For the third year, volunteers worked the Barnes and Noble holiday wrapping station in Williamsburg, Virginia. This is our way to bring awareness of Merica House and additional funds for supporting Merica House. Thanks to all our supporters.
Tuesday, November 6, was Voting Day. Not surprisingly, we have some very opinionated residents at Merica House. They are proud of their ABILITY and right to vote. And quite fortuitously, their apartment building is its own polling location. Voting booths are set up in the lobby and there are many volunteers available to assist anyone who needs some help.
On Tuesday, Dee voted first, on her way out to a morning appointment. She has very strong feelings about politics. Like many in her generation, including my own children, she disagrees with her parents on all her views. We have some fun, teasing moments with each other.
Tuesday afternoon Cathy & Sharita went to vote. They came back reporting that the volunteers were extremely kind and even included some members from their church.
Sharita also has strong feelings about politics. I don’t tease her. She scares me.
Late in the afternoon Alvin asked Cathy & me if he could vote. He & I both remembered that he had completed registering to vote when the Community Services Board had sent him the paperwork to do so. He still seemed a little hesitant so Cathy offered to accompany him. He came back very proud of himself.
As I received a text from Matt saying that he was going to vote with his Dad at home that evening, Joe was brought to my desk by his Physical Therapist. She announced that she was going to help him vote. When Joe returned, he grudgingly allowed me to take a picture of him with his “I Voted” sticker on his shirt.
It’s very inspiring seeing all these residents vote. Knowing a little bit about how much they’ve overcome makes it all the more impactful that they continue not to let their disability stop them from exercising their freedom to vote.
On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, I had the pleasure of watching Five Star Aides celebrate Dee’s birthday. That is “Five Star Home Health,” but they were easily 5-Star Aides in my eyes.
I told the Aides last week that we would have a small party today for Dee, but I haven’t mentioned it since. Three of them came out of the kitchen carrying the birthday cake that Dee’s Mom brought to Merica House for her. One set her cell phone to some music & they began singing a jazzy Happy Birthday, clapping & swaying. Dee had the biggest grin on her face as she was surrounded by the Aides. When I realized I had not taken any pictures, I ran to my phone (camera) & they assembled quickly to start another happy rendition of Happy Birthday!
Cake was cut & served while Dee opened a couple of gifts. One of the Aides disappeared and suddenly returned with one of the maintenance men who is always very kind to Dee and thus has a special place in her heart. He stood smiling at Dee while the Aides went into another singing of Happy Birthday. Jose the maintenance man even joined in. He wished Dee a Happy Birthday & Dee looked like she was about to explode with happiness.
We have spent a lot of time being frustrated with Aides in the past but this group – Loretta, Patience, Zewdwa, Awo, & Victoria, have been a joy to work – and sing with.
Names: Lady in green-Loretta, Burgundy outfit-Victoria, Royal blue-Patience, Lady in black top-Awo, Lady in background in royal blue top-Zewdwa, Lady in gray top-Aida, Gentleman-Jose
It all started when I began shopping for antiques on Facebook’s section called Marketplace. I don’t normally “do” Facebook but, much to my husband’s disappointment, I “do” online shopping as a hobby. And Marketplace is a treasure trove.
Well, one day Cathy saw me shopping during my lunch hour. I was looking at hutches & she said she wished she had a desk hutch in her room but, she said, what she really wanted was a bedroom set where all the pieces matched. Well, that was a challenge to a shopper like myself.
After looking for a week or 2, I came across a beautiful matching set of white furniture. I messaged the seller to find out if it was available. It was. I asked Cathy if she could go halves on the cost with her Mom & she thought she could, so she asked her Mom. Mom, generously agreed to pay 3/4 ths of the cost.
I contacted the seller again & she gave me her husband’s number. I put it in Mike’s hands to arrange where & when. They decided on the 4th weekend in February. We would have to pick it up in Walkersville, Maryland, close to Baltimore. We made it a family outing, packing up our 2 dogs in the backseat of the truck. The drive wasn’t too bad. We stopped at Merica House first to drop off a “new” office desk chair for me. Mine had dropped to the lowest setting the Friday before & wouldn’t raise back up. The “new” chair was my first actual Facebook Marketplace purchase.
