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Passageway Cover (i) Newsletter –April, 2014
April 2014 Newsletter
passageway 305 15th Street
Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: (515) 243-6929 • Fax: (515) 243-1747
E-Mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.passagewayiowa.org Hours: Monday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Table of Contents Section Page Cover Page ..................................................................................i Contributor’s Page ................................................................... ii Social Activities Calendar........................................................1 Lunch Menu / Food and Nutrition Page.................................2 The Bus Stop.......................................................................3 - 4 Articles, Poems, Stories, etc................................................ 5 - 9 Back Page ...............................................................................10 Employment Newsletter ......................Will return next month
Social Activity Highlights This Month Out of Club: Tues., April 1st- Out to Eat Tues., April 8th- Movies Out Tues., April 15th- Incredible Pizza Games Thurs., April 24th- The Norwegians (Play) Sat., April 26th- Outdoor Picnic Mon. & Wed., 3 - 4 – Attend YMCA FREE!!! (min. 3 ppl.)
In Club “Late Night” Highlights Wed., April 2nd- Play Cards Mon., April 7th- Karaoke Wed., April 9th- Movies In Mon., April 14th- Wii Bowling Wed., April 16th- Easter Crafts Mon., April 21st- Bingo Wed., April 23ed- Play Board Games Mon., April 28th- Make your own Sundae Wed., April 30th- Walk around Sculpture Garden Every Fri., 9:30 – 10:00 – Coffee & Conversation
Inside the April Newsletter Linda Oleson-King tells us about our Gala
2014 fundraiser in May. Star Trek fan fiction returns from member
John Knudsen, Jr. Daniel Feeney talks to us about his job
experience and becoming a street performer. Learn how to plant a petunia from Jaymie
Underkoffler. Gano shares with us her struggle and triumph
with getting services with Polk County. John Rutt shares his enthusiasm for spring! Cille Grunsweig gives us some insight on what
to look forward to in the spring. Gary Acklin and Don Carstenson bring us
some useful information about the upcoming Drake Relays.
Kim Holmes shares with us some useful skills for when you’re having a bad day.
Enjoy some poetry from Bill Partridge and Frankie Hayes
Get to know Amelia Marchant, our new intern! Gary Acklin shares his story about greeting
one of Passageway’s friend at a coffee shop. Julie Bird shares two poems, one an homage to a
very dear friend.
Contributors to the April Newsletter
Passageway Contributors Page (ii) Newsletter – April, 2014
Executive Director Linda Oleson-King
Passageway Staff
Gary Acklin Lupita Aquino
Ron Gilbert Millie Jones-Cowles
John Morrow Amelia Marchant,
Intern
Editor/Graphics Lupita Aquino
Ron Gilbert
Journalists Gary Acklin Julie Bird
Don Carstensen Daniel Feeney
Cille Grunzweig Frankie Hayes Kim Holmes
John Christen Knudsen, Jr. Amelia Marchant
Linda Oleson-King Bill Partridge
John Rutt Jaymie Underkoffler
Gano Whetstone
Artist/Comics Bill Partridge
Typists
Lupita Aquino Mark Baxter
Julie Bird Mary Fitzpatrick Cille Grunzweig
John Christen Knudsen, Jr. Amelia Marchant
David Rothfus Gano Whetsone
Proofreaders, Collators, Copiers
Mark Baxter Donna Gipple
Tracy Lampley Kathy Neeson Marla Ozinga
David Rothfus Chris Simpson
Jeffrey Taggart Gano Whetstone Rhonda Woodley
April Anniversaries
(Years as Passageway member in parentheses.)
