A Veteran’s Reward | 9Hospice patient graduates from care

Introducing our new Chief Medical Director

Second Quarter 2008

Chad Pennington Gives Back | 20

NFL star supports our daily journeys

Dr. Ann Conjura

The Joint Replacement Surgery Team at Cabell Huntington Hospital

Your Partners For LifeNationally Recognized for Joint Replacement Excellence

The Tenth Annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study, thelargest of its kind, analyzed patient outcomes at virtually all of thenation’s 5,000 hospitals over the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.

*Highest possible star rating**Defined as Huntington/Ashland/Ironton area

• Recipient of the HealthGrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award™

• Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation (Highest possible designation) for Joint Replacement

• Ranked #1 in West Virginia for Joint Replacement

• Five-Star Rated* for Joint Replacement

• Five-Star Rated* for Total Knee Replacement

• Five-Star Rated* for Total Hip Replacement

• Best Rated in the Tri-State Area for Overall Orthopaedic Services**

HealthGrades®, the nation’s leading provider of independent hospital ratings, recentlyreleased its 2008 report and Cabell Huntington Hospital received outstanding marks forjoint replacement. Here are some of the hospital’s achievements:

For more information, call Kristie Winters, joint replacement program coordinator, at:

304-526-2607www.cabellhuntington.org

S H A R I N G • 1

inside

coverDR. Ann ConjuRA | 5Meet our new chief medical director

Cover Art - David Fattaleh

A VeteRAn’S RewARD | 8Hospice patient graduates from care

spotlight

also inside >>

patient care

3 A Message from the

President & Ceo

4 upcoming Activities

28 Memorials & Donations

32 the Last word

bereavement

A FinAL jouRney HoMe | 11School reunion provides a memorable farewell

tHAnkinG ouR VeteRAnS | 12A reminder for caring

joe’S kitCHen | 13Summer BBQ menu

CHiLDRen AnD GRieF | 16Offering help and hope for our youngest survivors

hospice happeningsCeLeBRAtinG ouR VoLunteeRS | 18Annual dinner recognizes hospice heroes HoSPiCe HouSe CHAPeL ReCeiVeS GiFt | 20Philip E. Cline honors grandparents

CHAD PenninGton GiVeS BACk | 21NFL star supports hospice in Lincoln County

BeLLA LuCe CeLeBRAteS witH “HiLLtoP SPLenDoR” | 22Spring event showcases fine cuisine

oFFiCe oPenS in wAyne County | 23Local residents thankful for new location

CHRiStMAS in juLy | 24Memorial Tree Campaign plans underway

2 • S H A R I N G

Sharing magazine is a quarterly publication of Hospice of Huntington, Inc. All rights reserved. Duplication of any materials in whole or part is strictly prohibited without express written permission from Hospice of Huntington.

If you prefer not to receive this publication, please notify the Development Department by calling 304.529.4217.

_____________________________________________________

PuBLiCAtion oF HoSPiCe oF HuntinGton, inC.

Publisher Bulldog Creative Services editor Shelly Betz Art Director Christine Borders Graphic Designers Christine Borders Megan Keelin-Ramey Contributing writers Shelly Betz, Jean Hardiman, Cara Hedrick, Hospice of Huntington Staff Contributing Photographers David Fattaleh, Mark Bias

_____________________________________________________

SHARinG onLine / CoMMentSwww.hospiceofhuntington.org sharing@hospiceofhuntington.org

ADVeRtiSinGTo advertise in Sharing please contact:

Ashleigh Graham-Smith with Bulldog Creative Services at 304.525.9600 or ashleigh@bulldogcreative.com.

HoSPiCe oF HuntinGton, inC. P.O. Box 464 Huntington, WV 25709 304.529.4217 1.800.788.5480

www.hospiceofhuntington.org_____________________________________________________

HoSPiCe oF HuntinGton, inC.

President Charlene Farrell Board of trustees Susan Frank, Chairman Sarah Denman, Vice-Chairman Robert C. Campbell, Treasurer Tim Carpenter, Secretary Members Terry Deppner-Hardin, Susan Dransfeld, David Fox, III, Rick Griffith, Olive Hager, Patricia Jennings, Ed Marshall, Alan Morrison, Jennifer T. Plymale, Beverley Pofahl, Dr. Vera Rose, PJ Scarr, Todd Shell, William Smith, Glen Washington, Dr. Tom Wilkinson Chief Medical Director Dr. Ann Conjura

S H A R I N G • 3

A Message from the President

Charlene Farrell, President & Ceo

Another Fourth of July has come and gone and we can’t help but be mindful of the sacrifices our war veterans have made for this great country of ours. Are you surprised to learn that more than 1,000 World War II Veterans are dy-ing every day? This greatest generation produced men and women who were stoic, hard working, and self sacrificing. More often than not, they do not ask for help when they need it because they feel like they ought to be able to han-dle whatever comes along. That is why we need to make a special effort to reach out to veterans who are facing the most difficult battle of all, the final days of their lives.

In 1991 I testified before the Senate Committee on Veter-ans Affairs advocating for increased access to hospice for veterans. By then my own father, a World War II veteran had been dead three years after receiving hospice care at home. I told Senator Rockefeller that not every veteran has a daughter who works with hospice and we needed to make it easier for veterans to access hospice care. Not too long after that hearing, all Veterans Administration Hospitals were required to offer hospice/palliative care to veterans nearing the end of life.

Ten years later, the Department of Veterans Affairs estab-lished the VA Hospice and Palliative Care Initiative (VAH-PC). One of the programs launched by VAHPC is the Na-tional Hospice-Veteran Partnership Program (HVP). This

statewide or community-based partnership is dedicated to increasing veterans’ access to hospice and palliative care. Hospice of Huntington has been working with the Veter-ans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) for many years coordinating care when veterans who are facing a terminal illness want to go home to be with their loved ones.

Veterans deserve to have the very best care possible. They deserve to have pain and other symptoms controlled, so they can spend time doing the things that are important to them. It could be fishing, watching a marathon of John Wayne movies, or simply spending time with their grand-children and great-grandchildren. If you know a veteran who could benefit from specialized hospice care, please be sure to let them know that Hospice of Huntington is pre-pared to help them live to the fullest during this important time in their lives. It is the least we can do for the men and women who made the sacrifices they made to preserve our freedom and way of life.

God Bless Our Veterans,

Charlene FarrellPresident & CEO

4 • S H A R I N G

BereavementCabell County (all meetings held at Hospice of Huntington Business Office,1101 Sixth Avenue, unless otherwise indicated)

Introduction to Grief: For the newly BereavedMonday / July 7 /10:30 amThursday / August 21 / 4:00 pmThursday / Sept 18 / 6:30 pm

the Grief JourneyThursdays / July 10 – Aug 14 / 10:30 amWednesdays / Sept 17 – Oct 22 / 1:00 pmThursdays / Oct 16 – Nov 20 / 6:00 pm

Loss of a Child Grief Support GroupMondays / July 7, August 4, Oct 6, Nov 3 / 6:30 pm

Life Skills Classes“Personal Safety” Monday / August 11 / 6:00 pm

“Basic Home Maintenance” Monday / Sept 8 / 6:00 pm Location: Home Depot, 1050 Thundering Herd Drive, Barboursville

transitionsMondays / July 14, Oct 13 / 6:00 pm

Introduction to Grief: For the newly BereavedLawrence CountyBriggs Lawrence County Public Library 11054 County Road 1, Chesapeake, Ohio Tuesday, Aug. 26 / 6:30 pm

Mason CountyMason County Public Library508 Viand St, Point Pleasant, WVWednesday / July 23 / 2:00 pm

Wayne CountyKenova United Methodist Church503 15th Ave., KenovaTuesday / Aug 5 / 6:30 pm

Hospice of Huntington-Wayne Office216 Keyser Street, WayneTuesday / Sept 16 / 6:30 pm

upcoming activities

For more

information

about our

programs,

services and

activities call

304.529.4217.

monthly Grief Support Sessions Lawrence CountyBriggs Lawrence County Public Library11054 County Road 1, Chesapeake, OhioTuesdays / July 29, Sept. 30, Oct 28 / 6:30 pm

Lincoln CountyLincoln Primary Care Center / Hamlin, WVTuesdays / July 8, Aug 12, Sept 9, Oct 14 / 5:30 pm

Wayne CountyKenova United Methodist Church, 503 15th Ave, Kenova, WVTuesdays / Sept 2, Oct 7 / 6:30 pm

Hospice of Huntington, Wayne Office216 Keyser, Wayne, WVTuesdays / July 15, Aug 19, Oct 21 / 6:30 pm

remembrance ServicesCabell County and Huntington Area Tuesday / Sept 23 / 7:00 pm

Lawrence County Monday / Oct 20 / 7:00 pmLincoln County Sunday / Oct 5 / 2:00 pm

vOLUnteerSWayne CountyPatient Care TrainingWayne Baptist Church, 510 River Street, Wayne July 14, 21, 28 & Aug. 4 / 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Cabell CountyPatient Care TrainingJuly 28, 29, 30 / 9:00 am – 5:00 pmHospice of Huntington Business Office1101 Sixth Avenue, Huntington

Contact Lisa Floyd, Director of Volunteer Services at 304.529.4217 or by email at lfloyd@hospiceofhuntington.org

FUnDraISInG“Heating Up the Greens” Golf ScrambleAugust 18 / Guyan Golf & Country Club / see back coverfor more information

“Lights of autumn” Dinner CruiseBelle of Cincinnati, Harris Riverfront ParkMonday / October 6 / 7:00 pm–9:30 pm (ticket order form on page 25)

S H A R I N G • 5

By Shelly Betz, Editor

Introducing Our New Chief Medical Director

Dr. Ann ConjurA

6 • S H A R I N G

rom a distance, Dr. Ann Conjura looks like any other employee at Hospice of Huntington, mi-nus the typical white doctor’s coat or scrubs you might expect her to wear as the newly

named chief medical director for Hospice of Huntington. That is deliberate, she says, “Studies show that doctors in white coats actually raise the blood pressure in patients. The mere sight of it can make them anxious.”

