that the NF1 gene resides on chromosome 17, a massive breakthrough for NF researchers worldwide. In 2022 Jean made a generous donation to NF Michigan in honor of Mary Ellen’s love for the annual picnic. We knew then that it was time to let our community know about these three remarkable women.

DJ Bob is BACK from Me ’n’ Mrs Jones Mobile Music! We’ll have games, crafts, goody bags and more for the kiddos.

Tentative Schedule:

1:00-2:00 Set Up and Check In

1:00-2:30 Activities:
Express yourself with stickers and temporary tattoos and a make and take a painted rock.

1:30-2:15 Lunch:
Boardwalk Subs and Culver’s Ice Cream cups were a hit, they’ll be back for 2024! Bring your own non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy with lunch. There will be some bottled water available.

2:30-4:00 Bingo:
Try you luck for an awesome prize in a fan favorite, Bingo!

3:45-4:00 Wrap up and Good Byes