december 2018

DECEMBER 2018
Bringing about a vibrant community where people lead fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions.
Feathering the Nest, Again
Writer Maya Angelou said, “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer;
it sings because it has a song.”
For Don Morfing of Pickerington, the sound of a bird’s song had become
a comforting part of his daily routine and one that was sorely
missed when his companion, Peaches, passed away.
Morfing befriended the love bird in 2014 at the day center he attended.
When the center announced they would be clearing out all of the animals
from the facility, he was asked if he’d like to take her home.
“I had been attached to her for a while so I wanted to bring her home,”
he said. “I always liked birds but she was my buddy.”
The two were inseparable. It was quite common for Peaches, who had
an open-door policy with her cage, to fly around the house and land on
Morfing’s shoulder where she would sit for quite a while.
“I’d talk to her all the time,” he said. “She did everything I told her. She
liked to hide in my collar when it stormed. I don’t know bird talk but we
understood each other.”
When Morfing, who has occasional seizures,, notice that Peaches had
begun having seizures, he instinctually knew what to do.
“When she’d have a seizure I would hold her in my hand and talk real soft to her until it was done,” he said.
Eventually though, Peaches’ health deteriorated and she passed away last year around Christmas. Morfing’s
brother helped him bury the bird right outside his bedroom window. They marked the grave with mulch and a tiny
cross.
“I check the grave about every day,”
Morfing said. “I miss her a lot but what are
ya gonna do?”
Love birds cost around $100 in area pet
stores and Morfing wasn’t sure he would
be able to afford a new bird. However,
when his ISC, Laura Furry, learned that
the Franklin County Humane Society had
recently rescued several hundred birds
from a Columbus home, things began to
look up. Morfing’s brother contacted the
Society and after some adoption paperwork,
two rounds of physicals and a $30
payment, Don became the proud owner
of two love birds.
“I haven’t named them yet,” he said.
“But they are doing fine and they keep
me company. It’s not the same as
Peaches but I’m glad to have them. I
think Peaches would be glad they’re with
me.”

Lancaster Public Transit
If the décor around the office is any
indication, we are entering the celebratory
season of giving, when we
find ourselves focusing on the wants
and needs of family, friends and
people throughout our community.
As I often remark, the staff at Fairfield
DD is a remarkable group of people who give endlessly
all year long. It's overwhelming. And just when I think our
staff couldn’t possibly have anything left in them to give,
they surprise me.
As you will see on the next page, in the past year employees
have made monumental contributions throughout Fairfield
County. Their holiday spirit is out-of-control this year as
the decorating contest has brought out the competitive
spirit in even the most surprising people. (Speaking of which,
who drew the giant portrait of the Grinch on my door?)
I am so thankful for the Fairfield DD Extended Leadership
Team. Typically, we get together sometime in December to
have lunch and fellowship and to celebrate the season. This
year, the group decided that they wanted to make a difference,
so, instead of just going out to lunch and doing a gift
exchange among our team, one of our team members had
the great idea of doing a give-back. We are scheduled to
have our entire extended leadership team go to Gorsuch
West school on December 4. During the time we are there,
each team member will read to 4 different children, (there
are more than 100 kids in each grade there), and will give
them a free book from the United Way Dolly Parton Imagination
Library. Gorsuch West has the highest number of atrisk
elementary students in the district, as well as the highest
number of reduced/free lunches. Our team will make a significant
impact on these kids as we read and present them
with their free book.
I also need to acknowledge our Board members. It’s no
small task to serve on the Fairfield DD Board and its committees.
Everyone here appreciates the time and commitment
they show not only to us, but to the 1200 people and families
we support.
Finally, I want to thank families and providers that give so
much more than just their time to help people we support
lead fulfilling lives, choose their own paths, contribute to the
community and make Fairfield County a more vibrant
place.
Happy Holidays to All!
As we kick-off this holiday season, the Lancaster-
Fairfield Public Transit (LFPT) will pilot a new Loop on
Saturday, December 1st.
“Thanks to the innovative spirit of LFPT many more
residents of Lancaster can participate in the numerous
exciting holiday happenings around the community“
said Mayor David Scheffler.
The pilot will be a one-day trial from 8:00am-
3:00pm combining stops from our existing loops that
currently operate Monday-Friday.
To utilize this pilot loop, just be at the posted busstop
below (signs at most locations) at least 5
minutes prior to the scheduled stop time. Once you
are on the route, let your driver know at which stop
you will de-boarding the vehicle. Deviated pick-ups
are available within a 3/4-mile radius of the listed
stops by calling at least 24 hours in advance to request
(limit one deviation per hour).
For questions or comments regarding this pilot.
Please call the office (740-681-5086) or email
cwoody@ci.lancaster.oh.us.
- John R. Pekar, Superintendent

