Next Step's 2007 Cheer Crazy Expo
The Next Step Dance Studio in Poseyville, IN, for the 2nd year in a row, held a benefit fund-raiser for the residents of Jacob’s Village Saturday evening, April 28, at 6:00pm. Their 2007 presentation ‘Cheer Crazy - Cheer and Tumbling EXPO’ was again held in the North Posey High School gymnasium. Residents attending this years ’EXPO’ were Wanda, Donna Kay, Mike, Michael, Scott, home-coordinators Carol and Barry. Upon entering the gymnasium, there were tables set up in the lobby loaded down with baked goods for a bake sale that was in progress. Arriving a little later than expected, the Jacob’s Village bunch was ushered to their reserved seating in the front row of the bleachers on the gym floor. There wasn’t enough time this year to snap a couple of group photos of the residents and performers before the show began. The programs were handed out, the floor mats were positioned on the floor and the show began. Again this year, there were approximately 350 people in attendance for the ’EXPO’ that had about 75 Next Step students ages 2 to 14 participating. And like last year, The Next Step Dance Studio had been having the students sell T-shirts, different paraphernalia of what-nots and for each item, setting one dollar back for Jacob’s Village. A special thank you is in order again for SouthWest Grafix for their contribution on the T-shirt artwork they printed. The 12 cheer and tumbling acts consisted of The Next Steps’ competitive and non-competitive cheer teams. The routines that the cheer teams performed to were many popular music selections. Cheering, pyramid building, front-back flips, cartwheels, running, jumping, and tumbling made up most of the acts. The final act was The Next Step Cheer Mom & Dads doing their cheer and gymnastic moves. It was obvious why this type of activity is for the younger generation. Following the performance, Jennifer motioned over to have Scott, a representative of Jacob’s Village, meet her in the middle of the floor for their donation and check presentation. This included the proceeds from ticket sales, fund raising, and amount from the donation bucket that was at the entrance. All total there was $350.00 to benefit Jacob’s Village. Outstanding choreography, gymnastic feats, upbeat music, and the camaraderie of instructors, students, and parents made The Next Step Dance Studio’s 2007 ‘Cheer Crazy - Cheer, and Tumbling EXPO’ a very entertaining show. Jacob’s Village sends a big heart Thank You out to Jennifer Collins and Carol Rodgers for helping support the Jacob’s Village mission of help others.
Otters Fan Fest 2007
The Evansville Otters, Old National Bank, and Jacob’s Village held their 3rd annual Fan Fest Spectacular at Bosse Field Saturday morning, April 28, 2007, from 9am til 12 noon. This event was geared toward children but it was a publicity event to highlight the start of the season for the Evansville Otters. The Fan Fest was to bring notice, attention, and fans into the ‘Ball Park’ to remind and sell them tickets for the upcoming first game. The Otters have their one-and-only exhibition preseason game, Friday night, May 18, at 7:05pm to benefit Jacob’s Village. The idea was just to get the public inside on this day in hopes that parents would bring children and expose the kids to the Otters’ good will by providing a host of free activities. Out on the front lawn, 93.5 The Wolf radio station had a remote broadcast set up and were giving away t-shirts. Evan the Otter was patrolling the grounds along with The Talk of the Town Clowns that were up to their usual hi-jinx of laughter, making balloon hats, and photo ops. A Frontier League fan from Peoria, IL, had several tables loaded down with team jersey’s, hats, and programs from every Frontier League team past and present. A dedicated fan he was to put on an exhibit of conversation items such as that to raise curiosity from everyone who entered. Jacob’s Village had a table set up inside the gate entrance with literature and a free Ice Cream coupon courtesy of GD Ritzy’s. Directing and over seeing the table was: Jacob’s Village associates, Cheryl Kuchna, Executive Director; Karin Macke, Program Director; Jacob’s Village residents Michael and Scott; FOJV’s Georgia Muensterman, Angie Klenck and her four children, Alexi, Seth, Ben, and Sydney, and Annette McDonald, free-lance photographer. A free Ice Cream coupon was rewarded to anyone who had won a game out in centerfield. The children who had won a game were wearing a sticker on the chest designating a GD Ritzy’s Ice Cream winner. These simple games included: a large ring-toss, a baseball toss, and a bowling type of game. There were added attractions such as a 20’ tall inflatable slide, a large balloon to jump in, and stilts for kids to walk on and challenge their balance with. A batting cage was set up at home plate for kids to take a few swings from an Otter pitcher, have a photo taken with him and receive an autographed baseball. Evansville’s New Hope Music Academy’s Boom Squad was providing choreographed marching drum & symbol corps dance routines to the delight of all the spectators. They were set up just past 2nd base out in short center field in the grass but, it was best viewed from the bleacher stands because of the loud drum beats; the movements were better identified from a high vantage point far away. The third base tunnel concession stand was a popular spot because they were giving away free soda pop drinks and popcorn. Under a big blue sky on this feel-good-looking Saturday morning, an exciting good time was had by all who were in attendance for the 2007 Fan Fest Spectacular at Bosse Field.
