December GAB - Bishop Gadsden

Gadsden GAB
A
December 2014
Issue 296
P U B L I C A T I O N O F B I S H O P G A D S D E N
View the GAB in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org
INSIDE
THIS
ISSUE:
How It’s Going
Cont’d
2
Message from
President/CEO
3
Dining Services
Holiday Season
4
The Early War
Years
5
Holiday
Happenings
5
Meet Brian
Bogstad
6
Over Here and
Over There
6
Over Here Cont’d
7
Happenings/
Calendar
8-9
Birthdays
10
Movies
10
Chaplain Update
11
Residents’
Council
12
For me: the BIG pay-off.
I’ve been writing this
series with the ultimate
goal of climbing around The
Quay construction. Tuesday
afternoon, Bill Trawick,
Barbara Regan, and I were
escorted with three LendLease supervisors to the site.
Looking grand in our snappy
yellow vests, hardhats, and
gloves, we first visited the
mock-up wall. (You can see
it from a vantage point at the
back of the Community A view of the St. James and Bishop Gadsden’s Church Steeples.
Garden.) On the mock-up
wall—shown on the right—
(used to try out various
façade options), complete
with
windows,
bricks,
mortar, flashing, lintels, size
and proportion are all
considered. Currently, the
third run of brick has been
accepted; the first two were
not as good a match and as
pleasant to view as the third.
The run of brick is made for
The Quay in Wallace, SC.
Red mortar is used at the
ground level below the
windows, and gray above.
The mock-up wall.
These details are a very
small part of the complexity and excellence of this project.
We climbed the first 20 or so steps (a total of 54 all the way to the third floor, a climb
only for the fleet and sure of foot). Visiting the flats on the first floor, we were able to see
the definition of the rooms. The galvanized steel interior wall skeleton will ultimately be
covered in drywall, but already we could see the wonderful views from the rooms of each
flat. Soon the top-out siding boards will be put up on the ceilings; ductwork is currently
being placed and secured. The top-out boards have fiberglass on both sides to prevent
mildew and mold. The ceilings in the flats will range from 9 feet 6 inches in the great
Continued on next page
Page 2
rooms, to 8 feet 2 inches in the closets and
kitchen where most of the mechanicals will be
placed above the top-out boards. Drywall is
expected to begin in December.
Climbing to the full height of the third floor,
we learned that the roof will be built with the
following process: the wooden trusses (currently
on the ground awaiting the next phase); plywood
over that, creating the slope for drainage; gyp
board; insulation; and the final step, PVC roofing
which is hot seamed for a uniform and
impervious coating.
Bill Trawick was like a kid, tip-toeing to see
over the blue debris netting (seen around all
three floors at this time), marveling at the view
A view over the lake.
and the sheer dimension of the construction and
ultimate accomplishment. It is a sensational sight, and even the supervisors who see it daily were excited to
show the view to us.
Here are some new facts about The Quay construction project:




No accidents, however one pinched finger.
There are 105 workers onsite now, and the maximum number should be around 250. Teams for each phase
work together and come as a team from Michigan, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Atlanta.
The tallest crane has moved to the second and third buildings now. The crane’s hanging ball, swaying
ominously from above, weighs 800 pounds.
There are currently three women working in the various phases of construction.
M E N T O R I N G P R O G R A M
A T F T
.
J O H N S O N M I D D L E S C H O O L
Dave Warner
Last spring the Bishop Gadsden Community explored the possibility of a mentoring program with our
school neighbor, Ft. Johnson Middle School.
The school serves students from the Charleston/James Island school district and its mission is to “provide a
safe, academically challenging environment, in partnership with families and the community and develop
confident, responsible life-long learners.” The school, located only a short distance from Bishop Gadsden
down Camp Road, has an enrollment of more than 500 students in the 7th- 9th grades and 33 full-time teachers.
Thanks to the efforts of Kimberly Borts (BG Director of Charitable Giving and Communications), David
Parler (Principal), and 14 BG residents and staff members, a pilot mentoring program is now operating. The
BG mentors meet with the 20 participating students twice a week in the school library to review class work
assignments in math, English, social studies, and current events. The program has evolved with discussions
involving the school’s guidance counselors and faculty, along with input from the BG mentors.
To date, the program is positive with favorable comments from the faculty, parents, and most importantly the
students. In particular, the impact on the students is more than just academic, because the presence of the BG
mentors creates a caring and safe environment and is supportive of the school’s mission. Moreover, we believe
the mentoring program is mutually beneficial to BG residents, our neighboring school, and the James Island
community, and it demonstrates a win/win outreach effort from seniors.
