Deacon Joe Stofleth
Thursday, Dec. 20, 2008, Jacob’s Village welcomed a good neighbor into their home about
6:30pm. Deacon Joe Stofleth, representing St. Philip’s Catholic Church and Elementary School blessed Jacob’s Village with a spiritual visit for the Christmas Season. The Jacob’s Village bunch of Debbie, Donna Kay, Wanda, Mike, Michael, and Scott were in the Women’s Home on this night where Home-Coordinators Janice and Joe had prepared their evening meal. At this time of the year, well, since Thanksgiving, both of the Men’s and Women’s Homes are decorated with the holiday season’s finest goods. Much time and effort is spent working with assorted seasonal paraphernalia making the homes look appealing and inviting not only for the residents but for the many guests and/or groups who stop by to visit. Since opening up in October of 2004, Jacob’s Village is always in the Christmas Spirit, this time of year, each year with a fully decorated tree, a manger scene, Advent Wreath’s and candle sets, just to name a few of the decorative items. For the past couple of years, Deacon Joe has graciously come out to Jacob’s Village a few days before Christmas to provide a prayer service with the residents. Expecting no less, Deacon Joe was prepared to share a little enlightening Christmas message. He brought along with him a handout quiz sheet for everyone to check and see how much of the Christmas Story they really knew. Deacon Joe elaborated on the Christmas Story for the residents, same ‘ol story, but nobody gets tired of listening to it when it’s told and personalized by an affluent member of the cloth. He also read some scripture, inviting ones to share their experiences of Christmas’s past, and talking of hopes and dreams of the New Year. He didn’t bring any musicians or Holiday snacks, which is not required anyway, but did finish up with a few Christmas Hymns and favorite Carols. The residents will have to see what they can do about that…maybe inserting a special clause in the protocol of Holiday Pastoral Visits. Irregardless, the residents of Jacob’s Village really enjoy Deacon Joe’s friendship, worship, and fellowship time that he blesses them with very much. And come to think of it, if there was a special clause in any type of visit, it would be free of any requirement to visit. The visitor or guests that show up would just need to be…a guest, nothing else; their presence would be gift enough. The residents love to entertain.
Mater Dei's National Honor Society
Wednesday, December 12, 2007, Jacob’s Village VIP, Ms. Debra Haton, who provides Cultural Arts for the residents, arranged for The Mater Dei National Honor Society to come out to Jacob’s Village and sing Christmas Carols. Ms. Haton is also the sponsor for the National Honor Society at Mater Dei. Although these fine young students are not part of the High School Choir, some of the members of this group came out to sing Christmas Carols and entertain the residents. Soon after their classes let out that afternoon at 3:05pm, they began arriving at Jacob’s Village in the Office House. That was the cue for the residents of Donna Kay, Wanda, Mike, Scott, Home Coordinators Carol, Halleck, and Barry to make there way over to the office. Slow at first, some of the students were arriving by car-pooling and some drove out separately. By the time they got in position and were about to begin singing in the office house, there were seventeen members, a large group of Mater Dei High School students volunteering to bring a little Christmas Cheer to the residents. Within the large, open room of the office, the students all lined up in front of the door and Christmas tree. And the residents found a comfortable seat on the sofas to take in an intimate Holiday treat. Singing accapello with no music and from memory, the National Honor Society members did an outstanding job singing most or all of the seasonal favorite songs. The residents, beginning to feel the Spirit of Christmas, were singing along with the students as well. The two residents missing, Debbie and Michael, were just arriving home, courtesy of METS transportation, towards the end of the good time but did hear a couple of the songs before the students left. For not being a choir, the National Honor Society members played the part well and if anyone wouldn’t have known it, no one would have ever had guessed that they were not a High School Choir. They came out at a perfect time, two-weeks before Christmas and if anyone wasn’t beginning to get in the mood, their Christmas Caroling hit the spot. A good time of feeling the Spirit of Christmas was had by all. Ms. Haton’s good-will deeds benefit Jacob’s Village all year round. She provides gifts that continue and keeps on giving. The residents of Jacob’s Village send Ms. Debra Haton a Big Heart Thank You; they really appreciate her compassion and sincerity.
