Wadesville General Baptist Church
Late Monday afternoon, April 07, 2008, Gloria, the Women’s Home Coordinator, was preparing a BBQ pork-chop dish, a stir-fry vegetable-pasta mix, rolls, and a Sweet Potato Pie for the evening meal in the Men’s Home at Jacob’s Village. The meal preparation was a little earlier than normal because of expected special guests that were to visit. Mike was just finishing his reading lesson with tutor Don Tucker, METS had just returned Michael and Debbie back home from their work, and the sweet smelling BBQ aroma was filling the air, and it was supper time at Jacob’s Village. Joe, the Men’s Home Coordinator, assisting Gloria with the meal, prepared the table. The three other Jacob’s Village residents, Wanda, Donna Kay, Scott, joined everyone else at the supper table in the dining room; blessed the meal and enjoyed a tasty dish. They had just cleaned and cleared the area from the meal when Pastor Joe Dumond and his wife Jaclyn from the Wadesville General Baptist Church (WGBC) arrived for an evening prayer service that was to begin at 6:00pm. Pasttor Joe has only been leading WGBC for less than two years, but this is not his and Jaclyn’s first visit to Jacob’s Village. Due to prior commitments, they were unable to visit with the residents last year, although, the congregational members of the WGBC and the residents have had a good relationship in the past even before Pastor Dumond joined them. They were one of the first groups to come out and play bingo with the residents and host picnics. For this April evening, everyone gathered in the living room. Introductions were made and the names and faces of the residents were not a total loss for the guests. It didn’t take long for them to have their memories refreshed. Small talk and reviewing the past year’s events were the topics for discussion. Since Jacob’s Village is still in some areas, small enough in population size and in developmental stages, the residents are fortunate to be able to spend quality time with each other during most evening meals. There is good fellowship and camaraderie among the current residents, therefore, Pastor Joe blessed the evening with everyone in prayer. He pulled out some notes that he was working on and preparing for an upcoming Sermon. He compared Jacob’s Village and its residents to the 1970’s cartoon ‘Super Friends’. As diverse of a group that the Super Heroes were with characters such as: Captain America, Superman, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman, just to name a few of the friends; they were focused and all committed to one mission. And…they were all one team, blessed with their particular individual talents of strength. What one lacked, another would fill in and help the others out; and that’s the similarity Pastor Joe seen within Jacob’s Village. All the residents Live Together, Learn Together, Share Together, Act Together, Praise Together, and Grow Together. He passed around Bible scripture handouts taken from the Book of Acts, Chapter 2, versus 41-47; In that day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
Everyone around was in awe – all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.
They followed a daily discipline of worship in the temple followed by6 meals in the home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
Following the prayers and scripture reading, a couple favorite old time gospel songs were sung, accapello style. Although Jaclyn plays piano and keyboards very well, as she did the first time, the portable electric keyboard was not used. It was suggested for everyone to step out onto the front porch for a group photo. Overlooking Mike’s garden spot, which hasn’t been prepared for seeds yet and viewing the setting sun, the conversation shifted to up and coming events for the Summer and the new Nature Trail and Meditation Garden. With the wet Spring, comes a soft walk, and a wheelchair leaves small ruts and tracks in the Nature Trail. The type of rock used with the crushed stone base, after a day or two, it levels itself out. Pastor Joe and Jaclyn passed up on tour of the walk; however, they would try to attend the ribbon cutting that would be held upon completion, when it dries out sometime, during the Summer months. It was a nice and comfortable evening to be outside and a couple of pictures were taken. The residents all thanked Pastor Joe and Jaclyn for their evening time and bade farewell. An enjoyable evening it was and the Jacob’s Village residents all are hoping for a return visit by the WGBC that will be sooner than later.