Going forward and building on the momentum of the pilot program, we encourage all BG residents to
consider volunteering for mentoring during the next school term by contacting Kimberly Borts, phone 4066334 or email kimberly.borts@bishopgadsden.org.
View the GA B in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org
Page 3
M E S S A G E
F RO M T H E
P R E S I D E N T
C. William Trawick
/
C EO
2014—it’s almost history!
But what another eventful and wonderful year it has been in the life of our Bishop
Gadsden Community!
We have seen great changes in our “landscape” with the rapid construction
progress of The Quay. As it has taken shape, the beauty it will add to our already
beautiful Community is becoming more and more apparent. Our Community has been
recognized with two architectural design awards. Maybe a third is in our future!
Just as we will be welcoming new members to our Community when The Quay is
completed next fall, we have had the privilege of creating friendships with 25
members who joined us this year. Due to the Charleston areas being a retirement destination for people from
throughout the country, Bishop Gadsden is in a unique position to attract residents who have had incredibly
varied and interesting life experiences. This creates a rich texture in the fabric of our Community life, which
makes it more enjoyable for us all.
Our Myers Hall Community has seen a dramatic transformation as the two-phase renovation of its interiors
is almost complete. Myers Hall, our assisted living community, has become one of “choice” rather than
“need” for so many of our residents. The beautiful new interiors will only serve to make the continuum of care
more seamless and provide Myers Hall residents with the quality living environment for which Bishop
Gadsden is synonymous.
BG Connections has continued to grow in both numbers served and services provided. Our home care
services department is now not only serving those within our Bishop Gadsden Community, but is expanding
into the broader community. This service, which is in its infancy, has incredible potential in adding both
greater service options and financial benefits for our Community as it evolves.
Our financial soundness, as well as our accountability and transparency, for and to our stakeholders were
reaffirmed this year as we maintained both our Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC) and our
Fitch Investment Grade Credit Rating. We believe these voluntary third-party reviews and validations to be
important in enhancing confidence for both present and future residents in the investment they have made or
will make in our Community.
Our mission and ministry, “To reach out with a generous spirit,” has never been more vibrant than it has
been in 2014. We have provided over $385,000 to 10 residents who reside in every area of our Community.
We have supported other non-profit organizations, the Lowcountry Food Bank and Respite Care of
Charleston, with grants of $37,900 each. We met—and surpassed—the matching challenge of Jim and Patty
Fei for the creation of the C. William Trawick General Endowment, which will be so important to our
Community’s future. We established a wonderful new intergenerational relationship with Ft. Johnson Middle
School, where our residents mentor its students. In addition, we have supported numerous other organizations
and causes throughout the year.
It is easy to see that in 2014 our BG has again been abundantly blessed. Pervasive in our blessings is found
the depth of our relationships and the importance of “community.” As this year ends and another begins, my
prayer remains that God will continue to bless our BG Community, and that we will continue to be a blessing
to each other and to the greater community of which we are a part.
Did You Know… Five months into the first World War, troops along the Western front took a
Christmas Eve break from fighting to sing carols to one another across the battlefield. The following morning,
German soldiers emerged from the trenches and began to approach Allied troops while calling out "Merry
Christmas" in English. Luckily, it wasn't a trick; dozens of British fighters came out to greet them and shake
hands. Later dubbed the Christmas Truce of 1914, it was one of the last examples of wartime chivalry.
I N
Margaret Gander
5/12/1925-11/6/2014
L O V I N G
M E M O R Y
William “Bill” Thomas
12/29/1919-11/22/2014
Charlotte Bavier
7/4/1921-11/23/2014
Page 4
D I N I N G S E R V I C E S D U R I N G
H O L I D A Y S E A S O N
T H E
Christmas & New Year’s Schedules for
Winningham Court and Market Place Café
Christmas Eve, December 24:
Christmas Day, December 25:
Market Place Café is open for breakfast and lunch. Closes at 2:00 PM.
Winningham Court is closed.
Holiday Buffet—seating in Winningham Court and Market Place Café.
The meal will be served from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, reservations
required, please call 406-6330. Due to limited seating, there is a
maximum party size of 8 in Winningham Court and 12 in the Café.
Guest Charge for the Christmas meal is $30.
New Year’s Eve, December 31: Market Place Café open for breakfast and lunch. Closes at 2:00 PM.