2007 Christmas with Ann
Ann Coy’s Christmas Party for Jacob’s Village was scheduled for 6:00pm, Tuesday, December 11, 2007. Ann and her two grand daughters Amy & Lindsey, met the Jacob’s Village bunch of Debbie, Donna Kay, Wanda, Mike, Michael, Scott, and Home Coordinators Carol, Halleck, and Barry, in the office house for her December activity. No musicians could fit this night into their schedule and arrange to be with Ann on this night; but she is always prepared by having cassettes ready to play music. Everyone gathered around the Christmas tree, went through the standard roll call of a favorite Christmas memory, and sung carols to the music on cassette operated by Amy and Lindsey. Ann introduced the residents to a new, but old way to decorate a Christmas tree with Christmon items. Traditionally, Christmons are home-made cross-stitched 4” silver and gold cloth material symbols taken from the name of Christ that represent various aspects of the Christian faith. White (silver) is the liturgical color for Christians and it refers to the Lords purity and perfection. Gold refers to His Majesty and Glory. The word Christmon comes from combining the two words Christ and monogram. These monograms are illustrated scripture versus from ancient Christian patterns such as an angel, cross, cup, or star for a few examples. This form of praise, decorating a Christmon Tree, was developed by Francis Kipp Spencer in 1957 at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, VA, to attack commercialism of the Advent season. On this special night at Jacob’s Village, Ann had everyone select an ornament from her assorted patterns of Christmons and she began reading the accompanying story for the residents. When she would come to a part in the story that would tell of a particular Christmon symbol, the individual holding the ornament, the resident would then hang it on the tree. A neat, new and interesting concept of a story it was. No sooner than we finished decorating the tree with Christmons, there arose such a clatter, everyone looked towards the door to see what was a matter. The window shades were opened and what to their wandering eyes should appear…but a jolly ‘ol guy dressed in red with a white beard. They knew in an instant who it was…it was Santa Clause, with a large bag slung over his shoulder Ho, Ho, Hoing through the door. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and he knew everyone by name; he whistled then shouted here’s Debbie, Mike, and Barry, Donna Kay, Amy, and Lindsey, an Wanda, Scott, Michael, Ann, Carol, an Halleck too, as he excitingly pulled a gift out of his bag for all. Small items of an Angel ornaments for the Women and sno-globes for the men. And…to everyone’s delight, Santa Claus did take time out to have pictures taken with everyone at the party. He didn’t stay long because his work was not yet finished for the night. But everyone heard him exclaim, ‘Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night’, as he left the party. Everyone was grinning from ear to ear; Santa Claus sorta has that affect over people. With Christmas Cheer floating all around, it was time for the favorite game of ‘Christmas Bingo’ up next in the dining room at the table. Setting the mood for the Spirit of Christmas, this Bingo had varying scenes of the day making up the card replacing the umbers that Amy and Lindsey called out. The special snacks that were passed around during the games were cupcakes prepared and donated by Christina Osmond, the Children’s Minister of the Potter’s Wheel at Aldersgate Methodist Church. Along with cookies and punch, a good holiday snack it was and they were tastefully accepted and appreciated. Assorted Bingo prizes were made up from sewn, stitched, and ceramic made ornaments that were awarded to the winners, and everybody won. The Jacob’s Village residents really enjoyed Ann’s Christmas Party, with Amy and Lindsey and a VIP guest that dropped in unexpectedly with gifts for all.
Jacob's Village 2007 Christmas Party
Sunday afternoon, December 09, Jacob’s Village held their 2007 Christmas Party for the resident’s family, friends and volunteers at Zoar’s United Church of Christ. For the second year, two students from Reitz High School, Melissa Winternheimer & Courtney Schmitt organized the party for their Senior Project. This year’s Jacob’s Village Christmas Party was going to be a family affair in more ways than one because Jacob’s Villages own PRN, Becky Winternheimer, is Melissa’s mother. Melissa and Courtney made all arrangements for the party that was to begin at 2:00pm and end at 4:30pm. Jacob’s Village’s Executive Director, Cheryl Kuchna, welcomed everyone and introduced the Jacob’s Village residents of Debbie, Donna Kay, Wanda, Mike, Michael, Scott, Home Coordinators Barry Parker, Carol and Halleck Anderson. Then in turn, the residents introduced their family members and/or guests that were present. Debbie introduced her mother, Mary Roberts, Mike and Wanda introduced Jim & Barbara