View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf
Chocolate Day
December 29th
This Christmas season at Bishop Gadsden,
we’ll be celebrating the first anniversary of our
choir, a group that we now couldn’t think of being
without. It might be said that serendipity played a
role in the choir’s initiation. When he was a chef
here, Rob Phillips overheard Chance Scrantom and
Jeannne Herndon speaking of the possibility of
starting a BG choir. Having conducted church and
community choral and orchestral programs for 30
years in Canada, Rob introduced himself to Chance
and Jeanne and told them that he would be glad to
work as choir conductor.
Rob, who started singing in choirs at age six,
had to give up music because he was having hearing
problems with large groups. The BG choir with 12
singers is the perfect size, and
President’s Message 2
Myers Hall 6
Read Cloister 7
Cottages/Apartments 9
Arcadia 9
The Chaplain’s Corner 11
Birthdays/Community News 14
December 2008
Volume 227 GABGABGAB THE GADSDENTHE GADSDENTHE GADSDEN
Don’t
Forget
Celebrate the Gift of our Choir this Christmas Barbara Tuck
Our Choir from the left: Rob Phillips, Jackie Jacobs, Jack Cooper, Chance Scran-
tom, Doris Lifton, Frances Alexander, Jeanne Herndon, June Dickerson, Mary
Louise Turner, Jean Howe and Peggy Cooper.
Cotton
Candy Day
December
7th
Christmas
December
25th
he says that it fills a creative gap for him. At
the same time, Rob’s contribution has given
those in the choir the opportunity to lift their
voices in song to glorify the Lord. As for the
BG congregation, the choir has been a truly
wonderful gift.
This Christmas Eve, the choir will be
singing “The Heavens are Telling” and a spe-
cial arrangement of Amazing Grace done in
counterpoint to Pachelbel’s Canon.
We give Rob, who now works full
time in food service at the VA Hospital, our
thanks for his generosity of spirit. And to the
members of our choir, we extend our thanks
for offering their time and talent to add to
the beauty of the Liturgy in our chapel.
2 View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf
My article this month
is not to be confused with
that of our chaplain although
I am going to refer to scrip-
ture. I think all of us, regard-
less of our particular faith,
become more cognizant of
our many blessings—the
abundance for which we have to be thankful—
during the holiday season which includes Thanks-
giving, Hanukkah and Christmas. We who are
privileged to live and work at Bishop Gadsden—
even amid the changes in the financial, political
and social landscape around us that we may or
may not agree with and that cause us, too, some
degree of anxiety—have far more for which to
be thankful than most in the greater community
and in our world. However, as the Bible teaches
us, “To whom much is given, much is required.”
As the priest at my church read the Gospel
on Sunday, I could not help but reflect on how
Bishop Gadsden, as a community, has responded
to the parable of the Last Judgment wherein
Christ says to those who are to inherit the king-
dom, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I
was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was
President’s Message Bill Trawick
Report to the Gab regarding Treats for Troops
By Dee Garforth
This is a “Thank You” to you, which comes from deep in my heart. On November 10th
, we
mailed around 50-55 priority mail boxes to our service men and women. Our Sit and Stitch Group, led by
Fran Ireland, knitted about 10 helmet caps and 2 scarves for our troops. Great job, ladies!! They also con-
tinue to knit caps for the newborn babies at Roper Hospital.
Donors this year are: Charles B. Luce, John & Lib Hostutler, Herb & Beryl Arnold, Ursula Hola-
han, Larry and Ginny Schroeder, Ray and Muriel Willeford, Frances Carlisle, Larry and Edith Montano,
Art and Jean Howe, Sarah Tipton, Geoff & Jan Place, Kent Freeman, Eleanor Jaskunas, Louise Crosby,
Don and Mary Moore, B. Bower, Taki and Louise Andriadis, Kurt and Joan Wassen, Betty O’Connor,
Joan Bailey, E.K. and Jean Wallace, Bill and Jane Gregory, Herb Scholz, Jack and Jackie Bowe, Libby Wil-
liams, Jennifer Hartig, Marie Putney, Tish Sansbury, Polly Graustein, Bud and Fran Brawner, Katie and
Fred Kelsey, Hank and Lora Moses, Helen Hamer, Ginny Weckel, Mary Louisa Ball, and Bud and Dee
Garforth. If anyone’s name was left off, please forgive me. Bishop Gadsden is a retirement community
with a tremendous sense of Patriotism and a BIG HEART!!! Thank you all again!
MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, & HAPPY NEW YEAR
naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and
you took care of me, I was in prison and you vis-
ited me.”