Winningham Court/Blackmer Hall New Year’s Eve Party.
Event Charge—Resident $20 and Guest $30. Please sign up to attend.
New Year’s Day, January 1:
Holiday Buffet with seating in both Winningham Court and Market Place
Café. The meal will be served from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Guest Charge for New Year’s Day meal is $20.
Please note, the dress code policy applies for all holiday meals. All holiday meals have two seating times.
The first seating at 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM, and second seating at 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM.
T H A N K
J i m
E p p e r ,
Y O U
F O R
S U R V E Y
D i r e c t o r
o f
R E S P O N S E S
D i n i n g
S e r v i c e s
The Dining Services Department and The Dining Services
Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in the
two Market Place Café surveys during this year. This information
is very valuable to us and is used to make improvements in our
dining program. Without your help this process would be much
more challenging. We received over 270 surveys this year! Overall,
responses were very favorable, and some changes have already
been implemented. An example of this would be the eating-healthy brochure that was created and distributed
in your mail boxes recently. If anyone would like to have a copy of the final results summary, please feel free
to contact Jim Epper at 406-6293.
Just a reminder Please remember to wear your BG name badge when
you are out and about in the Bishop Gadsden Community.
We have new residents and staff coming into our
Community each and every day, and we surely want to
know the name of the individual we are meeting or
talking to in the café line, in the mail room, or during
Bocce.
Knowing each other’s name makes Bishop Gadsden
feel the way it feels—comfortable and welcoming!
Page 5
T H E
E A R L Y
W A R
Y E A R S
—1941-1943
D r . Wa lt Ec t o r
Do you remember how you were affected during the
earliest years of WWII?
I was only 15-1/2 years old on December 7, 1941—
Pearl Harbor Day, when the Japanese attacked the
USA, and WWII began for us. I was walking with my
friend that Sunday afternoon when his father rode up
and told us that the Japanese had bombed Pearl
Harbor. I had no idea where Pearl Harbor was.
We knew about the war, of course. Congress had
passed the draft law (by only one vote), and several
older friends and relatives had been drafted. We knew
about the war in Europe, Adolph Hitler, Blitzkrieg,
Benito Mussolini (Il Duce), Dunkirk, and the reports
of the Blitz of London. However, President Roosevelt,
in his radio “fireside chats” had promised that he hated
war, his wife Eleanor hated war, his dog Fala hated
war, and he would never lead us into war. We knew
less about Japan. We knew that many inferior products
came from Japan, but little else.
Following the Japanese attack, we declared war on
Japan, and also Germany and Italy. There was a rush
of young men who immediately wanted to join the
armed services, but I was too young. Everybody was
saying that we would crush the Japanese in a few
weeks, and it would soon be over. We didn’t believe it
would really ever bother us that much. Little did we
know.
Things did begin to change. Radio broadcasts
suddenly became much more interesting. We
gradually began to realize that we were way behind
the Japanese in the war in the Pacific, with nothing but
terribly bad news, until Doolittle’s air bombing raid on
Tokyo in April 1942. Rationing had begun; you had to
have ration stamps to purchase butter, sugar, gasoline,
tires, coffee, and several other things.
H O L I D A Y
My family was living in Myrtle Beach, SC, and
every home facing the ocean had dark shades pulled
down on the beach-side windows at night. A Beach
Patrol would force you to comply if they could see
any light from the beach. This was because we were
told that German submarines were patrolling off our
coast. All automobile headlights had to have the upper
2/3 painted black so their beams would not shine so
far. There was an observation tower near the old
Pavilion on the beach that was manned in one-hour
shifts by volunteers. I was one of these. We were
supposed to report, by the telephone in the tower, any
airplane or boat lights we saw during our shift. I
never saw any.
My father had just begun his own construction
company a few years before and was doing fairly well
until then. Suddenly all civilian building came to a
complete halt, and Dad’s business went down the
drain. Another interesting item was that suddenly a
number of fires occurred in beach homes. With
rationing of tires and gasoline, and an enforced 35mile-per-hour speed limit on all highways, beach
homes were not renting in the summer. We suspected
that the fires were arson for insurance, but I do not
know that any were proven.
In spite of the terrible news from the war, life was
essentially unchanged for our group of teenagers.
Parties, dances, hayrides, boat trips at Murrell’s Inlet,
etc., went on for us. Dad had to find a position in
Charleston, but let me continue high school in Myrtle
Beach until I graduated in the spring of 1943. We then
moved to Charleston. I later served two years in the
US Army Air Corps. It was an interesting time. What
is that old Chinese curse? “May you live in interesting
times!”
