Insights into the comings and
goings of Brooks Howell residents.
There's seldom a dull moment!
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The listing begins with the most recent ones.
Thirty-three residents of Brooks-Howell Home are buried in Pisgah View Memorial Park. Of course, a number have chosen to be interred in their home cemeteries. A few are interred here on the grounds of the home. The first to request this was Margaret Marshall, whose remains were placed in the garden in front of the apartments on August 4, 1992. Unfortunately, a plaque has not yet been put up. Dr. Mary Kennedy’s remains were placed in the Fannie Crowell Garden, which is outside the dining room July 3, 1997, and a small plaque is placed on the wall. September 30, 2003, seven persons’ cremains were placed in the Rose Garden which forms a cul de sac with the BTU wing and the main building. We hope that a plaque with their names will be put up soon. They are Clara Ruth Anderson, Lucille Bovet, Mae Titus, Leland Dellinger, Reva McNabb, Thelma Stouffer, and Lee Ola Foust. In 1984 Bessie Estep had her ashes sprinkled on Mt. Mitchell, on May 17.
–John Krummel
On March 31, 2005, I became the Interim President of the Scarritt-Bennett Center, Nashville, TN, to serve while the presidential search process was implemented by the Board of Directors. Scarritt is an education, retreat and conference center on the campus of the former Scarritt College/Graduate School.
Scarritt is one of my favorite places! I came to Nashville as a student in September 1951, and have been on campus at least once every year since then. Dr. Hugh Stuntz was president when I arrived, and now I sit in his office! During the 1970's I was a member of the College Board of Trustees and in the late 1980's a member of the team that helped create the Center. I have served on the Center Board as member and officer. Coming to the campus for a prolonged stay feels like "coming home."
The Center is in a time of transition as it awaits a new president. It also struggles to be self-supporting in its freestanding environment not attached to any board, agency or annual conference. Although formerly a college, our academic alumna/ae are increasingly far-removed. The one-time attendees, or persons just renting prime facilities must be continuously cultivated as a new kind of alums. Scarritt-Bennett is constantly seeking to offer programs in sync with contemporary interests.
The Center has a strong Mission Statement rooted in its predecessor traditions. The Labyrinths, Taize Services, multicultural awareness program for children on campus or in the public schools, as well as our upcoming Women's History Conference are expressions of it. Space use rentals and chapel weddings are also significant program components. The dining room operates as needed; residence halls accommodate 139.
To become "unretired" for a few months has been a grand adventure. Finance, personnel, program development and property management -- real work -- occupy my days. To answer the oft-asked question, "Are you enjoying it?" the answer is "yes."
The Board anticipates electing a "real" president at its November meeting. Then back to retirement.
--Barbara Campbell
On the beautiful spring afternoon of May 14, the Brooks-Howell family gathered at 3:30 in the Craft Room to celebrate the 95th birthday of Elizabeth Dellinger. The hostess was A.J. (Alice) Adams, a close friend of Elizabeth’s for many years. The theme for the afternoon was "Spring Flowers," carried out in the decorations and refreshments. Elizabeth looked happy in her rose-colored dress of spring flowers.
A.J. Adams, a resident of Brooks-Howell Home for a time, is now living in San Diego, where she had lived previously and has family and many friends. Her helpers for A.J. & Elizabeththe party were Helen Mandlebaum, Ruth Mayhall, Beth Griffin, Jayne Smith, Naz Williams a resident volunteer, and Jill Banyai,
Social Services staff.
"The Belles of Brooks-Howell"
Here we are, the Belles of Brooks-Howell, bobbing up and down in the aquamarine pool, sunlight making the dancing billows shine like crystals. We are all smiles in our mod swimsuits, sharing our widow’s tales.
With canes parked at pool side, we breathe a contented "A..h..h..h" as we gingerly glide into the warmed water. We are girls again, Pool Buddies. We have no cataracts now, and are proud of our second-chance parts. We are here for aerobic exercise as we check with our laminated charts.
We don’t get our quaffed white hair wet, but float on our noodles and bicycle with vigor. We practice going up and down the steps twenty times, each foot first, then close our eyes and relax in the foaming bubbles of the comforting whirlpool.
As long as our heads show, we look rather well preserved, but when we crawl out, then our flabby, wrinkled old bodies are all too evident. Oh, well–time has had its way with us.