Mosby, and Scott introduced his parents, Charles and Sally Huck for their special guests. Karin Macke, Program Director for Jacob’s Village, introduced her husband Gary, and Tom Burmeister, Jacob’s Village Property Manager introduced his wife Sandy. There were a few more special VIP guests attending this year’s Christmas Party that presently volunteer at Jacob’s Village in some capacity. Don & Shirley Johann, who are members of Zoar’s UCC and was a part of their Women’s Club who hosted the residents for an activity and spaghetti supper back in November. Don also trades off with other individuals who share the opportunity to drive Scott to New Harmony where he volunteers and gives tours at the Rapp/Owen Granary once a week. Other volunteers present on this day were the Tim and Angie Klenck family. Angie and her four home schooled children, Alexi, Seth, Ben, and Sydney come out to Jacob’s Village usually one Monday evening a month to play Bingo with the residents and provide them with special snacks and prizes. Everyone thoroughly enjoys their company and good times they bring. Jim Mosby provides transportation for Mike and Wanda to and from St. Agnes Catholic Church every Sunday morning and for special Church functions. Also in attendance were Karla Ramsey and her two children Austin and Alexi, and Angela Goedde and her two children Rachel, and Michael. Karla has recently joined the staff at Jacob’s Village in helping out a couple days a week with Donna Kay. Sometimes, more on holidays, Karla stops by Jacob’s Village with Austin and Alexi to ‘Trick or Treat’ or just to say ‘Hi’ to the residents. Similar to what Angela does when her schedule allows, she is a frequent guest of Jacob’s Village. Angela is the Activities Director at the Woodbridge Health Care facility in Evansville where she has in the past, when able, invited Donna Kay to join her and the residents of Woodbridge in their activities. Angela is also a traveling Karoke Queen. She has all the portable equipment and many music selections to choose from usually taking it all with her on the road. The Jacob’s Village residents really get excited and have a good time when all the aforementioned children and guests stop by for a visit. Cheryl Kuchna did recognize Andy & Charmie Guagenti, Dan & Karen Grunow and their son Jacob. Jacob, a recent graduate of Boonville High School is the namesake for Jacob’s Village. Andy is one of the founders along with Dan who are responsible for initiating ‘The Dream’ of Jacob’s Village to provide a residential facility for handicapped individuals with developmental disabilities and dedicated to enriching disabled lives. It sure was a special and nice time to have everyone together sharing in the Christmas Spirit and enjoying the moment. Following the introductions, Tom Burmeister gave a warm blessing and the feast was about to begin on the main course of the day. Melissa and Courtney arranged for Shyler’s BBQ to prepare the meal and it was ready for the taking. Their menu on this day consisted of BBQ, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Slaw, White and Rye Bread, Onions, Pickles, and drinks of Water, Lemonade, Cola, Sprite, and Coffee. There were around 50 people in attendance and there was an abundance of food for all and some left over. So, that meant Jacob’s Village would be having this food a time or two again, No one objected to that; Shyler’s has good food. For dessert, assorted flavors of Ice-Cream were furnished by GD Ritzy’s and homemade cookies that were donated by the Deaconess Hospital Dietary Group where Courtney works. Soon after the BBQ meal, Jerry Lannan, with his guitar, provided the entertainment. Jerry is a performer from way back; he would on occasion share the same stage with Boots Randolph at the Blue Bar in Evansville. Here’s the rest of the story for the family affair. PRN Becky Winternheimer is Jerry’s daughter and Becky’s youngest daughter, Audrey, was there to sing backup for him. He played guitar and his entourage backed him up singing songs appropriate for the day. A good time was being had by all. After a few songs, Santa Claus (alias Emily Welsh, Becky’s niece) popped into the party to everyone’s delight with a large bag slung over his shoulder full of presents and good cheer for all the good boys and girls. The residents of Jacob’s Village must have really been good throughout the year because it seemed like they all hit the jack-pot. Their booty-goodies of gifts consisted of a sweat-suit type of material pajama top and bottom, a stocking full of candy, personal hygiene items of shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and a pair of socks. There was a Gift Card for Bob Evans Restaurant, a Kerasotes Stadium ‘16’ Movie pass and a box of chocolate covered peanut clusters. A good time of good eats, good gifts, and most of all…good fellowship was had by all at the 2007 Jacob’s Village Christmas Party. Melissa and Courtney organized a very nice party for their Senior Project, Thank You.
