George beats the odds, still plays in the mud


10/28/07
By Helen Barrett
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Photo 1 Playing in the mud usually results in inedible pies, temporary castles or other childhood things. Mike George, a retired banker, enjoyed transforming red Oklahoma mud into bricks and ultimately a Native American horno (pronounced or-no).

“I just thought it would be fun – a conversation piece in the back yard,” Mike said.

Mike and his wife Marideth spend several weeks each summer in New Mexico where hornos are a common sight.

With one more coat of mud, then a final white coat of a sand mixture to make it look more attractive, the horno will be ready for Mike to try baking homemade bread inside the outdoor oven.

Native American Pueblos refer to hornos’ size by their loaf capability – a 20-loaf, 15-loaf and even huge 30-loaf ovens. Mike’s designed his horno to bake 12 loaves of bread at a time.

Mike dug the dirt for the adobe blocks from his own neighborhood.

“Since I didn’t have any straw to put in, I just put in gra

Photo 2 ss clippings,” Mike explained. He also used 20 percent Portland cement to strengthen the substance.

“We have more humidity and get more rain than they do in New Mexico, so I thought I ought to stabilize it,” he said of the decision to add cement.

Before beginning the baking process, a roaring fire must be built in the egg-shaped oven. After the fire has burned for two or three hours, the coals are scraped from the interior, the bread or turkey or whatever is to be baked goes inside. The door is closed causing the radiant heat to complete the baking process.

“It has real high heat to start with,” Mike explained. “The heat drops gradually so it cooks the outside real quickly and the inside slower.”

Bread baked in an horno gets a hard crust while the inside of the bread remains soft.

“A lot of commercial ovens are designed to try to get that same effect,” Mike said.

Referring to paintings and interior décor of the house Mike said, “We kind of like the southwest style of decorating.”

CONSTRUCTING AN HORNO

To build his horno, Mike used cement blocks filled with dirt to form the base. A layer of bricks were laid around the blocks, and all of it was plastered with a white sand mixture for mortar.

The floor of the oven is made of fire bricks designed to withstand the high temperatures.

Mike built his own adobe block frames out of wood. The mud was placed inside and left to dry in the sun during hot summer days.

A tin can with both ends removed forms the smoke-hole.

The whole process has taken less than six months.

BEATING THE ODDS

Mike’s continuing projects – like blacksmithing and making the beautiful Centennial fence and gate at The Runnymede – are somewhat amazing considering doctors told him more than 10 years ago he only had 18 months to live.

In 1995 Mike was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The prognosis was grim.

“I’ve been absolutely lucky,” Mike said. “God somehow has let me keep going.”

There many victims develop a fast acting form of the disease. He praises the Muscular Dystrophy Association for its research in trying to find a cure.

He urges everyone to consider donating to the MDA-ALS division.

“Progression has really been slow for me,” Mike said. “I’m having a lot more trouble walking than I did a year ago.”

Mike knows that staying active has helped him maintain his health thus far.

“I think that’s important,” he said. “If you sit down and start waiting to die, you will even if there’s nothing wrong with you.”

And, yes, he has more projects in mind. Currently, they are redoing the front yard with hired help. Workers are removing the old retaining wall, creating terraces down to the street level and modifying it so that Mike can get down there. To enter his house now, Mike must go around to the back yard where ramps were built to assist him

Since the city will soon pave the street in his block, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to work on the front portion of the property, making it as beautiful and accessible as the back.

PHOTO 1: ADOBE MAKING – Mike George built his own wooden mold to make the adobe bricks (L) used in building his Native American horno. Photo by Helen Barrett

PHOTO 2: ALMOST READY TO BAKE – Native Americans used hornos for baking for centuries. Alva's Mike George built an horno in his back yard after seeing them during visits to New Mexico. George plans to bake up to 12 loaves of bread at a time nside the large oven. Photo by Helen Barrett


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Runners' steps help beloved teacher

Monday, October 29, 2007

By SCOTT FALLON
STAFF WRITER



RIDGEWOOD -- They came out on a cold Sunday morning to raise money for their old gym teacher who was now in a wheelchair and struggling to be cared for.

There was Andrew Edghill, 16, who had recently taken up cross-country running in part to honor Jack Elwood, who loved the sport.


