“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is the noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bittersweet.”
Confucius

Today the temperatures were a little cooler, the sky was a little overcast, a beautiful day to be outside working. We spent the day at the Itmann school house and at the house in Lillydale again. The house in Lillydale is almost complete. There remains a little more painting to be done on the porch and adding a railing on the newly built back porch. After tomorrow all the outside work should be done. We will be going back next week to work on some floors on the inside.

At the Itmann school house we continued work on the drainage ditch and tiled the bathroom floor. The building is really coming along. At the end of the day two people from UGWA came and were very pleased with all the work that has been done. They are hoping to move into the space by the end of the summer.

Dinner was a tasty chilli, meat and non-meat, served over rice and with cornbread. It was delicious. For dessert there was homemade magic bars that topped off the the meal perfectly!

The reflection for the evening focused on who we saw God in during our time in WV.

“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain.”
Emily Dickinson

Another beautiful day in wild, wonderful West Virginia. This morning as we drove out to sites, the view was spectacular. The clouds had settled into the valleys between the mountains, it was gorgeous. At times we were above the clouds looking down. It didn’t take long for the clouds to burn off and for us to have sunshine for the whole day, with fairly pleasant temperatures.

The group split up into two groups today with one group going to the Itmann school house and the other group going back to the painting site in Lillydale. The Itmann crew continued digging the drainage ditch behind the school and begun work on tiling the bathroom floor.  The Lillydale crew also made a lot of progress. They finished up most of the main painting and completed a lot of the trim work. The porch building is going along smoothly as well. The frame is done, as is the deck boards. All that is needed are the steps ans the railings. As was the case from yesterday, there were extra helpers and visitors from up the street.

Tonight’s dinner was an Italian feast. Lots of spaghetti, sauteed veggies and a salad. Yummy!

We also had a few guests for dinner tonight, two women who are working on an interactive documentary that is being shot in McDowell County. The project Hollow , is a “hybrid community participatory project and interactive documentary where content is created “for the community, by the community.” They shared with us some early footage and talked about some of the their experiences so far. It was a very interesting and very informative night. We encourage you to check out their website and see how you can help.

“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain.”
Emily Dickinson

Another beautiful day in wild, wonderful West Virginia. This morning as we drove out to sites, the view was spectacular. The clouds had settled into the valleys between the mountains, it was gorgeous. At times we were above the clouds looking down. It didn’t take long for the clouds to burn off and for us to have sunshine for the whole day, with fairly pleasant temperatures.

The group split up into two groups today with one group going to the Itmann school house and the other group going back to the painting site in Lillydale. The Itmann crew continued digging the drainage ditch behind the school and begun work on tiling the bathroom floor.  The Lillydale crew also made a lot of progress. They finished up most of the main painting and completed a lot of the trim work. The porch building is going along smoothly as well. The frame is done, as is the deck boards. All that is needed are the steps ans the railings. As was the case from yesterday, there were extra helpers and visitors from up the street.

Tonight’s dinner was an Italian feast. Lots of spaghetti, sauteed veggies and a salad. Yummy!

We also had a few guests for dinner tonight, two women who are working on an interactive documentary that is being shot in McDowell County. The project Hollow , is a “hybrid community participatory project and interactive documentary where content is created “for the community, by the community.” They shared with us some early footage and talked about some of the their experiences so far. It was a very interesting and very informative night. We encourage you to check out their website and see how you can help.

“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain.”
Emily Dickinson

Another beautiful day in wild, wonderful West Virginia. This morning as we drove out to sites, the view was spectacular. The clouds had settled into the valleys between the mountains, it was gorgeous. At times we were above the clouds looking down. It didn’t take long for the clouds to burn off and for us to have sunshine for the whole day, with fairly pleasant temperatures.

The group split up into two groups today with one group going to the Itmann school house and the other group going back to the painting site in Lillydale. The Itmann crew continued digging the drainage ditch behind the school and begun work on tiling the bathroom floor.  The Lillydale crew also made a lot of progress. They finished up most of the main painting and completed a lot of the trim work. The porch building is going along smoothly as well. The frame is done, as is the deck boards. All that is needed are the steps ans the railings. As was the case from yesterday, there were extra helpers and visitors from up the street.

Tonight’s dinner was an Italian feast. Lots of spaghetti, sauteed veggies and a salad. Yummy!

We also had a few guests for dinner tonight, two women who are working on an interactive documentary that is being shot in McDowell County. The project Hollow , is a “hybrid community participatory project and interactive documentary where content is created “for the community, by the community.” They shared with us some early footage and talked about some of the their experiences so far. It was a very interesting and very informative night. We encourage you to check out their website and see how you can help.

In the midst of the summer program, we wanted to share with you a couple of items that have recently appeared on the internet written about or by PVs.

• Upon returning home to the Bronx after another summer in WV, PV Ed Mechmann shared a reflection on his experience as a PV on his blog. 

