Please Join Us! Abraham House cordially invites you to:

5th Annual Gala Celebration Friday, October 5, 2012 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

The Blue Flag Room at Hotel Utica 102 Lafayette Street, Utica

Please see details on page 3 Tickets are also available at Abraham House.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

”Don’t Wine, Say Cheese” Saturday, October 13 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Club Monarch Oriskany Boulevard, Yorkville

Please see details on page 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Abraham House’s Festival of

Wreaths Sunday, November 18, 2012

(It is always the Sunday before Thanksgiving) 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Valentino’s Banquet Hall 3899 Oneida Street, New Hartford

Please see details on page 7

Mission Statement

Abraham House is rooted in the philosophy

that we provide our guests with a secure, loving environment

while providing physical care as well as emotional and spiritual support to the terminally ill in our

community with absolutely no financial burden to our guest or

their family.

Newsletter • Fall 2012 1203 Kemble Street • Utica, New York 13501 • Phone: 315.733.8210 • Fax: 315.733.8210 • www.theabrahamhouse.org

Executive Director Patty Shenberger

Medical Director Dr. Roger Moore

Care Coordinators

Barbara Ryczek Sheila Vellone

President

Joseph Saba

Treasurer Stephen Powers

Secretary

Candace Miller

Board of Directors Judith Galimo

Kimberly Kolch Joyce Rossi

Al Shaw Lucy Viti

Kim Witchley

Abraham House Non-Profit Org.1203 Kemble Street U.S. Postage PaidUtica, NY 13501 Utica, NY Permit No. 30

Just like hummingbirds, with the magical whisper of their wings, there is something in our soul that wants to hover at beautiful moments in our lives, making them freeze in time. There is something in us that wants to fly backwards and savor once more the beautiful past. The hummingbird is the messenger of these beautiful moments. We at Abraham House embrace the hummingbird for never losing faith and reminding us of those moments we all want to savor.

Printed by PJ Green, Inc.: Fall 2012

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all.” Emily Dickinson

2

Abraham House is so grateful when individuals or organizations offer to host a fundraiser for us. CNY Roasters approached us about doing the following fundraiser. We hope you will attend to support their wonderful efforts.

“ Don’t Wine... Say Cheese ” Saturday, October 13 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Club Monarch Oriskany Boulevard, Yorkville

Tickets: $20.00 Entertainment provided by Mary Dziekowicz and Ryan Miller; Photography provided by DirtyJerz Images.

Tickets are available at: Abraham House: 1203 Kemble Street, Utica Utica Coffee Roasting Co: 92 Genesee St, Utica The Liquor Loft: New Hartford Shopping Center His and Hers Salon: 70 Genesee St, New Hartford The Queens Closet: 26 Oriskany Blvd, Yorkville For questions, email cnyroasters@hotmail.com or

call Abraham House at 733-8210.

Come and enjoy a night of great wine, cheese and music!

What People are Saying About Abraham House

“Our family felt like we hit the lottery when a bed was available at Abraham House. We are so grateful for what you do.”

“We weren’t sure how my mom was going to react to coming here. She told us though that she feels so comfortable with everybody here. She says that everybody treats her like a queen. Thank you for making my mom feel that way.”

Keep in touch and receive Abraham House updates through Facebook.

By Patty Shenberger, Director What do we mean when we say, “Abraham House: A Welcome home for the Terminally Ill”?Abraham House is based on a model of a family caring for a loved one at home. We treat your loved one the way we would want to be treated-with dignity and compassion. We know that no matter how much a person loves someone, caring for them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week can be emotionally and physically draining. It is our privilege to become the surrogate caregiver for our guests. We welcome guests in a way that they can feel “at home” in their new home. Small, personal belongings are welcomed to bring that home-like feeling to our guest’s room.

Abraham House welcomes all faiths, backgrounds and socio-economic status. Admission to Abraham House is not based on income even though we do not charge for our services. Our surrogate caregivers are staff or volunteers who have been trained to provide quality and compassionate care for our guests. All care is provided through a secure, loving and home-like environment, free of excess noise, intrusive activities and unnecessary medical interventions. The focus is on the guest’s comfort.

