December 2020 Volunteer Newsletter

VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER // DECEMBER 2020

Guild News

Any Guild news for the next months newsletter needs turned into the Volunteer Office before the 15th of the month. Call 356-8234.

Linda Browne, President of the Scioto Guild shared the following: “It sounds like we are going to have to ‘Rock Around the Christmas Tree’ at home by ourselves this year. Please be safe and healthy and watch lots of Hallmark Holiday Movies! Love to you all.” - Linda The Pleasure Guild held its final 2020 fundraising event from November 15 to November 21 at Jet’s Gourmet Popcorn in Portsmouth. Due to the pandemic, this was an at-home event.

Also, work is being completed on a gifting of 14 individual Christmas trees for the patient rooms at the Hospice Center, along with the guild responding with a monetary gift in answer to a requested donation that will ready the center for the holidays. Mary Moore, President of the Pleasure Guild says, “Giving is in our nature, so we are happy to be able to support the Hospice Center in this way. If we can make even one person’s holiday a little brighter, we will count that as a success, and a fulfillment of our continuing mission.”

Sandy Cable, President of the Hope Guild sent the following message to share: “These days have been hard not being able to volunteer. Hope you all are staying safe and healthy. I miss you and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year. Remember what Christmas is all about…LOVE. If love knocks on your door let it come in.

If love knocks on your heart let it begin.

And if by some chance it decides to stay, don’t ever let it fly away.

Take your love to someone else’s door, let it go in.

Take your love to someone else’s heart, let it begin.

And if you find that you can share and show that person that you really care. Give them love.

Take care and God Bless.” – Sandy Glenna Arnett, President of the Pediatric Guild writes: “Christmas this year may not be in keeping with our past traditions but whether you are sharing the holiday with family and friends in person, FaceTime or Zoom, I wish all guild members and volunteers a happy and joy-filled holiday season and a very Merry Christmas!!”

Karen Evans, President of the Service Guild writes, “Hope everyone is getting along well and staying safe. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Karen Wood, President of the Kardia Guild writes, “I am looking forward to the vaccination and maybe after a little while we can get back together. I miss seeing everyone and can’t wait until we can meet again. Until then, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” - Karen

Glenna Arnett, Pediatric Guild

A Note From Jenny It’s that time of the year when we pray a little more, cherish the wonderful moments from the past, share goodness with others, as well as express our feelings to those we love. With this in mind, I am truly blessed to have the love and support of so many amazing volunteers in my life. Even though we are unable to be together this holiday season, please know that, with a very thankful heart, I think of you often. Recalling the many lives that are brighter because of your precious gift of time, love and compassion makes my heart smile with every thought and reminiscing moment – therefore, may all the time, love and compassion you have given away to our patients, staff and visitors fill your heart a thousand times, each and every day!

With Christmas and wishes on my heart today - my Christmas wish for you, my friend, is not a simple one.I wish you hope and joy and peace. I wish you days filled with warmth and sun. I wish you love and friendship too, throughout the coming year. I wish you lots of laughter and happiness to fill your world with cheer.

May you count your blessings one by one – and when totaled by the lot, may you find all you’ve been given to be more than what you sought. May your journeys be short and your burdens light. May your spirit never grow old, may all your clouds have silver linings, and your rainbows pots of gold. May all your dreams come true – with lots of love and hope and prayers that we’ll be together soon. I wish this all and so much more!

In closing, many years ago while working at the Portsmouth Public Library a patron shared with me the sweetest book, “A Cup of Christmas Tea” by Tom Hegg. Since that Christmas, I pull out this sweet story every year and this year I wanted to share it with you as well. Therefore, enclosed in this newsletter you will find not just the story, but a spot of Christmas Tea to enjoy too. So, curl up with your cozy blanket, a cup of warm tea and enjoy the December issue of the SOMC Volunteer newsletter.

Here’s wishing you a season filled with love, joy, prosperity, blessings, and happiness that each new day brings your way!

