Most of you, I bet, believe you have had many thirty-six hour days in your lifetime. There is a book titled as such "The 36 Hour Day". It explains the feelings of newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s patients and the experiences of caregivers to these patients. Some of you have seen the TV program "MONK". Down and Autistic individuals many times have a compulsive/obsessive trait. This becomes more pronounced with Alzheimer’s and all Down individuals will develop this disease in their lifetime at the average age of forty years. Another trait many times is anger when the individual knows something is not right but can’t understand why or what is the cause of such a feeling. The Vineyard Home has cared for one resident for nearly twenty one years with the last seven years as a person with Alzheimer’s. She is now coming closer to her final stage of this dreaded disease in a nursing home. Another resident, with Down Syndrome, after twenty-five years of care was diagnosed, in the past four years, with Alzheimer’s.

The other Vineyard residents have been very understanding and helpful to their ill "sister and brother". They have been praying for help to care for these innocent victims of suffering and for the resources to build an appropriate care building near their Vineyard Home. Such a building will give them a chance to visit and care for their " brothers and sisters" and for other elderly, medically fragile or sick resident or Vineyard supporter. With staffing help from Share Foundation and the proper equipment, quality care previously recognized in Catholic/Christian care facilities can be available at The Vineyard. Such facilities well know about the 36 hour day. A long day, but when it is done for Jesus and the least of His brothers or sisters, a worthy day for any Christian

Many Volunteers have blessed The Vineyard Home with their efforts and presence. It is not only the jobs done but the personal being with the Vineyardites that adds to the worthiness of the effort. Of all of these volunteers there are several that assemble every Thursday to keep the many aspects that make The Vineyard special.

Paul and his sister Delores were supporters of The Vineyard home when it was just a thought in the minds of Viticulturist, Ruth and amateur wine maker Bob Pliska. This was about five years before the Home was built, 1978. Seems that grape growers and wine people get together on many projects. Paul worked as a designer for Kelly-Springfield tire company at the Cumberland, MD headquarters and was also an amateur wine maker. As the residents came to live in The Vineyard Home Community Paul became more and more involved in the support of the home. His interest in grape growing and wine making was honed by several professional courses on the subject. As you may know, one of the sources of funds for the home is a result of wine sales and wine festivals. Old St.Pat’s in Chicago and the Wine & Music in the Vineyard in Purgitsville are just two such events. Every Thursday Paul comes to help not only with wine care, crushing, fermentation, bottling and of course tasting. Only with his help have we been able to keep wine being produced and support for The Vineyard Home going.

Photo of Paul

About twenty years after the Home was dedicated and operational, Eddie came out to help with some of the work associated with wine making and keeping the Home maintained. Eddie was an army man with special training. He not only worked for many years at PEPCO in the Washington, D.C. area but was involved with WorldCom’s construction of wireless service in New York and D.C. before the leaders ran it in the ground. After Eddie retired and found The Vineyard Home, his expertise came just at the right time. The Holy Spirit Study Institute decided to establish a radio station, WHMG-LPFM, 98.7. This station receives programming from EWTN and also highlights local musical talent. Most radio stations are programmed from a central location, WHMG is different. It uses all local music nine to ten hours per day. The other 14 to 15 hours are live EWTN programs. Giving local musicians air time provides them with public exposure outside of the Wine & Music festival that helps raise funds for the Home. The Holy Spirit Study Institute is completely independent of The Vineyard Home and no funds of The Vineyard Home go to its operation. Eddie reminded me that May first is the fifth anniversary of WHMG. Without Eddie’s volunteer service, we would be hard pressed to operate a radio station that provides solid Catholic/Christian programs and music of local people. Eddie is another of the Thursday warriors helping The Vineyard Home continue.

Photo of Ed

Before Bruce, we need to mention George Sneathen, his brother. George became aware of The Vineyard Home from Paul Eirich. About fifteen years ago George showed up with Paul for apple butter making and became addicted to help the residents. George was a Marine and later a phone company lineman. After he retired and needed something besides his gun club, he came down with Paul every Thursday and did everything from wiring the radio station, the top floor of the Chapel, the under sink hot water heater to setting up a target range for the volunteers and visitors.

