When COVID-19 first struck, Aktion Club members quickly started getting together via Zoom calls to keep in touch with each other and to stay healthy and safe. The more they met, the more ideas they had of fun activities they could do via Zoom- thus Painting Party was born! Each week a small group of folks get together to paint, act silly and have a wonderful time!
Anna is an independent provider who has been working with Devine in her home and helping her connect to the community.
Tucked in the quiet hills of Coshocton, Ohio is a charming miniature railroad system called the Mill Creek Central Railroad. Mill Creek has been operational for 20 years, have over 5 miles of hand built tracks that you can ride on and have people from all across the United States come for meet ups.
Garrett found out about Mill Creek through an online magazine and thought- I gotta go there! He’s been coming to the different Meet Ups at Mill Creek for four years. He is very passionate about miniature trains. He loves to learn how they work, how to fix them when they break and all about the different types of trains that are available. Mill Creek is able to accommodate engines that are powered by propane, coal, gas, steam, diesel, battery and hand pump cars.
Garrett loves getting to know the other conductors that come to Mill Creek and has been able to build meaningful relationships with many other people that share his same interest. He could go on forever about his engine- he was able to get it used so it wasn’t as costly as buying new. He tinkers with his engine to get it in top working condition. At Mill Creek you are able to do the “upper” and “lower” tracks that take you through the property. If you were to ride through all of it, it would take you about an hour to make the full loop. The “upper” is his favorite part of the loop since you get to go up into the hills.
“it’s fun. It’s relaxing, it’s joyful. I come down here and see everyone I know and it’s relaxing – to be out here in nature – it reminds me of my Boy Scout days.”
Garrett dreams of having a miniature railroad system in his back yard that he is able to ride on whenever he is able.
Garret’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCka-RXelvRhBnmzeXUdag1w
“Always work with a smile!”
Dairy Queen has been a great partner in our community for employing people with disabilities. Mark has started working there this past summer and loves every minute of this opportunity! His entire shift, he is smiling, happy and working hard to keep the dining room spotless. He is very diligent about making sure all the condiments on the tables are fully stocked, the soda machine is clean and ready to use and he keeps the floors clean of trash and dropped food. He said that his motto is “Always work with a smile!”
If you’ve been to Goodwill Knox on Upper Gilchrist since they moved up there, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Blake. Blake started his job there during the summer when they were still located on Coshocton Rd. and has transitioned to their new location. He said that he really likes their new location and he enjoys going through all of the donations that come in and help organize them for sale. Blake works hard each and every shift he comes to work to help make sure Goodwill Knox is stocked and ready for customers!