Merry Christmas With Love & ((Hugs)) from a distance,

Jenny Lavender, Mgr. Volunteer Services

Christmas in my Town

announcements

With such an array of volunteers, I am sure

» “Christmas in My Town” writings due by December 13th

different regions, time zones, and possibly

some have come to SOMC from across

» Virtual Coffee & Quarantine Break – Friday, December 18th – 10am » The Gift Gallery will close at 1:00pm on December 24 and remain closed on December 25 for the Christmas holiday. The Gift Gallery will also close at 1pm on December 31 and remained closed on January 1, in observance of the New Year holiday. » The Volunteer Office will be closed December 24-25 for the Christmas holiday. Also, the Volunteer Office will

countries or continents! Though some Christmas traditions are the same worldwide, everyone has special ways of celebrating the holidays. With the pandemic still among us, Volunteer Services thought this would be a unique way to share our traditions with each other, a fun means to assist in getting to know each other, as well as making the holiday season a little brighter. All you need to do is send your holiday tradition, memories, and/

close at 1pm on December 31 and remained closed on

or holiday recipe using the starter sentence,

January 1, in observance of the New Year holiday.

“Christmas in My Town,” via email, text

» If you have not received your flu vaccine please contact the Volunteer Office to schedule, as all volunteers

(740-935-4306) or mail by December 13 and Jenny Lavender will compile and share entries with those volunteers who participated

MUST receive a flu vaccination as per SOMC policy.

before Christmas Day arrives. For further

» Have a good volunteer story or news that we can share? If so, then be sure and drop it by the Volunteer Office or e-mail to: lavendej@somc.org - Stories can inspire, comfort and educate, therefore we would love to share them with other volunteers!

information, or if you would like to receive a self-addressed stamped envelope to send your writing, please feel free to contact the Volunteer Office at 740-356-8234.

Guild Fundraising

From November 30 until December 2, Books Are Fun will host a virtual sale that will benefit the Scioto Guild. The link to participate the link is as follows: https://mystore.collectivegoods. com/Account/SetEventPromo/0000228228

Volunteers Staying Home Safe “Distance is just a test to see how far love can travel”

Sandy and Ed Cable - tending to their farm.

The Pediatric Guild will host their popular Mary’s Spirit Shop Sale In-Store (2109 Gallia Street – Portsmouth) December 14 through December 19, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Virtual Coffee & Quarantine Break

Jo Kennedy and Kathy Blackburn - These two have been blessed to “walk and talk” from the start of the pandemic and are still going strong.

Joyce Payton - in the soy bean field.

Joyce White - baking up a delicious pound cake.

You are invited to join Jenny Lavender on Friday, December 18 at 10:00 a.m. for 30 minutes to connect, encourage, and inspire each other during this time of physical distancing. If interested in participating contact the Volunteer Office at 740-3568234. Please note that we are limiting “Coffee Breaks” to ten people so that all will have the opportunity to chat.

Volunteer Book Club The book chosen to discuss in December is “Eggs on Ice” by Laura Childs. To assist with social distancing guidelines, we are scheduled to discuss the title on December 19 via Messenger. For further information, please contact the Volunteer Office at 740-3568234. Until then – stay safe and remember, you can survive social distancing one book at a time!

Gift Gallery

SOMC Volunteer Elf Is Back!

“I can’t believe the holiday season is finally here! I’m excited to work with Jenny and Sherri again, while bringing you Christmas cheer! I’m also happy to be back with all my volunteer friends and stay until the Christmas season ends. I’ll surprise you every day, as I find a new adventure to display. Remember – I might act a little silly sometimes after a year of building toys – but if it brings a smile to your face, it fills my heart with joy!” – Sadie Snowflake, SOMC Volunteer Elf

Be sure and make the Gift Gallery one of your stops for finding that wonderful gift for someone on your holiday list. Not only does the Gift Gallery offer unique findings, it also offers friendly conversation and warm smiles that definitely brighten up the season!