Bishop Gadsden’s mission states that “we
reach out with a generous spirit.” As we enjoy the
holidays, we can be thankful that we are part of a
community of individuals who believe in this as
an ideal and act upon it in very meaningful ways,
both collectively and individually. Through our
outreach, we have funded and built homes for
two families through Habitat for Humanity, as-
sisted the lowest income senior citizens in the
Charleston area, provided for women leaving
prison to have a safe haven and an opportunity
to build a new life, and given to children with
burns and other illnesses at MUSC. We have re-
membered our service men and women in the
military overseas with clothing and goodies. We
have provided low-cost clothing and housewares
through Eliza’s Attic and gifts through our Village
Shop, both of which support our ministry of resi-
dent assistance. Our resident assistance program
has funded nearly $250,000 this year to those in
financial need. Our excess food is picked up daily
by Crisis Ministries. Our Employee Appreciation
Fund has brightened the holidays of our deserv-
ing staff. Our Employees Help-Continued on Pg. 10
View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf 3
Christmas CHEER? by Nancy Wise
Dear People,
What follows is the gospel truth and, although it isn’t tendered in the form of a ques-tion or a problem, I had to get it off of my chest and y’all are the unfortunate recipients of that need. Today started pretty well, Parkinson’s-Disease-wise. I was able to fix breakfast and feed two hungry golden retrievers as well as three very choosy cats and get the kitchen straightened up before noon. Okay, so I’m slow. Isn’t everyone? I gathered my library book, a covered (and relatively spill-proof) Dr. Pepper, and prepared to settle into my lift chair for a long winter’s nap with my Siamese cat, Blue. But THEN I decided that, since my Christmas tree was up and completely decorated, I’d just waltz on over there and turn it on. That was my first mistake. Leaning over to plug it into a floor outlet, I somehow managed to fall forward into the tree, taking it and me down in a shower of tinsel and decorations. Lollipop, our extremely shy and quite neurotic rescued cat, had been under the tree when it fell and she got tangled up in lights, cords, and other flotsam and jetsam, raising a shriek that would have made a banshee proud. Finally extri-cating herself from the mess, she streaked off down the hall and shot under the bed. Mean-while, the tree and I were having quite a time of it trying to regain our upright positions. The tree had less trouble than I did, but it took both of us a lot of energy and time and when we were both upright, I collapsed in a chair for a short rest because I was barely able to breathe by then. Gasping for breath, I surveyed the damage around me and spotted one of the golden retrievers snacking on a gingerbread man. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I was trying to vacuum the mess in the den when I spotted Lollipop -- who urinates wherever she wants to when she’s upset, coming out of the fireplace, through the little divide in the fire screen cur-tains, where she had just finished urinating on the very expensive gas logs. Not being able to clean it up because the logs are quite porous, I cleverly decided to light the logs (sans cat, of course) and burn the smell out of them. I put all the dogs and cats out and lighted the logs -- which immediately began to fill the house with the worst smell I have ever encoun-tered. The stench was overwhelming even to me -- and I usually can’t smell anything! I left the logs burning, figuring that HAD to work eventually, turned off all of the heat, and began opening windows to air out the house. At that point, Lucy, our black & white adoptee cat, jumped through the window with a bird in her mouth which escaped, coming to roost in the rafters of our 20-foot ceiling. The dogs were jumping & barking, the cats were trying to get to the beams, the horrible smell was still coming from the burning logs, and the windows were still open. My neighbor called to inquire if there was a problem, my cat started throwing up mis-cellaneous unidentifiable animal parts, and the bird fell off the rafter (maybe from heart fail-ure), immediately being caught and swallowed by our male Golden Retriever, Chance, feathers and all. I went to the refrigerator and grabbed a wine bottle plus a nearby aspirin bottle, and fleetingly considered either getting drunk or overdosing. Suffice it to say that it all ended, I didn’t get my nap, the mess got cleaned up, the smell finally cleared out of the house, and I called Curtis to say that I would not be cooking dinner tonight because it had been a really awful day. He decided to stop by for a short visit with Colonel Chicken and arrived home with a bucket of grease and the information that we were having 40 guests that coming Sat-urday night for a “drop in” between 6:00 and 9:00 PM -- which he imagined I’d need to plan for. Oh, yes. One more thing. The dog vomited bird feathers and parts on the new ori-ental rug, but by then Curtis had gotten home, and I magnanimously told him he could clean it up. If any of you have the 800 number for the Witness Protection Program, please send it post haste.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and God bless us everyone.
