Roving Reporter 2004
Insights into the comings and
goings of Brooks Howell residents.
There's seldom a dull moment!
Click on the title below to go directly to the article on this
page.
The listing begins with the most recent ones.
The Art Gallery
A Reminder of Early Mission Days in
Peru and Bolivia
Our Most Meaningful Thanksgiving
The Ground Floor Gallery
Water Washed, Spirit Born
General Conference, 2004
Aloha Oe, Mary
Happy Birthday, Lenna Belle!
Our Trip to India
Witness for Peace
Dr. Turkington Leaves
Helen Mandlebaum's 90th
International Room Exhibition
The Greatest of These........
Surprise Visit
Fun and Food
Food and Fun
Spiritual Enrichment Day
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The
Art Gallery
A Very Artistic Family
During the July Exhibition in the Ground Floor Gallery, John
Howe’s beautifully carved wooden birds and animals were
shown in a small curio cabinet. The September show displayed two
small finely carved portrait busts set on the antique drop-leaf
desk. At Christmas his large carved creche will be on display. We
thank John for sharing his skill and creativity with us.
On the walls of the Gallery during
September were hung a number of exquisite oil paintings by Coy
Howe’s mother, Edith B. Payne, who had been introduced to
the Brooks-Howell community
by way of her self-portrait exhibited in last year’s Art
Club show. Now, other examples of her skill, fine still-life
paintings, floral works, and a moving landscape, were augmented
by an album which contained photos of her other works, sketches,
and drawings as well.
Surrounded by such a living atmosphere of creative art,
Coy’s own paintings range over subjects also explored by her
husband and mother, but are treated with a liveliness and
vibrancy exceeding both. Her choices of media also range more
widely, as does her selection of subjects. From small bird
studies to the magnificent wingspan of an owl feeding its young,
from sand-set sea oats and ocean-shored lighthouse to several
portraits, variety dominates, and is crowned by a magnificent
rendering of John, the angel carver.
In the small curio cabinet, we are also privileged to enjoy some
of Coy’s extensive collection of small elephants.
I would like to note here a word of special thanks to those of
our residents who participate in these exhibits. Gathering their
work together and preparing the pieces for hanging, documenting
names and media, writing biographical notes of their personal
interest in art, and denuding the walls of their own homes for a
month, submitting themselves to your attention and judgement--all
these activities are demanding and stressful. But for us, the
viewers, our lives have been enriched in immeasurable ways, our
understanding of art has been deepened, and most of all, we have
come to appreciate each artist, each person, each friend in a
deeper way.
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A
Reminder of Early Mission Days in Peru and Bolivia
When this large oil painting appeared magically in the
International Room a few months ago, no one seemed to know what
to think of it. Where did it come from? How did it get here in
our Brooks-Howell Home? How can we find out?
It seems that Juanita Morgan brought the treasure to light, from
the back of a storied closet. She vaguely remembers it’s
arriving in a brown paper parcel without a return address or
covering letter. Or, if there were any such clues, they are long
discarded. So we have no way to trace our mystery donor.
Not only was its arrival in our Home a mystery, but its Origin is
also unclear. I asked a number of people if it looked like
anything they had ever seen, and they all said it did not. For
me, it whispered of Spain, of the 16th century, and yet it seemed
too hot and lush for the Courts of Europe. Perhaps Mexico? But of
no specific period or style which I had ever seen. I depend a
great deal on my visual memory for artistic identification, and
this specific style I had never seen.
Fortunately, in our Brooks-Howell Family we number people who
have experienced many different cultures, so I decided to lead
the South and Central America crew blindfolded into my parlor,
and face them with it. I hit pay dirt with the first one. LeGrand
Smith immediately spoke the magic word "Cuzco," and
went on to pinpoint Peru, and the Inca Empire at the time of the
Spanish Conquest of the area in the 16th century. To
double-check, I next offered Pat Riddell the riddle to solve.
While she struggled valiantly to credit her beloved Mexico, she
not only agreed that Cuzco was quite possible, but turned to the
internet and discovered irrefutable evidence for the Cuzco
attribution.
In general, this is the story: When Pissaro took possession of
the Inca Empire for Emperor Charles V of Spain in March of 1534,
representatives of the Catholic Church were traveling in the
train of the conquering army. As a part of the evangelization
process, the Jesuits determined that visualization of the new
faith was required. They imported artists to teach indigenous
artists to paint, and taught them the iconography needed to
understand the basic teachings of the Christian faith they were
preaching.
Although the Cuzco School of Christian Painting flourished for
three centuries, our painting seems to be from the earliest, the
16th century. This is determined both by its
subject–"sumptuously dressed archangels armed as
soldiers of heaven, such as Saint Michael . . . "; its
techniques " . . . the application of gold to simulate
embroidered designs," and its style: "Roman Mannerism
which reached Peru through the work of three Italian painters
based in Peru."