Jodi Wilson (24) Sterling English (23)
Jim Avery (21) Don Curry (21)
Sherry Martel (21) David Rothfus (20)
John Rutt (20) Patrica Stults (20) Cynthia Wells (20) James Hawk (19)
Michael Marmet (19) Pam Turner (19)
Christine Williams (19) Darci St. Peter (18)
Jassen Cummings (17) Matt Leonard (17) Doug Booth (16)
Patricia Tharp (16) Theresa Webe-bey (16)
Nick Whitney (16) Laddy Wong Douglas
(16) Lorilei Hyde (14) Cindy Palmer (14) Robert Buttz (13)
Don Carstensen (11) Serena Iutzeler (11)
Eddie Lathrop, Jr. (11) Laura March (11)
Marie Cheatley (10) James Dacken (10)
Trish Mohler (10) Randy Pegram (10)
Kelly Scott (10) Rodney Smith (10) Robert Vallejo (10)
Cheryl Wedemeyer (10) David Ballinger (9)
Bill Lambert (9) Stephanie Stevens (9)
Daniel Thomas (9) Natasha Anderson (8)
Joseph Kearney (8) Diane Nichols (8)
Amy Shull (8) Bob Alread (7)
Patrick Blanche (7) Tanya Clark (7)
Rebecca Davis (7) Carla Shivers (7)
Fantdall Chamberlain (6)
Shawn Combes (6) Brenda DeVan (6)
Dianne Loy (6) Patricia Sims (5) Joshua Fath (4)
Kevin Grandstaff (4) Laura Hanlon-Bier (4)
Josh Isley (4) Susan Miller (4)
Patricia Riley (4) Felichia Smith (4) Marcia Stone (4)
Aryanne Tolczynska-McBride (4)
Nancy May (3) Brenda Vaughn (3)
April Birthdays Helen Andrews
Selim Ayoub Mary Jo Beldon
Julie Bird Mae Burkett-Blackwell
Debra Casey Carol Cowen
Jim Cox
Cheryl Craig Brian Croy
Brent Deppe David Dolling Jodi Driesen
Cheryl Dudley-Wallace Sue Dwyer
Kim Edwards Melvin Flying-Nice
Reggie Ford Cliff Frondle
Andora Guillory Glenn Hansen-
Longnecker Michael Harvey Jeannie Henkle Sheila Higdon
Willie Hoverston Cory F. Jones Debra Jones
Tyler Jurgensen Lynn Knutson
Marilyn Lindley Chanh Lothi Bill Mahler
Laura March Sherry Martel Leah Matteson Keith Melchert Sheila Monroe Erica Nichols David Nodsle
Cynthia Oliver Marty Osborne
Maria Pollastrini Fran Quirk
Bridget Reeves Jose Rivera
Brenda Signs Rob Slavin
Christine Smart Darci St. Peter
Jay Tedore Eric Van Dusseldorp
Yvonne Windsor Lura Witt
Samantha Wolfe
Passageway 1 Newsletter – April, 2014
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Passageway holds in club “late night” social activities Monday and Wednesday evenings, typically from 4 to 5 p.m. Those activities are free. They are listed on the calendar in Bold & Italics. Dinner is served on Monday and Wednesday, typically at 5 p.m. for $1.00. Out of club activities are typically each week on Tuesday afternoon/evening, and are listed in Bold & Italics. (When scheduled on a different day, the calendar will note that on the Tuesday of that week.) Cost, if any, and times, are listed with the event. Each month’s activities and menu are planned on the first Wednesday of the month, based mostly on member suggestions.
1
Go Out To Eat
Bring $8-$10. Be here by 3:00 pm—participants will
decide on that day where to go.
2
House Planning Mtg. for May—1 pm
YMCA 3-4
Late Night: Play Cards
3
4
Coffee & Conversation 9:30–10 am
Employment Mtg.
1:15 pm
5
Closed
7
Late Night: Karaoke
8
See Movies Out
Be here by 2:45. Bring $3.50 plus $2 for popcorn and $2 drinks (small sizes) or extra $ for regular-sized snacks.
9
House Mtg. 1 pm
YMCA 3-4
Late Night: Movies In
10
11
Coffee & Conversation 9:30–10 am
Employment Mtg.
1:15 pm
12
Closed
14
Late Night: Wii Bowling
15
Play Games and Eat at Incredible Pizza and
Arcade
Bring $$ for games or food. Be here by 3 p.m.
16
House Mtg. 1 pm
YMCA 3-4
Late Night: Make Easter Crafts
17
Board Meeting 5:15 PM
18
Coffee & Conversation 9:30–10 am (Celebrate
April B-Days & Anniversaries)
Employment Mtg.
1:15 pm
19
Closed
21
Late Night: Bingo
22 23
Gateway to Clubhouse—noon
House Mtg. 1 pm
YMCA 3-4
Late Night:
Board Games
24 See comedy
play “The Norwegians” at
StageWest. FREE. Be here by 6:00 p.m.
Curtain at 7:30. At Stoner
Theater in DM Civic Center.
Passageway will stay open until
event.
25
Coffee & Conversation 9:30–10 am
Employment Mtg.
1:15 pm
26
Picnic Lunch
Outdoors
Be here by 11:30 a.m.