4 View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf
Adele Grimball 20
Jackie Mappus 20
Bettye Mitchell 20
Peggy Magathan 23
Edna Wiggins 24
Jo An Cushman 25
Martha Ann Heyward 25
Carol Ragsdale 25
Ted Stern 25
Essie Boykin 26
Noel Ferguson 26
Claire Irwin 27
Jim Aichele 27
Ruth Walker 28
Bill Thomas 29
Joyce East 31
Maynard Pearlstine 31
Larry Schroeder 31
Bess Burrows 1
Clarice Foster 4
Fran Pfaff 4
Jarvis Egan 6
Michael Hazzard 9
Gordon Lyle 10
Dick McLaren 11
Molly Stender 12
Joan Middleton 13
John Smith 13
Bob Clement 14
Marion Jones 14
Corinne Petit 15
Frances Brawner 15
Elizabeth S. Williams 15
Margaret Williams 15
Joan Hubbard 16
Nancy Attaway 16
Charlie Luce 17
Planning for 2009 - Your Help Will be Needed! Kimberly Farfone, Director of Development & Public Relations
December Birthdays!
The Office of Development & PR wishes
to express our thanks to those who helped us
meet the need for resident assistance in 2008.
The challenge was set and through your
monthly giving, your contributions to our Moth-
ers and Fathers Day Appeal, memorial contribu-
tions and your other acts of generosity through-
out the year, you raised an estimated $250,000,
this allowed for the BG Resident Assistance Fund
to support nine of your fellow residents.
Now, as we plan for 2009, it is clear that
our challenge will be even greater. Just as each
of you may be affected by the instability in our
economy, we believe that the need for 2009
will grow by an estimated 20%. Therefore, our
goal will be to raise $330,000.
Your help will be needed in 2009, and
we would like to ask you to consider any of the
following options which would be a great help
to us and our ministry of resident assistance.
You can make a donation now if you choose.
~If you are a resident, you can submit your
2009 Monthly Giving Form (sent to you the first
week of December) that will allow you to
spread your gift out through the year.
~Follow the lead of fellow residents, and take
all or a portion of your 3% credit and donate it
back to the Resident Assistance Fund.
~If you are 70 ½, you can make a charitable
gift directly from your IRA of up to $100,000
per year without any tax penalty.
~You can also contribute to the Guerry Endow-
ment (supports the Resident Assistance Fund) by
setting up a Charitable Gift Annuity with BG.
As always, any gift is most appreciated.
While uncertainty in the financial markets has
affected everyone, we must ensure that we are
able to keep current residents here at Bishop
Gadsden. Please plan to support this most im-
portant aspect of our ministry in 2009. If you
should have any questions or would like to dis-
cuss any of the options outlined above, please
contact me at 406-6334, or stop by my office
located across from Blackmer Hall.
The Office of Development & Public Re-
lations wishes you and your family a very
blessed Christmas Season and thanks you again
for your generosity throughout 2008.
View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf 5
Jackie Jacobs recently received the Mag-nolia Award at the Coastal Carolina Fair in honor of her contribution to the Magnolia Chap-ter of the Embroiderers Guild. Her chapter de-cided to honor her this year by displaying the steps Jackie used in order to achieve this title and certification of A Master Craftsman. The dis-play educated the public on Jackie’s personal aspirations towards this achievement by show-ing how comprehensive this process can be. Jackie has described in her own words below the steps she took to obtain this goal: When considering the Master Crafts-men’s Program, I was made aware that obtain-ing this recognition would require 6 projects over a span of 6 to 8 years. I started this adventure in May 1987 and finished it in April 1994. Since my primary interest was in canvas
embroidery, I se-lected Canvas I from a list offered for achieving Master Crafts-men for the Em-broiderers’ Guild of America, Inc. (EGA). With the Canvas I selec-tion it was also re comm end ed that I take two a d d i t i o n a l courses. These c o u r s e s were: Design
Master Craftsman & BG Resident receives honor from the Embroiderers Guild of America
and Color. I was assigned Ann Harris as my teacher. Once I began the Master Craftsman process, I worked on Canvas I and Color courses simultaneously. After finishing the Color course I then continued with the Design course. My notebooks for both Color and De-sign courses are included. They are the ones shown in the cases with the rainbow design on the cover. The Canvas I project included 6 different steps ranging from a simple canvas and be-coming more complex through the steps of the program. The final canvas, project #6, - Rosie the Camel (shown in the case) was considered my masterpiece. Rosie the Camel was an origi-nal design. I created the design on the canvas and then stitched the design according to cer-tain specifications given to me by the teach-ers. Each of the 6 steps were judged by 3 dif-ferent teachers who specialized in Canvas Em-broidery. Each teacher graded the project with a pass, fail or pass w/corrections. If the project received a PASS, then I went to the next pro-ject. If the project received a pass w/corrections, I needed to make the requested changes in the project and resubmit the project to be graded. Once the project was approved by the three teachers, I was sent the subse-quent project.