The reference to the presence of Italian painters also helps to
account for the signature which appears clearly on our painting:
"Raphael LL Medicandi." There is no writing on the
reverse of the painting, which is of stretched raw canvas. The
frame is also an authentic indication of the provenance: it is a
wide, deeply carved and gilded wooden frame. All together, we
seem to have an original work of Christian art from 16th century
Peru, a result of what we have, in the 21st century, been calling
"Inculturation."
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Our Most Meaningful Thanksgiving
On Thanksgiving Day, 1967, the Biddle clan had gathered
at Pappy’s farmhouse. We had not all been together since
Easter Sunday when Timmie had soaked his grandmother’s crib
with blood from a cut in his mouth, and we had rushed him back up
the mountain to our parsonage home. Pappy was thoughtfully
surveying his progeny around Grandma’s extended (and
crowded) cherry table: three sons and a daughter with their
spouses and little ones–especially Timmie in Grandma’s
high chair. Samuel was to pray. "Let’s have sentence
prayers," he suggested.
"Thank you, God, for my family," said Grandma.
"Thank you for my pony," said Sharon.
"For a good corn crop," her father Ed added.
My turn was next. Where to start? Timmie was touching my
shoulder. Thankfulness flooded my soul and I began (in more than
one sentence):
"Thank you, God, for the doctors in Clearfield who suspected
hemophilia, gently broke the news to us when they were certain,
and wisely sent us a hundred miles to Pittsburgh Children’s
Hospital when they hadn’t the means to treat him;
for the hematologist who knew the latest treatment and was not
afraid to try it;
for the doctor who discovered the clustered clotting factors and
processed cryoprecipitate;
for the calm Filipino intern whose skill enabled him to find a
viable vein even in a nine-month-old squirming, screaming
infant’s head;
for the nurses who comforted a lonely child without his mother
for twelve long nights;
for the church people in both New Millport and Williamsburg who
gave blood, prayers and soft furnishings plus plastic toys so he
could heal and live safely;
for ----"
Samuel cut me off to take his turn, "Lord, what we mean is,
thank you for saving Timmie so that he is with us
today–"
Hearing his name spoken, Timmie banged on his tray and raised his
arms high, "Yay, yay," he shouted. And we, all together
said a heartfelt "Amen!"
--Lois Biddle Mohansingh (excerpted from a work in progress, Hand
in Hand
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The Ground Floor Gallery
Our Third Exhibit in the new Ground Floor gallery turned from a
Tribute to a Memorial when Thelma Caldwell, the artist honored,
suddenly suffered a heart attack on Friday the 6th of August,
just five days after the opening of the Exhibition of her
colorful oil and 
pastel paintings. Even so early she had
visited the show several times, accompanied by friends who came
to visit and to enjoy seeing it with her. The Visitors Book was
filled with expressions of appreciation and wonder. Seeing so
many vibrant works all gathered in one small space brought
unprecedented excitement to the Brooks-Howell community, while
the appropriateness of its appearance just before her passing was
seen as a God-given gift.
Situated on the ground floor, where the main lobby elevator opens
into the hallway leading to the swimming pool in one direction,
and to the Crafts Room, Media Room, Home Store and Social
Services Office in the other, most daily visitors pass through
this newly established exhibit space. Flexible hanging
arrangements allow any number or size works to be hung on the
walls. A special feature of these hanging arrangements is that
art pieces can be hung at eye level for those in wheelchairs or
walkers to view closely. A small curio cabinet and a large glass
showcase allow space for three-dimensional pieces to be
displayed, and a gate-leg table can hold sketch books or albums,
small art pieces and a guest book. Sofas and easy chairs invite
restful contemplation and enjoyment.
The Ground Floor Gallery is dedicated to showing the creative
works of residents, their families, staff, and friends who use
the Brooks-Howell Home facilities, or perhaps neighbors–it
is a place with personal meaning for us all. Inaugurating the
Gallery in 
June
were the photographs of Leon Strunk, black and white scenes,
mostly from Brazil, and bright color recordings of flowers,
mostly from the Brooks-Howell gardens. In June 2003 Leon’s
photo exhibit suffered an abrupt ending in the earlier small
gallery which had been established in February in the small
conference room on the first floor. When that space was needed
for an administrative office, an alternative space could not be
found immediately. A year later, it was a special joy to
inaugurate the new Gallery with Leon’s arresting
photographs. Their return was greeted with great excitement and
approval.