H A P P E N I N G S
K a r m en Q ua k e n b u s h , R e s i d e n t Ev e n t C o o r di n a t o r
We have some exciting special events coming up in December that you will
not want to miss! Wednesday, December 3, at 3:00 PM we have our Tree
Trimming Party in the Gussenhoven Living Room. If you haven’t already
donated an ornament for the tree, please bring one that day. Santa will also be
there handing out special treats!
Thursday, December 11, in Blackmer Hall at 3:00 PM we have The Island
Choraliers performing Christmas Is Being with Y our Friends, also featuring The
Sea Island Lady Singers. On Saturday, December 13, at 3:00 PM, we have a special performance by the Ballet
Academy of Charleston accompanied by Chamber Music Charleston. They will be performing a collaboration
of music and dance to traditional holiday songs, including Greensleeves, The Nutcracker March, and a Donkey
Carol. Be sure to save the date for a “Royal Affair” New Year’s Party on December 31!
Page 6
B G
’S NEW
M E E T B R I A N B O G S T A D :
E X E C U T I V E H O U S E K E E P I N G
M A N A G E R
E m my L o u A n d e r s o n
Residents and employees are meeting our new Executive
Housekeeping Manager, Brian Bogstad, who came to us in late October.
Brian has a friend who is employed at Bishop Gadsden who told Brian
about the availability of the Housekeeping Manager position, and Brian
was interested. His mother was a professional house cleaner and Brian
worked with her when she needed help.
Before coming to BG, Brian served as General Manager for Gerald’s
Tire and Brake Company for 12 years. His background also includes
performing in singing for musical theatre and was on the staff at the
Dock Street Theatre. He was a scholarship student at Berklee College in Boston, MA, where he majored in
music performance as a vocalist.
Brian lives in North Charleston with his wife Leslie, who is a Clemson alum, and their three children,
William (age 12), Isabelle (age 9), and Eli (age 6). The kids all love to dance competitively, but they also have
other interests. William runs cross-country, Isabelle is a swimmer, and Eli plays football, like his dad, who
played in high school.
His family keeps him busy, but he is able to enjoy his favorite hobby—brewing beer at home! We welcome
Brian and look forward to his supervision of Housekeeping Service for all of us.
OVER HERE AND OVER THERE
—A WWII STORY
K a th y H arm s
Hitler was running all over Europe.
We were far away on the other side of the Atlantic.
December 7, 1941! PEARL HARBOR! Everything changed. The mail came. A
letter from the Selective Service told my father that he was being called to active
duty. He had retired from the Army Reserve as a captain after WW I. My mother,
sister, and I could not believe this was happening. Daddy went in for his physical
but did not pass it. He stayed home with us! We silently celebrated.
The USA was not prepared for war. The government began to build up its
strength. It called all able-bodied men to fight. Women began doing men's work so
that the men could go to war. Rosie the Riveter became a new song. Schools began
to sell Savings Stamps to buy Savings Bonds. Another song came to be, A ny Bonds
Today, to get everyone to feel patriotic and buy war bonds.
Daddy liked to go surf fishing in New Jersey. Because of the war and traveling to
Ocean City, NJ, he had to paint the top half of the headlights on our '36 Dodge so that the beams could not be
seen from the air. We saved gas coupons to allow us to buy enough gas for the trip to the shore and back.
We always went to the shore at least once a year for two weeks. On one trip, Daddy stopped for a sailor who
was hitchhiking to Fort Dix. The sailor wore cleaned and pressed whites that smelled like the ocean. We all
fell in love with him. We had never stopped for a hitch hiker before or after.
At home, Mama had to use rationing stamps for buying sugar, butter, eggs, and meat. Every Friday, we ate
fish. We even had to spend a coupon to buy leather shoes. WHY? Because we were giving all these materials
to outfit our Armed Forces.
Even pennies ceased to be made of copper because copper was a necessary ingredient in war equipment. Our
pennies were made of zinc alloy and looked light grey and sounded tinny when jiggled.
We had air raid drills. The moaning alarm would go off: OOOoooOOOooo. Daddy was driven to a secret
place in Philadelphia to map out a route for the army to use pretending that important roads had been
bombed. Daddy was then Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Highways and Street Cleaning in Philadelphia. He
knew all about the streets, bridges, and how to move traffic.