Anxiety and fear are both common among patients and families who experience hospice care. As a hospice pro-fessional, Dr. Conjura believes it is her duty to provide relief to them whenever possible. While she freely admits the thought of working with terminally ill patients was not a deliberate choice early on, she was fairly sure at a young age that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine. “I can remember being fascinated with the human body as young as age five. My mother was a nurse, and she always told me that I could be a doctor if I wanted to,” she recalls.

When she and her husband, Rodger, a radiologist, moved to Huntington from Baltimore, Maryland in 1992, Dr. Conjura had a three-year-old and a newborn at home. Previously, she worked as an internist in hematology and decided to take some time away from her medical practice to care for their two young children. But, one encounter with

Hospice of Huntington President and CEO Charlene Far-rell changed that. “I remember going to the hospice team meetings twice a week, where I just sat and listened while Dr. Daniels and Dr. Kimmey talked about their patients. I did that for three years, and I’m so grateful because it really gave me a comprehensive view of what hospice care is all about. I just took it all in at the time,” she said.

It wasn’t long before the Johns Hopkins University-educat-ed doctor secured her license to practice in West Virginia, so that she could come to work at Hospice of Huntington. In the beginning, Dr. Conjura says she eased into the work

F

Dr. Ann Conjura with husband Roger Blake, daughter Brittany and son justin

Dr. Conjura meets with the Cabell Huntington Hospital Palliative Care team. L to R: Sheila Stephens, Rn;

Vernon Mcneer, Chaplain; Pete ingram, MSw

S H A R I N G • 7

with hospice patients by going on home visits with the nurses. Eventually, she built up her patient load to meet the requirements to become certified in hospice and pal-liative medicine. After that, she got hospital privileges at Cabell Huntington Hospital to see patients. Once the Emo-gene Dolin Jones Hospice House was built, she obtained hospital privileges at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Sheila Stephens, a palliative care nurse at Cabell Hunting-ton Hospital, says that Dr. Conjura’s expertise and presence is an integral part of developing their program. “When she meets with a patient, she tells them that she treats the patients, not the disease. She takes as much time as she needs to fully understand what that individual patient needs. She brings a different perspective to patient care than you typically see in an inpatient setting,” she adds. A former hospice nurse herself, Stephens remembers what is was like to get phone calls from patients who didn’t want her to risk traveling to their home in bad weather. “It always amazed me how thoughtful and considerate the families could be even when they were so afraid of what was happening to a loved one,” she said.

Dr. J. David Daniels, who has been the sole chief medical director in the organization’s nearly 26-year history, says he has no reservations about stepping down from that role. As he nears retirement at the end of this year, Dr. Daniels is satisfied that he is leaving the responsibilities that come with being chief medical director for Hospice of Huntington in very capable hands. “Our mission at hospice is to provide comfort care at the end of life. Not everyone can grasp the enormity of that. Dr. Conjura is an excellent person and a well-trained physician who un-derstands what hospice care is all about. It’s a gift from God to do what we do. She is highly motivated and can lead the other physicians who work with our team,” said Dr. Daniels.

“No single one of us can do what we do to care for patients without the support of the other. We each have an indispensable and unique contribution. I’m not

afraid to display human emotion and let my eyes well up with tears —day in and day out — those are very poignant moments.”

Dr. Conjura visits the Sahara Desert in Libya during solar eclipse.

For Dr. Conjura, whatever challenges may come are seen as a blessing. She feels strongly that the team of caring professionals she is privileged to work with are as good as it gets. “No single one of us can do what we do to care for patients without the support of the other. We each have an indispensable and unique contribution. I’m not afraid to display human emotion and let my eyes well up with tears—day in and day out—those are very poignant moments,” she adds.

When asked about her relationship with Dr. Daniels and those “big shoes” she has to fill, Dr. Conjura pauses in thought. She is well aware of the impact Dr. Daniels has made in hospice care throughout our community. “He is my ultimate mentor for end-of-life care. He is a true champion for hospice. I am privileged to have him as a colleague. I have comfy, big shoes to step into,” she said.

- Dr. Ann Conjura

8 • S H A R I N G

Former U.S. Army Sgt. Charlie Via looks back on the days of World War II with mixed emotions. The Richmond, Vir-ginia native, who has lived in Huntington since 1962, was a radio gunner on bomber planes that flew from England to France. On one hand, he says serving in the war gave him opportunities to see parts of the world that he never would have seen. On the other hand, some of his memories are dark and at least one causes him regret.

Mr. Via’s memories of the war fought by whom many regard as our nation’s greatest generation, and the stories he tells in careful detail have been implanted in the hearts of many people who weren’t there—many whom he’s got-ten to know over the past six decades, including some of his caregivers from Hospice of Huntington who began car-ing for him in the summer of 2007. Last month, Charlie Via was discharged from the hospice program. His condition has improved to the point where he no longer needs their routine care. Perhaps the feeling is somewhat bittersweet for him and the hospice staff who cared for him over the past year, as they have clearly formed a bond beyond mea-sure.

“Even when he wasn’t feeling well, he could trace his steps back and tell a wonderful story. It was always a delight to visit Mr. Via and his daughter Karen each week,” said Jo Ghiz, a Hospice of Huntington nurse who describes Charlie as a true Southern gentleman. “Mr. Via is a great story-teller. Whether he is talking about his daughters, wife, or childhood memories of making ball mitts out of lambs wool, or an award-winning kite for his younger sister, the stories are eloquent and colorful. He pays close attention to details,” Ghiz said.

Via enlisted in World War II along with his three brothers, four stepbrothers and brother in-law. Charlie’s mother died

when he was 14. At one point, his father, James Hunter Via and his second wife had nine boys off fighting in the war. Although Charlie didn’t serve alongside any of his brothers, he bumped into one of them in England on one occasion. And fortunately, they all made it back alive from their overseas tours of duty.

Charlie was stationed in Matching Green, England. Air mili-tary seemed more to his liking at the time than the infantry. He took some testing that determined he would be good with radio work, and he used those skills to help identify bombing targets.

After flying 67 missions, Charlie not only earned the Air Med-al, but also 12 Oak Leaf Clusters, which are the subsequent awards received after you’ve already earned the Air Medal. But there were some close calls with disaster. He remembers one mission when the target was a bridge abutment lead-ing into Paris. “Around Paris, it’s like pepper – the gunfire,” Charlie said. And it took three different attempts before they could drop their bomb. “That’s three opportunities they had to knock us out of the air,” Charlie said. “I guess the Lord was looking out for me.”

One of Charlie’s most painful memories involves a friend named Steve, whom he knew from the air base in England. “We got so we appreciated each other,” Charlie said. “He had a dry wit about him, and I like to think that I had a good sense of humor.”

Steve was a farm boy from Pennsylvania who spoke with a stiff upper lip. He bought a fiddle that he played in the bar-racks, albeit a little shakily, until he practiced more, Char-lie recalls. On one mission, Charlie was in a plane behind Steve’s, and he watched as the wing broke off in front of him and Steve’s plane spiraled into a nosedive.

spotlight

Veteran Imparts Memories and Touches Hearts of Hospice Workers

S H A R I N G • 9

“No parachutes came out,” Charlie said, with a distant look on his face. “I always regretted not getting his address. I thought it would have been nice if I went to his hometown and spoke to his parents.”

Charlie returned home in 1945. He met his wife, Mildred, shortly afterward and they married in 1947. He took a job with C & O Railways. In the early 1960s, he and Mildred transferred to Huntington with their two daughters, Karen and Susan. Mildred died of cancer in 1989. Karen remem-bers how much hospice helped the family when her mother died. She sought their services again last spring when her father broke his arm. He also suffered from heart-related problems.

Karen had been caring for him, along with her fiancé. But, she had her own heart issues and her fiancé developed a fatal blood clot and passed away. Need less to say, the past year has been a very trying time for the Via family.

Although Charlie Via recently graduated from Hospice of Huntington’s program, he enjoyed visits from the staff, in-cluding his certified nursing assistant Raymond Aliff, who visited three times a week to help Charlie with his personal care needs. The agency also provided a registered nurse to check his vitals once a week and brought a machine for chest X-rays. “They always treated me with respect and courtesy,” Charlie said of the staff.

Charlie even stayed at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House for a week of respite care, designed to give caregivers in the home like his daughter Karen a much-needed break. “Once a week, they have somebody come out so you can go to the grocery store or the bank if you need to. I would rec-ommend them to anybody in this kind of situation,” Karen said.

Hospice social worker Margie Copley said Charlie’s “charm and warmth were always present in each house visit,” and that he is always welcoming.

“On our visits, he engaged in life review in which he told many of his life stories, including some from World War II,” Margie said. “Daughter Karen is a wonderful caregiver who put her life on hold to not only care for her father, but also her mother. Karen is a caregiver hero, and Mr. Via is an American World War II hero. Thank you, Mr. Via, for your part in helping to preserve our freedom,” she said.

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10 • S H A R I N G

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S H A R I N G • 11

rowing up in Huntington, Anna Black Fain had a way about her that was intriguing and somewhat mesmer-

izing to those who knew her best. As the only child of Nellie and Ernest C. Black, her mother describes her as a daddy’s girl. “Whenever she had a problem, she always went to her dad, even after she married and had four children of her own. I think I was the last to know if something was wrong. She knew she could get her way with him more than with me, I guess,” said Nellie Black Snow, who remarried after her first husband’s death.

Miss Anna (as she was affectionately known to many) had a sense of style about her that was undeniable. Her trademark high-heeled shoes, makeup and penchant for wearing wigs were true to her essence. She also made many of her fash-ion creations, learning to sew at a young age. Her daughter, Andrea, and I spent many days dressing up in her ultra-chic clothes and shoes, trying to decide which wig we should wear. Still, we never looked as good as she did.

Her lifetime friend, Lois Cleckley, confessed that Anna was into makeup long before the other girls even thought about it. She left home for school in the morning looking like the other girls her age. But by the time classes began, she had applied eye shadow, blush, lipstick and face powder to her flawless face. “She just loved it! She never wanted to be without her makeup, even if she went to the grocery store. It was as much a part of her as her own personality,” Lois recalls.