Quick, the towels–the air is cold!
Careful, don’t slip on the concrete!
Follow the bare wet footprints to the dressing room and dash to the "john."
The hot shower makes a cheery sizzle, and then comes the drying off and the struggle to get our moist legs back into our slacks again. Refreshed and happy to feel a bit more agile, we know it was worth the effort.
We are thankful to be alive, and give grateful blessings to the United Methodists, who make it all possible.
"Let’s Be Natural"
"La-la-la-la, da-da-da-da, oo-oo-oo." Some different sounds have been wafting down the halls outside the Media Room. Maybe you have even heard animal sounds from old McDonald's farm!
It's the "B-Naturals" who are vocalizing. Vocalizing is merely exercise for the vocal chords, coupled with breath control and enunciation. The group chose the name "B-Naturals" because they are determined to get their voices back to "natural."
How did this all come about? Kathy Rhodes, our physical therapist, one day commented to me that several people were needing to sing to help their speech be more easily understood. She said that the speech therapist had recommended this.
In considering the possibilities of developing such a program, Martha Strunk and Winnie Wrisley have formed a team to lead the group. They have the support of Rita Pisano, choir director at St.Paul's United Methodist Church, and she will be on hand occasionally. Also, the choir director of the Calvary Baptist Church, Don Welborn, has expressed the desire to help us out. So, we can expect some interesting times.
Animals Abounding
Have noticed that the Ground Floor Gallery has become home to a number of ANIMALS lately? Hyram is a raggedy stuffed HORSE created long ago by a BHH volunteer who mends and adjusts residents’ clothing every week. Hyram came seeking a quiet meadow in which to retire and in February found welcome on the green sofa in the Gallery. He joins Mollie, the glamorous Holstein COW doll dressed in colorful prints and laces, who has been enjoying the blue sofa in lonely splendor since I placed her there at the opening of the Gallery. Mollie once belonged to my mother, a dairy farmer’s daughter. They are both reminded of the passage of time by the chirruping of birds on the hour, each hour of the day and night, issuing from the BIRD clock hanging above the third sofa in our cosy Gallery corner.
The parade of animals in the Gallery’s curio cabinet began with Coy Howe’s ELEPHANT collection in July, and continued with the great variety of wood carved animals John Howe created with his own hands, shown in September. During December John’s NATIVITY ANIMALS were featured, along with his creche figures in the Christmas exhibit. A pair of beautifully carved large CAMELS from central India were also included in the Christmas exhibit.
Animals will continue to creep, bounce or stroll into our Ground Floor Gallery this spring, as some of Susan Carmichael’s FROGS will accent Jane Stentz’s elegant land-and-waterscapes in March, and Stu’s fantasies in April. Lucy Gist’s "purty" (not dirty) PIGS will accompany the "Brooks-Howell for Everybody" Show in May.
Mardi Gras Food and Fun
Pan African Cuisine was our theme luncheon planned by Jason Gerrie, Supervising Cook, on January 25, Tuesday. He had prepared an exciting but not too spicy menu of Tunisian Chick Pea Soup, Moambe Stew (Beef Stew), Chicken in Peanut and Tomato Sauce, Rice and Beans, Matoke (Sauteed Plantains), Futari (Winter Squash and Coconut Milk), Sukuma Wiki (African Greens), Tropical Fruit Salad, and Revani (Lemon Syrup Cake). How thankful we were to have the translations. Those who had served in Africa were encouraged to wear their "native costumes" but no one did. [It was too cold for African dress!–Ed.] Background music from Africa was heard, too, but again it was so far in the background that no one could hear it. The day was also birthday celebration for those in our community born in January.
The new head dietician, Susan Toler, led us forward with a Mardi Gras Theme Event for February on the 15th. The menu was Gumbo, Jambalaya, Shrimp Creole, Red Beans & Rice, Creole Candied Yams, Stewed Okra & Tomatoes, Sweet Corn, Tossed Salad, French Bread, and Bread Pudding. There was appropriate background music, and Mardi Gras decorations provided a setting for us to eat in style. The official colors for Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. These colors were chosen in 1872 by the King of Carnival, Rex. He chose these colors to stand for the following: Purple represents justice, green stands for faith, gold stands for power. I don’t believe there is any Mardi Gras in Asheville except this one at Brooks-Howell Home so we have established a new tradition for the city. What will these United Methodists come up with next?