In July, Jewel Brown’s exquisite watercolor and color pencil
landscapes, representing a life time of creativity, were so
numerous that they stretched all down the hall in front of 
the Craft, Media,
Home Store and Social Services rooms. It truly took a month to
see them all; a reasonable tribute, since it took a lifetime to
create them. The expressions of peaceful joy and wonder of nature
were enhanced by depiction of familiar corners of Asheville,
Brooks-Howell, Scarritt, or other institutions, and others of
countryside or seaside sites were evocative of places remembered.
Delicate pencil sketches and precise portraits added depth and
detail to this walk down memory lane with Jewel’s
"Jewels."
For autumn several family groups have agreed to show their work
together, and a surprise retrospective is being arranged. In
November a well-known folk-artist who uses our pool has asked to
share her paintings with us. For December, residents are invited
to share the best Christmas art. More about these shows later.
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Water Washed, Spirit Born
General Conference
was a time of celebration centered in worship, and a testimony to
the effectiveness of our mission, evidenced by the nearly two
hundred delegates from the Central Conferences and sister
churches who were present. Drums, banners and dancers led the
processional for the opening Service of Holy Communion and
Remembrance. Choirs, ensembles, soloists, and dance groups from
around the world joined the Candler Singers in proclaiming their
faith through their music at the beginning of each day’s
sessions.
Bishop Minor of the Eurasia Area, Bishop Ntambo of the North
Katanga Area (Congo), Bishop Kim of the Pittsburgh Area, and
African-American Bishops–McKinley Young (AME), Shamana of
the San Francisco Area, and Moncure of the Nebraska
Area–shared from their ethnic perspectives that confronted
complacency and inspired rededication. While Bishop Bruce
Blake’s message, Give Until it Heals (heals the giver, not
the receiver), reminded many of how paltry indeed is our giving
in light of all we have received and how much we possess and hold
on to while the numbers in poverty and those facing starvation
grow larger each day. Ours is not a poverty of resources, but a
poverty of the spirit.
The service "Celebrating Those Who Remained and Led the
Way," with its message by Bishop Kammerer, honored those
African-Americans who stayed in The Methodist Church, especially
those set apart in the Central Jurisdiction. The 135th
Anniversary of United Methodist Women and its predecessor
organizations, the 10th Anniversary of Africa University, the
rapid growth of the UM Church in the former East Block, and the
50th Anniversary of full ordination of women in our church were
also parts of our celebrations. "A Service of Hope" was
sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Task Team on Homosexuality
and Unity of The United Methodist Church to encourage prayer,
reflection and dialogue on these difficult questions across the
entire UM Church.
Communion
was celebrated each day at noon. No symbolism could be stronger
than the broken chalice that lay on the worship center alongside
the candle which burned throughout the sessions. It was placed
there following the "witness" of those supporting full
inclusion of all of God’s children in all aspects of our
church life.Undergirding every delegate and every session were
the Prayer "Warriors," volunteers from around the world
who sat quietly and prayerfully through all committees and
plenaries. They also staffed the Prayer Room which had Daily
Concerts of Prayer, a Prayer Tent and Prayer Stations. As the
waters of the rivers of Pennsylvania flowed together near the
site of the General Conference, so were all present urged to
remember their baptism, and in the words of Bishop Minor in the
opening service "to be scrubbed clean . . . A symbolic
washing won’t do." -Betty
J. Letzig
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General Conference, 2004
A person’s
perception of "What happened?" at General Conference is
based on a host of factors: preparation, perspective,
participation in on-site caucus and small group meetings; talking
with persons in meal lines and at displays; where you are seated
during the plenary sessions; and how closely you pay attention to
legislative action. This was my 13th General Conference. My lens
for "seeing" was as a retired Women’s Division
staff member still interested in its work and aware of the
activities of its detractors. Several petitions "they"
submitted were directed against the Division’s structure,
membership and social policy positions, and UNITED METHODIST
WOMEN. All were soundly defeated!
My purpose in going to Pittsburgh was social! It was an
opportunity to see friends and former colleagues from around the
world. I had a great time! I attended all plenary sessions and a
couple of noontime MFSA (Methodist Federation for Social Action)
programs; participated in a Mideast Seminar and Dinner; enjoyed
the Women’s Division 135th Anniversary party/reception and
plenary presentation; and appreciated the music/liturgy/good
preaching during daily worship services.
