Clara Jane "CJ" Youngblood – CJ is one of the veteran residents at the Vineyard, having come here in 1983. CJ takes on the responsibility every year of keeping track of the kindling to start the fires here at the Vineyard. She always makes sure there is enough kindling and newspaper for the staff to start the fires that keep everyone warm. She also keeps track of the water for the animals, the basement trash and many other things. CJ loves to help in the candy kitchen as well as with apple butter, wine and crafts, and loves to give tours of the facility. She is known for a special frog joke which, if you hear, will confound you.

 

Leslie Gocke – Leslie was one of the first residents to come to the Vineyard and has Always been strong willed and almost "free-spirited." Leslie, although small in stature, showed everyone that strength comes from within. Not just in her ability to lift heavy objects like wood, boxes and even cases of wine, but in her strong spirit as well. About 8 years ago, Leslie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. As many of you may know, Alzheimer’s patients are usually immobile within five to seven years. Leslie, however, still walks, plays cards, eats and talks on her own. Leslie has proven that the mentally handicapped are not always the ones left behind and quite often posses qualities greater than most people of a "normal" stature.

 

Linda combs _ Linda also joins the ranks of the veteran residents having begun her Residency in 1987. Linda, like CJ, loves to help in the candy kitchen and with apple  butter and crafts. She takes the responsibility of keeping the cows and sheep fed and is always keeping the dust off of something. She loves to show new people around and share what she knows of the daily routine with anyone who needs help. Linda is a wiz at assembling jigsaw puzzles and can take on anyone (including Bob) and win. She also has an incredible knack for finding anything that is missing. If you ever lose something just ask Linda for help.

 

James Michael "Jimbo" Hannah – Jimmy came to The Vineyard Home around the age of 18 in 1984, and was with us here at the Vineyard for several years before moving back home to be with his parents. In the past few years, however, Jimmy has rejoined us full-time at The Vineyard and fills the shoes as the only permanent male resident on the premises. Jimmy likes to handle the heavy lifting, jar opening and other strenuous jobs to take some of the load off of the staff and female residents. Jimmy helps to bring in cartload after cartload of wood to keep the fire going and is often drafted by our volunteers to help in the Winery or outdoors. Jimmy loves to help out the guys and when he’s not, you will likely find him sweeping. When Jimmy is around there is no such thing as a dirty floor.

 

Peter “Pete” Pliska - Peter is the son of Bob and Ruth and has been a part of the Vineyard even during construction.  While living two years at the Vineyard, Peter developed severe depression forcing him to return to his parents home where he is on medical leave but is a frequent visitor and very much a part of the Vineyard family, despite his medical leave.  Since that time Peter has showed the true spirit of a great warrior.  He has fought through the pain of depression and illness for the better part of a decade.  Last year Peter was hospitalized for pneumonia and underwent surgery to remove part of his lung.  He has since fought back and no longer requires the use of artificial sources of  oxygen, he has battled sickness after sickness and still maintains an upbeat attitude and cheerful spirit.  He loves to keep things neat and clean, often times you’ll find him taking out the trash, organizing papers or making shopping lists to go to town.  He always makes sure to check every time he’s around to see if anyone is in need of help or low in supply on an item.

 

Suzanne Liebno - Suzanne joined the Vineyard family a couple of years ago as a temporary resident.  She lives primarily with her sister in Rio, but is the most frequent of our part-time residents.  Suzanne is a very independent person and has a good knowledge of how to get the job done.  She is very versatile and helps with anything from working in the kitchen, to helping with candy and apple butter and even helps with gathering wood and bringing it in from outside.  She loves to read and is often times found with her nose in a book or magazine in her spare time.

 

Michael “Mike” Viands - Mike is another one of our part-time residents and has been coming to the Vineyard for over twenty years.  Mike works in a school in Charles Town and visits the Vineyard several times a year.  Mike is very social and makes a welcome addition to the Vineyard when he is able to come.  Mike helps to take on some of the more masculine jobs around the Vineyard such as sanding gift boxes and benches, helping Jimmy with wood  or lending a hand around the house.  He really enjoys helping out the guys (our weekly volunteers) on their projects.  He helps in the Winery, with the apple butter, and on almost any other project that our volunteers are working on.  We always look forward to a visit from Mike and someday he hopes to be a full-time resident, which he looks forward to with some impatience.

 

Becky Lett - Becky is a recent graduate of the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind.  She became a part-time resident after graduating and often comes to the Vineyard for a few days at a time.  Becky lends a hand with the female residents around the Vineyard and keeps a watchful eye on the clock.  Becky loves to keep track of the time and always makes sure that the staff and residents know when it’s break time or lunch time.  She loves music and likes to spend her free time listening and singing to music.