About three years ago George got his brother Bruce to come help with some of the projects. When George needed to drop out of the Thursday club Bruce took over and added his specialty of grounds maintenance along with the work that George did before and everything else we can think up. Through the help of Bruce, the maintenance is kept up and the park like atmosphere has been expanded and the rest of us get to rest easy because Bruce is here.

Photo of Bruce

Helen was recuperating from an illness when her daughter Beth Grayson introduced her to The Vineyard Home. Helen was concerned if she could help in someway and came upon the idea of her personal contact with the residents each Thursday to make a unique craft project which have ranged from holiday items to bird feeders out of pine cones.

These are the regular Worthy Warriors of Thursday who not only produce benefits for the Home but are personally present and interacting with the residents add that extra, that Pope Benedict spoke of last June. Unsung by the world but with a world of love from The Vineyardites who have a better life because of them.

Helen with

Mike and Linda

Just short of ten months we have had the help of Chris and Rich Deardurff and family whose efforts reactivated The Vineyard Home. They have found the need to now focus on home schooling of their children that was short changed while helping at The Vineyard. A "headhunter" spirited Rich away from his old job and added stress and time demands to his tight schedule. This, of course, dumped a bigger responsibility on Chris and lightened the school load on the children. Chris plans to still take a night of duty until we are able to be augmented by staffing from Share Foundation with the Handicapped. Many of the former staff associates, board members and others have also volunteered to try to "man" the jobs until staffing is firm. The Deardurffs will be an important chapter in the adventures of The Vineyard Home.

Photo of Deardurffs

                                  The Deardurffs

You have been doing it all along. "That the mentally handicapped may not be marginalized, but respected and lovingly helped to live in a way worthy of their physical and social condition". May Our Lady Help of Christians watch over you and may the Peace of Her Son be with you.

You may have met her at The Vineyard Home. Over the twenty plus years of living, working, joking, praying, one got to know Leslie or saw her in photos used at the Old St. Pat’s wine festival fund raiser and in the newsletter. After a decade of living with Alzheimer’s, on April 27^th Leslie joined in the joking and singing with the Saints in Heaven. We realize that Leslie now knows all of you and will be able to intercede for your intentions with her heavenly Mother. Leslie Christina Mary Gocke remember all of us still struggling. R.I.P.

1. Save pull tabs from aluminum cans. One non-profit got $17,000.00 from tabs saved for them.

2. Do a Hardy boy movie answer. You remember, Micky Rooney and Judy Garland would solve the money problem by "Let’s put on a Show!" Summer is a great time for a backyard/pool party friend and neighbor fund raiser for The Vineyard Home. One family has raised from $5,000.00 to $8,000.00 getting relatives and neighbors together with a theme party each of the past several years. Polish polka party, Spanish Fiesta, a tailgate get together, just some ideas.

3. Compassionate hearts and minds to become a.) members of the Board of Directors, b.) mentors/coaches to the residents, c.) live-in daily activity guide for residents, d.) cook to help prepare extra meals.

4. Supplies and materials such as paper products (towels, bath tissue, napkins, plates); fire wood ( also labor to cut trees for firewood at The Home); 40 gal. hot water heater tank, electric, laundry center equipment (washer & dryer). The Home celebrates a twenty-fifth anniversary on August 15^th of this year. Wine may get better with age but not furniture or equipment.

5. This is really Number # 1, Uno, AA etc. PRAYERS, Thank you and God Bless you for all you have done and do. Bob Pliska, Ex Dir.

June 8^th of 2008 will pass with a rain check issued to all. Staff, Volunteers, Residents and Music Makers were being overtaxed to put together a festival for your enjoyment and at the same time continue operation of The Vineyard Home. The loss of the Deardurff clan and the delay till Share Foundation with the Handicapped can help staff The Vineyard Home, diverted all available people power to care of the residents. Care of the residents is the number one priority. A fun and fund raiser event came in a close second. The second Sunday in June of 2009 is the 14^th. Not only please mark your calendar, but as you read this, volunteer to help make it a bigger and better time for all by your ideas, efforts and resources. Your prayers and action will make it so.

Photo of Leslie