Beacon Nov 2023

More documents

Info

Page 4A THE BEACON November 2023 Volunteers from the community worked tirelessly for over a year to make the dream of an unforgettable event on the Guilford Covered Bridge come to life. The event was held to raise awareness and support for the Jail Chemical Addiction Program, JCAP. (Photo by Katie Baker-Sparks) An Elegant Night to Remember for A Community Bridge SICK DAY OR A COUGH? Continued from page 1A gussied up is not my thing. Dresses, make-up, basically anything that highlights me as being a girl… I balk at it. I was also very nervous as my husband was on kid-duty, so I was going solo. As the clock ticked toward half past five o’clock I headed down SR1, not knowing exactly what to expect. All of my expectations were blown away as an evening of enchantment awaited me. The covered bridge that I pass so often looked like something out of a fairy tale. The gorgeous clear blue skies and emerald green backdrop of the trees set the perfect scene. Jim Mansfield greeted all arriving guests sporting a sharp black top hat, posing as Archibald Kennedy, the man who built the bridge in 1879. The Knights of Columbus from St. Teresa, St. Lawrence, and St. Mary who had generously offered to serve the meal that evening stood in tandem lining the entrance. I was relieved to see some people I knew as I was walking in, and their warm and friendly smiles put me at ease. After exchanging pleasantries, I headed to the check-in and received the number of the table at which I would be seated, along with a gigantic rainbow lollipop emblazoned with a number that would come in handy at the upcoming auction. As I entered the covered bridge, my breath was taken away at how it had been transformed. The gorgeous paintings and pictures created by the art students adorned the wooden beams. Pretty soft magenta lights lit up the interior of the bridge, and round tables draped in white tablecloths were decorated with fresh flowers that set such an inviting scene. I was so transfixed in the beautiful sight before me that I forgot to be nervous about sitting at a table with complete strangers. But yet again, Tamara knew what she was doing when she sat me where she did. The Dunevant Family and Hank Ahaus were most welcoming and made me feel right at ease. I settled in to enjoy the next few hours, and enjoy them I truly did. Judge James D. Humphrey served as our gracious host, and Judge Sally McLaughlin LET US HELP –Weekend & Evening Hours– Guests gathered on the Guilford Covered Bridge to support JCAP and share a magical evening accentuated by ambiance, artwork, and camaraderie. shared with us why JCAP is so vital to our community. “The real key to our success is treatment,” Judge McLaughlin explained. She continued that JCAP, “is an evidence-based program that provides individual and group therapy, life skills, peer recovery, and parenting groups. The therapy component particularly trauma care, is so important. Trauma is more apt to be a factor in drug use than we might think. We often see the victims of child neglect, molestation, and abuse that we helped as children coming back to court as adults facing feelings and experiences that they had stuffed that were part of what needed to be addressed but never were. Untreated mental health issues including depression and anxiety are another factor. Others get lost in drugs and adolescent experimentation or after an addiction with prescription pills.” Drug addiction fuels crime as addicts will do anything to get their fix. Many addicts suffer from low self-worth and feel hopeless. Judge McLaughlin stated, “JCAP provides the perfect time to intervene and give hope while keeping the community safe.” She shared how JCAP participants work with Dearborn County’s Prosecutor, Lynn Deddens, to bring educational programs to our area schools. JCAP also works with the library to team up for projects. All of these endeavors help Bob Hrezo and Tamara Taylor shared a moment in support of JCAP. rebuild participants’ self-esteem and teach them life skills. A JCAP graduate bravely spoke to us, her testimony proving to be incredibly powerful. Drugs do not discriminate. What seems like not such a big deal at first usually escalates into something out of control. With what is out there now, sometimes just one time is all it takes and death is staring you right back in the face. She shared that when she started as a participant in JCAP, she was completely lost, broken, and felt hopeless. She testified, “JCAP was life-changing for me. Through JCAP I have learned to cope with situations instead of being impulsive. Before I went through JCAP I would use drugs to numb my pain or to numb anything I was going through to not feel anymore. JCAP taught me how to work through my situations, not just ignore them or push them down. Working with a therapist taught me that Judge McLaughlin shared the journey of JCAP. it’s okay to talk about things and work through things. It’s okay to just be you. When I walked out of there, I was a totally different person. I am a mom now, I am available in my kids’ lives, and I am present emotionally and mentally there. If it wasn’t for JCAP I don’t know where I would be today. I am thankful I went through the program and I am thankful I went to jail. I actually thanked the officer who arrested me that night. Before jail I was in a brokendown apartment, I had no car, no license, and no job. Today I have a full-time job and a part-time job, I own my own home, I have three cars, my kids are well taken care of and I am a good wife.” Boom! We were all treated to a lovely appetizer, a delicious salad and meal, and a scrumptious dessert. Each was paired with a different wine from At the Barn Winery that complimented the taste of the course. Continued on page 5A LOCATED NEAR YOU & OPEN FOR WALK-INS! BATESVILLE, IN 20 Alpine Drive | Batesville, IN 47006 M—F: 8am—7pm Weekends: 9am—3pm HARRISON, OH 620 Ring Road, Suite B | Harrison, OH 45030 M—F: 8am—7pm ACCUDOCURGENTCARE.COM The BEACON - Great News for Great People.