Hot
button issues made the public press, but equally serious
decisions were made on church structures and budget for the
coming quadrennium. Social issues and theology are not the only
topics with deep disagreements. Regionalism reared a very ugly
head. The undisguised "coaching" of Central Conference
(international) delegates was painfully obvious.Young adult
delegates made significant contributions. It was a special treat
to visit with Beth Capen and Jan Love (directors of the
Women’s Division in their teens) as they now move into
general church leadership on the Judicial Council and head of the
Division staff. I’m glad I went. I’m very sad for the
church. –Barbara Campbell
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Aloha Oe, Mary
On a lovely May 25 afternoon many residents
of Brooks-Howell Home found their way to the Activities building
at about 3:30. In front of the building was a brightly-colored
screen of streamers through which one could walk to enter, where
on a table were many colorful leis. Each was urged to take one
and put it on. Nearby was a basket to receive all the cards which
were brought to honor Mary Miles. Mary was a volunteer who had
rendered numerous services to the staff and residents of
Brooks-Howell Home for the past three years, day and night,
willingly and graciously. She usually spends time in the summer
with her family, which means she is not here to celebrate her
birthday with us. This year we decided to give her a birthday
party before she left, but this year there was the possibility
that she might go elsewhere following her vacation. It was an
occasion of mixed feelings.
Hawaiian music played "Aloha Oe" in the background.
Everyone was asked to wear colorful clothes, so it was a bright,
cheerful occasion. During the afternoon Jeannette Byrd mentioned
all that Mary had done for Brooks-Howell during her presence
among us, and presented her with a certificate. Mary told us how
much she had enjoyed her time here. When one needed help, Mary
often appeared magically to give it. She told us that she
hadn’t been notified if she had the other job yet, so if she
didn’t get it, she would return in the fall. Everyone
cheered at the news. Later, after Mary left, we had the news that
she had been sent to Fiji, where she will remain for at least a
year. We rejoice for this opportunity for Mary, and all have
happy memories of her presence among us, but we miss her and all
she did very much. Aloha, Mary!
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Happy Birthday, Lenna Belle!
On a sunny afternoon on May 15, more than
100 friends and family gathered in the Brooks-Howell Chapel and
foyer to help Dr. Lenna Belle Robinson celebrate her 100th
birthday! Lenna Belle was seated in the large white wicker
"throne" which has become something of a Brooks-Howell
tradition for such special occasions. The celebration began with
the singing of the National Anthem of Korea, the place which was
"home" for Lenna Belle for more than thirty years --
from age 60 to 92!
The choir of the Korean Methodist Church here in Asheville, in
their beautiful national dress, sang several lovely numbers, both
in Korean and English. The Director, Chun Woo Lee, who had worked
here at Brooks-Howell in Social Services before he returned to
Korea, was welcomed back as a good friend by residents and staff.
The Pastor of the church, Kye Chan Cho, led in prayer. Ellen
Ross, from Everett, Washington, Presbyterian missionary to Korea,
read passages from Isaiah.
Greetings were read from across the country and the world,
including letters from:
-- the Superintendent of Inchon Hospital,
-- the President of the Council of Bishops of the Korean
Methodist Church,
-- Nai Kong, widow of the founder of Inchon Hospital,
-- President and Mrs. Bush, and
-- Representative Charles Taylor's office
Family bringing their greetings in person included her niece and
nephew and their spouses -- Barbara and Smiley Leonard, from
Lexington, North Carolina, and Roy and Cheryl Neal from
Charleston, Nevada. Lenna Belle's sister from Colorado was unable
to attend.
A very significant closing number by representatives from the
choir was the formal bow. This is a special tribute to honor the
older generation.
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Our Trip to India - Frances Major
From February 9-26 I led a group of twelve persons on a visit to
Mumbai, (Bombay), Kolkata (Calcutta), Delhi, Mathura and Agra.
The purpose of the trip was twofold: (1) To learn more about
India, and (2) to fellowship with members of the Methodist Church
in India. The group of twelve was a diverse group both in age and
interest. Four from Brooks-Howell, including Nancy Garrison, our
Administrator, were in the group. The three residents were Faye
Hackney-Lance, Roberta Rice, and the undersigned. I planned a
variety of experiences for the group to see not only the large
cities but rural areas as well.
We arrived and departed from Mumbai, where we stayed at the
Methodist Guest House. I took some of the group to the
Treasurer’s office of the Methodist Church in India where I
worked in the sixties. My secretary then was still there, and Mr.
Hanchimani, the Treasurer of the MCI, deputed her to take care of
our travel reservations for trains, airplanes and accomodations.
She did a wonderful job, and all of them worked out as scheduled.
We went from Mumbai to Kolkata by Jet Airways, an airline in the
private sector. It was a very comfortable flight with excellent
service. We went from the airport to a reception at Calcutta
Girls High School where most of the Methodist leadership and
staff of the schools gave us a traditional welcome with lots of
garlands. After that we went to Lee Memorial Mission, where we
stayed. The girls in the boarding home lined the steps, sang a
welcome song, and gave us more flowers. The next day we toured
the Methodist institutions and saw the Mother Theresa’s Home
for the Dying Destitute on the premises of the Kali Temple and
her Baby Fold where the sisters (nurses) take care of many
babies.
