Bling’ing in the Holidays

A big thanks to artisans Sylvia, Kimberley and Hannah for joining the Troy Women’s Group for the holidays. For a second year in a row Rebecca Cowell’s mom, sister and niece donated supplies and their time to help the women ring (or bling) in the holidays with beautiful handmade crafts. Last year the ladies created handmade beaded Christmas trees. This year the ladies fashioned three beautiful handmade beaded crafts: a bracelet, holiday pin and a beautiful beaded icicle to hang on their trees. In the end the ladies beamed brighter than their jewelry with pride in their fine accomplishments.

Sylvia, Hannah and Kimberley join the ladies of the Troy Women's Group as they proudly show off their beaded crafts

Christmas Morning

By: Jessica Bahny
NCC Activities Assistant

Can you believe it, another year has come and gone!  I can’t believe we are welcoming 2012.  That being said, I wanted to take a few minutes to share my wonderful holiday experience here at NCC.  So many times people ask me: “doesn’t it stink working holidays?”.  Nope!  I had a great Christmas holiday here at NCC with some of my favorite people- my wonderful clients and co-workers. 

The holiday spirit was definitely in the air when I walked in on Christmas morning.  The clients and I shared our usual coffee house time- this time with my “special” coffee (It’s just coffee with cinnamon and nutmeg, but the clients love it, and I try to make it for them on special days).  We laughed out loud as we read letters that children wrote to Santa.  You could feel the excitement in the air after coffee house when it was time for me to pass out the gifts.  Now, this is my favorite part of working the holiday.  I LOVE watching the clients’ eyes light up when they open their presents.  Everyone was talking and laughing at the same time.  It was total chaos, but the best kind!  Christmas at NCC is like Christmas anywhere else- it’s filled with laughter, hugs and some tears.  After they opened their gifts, the clients sat down to a fabulous meal.  The kitchen staff really outdid themselves!  There was honey baked ham, potatoes, rolls, and a beautiful dessert selection. 

I left work that day with an amazing feeling.  I was able to be a small part of giving the clients a memorable holiday.  To all of my coworkers who also shared the holiday with the clients- please know that we all had a hand in the festivities.  As I was heading out to celebrate the day with my family I realized this: I may have passed out gifts to the clients, but they gave me something that can’t be bought.  So many of them told me how much I matter to them, and how happy they were to celebrate the holiday with me.  That’s the greatest gift of all.  And believe me, the pleasure was all mine!  I hope everyone’s holiday was wonderful.  Even though the “busy” time is over, we won’t be slowing down in activities any time soon!   I’ll be back soon, keeping you in the loop of leisure!