The Ground Floor Gallery
It was the last day of November, 2004, and Judith Cheney was removing her paintings from our Ground Floor Gallery, after a spectacularly successful sharing of her beautiful and detailed depictions of life in Western North Carolina and other places she has visited or lived. No photograph could possibly catch the multiple aspects of an area or an event in the way she has – from Bele Chere in downtown Asheville to ice skating in a winter wonderland, to the bright and pastel colors of life on a tropical island. They are idyllic illustrations of the many possible activities of oceanside and mountain valley, every corner filled with details of human, animal or natural life. A dozen or so lively art prints or posters record details of Asheville and nearby towns and a few other Southern towns in such a lively manner that one can jump visually into the midst of the life and experience it vitally.
There are also unique scenes, in several different styles, such as the almost abstract acrylic Moon Fixer, and a large pale watercolor racing along with the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere; the touching sketches of Mother and Child and My Cabin; the mystical dance of Shaker Spirituality and the rich humor of the Return of the Truffle Hunters. A whole series of painting of snowy scenes is dominated by December’s Child garbed in warm Victorian garments.
Judith is a well-known artist in North Carolina, her work having appeared in many state and area publications. She has exhibited in a number of galleries around the country, and may be found in a number of corporate and private collections. She is involved in the Art Museum here in Asheville as well. She is part of the Brooks-Howell family in that she regularly uses the facilities of our heated pool, and has friends among the residents who are her swimming buddies. Hereafter, however, she will have a whole Home full of friends who appreciate her artistic skill and who are grateful to her for sharing her creative gifts with us all. We will be reminded daily of her art as we pass, in the first floor corridor, the poster of Bele Chere in Asheville which she has gifted to the Home in thanks for the privilege of exhibiting in our Ground Floor Gallery. The benefit was mutual!
For December and into January, 2005, the GFG is featuring a variety of Christmas or winter creations shared by those of us who live here at BHH. They include all kinds of things that hang on walls or doors, or wood carved sculpture: things we made ourselves, or have been in our families for years, things we collected and have made a part of our annual Christmas collections, things that remind us of other years, other homes, other families.
Advent Services
"Come, Thou Long Expected
Jesus" - these words from a familiar hymn were the themes of
our worship and prayers for the four Sundays of Advent this year.
Services were held Sunday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. in the Cummings
Health Unit community room to be attended by all residents. In
addition we invited several guests who were pleased to come. The
first joy we all experienced was the arrangement of the large
area, with an attractive worship center which was different each
week, depending on the aspect of the message the particular
leaders had chosen from the overall theme. A joy each week was to
see the room filled with those who came.
On November 28 Pat Riddell and Pat Richardson, using a dialogue presentation, emphasized the good shepherd, and his staff as they stressed the rescue of a lost sheep lessening the fear of those early shepherds who saw the bright light, and of us today. Elizabeth Thompson shared a reading of the first line of the hymn, emphasizing our freedom, and finding rest in Jesus. A closing litany prayer was led by Evelyn Strader.
Ann Janzen , Eunice Sluyter and Martha Strunk were the leaders for planning the December 5 service, "for our fears and sins release us." Ann opened the time of worship. Arlene Merritt and Jewel Brown participated with the singing of hymns, scripture, prayer and special music by the Brooks-Howell choir, led by Martha Strunk. Legrand Smith shared an antiphonal reading.
Faye Lance led the service on December 12, focusing on strength and joy, shared a personal meditation. Naz Williams, who was originally from Pakistan, but at the time was a wonderful volunteer at Brooks-Howell, blessed us greatly with her strength and joy with song and dance as she moved joyously, rapidly and repeatedly across the room, with background music from India - truly worship in motion!
Our fourth Sunday was led by Richard and Sylvia Smyth, who shared again the blessing of joy which fills the longing hearts of those who waited for the Messiah, and for us today.
For each of these four Sundays, we were blest with the use of a
mobile sound system generously provided by a friend, Bob Riley,
who came, set up the system and operated it for us. We were
equally blessed by the cheerful willingness of the nursing staff
in Cummings to help set up the area in the most advantageous way.
