Hospice, FUMC show talented Jasper artists
Program ushers in grand opening for local provider

Newsboy photos/ Sharon Kerr MANY OF THE SAME LOCAL ARTISTS were showing at both the continuing Lakes Area Hospice Gallery and the First United Methodist Church two-day showcase.

The grand old home on Ethel Street where Lakes Area Hospice (LAH) has its offices celebrated a cheerful interior makeover with the grand opening of gallery program.

Local artists Tommy Humphrey, Jean Humphrey, Pat Tatum, Carol Gilchrist, Harold Henthorn and Ida Black offer original paintings for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the hospice indigent aid fund.

Marsha and Ken Nabors from Milam Street Gallery also loaned pottery, glass objects, Staffordshire dogs and furniture.

LAH is a non-profit organization that provides care and comfort for end-of-life patients. Generally, insurance and Medicare or Medicaid cover hospice costs, but LAH will provide care regardless of the patient's financial circumstances, according to executive director Jeannette Coffield.

Community education coordinator Sallie Brown said it is important for the patients, families and patrons who enter the home to feel a welcoming, warm atmosphere.

The downstairs public areas have been painted inviting peach trimmed in ivory. In the entry, the old ceiling has been freshly sheetrocked and stippled, but Coffield said they found a nice surprise in the living room- a solid board ceiling in wonderful condition that they had pickled. They also pickled storage cabinets and bookcases to match.

The room has the old house's fireplace and original floral carpet, probably wool, that would have been a rare luxury at the time it was built. This room and the gorgeous art on every wall promote a feeling of comfort and an affirmation of the beauty of life, according to Brown.

She hopes to continue her educational outreach mission with programs for some of the area nursing homes, bringing them for picnics and art shows so that when the time comes, they have positive and pleasant associations with the services LAH provides.

For Jasper Newsboy stories about hospice care, visit www.jaspernewsboy.com and enter "hospice" in the search box.

LAH is located at 254 Ethel St. in Jasper, 384-5995 or 1-800-661-9047; www.lakesareahospice.org