years ago. the nonprofit aims to create a meaningful christmas by providing gifts and financial assistance to families in need. if i can bring just a little sparkle of love and happiness and keep the magic of christmas alive i m going to keep doing it. reporter: this year he opened his workshop to the community, a chance for others to help. well, hello. reporter: inviting groups like the young adult club from the inland valley downes syndrome association. you are all in junior elf training today. reporter: showing volunteers how to make toys. very good. now let s tie a knot. reporter: giving them a sense of purpose and pride. perfect. for teaching a child to make something from their own hands from their own heart and that makes it even more special. this is the fun part. are you ready? yes. reporter: for elves like brooke beard the opportunity to make and help give out these gifts is a joy. i couldn t wait. you have good stuff in here, too. reporter: a spec
By Elio Gugliotti, Editor
Woodland Regional High School junior Juliana Rubino, left, and senior Brooke Beard demonstrate how to prepare a patient before transferring the patient from a wheelchair to a hospital bed during a certified nursing assistant class May 20 at the high school in Beacon Falls. âELIO GUGLIOTTI
BEACON FALLS â Woodland Regional High School junior Arlena Michaud has wanted to go into nursing since the eighth grade.
âIâve always wanted to help people,â she said. âI love biology and all things medical.â
Michaud didnât have to wait until after graduation to get started on her nursing path. Michaud, whose mother is a nurse, is one of 15 students in Woodlandâs inaugural certified nursing assistant course this year.
Contributed by the Potters of Rockbrook
The Potters of Rockbrook and Opelika Empty Bowls recently lost a very special person. Rest in Peace, James Spain.
James Houston Spain – Oct. 11, 1956 ~ Jan. 26, 2021
James Houston Spain was a Renaissance man. He built world-class stereo systems in his spare time, including a turntable with a needle so sensitive, you could hear the crickets in Central Park, where the orchestra had played. When someone gave him two pipe organs, he disassembled the 100s of components and then spent weeks reconstructing them with his sons.
James’ individuality manifested at a young age. While attending Opelika High School, he dressed in a suit and carried a briefcase to class. The Cadillac he drove had a nonfunctioning cell phone prototype, which James built, complete with the ringer.