Even though Anna eventually moved to Virginia many years later, she stayed in touch with her closest friends. They of-ten talked on the phone to get caught up on all the “hap-penings” in Huntington. Those closest to her knew about her battle with cancer and were very supportive. But, when the cancer returned and treatment options were exhausted, Anna was admitted to a hospice program in northern Virginia. She received a few visits in her home, and even lived with her granddaughter, Tashawna, for a period of time when she needed help. But, Anna was a fighter and she was fiercely in-dependent, choosing to return to her own home where she was most comfortable. She had determination, which brought her back to Huntington last summer for her high school reunion. Prior to school desegregation, Anna attended Douglas High School in Huntington. Every two years, those graduates return

patient care

to the city for a school-wide reunion. Perhaps Anna felt it would be her last chance to see the people she had grown up with. “If she thought it, she never said it to me. But she wanted desperately to come to the reunion. She talked about it every time we got on the phone together,” Lois said

When Anna arrived in Huntington last August, she looked weak and tired, but still possessed many of her trademark qualities. Her smile was as wide as ever and, of course, her makeup and wig befitted her perfectly. Her clothing was brightly colored too, although she always stood out from a room of crowded people anyway. Still, her small frame and drawn appearance were shocking to many who had not seen her in a while. “ I didn’t know how sick she was. I wasn’t prepared for how she looked. She never talked much about the cancer on the phone. When I first saw her at the hotel, I got emotional and went into the bathroom to cry,” said Lois.

Like many others, I visited Miss Anna in her hotel room. Somewhere between the stifling heat and her lack of appetite, her condition seemed worse than the family realized. Her legs and feet were very swollen. They agreed it was a good idea to have one of our hospice nurses come by to check on her. Af-ter much discussion, the decision was made not to take Anna back to Virginia. Instead, she would go to her mother’s home in South Point, Ohio for a short time before being admitted to the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House.

Her mother, Nellie, says that calling in Hospice of Huntington was the best thing for her only child. Ironically, she is a re-tired nurse’s aide from the former St. Mary’s Hospital, where she worked in ICU for 17 years. She also knew Hospice of Huntington’s Dr. David Daniels from his days in the hospital’s Oncology unit. “Anna never complained about anything. It was hard to know if she was in pain, because she was the type of person who worried more about others. When I found out who her doctor was at hospice, I just told her that she was in good hands,” she said.

School Reunion Brings Inspiration of a LifetimeBy Shelly Betz, Editor

G

(continued on page 12)

12 • S H A R I N G

The day before moving in with her mother, Anna and her family took a tour of the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Her oldest son, Cicero Fain, III, says he is thankful that his mother got to see the facility before she needed to go there as a pa-tient. “Mom could not get over how beautiful and peaceful it was. She could see how the families were being cared for, as well as the patients. She wasn’t afraid to go back when she needed it for herself. She told us that she could not believe how much attention she got from the staff. If she wanted a milkshake, she got that, too. We love our mother and I believe she knew she was getting the best care available to her…and she was home again,” he said.

Son Patrick had an opportunity to spend quality time with his

mother before she became unresponsive. “That was a special time for us – when she and I could just say what we wanted to say to each other. I told her I love her. She did the same,” he remembers. Days later, Anna died a few hours after her grand-daughter, Tashawna, made it to her bedside from Virginia. The two were very close and it seemed as if Anna were awaiting her arrival before finally letting go.

“I am so grateful to have had those hours with her, because now that I can look back on it, I know that it gave me closure after her death. Some people don’t get a chance to do that. My mother will always be with me and one day I’ll see her again – and she’ll be looking as fabulous as she ever did,” said Patrick.

Thanklessness is an insidious malaise that seems to perme-ate our culture. The twenty-four hour thank you note takes its place in the dustbin of cultural curiosities as well as the RSVP. This can extend to our national attitude toward our military veterans as well as day-to-day living. We are quick to call our military people heroes when we feel our nation and way of life are threatened, but when the costs of war come home to roost will we still feel thankful? Rudyard Kipling said it well when he wrote, “Oh it’s Tommy this an’ Tommy that, an’ Tommy go away’; But it’s ‘Thank you, Mister Atkins,’ when the band begins to play.”

One of the most prominent injuries of our present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are traumatic head injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is a result of the use of roadside bombs and intense urban fighting. We have asked a lot of our military and continue to ask more with three or four tours of extended duration in combat zones. Whether or not you support the war itself, it is our duty as Americans to support the troops who are there. They are sacrificing their health, family life, careers, and their very lives to carry out their duties on behalf of all citizens of our country. These injuries to body and soul can take a terrible toll on them and their families. I mention these casualties of war because their impact cannot always be seen or mea-sured. These are the suffering silent in our communities. If untreated these can manifest as mental illness, homeless-ness, and a host of other problems. Some end up turning to drugs and alcohol for temporary relief from the pain and horror of what combat can be. For some, suicide may seem like the only real option.

I was not in combat during Vietnam or the Gulf War and have no real combat experience. Those veterans who do

Remember and Be Thankful By Kit Jenkins, Hospice of Huntington Chaplain, Veteran

often prefer not to speak about their emotional trauma with outsiders. This is due to the fact that they can’t reconcile their actions in combat with that of a loving and caring hu-man being.

My son had to clean the cockpit of another helicopter that had taken hostile fire, where the pilot was killed and the co-pilot was wounded. All he could say is that it took five buckets of water to clean it. The deceased was someone he trained with at Fort Rucker, Alabama and rather than mourn his loss, he became angry about having to waste precious water to clean up the cockpit. He chose not to feel, rather than face the loss of a fellow soldier. You may not see the wound, but these men and women are wounded. I saw a news report this week that showed a young female soldier receiving the Silver Star medal. She is a medic trained to bring wounded soldiers out of harm’s way, shielding them with her own body.

The real test of a grateful nation is how well it treats its veterans. As in years past, we remember them on national holidays such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Pa-rades are great, but our veterans need real human beings to listen to them. If you are patient and discreet, they will share their pain with you. Why not be that listening ear and caring heart. It’s not in flags, fireworks or glory, but a sin-cere loving presence that shows gratitude. Make a commit-ment to show your thankfulness by visiting our veterans in the nursing homes and hospitals as a Hospice of Huntington volunteer. You have my thanks.

School reunion (continued from page 11)

S H A R I N G • 13

Bow tie PAStA SALADINGREDIENTS:

• 1lb Farfalle Pasta (Bowtie Pasta)• ½ English cucumber, sliced & quartered• 1 small red onion diced• 1 yellow pepper diced• 1 lg carrot julienne strips• 2 cups broccoli flowerets• 2 stalks celery sliced• 1 pint grape tomatoes• 1/2 cup sliced black olives• 3 Tablespoons McCormick Salad supreme seasoning• 3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese• ½ cup Italian dressing

PREPARATION:Cook and drain pasta, rinse with cold water and drain again. Toss pasta with remaining ingredients, chill for 1 hour and serve.

PotAto SALADINGREDIENTS:

• 5 lbs. of potatoes, cubed & cooked until just tender • 5 or 6 hard cooked eggs, cooled, coarsely chopped • 1 cup chopped red onion • 1 cup chopped celery• ½ cup diced sweet pickle

DRESSING: • 1 cup mayonnaise (a little more or less, as desired) • 1 to 2 tablespoons prepared mustard• ¼ cup sweet pickle juice • salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION:Combine potatoes, egg, onions, and celery. Stir in dressing mixture. (Stir the mayonnaise and mustard in a little at a time, until you have the flavor and consistency you like.)

Summer Cookout SeasonBy Joe Smith, Hospice House Food Service Manager and Chef

Summertime and the livin’ is easy! The smell of freshly cut grass and charcoal, as family and friends gather around the grills and picnic tables full of tasty summertime fare are sure signs that the Dog Days of Summer have arrived. I’ve been dreaming about a summertime menu throughout the winter and spring months. I want to share a few of my favorite recipes, including some unconventional hot dog toppings, plus some safety tips to make sure your cookout is a safe one. Don’t forget the watermelon!

Food Safety 101It seems so basic, but not everyone does it. Wash hands well and often with soap and water, especially before cooking or eating. Cross contamination during preparation, grilling and serving is a prime cause of food borne illness. Also, wash surfaces when cooking—keep raw food separate from cooked food; marinate food in the refrigerator, cook food thor-oughly, and refrigerate or freeze food promptly. When the temperature is above 90 F, never leave food out for more than one hour. Under 90 F, don’t leave food out for more than two hours. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and wash fruits and vegetables with cool running water. Also, scrub fruits with rough surfaces like cantaloupe with a soft brush before cutting.

14 • S H A R I N G

Send Us Your Favorite Family Recipes...

CALiCo BAkeD BeAnSINGREDIENTS:

• 1 14 oz. can pork and beans• 1 14 oz. can kidney beans, drained• 1 14 oz. can lima beans, drained• 1 14 oz. can black beans, drained• ½ cup ketchup• ½ cup brown sugar• 1 small onion diced• ½ green pepper diced• ½ cup BBQ sauce• 6 slices bacon diced

PREPARATION:In a heavy sauce pan or Dutch oven fry bacon, when ba-con begins to crisp add onion and peppers and sauté until tender crisp. Add ketchup, BBQ sauce and brown sugar to bacon mixture and stir to mix. Then add beans, stir to mix then put into a 350-degree oven for 45 min.

CoLe SLAw INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise • 3 tablespoons sugar • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar • 1 egg, beaten• 1 Tablespoon butter • 1/8 teaspoon celery salt • 1/4 cup heavy cream• ¼ cup shredded carrot• ¼ cup chopped scallion• 1 large head cabbage, finely shredded

PREPARATION:In small saucepan mix sugar, vinegar and butter, bring to a boil and add egg, stirring constantly until it reaches custard consistency, remove from heat and chill. Once egg mixture is cooled add celery salt, mayonnaise and heavy cream, stir until smooth. Pour coleslaw dressing over shredded cab-bage, peppers, carrot and scallions in a large bowl and toss until well coated.

