ANNUAL CAMPAIGN OFF TO A FAST START

Our Annual Campaign letter was mailed April 15. As of May 5, 28% of all Fearrington (320 households) has donated, compared to 18% at this time last year. That’s great news! We hope to hear from many more of you over the next few months, as we seek to exceed last year’s total household participation rate of 54%. Maybe the recession really is beginning to end! Or maybe, even better, you like what you are hearing about, and/or receiving in programs and services, from Fearrington Cares. The current breakdown by dollar level to date is:
$1,000 or more – 4 , $300 to $500 – 8
$200 to $250 – 125 , $100 to $175 – 146
Under $100 – 37
If you did not receive a letter, please call the office at 542-6877 and a member of the fundraising committee will personally deliver one. Also, remember that you can contribute by credit card. A number of you have asked for this option, and we have made it possible via our web site. To offer this service we must pay a 2.2% processing fee on each transaction, but the most economical choice for us overall was to use PayPal, which allows you to use any credit card you wish. Go to www.fearringtoncares.org., click on “Donate” and follow the prompts.

VILLAGE VIEW: FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As I complete my first month working with Fearrington Cares, I have a new appreciation for the scope of services and programs we offer. From support groups to lectures on rabies; transportation to changing light bulbs, nursing care to massages; Fearrington Cares provides an amazing range of help and information. Most impressive is the talent and dedication of the volunteers who make all this possible and the skills and professionalism of the staff, Joyce and Pat. In addition, the support so many of you have already given to our Annual Campaign is further indication of the importance of Fearrington Cares to you. Thanks also to all who have made me feel welcome. I look forward to meeting more of you and to helping keep this great program going and growing.
— Anne Kissel, FC Executive Director

AGAINST ALL ODDS: HEALTH CARE REFORM

Why is it so difficult to reform the US health care system? What was in the bill that Congress passed? How will it impact you, your family and other Americans? What did it accomplish and what was left out? We are honored and excited to have Jonathan Oberlander, PhD, UNC Professor in the School of Medicine’s Department of Social Medicine and the School of Public Health’s Department of Health Policy & Management speaking on this important and timely topic on June 10, 7:30 p.m., at the Gathering Place. If you have been following the health care debate, you have likely seen Dr. Oberlander on television news shows or heard him on NPR as he acted as a resident expert on the different iterations of the massive bill. Come hear from someone who has been following this subject for many years and bring your questions.

CAN WE TALK?

Have you had discussions with family members about your plans for care at the end of your life? How can you increase the chances that your directions will be followed?
Many Fearrington residents have completed some type of advance directive (i.e., living will, health care power of attorney), but not all have taken the next step in this process to engage loved ones in thoughtful discussions about what those documents mean. This program will provide suggestions and resources for initiating these difficult conversations. While communicating your wishes for care clearly is important, understanding the feelings and concerns of those you ask to implement your choices is just as critical. Advance care planning is important for all adults so this program will be useful for both younger and retired folks.
Anne Kissel, Fearrington Cares’ new Executive Director, has had extensive experience in end of life planning and care. She will lead a discussion on meaningful conversations with loved ones about your end of life healthcare wishes. Join us at the Gathering Place on June 1 at 7:30 pm for some practical ideas and resources on managing these difficult conversations.

KUDOS TO THREE SPECIAL PEOPLE

Three of our more than 300 volunteers need special attention: Connie Eby, who designed our new Access data base (now in its second year), which allows us to provide meaningful service statistics to the community; Bob Steen, who is our lead System Administrator and solves our office technical problems; and Bob Maarschalkerweerd, who has provided major support in both areas. They have given us hundreds of hours of time and saved us thousands in professional fees.

CHAMPION WALKERS

Jack Brown put in 2,666 miles for the year and Saliann Mao accumulated 2,852 miles. Both know the health benefits of walking. Jack went from 225 to 168 lbs. in two years and walks twice a day. Saliann is a small package of well-toned muscle and walks every day, no matter the weather.
Our challenge for the year was to walk 25,000 miles but the logbook shows only 18,047. This would bring us to the Gilbert Islands in Micronesia. We fell short of the goal but not because people weren’t walking; they just weren’t walking to Fearrington Cares to record their miles! Our Village is beautiful and there is no more healthful way to appreciate that beauty than to get out for a walk.

WANTED: COMPUTER WHIZZES TO JOIN COMPUTER HELP GROUP

This popular service is looking for additional volunteers, especially during the summer vacation season. Those with good computer (Mac or PC) skills are needed. Please contact Anne Kissel at 542-6877 or annekissel@fearringtoncares.org.

LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN/WOMEN

We’re looking for a few folks to serve on the Fearrington Cares Nominating Committee. After an initial meeting in June, much of the work can be done by telephone and email. Our goal is to finish by October 1. The start date for new board members is the Annual Meeting in early February. Board terms are two years. Please contact Kay Hunt at 542-1750 or huntkw@earthlink.net.

CCRC PROGRAM HANDOUTS

If you missed the handouts from the May 3rd program on Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), copies of both the PowerPoint and the CCRC comparisons are available at the Fearrington Cares office. You can also request a copy from the presenter, Attorney Gregory Herman-Giddens, at ghgiddens@trustcounselpa.com.

FC HELPS ALL RESIDENTS

Recently, I went outside to water the flowers. Staring me in the eye was a LARGE 6-foot black snake. Needless to say, I jumped back a few feet. I went back inside to look out at the snake. About that time, a 92 year old patient came into the office and I showed him the snake. He said he liked snakes—this was my lucky day—but it was really the snake’s lucky day! We both went outside and found the snake entangled in the mesh net I had put over the flowers to keep the deer out. And, boy, was he stuck: his body was constricted in several places. My friend grabbed the snake by the head as I cut him free of the mesh. We walked across the street to the woods at Weathersfield and set him free! He looked quite content as he slithered off into the grass. So you see, we care for all residents in need of a little attention! And we will care for you as well if you walk through our door.
—- Joyce Baird, FC Nurse

NEW FC STAFF EMAIL ADDRESSES

FC Nurse- joycebaird@fearringtoncares.org
Exec. Director- annekissel@fearringtoncares.org
Admin. Asst.- patskiver@fearringtoncares.org