USI BestBuddy Pic-nic
The USI-Best Buddies wanted to have one last get-together with their Jacob’s Village-Best Buddies before some of them finished their School year, Graduated, and moved on. The picnic idea was first brought up at the previous Best Buddy Party on April-Fools Day and Jacob’s Village was the preferred location for 3:00 in the afternoon. Arrangements were made for some entertainment and a few FOJV’s to join in on the feel-good-lookin’ Sunday afternoon. After the Jacob’s Village residents of Wanda, Donna Kay, Debbie, Mike, Michael, Scott, Home Coordinators Gloria and Joe returned home from Church, it was time to start preparing for the guests. Tom Burmeister had a couple of volunteers come out to help with the mowing of the lawn around noon, so the smell of freshly cut grass was an added aroma. Tables and chairs were set under the carport for dining, fellowship, and enjoyment. Guests began arriving about 2:00 to see the site where the new proposed Jacob’s Village Spiritual Nature Trail Walk & Mediation Garden would be. This site is at the North end of the property, around the barn and into the woods. There’s a creek bed at the bottom of a steep ravine covered with trees and the ground has yet to dry out from the rain, it’s still a little too wet. Still planning to have it near completion by the Fall, provided the weather accommodates. A few other guests arrived after the walk to the Nature Trail site and these were first time visitors wanting a tour of the grounds and homes. The USI-Best Buddies Melissa Parker, Amber Kincaid, Cassie Holmes, April Scott, Britney Swears, Lauren McNulty, Casie Payne, and Erin Wehr arrived at 3:30 with burgers and dogs to be grilled. The sandwiches would be put along side Beans, Slaw, and Potato Salad furnished with an assortment of Chips, courtesy of Alvin and Ruth McIntosh. Alan ‘Clif the Drifter’ Duckworth showed up about this time and began to set his music equipment up in the Gazebo out in the courtyard. ‘Clif the Drifter’ is an outstanding one-man band from Newburgh, IN that travels to and from Nursing Homes, Assisted Living facilities, and Rehab Units providing grade ‘A’ quality entertainment. Clif has five CD’s to his credit that includes Gospel, Train Songs, and Country - Folk Music types of songs. Jacob’s Village will have ‘Clif the Drifter’ for a return show some day. The Jacob’s Village Newsletter, Sharing Our Journey’s writer and photographer, Alan Inkenbrandt showed up taking many good photos of the picnic. A good time of fellowship, camaraderie, and listening to feel-good music was had by all on this very delightful Sunday afternoon. Hopefully, this was the first of many picnics that will be held at Jacob’s Village in Spring, Summer, and Fall 2007.
St. Peter's U.C.C. - Clown & Puppet Ministry
Wednesday, April 18, 2007, Rev. Karen Lipinczyk, from the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ made her second Pastoral visit to Jacob’s Village. Arriving by herself before her entourage, Rev. Karen brought with her a box full of soft, furry, and stuffed cuddly critters, including a couple with sounds that made up the St. Peter’s Puppet Ministry. The residents of Jacob’s Village: Wanda, Donna Kay, Debbie, Mike, Michael, and Scott really enjoyed her first visit back in July of 2006 and expected nothing less but a bit curious this time around. Rev. Karen thought everyone should be prompted for what was about to happen. So, with the assistance of Home Coordinators Carol and Barry, she distributed all the hand puppets out to the residents to get acquainted with. Rev. Karen briefed every one of what they could expect and she had it timed pretty well. Just as she was finishing her brief; the eight members of the Clown Ministry of St. Peter’s were just arriving. The Clown Ministry included: Karla Ramsey as Spunky, Micah Wilhite as Kitty, Gene Wolf as Sonny, Sue Wolf as Pusot, Melanie Hoffman as Marshmallow, and Rev. Karen Lipinczyk as Cosmo with two smaller clowns, Devon Compton as Zippy and Alesha Ramsey as Cookie. Bringing up the rear was the master puppeteer of the Puppet Ministry, Jeanne Johnston (JJ). JJ named and identified all the puppets that the residents were holding with unique names. The Puppets included: Pokey the Porcupine, Skinner the white Rat, Sham the quacking Duck, Beaky the Cockatiel, Schnozz the barking Dog, M E the baby Monkey, Sweet Pea the Skunk, Goofy the Disney Dog, and Melody Moo the Cow. As chance would have it, resident Scott had just returned a few days before from being with his parents Charles and Sally Huck at Charles’ Tarawa Veteran’s Association’s, Naval Aircraft Carrier, reunion in Dayton, OH. While there, Scott had purchased two puppets of his own, never having seen them before, he had to have them. He showed off his new Rocky & Bullwinkle hand puppets that blended in well with the other puppets. After JJ’s introduction of the puppets, Rev. Karen read scripture from The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, of how no one gets left out and everyone is viewed upon as the same and equal. Rev. Karen and St. Peter’s UCC’s pastoral visit this time coincided with April fool’s day which was two weeks away. She related to everyone that the Bible also speaks of fools and foolishness; also in Chapter 1 in the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, verse 18-31, 1.18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1.25 For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. 