GRiLLeD FAjitA StuFFeD HAMBuRGeRSINGREDIENTS:

• 2 lb lean ground chuck• 8oz. shredded cheddar & Monterey Jack cheese• 1 cup onion diced• 1 cup red and green pepper diced• ½ cup salsa• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin

PREPARATION:Mix salsa and shredded cheese in a bowl and set aside. Sauté onion and peppers in small amount of olive oil and cumin. Make 12 thin patties out of the ground chuck, on 6 of the patties divide the onion, peppers and cheese mix-ture. Top with the 6 remaining beef patties and press the edges to seal. Grill until beef reaches a minimum of 165 de-grees. Serve on buns with lettuce, tomato and guacamole.Other stuffing’s: Cheddar & Sautéed onion, Mushroom & Swiss, Bacon & Cheddar

Hospice of Huntington is planning to publish a cookbook with recipes submitted by our many friends, employees and families. If your grandma makes the best dinner rolls or Uncle Bob has the best BBQ sauce in the world, WE WANT YOU to share the recipe for our “Taste of Hospice” cook-book fundraiser planned for the upcoming fall. The cookbook will offer a variety of recipes for appetizers, beverages, soups & salads, main dishes, breads, loaves and muffins, cakes, cook-ies, candies and desserts, plus any other tasty options that are sure to please the most finicky palate.

For more information, contact the Development Department at (304) 529-4217 or mail your fam-ily recipe to: Hospice of Huntington PO Box 464 Huntington, WV 25709 ATTN: RecipesWe would like to have all recipes by August 15, 2008. (limit two recipes per person)

S H A R I N G • 15

Gift Shop1101 Sixth Avenue | Huntington, WV

(304) 781-2675

Whether you’re looking for that perfect gift for someone

or just want to treat yourself, the Hospice Gift Shop has

something for every occasion. With unique gifts, unusual

creations and local specialties, you’re bound to find what

you’re looking for and more! Stop by today and shop to

your hearts content while helping the local community and

a good cause. All proceeds benefit Hospice of Huntington.

Unique gifts. Good cause.

STORE HOURS

Monday through Friday11:00 am – 4:30 pm

Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Hospice of Huntington – We Light the Way Home

Specializing in Unique Gifts for All Occasions

16 • S H A R I N G

bereavement

n July 2nd of this year, Hospice of Huntington wrapped up its 14th consecutive year for hosting a bereavement camp for children. Now called Camp

Good Grief, this unique experience provides children and adolescents the opportunity to join with others their age to discuss, share and experience their common feelings of loss. This past April, we hosted the 15th annual Living With Grief teleconference sponsored by the Hospice Foundation of America. The topic was Children and Adolescents.

As we prepared for Camp Good Grief, we were once again reminded of the impact that death has upon our youngest members of society. It seems as if 2007 and 2008 have been particularly difficult, with the tragic losses of young lives throughout our community. Many of these losses touched siblings, classmates, neighbors and extended fam-ily members. While we mourned, we also had to nurture and comfort our youngest members.

The following excerpt was taken from information shared during the Living With Grief teleconference:

Children’s grief is in many ways similar to grief experienced by adults. Reactions are individual and may be experienced

By Kelly Levy, Vice President of Family Services, MSW

Supporting Children Who Suffer a Loss

on many different levels. Like adults, children may experi-ence physical aches and pains, behavioral changes, an in-ability to concentrate, and a range of feelings including sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, jealousy, loneliness, or even relief. They may struggle spiritually to understand and find some sense of meaning in the loss. But children’s grief is also different. As adults strive to help children and adoles-cents through these challenging situations, here are some tips to keep in mind.

1 Children experience a wide range of losses in their lives. These losses can be compounded by the death of a sig-nificant person. In addition, often there may be sec-ondary losses, such as relocation or other life changes, as result of the death of a significant person. Some of these losses experienced, such as the adolescent’s loss of a friend, can be disenfranchised by others.

2 In cases of life-threatening illness, children and adoles-cents experience anticipatory grief as well other reac-tions. Children and adolescents need a safe environment to explore their questions, anxieties, and responses.

3 Children and adolescents grieve in ways similar to and

S H A R I N G • 17

different from adults. The grief of children and ado-lescents will be affected by the type of loss as well as the developmental level of the child and other social, psychological, spiritual, and cultural factors. For ex-ample, in dealing with the adolescents’ loss of a friend or sibling, the loss may be complicated by the fact that it is sudden – the result of an accident, homicide, or suicide.

4 Children and adolescents’ grief may be manifested in a number of ways including physical reactions, poor aca-demic performance, absenteeism, acting out and other disruptive behaviors, and substance abuse. Teach-ers, guidance counselors, and school nurses should be educated to recognize, validate, and support griev-ing students. Other supportive adults, such as clergy, coaches, and other persons significant in the child or adolescent’s life, can provide additional and critical support.

5 While many children or adolescents are resilient, they still may need developmentally appropriate, family-centered support. Often the functioning of the fam-ily after a loss is a major factor in the adjustment of children.

6 A certain percentage of children and adolescents, per-haps near 20%, may need more intensive intervention as they try to cope with loss and consequent anxiety. Careful and continued screening of children and ado-lescents is essential as it may take a few years to fully ascertain the way that the child copes with the loss. Certain behaviors such as self-destructive acts or acts destructive of others require immediate intervention.

7 Within a family, there may be significant differences in the ways that family members cope with loss. For example, siblings will respond in different ways ac-cording to their developmental levels. Families need to learn to respect and negotiate these differences.

How CAn we HeLP CHiLDRen AnD ADoLeSCentS CoPe witH LoSS

1 Rituals, such as funerals and memorials, are vitally important events and ways for individuals to cope with loss. Children and adolescents need opportunities to decide the ways they wish to participate in rituals and memorializations. In mak-ing such choices, children and adolescents need information, options, and support.

2 Adolescents and older children may look to the Internet for information, peer support, and memorialization. Parents and other supportive adults should open dialogues with their children about what they are doing and learning on the In-ternet.

3 Children will do best when their families are coping effective-ly. Interventions should be designed to support families – in some cases by educating families or by empowering extended families or intimate networks to assist.

4 There should be a range of interventive settings and tech-niques. Hospices, bereavement centers, schools, faith-based organizations, and other community organizations may be appropriate settings for support. There should be a range of options to help children cope, including individual counsel-ing, bibliotherapy, support groups, grief camps, or expressive therapies such as play, music, drama, or art.

5 Schools can have a significant role in supporting grieving children and adolescents. Administrators, guidance counsel-ors, teachers, and other school personnel may need educa-tion to offer effective support to students and to help enable peer support.

6 Schools should have protocols for prevention, intervention, and postvention for problematic deaths such as suicide or other self-destructive deaths.

7. Schools also should have strategies to deal with local trau-matic events and other public tragedies. Educational orga-nizations can partner with a variety of local organizations, including hospices and bereavement centers, so that schools can draw upon the expertise of qualified grief counselors.

8 Hospices have a unique role in supporting grieving children through illness, loss, and death. Hospices should envision a role as a resource center to schools and other child-centered, community organizations, both during the course of an ill-ness and after a death.

9 Persons who deal with dying children and adolescents includ-ing health care professionals, counselors, clergy, and funeral directors, need debriefing opportunities, adequate support, and strategies for self-care.

18 • S H A R I N G

hospice happenings

FiVe-yeAR SeRViCe AwARDSDebbie Cline, LPNBecki Harless, RNAngela Lockwood, BSWDr. Charles McCormickChristi Perry, RNButch Carico, Volunteer Camp Good GriefLinda Endicott, Patient and Office VolunteerNick Lamb, Bereavement VolunteerMartha Persinger, Patient VolunteerJean Read, Patient VolunteerGayle Sites, Patient Volunteer

ten-yeAR SeRViCe AwARDSJaimie Armentrout, MAJill Lucas, Certified Health Information Technician

15-yeAR SeRViCe AwARDShirley Henson, Patient Volunteer

twenty-yeAR SeRViCe AwARDLinda Hood, RN

twenty-FiVe yeAR SeRViCe AwARDCharlene Farrell, President and CEO

By Lisa A. Floyd, Director of Volunteer Services

Volunteers & Staff Recognized for Service

Hospice of Huntington held its annual Appreciation & Awards dinner on May 6th to honor volunteers and employees for their outstanding service. This year’s theme, Reaching Out and Moving Forward, offered attendees a chance to reflect upon the organization’s growth and prosperity in caring for ter-minally ill patients, while reaffirming their commitment to provide quality end-of-life care to those in need. Each year Hospice recognizes employees and volunteers for their years of service and outstanding job performance.

Recognition of the employees and volunteers who comprise the staff at Hospice of Huntington is a top priority. We firmly believe that the people who deliver care and lend their time towards our mission is what makes our organization a success.

Our goal for 2008 is to blaze trails into the rural counties by educating resi-dents living in our outlying communities about the benefits of hospice care. Hospice of Huntington is constantly striving to serve our community better and find more innovative ways to better inform families about our programs and services so that they understand hospice care is not about the absence of hope. Hospice of Huntington enables individuals with a terminal or life-limiting illness to be home with their families, while giving their caregivers the support they need.

This year we were able to celebrate our extraordinary staff for their years of service and outstanding achievements.

Hospice of Huntington

S H A R I N G • 19

nuRSinG AwARDLinda Hood, RN

SoCiAL woRkRonda Davis, BSW

CeRtiFieD HoMe HeALtH AiDeSherry Grizzell

SuPPoRt StAFFJanet Sizemore

eMoGene DoLin joneS HoSPiCe HouSe AwARDSRenee Szekely, RNSister Marion Cremer, Volunteer

BeReAVeMent VoLunteeRGary Brydie

oFFiCe VoLunteeRHoney Evans

PAtient CARe VoLunteeRJohn Schurman

FunDRAiSinG AnD DeVeLoPMent VoLunteeRKathy Hannan

GeoRGe PARkeR SPiRit oF HoSPiCe AwARDRev. Bobby Saunders

CASPeR FRAnk VoLunteeR AwARDBobby King

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20 • S H A R I N G

To celebrate his 75th birthday, Huntington businessman Philip E. Cline chose not to honor himself, but instead those who had helped raise him and served as inspiration to him throughout life.