What’s on the Menu Overnight Pancake Casserole No one wants to spend Christmas morning in the kitchen! This overnight pancake casserole is the perfect solution. Made the night before, all you need to do Christmas morning is add the streusel and pop it in the oven to bake. Breakfast will be ready and on the table before the last bits of paper have been cleared.

Pancakes

Filling

Streusel

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2 cups of flour 2 teaspoons of baking powder One-half teaspoon of salt One-half teaspoon of cinnamon 2 tablespoons of sugar 2 cups of milk 2 eggs 4 tablespoons of butter, melted 1 teaspoon of vanilla

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6 eggs One-and one half cups of milk 1 cup of cream 2 teaspoons of sugar One-Eighth teaspoon of nutmeg

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One-half cup of flour One-fourth cup of brown sugar One teaspoon of cinnamon One-eighth teaspoon of nutmeg 1 tablespoon of butter, softened

Directions: Begin by making the pancakes - combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and sugar. Whisk together the milk, egg, vanilla, and butter and pour the wet ingredients over the dry and whisk just until combined. Cook your pancakes using one-fourth cup of batter per pancake. When ready, cut the pancakes in half and place them cut side down to fill a 9x9 dish. Next make the custard filling by whisking the milk, cream, eggs, sugar and nutmeg. Pour over the pancakes and cover and refrigerate overnight. The following morning, take the casserole out, and prepare the streusel.

Combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, add the melted butter and crumble. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Top the casserole with the streusel and bake for 50 – 60 minutes, making sure the center is set and fully cooked.

A Cup of Christmas Tea

The log was in the fireplace all spiced and set to burn. At last the yearly Christmas race was in the clubhouse turn.

The cards were in the mail, all the gifts beneath the tree, and 30 days reprieve till Visa could catch up with me.

Though smug satisfaction seemed the order of the day, something still was nagging me and would not go away.

A week before, I got a letter from my old great Aunt. It read: “Of course I’ll understand completely if you can’t, but if you find you have some time, how wonderful if we, could have a little chat, and share a cup of Christmas tea.”

She’d had a mild stroke that year which crippled her left side.

Though house bound now my folks had said it hadn’t hurt her pride. They said: “She’d love to see you. What a nice thing it would be, for you to go and maybe have a cup of Christmas tea.”

But boy, I didn’t want to go. Oh, what a bitter pill, to see an old relation and how far she’d gone downhill. I remembered her as vigorous, as funny and as bright. I remembered Christmas Eves when she regaled us half the night. I didn’t want to risk all that. I didn’t want the pain. I didn’t need to be depressed, I didn’t need the strain.

And what about my brother? Why not him? She’s his aunt, too! I thought I had it justified but then before I knew the reasons not to go, I so painstakingly had built, were cracking wide and crumbling in an acid rain of guilt. I put on boots and gloves and cap, shame stinging every pore, and armed with squeegee, sand and map, I went out my front door. I drove in from the suburbs to the older part of town. The pastels of the newer homes gave way to gray and brown. I had that disembodied feeling as the car pulled up and stopped, beside the little wooden house that held the Christmas cup.

How I got up to her door I really couldn’t tell. I watched my hand rise up and press the button of the bell. I waited, aided by my nerves rocking to and fro, and just as I was thinking I should turn around and go – I heard the rattle of the china in the hutch against the wall. The triple beat of two feet and a crutch came down the hall. The clicking of the door latch and the sliding of the bolt and a little swollen toggle popped it open with a jolt, she stood there pale and tiny, looking fragile as an egg. I forced myself from staring at the brace that held her leg. And though her thick bifocals seemed to crack and spread her eyes.

Their milky and refracted depths lit up with young surprise.

“Come in! Come in!” she laughed the words. She took me by the hand, and all my fears dissolved away as if by her command.

We went inside and then before I knew how to react. Before my eyes and ears and nose was Christmas past…alive…intact!

The scent of candied oranges, of cinnamon, and pine. The antique wooden soldiers in their military line. The porcelain nativity I’d always loved so much, the Dresden and the crystal

I’d been told I mustn’t touch. My spirit fairly bolted like a child out of class and danced among the ornaments of calico and glass. Like magic I was six again, deep in a Christmas spell, steeped in the million memories the boy inside knew well.