Jackie’s
chapter
showcased
her work
at the
Coastal
Carolina
Fair.
6 View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf
Myers Hall Calendar Cynthia Marterre
Dec 4 We’ll be trimming our Christmas Tree in the Myers Hall Living Room. Come help us!
Dec 6 Gary West will present a concert of seasonal favorites for your enjoyment.
Dec 7 Lessons and Carols will be shared by the Grace Church Choir in our Chapel.
Dec 9 An Afternoon of Art with Mindy. All supplies are provided — just bring your creativity.
Dec 10 Trip to The Church of the Good Shepherd for seasonal music and a delicious luncheon.
Dec 12 The Advisory Council hosts their annual Christmas Party for Myers Hall residents. Let’s
show them our appreciation for all they do for us by attending.
Dec 16 Kay and Duncan Weeks return to share a Holiday Concert of duets. Don’t miss them!
Dec 16 Trip to see the Holiday Festival of Lights at the James Island County Park. Please sign up.
Dec 18 Current Events discussion with our faithful volunteer Noel Ferguson. It’s always interesting.
Dec 20 The Youth Group from St. Philip’s Church will visit to spread some Christmas cheer.
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Eucharist Service led by Father Frank Russ in our Chapel.
Dec 29 Christmas Afterglow in the Living Room around our beautiful Christmas tree.
Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Party in the Frederick
Dining Room with fun for all! Our theme
is “Roaring 20’s” so put on your beads &
feathers and join us as we ring in 2009!
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR WEEKLY
AND DAILY SCHEDULES FOR MORE.
The Friday afternoon Happy Hours for Myers
Hall, the Cloister & Arcadia residents were
cosponsored by Holy Communion and Holy
Trinity during the month of November. The
delicious treats served by the volunteers were a
hit with everybody. Thanks so much!
Shoeboxes for Operation
Christmas Child Myers Hall residents filled 22 shoeboxes to
donate to Samaritan’s Purse for their Opera-
tion Christmas Child project. Dolls, balls,
socks and lots of love are packed in and sent
to children around the world. Thanks to all
who donated their time and money to help us
accomplish our annual endeavor. Pictured are
Jenny Juhasz and Ann Zlatoper (top left),
Carrie Stegall (bottom left) and Nell Gunter
(top right). We truly agree with Ethel Van
Deusen Humiston as she wrote:
I surely wish with all my heart,
This day of Jesus’ birth,
That peace and love and happiness
Soon cover all the earth.
View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf 7
Fall into Fashion
Residents and staff alike enjoyed the Eliza’s Attic Fall Fashion Show on November 12. Models pictured
above L-R are our very own BG employees: Perry from Environmental Services, Jennifer from Wellness
Center and Terry Sue in Dining Services. They are looking sharp and ready for the Fall Season.
REMINDER TO OUR CLOISTER FAMILIES
Please RSVP for the Holiday Dinner on 12/11 by 12/4. You may call Christy at 406.6272 or Carol at
406.2359. We hope to hear from you soon!
On the left is a snapshot from
our Employees Helping Employ-
ees Bake Sale Fundraiser. Tasty
Treats were made by residents,
families and staff and enjoyed by
ALL.
Happy Fall Ya’ll
Pictured right are Erl Hoefler
from Myers Hall with Belle en-
joying a front row seat at the
Eliza’s Attic Fall Fashion Show.
Read Cloister Christy Smith
8 View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf
Meet the Staff: Susan Gallo Taki Andriadis
Have you [m]Powered Today? Jennifer Hartig
Medical research studies conducted over the past decade
conclude that seniors who consistently engage in rigorous cogni-
tive exercise over the long term can reduce their risk of demen-
tia by as much as 63%. Developed just for seniors, the
[m]Power cognitive fitness system transforms standardized neu-
rological tests and exercises into highly produced, truly compel-
ling and really fun games in six cognitive domains. [m]Power takes the hassle out of brain fit-
ness. It self-adjusts the level of challenge in real time, so players are always at the optimal
level-always stimulating but never too difficult or too easy.
Stop by the Lewis Fitness Center between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday through Fri-
day to try the [m]Power. If you try it and like it, we’ll set you up with your own profile that
will customize a program for your cognitive level. This
is another great advantage of life here at Bishop Gads-
den, as this program was donated by a generous family
as part of our variety of wellness programs offered.
The system is very user-friendly, so even if you have no
computer experience you will be a pro in no time!
