Friday, August 29, 2003
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Friday, August 29, 2003 |
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An 'exceptionally good time' had by all New Peachtree City program well-received By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
Mary Haas and Nancy Jurchenko of the Peachtree City Library started the Exceptionally Good Time Program earlier this year upon the suggestion of Erin Hoffman, a young woman with Down's Syndrome who worked at the library. According to Hoffman, who was very active with the Special Olympics, there were not a lot of fun things to do for her and some of her friends who were older and had jobs or health problems. As Hoffman said, sometimes they just needed a place to hang out. Haas and Jurchenko decided to do something about it and started the program, despite the fact that there is no funding in the budget for it. The first meeting was a screening of "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding" which took place on a Saturday afternoon and drew 10 people. "We had no idea what the turnout would be so we figured a movie would be a good idea for the first program," said Haas. "They really enjoyed it and afterwards we had everyone suggest things that they would like to do." Suggestions ran the gamut from doing art projects to going to California and meeting some of their favorite Hollywood stars. Though the trip to California hasn't happened yet, the group has had a day of games, which included charades and a scavenger hunt, as well as the enjoying of ice cream treats and signing up for library cards. One of the prizes for the scavenger hunt was a radio and the young man who won it turned it on and the rest of the afternoon became a dance party. Dancing is next on the menu for the Exceptionally Good Time Club as they will learn salsa dancing sometime in September in preparation for the Fiesta on the Plaza Oct. 4. Other activities planned for the future include a computer/Internet class, pet care, Tai Chi, theatre workshops, poetry workshops and nature walks. Though things have gone well for those participating in the program, there are some snags. One problem is that a number of people who would attend the program do not have transportation to and from the event. Another problem is that there is no funding for the program. There is a solution, though. The Friends of the Library Corporation will sell a newly designed Peachtree City license plate which can be purchased for $12. For each license plate sold, a portion of the profit will be donated to the program. The Exceptionally Good Time Program is open to anyone who wishes to participate. Participants in the program are between 25-57 and Haas and Jurchenko are pleased that everyone fits so well together. "It's wonderful to watch them interact and talk about what's been going on with them since they last met," said Jurchenko. "They are all very excited about their jobs and they are very honest and open with each other. They tell it like it is." The program has found support from the parents of the participants, especially because there is no other program in the area like it. Haas and Jurchenko would like to do the program once a month and are hoping that interest and funding for the program takes off. Both women find the program to be very rewarding and lots of fun. For more information on the Exceptionally Good Time Program and how you can participate or help, phone the Peachtree City Library at 770-631-2520.
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