On March 28th, a dedication ceremony was held at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House to accept Mr. Cline’s $250,000 donation towards the chapel in memory of his grandparents, Lizzie Cook, Andrew Goble, Jock Daniel and Grover Cline.

More than 20 family members and close friends gathered in the chapel, including Cela Cook Hall, who is the sister of Cline’s grandmother Cook. The Reverend Dr. Allen Reasons spoke about the importance of the chapel to the Hospice House and how it offers a place of peace and comfort to all who come there during their time of need.

Mr. Cline said the decision to make the donation was not made by him, but rather by a higher power. “The message just came to me that I needed to make a donation in mem-ory of my grandparents.” Cline said. “I did a lot of praying about it and knew that if it was meant to be, it would hap-pen. As God often does, he helped me find a way.”

Prior to the ceremony Cline allowed Reverend Reasons to look through an old Bible that had once belonged to his grandmother. It contained notes from church sermons and scripture, but also held family keepsakes, such as birthday cards, family photos and a small four-leaf clover. Reasons referred to the Bible as a “treasure” and compared it to the chapel itself.

During the dedication ceremony a memorial plaque was unveiled on the door of the chapel during the ceremony. Music was provided by Miss Kellie Puckett, who sang, “You Raise Me Up”. The ceremony also included prayers from Rabbi Dr. David Wucher and Monsignor Lawrence Luciana.

Hospice House Chapel Blessed

with Legacy Gift

“The uniqueness of the Hospice House is that it is a place that exists solely to provide special care for those at the end of life. This is the only place with the primary pur-pose of providing a place where patients and families can prepare for the moment when God meets His child,” added Reasons.

Cline said that his grandparents always motivated him to be the best that he could be. “They all had an amazing work ethic. I feel like God and my grandparents were happy with that day.”

The Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House, located at 3100 Staunton Road on the Ohio River, opened May of 2006. Pa-tients are brought to the Hospice House for reasons such as pain and symptom control and to provide caregivers at home a much-needed break. In addition to the chapel, the Hospice House also includes 14 patient rooms, a spa, sit-ting areas for families, a family kitchen, a children’s play-room and much more.

By Cara Hedrick, Community Outreach Coordinator Hospice President & Ceo, Charlene Farrell and Phil Cline

Friends, family and clergy gather in the emogene Dolin jones Hospice House chapel for dedication

S H A R I N G • 21

Speaker’s BureauTrained professionals and staff from Hospice of Huntington are available to speak to your group, organization, or employees about the following topics, including:

To request a speaker, please contact Cara Hedrick, Community Outreach Coordinator at 304.529.4217 or 1.800.788.5480. 1101 Sixth Avenue • Huntington, WV 25701 • www.hospiceofhuntington.org

> Hospice Mission and Service

> Dealing with Grief - The Loss of a Loved One

> Volunteer - The Time is Now

> Dealing with Grief and the Holidays

> Hospice - An Option of Care

> Pain and Symptom Management

> Hospice Services in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

> Children and Grief

> Caregiving - Taking on a New Role

> Opening the Lines of Communication Between Your Family and Your Physician/Advanced Directives

By Cara Hedrick, Community Outreach Coordinator

Chad Pennington Foundation Supports Hospice

Charlene Farrell praised Pennington for his donation by say-ing, “We’re really appreciate Chad’s generosity through his 1st and 10 Foundation. This vehicle will allow us to have better access to our patients in Lincoln County.”

“We are so pleased to be able to give back to such a fine organization within our geographical area,” said Pennington, also the Foundation President. “The Foundation continues to grow each year and, as a result, we are able to reach out to more organizations, which is very exciting,” he added. Hos-pice of Huntington cared for Chad’s great-grandmother years ago, which he says meant a lot to his parents.

Chad and Robin Pennington created the 1st and 10 Founda-tion in 2003 with the mission to build stronger communities by funding programs and institutions that seek to improve the quality of life throughout West Virginia, Tennessee and the New York Metropolitan area.

Hospice of Huntington nurses who work in Lincoln County now have a much smoother and safer ride when visiting patients, all thanks to Chad Pennington and his 1st and Ten Founda-tion.

On April 4th, Pennington and his wife Robin were the guests of honor for lunch and a tour at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hos-pice House. The reason for coming: to formally accept Pen-nington’s donation of $35,000 to Hospice of Huntington for the purchase of a 2008 SUV to be used by the nursing team in Lincoln County. Ed Marshall of Hamilton Chevrolet, who made sure the vehicle was delivered in time for the big announce-ment, also supported the endeavor. He was on hand to of-ficially present the keys to Pennington, who turned them over to Hospice of Huntington President and CEO, Charlene Farrell.

The vehicle will be used by the hospice team in Lincoln Coun-ty, who often struggle to navigate creek beds and other rough terrain when traveling to meet the needs of their patients. The vehicle is also equipped with the OnStar service, which allows drivers to make phone calls to patients in areas that often have poor cell phone coverage.

After the luncheon, Farrell gave Chad and Robin, along with the Foundation Executive Director, Jennifer Correa, a tour of the Hospice House. During the tour, Chad stopped to visit with family members in their private room, but also greeted others who gathered in the kitchen and family areas. One gentleman who spoke with Pennington briefly in the kitchen remarked, “I came here to visit a family member. I never dreamed I would run into Chad Pennington in the kitchen!”

22 • S H A R I N G

t was an afternoon of delight for the nearly 200 guests who attended Bella Luce, an Italian expres-

sion meaning The Beautiful Light. It was the fifth consecu-tive year for Hospice of Huntington’s premier springtime fundraiser, which kicked off with a cocktail party and silent auction hosted by Dr. Ali and Corinna Oliashirazi at their beautiful home in Huntington. The historic home was truly a vision of splendor, with its sprawling lawns and view of the city below. The yard was transformed by the lovely fresh flowers that adorned each table.

The Oliashirazis were presented with an original painting of their home created by local artist Leona Mackey, which served as the cover art for the Bella Luce invitation.

The sun was shining brightly and temperatures soared as guests made their way up the long driveway to partake in a bit of “Hilltop Splendor.” Several people found comfort inside the home, as well, to cool off at times. At one point, some of Dr. Ali’s patients gathered on the front side of the property for a photo opportunity with their surgeon.

The delectable menu of hors d’oevres got everyone in the mood for an evening of fine cuisine and good company. The Classic String Quartet provided the musical entertainment and served as the perfect backdrop to an elegant affair.

We want to expend a heartfelt “Thank You” to Dr. & Mrs. Ali Oliashirazi for being such grateful hosts for this occa-sion. Also, thanks to the many volunteers who helped set up, check in guests and process the auction winners for the event. We could not have done it without you!

I

Dr. David and Sharon DenningLog Cabin Getaway

Paul and Charlene FarrellBubba’s Backyard Barbeque

tara HardwickGone With the Wind

jack HouvourasWine & Dine at the Huntington Quarterly Magazine Dream Home

Stephen and jane kopp & Menis and judy ketchumHerd Hospitality II

thomas and Stacy McChesney thomas and Sharon Pressman &justin and Phoebe RandolphOh My NOLA

Dr. Richard and Ann McwhorterThe British are Coming

Adele MorrisonIn the Midst of Bill Campbell

Alan and Catherine Morrison &jeff and joely MorrisonItalian Rendezvous

Don and Martha o’DellGilligan’s Island

Lynn and Louesa SnyderA Taste of Oregon

Dr. Robert walker and Matt walkerA Night in Florida

Steve and Mary williamsMurder Mystery

C.e. and kim wilson & jarrod and Lindsay taylorA Night in Paris

And finally, to our dinner hosts, you make this event the success that it is. We heard such wonderful comments from people who attended the dinners. The effort each of you put forth is nothing short of amazing! We also want to thank everyone who contributed to the auction and PEPSI Bottling Group for supplying much-appreciated bottles of water and beverages throughout the event.

With your help, we raised more than $30,000 to support the programs and services offered by Hospice of Huntington.

2008 Dinner Hosts:

“ The Beautiful Light”Bella LuceV

S H A R I N G • 23

For more than 25 years, Hospice of Huntington has cared for nearly 15,000 patients and their families living in Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln and Mason Counties in West Virginia and Lawrence County in Ohio. Today, the non-profit agency serves nearly 185 patients each day living in their own homes, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, or at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House of Huntington, which opened in May of 2006.

Hospice of Huntington has cared for patients in Wayne County since 1988, and recently opened a new office at 216 Keyser Street. The occasion was marked by an Open House celebration on Thursday, March 12, 2008 where the commu-nity could take a tour, enjoy refreshments and meet some of the team members who care for patients in the county.

The Home Care Team, some of whom will be permanently located in the new Wayne office, includes doctors, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, dieticians, bereavement counselors, volunteers and pastoral counselors. This professional team works with the patient and family to develop an individual plan of care.

A Wayne County Advisory Board that consist of local commu-nity members, has also been established to assist Hospice of Huntington with its vision to be the first choice for end-of-life care for residents in Wayne County. One of the primary functions of this new Advisory Board is to assist the agency in identifying the best ways to communicate its programs and services to the Wayne County community.

Welcome Advisory Board Members: Rev. Jim Plyburn, Bob Pasley, Cathie Kinsey, Johnita Jackson, Scott Bellomy, Joyce Watts, Jean Artis, Pat Perry, Valerie Cline and Jim Booton.

For more information about Hospice of Huntington services in Wayne County, please call the new office at (304) 272-3500.

By Cara Hedrick, Community Outreach Coordinator

Hospice of Huntington Opens New Office in Wayne

24 • S H A R I N G

hile the summer months are now upon us, it’s not too soon to begin planning for the 2008 memorial tree fund-raiser. This year, we hope to have a tree site in each of the five counties we serve: Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, and Mason counties in WV and Lawrence County in Ohio.

