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Residents gathered for a poetry reading of works
created during a five week workshop
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It was an intimidating idea, and at first it felt unsettling, but a few our adventurous seniors stepped up to the plate and agreed to give it a try.
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A Gentle Leader
Dr. Nicole Santalucia of Shippensburg University, facilitated the five week poetry workshop, assisted by graduate student, Joe Smith. Together, participants and leaders read contemporary poetry and generated poems. Introducing the concept of free verse, and providing prompts helped participants relax and concentrate on content rather than rules.
Poetry created by our EH group was combined with that of our local Boys & Girls Club, and published as an anthology. Says Santalucia, " It is a great honor to celebrate each individual's expression and to share the power of our community's collective voice."
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Friends of the Episcopal Home, Donna Harpster and Betsey Palmer joined the fun. Donna told the group, "We older folks have stories that shouldn't die with us. They need to be told so that others will know what previous generations experienced living in other times and places."
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Uncle Riley
by Donna Harpster
Slightly bent
leaning on a stick
alone, black and white
I remember other scenes:
smiles, questions, acts, love.
Sharing vegetables, meals,
serving, not sitting.
Reading on his porch;
chasing us from his yard.
Garden plum tree for making wine,
sharing with neighbors.
Old, walking to the farm,
nose running, red bandana.
Offering to teach me to milk.
Beautiful, black, kind.
I always loved him,
Uncle Riley.
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I Am
by Betsey Palmer
I am 90 years old!
How did that happen?
I am the child who played with goats.
I am the sister between two brothers -
A rose between
two thorns?
I am the daughter who loved my mother and father, yet who wanted to grow up
and leave!
I am the girl who loved college.
I am the student who loved a boy
from
New Jersey.
I am the woman engaged on a
mountain
top in PA.
I am the bride who went camping
in Canada.
I am the mother whose first child died
at one year.
I am the wife who lived two years in Australia, one year in Kenya, and four months in Brazil.
Who am I now?
A grandmother of fifteen; a widow alone!
I am filled with memories, sad and glad!
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We met you five weeks ago, not knowing what to expect,
A poetry workshop was not something
in our past.
We were familiar with "Humpty Dumpty," and "There Was an Old Woman
Who Lived in a Shoe"
But poetry that needed expert interpretation, To us was entirely new.
We sat with rapt attention as you read
poetry
with skill,
Then told us what it meant,
making it
very real.
You gave us prompts and told us to choose one and write poetry too.
We thought, "Can we really do this
just out of the blue?"
But you had created interest in us, and inspired us to step outside our comfort zone And reach for heights unknown.
After all, if someone wrote about how far
an onion traveled,
Surely we can put something together too.
You gave us pen and paper,
and we began to write,
Surprised at the thoughts and words
that began to take flight.
Our pencils took on life, as we shared experiences of old.
Without your prompts, they might
never been told.
We also wrote of the present,
of babies being born,
And a maple tree cut down, that had weathered many a storm.
We wore a bathing suit again,
if only in our imagination,
But it took us back to days of
beach celebration.
There was other poetry as well,
some sad, some happy,
But all meant to share our
innermost thoughts.
Today we say good-bye,
but hope to one day again say hello.
We enjoyed your time with us, and we are sorry to see you go.
Thank you Nicole and Joe for a new adventure.
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"I'm Still Writing!"
Dolores was an enthusiastic and prolific participant. She described the workshop as "great" and says she often got so caught up in the process of writing that she lost track of time. Inspired by the experience, she continues to write on her own. Following is a small sample of her work.
Ode to My Room (excerpt)
by Dolores Culbertson
It's only one room
that I call home.
Quite comfortable,
even cozy.
A few articles
brought from
previous dwelling.
One desk and chair.
Two tables, television,
small refrigerator,
lift chair, and wooden chair.
Room for guests,
even can play cards.
A set of plastic tubs,
these hold snacks, paper,
and some odds and ends
I'm not ready to discard.
Not yet.
To Our Dog
by Dolores Culbertson
Beautiful black Spaniel.
Playful, a joy to have around.
Always barked when someone was near.
His name was Charlie.
Seemed a little lazy one day.
Then, nowhere to be found.
Later in the shed,
three perfect, beautiful puppies.
Exit Charlie,
Enter Charlotte.
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"I was truly inspired by the strength and emotion expressed by the women at the Episcopal Home. These women wrote from memory, experience, and the heart. They taught me that life is a story and poetry is a great outlet for telling the world where you have been and what you have seen, no matter your age." - Joe Smith, SU graduate student
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Keeping it Clean With Tammy
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The Episcopal Home is clean. Always.