My mother, sister Mary, and I would stay put at home. All lights had to be turned off. No streetlights. No
lights inside or out. It was a blackout. We listened to the radio in our black living-room. The doorbell rang. It
Page 7
startled us. We tripped through the house. It was our at the treads on the German tanks as they approached.
block air raid warden. He told us that he could see a Once John and the second gunner set themselves up
light on in the house. What light? It turned out to be using a bush as a good camouflage. At the last minute,
the glowing red radio tube in our radio which was they decided to get out from behind the bush. A comrade
backed up to the window. He said even a glowing saw this and asked if he could sit behind it. They
cigarette could tell enemy aircraft that they were over exchanged hiding spots.
land. So, we covered the radio and kept listening. The Germans were using their 88s—a kind of shell
Other neighbors, who were not air raid wardens, that whistled as it came in and then suddenly silenced.
were trained to spot enemy aircraft from their roof If you heard the whistle stop, that 88 might have your
tops. We did not go up to our roof top; we just stayed name on it. It had a very sensitive detonator. Even a
home with our radio covered during the air raid drills. bush could set it off if came close enough. One came
Another song became popular, W hen the Lights Go whistling in and then silence. After the skirmish, the
On Again All Over the World.
sergeant called roll and their comrade did not answer.
We began using a lard-like substance in a plastic bag. Once John had taken a German officer as a
It came with an orange pellet inside that had to be prisoner. They questioned him for information, but all
kneaded into the whole wad. It ended up looking like he ever gave was his name, rank, and serial number,
butter and we ate it. But it worried the dairymen which was all any soldier had to do. Since John was
because they thought we would not buy butter again. not fluid in German, he remembered the name of his
In 1944, I was going to a Quaker school, Abington sister's perfume, Suivez Moi, or “follow me.” The
Friends, outside of Philadelphia. We had one Quaker officer understood that and followed him to camp.
among our 15 girls. Mary Lou Scull. Mary Lou had November came and so did the snow. It got into
waist-long blonde hair that she braided and kept everyone's boots. Cold chilled the men to the bone.
pinned in a coil at her neck or wrapped like a coronet John was now on patrol in the snowy farm country
around her head. One day, Mary Lou appeared with near the Ardennes. The Germans wore white uniforms,
short hair. What happened? She had had her hair cut making them almost invisible against the white
for the war effort. Blonde hair was just perfect for use snow. It was hard to tell if anyone was moving over
in bombsights. It was the right width. So, Mary Lou's there in the night or if the light was playing
Quaker hair went up in the air in bombsights. tricks. Another thought entered John's head. What if I
Bethy Goldsmith, another classmate, had not known am shooting my relatives? This could have happened
where her brother was stationed. Then came June 7, since his father, Henry W. Harms, left his home and
1944. D-Day! Her family got a telegram saying that family in Hanover, Germany, when he was 21 and
her brother had been killed in the battle on Normandy went to live in Canada then to the USA. Who
Beach. Bethy told our art teachers, Mr. and Mrs. knows? His friends were shooting so John closed his
Wighart, themselves refugees from Austria. They were eyes and shot.
trying their best to grasp the English language, but After the war was finally over, John returned to the
Bethy came bursting into our classroom laughing and United States and was about to be sent to the Pacific,
crying as she said they had offered her their deepest where his other brother Louis had been sent. But
“congratulations.”
President Truman allowed the first A-bomb to be
John Harms, one of Bill's three brothers who fought dropped in Hiroshima, Japan. After the second Ain the war, was a machine-gunner with the 75th bomb, it scared the Japanese into surrendering.
Infantry. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, one of John was discharged in Little Rock, Ark. He
the fiercest battles of the war; 20,000 were killed and returned to Boyertown, Pa. As he came down the dirt
40,000 were wounded.
road leading to his home, he began singing “When
John's job was to disable German tanks by machine- Johnnie Comes Marching Home Again, Hurrah,
gunning their treads. He was the first gunner. He ran Hurrah.” This Johnnie had come home!
with the tripod over his shoulder then threw it on the And that's how all wars should end!
ground to be ready to receive the machine-gun. The And Louis, who had been in the Pacific, returned
second gunner, who was carrying the 52-pound safely, too. Kathe, his wife, said he would eat an
machine-gun on his shoulder, would quickly set the orange in bed and throw the peel on the floor thinking
gun on top. John, being the first gunner, would he was still in New Guinea.
position himself behind the gun and be ready to shoot
The GAB would like to hear other stories of WWII Military BG residents, please contact us at 406-6334.
Page 8
W
H A T
’
S
H
A P P E N I N G
!