The 2007 “Light-A-Life” Memorial Tree Campaign was a real success. The popular annual fundraiser grows each year, thanks to the generosity and support of area residents and Hospice of Huntington supporters. Holiday trees were on display at the Huntington Mall and Empire Books & News at Pullman Square. We want to extend a special “Thank You” to BB&T, which had a tree on display at the main branch location, while the other Huntington-area bank locations collected donations on behalf of its banking customers to support this worthwhile project. We also had the support of the Lincoln County Primary Care W.E.L.L. Center, which distributed donation cards to its visitors to hang candles upon their holiday tree.

“One of the reasons this fundraiser is so dear to our hearts is that it allows everyone to support it by making a dona-tion at their level of choice, whether it’s one dollar or a hundred dollars. It’s about honoring the memory of some-one during the holiday season, a time when loved ones who have passed on are often missed the most,” said Shelly

Betz, Director of Development and Community Relations.

The fundraiser also provides a terrific opportunity for vol-unteers to help by staffing the tree sites throughout the holiday season. Special thanks to everyone who helped make the Memorial Tree Campaign a success. We also want to thank our many volunteers and members of the “Friends of Hospice” who spent many hours at the mall and bookstore sites collecting donations. And to our bank partner, BB&T, we offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to the tellers and staff who were so kind to collect donations, hang candles upon their tree, and call to let us know when they needed more dona-tion cards. With your support, we raised nearly $36,000 to help support our mission to care for terminally ill patients and offer support to their families.

Our goal this year is to have a tree in each county staffed with volunteers to collect donations. So, if your group or or-ganization is interested in signing up for this important an-nual fundraiser, please contact Mitzi Cyrus, Special Projects Manager, at mcyrus@hospiceofhuntington.org or call (304) 529-4217. We are happy to add your name to our growing list of tree volunteers in preparation for an even more suc-cessful holiday season campaign. Thanks to everyone who contributed towards the 2007 “Light-A-Life” Memorial Tree Campaign.

Christmas in July:

Memorial Tree Gifts GrowW

S H A R I N G • 25

INTERNAL USE ONLY: RESERVED SEAT NUMBER _____________________ TICKET NUMBERS ISSUED TO THIS CUSTOMER ____________________________

Please use the enclosed envelope to return form & payment, or mail to the address at right. Please mail this completed form to: Hospice of Huntington, Inc. ATTENTION: Lights of Autumn POBox464•Huntington,WV25709 orfaxto:(304)523-6051 formoreinfocall:(304)529-4217or1(800)788-5480

We Light the Way Home

HOSPICE of HUNTINGTON, INC.

LIGHTS of AUTUMN Fall 20082008 LIGHTS OF AUTUMN REGISTRATION/TICKET FORM

LIGHTSAUTUMNOF

(PLEASEPRINT)

NAME_________________________________________________________________ DATE_______________________________

ADDRESS__________________________________________________________________________________________________

CITY______________________________________ STATE________ ZIP____________

PHONENO.()______________________EMAILADDRESS(opt.)__________________________________________________

NUMBER OF TICKETS ___________ PURCHASED x $125.00 TOTAL $________

PAYMENT TYPE CASH o (check#______)CHECKo CREDIT CARD o INVOICE oRESERVED SEAT(S) _____________ @ $200.00 per ticket

TOTAL $________

RESERVED TABLE INFORMATION

_____________________________CORPORATE NAME

Preferred Band:

o WINDJAMMER(70s&80s) oBOBTHOMPSON(JAZZ) oANGIEFLETCHER(COUNTRYROCK)

CREDIT CARD INFORMATION

NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CARD______________________________________________

o VISA o MASTERCARD

CARD NUMBER__________________________________ EXPIRATION DATE__________

3-DIGITSECURITYNUMBERONBACKOFCARD(CRVNUMBER)__________

I authorize Hospice of Huntington to charge the total ticket amount to my credit card.

SIGNATURE______________________________________________ DATE__________

OPTION FOR TICKET DELIVERY LOST TICKETS WILL NOT BE REPLACED.

oPLEASEMAILMYTICKET(S)ONSEPTEMBER22,2008

oIWILLPICKUPMYTICKETSATHOSPICEOFHUNTINGTON.TICKETSAVAILABLESEPTEMBER22-26,2008

SIGNATURE_______________________________________________ DATE__________

PAYMENT INFORMATION

PAYMENT TYPE

o CASH o (check#______)CHECK o CREDIT CARD o INVOICE

o PAID IN FULL

Dinner Cruise on the Belle of Cincinnati Presented by:

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2008BOARDING TIME 6:00 PM SAIL TIME 7:00 PM at Harris Riverfront Park

Tickets are $125 per person (portion is tax deductible)

2-1/2 hour cruise on the Ohio RiverEVENT INCLUDES DINNER & LIVE MUSIC BY:

The Bob Thompson Unit | Angie Fletcher Band | Windjammer

26 • S H A R I N G

January 1, 2008 – March 31, 2008

Memorials and Donations: MeMoRiALSCornice & Charlene AdkinsDonna AdkinsRodney & Karen AdkinsLarry & Freda AlbrightGene & Jean AlconAnn AllenHelen AllenJoan AllenWannie AllenChloe AluiseAmerican Benefit Corp.Dorothy AmickErma AndersonJohn & Patricia AndersonJon & Barbara AndersonAnonymous DonorHarold & Polly ArbaughEdith ArthurWilloe AshworthTracie & Sonny BaileyJeremy BaisdenLeon BaisdenJeane BakerTapan BaksiMary & Lynn BalawejderMelissa BarberAldene BarbourBarboursville Exercise ClassJudy BarkerRussell & Alice BarkowBarnetts Creek United Baptist ChurchWillyne BartlettSteven Basham

Eloise BaumgardnerLee Ann & John BeaumontJim & Mitzi BeckettLarry & Nancy BellConstance BerkAileen BertoiaBethel Temple Assembly of GodBeverly Hills United Methodist ChurchVijay BhattLois BickertonShirley & Fannie BlakeJean BlankenbecklerFreelon BootenDonna BowenBowles, Rice, McDavid, Graff, & Love LLPLori BoydJan BrizendineCarolyn BrownPatricia BrownSusan BrumfieldAnita BryantBuck’s Pizza Franchising Corp.Charles & Vicki BuellElizabeth BuffingtonBuilder’s Supply CompanyBruce & Barbara BunnMarvin & Joan BunnPalmaneda BurchamDavid & Theresa BussCabell County Schools Central Office Staff

Charles CampbellFern CampbellKathy CampbellThe Can Do ClubMargaret CardeaSarah CareyCarpet Rentals, Inc.Leroy & Peggy CarsonHelen CarterLinda CarterMonica CarterJerry ChambersBette ChandlerPrathap & Rita ChandranArthur & Joyce ChaneyGeorge & Phyllis ChapmanPhyllis & Darrell ChapmanCHH Mother/Baby UnitGlenna & Larry ChildersKathy ChildersLawrence & Janet ChildersTerry & Jan ChildersLinden ChilesNaomi CircleBetty ClardyFred & Thelma Clark, Deanna & MelissaMarilyn & David CohenCharles ColeEvada CollinsworthCommunity AME Zion ChurchDewey CookDonna CookeJennings Copley

Corp of Engineers EmployeesBetty CraigBetty CrockettGeorge & Eleanor CrossThomasine CrossanJames CrumPeggy CrutchfieldAnne CummingsThe Cummings FamilyTom & Sally CurryPatsy CyrusDamon & Damon, Inc.Willard DanielsDavid & Mary Beth DaubleDavis Creek Elementary SchoolEmerson & Doris DavisCourtny & Nathan Davis-OldsDurbin & Janet DaySarah & Bill DenmanCelia DennisonSteve & Heidi DickLois DicksonTim & Donna DicksonDavid & Jane DinardiGreg DinardiJosephine DinardiVickie DinardiBetty DiraimoMary DodrillBill & Birdie DoersamPhyllis DooleyDuncan, Smith, & Stilz

S H A R I N G • 27

William DuncanThomas & Betty DunkleDottie DyerEastwood Baptist ChurchTerri EffinghamElizabeth EgnorW. Dan EgnorEldean & Katherine EiselePhil & Mary Elizabeth EmmonsJack & Honey EvansJoseph & Teresa EvansStella EvansExtension Association of West VirginiaMichael & Anita FarrellJoseph & Diane FeaganesAudrey Ferguson & DebbieJulia FergusonFirst Baptist Church of ProctorvilleFirst Presbyterian ChurchCaring CommitteeFrances FlesherRonald FloraFlynn, Max, Miller, & Toney Foster FoundationMary FosterS. FosterCharlotte FoxDonna FrancisFriends and Neighbors of Greenbrier DriveOlivia FryTrelma FullerDeborah GallowayM. Sue GallowayVelma GaskinCurtis & Mary GeorgeProtip GhoshLinda GillenEarl GilpinLinda GlovskyJose & Cathy GomezJulie GoodgerJoe & Ida GosikJulian GravelyCharles & Pamela GruberMichael & Suzanne HaafJack & Mary Beth HaganMartha HaganJohn & Susan HaleDr. Ronald HallJulia Hampton

Karen HankinsMitzie HankinsGeorge & Gloria HannaAnn HarperNeal HarperHargis & Athalene HarrisJenny HarrisRoger HarrisNorma HarrisonShraddhakar HarshArt & Murlin HartleySteve & Marcy HattenFred & Linda HaugheySara HawkinsMary & Larry HawthorneEvelyn HedmanBetty HeltonAngela HendersonEvelyn HensleySebrena, & David HetzerLaura, & Mike HewittHighlawn Presbyterian ChurchHilltop Sportsman ClubRosalee HodgesJo Anne HolleyMitzi HolleyRaymond & Sharon HolleyWilbert & Kathy HolleyMartha HoodRev. Charles HoodMargaret HornAdelia HorneDavid HorneJack HornerJohn & Diana HowardVernon & Beverly HowellHuntington 500 ClubClyde Hypes Margaret InabinettBrenda IsaacKirti & Asha JainMavis JankowskiDeloris JarrellJenkins Fenstermaker, PLLCAlex & Maxine JenkinsJohn Jenkins, Jr.Richard & Louetta JimisonJo Ann JohnsonYvonne JohnsonBrereton & Elizabeth JonesKaren JonesLori JoyceJunior League Garden Club