The space there in Cummings truly became a holy, sacred place
with these carefully planned and coordinated services. Winnie
Wrisley, ever present at the piano, and Martha as choir leader
contributed greatly. Perhaps appreciated most of all was the
consistent attendance of 50-60 residents. Thanks to the Spiritual
Life Committee, Ethel Raddon as Chairperson, for the initial
effort to seek a meaningful weekly worship for these weeks of
Advent and those who responded willingly to develop the different
presentations.
Food and Fun
We had a Mexican theme
luncheon November 15. There were sombreros on the heads of some
of the staff, four of whom are Mexican. Background music and some
pictures on the wall got us into a festive mood. The menu
included Fajitas Monterey, Chicken Tamales, Mexican Rice, Refried
Black Beans, Mixed Vegetables, Chicken Mole Soup, Nachos,
Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, and Mexican Rice Pudding. I didn’t
know what I was ordering and when it came I didn’t know what
I was eating but I lived to tell about it. Ole!
The 21st of December was American Picnic Day. The menu for that
day was an all-American one – hamburgers, veggie burgers,
hot dogs and chili, baked beans, roasted corn, macaroni and
cheese, confetti slaw, potato salad, chips, and assorted
desserts. It was so good to be able to read the menu without a
dictionary in hand. And the food was delicious. It being
Christmas season we had Santa Claus standing at the door to greet
us and the dining room was decorated with snow flakes falling
from the ceiling and wreaths on the wall. A picnic at Christmas.
A Merry Christmas to all.
About fourteen years ago Margaret Marshall, then a resident, a deaconess (and pastor), inspired some Boy Scouts to make a path in the woods. Roma Cupp provided some of the material. There were three benches and two inspiration posts on the path. John Howe and Arthur Russell spent many hours keeping the path usable and safe. More recently not much attention has been given there, but beautiful landscaping and gardens have been created near the new apartments and the Quads and all over our beautiful campus.
You will find the Path in the Woods by the picnic tables and if you go once, you will want to go every day! For several recent months and years ivy has taken over the paths and the inspiration posts have deteriorated. It’s all different now, thanks to Dr. Gregory Glance, M.D., and son Tyler, who earned the Eagle Scout badge. I won’t tell you what the scriptures are on the new beautiful posts. Come, rest on the comfy benches and ponder the scriptures. Doctor and son, Eagle Scout–you are flying high! Thank you for giving such a blessing to us.
Polly’s Bouquet
The other day there was a beautiful bouquet of roses in the lobby. Many times when residents receive flowers they share them with the rest of us by leaving them in the lobby. This was the case with these, and they were there thanks to Polly Whitacre. Polly shared that they were sent to her by a young man on his birthday. He always sent her flowers on his birthday. Ten years ago Polly had been out for her walk around the neighborhood and when she came back she saw the security man. He looked so sad. She asked him what the trouble was. He said that today was his twentieth birthday and he had to work. He would rather be at home celebrating. Polly said, "Yes, but I bet your mother has included a slice of birthday cake in your lunch."
He said yes, she had. And Polly said that she would bet that the family would have a party for him when he got off work in the evening. His face brightened up as he said yes, they would. He had forgotten the good things coming that day and Polly had reminded him of them. He sent her flowers that day to say thank you. He brought his younger brother to meet her after that and in turn his mother and father. He eventually went on to work elsewhere. Three months ago he married, and brought his bride to meet Polly. And every year he remembers Polly on his birthday.
A Neighbor Moves Away
[Photo: Jeannette Byrd
receiving gifts (a hanging and some books) for Brooks-Howell from
the Rev. Joe Hoffman.]
A neighbor of Brooks-Howell Home from its beginnings has been the
First Congregational United Church of Christ at the corner of
Spears and Merrimon Avenues. The relationship has always been
cordial and even closer during the past four years as the
congregation has out grown their facilities.and they have used
ours for Sunday school classes and a few weekday activities.
However, this has all come to an end. They have moved away in
anticipation of a new church building under construction now.
They have sold their property and were gone by the end of August.
The new occupant of the building is the Asheville Arts Center.
Classes in music, drama, and dance are offered. Kindermusik for
children is also on the curriculum as are special opportunities
for Home School.
November 7, a Sunday, at three-thirty there was a reception of
members of the church and their friends at BHH. At four
o’clock they held a worship service in our chapel, a service
of celebration to give thanks to Brooks-Howell Home for the use
of our facilities the past four years. The service included the
BHH choir, a girls’ trio from First CUCC, some liturgical
dance movements, and some of the history of BHH and of the UCC.