There were David and Lynne Feeney, whose two grown children used to rave about Elwood's gym class when teenagers usually rave about nothing.

And there was Nancy Reilly, who helped get 300 people to run around Ridgewood High School on Sunday so her former colleague's life could be a little easier.

Jack Elwood must have touched a lot of people during his 34-year career at Ridgewood High, because the show of support at the 5K run was palpable.

For the fifth time in as many years, former students, teachers and parents raised thousands of dollars for Elwood, who suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

The disease slowly destroys a person's ability to move their muscles. There is no known cure.

Elwood is wheelchair bound and has little movement of his arms, a sharp contrast to five years ago, when he ran in his own event.

Organizers have raised $80,000, which has paid for a customized van and renovations to his Oakland home. But Elwood's health policy doesn't cover a full-time caregiver, which he now needs.

"Right now he really needs someone there for an eight- to 10-hour day because I work," said Elwood's wife Laura, a fellow teacher. "It's not covered at all."

The race kicked off with a starter's pistol while the high school band played.

Elwood completed part of the course in his motorized wheelchair with Laura by his side.

When asked by Reilly if he finished the entire route, Elwood smiled.

"No, I took a shortcut," he said softly. Everyone within earshot laughed.

Later in the morning, a group of volunteers ate muffins and drank coffee in the school cafeteria under a banner made by students "Everybody Loves Elwood."

They recalled his sometimes unorthodox curriculum called Project Adventure, which included rock climbing and balance tests a few dozen feet off the ground.

"My kids would always come home talking about him," said David Feeney. "And you know how guys are: 'What did you do at school today?' 'Nothiiiiing.' "

Edghill finished first despite never competing in cross-country until this summer. The junior had Elwood for driver's ed last year when the disease was not yet as debilitating. Elwood retired in June.

"You don't know what kind of things will affect a child," said Edghill's mother, Deborah. "He was always a basketball player, not a runner. Now he's running and it's for a good reason."

Toward the end of the event, students came up one by one to say goodbye to Elwood. Some had tears in their eyes. Elwood raised his limp right arm and made a point to shake everyone's hand as best he could.

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School pays tribute to ailing drama teacher
Doug Carroll
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 31, 2007 11:47 AM

Highland Junior High School will say goodbye to Chuck Day, the only drama teacher it has known, with this week's production of the musical Into the Woods.

The three shows Thursday through Saturday will serve as a last hurrah for Day, who is in his early 40s and whose health has slowly deteriorated from the effects of Lou Gehrig's disease. He is in a wheelchair.

"He's an incredible man," said Renae Aston, who has had three daughters perform for Day over the years. "He is single and doesn't have kids of his own. His kids have been the ones he has taught."





Highland parents plan to use donations from the three shows to fund home health visits for Day, who is expected to retire at the end of the semester. An effort is being made to reunite alumni from his plays and musicals for Saturday's show.

"I have known Chuck for years, and the students of Highland Junior High love him," said Steve Abaroa, drama teacher at Highland High.

Aston said that Day's good humor has brightened Highland Junior High since the school of 1,200 students opened in 1998.

"He has been a wonderful teacher and director," she said. "He always had a smile on his face for all those he came in contact with.

"We are so sad about (his illness) and want to do something as a tribute, to help him."

Into the Woods will be performed at 7 each night at the school on Guadalupe Road east of Power Road in Mesa. For more information, call Aston at 480-242-7279.

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SUPPORT FOR ANGEL FUND - George and Cynthia Mazareas will host a fund-raising event for the Wakefield-based Angel Fund at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Nahant Country Club at 280 Nahant Road. The Angel Fund supports research to find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, at the Cecil B. Day Neuromuscular Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. The event is the third annual Gathering of Friends to Benefit ALS Research. George Mazareas, formerly the state's director of economic assistance and a former Lynn School Committee member, was diagnosed with ALS in spring 2003. He and his wife, Cynthia, volunteer their time to increase awareness of the disease and to raise money for research through the Angel Fund. Saturday's event will feature food, and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $25. For information, call Andy Papagikos at 617-312-0727, or visit theangelfund.org. -

Hyland Reflects




His friends and family have known for months and today, with his blessing, we are letting the rest of you know.