28
Late Night; Make Your Own
Sundae
29
Dollar/Thrift Store Shopping
Bring enough money to purchase what you would
like for the evening.
30
House Mtg. 1 pm
YMCA 3-4
Late Night: Walk Around
Sculpture Garden
April 2014 Social Activity Calendar
NO OUT OF CLUB ACTIVITY TODAY due to seeing play the on Thursday,
April 24th.
Passageway 2 Newsletter –April, 2014
Passageway Recipe of the Month: Sweet Pea Mockamole
www.allrecipes.com Ingredients 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed and drained 1 teaspoon ground cumin 3 tablespoons chopped onion 1 large clove garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste salt and ground black pepper Directions: 1. Combine the peas, cumin, onion, and
garlic in the container of a food processor or blender.
2. Process until smooth. Add lemon juice and olive oil, and process just to blend.
3. Taste and season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
4. Blend for just a few more seconds, and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve with chips, crackers, or fresh veggies.
Prep Time: 10 Minutes Servings: 12
April 2014 Food and Nutrition Page
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1
Lasagna
2
Soup Bar
3
Reuben Sandwiches
4
Tuna Casserole
7 Fettuccini
Alfredo
8
Quesadillas
9 Baked Potato
Bar
10
Baked Tilapia
11
Chef’s Choice
14
Meat Loaf
15
Salad Bar
16
Baked Chicken
17
Vegetarian Day
18
Chili
21 Grilled Cheese
and Tomato Soup
22 Breakfast Bar with French
Toast
23
(Gateway) Hoagies
24 Hot Turkey
Sandwiches with Stuffing
25
Chef’s Choice
Passageway Food Facts:
Lunch served Monday — Friday at noon, $1.50 Dinner served during our Monday and Wednesday “Late Night” evenings
at about 5:00 p.m., $1.00 Snack Bar is open whenever we are not serving meal, provided that we have a
member volunteer to run it. Members may purchase pre-paid $5.00 / $10.00 meal cards to be used for meals and
snacks. The cards can either be kept on file at Passageway or carried by the member.
April Lunch Menu
28
International Day: Moroccan
29 Liver & Onions
with Mac & Cheese
30
Stir-fried Pork
Passageway Monthly Food and Nutrition Tip: Don’t Be April Fooled; From the Experts
www.ahealthiermichigan.org
1. You Can Indulge (In Moderation) According to health coach Angela Jenkins, we can allow ourselves the treats we want, but in moderation. For example, enjoy one Hershey Kiss instead of a whole candy bar. The satisfaction we get from that little indulgence will keep us on track because we won’t feel deprived. Also, according to Shape Magazine, 2. You Should Set Attainable Health Goals Most of us have room for improvement, especially when it comes to health. According to Grace Derocha RD, many folks are looking for a quick diet fix, but we should focus on goals we can reach. You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps.
Passageway 3 Newsletter –April, 2014
April Edition
The Bus Stop comic will be returning next month. Our artist, Bill Partridge, decided to take a break from his usual art form to explain the story behind his Bus Stop comic, and the themes throughout the story.
Truly Worth a Thousand Words? by Bill Partridge
You might say I have a big chip on my shoulder. While I struggle to retain humility, many have insisted that my artful creation must not be denied and worthy of placement in the halls of some prestigious gallery or museum. They suggest that I should make it an occupation, and that I’m wasting precious talent—a troubling prospect and urgent, as I approach my “golden years” and the surrender of the hopes and dreams of youth. While there might still be great things in the future, I have witnessed my youthful hopes and plans gradually fall away. At age 18, how could I have foreseen the turmoil that depression and psychosis would make of my life. Yet, I continue to plug along trying to maintain some degree of dignity and grace. Through my contribution of the “BUS STOP” to the Passageway newsletter, I have been exploring these very issues in the perils of the character Robyn Webster. She finds herself grappling with some of the same questions as my own. As a person battling her illness, Robyn seeks comfort and understanding after fire consumes the lifetime of artwork she has kept unseen. In dealing with such loss, she faces doubt and an unsure future. If a Picasso was to sell for one dollar, it would still be a Picasso. I an mot opposed to the receipt of just compensation for things of skill and scope. Unless Michelangelo was paid for his works of painting and marble, he might have perished unnoticed, and unfulfilled. Indeed, if this was true of all renaissance masters, there would have been no Renaissance. Carried to its extreme, and devoid of due compensation, our entire civilization would not exist. We might well have remained roaming clans of hunter-gatherers struggling for subsistence.
continued on next page (over)…
Passageway 4 Newsletter –April, 2014
Truly Worth a Thousand Words?
by Bill Partridge
…continued from previous page.