Susan Gallo is our new Human Resources
Director. She was born in Wilson, NC and comes
from a family of North Carolini-
ans. Her father was a tobacco
grower and trader traveling
around the world selling and
buying tobacco.
Susan graduated from
Peace Junior College majoring in
Psychology. She later attended
UNC at Chapel Hill where she
received her Bachelor of Arts de-
gree in Psychology.
After graduation, Susan
joined the Aston Johnston Company, in
N. Charleston which manufactures paper machine
clothing. Initially, Susan planned to stay for six
months, but she stayed for more than 18 years.
She joined Bishop Gadsden in October 2008. As
Human Resources Director, she will be responsi-
ble for employment of staff, compensation and
benefits, succession planning and many others.
Susan’s husband Steve was born in
Charleston and graduated from Clemson with
an engineering degree. He is
now employed by the Robert
Bosch Company, located in
North Charleston which makes
products for the automotive in-
dustry, such as anti-lock braking
systems and fuel injectors.
The Gallos have two
young children - Gavin, eight
months old and Georgia, three
years old. They attend Ashley
River Baptist Elementary School.
Susan is very happy in her new job. She
finds the atmosphere at Bishop Gadsden very
friendly and the management and staff very co-
operative and supportive.
We welcome Susan Gallo and wish her
success in her new position.
View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf 9
Compliments and Thanks to
BG Rehab.
Two weeks after a total knee replacement, I went back to
my surgeon for a follow-up visit, and he was very
impressed with my progress and the rehab treatment I had
received at BG Rehab. He said that after two weeks, I was
as far along as some of his clients have been at 6 wks. This
is a real testimonial to the job that Lucy and Mark do.
Mason Alexander
November was packed with incredible outings as the Charleston Concert Association began its
season, bringing us the Warsaw Philharmonic. Many of you have commented to me that it far
exceeded any other concert you have ever attended. Many insightful programs were held here during
the past month including talks with Gibbes Art Museum Executive Director, Angela Mack, College of
Charleston’s art history expert, Michael Haga and the Shepherd’s Center programs. Our month not
only ended with many thanks, but with many laughs shared at the quarterly birthday party.
This holiday season will be felt throughout our community with activities and events scheduled
for December. Outings include the Vienna Boys Choir, Citadel Candlelight Service, CSO Gospel Choir,
“A Christmas in Wales” and many trips to the James Island County Park to see the Christmas lights.
Jack Cooper is our host for the outings to the park and shares with us his knowledge of the displays,
providing us with a very special insight into the history and particulars of each. We also have many
programs at Bishop Gadsden which are sure to be inspiring, including the Tree Trimming, Christmas
Carols with Frances Carlisle and Nelloise Disney, and Andrew Armstrong’s performance in the Chapel.
Please be sure to check the weekly activity calendar for a list of these, plus more information
regarding activities at Bishop Gadsden Apartments and Cottages.
Arcadia Close Kay Jenkins
Activities: Apartment & Cottages Gail Strickland
The Christmas season in Arcadia Close will begin with a bang! The Family Christmas Dinner will
be on December 4th
with delicious food from Dining Services and music by pianist Lawson Roberts. The
festivities this year will include a drive through the light show at the James Island County Park, a tree-
trimming Happy Hour with the Cloister, caroling, an Andrew Armstrong concert, Lessons and Carols,
Gary West, Olde Pipes Consort, the Bel Canto Christmas Chorus, and many performances by children.
Check the calendar on our website and join
your resident for some of the activities.
We will not have a family
meeting in December during the busy season.
Look for a mailing before January with dates
for the 2009 meetings.
10 View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf
Frank Saltarelli has lived at Bishop Gadsden for only six months and is already a Bocce Cham-
pion. He was born in Jamestown, NY, and went to the University of Buffalo before joining the Navy
where he was a pilot in the Pacific Theatre before the war.
Frank’s career with General Motors took him to many cities including Pittsburgh, PA, where he
met his wife Dorothy. They were married for 41 years. He has been a widower for several years.
Frank is a swimmer and loves to hike in the Rockies. He travels a lot and plans to spend Christmas in
Boulder, CO. With a name like Saltarelli, he thinks people might be surprised to know that his father
was a Baptist Minister for 50 years, and his grandfather started the first Italian Baptist Church in the
United States in 1870.
Frank finds Bishop Gadsden a cheerful place with something to do all the time. He likes happy
hour and the movies. His philosophy is to enjoy life to the fullest and try to see the best in every-
thing. He has only one problem - he says he is getting too fat.
