By ALVIN REINER`
KEENE VALLEY -- Keene Valley Neighborhood House sits amid the tranquility of the Adirondacks but is a bustling place.
One recent day, the expansive lawn provided the setting for a lively game of croquet, pairing residents with staff members and visitors. Though it was a non-competitive event, Carol Buchanan was happy to have her granddaughter Emma Gibbs there, as they handily won the match.
The non-profit adult-supportive-living center encourages family members to join in with the activities.
"Everyone is like family," Davis said.
Alan Siili, who uses a wheelchair, is an avid gardener. His garden, flourishing with tomatoes, leeks, lettuce and hot peppers, grows in raised boxes that keep the plants within easy reach.
Neighborhood House may be Bill Myers's residence, but the octogenarian is a familiar figure throughout the hamlet as he zips along on his recumbent bike.
"I'm a bike nut," he beamed. "I took this old regular bike then got plans to convert it and got people to put it together."
COMMUNITY ORIENTED
Keene Valley Neighborhood House has operated in its present form since 1979. However, the house, itself, has been in existence for about a century in a variety of uses. Initiated as a place to provide for socialization in 1909 by Dr. Charles Hatfield, the original home was open only to members and others by special invitation. It forbade drunks, games of chance and public dances for which tickets could be sold. The membership cost was 25 cents per hour, $2.50 per day or $15 per week.
There was an infirmary consisting of operating and recovery rooms that could also be utilized for maternity cases. Electricity was lacking, but indoor plumbing had been installed. In the early 1920s, the social aspects were supplanted by the medical needs. Due to an expanding patient load, a 16-bed hospital was completed in 1956 and continued in operation until 1978. In 1979, the facility was re-opened as a voluntary adult home.
"We are community oriented," said Neighborhood House Development Coordinator Beth Davis. "The community is a part of us, and we're part of the community. We feel we are the only facility like this in the Tri-Lakes area."
Close to 90 percent of the residents come from the North Country, while only three percent are from out-of-state.
Residents often participate in programs at the nearby Keene Central School. The town library and other amenities are within walking distance.
Classified as an assisted-living facility, Neighborhood House provides three meals a day, laundry services and assistance if needed for daily routines. Residents don't require regular medical services, however medications are given and monitored. Aides check on each resident at half-hour intervals.
RAISING FUNDS
Located on an eight-acre property, Neighborhood House has a wheelchair-traversable boardwalk that allows easy access to the AuSable River. There are benches and a lean-to on the wooded area of the property.
Among the regular activities are exercise and yoga sessions, bingo, weekly short-story and poetry readings, arts and crafts, visits to Elizabethtown via public transportation CHAMP and religious services.
The facility reserves between eight and 10 rooms for those whose income comes solely from Social Security, charging them less than what it actually costs for them to stay there, Davis said. July 12 is the Keene Valley Neighborhood House Golf Ball Drop, with proceeds going toward making up that difference.
"I raise funds to make sure we don't have to turn away anyone because they can't afford to stay here," she said.
rondackrambler@yahoo.com