K a ti e J ay n e , J e n ny Ju h a s z , C h ri s t y S m it h ,
a n d B a r b a r a R o b i n s o n
Jean Howe may be relatively new to Myers Hall, but she has been a part of
making Myers a better place for years.
Most residents know that she is the one who brought us our resident cat, Mr.
Kitty, who came complete with his own kitty condo. Others know her as she is
always walking around logging in many miles daily. While getting her exercise,
she is never too busy to lend a hand to a neighbor, whether it is to hold a door
open or simply to greet you with her smile.
Many may not realize that long ago she started Eliza’s Attic, which has been a
source of funding our Resident Assistance Fund. Jean enjoys activities throughout
the community. She is proud of her family and is happy that her son has recently
become a Board member here, as she considers Bishop Gadsden her home.
Bishop Gadsden’s
Annual Festival of Wreaths
Tuesday, December 2
4:00 PM
Morse Activity Room
Read Cloister
Wreaths designed by
Residents, Staff & Friends
Wreaths will be Sold for
$25.00
Proceeds to benefit
BG’s Generous Spirit Program
Wine * Cheese
Santa Claus Visits Bishop Gadsden
Tuesday, December 23
3:15 PM
Morse Activity Room
Read Cloister
Dreamland Band Christmas Show
Monday, December 22
2:30 PM
Morse Activity Room
Read Cloister
View the GA B in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf
Page 9
W
H A T
’
S
H
A P P E N I N G
!
K a t i e J ay ne , J e n n y J uh a s z , C h r i s t y S m it h ,
a n d B a r b a r a R o b i n s o n
December 2 at 7:00 PM
Unedited Holidaze Cabaret
BG Chapel
C h a r l e s t o n D e c e m b e r
E v e n t s C a l e n d a r
Please note, these are not Bishop Gadsden events;
therefore, no transportation is provided.
December 4 at 4:00 PM
Holiday Tea & Piano Music with Talia Dillahey
Arcadia Activity Room
December 1
December 5 at 11:00 AM
Botany Bay Presentation
Morse Activity Room
The Holiday Walking Tour
The Mills House
722-8688
December 2
December 8 at 2:00 PM
Tad Melton on “Industry Trends
That May Affect BG in the Future”
Blackmer Hall
Sister Act
N. Charleston Performing Arts Center
529-5000
December 2
December 11 at 10:00 AM
Charleston Artist Guild
Arcadia Activity Room
Women Who Impact Preservation
Historic Rice Mill Building
723-1623
December 5
December 11 at 3:15 PM
Christmas Classics Reading
Morse Activity Room
A Christmas Carol
Dock Street Theatre
577-7183
December 6
December 13 at 3:00 PM
Ball Academy of Charleston
Blackmer Hall
The Nutcracker
N. Charleston Performing Arts Center
529-5000
December 6
Sea Life by Starlight
SC Aquarium
577-3474
December 18 at 4:30 PM
Music to Remember with Roger Bellow
Arcadia Activity Room
December 19 at 11:00 AM
Piano Music from The Nutcracker Suite
Morse Activity Room
December 19 at 4:00 PM
Moscow Nights
Blackmer Hall
December 21 at 3:30 PM
Music with Jim Seem
Morse Activity Room
December 22 at 11:00 AM
Ashley River Baptist Church Youth Choir
Morse Activity Room
December 28 at 4:00 PM
Tea and Poetry
Morse Activity Room
December 31 at 2:00 PM
Royal Corgi Parade
Morse Activity Room
December 12 The Elves and the Shoemaker
Sterett Hall Auditorium
740-5854
December 13 Holiday Farmers Market
Farmers Market Pavilion
884-8517
December 13 Family Yuletide in the Stableyards
Middleton Place
556-6020
December 21 Chanukah in the Square
Marion Square
953-4930
Resident Update Meetings
Resident
Meetings
No Resident Update meetings until
January for all areas.
