Month: October 2014

Some members of the Hopewell staff attended New York’s Chautauqua Institution to hear Dr. Weinberger speak about his research on the role of abnormal brain development as a risk factor for Schizophrenia.

Dr. Weinberger’s lab has recently identified the first specific genetic mechanism of risk for schizophrenia, and the first genetic effects that account for variation in specific human cognitive functions and in human temperament.This research is especially interesting for our clinical staff. Hopewell outcome studies have discovered that the Therapeutic Farm Community model of treatment is effective in reducing the severity of symptoms associated with Schizophrenia.

After listening to his cutting edge presentation, some of the staff was able to join extraordinary ambassadors, advocates and philanthropists Jim and Kathy Pender for a delicious lunch and touching conversation.

A couple weeks ago, we were blessed with a nice, warm day, so what better to do than gather the residents and staff and get creative while tie-dying shirts?

Hopewell purchased white t-shirts for participants to design to their liking. We used a high quality commercial solution that consisted of 14 different vibrant colors. The residents followed templates to get the look they wanted. They would bunch up the shirt and wrap it with a rubber band. Depending on the effect they were looking for they could wrap it tightly, loosely, pull more of the shirt through or just use a small bunch of the shirt.

Once they wrapped the shirts with the pattern they desired, they squirted the commercial solutions all over the shirts. The t-shirts were put in plastic bags to sit overnight. The next day we rinsed the shirts in cold water to “set the color”, washed and dried them, and then they were ready to wear.

It was a messy process but a lot of fun, plus we all have a keepsake to remember the good time had by all. They turned out great, wouldn’t you agree?

Jack Childers, Hopewell’s Program Service Supervisor, took three residents apple picking. Unfortunately, this was not a good year for apples as we were only able to get about 3 bushels. The apples were picked at an Apple Orchard that supporters of Hopewell own and we appreciate them inviting us out every year to pick.

We are looking forward to making applesauce, apple cider, and apple butter in the next few weeks but since there were such a low number of apples, we won’t get to make much. Jack said “last year we had an entire truck full of apples, it varies every year depending on weather.” Guess this was not the year for apples!

The garden season is slowly but surely coming to an end. The cool nights and warm sunny days are here for a short time here in Mesopotamia, OH.

Here at Hopewell, residents and staff enjoy working out in the fresh autumn air, whether its picking the last of the tomatoes and peppers or harvesting pumpkins. It’s hard to believe another summer is here and gone. Our green house and garden produced plentiful fruits and vegetables that were used or will be used in our kitchen where we all will get to enjoy the fruits of our labor! The best crops this year consisted of green beans, sweet corn, cucumbers and watermelon.

Now, Hopewell residents and staff are busy decorating the inn and grounds with pumpkins, corn stalks and gourds. We have been looking forward to picking our pumpkins for quite some time, they were such a treat to grow. In the beginning of June we sowed pumpkin seeds directly into the ground. We had to mound up the dirt in rows or “pumpkin hills” and watch as the warm summer rain and sunlight took care of the rest. We wish everybody a Happy Autumn Season!