Much of the credit for that is due to the efforts of Tammy Myers. She arrives early in the morning so that freshly mopped floors are dry and safe by the time residents are leaving their rooms for breakfast. Then she works her way around the premises, making sure everything is clean and tidy. Her busy workday involves vacuuming, dusting, washing windows, cleaning bathrooms, emptying trash, and watering plants - everything it takes to provide a clean and healthy environment for our residents.
"I can hardly believe that, in November, I will have been here for 10 years!" she says, remembering that a simple inquiry to an EH employee at her church led to her being hired. What she likes best about working at the Home is the residents. Tammy enjoys chatting with them, hearing their stories, and lending a hand when needed. She sees that their bathrooms and bedrooms are clean, and frequently she'll help with "little things" such as helping a resident organize their clothes or shoes."They are always so grateful," she says, "and when I can help someone else, we both feel good." Tammy is a good example of how giving extra care and having close personal relationships with residents makes the Episcopal Home a home, rather than just a facility.
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B I R T H D A Y S !
This month, we wish our following residents
the happiest of birthdays!
August 18 -
Mary H.
August 23 - Kit
August 25 - Janey
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August 6
Mt. Calvary
Barbershop Quartet 3:00
August 18
Grane Hospice
"Funny Money" Auction
1:30
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August 24
St. John's, Carlisle
Music with Dr. Jurgenson & Dan
1:30
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The all-volunteer
Town Band, legendary in the Shippensburg community, recently treated residents and staff to a lively outdoor concert. Ice cream provided a cool treat on a hot evening. Luck was with us - the concert wrapped up just as raindrops began to fall.
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Darts!
Recently, residents had fun bursting balloons in a friendly
dart throwing
competition.
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April 21, 1927 issue of The Chronicle:
TO BE OPENED APR. 25
The Episcopal Home for the Aged on East Burd Street will be opened Monday, April 25, when several guests are expected to arrive. The formal opening of the Home has been planned for May 17, when Bishop Darlington and others prominent in the Episcopal Church are expected to be here for the occasion. A meeting of the trustees of the home was held Monday afternoon when plans for the opening were completed. The home has been thoroughly renovated and equipped for the accommodation of the guests. This home has been made possible by the generosity of Mrs. Margaret and the late J.C. Phillips and others prominent in the Episcopal Church, and no doubt will be a great blessing to many aged folks in the coming years.
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Make a Difference
in the Lives of Others
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We're so thankful to those of you who have blessed us with charitable giving over the past months. In a world full of mass marketing - TV ads that pull at our heart strings, glossy brochures, email solicitations, eye-catching billboards, community fundraisers, Facebook pleas - all vying for donations, it would be so easy to forget about our residents who live quietly in our small personal care home in a small community.
We can't offer fancy dinners or shiny rewards as thanks to our donors, yet you continue to remember us with your financial gifts. Many of our residents rely on your goodwill and generosity to help them to continue to live at the Episcopal Home and to receive the care and comfort they need. We want to thank all of you who contribute, both personally, and on behalf of an organization, for helping to provide for our aging residents. Simply and succinctly put in a letter accompanying a donation from the Outreach Distribution Committee of the Prince of Peace Church in Gettysburg: "We know that the Home serves a fragile group...and is often overlooked in the manner of funding."
Thanks to each and every one of you for choosing to stand with us in support of our residents and the Episcopal Home.
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"We make a living by what we get, but we make
a life
by what we give."
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We Count on Your
Donations
If you can help, please send your check to:
The Episcopal Home
206 E. Burd St.
Shippensburg, PA 17257
(monetary contributions are tax deductible)
Always Needed
Women's Large and XL "Depends"
Personal care wipes
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Our cloister project is nearing completion and will provide a safe, comfortable space where residents can relax and visit inside, while enjoying the sunshine and surrounding gardens.
We'd like to update the activities room for our residents. It is in need of new flooring, paint, lighting and safe, comfortable chairs.
If you have questions, or would like to help defray costs for any of these important projects, please
email
Mary Grace at:
or give her a call at
(717) 532-4612
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The dedicated Quilters at St. Andrew’s in Shippensburg have a long
history of supporting the Episcopal Home.
To benefit the Home, they are offering handmade quilted items in exchange for
free will donations. Available items include lap/baby quilts, larger quilts, purse-size tissue holders, table runners and toppers, casserole carriers, and more. You may request photos and sizes via email.
Click here to email us for more information
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New This Month
Each is 18' x 18"
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Mission Statement
The mission of the Episcopal Home of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania is to enhance personal care to residents, their families and that community that enhance physical, intellectual, social,
and spiritual wellbeing.
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