Jean & Harry KalpagianSusan KarpBernadine KayserKC Wellness, Inc.Billie KellerJennifer Kendall, D.D.S.Linda KendrickEvadeen KeslerNaomi KeyserA. Khanna Shalinin KhannaDebbie & Steve KnightMarion KostkaLinda KizitzaNancy LacyBharati LahiryLawrence & Mary Lou LakinR. LamontMarilyn & Walt LanceStephanie LatshawWalterene LawrenceCindy & Gary LawsonCharles LeggBob & Joyce LevyWendy Steirn LiemanRobert & Rosa LinvilleLittle Tavie Old Regulas Baptist ChurchLiving Water Free Methodist ChurchCheryl LivnehGeorge & Sharan LordJohn & Bonnie LoudenLute SupplyConnie LyzengaJudy MaloneMarian ManningSharon MarcumMarilyn MarraRose MarshallAnn MarteenyCharles & Pamela MartinMichael & Elizabeth MartinAda MassaPamela MaynardDorothy McCartyMr. & Mrs. David McCartyJames & Suzanne McClellandSarah McCorkleDavid & Joanne McCownMarion McCulloughBarbara McDanielTom & Carey McGinnisDorothea McGuire

McJunkin CorporationNick & Tony McKnight & FamiliesJanet McMullenMCTC Business & Information Technology DivisionJulie MerrittBob & Beth MesserJim & Judy MessingerHub MetryJudy MidkiffSandra MidkiffSheila MinnieweatherAdelle MorrisonDennis & Nancy MoulderElizabeth MountSharon MountMt. Pleasant Baptist ChurchCindy & Tom MugnanoLonnie NapierBrenda NaylorPeggy NealMary Beth NenniNew Life AME Zion ChurchBevelene NoelMildred NoelOffutt, Fisher, & NordJennifer & John OrndorffBetty OylerJudge David PancakeSuresh Parab DesaiJulia PerryLouis PerryGlen PetersCharlotte PiersolDavid & Carolyn PlantsGene & Beverly PofahlPoint Pleasant Primary SchoolHelen PollPotter’s House Church of GodProgressive Sunday School ClassImogene QueenEdward QuinnMary RainesPaul & Fay RakesShanta RamanJoseph RansonJean ReadJune ReedMark & Cari Reed

28 • S H A R I N G

Dev RellanJoseph & Shirley RepkaDr. Jose RicardW. RitterBlanche RobertsonR. O. Robertson, Jr.Rome Church of Christ Ladies ClassGigi RuddAdrienne RudgePhillip SabreeBrenda SalyersGeraldine SawreyJoan & Timothy SchwartzTanya SebringSeventh Avenue Baptist ChurchHemendra ShahTara & InduJim & Janice SharpRobert & Deborah SheleyKathy ShookEdna ShortJanice ShyMarianne SiegalJeremy & LeAnne SimmsSatwant SinghBertha SkeensBob & Jewell SmithH. Jeffrey SmithJack SmithJames SmithLisa SmithMichael SmithBetty SnodgrassGlenn SowardsSpecial MetalsLucille SpradlinSt. George Greek Orthodox Church Dorothy StacksGeraldine StacyCathy SteirnMarsha SteirnMildred StephensSterling Commerce, Inc.Kathy StiltnerDarrell & Marjorie StorksonRosemary StoverAnn StriblingRoy & Garnet SturgillPauline Sunderland

Olga TalleyPatricia ThackerBeth ThompsonJanet TothToyota of WVMr. & Mrs. R. TrocinKenneth TschopNick & Louise TsismanakisJack & Carolyn TuftsScott & Michele TuftsAnne TurmanQuinn Van NostranPatricia VanamanBob & Jean VentersMr. & Mrs. L. Venters, Jr.N. WadhwaNatalie WalkerRobert & Terri WallaceBuck WallsJennifer & Earl WaltonChester WamsleyMary WantuchZ. Warner ChurchWashington Research InstituteCarol WatsonThomas & Linda WeekleyMichael WeinstockLynn WelckerWestmoreland United Methodist ChurchRick & Lynne WestonTerri WheelerTimothy & Tracy WheelerJoann WhiteheadElaine WilburnThomas Wilkinson, D.D.S.Steve & Margaret WilliamsLarry & Charlene WilsonPaul WilsonJack & Bonnie WintersMaxine WintersKathryn WiseDelphine WolfeTom & Pat WoodrumBrigitte WoodsLynn WoodsCharles WorkmanEmily WorkmanGladys Workman

DonAtionSAnonymous Donor

Appalachian Model Railroad Society, Inc.Beulah BaisdenThelma BashRena BeldonHazel & Clyde BillupsDiane BrowningCharley BrumfieldHoward & Sharon ClayChris ClineJames CurnuttePam CyrusH. Darby, IICynthia DawsonKaren DukeJoseph & Teresa EvansCharlene FarrellFifth Avenue Baptist Church Circle 7Opal FisherFriends of HospiceFriends to Re-Elect Evan JenkinsD. Everett FullertonThe Gibson FamilyGreek Orthodox Ladies St. George PhiloptochosWillard GriffithRobert HardinJean HatfieldBrian HeplerLoretta HetzerJames HinesCarole HolbrookLinda HolupHospice Education Institute, Inc.Jack’s Tile CityAmy JasinskiDavid JohnstonRosery KingreyMary KirkCharlene LeistEthel LovinsChrista MattoxHobert & Allie MillerNorma MortonJoseph NollOak Hill ChurchRaedean OggOpen Door Baptist ChurchEleanor PerdueLyda Perdue

James PickettEarl PrichardQuota ClubCharles RayDr. David RevellJack RiggsAlma ShermanMarvin & Carole SlomkeSouthern Ohio Memorial Post 6878St. George Greek Orthodox ChurchSunshine Freewill Baptist ChurchSunshine Freewill Baptist ChurchErnest & Suzanne TonskiTrinity Church of GodJohn & Donna UnderwoodElmer Van KurenCaroline VanstoryPhilip WeberDeborah WellsJim & Annie WiseJuanita Rowsey & Virginia WithrowJanet Yost

CAPitAL CAMPAiGnMr. & Mrs. David AdkinsThe Albert Aluise FamilyJoe & Jennifer BrooksChris & Megan BuellPaul & Charlene FarrellDavid & Laura Fox, IIICharles HensonMr. & Mrs. John Mandt, Sr.Sally OxleyRebecca Adkins RinehartJulian & Jihad SaadSt. Mary’s Medical CenterKathy ThorntonEthel UlrichThomas & Beth Wilmink

HoSPiCe HouSe MeMoRiALS & DonAtionSLereen AdkinsLinda AdkinsMarion AdkinsThelma AgeeAnn AllenAmerican Electric Power

S H A R I N G • 29

Appalachian Model Railroad Society, Inc.Henry ArmstrongThe Avery’sBeverly BaileyBall State University Accounting OfficeDick & Rose BalmerBank of IaegerAldene BarbourJanet BarelaGloria BarnettSusan BarnettJo Ann BarrettThe Beach FamilyHazel BellCarolene BennettKaren BennettConstance BerkAileen BertoiaMelissa BishHelen BishopCrystal BlackdeerErma BlakeJean BlankenbecklerBill BocookJoe Bocook & FamilyMarsha BocookJeffrey & Marcia BrewerDavid & Donna BrillhartJohn & Patricia BruceDennis & Donna BrumfieldDorothy BurchamCabell Huntington Hospital LabCabell Huntington Hospital PharmacyMark CampbellThomas CampbellCharles & Norma CarrollJohn CarterDoris CastleMargaret CastleJerry ChambersCharles & Gladys ChapmanJohn & Sylvia ChapmanDick & Jean ChurchMelissa ClaytonRonald & Janice CochranLynda CollinsMonica ComptonDwight & Sharolyn ConradJoe & Elaine Conrad

Leon CopelandShirley CordellCox Landing Elementary Faculty & StaffBetty CrockettCrown City Wesleyan WomenCSX TransportationMr. & Mrs. Bruce DanielsonAnita DeHartDemocratic Women’s ClubRichard & Norma Jean DesmondEd & Trish DillonJack & Mary Ann DolenEd & Kathy DrummondFranklin DrummondJohn & Linda DunbarNorma DuncanRuth EddyJack & Honey EvansRick & Janice EvansRichard & Nancy FellureJulia FergusonJoyce & Jerry FieldsFirst Baptist ChurchFirst United Methodist ChurchRuth FisherAngela FleetwoodJ. H. Fletcher & Co.Florida Street Baptist ChurchJay & Gail FoughtFoundation for the Tri-State CommunityStephen & Cathy FoxFyrn FrameCarroll & Mary FryCindy FryD. Everett FullertonJudith GibsonCharlotte GillispieGold, Stephen & Karen GoldFranceline GoodallBetty GothardJerry & Jane GriffisGuyan Creek ChurchHacker Creek Pioneer Descendants Board of DirectorsVelda Hale & The Mahnken FamilySarah Hall

Michael HamillMary Jo Hammond & FamilyMitzie HankinsBarbara HarmonMr. & Mrs. Robert HartSteve & Marcy HattenJohn & Hilda HayesSteve & Gail HendrickHi Lo SpinnersBarbara HicksMartha HillSandra & Roger HinchmanMarlene HolbertHomeowner’s AssociationElizabeth & Charles HowellFrances HuddlestonHuntington 500 ClubHuntington FederalHuntington High School, Class of 56City of Huntington EmployeesThomas & Karla HysellIJS CorporationInternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union #317Betty IrwinJackson Gas CompanyTim & Laura JohnsonJanet JonesThomas JonesDebra KahnMamie KatanickSamuel & Judy KeithRochelle KelmanBilly KinderMuriel KinderChristie KinseyLinda D. KirbyDavid & Deborah KirtzDawn KiserDr. Donald KlinestiverKSPPA District 6Penny LammCarolyn LansdaleRoberta LarsonPat LavenderEllen LawsonMary LeaberryMatthew & Claudia LeingangJames & Kay LemonsJulia LeRoy