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B I R T H D A Y S
Joby Meade
Fran Pfaff
Sallie Gough
Alice Jervey
Joanne Lannie
Jack Lillich
Dick McLaren
Molly Stender
Joan Middleton
Bob Clement
15
15
16
16
17
18
20
21
23
Fran Brawner
Libby Williams
Nancy Attaway
Ann Wallace
Ray Houlihan
Dee Whitaker
Bettye Mitchell
Patti Purdy
Carroll Rivers
25
25
25
26
26
27
27
27
28
31
Joan Cushman
Martha Ann Heyward
Carol Ragsdale
Noel Ferguson
Ike Smith
Jim Aichele
Fred Babb
Dave Wallace
Lorrie Clark
Joyce East
Welcome New Resident
Katie Roberts
M O V I E S
(FROM THE SENIOR’S PERSPECTIVE)
S a l l i e G o ug h
At last! A movie with a sweet and pleasant ending, and starring a favorite,
Bill Murray. “St. Vincent” is set in a downtrodden suburban neighborhood, with the
characters pretty down on their luck and just about out. A young boy is thrust on
Vincent for after-school care by his neighbor, a newly single working mother. The
characters are intensely human and interesting. The movie is not a comedy; it is a
drama with comedic overtones and is highly entertaining.
Alas! These next two movies are Do Not See. We split our efforts, split the popcorn,
and went in separate directions. I saw “The Maze Runner.” It’s geared to the
adolescents and is sure to have a sequel. A ruined world in the future testing
adolescents in survival with beasts and a gargantuan maze. I didn’t like the teenagers,
the maze, or the creatures.
Jamie writes about his movie: "John Wick" was the premier assassin until he retired,
married, lost his wife, and had his car stolen and his dog killed. Thoroughly upset, he
kills the NYC Russian mob, at least 55-100 strong. Lots of shooting, stabbing, chases,
mayhem, chaos, and one dimensional acting.
Michael Keaton is superb in “Birdman.” Showing the backstage life of producing a
Broadway show, the movie tells the story of a former action hero, Birdman, turned
serious actor. It’s not easy, adding in aging and dysfunctional relationships, but it is a
compelling movie…although not a very happy one.
“Before I Go To Sleep” is a psychological thriller, and the suspense continues right to
the very end. Starring Nicole Kidman, the movie is successful in keeping viewers
confused as to who is who and what is reality. A pretty good afternoon’s entertainment.
"Nightcrawler" has Jake Gyllenhaal playing Lou Bloom as a video photo journalist of
the underbelly of night life in LA. Lou's not right. He blurs the line between sleaze and
malevolence in order to promote himself. He goes from petty thief to setting the stage
for murder and orchestrating events to this end. He's fanatically obsessed, cleverly
deceitful, manically driven, and hard not to watch. A bad story well told.
“Interstellar” is a VERY long movie. The science supporting the film may or may not
be valid, but my head was awash with gravity, time, black holes, space, dimensions, and
complex navigation. The acting was good, and the story was pretty straightforward,
except for the confusion of time (one hour on a far-flung planet equals seven years on earth, for example). A lot
of BGer’s may get a lengthy nap out of this one.
Page 11
T H E
C O B B L E R
A N D
H I S
G U E S T
T h e R ev . Fr a n k R u ss, C h a p la i n
We will soon celebrate the mystery of the
Incarnation—God taking on the flesh of our humanity
in the person of Jesus Christ. I’d like to share a
favorite Christmas story with you that illustrates the
miracle of the Incarnation in our world today.
There once lived in the city of Marseilles an old
shoemaker, loved and honored by his neighbors, who
affectionately called him "Father Martin.”
One Christmas Eve, as he sat alone in his little shop
reading of the visit of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus
and of the gifts they brought, he said to himself, "If
tomorrow were the first Christmas, and if Jesus were to
be born in Marseilles this night, I know what I
would give Him!" He rose from his stool and took
from a shelf overhead two tiny shoes of softest
snow-white leather, with bright silver buckles. "I
would give Him those, my finest work."
Replacing the shoes, he blew out the candle and
retired to rest. Hardly had he closed his eyes, it seemed,
when he heard a voice call his name..."Martin!Martin!"
Intuitively he felt a presence. Then the voice spoke
again..."Martin, you have wished to see Me. Tomorrow
I shall pass by your window. If you see Me, and bid Me
enter, I shall be your guest at your table."
Father Martin did not sleep that night for joy. And
before it was yet dawn he rose and swept and tidied up
his little shop. He spread fresh sand upon the floor and
wreathed green boughs of fir along the rafters. On the
spotless linen-covered table he placed a loaf of white
bread, a jar of honey, and a pitcher of milk, and
over the fire he hung a pot of tea Then he took
up his patient vigil at the window.
Presently he saw an old street-sweeper pass by,
blowing upon his thin, gnarled hands to warm them.
"Poor fellow, he must be half frozen," thought Martin.
Opening the door he called out to him, "Come in, my
friend, and warm and drink a cup of hot tea." And
the man gratefully accepted the invitation.