Born in Louisiana, Dr. John Coussons was
ready to get his Masters in History when he was
mobilized in the Naval Reserve during the Korean
War. He went to OCS and served for more than
three years. Back at LSU, John had already taken a
job with West Texas State when Dr. Davis, head
of the History Dep’t, called him into his office. Dr.
Davis had just read an article about General Mark
W. Clark taking over at the Citadel in the Christ-
mas issue of Life Magazine, and he thought an
opening in the History Dep’t at the Citadel was
just made for John.
So on the July 4th weekend of 1952, John
first came to Charleston. He stayed at the Francis
Marion Hotel for $5 a night, and his first impres-
sion of the city was that “the paint people hadn’t
found this place.” But when he entered Bond Hall
at the Citadel and saw a cannon with a plaque
that said it “had been fired into the city by the
Abolitionist Fleet and returned to the Citadel by
the Secretary of the Navy under Woodrow Wil-
son,” the history buff in John was intrigued, and
he took the job.
Except for several years of absence while
John went back to LSU to earn his PhD and when
he was recalled into the Naval Reserve once
more, John called The Citadel home. He became
head of the History Dep’t there and “loved every
minute of it.” After teaching at the Citadel for so
many years, John has lots of surrogate children.
New Resident: John Coussons Barbara Tuck
New Resident: Frank Saltarelli Marilou Watts
Please join us for our annual Tree trim-
ming December 4th at 4:30 in the Gussen-
hoven Living Room. If you would like to
donate an old Christmas Ornament to our
collection, please bring it with you to our
gathering. Hope to see everyone there!
ing Employees Fund has assisted co-workers in
times of unexpected financial setbacks. The acts
of kindness and generosity go on and on, some
known, many more unknown.
There is no way for us to say “Thanks be to
God” enough as our blessings are too abundant
and too profound for us even to imagine. How-
ever, as we enter this season of thanksgiving, just
to be part of a community that acknowledges
both its many blessings and believes in “reaching
out with a generous spirit” feels like a good place
to be.
President’s Message continued from Page 2
View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf 11
warm them. "Poor fellow, he must be half fro-
zen," thought Martin. Opening the door he
called out to him, "Come in, my friend, and
warm yourself, and drink a cup of hot tea." And
the man gratefully accepted the invitation.
An hour passed, and Martin saw a young,
miserably clothed woman carrying a baby. She
paused wearily to rest in the shelter of his door-
way. The heart of the old cobbler was touched.
Quickly he flung open the door.
"Come in and warm yourself while you
rest, you do not look well," he remarked.
"I am going to the hospital. I hope they
will take me in and my baby boy," she explained.
"My husband is at sea, and I am ill, without a
soul."
"Poor child!" cried Father Martin. "You
must eat something while you are getting warm.
No, then let me give a cup of milk to the little
one. Ah! What a bright, pretty fellow he is! Why,
you have put no shoes on him!"
"I have no shoes for him," sighed the
mother sadly. "Then he shall have this lovely pair
I finished yesterday." And Father Martin took
down from the shelf the soft little snow-white
shoes he had admired the evening before. He
slipped them on the child's feet...they fit per-
fectly. And shortly the poor young mother left,
two shoes in her hand and tearful with gratitude.
And Father Martin resumed his post at the
window. Hour after hour went by, and although
many people passed his window, and many
needy souls shared his hospitality, the expected
Guest did not appear.
"It was only a dream," he sighed, with a
heavy heart. "I did not believe; but he has not
come."
Suddenly, so it seemed to his weary eyes,
the room was flooded with a strange light. And
to the cobbler's astonished vision, there appeared
before him, one by one, the poor street-sweeper,
the sick mother and her child,
We will soon celebrate the
mystery of the Incarnation—
God taking on the flesh of our
humanity in the person of Je-
sus Christ. I’d like to share a
favorite Christmas story with
you that illustrates the miracle
of the Incarnation in our
world today.
There once lived in the city of Marseilles
an old shoemaker, loved and honored by his
neighbors who affectionately called him, "Father
Martin".
One Christmas Eve, as he sat alone in his
little shop reading of the visit of the Wise Men to
the infant Jesus, and of the gifts they brought, he
said to himself, "If tomorrow were the first Christ-
mas, and if Jesus were to be born in Marseilles
this night, I know what I would give Him!" He
rose from his stool and took from a shelf over-
head two tiny shoes of softest snow-white
leather, with bright silver buckles. "I would give
Him these, my finest work."
Replacing the shoes, he blew out the can-
dle and retired to rest. Hardly had he closed his
eyes, it seemed, when he heard a voice call his
name..."Martin! Martin!"
Intuitively he felt a presence. Then the
voice spoke again..."Martin, you have wished to
see Me. Tomorrow, I shall pass by your window.