For the village experience we divided into two groups and some
went by train a hundred miles from Calcutta to Asansol, where
they were entertained by the staff of the Ushagram Girls’
School and local pastors. They visited the Methodist institutions
in that area and some small villages and worshiped with two
village church groups on Sunday, February 15 at the Nihata
Methodist Church, which was also newly renovated.
From Calcutta we traveled second class sleeper by train to New
Delhi and then booked into the YMCA Tourist Hotel, where we could
have a hot bath any time we wanted it. From New Delhi we went by
AC chair car (train) to Agra, where we spent the day visiting the
Taj Mahal and returned to New Delhi the same evening by the same
train.
Some members of the group decided to sight see and shop in the
Delhi area, while others visited a comprehensive rural
development project near Mathura called Nirphad. Dr. Roberta Rice
gives us a brief description of that project: A most inspiring
experience was the visit to an integrated rural project for
health and development at Mathura. Here the entire rural
communities were working together on projects related to
agriculture, water harvesting, animal husbandry and community
economic development. To make the villages self-reliant they are
teaching needed skills, such as candle making, making of
container boxes, projects of social action, health care services,
child development and livestock improvement. The community people
work and discuss together how to help each plan and carry out the
projects. They have made tremendous changes, such as raising the
water table by three feet. This project is related to the Agra
Regional Conference of the Methodist Church in India under the
guidance of Dr. Ernest Sundaram. Dr. Sundaram was trained as a
surgeon at Duke on a Crusade Scholarship. He had to give up his
surgery after having meningitis, so became a very creative
administrator.
On Sunday, February 22 we worshiped at Christ Church in New
Delhi. The service needed no explanations or translations, as it
was all in English with familiar music and a very good sermon
that we had no problem understanding. After the service we had a
time of fellowship with the congregation of educated middle class
Indians.
Each of us gained something special from the trip. For me it was
the confirmation that the Methodist institutions and churches of
Bengal had become self-supporting and were growing. For Faye it
brought special comfort as she visited with her late husband
Joe’s family and some of her old friends. Read Nancy’s
Administrator’s report
for her impressions.
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Witness for Peace in Colombia (David Williams, the Brooks-Howell
gardener, recently took part in Witness for Peace, and has
written a short account of his experiences, at the editor’s
request.)
Muchas gracias to all who shared in my heartfelt journey to
war-torn Colombia. It is a country of immense bio-diversity, with
lush tropical rainforest in the headwaters of the Amazon, the
verdant Andean peaks with snow-covered volcanoes and the
brilliant, hot sun of the equator. I certainly felt the hot sun,
but saw the mountains only from a distance; there was no chance
to see the rain forest.
Colombia has been known as the kidnaping capital of the world.
Our delegation didn’t take any chances, sticking together as
well as carrying a day-pack of essentials "just in
case." We met at the Bogota Mennonite Church, which has
sponsored Witness for Peace delegations since 1999. The pastor,
Peter Stucky, gave us an inspiring overview of the human rights
condition in Colombia, his church community, and his life. He
started with stating that forty Protestant pastors had been
killed in 2003. He was an example of so many human rights workers
we met, sharing that his church continues to strengthen its
resolve for peace, justice and action in the face of terror and
abuse of power. The Colombian government neutralizes pastors by
accusing them of collaborating with the guerillas, this when
these courageous people are being targeted by the paramilitary.
The church is a spiritual umbrella offering a vent for fears and
grief as well as a safe haven for the displaced. The official
guess on displaced is that it is more than three million, mostly
peasant farmers fleeing violence and the U.S.-sponsored
fumigations.
So where is my inspiration from this Witness for Peace? Meeting
face to face with those who are heroically living their faith in
nonviolent direct action against oppression from many directions.
I will continue to speak out and to write, fervently asking, like
the Colombians we met, that the U.S. government stop escalating
violence with militarization, displacing peasant families with
fumigations, and supporting unfair trade agreements. Thanks for
this opportunity to wake up and act on my beliefs about
compassion.
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Dr. Turkington Leaves
As the Reverend Dr. Charles
Turkington finishes his work with us, we thought it might be of
interest to our readers to have some facts about his life and
ministry before he came to Brooks-Howell in 1995. During their
nine years of Charles' chaplaincy, Mary K. has been an active
member of the Brooks-Howell Auxiliary.