Employees at Fairfield DD donated approximately $2,000 in 2018 to
assist with charities. Monies benefitted ALS, Special Olympics Power
Lifting, DSCO Buddy Walk, local veterans, Naumanater Run, Stuff the
Bus and funeral costs for an individual supported by Fairfield DD.
In addition, employees pledged over $11,000 for the Fairfield County
United Way Campaign and 79 boxes, plus money for shipping, for Operation
Christmas Child.
Share the holiday spirit with the Be
a Santa to a Senior® service program!
It’s a way to brighten the
lives of lonely or isolated seniors in
our Community. This program has
touched so many lives in the last
seven years, 60,000 volunteers delivered
more than one million gifts to
660,000 seniors. How the program
works:
1. Area non-profit agencies will
provide the names of lonely or financially
challenged seniors in our
Community, as well as gift ideas for
each senior. Volunteers will write
the first name or code name of
the participating senior and their
gift preferences on a Be a Santa to
a Senior tree gift tag. Each tag
will be placed on the Christmas tree
by program volunteers.
2. Visit a local CVS, (see the list below),
pull a gift tag from the tree,
and purchase the gift(s) for the senior
from the gift ideas listed on
the tag. The gifts and corresponding
tags will be grouped together
and placed safely behind the
counter for the program Volunteers
to regularly collect.
3. Once the gifts are all collected,
we have a community gift wrapping
party that will take place on
December 15th at Mills Memorial
Church (402 N Broad Street, Lancaster).
The gifts will then be
delivered to each participating
senior.
Good Will To ALL
December recognizes National Human Rights Month. This month and every
month to follow, everyone in the United States is encouraged to come together
and stand up for equality, justice, and the dignity of all humans. December
is a time to honor the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an international
document stating the fundamental rights and freedoms to
which all human beings are entitled. These rights include freedom from discrimination,
the right to equality, and the right to be considered innocent
until proven guilty.
Use #NationalHumanRights and #HumanRights to post on social media.
Participating Stores Include:
CVS Stores: • 111 South Memorial
Drive, Lancaster • 1390 West Hunter
Street, Logan • 251 East Broadway,
New Lexington • 1100 Hill Road
North, Pickerington

BIG CHANGES for Community Dance !
Beginning January 11, 2019,
the monthly Community Dance
will move from its location at Forest
Rose School, to a more community-based
location at the Fox
YMCA on 6th Avenue in Lancaster.
The dance, which will be
held from 7 to 8:30 pm, will feature TNT Entertainment who has
been providing music for the dance for nearly a decade. In addition,
light snacks and refreshments will be available.
The change is an exciting one as Fairfield DD continues to encourage
all providers and organizations to strive for community
inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. The dance,
which is open to all people in the community, also builds on the
already strong partnership between Fairfield DD and the Lancaster
YMCA.
“We are looking forward to working together to have a greater
impact on the community,” said Fox YMCA CEO Howard
Long.
A small donation of $1 is encouraged by dance attendees. For
additional information, contact Janie Heston at 740-652-7220 or
jheston@fairfielddd.com.
NOTE: The December Community Dance at Forest Rose School
will be cancelled as we prepare for the upcoming changes.
Scouts Pledge to
Disable the Label
Over 50 area scouts from grades K-6 spent
an evening in November learning about different
types of disabilities and the role every
person plays in understanding and accepting
people of all abilities. Fairfield DD was pleased
to have the opportunity to conduct round table
discussions about the impact labels have
when we apply them to people. Every Scout
left with a Disable the Label button and
pledged to do his or her part in achieving the
mission of seeing people first. What an impressive
group of youth!