After we dropped off my chair, we went to Maryland. The husband was very nice. He and a friend of his helped Mike load the furniture onto our truck & Mike tied it down like a pro while I took the dogs out of the truck for some exercise.
At Merica House our only male aide, Eligi, brought the dolly to us. Eligi was extremely helpful & fast in getting the furniture into Cathy’s room. We left a mess as the female aides began emptying Cathy’s items from her old furniture to her new furniture. Cathy was very excited & anxious to redecorate her room.
In addition to her furniture, Cathy got to hold our Sadie-Lu puppy for a few minutes. They were sweet together.
Cathy, Mike Burkhart & Eligi
We just had Valentines Day at Merica House. Cathy & Alvin went shopping for groceries & came back with a teddy bear & some red roses for me. Cathy gave me a hilarious card with a picture of 2 grown women wearing silly glasses & making silly faces. The inside of the card says “We’re good friends because we share the same high level of maturity & sophistication.” I love it! It describes our relationship perfectly. We laugh at & tease each other constantly. That “sophisticated” relationship has sweetened my years at Merica House. And it’s far better than mine & my husband’s 35 year habit of buying Valentine’s Day gifts & then opting to throw them at each other.
Cathy was feeling sad about not having a valentine honey this year so Sharita presented her with some Shari’s Berries. An Aide who accompanies Maureen on her outings gave all the female residents some candy & a flower. I gave each of the ladies a stuffed animal, cookies for some of the men & a boxed heart full of Reeses miniature cups for Joe.
Below are pictures of Merica House Valentine decorations and some of the valentine gifts we gave each other.
In January one of our great Volunteers, Martin Tillett, took 3 residents to the newly-opened Bible Museum in D.C. Martin rode on MetroAccess with one of the residents while the other 2 residents took a 2nd MetroAccess van.
One of the highlights was a “live exhibit” in which they were shown how the first newspapers were printed. They walked through a set of sculptures showing different stages in Jesus’ life. Alvin said the reenactment of Christ’s crucifixion was very realistic.
Pictures include a photo of Dee with the Capital behind her. This was the first outing she’s had with Martin & Alvin.
Winter 2018
Winter 2018
Spring 2014
Maureen moved to Merica House on March 6, 2007. As to what she likes best about Merica House, she says “It’s like a family.” She 
likes being with Dee, her sister.
Maureen’s favorite activities are going out to eat, shopping, reading books on tape, and “hanging out” with Dee and the other residents. She also participates in church choir. She likes to go to church and she goes to SPARC twice a week.
Maureen’s favorite foods are pizza, chicken patties, rice, and chocolate cake. Her favorite shows are Gilligan’s Island, I Love Lucy, King of Queens, Golden Girls, and The Brady Bunch.
Winter 2018
Spring 2014
Dee likes going to SPARC and the National’s baseball games. When she’s at home at Merica House, she enjoys sitting with Matt, Sharita, Cathy, and Roxane in the family room, watching tennis and game shows like The Price is Right. She also likes listening to music on 91.9 WGTS.
Dee’s favorite foods ar
e pizza, spaghetti, and cake. Her favorite teams are all the Washington sports teams.
Dee had a birthday party at Merica on March 15. She enjoyed her party, especially opening gifts and having friends and family with her. When asked what she likes best about living at Merica House, Dee said she likes living here….”it feels like home with all my friends.”
Fall 2011
On Sunday, Sept 11, 2011, Maureen and I, our brother, Andrew, and his girlfriend Astrid went to a major league baseball game to see the Nationals play the Astros. Before the game, Maureen and I met the broadcasters who announce the games on MASN (TV station). Their names were Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo. We had a great time at the game, except we forgot to get a picture with the broadcasters, so we’re going to do that next year. Good news, the Nationals WON!
Our third successful Barnes and Noble fundraiser took place on December 19, 2017. Friends of Merica House wrapped gifts at the Williamsburg, VA, New Town Barnes and Noble Bookstore. The “elves” worked from 12 to 6 PM and netted a total of $304 in donations.
We had an enjoyable day meeting and greeting people while helping our residents. Plans are being made to do it again next year.