I have been quite generous in my dealings with my art. I offer up my works of my art for causes which I support. The worth of my art has benefitted Passageway, my church, and VSA arts of Iowa. I have gifted it at Christmas, for birthdays, weddings, and graduations. It is I who determines my words value and when to ask for monetary compensation. Would I be as just and fair if I tried to Support myself as an artist? Would my peers laud and cheer the dignity of self-determination? Undoubtedly, there are some who would view it as inspiring and heroic—the freedom of attainment and achievement. Would it give them hope? All noble ideas. Understandable. I have modestly sought out a simple life of relative stability while facing my struggles with mental health even as I am volleyed from one extremity to another. All I‘ve ever wanted is inclusiveness in “normal” life, human contact. Even Love. Greatness comes even where and when it is never anticipated. To witness greatness, look up into the depths of a starry sky. A beautiful painting of a mountain is not that mountain. Go to the mountain. Experience it. A portrait of a loved one is not that person. Hold that person tight. Hold them close. That is real. Every child knows the value of art. They are fearless with paint—eloquent with crayon. Most adults will flinch from holding a brush—as if they were holding a container of explosive material. They seek depths of meaning and beautiful truths in art and marvel at feats of technical skill. Yet, when questioned, a child might just shrug, smile and simply say, “I just wanted to paint a duckie.” That is why art matters.
Passageway 5 Newsletter – April, 2014
Get to Know Me by Amelia Marchant
(Editor’s Note: Amelia Marchant is a new intern who has joined Passageway and will
be working daily through the summer.) My name is Amelia Marchant, I am a graduate student in the vocational rehabilitation counseling program at Drake University, completing an internship here at Passageway. I have undergraduate degrees from DMAAC, in Chemical Dependency Counseling and Human Services, and a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Psychology and Criminology from Upper Iowa University. I am a life long Des Moines resident with periodic moves to Southern California in 1982 and 1988, always returning to the home I know here in Iowa. I have two children; Britney who is 26 and KK (short for Kaitlin) who is 20. Brittney is a wig master and makeup artist currently traveling with the Broadway tour of the Addams Family Musical and KK is an operations manager at Sephora. KK has a little boy named Aidan Sammual, who is my special little buddy and is 3 years old. The last member of our family is my Border Collie, Scooter. I feel honored to be able to meet and work with the members at Passageway. On my first day, I was struck by the kindness and willingness of the other members to extend their friendship and show me the operations of the clubhouse. I look forward to continuing to get to know everyone on a more individual basis throughout the next 4 months. I will be primarily working in the T.E. (transitional Employment) program during my tenure at Passageway and I am excited to get started! Thank you all for the warm welcome!
The Sun is Shining on
Passageway! by Linda Oleson-King
We are entering a busy season for Passageway! Our major annual fundraiser, our Art Gala, will be held this year on May 16th, which is a Friday, again at Jasper Winery. We are very excited to again have this fun venue to provide music and food along with our auction of Art and Baskets filled with awesome items! We will of course start working on making more creatures for the event! Bring your creative sewing and stitching skills to the Clubhouse. We will start work on them in March!! Mark your calendar for May 16th! Tickets will go on sale soon! We are hoping to increase the number of people that attend our fun event! You know that the Clubhouse has been pinching pennies for years, so every dollar that we can bring in makes a great difference. We are
receiving a change in our reimbursement for Clubhouse services, which has helped us relax a bit, and focus on Clubhouse work! We appreciate everyone pitching in at the Clubhouse to keep things looking good! I hope to see you soon! Spring sunshine is
in our future!