One of Moose Jaw's favorite sons, Gary Hyland, is currently battling a disease called amyotrophic lateral sceloris or ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

In a soft and raspy voice, Hyland spoke with us about his condition. "My case is advancing about four times normal speed. Normally a person with this disease will live three to five years but I can't make one year but that's the way it goes."

Hyland has been a very busy man all of his life. Between his teaching career, his poetry and books, and of course his involvement in the local cultural community. That zest for life continues now more than ever.

"I've got about six books that I'd like to get out. Two of them are near fruition, one is coming out in February and one in the fall but there's four more that I'd like to write including one about this disease and how it affects the patient."

Hyland has been a driving force in the local arts community for many years receiving many awards and letters of recognition. Its tough to think of Moose Jaw without this amazing man but he stays positive, knowing he has made a difference.

"I have to value the Order of Canada, next to that I'd say the Citizen of the Year for Moose Jaw. I won that twice and I'm very proud of that. I'm very proud of the Cultural Centre but I didn't do that alone of course. I was the organizer but I had lots of help so I would think that's probably the most lasting thing that I worked on."

For some, finding out you have terminal disease would leave you bitter and cold, but not Gary.

"There's times when I get sad but mostly I view it as just luck of the draw. Some people get this disease and some don't. We all have to die some way so this is my way."

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Checkers fans sport Mohawks for ALS
11/08/2007 01:40 PM
By: News 14 Carolina Web Staff

The hairstyling event was all part of a fundraiser for ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. CHARLOTTE -- Mohawks were the hairstyle of choice Wednesday at the Charlotte Checkers hockey game.

The hairstyling event was all part of a fundraiser for ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Many of the Checkers’ front office and staff members sported Mohawks at the game and there was a barber on site to let fans join in on the fun.

A portion of the ticket sales from Wednesday's game will go toward purchasing a speech device for Fort Mill native Brent Lewis, a Checkers season ticket holder who has been diagnosed with ALS.

Couple gives $1.5 million for student scholarships
SAN DIEGO: Blessed Sacrament Parish School in the Mid-City area received a $1.5 million donation yesterday to endow a scholarship fund to benefit up to 100 students annually.

The gift came from Kim and Rita Blickenstaff, whose three children are alumni of Blessed Sacrament.

Rita Blickenstaff has taught at the school since 1994. Her husband co-founded San Diego-based Biosite Inc. and was its former chairman and CEO before the company was acquired by Inverness Medical Innovations in June.

The Blickenstaffs made the gift to launch Brian's Scholars Foundation in honor of Brian Bennett, who was principal of the 56th Street school from 1979 to 1997.

Although weakened by Lou Gehrig's disease, Bennett is working closely with Kim Blickenstaff to raise $3 million to support the scholarship foundation. –H.G.

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One Family Tries To Save A Home
Reporting
Carey Codd SUNRISE (CBS4) ― People facing foreclosure come from a cross section of the South Florida community. Some were speculators buying condos and homes hoping to get rich, others bought bigger homes than they could afford.

The people hardest hit however are those who experienced a personal setback or tragedy shaking their very foundations.

Just two years ago, Jennifer Chapman thrived as a cheerleading coach in Weston. "My whole life has changed for the worse right now."

Jennifer cannot walk. An ATV accident left her in a wheelchair with nerve damage. Her doctors say she has Lou Gehrig's disease.

"I've always been very independent and I've always learned to do it myself. I'm very overwhelmed right now," she added.

This single mom with two children is fighting for her health, for disability, and now for her home.

"I was served papers on September 24th."

She was served with foreclosure papers on her Sunrise home. She is fighting her mortgage company.

They claim she owes thousands while Jennifer said they've mishandled her payments. Regardless, time is running out and her home could head to the auction block in two to three month's time.

Broward County Judge Dorian Damoorgian handles foreclosure cases every day. He says the caseload has more than doubled this year. Damoorgian is not involved in Jennifer's case, but he understands the raw emotion many homeowners face when they stand before him.

He said, "These are good people. They're just hard working people and this is their big chance and it's being taken away from them just because of economic circumstances."

Jennifer is trying to keep her troubles from her children. But she's facing the reality of losing her home, stability, peace of mind.

"I've lived here almost 10 years. This is the only home my children have ever known. To leave it is going to be very difficult."

Two options Jennifer faces: file bankruptcy or try to sell her home. She's working with legal aid lawyers but the clock is ticking.

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