• PV Amy O’Dea is in the spotlight for her work as a volunteer coordinator at Passages Hospice. In her profile she speaks of her different volunteer work, including the PVs. Read about Amy at VolunteerMatch

In the midst of the summer program, we wanted to share with you a couple of items that have recently appeared on the internet written about or by PVs.

• Upon returning home to the Bronx after another summer in WV, PV Ed Mechmann shared a reflection on his experience as a PV on his blog. 

• PV Amy O’Dea is in the spotlight for her work as a volunteer coordinator at Passages Hospice. In her profile she speaks of her different volunteer work, including the PVs. Read about Amy at VolunteerMatch

In the midst of the summer program, we wanted to share with you a couple of items that have recently appeared on the internet written about or by PVs.

• Upon returning home to the Bronx after another summer in WV, PV Ed Mechmann shared a reflection on his experience as a PV on his blog. 

• PV Amy O’Dea is in the spotlight for her work as a volunteer coordinator at Passages Hospice. In her profile she speaks of her different volunteer work, including the PVs. Read about Amy at VolunteerMatch

“At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou

What a nice treat to have a slightly cooler day today. Storms moved through yesterday afternoon and blew away the oppressively hot weather. This week temperatures are suppose to stay in the 80’s, much more comfortable working weather.

PVs were once again spread throughout the county. We sent a group back to continue work on the Itmann SH. The group today continued digging in the back to create drainage for when rain water rushes down the mountain so it does not run right into the school house. Work also continued on the inside of the building, framing walls, looking into the plumbing, etc.

Another group of PVs went back to help at St. Vincent DePaul. The group continue to sort clothes and organize the warehouse. This job may seem like it never ends, but by going through all the donated bags and getting rid of some of the more damage clothing, it makes way for all the “good stuff.”

The final group went to Lillydale to paint and build a back porch.  The house we were working on was just down the street from our long time PV friends, so we had many visitors and helpers all day long. Tremendous progress was made today at the house. Three quarters of the house was painted and the framing for the porch was pretty much completed.

After putting in another hard day of work, volunteers were treated to another wonderful meal. Tonight volunteers prepared breaded chicken, breaded eggplant, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes and coleslaw. The meal was fabulous!

During the evening we reflected on dignity, how important it is to show respect to others and how the PV cornerstone of being present is a wonderful way of allowing others to have dignity. The reflection was followed with a sharing of the “New and the Good.”

“At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou

What a nice treat to have a slightly cooler day today. Storms moved through yesterday afternoon and blew away the oppressively hot weather. This week temperatures are suppose to stay in the 80’s, much more comfortable working weather.

PVs were once again spread throughout the county. We sent a group back to continue work on the Itmann SH. The group today continued digging in the back to create drainage for when rain water rushes down the mountain so it does not run right into the school house. Work also continued on the inside of the building, framing walls, looking into the plumbing, etc.

Another group of PVs went back to help at St. Vincent DePaul. The group continue to sort clothes and organize the warehouse. This job may seem like it never ends, but by going through all the donated bags and getting rid of some of the more damage clothing, it makes way for all the “good stuff.”

The final group went to Lillydale to paint and build a back porch.  The house we were working on was just down the street from our long time PV friends, so we had many visitors and helpers all day long. Tremendous progress was made today at the house. Three quarters of the house was painted and the framing for the porch was pretty much completed.

After putting in another hard day of work, volunteers were treated to another wonderful meal. Tonight volunteers prepared breaded chicken, breaded eggplant, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes and coleslaw. The meal was fabulous!

During the evening we reflected on dignity, how important it is to show respect to others and how the PV cornerstone of being present is a wonderful way of allowing others to have dignity. The reflection was followed with a sharing of the “New and the Good.”

“At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou

What a nice treat to have a slightly cooler day today. Storms moved through yesterday afternoon and blew away the oppressively hot weather. This week temperatures are suppose to stay in the 80’s, much more comfortable working weather.

PVs were once again spread throughout the county. We sent a group back to continue work on the Itmann SH. The group today continued digging in the back to create drainage for when rain water rushes down the mountain so it does not run right into the school house. Work also continued on the inside of the building, framing walls, looking into the plumbing, etc.

Another group of PVs went back to help at St. Vincent DePaul. The group continue to sort clothes and organize the warehouse. This job may seem like it never ends, but by going through all the donated bags and getting rid of some of the more damage clothing, it makes way for all the “good stuff.”

The final group went to Lillydale to paint and build a back porch.  The house we were working on was just down the street from our long time PV friends, so we had many visitors and helpers all day long. Tremendous progress was made today at the house. Three quarters of the house was painted and the framing for the porch was pretty much completed.

After putting in another hard day of work, volunteers were treated to another wonderful meal. Tonight volunteers prepared breaded chicken, breaded eggplant, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes and coleslaw. The meal was fabulous!

During the evening we reflected on dignity, how important it is to show respect to others and how the PV cornerstone of being present is a wonderful way of allowing others to have dignity. The reflection was followed with a sharing of the “New and the Good.”