1.31 in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” To customize the word and to go along with the scripture, the Clown Ministry put on a couple of skits acting the word out. One was of the Apostle Paul and another man fishing. The second man was picking and choosing what fish he wanted to keep from the ones he had caught, leaving some behind that didn’t fit his criteria. When it came time for Paul to choose from the ones he caught, he did not discriminate; all, regardless of looks, shape, or form were allowed to become a part of his group. The second skit, a debut performance, pertained to Noah’s Ark delivering the same message. Everyone and everything is accepted the way they are with no exceptions. At the end of their evening service and before they left, the visitors from St. Peter’s had another surprise for the residents of Jacob’s Village. Sue Wolf placed some of her home-made cookies and punch on the dining room table for everyone to enjoy. Boy, that’s a sure fire way to become a FOJV, Friend of Jacob’s Village. The Jacob’s Village bunch really like the messages that Rev. Karen and all of her ministries convey. They send a big heart thank you to Rev. Karen, JJ, and all the ministry’s members from St. Peter’s United Church of Christ for blessing Jacob’s Village.
March - Disability Awareness Month
The Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities celebrates Disability Awareness Month every March since its conception and founding twenty years ago in 1987. They put forth an educational campaign and catchy slogan every year and this year’s 2007 Campaign Theme for Indiana was ‘Room for Everyone’. Jacob’s Village is in their third year of visiting schools and informing students about disability issues and the need to be aware of the disabled population’s community. Karin Macke, Program Director at Jacob’s Village, and Scott Huck, resident, arranged to present Programs of Disability Awareness to local schools one day at a time on their own campus. All total, there were over 225 students plus faculty members from all three schools taking in the disability information. Each group of students was very well disciplined and an attentive audience with questions following the 20 minute brief. St. Joseph Catholic School was the first one scheduled and 4th Grade Teacher Diane Hill, 5th Grade Teacher Sharon Fink, and 6th Grade Teacher Debra Wade had their classes meet in the Activity/Library Room. At the St. Wendel Catholic Schools right before lunch period; which worked out rather well, Diane Carithers, Teacher of the Kindergarten Class coordinated most of the Elementary Classes and had them meet in their new gymnasium. Following the brief, Ms. Carithers invited Karin and Scott to join her Kindergarten Class for lunch. An enjoyable lunch it was with the 15 Kindergarten students, Ms. Carithers, and a plate of chicken patty on bread, corn, French fried potatoes, sliced pears, and milk. A bonus after lunch was a tour of the Kindergarten Class room. Incredible…high tech it is, with the latest in student friendly teaching devices, for example, a computerized power-point presenting teaching tool. At New Harmony, Scott’s alma mater, Dianna Simpkins, Special Needs Instructor for the K-6 classes arranged for the entire student body of the New Harmony Schools minus four of the Middle School’s classes that were on a field trip, to meet in the School’s gymnasium; a receptive bunch. Across the nation, people with developmental and related disabilities face a crisis in accessible housing. Over 750,000 people with developmental disabilities live with aging caregivers over the age of 65 and homes need to be found. This is where Jacob’s Village and the state have common ground, the state is working towards private not for profit facilities. Programs currently in place include Section 811 and Section 8. Section 811 is the Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program measure which provides housing for people with physical or developmental disabilities or people with chronic mental illness who are at least 18 and have a low income. Disabled adults are receiving recognition; their plight is at the top of the page, but still a work in progress.