And here, among old Christmas cards so lovingly displayed. A special place of honor for the ones we kids had made. And there, beside her rocking chair, the center of it all, my great Aunt stood and said, “How nice it was that I had come to call.”

I sat and rattled on about the weather and the flu, she listened very patiently then smiled and said, “What’s new?” Thoughts and words began to flow. I started making sense. I lost the phony breeziness I use when I get tense. She was still passionately interested in everything I did. She was positive. Encouraging.

Like when I was a kid. Simple generalities still sent her into fits. She demanded the specifics, the particulars, the bits.

We talked about the limitations that she’d had to face. She spoke with utter candor and with humor and good grace. Then defying the reality of crutch and straightened knee. On wings of hospitality she flew to brew the tea. I sat alone with feelings that I hadn’t felt in years. I looked around at Christmas through a thick hot blur of tears. And the candles and the holly she’d arranged on every shelf.

The impossibly good cookies she still somehow baked herself. But these rich and tactile memories became quite pale and thin, when measured by the Christmas my great Aunt kept deep within.

Her body halved and nearly spent. But my great Aunt was whole. I saw a Christmas miracle, the triumph of a soul. The triple beat of two feet and a crutch came down the hall. The rattle of the china in the hutch against the wall. She poured two cups, she smiled, and then she handed one to me. And then we settled back and had a cup of Christmas tea.

December Birthdays

Soup Day On November 19, delicious bowls of homemade “Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup” and “Grilled Cheese Sandwiches” were delivered “Curbside” to SOMC Volunteers.

All our Volunteers needed to do was drive up to the Fulton Bldg., call the Volunteer Office and a delicious lunch was delivered to their vehicle “to-go!”

Guild Donates

12/3 12/5 12/1 12/3 12/4 12/7 12/8 12/9 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/12 12/12 12/14 12/14 12/15 12/16 12/16 12/16 12/20 12/21 12/23 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/25 12/25 12/28 12/29 12/31 12/31

Karen Litteral Addison Collins Phyllis Miller Katelyn York Ruth Eckstein Shirley Boyles Daniel Miller Ester Collier Cindy Burke Bonnie Riddlebarger John Jones Fred Bales Kathy Cooper Marilyn Davis Martha Oberley Judy Smith Ann Smith Lora Crabtree Christina Basham Melanie Hawk Jon Lavender Tesia Wagner Joanne Winters Georgene Bussey Linda Crabtree Angela Byers Virginia Hosey Scarlet Tompkins Michaela Rawlins Susan Crawford Sharon Pertuset

Recently the SOMC Pleasure Guild donated $500.00 along with 14 tabletop decorated Christmas trees to SOMC Hospice. The holidays are bittersweet when you have a loved one in hospice, making a traditional time of celebration touched with sadness. However, the Pleasure Guild hopes that this is one way to help those families and their loved one feel a little joy throughout the festive season.

Know Someone Interested In Volunteering? If so, send your friends to our website at http://www.somc.org/employee/volunteering/ so that they can learn about some of the volunteer opportunities that are available. They may also contact the Volunteer Office at 740-356-8234 or email to: lavendej@somc.org

Have You “Liked” Us Yet On Facebook?

If you aren’t already a fan of SOMC’s Facebook page, it’s time to “like” us! We will be posting photos and you just may see yourself in one of the postings!

E-Mail Addresses Wanted Please help SOMC reduce paper waste by signing up for electronic delivery of this newsletter and other volunteer news. Your privacy is valued as e-mail address shall be used for internal purposes only and shall not be distributed to third parties. To sign-up contact the volunteer office at 356-8234 or email us and let us know you’d like to receive our newsletter at lavendej@somc.org

If you would like to receive the newsletter electronically, please call the Volunteer Office with your e-mail address at 356-8234 or send an e-mail request to lavendej@somc.org