Hired by Daniel Feeney
I was hired to do catering for the Drake Relays this year. I’ve done this for the last few years. Last year, I started being a street performer and this year I will be doing the same. Last year I performed for over 100 people downtown and I received $97.67 over just a couple of hours for
seven days. This year I need to do one hour of work at least every month. The first hour of March I worked, I didn’t receive any tips but I have a job that I like and that is reward itself. I will also be helping my friends plant a garden and hopefully continue to teach more beginner guitar lessons. April Showers Bring May
Flowers by Jaymie Underkoffler
Planting petunia flowers 1. Dig a hole 6 inches deep in soil 2. Put petunia seeds in hole you made
3. Cover seeds with soil 4. Place in sunlight and water daily
5. Watch them grow!!
County of Legal Settlement
by Gano Whetstone From 1967 until July 1, 2013, I had Adair County as my County of Legal Settlement. They were to pay the Non‐Medicaid portion of my mental health services. Many times they did not do it, and legally they did not have to. They said they could not afford it. My services were affected. Nevertheless, as of July 1, 2013, my County of Legal Settlements became Polk County. The County of Legal Settlement is now based on Residency (where you live), not where you started your services. I am glad I
Passageway 6 Newsletter – April, 2014
now have Polk County. This is something I’m thankful for and hopefully I can have a better experience through Polk County.
Where Are You? by Julie Bird
Your voice has become a stone, In a cornfield. The threshers have come To saw off the branches On the trees, your hands. The shopkeeper has not made The keys that fit in The darkness of your hair.
April 2014
by John Rutt I can hardly understand how it could possibly be April already! By the time we get to April in Iowa, we can almost smell Spring-in-the-Air! After a long, hard winter, the arrival of spring is one of the Creator’s finest gifts to humankind! We can finally go for a walk around the Water Works Park, and smell all the beautiful blooming trees and plants. So! When April arrives, don’t forget to go for a nice walk! You’ll love it!
Signs Of Spring
by Cille Grunzweig
On the radio today the announcer said there are only 7 days until the official start of Spring which falls on March 20th this year. I had just come back from my evening walk with Tasha, my dog, and my cat, Milo, who raced up and down trees the entire walk. I noticed there were only a few patches of ice, mostly on the road next to the curb. There was enough shade in those areas for the ice to hold on even in the 65 degree temperatures we had today. It was just after 7:30 pm and it was still dusk. There was a beautiful sunset to the west. The blue sky was interwoven with pink and purple. The change to daylight savings time last week means longer days. I had my coat on because the temperature had fallen below 50, but I still had on my sandals, which is as close as I’m going to get to barefoot on the city sidewalks. Birds were chirping and hoping from branch to branch. It reminded me I had seen a robin last week. The melting snow uncovered dead grass and brown leaves. Soon sprigs of
green grass and daffodils will spring up. I’ve seen guys wearing shorts for
the last few weeks, even when it snowed and it was
really chilly outside. Some people have a lot of optimism or
their internal thermostats are out of order. Some other signs of Spring are the opening of the restrooms and kybos in the parks. Cabins are rented and tents and campers start filling the parks. You can
watch the ice blocks float down the rivers, and each time you go there is less ice and the level of the river rises. It will really go up and we may have to watch out for flooding if the rain showers are heavy in April. Folks are out tilling the land for their vegetable and herb gardens. Inside greenhouses tiny seeds are sprouting in small covered pots. The playgrounds are filled with kids swinging and bumping down slides with abandon. But mainly the kids run. Groups of teenagers are out walking the streets, eyes and ears glued to their I-pads and other technology. Adults are out for a run, biking or strolling. Lawn mowers are being tuned
up. When it rains umbrellas pop up everywhere.
Soon the buds will grow on tree branches and the
evergreens can retire until next winter. Green
leaves will cover the now bare branches and soon we will have shade to cool
the warm sun which we so desperately long for now. Spring is a time for renewal and reproduction in nature. It’s an end to hibernation and a time for birthing of animals. The birds are flying north to their summer homes. Most importantly, we can’t forget it’s time to plant home grown tomatoes and watch the Iowa Cubs play baseball.