If you see Me, and bid Me enter, I shall be your
guest at your table."
Father Martin did not sleep that night for
joy. And before it was yet dawn, he rose and
swept and tidied up his little shop. He spread
fresh sand upon the floor and wreathed green
boughs of fir along the rafters. On the spotless
linen-covered table, he placed a loaf of white
bread, a jar of honey and a pitcher of milk, and
over the fire he hung a pot of tea. Then he took
up his patient vigil at the window.
Presently he saw an old street-sweeper
pass by, blowing upon his thin, gnarled hands to
The Cobbler and His Guest Father Frank Russ
Continued on Pg. 12
12 View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf
Special Holiday Services in the Chapel
~Sunday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m. - A Festival of
Lessons and Carols with the St. Gregory Choir of
Grace Episcopal Church, Dr. Scott Bennett, director.
The Rev. Canon Michael Wright, rector will be the
officiant.
~Christmas Eve, December 24 at 4:30 p.m. - Festi-
val Celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Carol singing
will begin at 4:00 p.m.
If you would like to give
poinsettias or wreaths in honor or
in memory of someone special,
order forms are available on Sun-
days at the chapel, or you may call
Rosa Barnes at 406-2467.
and all the people whom he had aided during the
day. And each smiled at him and said, "Have you
not seen me? Did I not sit at your table?" Then
they vanished.
At last, out of the silence, Father Martin
heard again the gentle voice repeating the old
familiar words. "Whosoever shall receive one such
in My name, receiveth Me...for I was hungry, and
ye gave Me meat; I was athirst, and ye gave Me
drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in...verily
I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these, ye have done it unto
Me" (from Matthew chapter 25).Have a joyous
and blessed Christmas! Share the spirit of the sea-
son with someone.
Cobbler story continued from Page 11
THE MUSC SENIOR MENTOR PROGRAM
We are looking for new mentors for first year medical students. In 2007 enough
BG residents volunteered to serve as mentors for almost an entire class of first-
year medical students. The program is recruiting mentors now for January 2009.
Deronda Corbin will be at BG on Monday, December 15 at 4pm in Blackmer
Hall to answer questions and sign you up. You can contact Deronda at (843) 792-
3699 or visit the Center on Aging Website, www.musc.edu/aging/ for more in-
formation. Margaret Kunes will also have information about this program and
you can stop by her office or reach her by calling 406-2454.
WHAT IS THE SENIOR MENTOR PROGRAM?
The Senior Mentor Program is a volunteer program that connects medical students from the Medical University of South Carolina with people aged 65 years and older living in the greater Charleston, SC area. The goals of the program are:
To encourage medical students to have positive attitudes about car-
ing for older adults.
To help reduce stereotypes about aging.
To improve the way future doctors care for older persons.
View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf 13
Janet Richardson
January 5, 1931 ~ October 31, 2008
Dr. EK Wallace
August 16, 1923 ~ November 14, 2008
Diane Piet
June 2, 1932 ~ November 10, 2008
IN LOVING MEMORY
Notice:
Phone solicitations are likely to
pick up as the holiday season has
arrived and we are approaching the
end of the year. Remember not to
conduct business over the phone. It
is always better to request printed
materials. And if it sounds too
good to be true most likely it is.
Always consult a friend or family
member before
making a dona-
tion or pur-
chase from an
unfamiliar or-
ganization.
Do you Still Need to
buy Christmas Cards?
You do not have to leave Bishop
Gadsden or fight the crowds:
Christmas cards, designed by Bishop
Gadsden residents, are available at
the Village Shop and Eliza’s Attic.
Cost is only $10 per package of
10 cards and envelopes.
All proceeds from the sale of the
cards go to the Resident
Assistance Fund.
Book Review by Marilou Watts Bishop Gadsden is a community of readers.
Our library is a busy place. Therefore, most folks
here are glad to hear of a wonderful book that is fun,
easy to read and enriches our lives. The book to read is The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean.
Marina, an elderly Russian woman who has raised her family and lived in America for many
years, now has trouble with her memory from minute to minute. Her mind takes her back to her
youth in Leningrad where she was a docent in the Hermitage. While she struggles with the here and
now, her grandchild’s wedding in the present, her mind takes us on a tour of the Hermitage and a
description of the marvelous art there. She remembers the hardships of 1941 when Leningrad was be-
sieged by the Germans and how she and her lover were reunited after being separated by the war.
We get a glimpse of the Hermitage and a little history of WWII. The love and support of her
daughter and husband will be an inspiration to us all as we read this beautifully written and well-
crafted book.
