In The News
Handmade pillows with love
The Huron Valley Go-getters 4-H Club (Huron County, New Haven Township) donated handmade pillows to Stein Hospice. The pillows were donated in memory of club advisor Janet Kennard, a Stein patient who lost her battle with cancer March 21, 2009. Janet was an avid seamstress. The club members used materials to make the pillows which had belonged to Janet's and were donated to the 4-H club by her family. Stein Hospice Chaplain Jamie Stewart accepted the donation Aug. 2 during a meeting of the Huron Valley Go-getters.
200 turn out to run in Stein Hospice 5k
from Sandusky Register
About 200 runners and walkers turned out Saturday for the 4th annual Stein Hospice 5k Regatta Run in downtown Sandusky.
Fourteen-year-old Louis Guardiola was the top overall finisher in 17 minutes, 45 seconds, and former Sandusky runner Ashley Waddington, 19, was the top female finisher in 19 minutes, 50 seconds.
"We are thrilled to have such tremendous support from the community. The event is building momentum," said Tamara Zuilhof, chief operating officer at Stein Hospice.
The race was held at Battery Park, with awards and breakfast at the Sandusky Sailing Club, site of the Stein Hospice Regatta Cup, also held Saturday. The race finished late because of low winds.
Other top finisher were:
- 13-under male: 1. Keane Moyer, 2:10; 2. Matt McKenzie, 22:22; 3. Dalton Wessels, 29:26
- 13- under female: 1. Eliana Burlotos, 25:52; 2. Sophie Brightman, 29:29; 3. Erica Henning, 29:39
- 14-19 male: 1. Xavier Seaver, 17:46; 2. Athan Burlotos, 19:41, 3. Kyle Rohrbacher, 18:26
- 14-19 female: 1. Lauren Dunnavant, 25:39; 2. Libby Brightman, 27:25; 3. Emily Stouder, 30:23
- 20-29 male: 1. Ben Garfield, 19:02; 2. Bryan Smeach, 19:23; 3. Tyler Stoder, 21:44
- 20-29 female: 1. Brittany Elmlinger, 20:32; 2. Jaclyn Kessler, 20:41; 3. Sara Stierwalt, 20:49
- 30-39 male: 1. Oscar Capizzi, 20:17; 2. Jonathan Smith, 20:19; 3. Ricky Beatty, 20:38
- 30-39 female: 1. Melissa Herzog, 22:08; 2. Melissa Kelly, 22:47; 3. Care Loy, 23:13
- 40-49 male: 1. John Corso, 20:39: 2. Dave Fisher, 21:54; 3. Chris Smith, 22:07
- 40-49 female: 1. Kim Dunnavant, 22:43; 2. Carrier-Vajda, 24:56; 3. Wendy Brightman, 25:02
- 50-59 male: 1. Dave Wallingford, 20:58; 2. Curtis Koch, 24:35; 3. Tony Rivera, 25:03
- 50-59 female: 1. Lizzette Cabrera, 22:32; 2. Barb Steinhauser, 24:51; 3. Sheila Stocker, 27:39
- 60-69 male: 1. Tom Stierwalf, 22:53; 2. Wes Hartsook, 29:59; 3. Steve Vrabel, 33:54
- 60-69 female: 1. Chady Hill, 33:01; 2. Ginny Bess, 37:57
- 70-over male: 1. George Templeton, 25:33; 2. Ron Brant, 26:31
- 70-over female: 1. Johanna Moore, 51:53
The 5k race benefits Stein Hospice's Camp Good Grief and other children's bereavement programs.
Women of Excellence Celebration
Stein Hospice volunteer Rose Pollack was one of 22 women honored in March for outstanding volunteer service. Rose and her husband Leon founded the local chapter of Compassionate Friends, an international organization which supports parents who have lost a child. The couple started the chapter after the death of their daughter Debbie in 1984. For many years Rose and Leon facilitated the monthly meeting at Stein Hospice. Leon passed away in 2008 and Rose continues to fill in as the facilitator. Rose has worked on several committees and programs including Light Up a Life.
This year's Women of Excellence Celebration was organized by The Volunteer Center and sponsored by Northern Ohio Medical Specialists.
Everyone Deserves a Second Chance
Couple, married 52 years ago, divorced, remarry
By Brian Liskai
Gazette Editor
news@gazettepublishingco.com
Elsa never took her hand off Joe’s shoulder as she stood behind his wheelchair.
When it came time for the vows, Elsa moved around to face Joe and took his right hand. “Your hands are warm,” Joe told her.
“Did you bring the ring Joe?” the pastor said.
“Two of them,” beamed Joe.
And so Joe and Elsa Goldsberry were married at the Bellevue Care Center Saturday – or remarried!
Jo and Elsa were first married on Nov. 12, 1958 – 52 years ago. They divorced about 20 years ago, but they never were apart.
Joe, 83, who retired from the railroad in 1987 after serving as a yard master, is very ill with cancer. Elsa, 74, has been caring for him. The two decided it was time to get remarried.
“We never really untied the knot…we’ve remained best friends,” said Elsa, a bit nervous prior to the wedding ceremony.
During the ceremony, which was arranged by Stein Hospice, the pastor talked briefly about second chances.
“Fortunately I lived long enough to do this,” said Joe, as tears ran down his cheeks.
Joe had a child before and Elsa had two children before they married the first time. The two had a daughter together. They have many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many of them packed the little room Saturday along with friends.
When the pastor said “you may kiss the bride” and Joe and Elsa embraced, there were no dry eyes in the room.
Firelands Hero Awards
In It Together service to Military Families Hero
One of the most important things any man or woman in military service learns is to look out for their comrades. Meanwhile, their loved ones back home - especially in an area like the Firelands, far from a military base - may feel like they are all alone.
In It Together is a support group and resource for immediate and extended military family members in erie and surrounding counties. Most, but not all, who participate have a loved one serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
"We meet once a month to have dinner and just talk," said Robin Baum of Sandusky, who started the group along with the Rev. Charles Odums."Some people don't want to talk at first, but eventually they open up and tell us their story. Sometimes we cry a little, sometimes we pray...
"We try to have guest speakers who let us know what resources there are for families, like when the woman from the Red Cross came to tell us about the services you offer... We have two chaplains, who can talk about the various emotions that family members typically experience during separation."
"My husband and I went when our son, Eric, was deployed," said Kim Gentzel of Norwalk. "This group filled a real void. When you walk in the room, everyone there knows what you're thinking. Our son is back in the states now, but we still go. We want to help others."
In It Together also invites returning service personnel to report on "the real story" of what conditions are like overseas. "It reassures the family members here, to know their loved ones have found new family member there - that they're not alone so far from home,"Odums said.
In It Together meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in the American Legion, 3615 Hayes Ave., Sandusky. For information, contact Baum at Stein Hospice, 419-625-=5269, or on her cell phone at 419-357-7065. The group's email is IITgroup@aol.com.
From the Firelands Hero Awards Program
Valentine's Day
About 70 men and women spent Valentine’s Day with the organization they love – Stein Hospice. The annual benefit was held Feb. 14 at Zinc Brasserie in Sandusky. Guests were treated to braised beef short ribs, seared scallops, wines and a sumptuous dessert - peanut brittle chocolate mousse cake and Dutch chocolate ice cream with raspberry sauce. Thanks to Zinc Brasserie and Chef Cesare Avallone, Blue Ribbon Meats, Mark Advertising, Mary Kessler Trio, Morgan Linens, Pamona Chocolates, Tina B. Florals & Events and Stein Hospice volunteers.