Drake Relays Researched
by Don Carstensen and Gary Acklin
The Drake Relays is an outdoor track and field event held in
Passageway 7 Newsletter – April, 2014
Des Moines, Iowa, United States, in Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University. It is regarded as one of the top track and field events in the United States. The inaugural Drake Relays were held in 1910. The first meet drew just 100 spectators and 82 athletes, all from the Des Moines-area colleges and high schools. The second year there was 250 athletes and a crowd of some 500 spectators. In 1914, the Relays saw its first world record set. By 1922, the Relays had been expanded into a two-day event that drew 10,000 fans and became the first major track and field event broadcast on the radio. In 1961 women’s events were added for the first time and Wilma Rudolph competed in the 100 meters. Actually the Relays would not go metric until 1976. Hundred of Olympic gold medalists have competed at Drake Stadium including Bruce Jenner, Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Frank Shorter, Gwen Torrence, and Jeremy Wariner. Over the years hundreds more Drake Relays competitors have gone onto compete in the Olympic Games, including 113 former athletes at the 2012 Olympic Games. The current week of festivities begins with a parade on Saturday, continues with a
Beautiful Bulldog Contest (Drake’s mascot) on Monday, the Grand Blue Mile on Tuesday, and an indoor pole-vault on Wednesday with the decathlon and heptathlon beginning Wednesday and concluding alongside the distance carnival on Thursday. In November 2012, Midwest
grocer Hy-Vee was announced as the presenting sponsor beginning with the 104th running of the Drake Relays in 2013. Through the sponsorship, the Relays
offered a $50,000 purse in running events and $25,000 purse in field events, making the Drake Relays the richest athletics event in the United States. The 2013 field saw 25 Olympic medalists in total. The date of this year’s event is scheduled April 23rd thru April 27th 2014. Form more information and event planning visit your local Hy-Vee Store for details. My Loved Angel Forever,
My Son by Frankie Hayes
He is my Angel. He watches over me and over the rest of all of us. I miss him forever more and ever lasting life. I still see him, I remember him, my baby boy-I hear his cries, I see his wipes hooks all over chest and tubes out of his mouth, tubes out of his sides. Tears running down my face,
running screaming, hiding, I couldn’t pick him up. I was 18 years old, my husband picked him up. I was so scared. He had open heart surgery. They cut him from his chest strait down and around under the shoulder blade to the backbone. Just before the Dr. and I was nicer with other people ages from 9 months, from 30 to 65-we got to know them- also we got to know the ones who were the best ones, who was worrying about the ones who were going to have surgery-I never slept, I was so worried two would in and one would come out. The one who would come out was my son. I was in shock. My God thank you so much- but the other one that didn’t make it, I didn’t know how to feel. Because, I got to know them a lot, I left the room and spent time with my son-and cried for him being alive and the person that died and their family. Everyday When I’m Upset—
by Kim Holmes Passageway has helped me over the years to better myself. I use to have trouble with keeping calm and would get upset very easily. I continue everyday to work on controlling my anger. Here are some of the things that I have learned to do over the years which I practice at Passageway everyday. Maybe you too can use some
of the steps that I have learned and have a
peaceful day. I ignore negative thoughts. I have
learned to let negative feeling go. I
remind myself that I have gotten
Passageway 8 Newsletter – April, 2014
through harder times before. Why am I upset? What am I upset about and why do I get so mad at myself. I do not have to be upset to experience my day. This is not me. I am a happy person and I truly am very happy where I live now. I should not make up things to be upset about with regard to where and how I am living. People do care about me and my wellbeing. I feel safe and comfortable now. I have a meaningful schedule. There are people who understand me and care about me this I know even in my darkest days. I can make good choices and control my behavior. I can share smiles with my friends every day.
Simple Pleasures by Bill Partridge
I used to enjoy Going through automatic doors That swung open magically And elevators And T.V. Remotes I loved walking down escalators That were meant to go up And sloshing through rain puddles And building dams in slushy snow To divert run-off in the spring My mother always told me not to play those tings I don’t know why. Is it because as adults we aren’t to have fun? Or experience wonder? If that’s true, then maybe we should never grow up I’ll tell you a secret Every time I walk through an automatic door I savor the pure joy of it.
Clubhouse by Frankie Hayes
You know, when I first started here at Passageway, I was scarred.
I kept busy in the kitchen and everywhere else working hard. Then my body started slowing me down. My migraines started hurting more and more, harder and harder. I love the clubhouse it is so much fun. We do a lot of different things
all the time. We learn new things each and every day. Without all of my clubhouse
friends and staff members, I would be at home isolated and all alone. I was lonely and isolating at home all by myself before I was introduced to the members of Passageway. I love it here at Passageway and I like all the things we do. I am very proud to say I am a member of Passageway. I like everyone at Passageway, I hope you all like me too.
Star Trek: Judgment Day
by John Christen Knudsen, Jr.