We will listen with a caring heart. Our volunteers and staff are great listeners. Everybody has a unique story to be told. We love to learn about who our guests are so we can better care for them. Many people are surprised to feel the warmth of the house when they come in. They expect that it will be heavy with sadness. It is not because we focus on life and not death. Even though there is sadness with the pending death of a loved one, there is also joy still to be had. We can cry with our guests but we also can laugh with them.

We also have a 24 hour open-door policy for family & friends to visit so they can remain close to their loved ones. Family members are welcome to stay in the upstairs apartment free of charge with full kitchen and bathroom amenities.

It is not easy to leave your home but usually people adjust quickly to being here because they feel loved and cared for by everyone. We all do what we do in order to stay true to our mission of being a welcome home for the terminally ill.

Save the Date and Come Join Us for:Abraham House’s Festival of Wreaths

Sunday, November 18, 2012 (It is always the Sunday before Thanksgiving)

12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Valentino’s Banquet Hall 3899 Oneida Street, New Hartford

The Festival of Wreaths features: *Public voting on decorated wreaths (Come vote for your favorites):

Best of Show, Best of Theme, Children’s Choice, & Most Original Silent Auction of designer wreaths, Display & Sale of wreaths

*Kids Korner *Food and Beverages

Designer Wreath Entry Form Bring out your creative self and decorate an artificial or live wreath (your choice).

(Please note: There is no entry fee to submit a wreath)

Wreath designers are responsible for: providing a wreath door hanger (Dollar store hanger is fine) providing at least a 14” artificial or live decorated wreath (your choice) please note: we are not requesting you to provide a tablecloth as in previous years.

Abraham House will provide the tablecloths this year. Ornaments can be made from just about anything: flowers, figurines, ribbon,

snowmen, etc. You can choose a theme associated with your business or family as well as place your business cards/brochures next to your wreath. You can place lights on the wreath, but we will not have electricity during the event for the wreaths.

For businesses or individuals/families to enter your wreath into the Festival of Wreaths, please complete the following and send/bring to Abraham House, 1203 Kemble St. Utica, NY 13501

by Monday, November 12. For questions, please call Abraham House at 733-8210.

Name _____________________________ Organization _____________________________ Phone: ___________

Address ____________________________________ City_____________________ State _______ Zip _______

Name of Wreath Entry (e.g.: “A Critter Christmas”, Deck the Halls) _____________________________________

If wreath is in memory of someone, please identify name of loved one: _____________________________________

Please deliver your wreath between: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 18 at Valentino’s Banquet Hall or by Friday, November 16 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Abraham House located at 1203 Kemble Street, Utica.

Abraham House

5th Annual Gala Celebration

RSVP by September 21st

YES, I/we plan to attend. $75 Gala ticket price x _________ = $_______________

NO, I/we cannot attend but wish to make a tax deductible contribution of

$______________ .

NAME(S)

COMPANY

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE, ZIP

TELEPHONE

EMAIL

Please make checks payable to: Abraham House (315/796-0058)For your convenience, we will accept Visa MasterCard

CARD NUMBER EXP. DATE

SIGNATURE

Complete and return to: Abraham House, Box 435, Utica, NY 13503

The Abraham House

cordially invites you to its

5th Annual Gala Celebrationon Friday, October 5, 2012

Cocktails, Dinner and Dancing

at six o’clock in the evening

The Blue Flag Room at Hotel Utica

102 Lafayette Street

Utica, New York

$75.00 per person

Casual Chic Attire

Live Entertainment

Silent Auction

Live Auction

Open Bar

Gala CommitteeMike Viti, ChairpersonTom & Flo DeSimoneNancy Eannace VitiSylvia HoughMartha Kodsy Brenda Mazza-MajkaMary Theresa QuadraroJoyce RossiLucy VitiKimberly Viti WitchleyMichele Ward

Volunteers are the heart of Abraham House.