Dr. Bill Logothetis
November 8, 1931 ~ November 25, 2008
Elephare Zimmerman
July 10, 1921 ~ November 28, 2008
Dr. Charlie Jumper
November 4, 1934~ November 29, 2008
14 View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf
No Meetings
this Month!
Apt/ Cottages
Peter & Anne Moss 15 795-5010
Myers Hall
Charlie Drayton 1062 406-6364
Update Meetings
elcome
Jack and Peggy Cooper first became volunteers at
James Island County Park a dozen years ago as Campground
Hosts for three months of the year. That evolved into being
volunteers for the Holiday Festival of Lights which began
modestly and now has 300 light displays all designed (and
some animated) by artist Rich Robb. It takes five or six weeks for volunteers from around the
country to prepare the displays (with two million bulbs), and after all this time, Jack says it’s a new
thrill each year when the lights are turned on.
Dubbed Low Jack now because he sits on a walker or stool while changing bulbs, Jack says
he’s just loved being part of it all. The star of the show, in his opinion, is the Ravenel Bridge dis-
play, with lights going from the new bridge to the old bridges behind it—“It just brings tears to
your eyes,” says Jack.
Jack describes the details of the displays on bus rides through the park. Be sure to sign up.
Come Celebrate Chanukah at
Bishop Gadsden The first night of Chanukah is Sunday, December 21. On that day, at Sunday Brunch, not only will brisket be on the Buffet, but the Action Station will be preparing latkes (potato pancakes).
Since Chanukah is the celebration of the miracle of a little bit of oil lasting eight days and nights, tradi-tional foods for this holiday are cooked in oil, like the latkes. If you have not ever eaten a latke you are in for a special treat.
Then on Tuesday evening, December 23, we will light the Bishop Gadsden menorah in the Gus-senhoven Living Room at 5:15 pm. Everyone is invited to join in this fun ceremony, hear about tradi-
tional prayers, songs and games. So plan on enjoying the food and all the traditions.
Jack Cooper’s long connection with the Holiday
estival o
f igh
ts
By: Barbara Tuck
View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf 15
This year I resolve to buy new bedroom shoes. I want the kind that look like my feet are
being eaten by huge, mutant rabbits.
This year I promise to stop going to the jewelry store for breakfast.
I propose a “beef cake” calendar this year, one that will photograph the most handsome
men at Bishop Gadsden. In Speedos.
Instead of traveling to Paris or Rome, which have been overdone in my experience, I plan to lead elderly groups through interesting trouble spots of the world. We will visit any number of foreign capitals in the process of bloody coups, wars, and/or other power struggles. Insertion will be by air; we will fly over the trouble spots and push
you out. Parachutes will be provided, but they will carry an additional surcharge.
Another resolution on my list is to bungee jump from the railroad bridge which sepa-rates Zaire from Zimbabwe. Nobody ever tries it except crazy Americans. If the jump
doesn’t kill you, the rebel sharpshooters will.
I promise to ask my friends to stop swimming in the Pineapple Fountain.
I promise to stop trying to push my rolls of flab into girdles and any other kind of
“shape wear.” If God had intended me to have a shape, he would have given me one.
In the year 2009, I plan to go to McDonalds and order champagne with my
fries. Heck! I’ll probably wear my new Rabbit slippers.
Also, this year I intend to have Comcast block all political programming for the next
century-- unless it's a political penguin.
Research indicates that pets lower blood pressure so I intend to present Bishop Gadsden with a whole herd of tap-dancing penguins in rabbit slippers. Ten percent of all proceeds will go to needy pen-
guins who don’t have any rabbit slippers.
By Nancy Wise
16 View the Gab in color on-line at www.bishopgadsden.org/GAB.pdf
Don’t Forget Eliza’s Attic!
Please remember Eliza’s Attic
(BG’s Thrift Store) takes ALL
household goods. We will take
and sort through anything - so
when you’re cleaning out your closet or
making room for those new Christmas
presents, don’t forget to give us a call. If
you have any questions, please call
Martha Roberts at 795-7996.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID Permit #032
Charleston, S.C.
http://www.bishopgadsden.org
The Gadsden Gab is a monthly publication written by and for the residents of Bishop Gadsden. Submissions are welcomed from all residents and are used on a space-available basis. Committee members are:
Barbara Tuck, Editor
Tommy Thorne Suzanne Mersereau Caroline Meyer
Joan Knauer Dan McKnight Marilou Watts
Kent Freeman Goodie DiRaddo,
Photographer Katie Jayne,
Managing Editor Taki Andriadis
There is interest in
starting a Chess Club.
If you are a chess
player, please contact
Mindy Crawford at
406-6647.