St. Peter's Clown Ministry
About 2:00pm Sunday afternoon, Dec. 02, 2007, the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ’s Evangelistic Outreach Missions Program, ‘The Clown Ministry’, came to spread a little Holiday Christmas Cheer for the residents of Jacob’s Village. Through a torrential down pouring of rain, the ‘Clown Ministry’ did arrive to put a smile on everyone’s face while their own Clown faces had paint running down their cheeks. Still, a Clown’s a Clown and all the residents enjoy Clowns and their hi-jinx. Some days are better than others, but it sure is nice to have a home full of clowns when it’s the real deal. Just returning from Church service and finishing up lunch not long before, all the residents were in the Women’s Home awaiting their arrival. Wanda, Donna Kay, Debbie, Mike, Michael, Scott and Home Coordinators Gloria and Joe greeted the Clowns that were bearing gifts. That’s a good way to put a smile on everyone’s face when a tray of homemade, holiday cookies are presented upon entering a house. Led by Cosmos-Rev. Karen Lipinczyk, and followed by Pusot-Sue Wolf, Marshmallow-Melanie Hoffman, Spunky-Karla Ramsey, Cookie-Devon Compton, Pickles-Austin Ramsey, Kitty-Micah Wilhite, and Vincent Efferoth, a foreign exchange student from Germany who was an honorary clown for a day, began singing Christmas Carols. After a few Carols and Clown hijinx, they all introduced themselves and went into the living room. The tray of homemade cookies was left on the dining room table for a later treat. The St. Peter’s Clown Ministry is no stranger to Jacob’s Village having visited with the residents a time or two. Stories, jokes and recollections of Holiday Seasons’ past were a delight to be heard from the guests. A few photos were snapped and the Clown Ministry accomplished what they had set out to do, put a smile on everyone’s face, and after about an hour of good fellowship; it was time for them to leave. The weather outside all day was never too appealing, cold, wet, and rainy. So, wherever they were headed to next, again they would have fresh paint smeared and run down their face. The St. Peter’s U.C.C. Clown Ministry brightened the Jacob’s Village resident’s day and left some cookies
Harvey
Ms. Debra Haton, sponsor for the Mater Dei National Honor Society, who as a group, have been out to Jacob’s Village on occasion; donated tickets for the residents of to see the play ‘Harvey’. Ms. Haton has become a VIP in providing Cultural Arts for the residents of Jacob’s Village. The Jacob’s Village bunch really enjoys this type of live entertainment and they are becoming frequent guests of the High School at the Kempf Auditorium attending the Mater Dei Spring and Fall productions all in thanks to Ms. Haton. If the residents are so fortunate and blessed to fit both shows into their calendar, the students acting in the plays start looking familiar. ‘Harvey’, the Fall Production of the Mater Dei High School’s Theater Department was being presented on Friday, Nov. 16, Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7:00pm and on Sunday the 18, 2007, at 2:00pm in the Kempf Auditorium. As always, the best time for all the residents to see any kind of show together is on a Sunday afternoon following Church services. So, after a quick bite to eat, the Jacob’s Village bunch of Debbie, Donna Kay, Wanda, Mike, Michael, Scott, and Home Coordinators Gloria and Joe left their home soon after 1:00pm to attend the 2:00pm showing. They’ve been down New Harmony Road before and it is
getting better, but it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been, the street off Harmony Way to enter the Mater Dei campus is hard to see. There is a small sign, overgrown bushes, low hanging tree limbs, and a narrow street making for a well camouflaged entrance. It’s becoming more frequent that a turnaround in a parking lot is not required to make the turn. Once on the campus, there is a large parking lot half way around the school’s concourse, although there are doorways on the far side, there are some steep steps up to the entrance. As fortunate as the Jacob’s Village bunch is, the weather is usually fair enough to trek back to the main, handicap accessible, covered entrance. If the weather is not to accommodating, the residents do unload and wait under the shelter, until the home coordinators park the vans. The tickets are always reserved and there is not much waiting around in line while others purchase or turn in their tickets to see the play. The Jacob’s Village bunch is always directed to their marked seats and whether or not the seats are in the back or down in the front row, there are no bad seats in the auditorium. Although, the front row seats are usually preferred, they never question the location and take them wherever they are. ‘Harvey’ was a screen play that was originally produced in 1944 and made into a movie in 1950. Jimmy Stewart took on the leading role and starred as Elwood P. Dowd, a mild mannered pleasant man, sometimes an eccentric middle aged individual whose best friend is a 6’8 1/2” tall rabbit named Harvey. Harvey is a pooka, a mysterious magical creature from Celtic Mythology that can take on many forms of perception but mostly referred to as a large rabbit because of this movie. A pooka can move individuals from one belief system to another manipulating ones ideas of reality. As the story develops, Elwood has been driving his sister and niece, who live with him and crave normality and a place in high society, crazy and confused to distraction by introducing everyone he comes in contact with his friend Harvey. His family seems to be unsure whether Dowd’s obsession with Harvey is an attempt to embarrass them, or a product of his admitted propensity to drink or of a mental illness. His sister tries to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium and by show’s end, Elwood has everyone seeing Harvey and his sister gets committed into the sanitarium. He relays his and Harvey’s philosophy of life to the doctors that a person can be oh so smart or oh so pleasant, and for years he was smart and he recommended and preferred being pleasant. It’s so easy to dismiss someone as crazy when you don’t see the world from any other point of view but you own. One should accept other’s lifestyles instead of wanting to change them into something they’re not. It takes courage to believe in something that others don’t see. Every school play the Jacob’s Village bunch is lucky enough to see, they are glad they did. The acting talent from the greater Evansville area’s Elementary, Middle, Jr. High, High Schools and other resources is well crafted. The residents of Jacob’s Village are always very appreciative of the opportunities they are presented with. They enjoy receiving and giving. Come out to Jacob’s Village and see what the residents can do for you. Everyone is always invited to be introduced to the lifestyle out at Jacob’s Village.