Velma LeRoyLevenson, Katzin, & Ballotta, P.A.Jodie LingerEvelyne Lloyd,Larry Lloyd & Linda EasthamAlberta LooneyMargaret LoweClara LucasChristopher & Pam LynchBillie LyonMacedonia Missionary Baptist ChurchMacedonia Missionary Baptist ChurchDemi & Sue MackSylvia MannsMaranatha Sunday School ClassRichard & Carolyn MarraMartha Hunting ClubCharles MartinMasterCraftCarol MaysDanny McCoyLinda McCrayWilliam & Janet McCuneMelvin & Faye McDowellJack & Betty McFannTom & Carey McGinnisSue & Dick MearsBrenda MedinaAllen MeskanGarry & Ruth MetzJohn & Ann MeyersJudy MidkiffTamara MidkiffEileen MontgomeryJohn MooreHarold MorganMr. & Mrs. James MorganMary MorrisRaymond & Jean MountRichard & Carolyn MullensJim & Ruth MurphySheila MuthTimothy NapierPeggy NealBarbara NeuforthMary NicholsonPhyllis NobleDick & Judy NorrisLarry & Carolyn Null

30 • S H A R I N G

Oakbridge Recreation CenterPhyllis OsborneScott & Virginia OsburnBarbara PalmerDr. Louis PalmerTonya PalmerJudge David, & Jane PancakeNancy PauleyJoe & Tammy Pemberton & DanielLouise PembertonEleanor PerdueMichael PerdueSandra PerrineFrancis PerryTerri PerryGlen PetersDavid PeytonLinda PittmanGene & Beverley PofahlThe Poston FamiliesProfessional Bowlers Association, LLCPete & Aida RamellaRoger & Grace RandolphDennis RayRebekah Ruth CircleJim & Betty ReedJoanna ReedLinda ReedClara ReeseRalph & Nancy RhodusElizabeth RiceJosephine RiceR. RiceClifford RichardsonJason & Dorothy RigginsJo Anna RileyMary RobbinsMary RobertsRobotics Systems Joint Project OfficeRebecca RodakMichael RogersIrene RoneJohn & Phyllis RoseLoah RoseSheila & Steve RuleSheila RuleGerard RushAnna SaizanDiana Samoles-Caudill

Bernice SandersBeth SaundersPeggy SaundersEdward & Margaret ScottKenneth SelvaggiMary ShannonLowell SharpLisa ShermanBernice ShumakerCarolyn SmithRandy & Cindy SollarsSherri SolochekCharles Sperow, Jr.Spurlock Memorial Methodist ChurchHazel & Don SpurlockMichael & Melanie SquiresDonald & Vada StarrDr. Bruce SteffesStewards of FellowshipStephanie SticklerMr. & Mrs. Eric StoberRiley & Margaret StoneSteve & Vivian StowersKim Stowers-PackZona SwannJames & Kay TardyDelores & Jim TaylorFelicia TaylorDavid & Barbara ThomasJames ThomasDavid ThompsonLeon & Jenny TomblinTown & Country Garden ClubToyota of WVGeorgia TurleyJack TyreeRichard & Carol ValentineMichele ValeriValeria Carol’s LLCByron Van MeterW. Va Electric Supply CompanyMary Jane & Howard WaldeckWilliam WalkerJennifer & Earl WaltonBetty WardMickey & Susan WarsawJosephine WattsBrooks & Trish WhiteElizabeth WhittRite Wille

Bob & Jennifer WilliamsRuth WilliamsClifford & Charlene WilsonDr. Matthew & Betsy WilsonJocelyn WilsonDr. Cynthia WingerMaxine WintersPaul & Sally WintersSandra WintersJohn & Stephanie WoolfolkRoger & Norma WootenKeith Zollars

MeMoRiAL BRiCkSNancy AluiseJoanna BrownLayna BrownPaul CosterPatricia DarnallThe Golden Farley FamilyBob & Sandra FouchConnie Gannon-BefordHilda GilmoreFamily of Ernestine HallLinda HallSebrena & David HetzerMatile HugoPamela HuntLana JohnsonBradley JonesKathryn KilgoreKathy KirbyGeorgann & Jim KirtleyEric, Chris, & Rhonda KlineGregory KlineVirginia LinsenmeyerGeorge & Frances MaierPatty ManningBarbara MillerEvelyn PaughDonald & Barbara PerryLarry PreeceElizabeth RamseyEsther RogersJanet SmithSandra SmithJohn & Darlene StinsonPatricia SwainBobbi Tomblin

MeMoRiAL tRee FunDRAiSeRAnonymous Donor

Aileen BertoiaAndrew GrimesJack HustedWayne LeggPatricia ProctorWarren & Rebecca Ray

HoSPiCe HuGKenova United Methodist Church Friendship ClassSkidmore, Wanda & John SkidmoreTrinity Church of GodEthel UlrichWesleyan Class

CAMP GooD GRieFColleen & Nate AdkinsKimberly BrownRichard & Janet Wilson

tRoy BRown RoAStRH Adkins CompaniesRoger & Libby AdkinsAlconW.B. & Doris AndrewsDebbie AnsinelliPaul & Charlotte BarrettMichael BartrumBB&TKim & Troy BrownCabell Huntington Surgery CenterTony CavalierChampion IndustriesChesapeake EnergyKathryn ChezikGray CochranDixon Electrical SystemsDr. Lawrence DunworthRoger DyerCharlene FarrellAaron FergusonFirst Sentry BankDavid ForinashDavid & Laura Fox, IIISusan FrankGardner’s RefrigerationGuaranty BankGuyan InternationalHandley Funeral HomeVictoria HanshawNancy Heiner

S H A R I N G • 31

Ronald HooserHuddleston BolenJennifer Kendall, D.D.S.Douglas King Builders, Inc.James KrouseDr. Margaret LaveryLincoln County BusinessesLincoln Primary Care CenterLittle Lick FarmAnn LoshboughJewell MatthewsJames McMullenAlan MorrisonEdward & Karen MorrisonNew England Patriots FoundationRaymond ParksConnie PriddyDr. Jose RicardSylvia RidgewayDorothy ScottMarilyn ShaverJody & Dan SmirlRodney SmithSolutions TechnologiesSt. Mary’s Medical Center

Samuel StanleyStarlight Behavioral HealthSharon StrandDr. Mark StudenyC I Thornburg CompanyP. I. Tudor Roofing CompanyKaren TwohigAnne WassonWest Virginia Federal Credit UnionWest Virginia Standard CompanyElizabeth WhiteLinda WichmanThomas Wilkinson, DDSEmma WilliamsMary WisemanDr. Kenneth WolfeCuffy York, DDS •

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32 • S H A R I N G

The Last Word...I would like to tell you something about my wife Leslie’s death that I’ve never told anyone else. Please note that I said “death” and not “passing”. “Passing” makes no sense to me. She didn’t toss a perfect spiral to Chad Johnson for a game-winning touchdown. She died. Here it is, three years later, and I am just now able to write those two terrible words without a sharp little ache in my chest.

This never-before-revealed information I wish to reveal to you is this: She didn’t want to go.

There was an endless list of things she really wanted to see…to be a part of. Things like her precious sons taking precious brides (she would have made an outstanding mother-in-law); the birth of her grandchildren (she would have made an even MORE outstanding grandmother); her husband’s 50th birthday (an annual high point for her, since she did so enjoy pointing out that she was, and would always be, two years younger than I); who was going to win American Idol (that year, Carrie Underwood won, just as Leslie predicted); and so many more.

She would have loved to see graduations at Oklahoma, internships at MTV, podcasts at joystiq.com, musicals staged, and subsequent American Idol competitions (she would have LOVED David Archuletta).But it didn’t happen.

So I can tell you, with no doubt in my mind, she would have liked to stick around.

That’s where grief comes from, I believe. It comes from the realization of just how many milestones our loved one is going to miss. It also comes from the realization of just how many trials and tragedies are going to come along where she would have know just what to say…just what to do. When Leslie died, countless people said to me, “If you want to talk about it, call me.” What they didn’t know is that the only person who could offer words of comfort to comfort me was the very person I was mourning.

But you have to know this: Leslie may not have wanted to go, but she was not afraid to go.

There are religious people, and there are spiritual people. Not all religious people are truly spiritual. My Les was both—truly one of a very rare breed. She lived the Christ-like life she professed to. In my 53 years of circling the sun on this little blue marble, I have never met a braver, truer, or more loving person. She was not afraid to die. In our last conversation, as I held her in that hospital bed, she told me she was not afraid. She knew the instant she left my arms whose arms she would be in. I know that’s exactly what happened when she died.

I just realized something. I lied earlier. I just wrote those two terrible words again and I still felt that sharp, little ache in my chest. I guess I always will.

And that’s…okay.

By Clint McElroy, Guest Author

Clint McElroy is a Huntington resident and works for WTCR

St. Mary’s Regional Neuroscience Center

2900 First Avenue • Huntington, WV 25702

304-526-1184 • www.st-marys.org

(L to R) David Weinsweig, M.D., Panos Ignatiadis, M.D. and Rida Mazagri, M.D.

Thomas J. Holbrook, M.D.

� e neurosurgery program at St. Mary’s Medical Center

began in 1948 when � omas Holbrook, M.D., brought his surgical

skills to Huntington. Holbrook’s tradition of excellence in brain

and spine care continues today at St. Mary’s with a dedicated and

skilled team of neurosurgeons. Panos Ignatiadis, M.D., David

Weinsweig, M.D., and Rida Mazagri, M.D., are all proud to off er

advanced care to patients in the Tri-State, continuing the legacy

started by Dr. Holbrook 60 years ago.

NoN-ProfitUS POSTAGe PAiD

HUNTiNGTON, WV

Permit 71P.O. Box 464

Huntington, WV 25709

Register TODAY!

call 304.529.4217

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