Thank you to our youngest volunteers: Caitlin Shenberger, Director’s daughter, who made stress balls to sell to her friends to raise money for Abraham House. Also to Caitlin alongwith Halle Biamonte, daughter of our volunteer, Missy Biamonte who held a yard sale to raise money for Abraham House.

WISH LIST

Baby Wipes Bottled Water (small bottles) Canada Dry Ginger Ale-

(small bottles) Clorox

Clorox Wipes Coffee (not

Instant)Crackers Creamora

Fruit Packs High Efficiency

LaundryDetergent

Ice Melt/Pellets Postage Stamps Utica City Blue

Bags (large)

Gift Cards: Grocery Stores Office Supplies

Hardware Stores

Volunteers

Thank you to Colozzi’s for the

Hummingbird Flag

Thank you to all who attended our first talent show, called “Singing Sensations” on August 10 at Mohawk Valley Community College. We thank Mohawk Valley Community College for providing their theater free for our Talent Show. It was such a beautiful venue to showcase the incredible talent we had in all of the singers. There were 14 amazing singers between the ages of 11 to 18 who competed for the public’s vote for favorite singer. These amazing singers were Olivia Rose Smith, Payton Bird, Marvin Hayes III, Mikayla Scialdone, Kayla McGallian, Alyssa Clayton, Tayler Kochan, Dani Loomis, Matt Larkin, Joey Marmet, Jerrell Howard, Zack Balkcom, Amos Williams, Mary Dziekowicz. We also thank “Energy 10” which included Emily Caswell, Emily Kernan and Caitlin Shenberger who provided entertainment while votes were counted. In the 11-14 age category, the first place winner was Kayla McGallian, 13, from Rome and the second place winner was Alyssa Clayton, 13, from Utica. In the 15-18 age category, the first place winner was Mary Dziekowicz, 18, from Utica and the second place winner was Jerrell Howard, 17, from Ilion. It was also great to see young people become involved in supporting a charity.

Page 6

VolunteerSpotlight:

Welcome To Our New Volunteers:

Tina CaggesePhyllis Card Janice Fiore

Linda Mackos Santina Murine

Joan Varin

Do you want to be a buddy for our guests? No healthcare experienceneeded. We need you! Call 733-8210 for more info. Noobligation!

Thank you to Blooms By

Bogner, New Hartford Shopping

Center for their donations of

annuals for our garden. Our guests have enjoyed the

blooms. Thank you to Kelly

Wolfe and her friends for planting

them all!!!!!!!!!!

We want to express our heartfelt appreciation for the following individuals and businesses who gave monetary donations, household items or services to Abraham House from June 2012 through August 2012. We could not have done itwithout you!

Mary B. Abraham Barbara Acquaviva Samuel J. Adamany Albert Alteri Alliance Bank George F. Aney Kay Arcuri & Family Richard & Shirley Astle Athari & Associates, LLC Michael & Carol Bannigan Carol Barney Barone, Howard & Co. CPA’s , P.C. Michael Barretta Ray & Tina Beck Barbara Beigel Raymond Belfield Francis & Dolores Benedetto Cindy & Dave Benoit Bernice Benson Rosemary H. Benson Billy’s Restaurant, Inc. Marlene & Steve Bogner Mary Bolton Susan Bond John & Joanne Bonvicino William Borrill Joyce Bova Marlene Brown Michael Brown Winnie Buehler Gale Burdick Karen Burdick Dorothy L. Burns Teresa Cackett Frank Calaprise Susan Campanie Franco & Charron Caparello Gerard Capraro Mary Cardinal Luarelia Carlo C.A.R.S. Collision Enrico (Rick) Caruso Chanatry’s Supermarket Rosemary Chruscicki Pat Cichon Shari Cieslinski Citation Services Anthony & Joyce Collea Marie Colosimo Rose B. Comito Kevin & Ameena Copeland I. L. Coroltaliano Bill & Valerie Corrigan Dan Corrigan John & Piper Crawford Barbara Cremer Martha Culan Steven & Doria Critelli Chuck & Lorraine Curri Lorraine Curtis