An hour passed, and Martin saw a young, miserably
clothed woman carrying a baby. She paused wearily to
rest in the shelter of his doorway. The heart of the old
cobbler was touched. Quickly he flung open the door.
"Come in and warm while you rest," he said to her.
"You do not look well," he remarked.
"I am going to the hospital. I hope they will take
me in, and my baby boy," she explained. "My husband
is at sea, and I am ill, without a soul."
"Poor child!" cried Father Martin. "You must eat
something while you are getting warm. Let me give a
cup of milk to the little one. Ah! What a bright, pretty
fellow he is! Why, you have put no shoes on him!"
"I have no shoes for him," sighed the mother sadly.
"Then he shall have this lovely pair I finished
yesterday," said Father Martin as he took down from
the shelf the soft little snow-white shoes he had
admired the evening before. He slipped them on the
child's feet...they fit perfectly. And shortly the poor
young mother left, two shoes in her hand and tearful
with gratitude.
And Father Martin resumed his post at the window.
Hour after hour went by, and although many people
passed his window and many needy souls shared his
hospitality, the expected Guest did not appear.
"It was only a dream," he sighed, with a heavy heart.
Suddenly, or so it seemed to his weary eyes, the
room was flooded with a strange light. And to the
cobbler's astonished vision there appeared before him,
one by one, the poor street-sweeper, the sick mother
with her child, and all the people whom he had aided
during the day. And each smiled at him
and said, "Have you not seen me? Did I not
sit at your table?" Then they vanished.
At last, out of the silence, Father Martin heard again
the gentle voice repeating the old familiar words.
"Whosoever shall receive one such in My name,
receiveth Me...for I was ahungered, and ye gave Me
meat; I was athirst, and ye gave Me drink; I was a
stranger, and ye took Me in...verily I say unto you,
inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of
these, ye have done it unto Me" (Matthew, chapter 25.)
Have a joyous and blessed Christmas! Share the true
spirit of the season with someone.
Special Holiday Services in the Chapel
A Festival of Lessons and Carols with The St. Gregory Choir of
Grace Episcopal Church., Rev. Canon Michael Wright officiating.
Monday, December 22, at 4:00 PM Hanukah Celebration, Blackmer Hall
Christmas Eve, December 24, at 4:00 PM Festival Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
Christmas Day, December 25, at 10:30 AM Holy Eucharist
Sunday, December 7, at 4:00 PM
To give poinsettias or wreaths for the Chapel in honor or in memory of someone special, order forms are
available on Sundays at the Chapel, or you can call Janie Cook at 406-2467.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #032
www.bishopgadsden.org
Y O U R
’ COUNCIL AT WORK
Marilou Watts
R E S I D E N T S
The fall and winter seasons are well under way, and your Council has been hard at work.
The Activities Committee has changed the venue for afternoon tea on Monday and Friday, and it has become a
huge success. Everyone enjoys sitting around the small tables in the Pub and chatting with friends. The Mystery
Tours continue to be successful. The last tour was to Hopsewee Plantation, and it was very well attended.
The Dining Services Committee continues to have dress code problems. These have all been quickly handled,
and things are expected to smooth out soon. Time for clearing tables between the main course and dessert in
Winningham and too much or too little salt have been addressed again. Nothing too large or too small—bring all
your concerns—they will be handled.
The Environmental Services Committee reports that new fire codes require the removal of the small partition in
the corner turning to the back of the Commons building. A reminder to all—golf carts are not allowed in Palm
Court. There are abundant parking spaces in front of the building.
Several Council members who have served diligently for two years will be leaving by the end of the year. You
now have notice of the nominees for next year to be presented at the next Resident Update Meeting. By the time
you read this, the new Council will have been elected, and folks to serve on various committees will be sought.
The Council President for 2015 is Lee Boatwright, who will appoint the committee chairs. Now is the time to be
thinking of how you, as an interested resident, can make things better with your input. Put your ideas to work
through the committees or ask for a council chair. We all do better when we work together!
The Gadsden GA B is a monthly publication written by and for the residents of Bishop Gadsden.
Submissions from all residents and staff are welcome and are used on a space-available basis.
Frances Porcher,
Emmy Lou Anderson
Noel Ferguson
Katie Jayne
Editor
Nada Arnold
Sallie Gough
Vince Lannie
Kimberly Farfone Borts,
Betsy Clawson
Katharine Harms
Stephanie Ochipinti
Managing Editor
Walt Ector
Ray Houlihan
Marilou Watts