The leader for the service was the Reverend Joe Hoffman, pastor
of First Congregational UCC. There was a time in the service for
individuals to share their experiences through the years. It was
a time of celebration for all as we BHH’ers gave thanks for
the growth in the life of the church and the small contribution
we were able to make to it and the meaning for our lives and the
members of UCC gave thanks for the contributions that we have
made.
A Wonderful Trip to Korea–Lucy Gist
On October 12 I left to go to
Korea for the dedication of the new Inchon Community Center
building. It was a great surprise to me to be able to go for this
special event as one of the guests. I was fortunate to be able to
take the place of Maude Groff, who was no longer there. Barbara
Pak was with us, and the Rev. Si Rae, the Board representative.
Our tour began with a stop at a coffee house which is operated by
handicapped young people. It was a lovely place. They served in
such a fine way, and the coffee was good. This project was the
dream of the director of the Center, Hyo Soon Han.
The dedication was such an exciting event. Those who had helped
to bring about the new building were honored. I was thrilled as I
saw several former staff members with whom I had once worked.
The Inchon Center had moved to a new area which allows them to
reach out in new programs. They have after school programs,
feeding of the elderly, and tutoring classes for students. The
facilities are wonderful–they are colorful and will continue
to grow. We did visit the old center and passed a long line of
elders who were waiting for their lunch. One surprise was to
visit the house where the missionaries once lived. I loved it. It
is a two-story building on a hill. The surprise is that the
government has taken it over as a landmark, not because we lived
there, but because of the architecture. I think that is a
compliment to the United Methodist Women.
We were able to visit four other community centers: Pusan,
Taejon, Kongju and Tai Wha. Each center has excellent programs,
serving the elderly, working with those with disabling conditions
(all ages). Taejon and Tai Wha have the only therapeutic pools in
the country. We saw a child in the pool receiving therapy, a joy
to watch. There were many other impressions in all the Centers:
Korean women learning to read and write Korean, since they had
not had the opportunity to go to school; elderly women and
children (3 & 4 years old) doing exercises, not easy ones,
either. The children were so cute, dressed alike and having the
best time. I was amazed at both groups doing such exercises. We
visited the Inchon Hospital, learned about the fine medical staff
of two hundred forty-five, with twenty-three medical specialists
and nineteen general doctors. As are all hospitals, they are busy
and trying to serve the community.
The Methodist Women (under different names) have sent many
missionaries, and they planted seeds of service, taking care of
people in many areas. It was a thrill to see how the
"seeds" have grown in such great ways. This is due to
the work of our missionaries, of which we can be proud.
Good Companions
The pets at
Brooks-Howell are very special! What started having pets here
were requests from two of us to bring our cats with us. We were
both planning to come in May 1995. There was no "Pet
Policy" then and so the answer was "No." Much
research speaks positively of the beneficial effects of pets with
older people. We soon discovered that many residents here liked
pets. Some others do not. The first to come 
was Harley, officially "Harlequin de
Howell," named by Pat Riddell in a contest. Harley just came
walking into the Animal Rescue Shelter. We surmised that he had
been dropped off near by. We were very fortunate to find him. He
is a gem–a delightful black and white long-haired cat who
loves to play. He loves the out of doors. When he first came, he
shinnied up any tree he could find! He’s very photogenic.
Helen Mandelbaum, who keeps him when Social Services is not open
or he is not "on duty," says, "Harley, my
apartment mate, is a rather large black cat with white paws and a
white bib. . . . He came to work with the Social Services staff
at Brooks-Howell. He now works two days a week in the health
units. He walks to and from work on a leash. He listens to my
woes, my radio music, my talking books, and TV. His demands are
few–good dried cat food, water from the wash basin in the
bathroom, an open window out of which he can smell fresh air, a
cage on the front porch to rest in and watch the world go by, and
the flying, calling birds to listen to. He is great as an
apartment mate. I would have difficulties living without
him!"
Butterscotch came next, a
butterscotch-colored dog found wandering nearby, apparently lost.