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 7047065_100_seheda_print_ad_ortho_10x19_fa_x1a.pdf 1 5/1/23 5:09 PM November 2023 THE BEACON Page 5A A Community Bridge A C O M M U N I T Y BRIDGE Knights of Columbus from St. Teresa, St. Lawrence, and St. Mary rose to the occasion and served a four-course gourmet meal. The Guilford Covered Bridge was transformed into an elegant structure resplendent with history and symbolism. Continued from page 4A The Knights of Columbus took wonderful care of us all evening long. Judge Aaron Negangard and Attorney Garrett Bascom both spoke on behalf of JCAP. Mr. Bascom shared, “I have had some personal experience with JCAP. Just this year I had a cousin graduate from JCAP. So, I have had family that have gone through the program. I have seen the benefits the JCAP program has had on him.” Dearborn County’s JCAP has also served as a role model for other programs throughout the state like that of Henry County’s JCAP Program. The impact of our county’s program is impacting lives far beyond our county’s borders.” Mr. Bascom talked about growing up in this area and how he distinctly remembered Judge Negangard coming to his school with JCAP participants. “It was a really good thing that Judge Negangard did and that Prosecutor Deddens continues to do because those presentations make an impact on those kids. I can tell you I was one of those kids, and it impacted me. The folks who give those presentations... it means a lot to them to go out there and try to steer kids on the better path.” We are fortunate in this county to have the resources to dedicate to programs like JCAP. As Mr. Bascom stated, “One of the essential elements of this program is having the space to get the people who are serious about treatment away from the people that are just in jail serving out their sentences. When you get folks together that are serious about treatment, you get the progress that we see.” Money for space and treatment is vital. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who have lobbied for this program by spreading the word of its success so that other counties can start similar programs. Mr. Bascom shared some statistics from 2019. “Less than twenty percent of the folks actually came back into the system. From 2007 to 2019 over eight hundred people have been served by JCAP in our community and in other communities where we were able to start additional JCAP facilities.” The delightful evening was capped off by a silent auction and a live auction featuring the work of East Central’s supremely talented art students. An auction of some of the paintings and photos was headed up by the talented brother-and-sister team of Jared Ewbank and Amanda Corsmeier. Mr. Ewbank’s and Mrs. Corsmeier’s warm and fun personalities got everyone on their feet and excited as bidding began! Some bidding wars even arose as numerous generous patrons raised their lollipops in an effort to secure one of the stunning works of art! Of course, proceeds “Is it possible to make my knee feel better without surgery?” benefited JCAP. As we all are well aware, life certainly is not always sunshine and roses. Just as all good things must come to an “Of course. end, the sun set on our fabulous evening, but We’ll find the option the that work best will continue. Drug fits your addiction needs.” is so prevalent in our society Dr. Kevin Bonfield and impacts everyone. Sports Medicine Seeing so many wonderful people in our community come together to support such an important cause was heartwarming. Seeing just how with answers you need. many movers and shakers there are in our community who pound the pavement ev- Do you have questions? ery day, working Visit to stelizabeth.com/AskUs keep this community safe, was inspiring. It’s easy to get caught up in the headlines and feel hopeless, but I can attest that a lot of good people are out there who do care and who strive to make this world a better place. Hats off to my editor, Tamara Taylor, who brought her vision to life through her tireless efforts and thorough resolve. She had a dream to bring her night of enchantment to reality for a cause near and dear to her heart. She made what at first sounded impossible, very possible, and created a bridge to hope. T S - Jason, Fort Thomas, KY HANK YOU to our PONSORS At St. Elizabeth our sports medicine team is here to help you with nonsurgical and physical therapy options—to get you back to what you love doing, quickly. We understand you have questions, and at St. Elizabeth we personalize care Friends of A Community Bridge Jim Mansfield A Friend of A Community Bridge Jay and June Tucker Dinner with Frank(lin) A Bridge to a New Beginning. THE BEACON PUBLISHED MONTHLY SINCE 1994 goBEACONnews.com Teri Belle’s Catering Made from the Heart Engineering, Inc. A Friend of A Community Bridge Kelsey Chevrolet FCN Bank Bill and Judy Yelton Party at Trav’s a COMMUNITYbridge.org 513.444.3776 Get it All at www.goBEACONnews.com
Page 1 and 2: ! M INSIDE The BEACON Diamonds and
Page 3: November 2023 THE BEACON Page 3A Pu
Page 7 and 8: November 2023 THE BEACON Page 7A Ed
Page 9 and 10: By P Jack NSE FROM THE Zoller UBLIS
Page 11 and 12: November 2023 THE BEACON Page 11A F
Page 13 and 14: debbystutz.thebeacon@yahoo.com Nove
Page 15 and 16: November 2023 THE BEACON Page 3B O
Page 17 and 18: November 2023 THE BEACON Page 5B LO
Page 19 and 20: November 2023 THE BEACON Page 7B LA
Page 21 and 22: November 2023 THE BEACON Page 9B GR
Page 23 and 24: November 2023 THE BEACON Page 11B B

Beacon Nov 2023

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?