New Driving Law—Be Aware
Ohio’s new distracted driving law is now in effect. HB 95
provides for up to a $100 fine for “distracted” drivers that
commit a traffic violation. The $100 fine is in addition to the
fine for the underlying traffic violation (e.g. improper lane
change).
“Distracted” is defined as use of a handheld electronic
wireless communications device; or engaging in activity
that is not necessary for the vehicle's operation and that
impairs, or reasonably would be expected to impair, the
driver's ability to drive safely.
If a motorist completes an online Ohio Department of
Public Safety online distracted driving course and provides
the court proof of completion, they don’t have to pay the
additional “distracted driving” fine.
A summary of HB 95 can be found at: https://
www.legislature.ohio.gov/download?
key=10220&format=pdf
If you drive as part of your duties keep the new distracted
driving law in mind! Review Personnel Policy Manual
Section 3:23 regarding county motor vehicle eligibility and
above all stay safe on the road!
Mall Santas Prepare for
Sensory Needs
Just in time for the holidays, a series of special
events across the country will offer calmer environments
for children with disabilities to enjoy
some one-on-one time with Santa Claus. Participating
Santas have been trained to take cues
from parents and caregivers in order to meet
each child’s individual needs, organizers say.
Some are even knowledgeable in American Sign
Language. Unlike most Santa experiences, families
are asked to reserve a time slot in advance for
the special sensory-friendly events. Then, each
child will be called up individually in order to
avoid waiting in line. Quiet activities will be available
to entertain kids while they wait.
The events are open to anyone with special
needs and families can sign up online to participate
at https://www.autismspeaks.org/santa#OH
We've Got Spirit!

Fairfield DD staff loaded up
the wagons and ventured into
Pioneer Country to put on a
Harvest Day Celebration for
the students at Forest Rose
School. Activities included—
making covered wagons and
log homes, churning butter,
dipping candles, playing with
a teepee, making instruments,
listening to stories, facepainting
and sampling food
from the pioneer era. Many
heartfelt thanks to all who
pulled this together!

795 College Avenue
Lancaster, OH 43130
Contact Us
Temple Custer Montanez, Editor
www.FairfieldDD.com
Administration ...................................................... 740-652-7220
Superintendent ..................................................... 740-652-7220
Services and Supports ......................................... 740-652-7220
Family Support Services ....................................... 740-652-7220
Department of Quality .......................................... 740-652-7235
Forest Rose School .............................................. 740-652-7225
Early Intervention/Birth to 3 ............................... 740-652-7225
Opportunity Center ............................................... 740-652-7230
Art & Clay on Main/Square 7 Coffeehouse ......... 740-653-1755
JobFusion ................................ 614-835-2700 or 740-652-7235
Transportation ...................................................... 740-652-7228
Pickerington Regional Office .. 614-835-2700 or 740-652-7235
Volunteer Opportunities ....................................... 740-652-7220
Our Mission
To bring about a vibrant community
where people lead fulfilling lives and
make meaningful contributions.
Superintendent
Board Members:
Mark Weedy, President
Theresa Nixon, VP
Linda Barber, Sec.
John R. Pekar
Robert Competti
Sharon Scruggs
Sharon Murphy
Elizabeth Burwell