Eileen Damanda Joseph D’Apice Bruce E. Davis Bob Dawes (Sportsman Club #4) Cheryl Ann DeAngelo Dolores H. Debbold Barbara A. Decker Marlene & Patrick Delpiano Paul & Carol Deubler George DiFabio Anna M. Dispirito Rose Dote Diane Doyle L. Palmer Dutton Mr. & Mrs. Michael C. Dyer Eannace Funeral Home, Inc Ralph Eannace Empire Gymnastics & Fitness, Inc. Luca & Gina Esposito Peter & Barbara Falzarine Joann Fanelli-Babiarz Josephine Fanelli Phyllis Fenton Joseph T. Ficano Phyllis A. Finn John H. Fitzsimmons Patricia Fletcher Yvonne Flihan F.& P. Distributors Mr.& Mrs. Dino Franco Franco’s Pizza Trek Committee of HH Franklin Club John & Ronda Gacek Peter & Margaret Gadziala The Brian A. Gaetano Company, Inc. Lisa Gallimo Judy Galimo GALS Club (Erin Santa Maria) Barbara Galvin Honorable Anthony J. Garramone Santo A. Garro GE Foundation John & Viola Giaquinto Catherine & Anthony Giruzzi, Jr. Julie Giruzzi-Mosca Violet Gladwin Donna D. Goodwin Marion E. Greene Deborah Griffith Paul & Barbara Grimaldi Leonard & Elaine Grucza Cheryl & Joseph Hammond, Jr. Rev. Arthur Hapanowicz Dick & Helen Harrington Phyllis Hasenauer George & Jacqueline Haskell Terrance & Roxann Heintz Carol B. Heschel Joseph & Susan Hodes Bonnie Hoffman Edward Howell Frank Keith Hunt Robert & Janice Hurley Gloria Mary Infusino Irene Jamieson Hattie Joseph Richard & Marilyn Joseph Waddie & Judith Kalil

Rite M. Kanfoush Jennifer Karam Rosemary Kelly George & Nancy Kennedy Felicia Klein David Klos Family Memorial Fund Robert G. Kolb Kimberly A. Kolch Ray Kosiewicz Richard & Mary Kukla Joseph Kukowski Edward Lachut Madeline LaCotera Robert & Jody Lamphere Francis Leo Patricia Leogrande Dolores Lieber & Family Little Italy Imports Dale Lockwood Haircutting Mirella Longeretta Angeline J. Longo Amy Lopez Lisa Lopez Diane G. Lubertine John Lupinski John Lusky M & M Cleaners, Inc. Joyce & Glen MacGregor Anthony A. Marchetta Marie E. Marchetti Daniel Maikis M. Malowicki Joann Mammone Eileen Markis Michael W. Markis Stanley & Patricia Markis Celia Marriott Carole Martin & Family Richard & Jean Matuszewski Jean & John Maziarz Rosalin A. Mazza Joseph Mazzatti Jane B. McLachlan Nunzio S. Melchiorre Eugene Melnyczuk JW Midlam Sue Miller Daniel & Kathleen Mineo Judy Mondi John Monroe Hamid Moosavi, M.D. Donald Morreall June M. Moylan Murad & Murad P.C. Chuck & Carol Murzin Dolores P. Musa Harold & Linda Muthig Ted & Cindy Noon Frank & Mary Noti Joyce. H. Oczkowski Donald Olivadoti Diane & James O’Looney Dr. Bahram Omidian Bob Orsino April M. Paschke Regina & Olivia Patterson Paul’s Provisions, Inc. Mariano & Jeanette Penge