Charles grew up in the small Central Kentucky town of Wilmore
where his father was a teacher and dean of Asbury Theological
Seminary. He graduated from Asbury College and Seminary and began
his work as a parish minister in 1953. He served for 43 years in
Kentucky where he pastored five churches and was twice a district
superintendent. Thirty years were spent in three churches where
much emphasis was placed on youth, mission involvement, and
evangelism. There was also support of and involvement in the
larger church . . . in Annual Conference, Jurisdictional, and
General Church participation. Charles believed in the work of the
connectional Church and led his congregations to pay their
apportionments in full for all those 35 years.
He was a writer of Adult Curriculum, a member of the Board of
Publications for twelve years, and chair of the Adult Section of
the Curriculum Resources Committee of The Board of Discipleship.
He was a delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conferences and
twice served on the Southeastern Jurisdictional Council. He and
Mary K. enjoyed two exchange pastorates in England, taking their
four children on one of those occasions. In 1963, he participated
in a preaching mission and missions tour in five Central and
South American countries sponsored jointly by The Boards of
Missions and Evangelism, as they were then named.
Charles was a member of the World Methodist Council for twelve
years and attended four World Methodist Conferences. In 1988, he
was a candidate for the episcopacy, endorsed by the Kentucky and
Louisville Conference. The Turkingtons have two daughters, two
sons and eight grandchildren. One of the daughters is a District
Superintendent in Virginia and her husband is a pastor in her
district. The other daughter is a professional Christian educator
whose husband in the president of Mt. Union College in Alliance,
Ohio. One son heads up a new company in Kentucky and the other is
a physicist in Nuclear Medicine at the Duke Medical Center. The
Turkingtons also have a granddaughter who is a United Methodist
pastor in the New England Conference. It is of great satisfaction
to them that their children and grandchildren are active
Christians and all serving Christ in The United Methodist Church.
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Helen
Mandlebaum’s
nephews and nieces "did it up brown" for her on her
90th birthday! Her birthday was January 22, and the party was on
January 24. It was a great party. We met in our new chapel
entrance area, blocked off half the chapel, and put up chairs for
guests at tables. Displays of scrapbooks and pictures were a
delight, and the decorations and food were great. People came and
went as they were able. Roberta Rice, Esther Russell and Matt
Stevens, a friend of Helen’s, all played music. Guests came
from England and from Louisville, where Helen had worked for many
years; a couple also came from South Carolina who had not seen
Helen in thirty years. Others were friends from Brooks-Howell. We
wish Helen many more years of a good life with us here.
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International Room Exhibition –Naomi Wray
During
the whole month of February I have been putting up an Exhibition
of Jewelry in the International Room (formerly the Archives
Room). I had enjoyed cleaning, polishing and repairing the
jewelry from various countries as I continued making a full
inventory of all the Archival and Historical Collections of the
Home. Some of the pieces are gorgeous, some amazingly intricate,
and some really strange. I began to search for ways to share them
with residents, staff, and visitors. Because so many of the
pieces are small, or even tiny, I decided to set them against
some suitable textile fabrics, or let them drape against some of
the many decorative boxes in our collection. Then I noticed other
tiny precious things which were too small to be exhibited with
larger sculpture or baskets or dolls. I began to gather them
together also.
By the time I had collected all these items, they seemed to fall
into groups by Countries or Cultures, India and China offering
the most choices. Because of the various materials used to create
the jewelry, textiles had to be such that they enhanced the
viewing of the metals, gems, and colors as they were laid upon
them, so I started by placing the textiles. I laid some on
shelves, pinned some against the back walls of the show cases,
and used some textured purses and jewelry pouches as well. Larger
jewelry boxes also were placed suitably. The textiles are related
to the countries and cultures they help to frame. Then I began
slowly to lay out the various pieces of jewelry, to show the
unique characteristics of each, and to enrich understanding of
how they help us interpret each society which uses them. Although
there are many separate pieces, they take little actual space. I
began to add small precious items, a few dolls in styles similar
to the various jewelry, and other small items used in daily life
of the people of that place. The last (and the most demanding)
part was to make printed information available to enhance the
understanding of where, when, who and why these items were
created. I tried to match type-fonts with perceived cultural
style, but some styles turned out to be rather difficult for
people to read. Sorry.
This Exhibition is as much about the Daily Life and Culture of
the people as it is about their Handicraft Skills and Material
Resources. The craft work of each is so entirely unique to that
place that we can learn to recognize it by sight alone. The
preparation of this Exhibition was also part of the social life
of Brooks-Howell Home. From the beginning many of those who live
in the Bethea building visited it often, and commented on its
growth and development. Residents and staff as well as visitors
conversed with me, sometimes sharing memories of their own
jewelry or some seen during their travels. A few even brought
their own jewelry items to share. It is this social aspect of the
process of placing an Exhibition which pleases me most. It is a
joy to make the Archives Collections a vital part of our life
together, and a stimulating way to share with visitors more about
who we are and what we do together.
