NEHALEM NEWSPAGE

L'Arche Nehalem 8501 SE Stephens Portland, OR 97216
(503) 251-6901 Fax: 251-6952 e-mail: mail@larche-portland.org web site: www.larche-portland.org

AUGUST 2006

Our mission is to create a place to call home for people with developmental disabilities and those who share life with them.

NEWS

• Rodney Gabriel is home and recovering well after spending 6 days in a skilled nursing facility in early July. He is back on his feet and walking into his 76^th year of life!
• Jacque Werling joined the Nehalem House Assistant team in July. She hails from Indiana, a recent graduate of St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN.
• Melissa Bixler is transitioning from a year as an Assistant into her role as Assistant Director of the Office of Volunteer Services at the University of Portland. She will start full-time there in mid-August.

LIFE IN THE HOMES

• Robyn Dowell has been enjoying the summer weather sweeping the back porch at Neahkahnie House until it's spic-and-span!
• On July 30th, Ben Miller, Cindy Leonard, and Dan and Amy Barcia attended a memorial service at Peninsula Park for former assistant Kelly Hebert
• Adam Richards, Marilyn Petruzzelli, and Ben toured the Oregon Zoo last month. The outing concluded with a small "tailgate party" picnic dinner. Adam particularly enjoyed the sleeping bears.
• One warm evening in July, everyone from Nehalem House listened to a free concert in the park, sponsored by Portland Parks and Recreation.
• Robyn and Diane Dunham will lounge in the Oregon Zoo Amphitheatre and take in the musical talent of Pink Martini on August 4th.
• Cindy plans to attend a Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert this month with her sister-in-law.

Volunteers for L'Arche Nehalem's 20th Anniversary Planning Committee Needed! June 2006 is L'Arche Nehalem's 20th anniversary! We're looking for volunteers to be on the planning committee to celebrate this grand occasion!! Call Susan (503-251-6901) if you can help brainstorm ideas for activities, choose dates and find places for the festivities.

• Adam and his mother traveled to Alaska together to visit family July 22-29
• Erin Wheeler and Adam will both spend a week at Kiwanis Camp starting August 13th.
• Most of the community will travel to Spokane August 10-13 for the annual Regional Gathering.

CELEBRATIONS

• Wed., August 16, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Prayer Night
• Wed., August 30, 7:00 p.m., Nehalem House: Blessing for Melissa Bixler

WISH (AND GRATITUDE) LIST

• NEEDED: Spare room for a month or less towards the end of August for a woman who has been in dialogue with us about becoming an assistant and who has decided to move to Portland, while she finds permanent digs. Call the office if you can help.
• Large drying rack for Neahkahnie House.
• Someone with a truck to transport refuse from Nehalem House to the dump; call (503) 254-4558 to schedule.
• Twin bed and box spring for Nehalem House
• Thanks to Neil Evans (for donating) and Dave Heard (for moving) furniture to Neahkahnie House.
• Thanks to Mary Gaudette and members of the L’Arche Seattle community for hosting a group from Nehalem at a barbecue in July.

A community is a place where each person is loved and cared for and feels at home. To be loved and cared for does not mean just to be looked after; it means to be respected, called forth, challenged, and encouraged to grow both humanly and in the Spirit of God. Jean Vanier, Letter, 1996   (thanks to www.larchecanada.org)

Did you check out the new interactive Jean Vanier quote library on our home page? Or sign up for an inspirational daily thought or weekly story from Jean Vanier's writings via email at www.larche.ca/en/home/eletters/

Getting a paper copy? Would you like to save us a stamp and receive the Nehalem Newspage electronically? Please drop us an email at doug@larche-portland.org or call us at 503-251-6901.