Dan Peters Phaeton Motors, LTD Daniel & Betsy Phillips Janice J. Piacente Douglas & Karen Pirnie Theresa Pitrel Helen Popeo Precision Computer Works, Jonathan Smith Presbytery of Utica Price Chopper Steve Powers James F. Pronteau Christine V. Proulx Ruth Pugliese James F. & Rita B. Quinn Douglas Reardon Mary Lou Ricci Barbara Richards Daniel & Kathy Riecker Chad Riesel Shirley I. Ritzel Carol Roefaro Alan Rosenblum Walt Rosendale Lynette Russo Paul Ryan Barbara Ryczek Cathy Rzeszot & Douglas Prosser Joseph A. Saba, Jr. St. Margaret’s Corporation of Utica Gloria M. Sakran Louise H. Sally Mr & Mrs. Pasquale Santacroce Charles Sardina Douglas & Margaret Saunders Bart Scalise Tony & Connie Scalise Anthony & Teresa Scalzo Maryangela Scalzo Mary M. Schecter Maureen Scoones SEFA for the Valley & Greater Utica Area George T. Sfeir Dr. A.L. & Mrs. Shaheen Albert H. Shaheen, M.D. Caitlin Shenberger Mrs. Robert Sheridan Dave Silvers & Bug Country, WUTQ & Kiss FM Michael Skaly Douglas & Carmella Smith Nancy Smith Cathy Soldato Marie Soldato Sophie Soltys Allan Spence James & Carol Spencer Steet-Toyota-Scion St. John’s Episcopal Church Ralph Stoppiello Gerald F. Sullivan, Sr. William & Eugenia Taft Rose Tanzi Denise Timpano Dominick A. Timpano Gabriel Timpano Dennis & Helene Toczala

Frank & Sandra Trevisani Marcella Turzanski United Way of Central New York United Way Northern Chautauqua County United Way of the Valley & Greater Jetta Utesch Utica Area (Designated Funds) Marian Valeriano Frank & Sheila Vellone Victor V. Vetters James & Frances Vitale Claire M. Van Waes Wal Mart Ken & Carolyn Ward WKTV Staff Richard R. Welchons Mr. & Mrs. Robert Wendler William Wheeler Diane & Richard White Rose White Tim Wilcox Linda J. Wilson Kelly Wolfe Deborah Wood Richard D. Wroblewski Donna Yaghy Lucille Yaghy Francis & Dorothy Zakris Patricia T. Zaleski Ted & Carol Zaniewski Al Zeina Mary Ziemac Jack & Donna Zito Mary Jo Zizzi Josephine W. Zogby Mary T. Zogby Mr. & Mrs. John Zuchowski

To the following organizations that helped us with fund drives for household items held at Chanatry’s Supermarket:

Liberty Mutual Group Personal & Commercial Sales & Service Colgate University Students Hamilton College Students

Thank you to Chanatry’s Supermarket and their generous customers too!

To Caruso’s Pastry Shoppe for their donation of a birthday cake for one of our guests. Their on-going willingness to make events extra special for our guests is heartwarming.

Thank you to Wal-Mart for their $500 grant.

To the following churches for their generous monetary donations: St. Elias Society (St. Louis Gonzaga Church)

Faith in Christ Fellowship Church (John W. Kelly, Pastor)

St. George Church for donating 10% from their Mediterranean Festival which was held on September 8 to honor the care we gave to one of their church members.

To Charles Pankiewicz for generously leaving $15,000 in his will to Abraham House. This generous act helped eliminate the deficit we had been experiencing so far this year. Our thoughts go out to his family.

Though this is not an easy subject to discuss, making a bequest to Abraham House through a will or living trust can ensure that Abraham House continues its mission. A planned gift is a lasting investment in Abraham House. Please consider having a discussion with your legal and tax counsel about making a planned gift.

To our Clam Bake & Music Fest sponsors: Aqua Vino Restaurant and Eannace Funeral Home, Inc. Thank you to our musical performers: Poor Tim, Bryan James & Rosario, Barbershop Belles, Amos Williams, Caitlin Shenberger & our own volunteer, Barbara Wuest.

Thank you to the 103 people who attended this event on July 22 on such a beautiful summer day.

To Dr. A.L. & Ruth Shaheen for donations to fund our Education Coordinator positions. We are so grateful that they recognize the importance of training for our volunteers & staff.

To Alan Rosenblum for hosting a private tour for the Franklin Car Club on August 9 and donating the proceeds to 3 charities one of which was Abraham House. What an amazing car collection!