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Tuesday, March 18, 2008, the Good Shepherd Catholic School’s 5th Grade Class stopped by Jacob’s Village for an Easter Activity. In a constant, steady down-pour of rain, the Good Shepherd school bus pulled into the Jacob’s Village parking lot about 8:45am. Karin Macke, Program Director, and Scott, resident-volunteer, were awaiting their arrival inside looking out at the rain coming down from the Jacob’s Village business office. Parent and volunteer for the class, Karen Martin and 5th Grade teachers Laurie Klein and Joe Mayer stepped out of the bus, into the rain and entered the business office first to check out the room size and facilities. Following the inspection, 7 adults, consisting of parent/volunteers, Susan Baer, Teresa Vincent, Gretchen and the rest, acting as chaperones carried boxes, tubs, and sacks full of party supplies that included games, crafts, prizes, and a jam-box. Led by the volunteers, 38 5th Grade students brought up the rear through the rain eager to release their energy from being confined inside the school bus from their ride from the far North/East side of Evansville. All the students found a seat, some on the sofas, some in chairs and on the floor while the available residents of Jacob’s Village, Wanda, and Mike, opting to leave a little later for work, braved their way through the rain. Having the best interests in mind for Donna Kay’s health, she did not venture out in the nasty weather and was to remain in the Women’s Home. Debbie and Michael could not join in on the activity because they were already at work at this time. Introductions were made welcoming all visitors and a feel-good time of fellowship of making new friends was about to begin. The 5th Grade Class prepared an Easter Bucket full of goodies for each resident, whether they were here to participate with them or not. The decorated Easter-Buckets, imitating Easter-Baskets were filled with the appropriate and decorative grass, plastic eggs, candies of all sorts including a candy necklace, a small bag of jellybeans, a chocolate Easter Bunny on a stick, pencils, a pin-wheel fan, a bottle of bubble solution, and personal hygiene products of Kleenex, deodorant, toothpaste, and a bar of Mickey Mouse soap. A neat little bucket of surprises they had prepared for the residents. Of course, the students of the Good Shepherd Catholic School have been on the Jacob’s Village radar for some time because of what they had already done for the residents. Here a few weeks back, Karen Martin and Susan Baer arranged, organized, and provided a craft day of artwork at Jacob’s Village. A few students, parents and volunteers came out to decorate and update the bulletin boards in the homes. To keep up with the changing seasons, the bulletin boards were worked up with a crafty Easter flavor. Before they departed on that day, they presented the residents with two large puzzles that were in the shape of an egg. They were a puzzle by number layout, one each for the Women’s Home and for the Men’s Home. Each numbered puzzle piece had a picture of a student on it, so the residents would become familiar with their friendly faces. All of what they did on that Saturday, which was fine art work, was done with an ulterior motive…to prepare the residents for this day when they would shower all with Easter Blessings & Cheer. The 5th Grade Class did accomplish that successfully and now back to the Easter Activity. The students divided up into two groups to perform three song and dance act numbers in the more spacious office house. It has always been a blessing that the vacant house awaiting residents, used as the business office, has a floor layout differing from the other two homes. It is wider and more open allowing space for elbow room when larger groups visit and it is often used. The dining room table was moved into the kitchen area on the other side of the island bar so the 38 students would have enough room to perform their song and dance acts. The two groups; one in the living room section and the other in the dining room section where all could be seen, in unison, sang and danced to their well rehearsed choreographed selections. In preparation of the Good Shepherd’s Spring Musical, ‘Back to the 70’s’, the first one was ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by the Bee Gees from the 1977 movie ‘Saturday Night Fever’. That was followed by two Christian Rock Gospel songs ‘Yes Lord, Yes Lord’, and ‘We lift your name up high’. Much energy was required and exerted from the students for these songs that had plenty of two-stepping, stretching, twisting, and clapping of the hands. Their feel-good music performances were receptively enjoyed. Afterwards, while Karin Macke had one group on a tour of the homes, the other group played Bingo with Wanda, Mike, and Scott. The two groups switched places with each other following the first tour. With so many students, not meaning there were too many…cause it’s always more the merrier, the ones in between not helping with Bingo or on tour, worked on there many arts-n-crafts items available for them. Time is always critical when trying to fit everything you want to do within a strict schedule. The residents were unable to work on the craft ideas but the students in waiting made some of them up for them. Such as flat, black, cut-out shaped eggs that were full of color underneath the top surface that you could scratch off your own design with a name, each resident received one. Another item they had to work on were the stitched and adhesive crosses that required assembly. Wanda and Mike had to be getting to work after playing and winning a few games of Bingo. Donna Kay, feeling a bit under the weather, stayed indoors with Becky, a Day Companion at Jacob’s Village, but she did not miss out on all the fun. She was the perfect greeter and hostess, introducing and showing off the women’s home to all the visitors. Donna Kay is always thrilled to meet guests and likewise, guests reciprocate her enthusiasm, although the same can be said about each Jacob’s Village resident. There is a super bunch of residents that have become a loving family thanks to the caring and generosity of groups such as the Good Shepherd Catholic School and friends. A lot of fun, a lot of camaraderie, and a lot of prizes of collectible state quarters, stamps, and chocolate candies were shared with all the Bingo winners. A good time was had by all and the students were all on their best behavior. Jacob’s Village looks forward to another activity day with the Good Shepherd’s 5th Grade Class. Many Thank You’s go out to all the parents, teachers, and volunteers for all of their projects they have blessed Jacob’s Village with and for those who made this very enjoyable morning possible.