Part 10 The cracker-jack transporter chief was having some problems. Tapping her communicator, she contacted the captain. She was a lieutenant named Lisa Hovelson. “Captain, I think we have a problem,” she said. “The anomaly is dampening our ability to transport the crew of the Prime Maxim to safety.” “Is there anything you can do?” the captain asked. “We have to leave very quickly.” She responded, “I could mass transport, but I’d have to do it blind.” Then the Prime Maxim crew was transported to one of the two Vanguards, but it was the wrong one. They beamed to the alternate Vanguard. “Captain,” she started, “I think we have another problem. I don’t think they’re from our universe.” “Can you be sure?”
She was deathly sorry, “The mass transport took them to the other Vanguard. If they are from our universe, I just made a big mistake.”
Part 11
Duncan had arrived in the transporter room of the wrong Vanguard and knew at once what had happened. He couldn’t understand. “This can’t be right,” he noticed. “Why am I not on my ship? Are you saying this is not my crew?” Lisa tried to calm him down, “Lieutenant—” “But that’s what you’re saying!” he continued. The transporter chief got on the communicator, “Doctor Selak, report to the transporter room, immediately.” Doctor Selak was a Vulcan, and a well respected one. He arrived at the transporter room to see the young officer totally breaking down. He cried out, “No! You’re telling me my old crew is dead! No!” Selak, the Vulcan lieutenant, knew what to do. He put the officer out of his misery with a Vulcan nerve pinch. Doris asked, “Did you have to do that?”
Part 12
The next thing Duncan knew, he was in their sickbay. The Vulcan doctor was hovering over him. He was just coming to consciousness. “We’re all dead, aren’t we?” he asked. “I don’t know,” he replied. “But we can beam you back to your ship so you
can leave before more Klingon ships arrive.” Duncan asked, “More are coming?” “Yes,” he said. “You have about an hour. All hope is not lost.” Duncan had to ask one simple question, “Why
did I beam to this ship if it’s not mine?” “I don’t know that, either,” he replied. “Is there anything you would like?” “Sleep,” he said. “I’m tired.” The doctor went to work. He gave him a tranquilizer so that he might sleep for a few good minutes. “There, my old friend,” he said gently.
Passageway 9 Newsletter – April, 2014
Silence by Bill Partridge
He wanted him to say something, Anything, But his father just sat The silence broken only by His steady breathing A firm but raspy cadence, In perfect rhythm. He told his father Of his desire to become an artist- A break with tradition and with generations of farmers Faces bronzed and wind-worn And hands toughened by labors in the field While the son’s hands were thin and graceful Creators of beautiful things He spoke of his passion It just fell on deaf ears Then his father sighed And only the silence remained
To Patricia K. Bowles by Julie Bird
You’re a very special person, With a very special smile. Sometimes you can get out of hand, With your custom- made style. You are one in million. Only a part, A small star in heaven, But a very big place in my heart. Your shoes are too big, You’re too tall and thin, Your nose is regular roman, And I only come to your chin. You are one in a million, Only a Part, A small star in heaven, But a very big place in my heart.
Friend of Passageway by Gary Acklin
Friday mornings are usually very quiet. Nevertheless, it is exciting to start Friday mornings with my Passageway friends because Coffee and Conversation allows us to relax before the day tasks that lie ahead. Before arriving at Passageway, I had an
interesting interaction with a familiar face. I was feeling pretty good as I was smiling with the sun in my face. I walked over to the local
coffee shop, and I held the door for a lady, as every gentleman should take care to do. She smiled and thanked me for the assistance and I pressed on; eager to get my first cup of coffee. Despite not being able to afford a cup of coffee at the shop on a regular basis, I thought it would be a nice treat for me on a beautiful morning like today.
While there, I noticed a well dressed gentleman standing beside me making his coffee. He appeared confident in his coffee making decisions. As I watched this gentleman a sense of familiarity was prominent. I thought to myself, “I know this man!” As I recognized that he was an Iowan politician who was interested in mental health legislation, I walked up to him and asked “Are you the Bob Hatch?” He smiled and stated that he was Jack Hatch. In my embarrassment, I reminded him about a previous conversation that we had during the fall on the telephone. He had responded to some Passageway business regarding some local legislation that would affect
our membership; and at that time, I had asked if he was indeed “The Jack Hatch”. We exchanged hand shakes and greetings as I wished him well with his
future endeavors. I also encouraged him to remain a friend of Passageway as we both look to the future. He thanked me for the greeting and well wishes.
Passageway Back Page Newsletter –April, 2014
305 15th Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
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Passageway members Kathy and Barb engage in the spirit of Easter while dying some eggs a few years ago. It’s time for Easter again!
