| June 21, 2019 

By Mary Connolly

The Gathering Place is a bustling organization. No two days are the same. This morning 81 individuals came through our doors before lunch.

I often get asked, “What do people do at The Gathering Place?” Of course that is a question that is unique to each of our guests; everyone comes for their own reasons. Beyond friendship and support the Gathering Place is constantly buzzing with programs, groups and activities. Some planned some not. I wanted to share with you, in the words of our guests and volunteers what The Gathering Place is like.

“Just last Saturday, while the sun shone and our guest numbers were lower than usual, the entire group of guests and volunteers participated in a spontaneous game of Jeopardy, Gathering Place Style,” said Supervisor Patsy Oehl, where doughnuts stood in for cash prizes. “All were enthusiastically trying to get their answer heard. There was so much laughter. It was such a great day.”

The spontaneous happenings are what make The Gathering Place so wonderful. There is always a puzzle going at The Gathering Place.

Jacobus started as a guest but has taken ownership in the Gathering Place. She usually comes two to three times a week and makes sure the puzzle table is clean and organized.

“I came in the door the first time to just check it out and see what it was like,” said Jo-An Jacobus. “Then I saw they had jigsaw puzzles. I love jigsaw puzzles but I live in a small apartment and there’s really not enough space. I met really nice people as I was doing the jigsaw puzzles.”

“I love this place” said Jacobus. Jo-An is not the only puzzler at The Gathering Place, we have many who jump in and work together.

There is always a card game brewing in the afternoon. Hearts is the game of choice. The adrenaline rush, the strategy, it is a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and competitiveness. Then suddenly, the eruption, it is either laughter or frustration depending on who is winning and who is losing, but it never fails, it in one or the other. At the next table we usually have a board game underway.

Although many of the activities going on at The Gathering Place occur spontaneously we also offer weekly programs which are designed to help our guests relax, de-stress and find comfort through their own creative and artistic expression. The classes are open to anyone. The beautiful expressions of art and the fervent poetry created is done while building friendships and an even stronger sense of community

The Gathering Place has assembled a wonderful collection of this poetry and I would like to share an excerpt with you.

“We are only as free as we allow ourselves to be. We are contained by our responsibility and social norms and our beliefs. Even as the eagle soars through the sky riding the air currents like invisible waves. It knows that it is only as free as its own reality allows. It can only soar so high and so far from its nest. For us to exercise our freedom we must maneuver our way around and through many obstacles. How well can we do that, is how free we can be.” -Mitch

The weekly art and coloring group gives our guests a place where they can develop a sense of calm and confidence in coping with their struggles and the opportunities for the future.

Many of our guests come to The Gathering Place and have fun. This year we were lucky to have an Elvis impersonator delight us with the sweet sounds of “The King.” For the last two years, the Murphy Family Band from All Saints Parish has come and shared Irish music with our guests on St Patrick’s Day weekend. They arrive with their instruments, singing voices, and green holiday attire, and help us celebrate this Irish holiday. The band sings and plays Irish ballads, performs Irish step dances, and leads everyone in a sing-a-long. Back by popular demand we will once again host an ice cream social this summer. It was such a great day for our community. Guest, volunteers and the community sharing the sweet treats of summer letting all of their worries melt away.

The Gathering Place is a place of welcome for all who come through our doors. Please come by and join in.

Mary Connolly is the executive director of The Gathering Place. Giving Voice is a weekly collaboration among four local non-profit service agencies to share information and stories about their work in the community.