S.M.I.L.E. Making Dreams Come True
March is National Disabilities Awareness Month and there are many events and presentations that recognize this program throughout Indiana and across the nation. The slogan for Indiana’s 2008 Disabilities Awareness Program is ‘Attitude is Everything’. Saturday morning, March 15, the Jacob’s Village bunch of: Debbie, Donna Kay, Wanda, Michael, Scott, and Home Coordinators Janice and Barry attended such an event at Swonder Ice Arena in Evansville, IN. Karin Macke, Program Director for Jacob’s Village, was taking advantage of this event and had an information table exhibiting the amenities at Jacob’s Village right inside the entrance of Swonder Ice Arena’s lobby. A S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome affiliated project, ‘Making Dreams Come True!’ was an Ice-Skating Event that was put on for and by disabled individuals presented by the Gold Medal Sponsors of: S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome Parent Network, The Evansville Association of Retarded Citizens (EARC), SouthWestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Laborer’s International Union Local 561, who helped underwrite the costs for the one day performance. S.M.I.L.E. on Downs Syndrome is a Division of Youth, Inc. of Southern Indiana and stands for Support, Management, Information, Love, and Encouragement, for families and care givers who are affected with this disability. Nina Fuller, founder of S.M.I.L.E. and Executive Director, has been expanding and broadening the impact of their mission since the inception of S.M.I.L.E in February of 2001. Kenny and Val Overton, strong supporters and charter members of S.M.I.L.E, played a big part in creating and helping this dream and awareness program become a reality for the community. Kiersten, their daughter, was one of the performers who skated in one of the ice skating dance routines. The other individuals performing at this ice skating event were of a mixed bag of talent. Special Olympians Katie Crawford and Katie Stamper made a special trip from Indianapolis to be a part of this Special Disability Awareness Event, ‘Making Dreams Come True!’. The Ice Skating Dance routines were as follows:
Morris Bruce and Grace Poole/with all skaters
‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’
Kyla Osborne
‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’
Katie Crawford
‘Strike up the Band’
Christin Thompson and Maria Bengert
‘Lean on Me’
Taylor Travis
‘Music from Chocolat’
Carmen Sidenbender
‘The Little Mermaid’
Amber Headley
‘Clumsy’
Kat5ie Stamper
‘You Raise Me Up’
Kiersten Overton/with all the skaters
‘Make a Wish’
There was a small turnout for this ice skating show, but for the ones who were in attendance, the show went on as scheduled and it was an outstanding exhibition of showmanship. Each act was a delight and joy to watch and the accompanying music was soothing and celebrant to the ear. If attending an event at Swonder Ice Arena, be sure to wear appropriate clothing; it’s an icebox. With the two ice skating rinks, the temperature must be set low to prevent the courts from thawing out. It is a cold place but that has to be expected and it should be of no surprise. Swonder Ice Arena, located next to Roberts Stadium at the intersection of Boeke and the Lloyd Expressway has 2 ice skating rinks inside with about 1,200 seating capacity for each, a state-of-the-art skate park for skateboarders and in-line skaters, and a fitness/exercise center separating the 2 rinks. The new Swonder Ice Arena has many sporting events that are held year round. The University of Southern Indiana (USI) Ice Eagles Hockey Team uses it as their home court. There are also many youth and junior hockey leagues beginning to form and compete. And the big addition to the Swonder Ice Arena will be Evansville’s own professional Hockey Team the IceMen. The newly formedMidwest Hockey League, consisting of four teams; including Evansville’s, will use Swonder as a major outlet. The IceMen are set to begin their inaugural season, 2008-09, with a 40 game schedule in November. ‘Making Dreams Come True!’ an ice skating extravaganza, was an enjoyable event and Jacob’s Village was introduced to Swonder Ice Arena, and likewise. Maybe the new Evansville Icemen Hockey Team will become better acquainted with Jacob’s Village and create a relationship similar to what the Evansville Otters have done. Only time will tell if an exhibition Hockey Game will be played to benefit Jacob’s Village.