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The Greatest of These is Love –Miriam Jean
Gruber
Since
becoming a member of Brooks-Howell family in 1995, I have learned
many wonderful stories about precious residents who have gone on
to Glory. A "Coronation Service" was lovingly planned
for each person. At each of these services many beautiful
memories of the departed ones were shared. However, after each
such an experience, I have wondered why we await a dear
one’s departure before we extol their many virtues.
With this in mind, I agreed, upon request, to share an experience
I had very recently.* Some days ago, my doorbell rang and upon
opening the door, I saw Will Rogers sitting in my gutter,
supported by his beloved Agnes. Quantities of blood soiled his
head and face, while lesser body bruises were in evidence. The
sight of our dear Will and Agnes in such anguish was most
distressful. However, I was soon to be assured that "All is
well." Disregarding personal pain, Will looked up at me, and
through blood-filled eyes, and in typical Will/Agnes style, Will
said, "We love you." "Faith, hope and
love–these three–but the greatest of these is
LOVE."
*Written May 5, 2003; only recently in editor’s hands.
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Surprise Visit
Whoever
heard of a White Elephant visit in November? It happens in
February. The fall sale is supposed to be a mini sale. But 2003
turned out quite differently–the accumulation of merchandise
overwhelmed our storage space, and the White Elephant Committee
was asked to put on a full-fledged sale in November.
And so it happened! The White Elephant Committee, consisting of
Patricia Richardson, Fusako Krummel, Jeanne Wintringham, Coy and
John Howe, Patricia Riddell, Ruth Walther and Jayne Smith started
work in August, resulting in a huge visit November 13, 14 and 15
from that omen of good luck and blessing, the WHITE ELEPHANT. Our
space was again confined to the basement recesses, but the Howes,
with their extraordinary magic, made it work. Jeanne awed us all
with her ability to sign up folks to sort, set up and sell the
outpouring of donations. Fusako had already spent hours
classifying and arranging. Pat Riddell kept us all informed with
her clever signs. Ruth Walther conscripted cashiers and handled
the money. The subtotal realized is $4,310.04, with a clarinet
still to be sold.
Jayne and Pat Richardson tried to coordinate and troubleshoot;
there was a great deal to do in the latter category since we were
"flying by the seat of our pants." Things started out
as an in-house sale and changed midstream to include the public.
Disaster threatened when a whole table full of pants was soaked
by a dripping pipe overhead. Environmental Services was occupied
with annual cleaning in addition to their regular duties, but
still were generous with their time and support. Auxiliary and
Board members volunteered many hours of work, and residents were
predictably faithful in their tasks of displaying merchandise
attractively and attending customers with dedication. Kathleen
Griffin was again present, representing the Community Advisory
Committee for Buncombe County Nursing Homes, and was able to
select many items for use in those homes. It is one of the most
gratifying aspects of our White Elephant Sale to be able to serve
public nursing homes in this way. Six boxes of heavy winter
clothing were also packed and dispatched to Armenia through WNCC
Project Agape.
Boxing up leftovers is always something of an anticlimax.
It’s here that the sale workers go the extra mile; they are
marvelous. We were fortunate this year to have Winifred
Wrisley’s Vermont guests as volunteers–they packed like
true professionals and helped us get the job done in record time.
We were ready for the ABCCM truck which showed up right on time
Tuesday morning to pick up our surplus merchandise. Mr. Noblitt,
the ABCCM driver, with the willing assistance of David, Debra and
Kevin from Environmental Services, packed the track to the top,
right out to the tailgate, and drove away, leaving our Fellowship
Hall again empty and ready for the next activity.
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Fun and Food
On Wednesday,
November 19, 2003, our dietician, Elaine Weisse, entertained our
taste buds again with a treat. A Thanksgiving buffet was prepared
for us. The menu consisted of sweet potato soup with buttered
pecans, roast turkey and gravy, prime ribs au jus, home style
stuffing, cranberry sauce, glazed baby carrots, creamed corn,
fresh steamed asparagus, herb mashed potatoes, baked acorn
squash, assorted dinner rolls, tossed salad, sour cream apple
pie, and pumpkin pie.