He and Harley have been quite a pair. True to his dog heritage,
Butterscotch will not let the cat alone, but Harley has learned
to deal with her! Butterscotch is older, and has slowed down
since her surgery for arthritis. She finds her way into many
hearts, especially those who feed her goodies and/or keep her for
a while. Winnie Wrisley now keeps Butterscotch. Winnie says,
"I’d feel awfully bad if Butterscotch had to leave
(me). She belongs to Brooks-Howell, and I care for her. I’m
a big lover of dogs and cats. I can laugh over Butterscotch as
she tries to outwit me and get more treats. She’s smart. I
feel good about her. She’s very companionable, and makes me
walk. Pets are for people who like pets. She’s a good
companion."
Oliver is the third pet adopted by
Brooks-Howell. He had apparently been abused when younger, and so
does not reach out to others, but he seems very grateful for
Martha Strunk, who looks after him. He is such a beautiful
long-haired white cat that one does not mind being shunned by
him! Martha says that he is sometimes called "Sir
Oliver" or "His Royal Highness." "I keep him
because Trish [Fisher–formerly with Social Services] asked
me . . . Oliver belongs to us all but he lets me live with him. I
love him because "He’s so gorgeous! Those eyes! When he
decides to go dashing through the apartment, his tail becomes a
fantastic plume waving aloft! I have always loved cats, so having
Oliver is a joy to me. He ‘talks’ to me, eats treats
from my fingers, and calls me every morning between 6:00 and
6:30. If I delay and don’t get out of bed soon after he
calls, he hops up into the bed and proceeds to curl up by my feet
to wait for me. He seems to think he always needs to be in the
same room where I am. All of these little things are an enjoyment
like nothing else. The house seems very empty on the days when
Oliver is "working" in Social Services!"
Residents who have their own pets now are John and Coy Howe,
whose dog was a gift for their 50th wedding anniversary, Bettie
Sue Smith, with Miss Kitty, A.J. Adams, with her small dog Robin,
Helene Hill, with Amos (female cat) and Grace Estel, who brought
Christy, a cat.
Bettie Sue Smith says about "Miss Kitty," "She is
a good friend and companion." I like "her high
intelligence that enables her to solve problems, manipulate
humans, and understand English well. She keeps me entertained and
challenged to stop some of her schemes to rearrange the apartment
before she can carry them out!"
Grace Estel’s cat’s name is Crystal, called
"Christy." "She has been part of my life since
July 1989. As a kitten she was very active and kept me busy.
Christy is a joy to have around–many times just the two of
us for each other’s company. She is very easy to care for.
She is company for me, and keeps me knowing something is
dependent on me. She is someone to greet me when I come
home."
Amos, with Helene, is the youngest in our community. She came in
February at seven weeks old, and was immediately a "feisty
fighter," which netted her the name of Amos, for the Old
Testament prophet . . . That was before we learned that she is
female. When I took her to the vet at seven weeks old, even the
vets could not tell me that she would be female–so, I
don’t feel so dumb! She has turned out to be a wonderful
companion, who goes often to see Harley, at the end of our row,
and enjoys playing with him. That has been good for both cats!
Amos has needed some "shaping up," and Harley gives it
to her when Amos gets on his nerves! What I like best about Amos
is petting her velvety smooth fur when that warm body sits on my
lap for some love. She enriches my life every day with her
intelligent companionship. I’m so glad that she knows where
she lives, for she so enjoys the woods near by.
Stu Bryan has
two cats, and lives near by. In addition to the two cats, Stu has
ten other pets. Eight of these are various kinds of lizards. He
also has a parakeet, named “Birdie,” and a water
turtle, named “Marge.” How he keeps all of these with
two cats, I’ll not tell you! He says the two leopard geckos,
“Benny” and “June,” are “about the
sweetest lizards anyone could ask for. They recognize you by
licking–that reminds me of a puppy dog. These are my
favorite lizards I have at the moment. The two cats are a black
tabby named, “Dici,” short for “Disciple,”
because she follows me around everywhere. I’ve had her since
college. She’s about thirteen years old (and of course
she’s the smartest cat in the world). She’s a great
friend.” Dici is an inside/outside cat. Stu’s inside
cat is “Sprout,” a six-toed calico snow cat.
“She’s not the smartest cat in the world, but she is
the sweetest. Sprout is about seven years old.” Stu
continues, “I haven’t bought any of these guys, but
rather traded, rescued or caught [them] myself, often taking in
unwanted animals. I think it’s sad how many people buy a pet
and then decide they don’t want it. I will always try to
give any animal I have a healthy, happy home–and I love them
all. My herpetology friends called me ‘Dr. Stu
Little’.”
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