We’ve celebrated Thanksgiving as a national holiday since
1863. But it began much earlier. In 1621 the Plymouth colonists
and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is
now known as the first Thanksgiving. While cooking methods and
table etiquette have changed as the holiday has evolved, the meal
is still consumed today with the same spirit of celebration and
overindulgence. The pilgrims didn't use forks. They ate with
spoons, knives, and their fingers. They wiped their hands on
large cloth napkins which they also used to pick up hot morsels
of food The Wampanoag and Plymouth colonists often ate wild
turkey. However, it was not specifically mentioned in connection
with that 1621 harvest celebration. The Wampanoag brought venison
to the feast and four men went hunting and brought back large
amounts of "fowl," probably ducks and geese. And what
about the stuffing? Yes, they did occasionally stuff the birds
and fish, typically with herbs, onions or oats. Cranberries were
probably served. They didn’t have potatoes yet. There were
pumpkins but not pumpkin pie. Pumpkin and squashes were native to
New England. The colonists probably did not possess the
ingredients to make pie crust nor an oven in which to bake it. No
doubt they had Indian corn. This corn was a staple for the
Wampanoag and soon became a fixture in the cooking pots of New
Plymouth. In September and October, a variety of both dried and
fresh vegetables were available. The produce from the gardens of
New Plymouth is likely to have included what were then called
"herbs," parsnips, collards, carrots, parsley, turnips,
spinach, cabbages, sage, thyme, marjoram and onions. Dried
cultivated beans and dried wild blueberries may also have been
available. Our manners and our food may be different but we share
the spirit of the day.
December 17 we had a Christmas theme. The menu for the day
consisted of soup du jour, rack of lamb, citrus salmon, smoked
pit hams, rosemary roasted potatoes, baked winter squash, fresh
vegetable medley, couscous, muffins, salad with raspberry
vinegarrette, and Christmas bread pudding with sauce. The tables
were decorated with Christmas trees. David Carter, of the
housekeeping department, brought the dinner to a close by singing
"O Holy Night." It was beautiful and prepared our
hearts to celebrate Christmas. At each person’s place was a
little ceramic cardinal which reminded me of a tanka I once wrote
and with which I close......
It is a pleasure
When, looking out my window,
Ah, A Cardinal
In regal scarlet splendor.
A quiet conceitedness.
–John W. Krummel
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Food and Fun
JSeptember 9, 2003, Tuesday, was the
dedication of the new chapel. It was also a special day in the
dining room with an international theme. The menu was
international and one needed a dictionary to decipher it. It
consisted of chicken poblano chowder, duck breast quesidillas,
Carribean red snapper, cold beef tenderloin, couscous, saffron
basmati rice, vegetable kabobs, mixed vegetables in red curry
sauce, cold vermicelli salad, and "special desserts."
The staff was all attired in their new uniforms – black
aprons and black ties. The dining room was also graced by the
native costumes of many different countries – sari and other
dress from India, China, Africa, Japanese kimono, Korean, South
American, and even native American. It was a feast for the eye
and for the stomach.
On October 29, the theme was the "50’s and 60’s
Oldies." I don’t know why they ignored Halloween but
every day smacks of Halloween anyway here at BHH. We had a good
time looking back with nostalgia to fifty and forty years ago.
Wendy Willis had prepared the menu, which consisted of navy bean
soup, turkey pot pie, hamburgers with all the fixings, fried
chicken, green bean casserole, french fries, creamed corn, peas
and carrots, zucchini bread, coke floats, and banana’s
foster. In the lobby before dinner we had Swiss cheese fondue,
clam dip and California dip with vegetables and crackers. The
decorations were tuned to the theme and we had background music
from the era including the Beatles and Elvis. The theme was
"50s’s and 60’" and our administrator, Nancy
Garrison, topped it off by appearing in bobby sox and saddle
shoes.
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Spiritual Enrichment Day
Dorri Sherrill,
Chaplain at Mission/St. Joseph’s Hospital, was our guide for
the day. After reading from Isaiah 43, "I have called you by
name, you are mine . . . ," she did an excellent job in
leading us toward an understanding of how important our names are
in defining who we are. We had two sessions in the morning, with
a break in between for light food and drink, and a chance to
share briefly with each other. The day continued with our regular
chapel service in the afternoon.
In developing the theme of the day based on names, we were asked
what were we named when born, and why? What do others call us,
and what does God call us, or who do we understand ourselves to
be in God’s presence? In the first session, after a brief
introduction, we shared our given names and what these mean to us
or why we were given these names. Some of us have names that came
down through our families, and are remembrances of esteemed
relatives, while others are names liked by our Moms, or our
parents, and perhaps chosen from a book of names or other source.
It seemed that our names and the reasons for them are as varied
as we are as personalities.
In the afternoon session we considered what name God calls us,
individually, and why. The sessions tied together in one whole,
even though the same people did not attend all sessions and both
were well attended. While they fit together as a whole, each one
also stood alone in its validity. Considering our names is a very
thought-provoking and valid exercise in defining who we are as
individuals and as Christ-followers. Thank you, Dorri, for
guiding us to understand ourselves better. It was indeed a
spiritual enrichment.
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Go to Roving Reporter 2002