Updated December 5, 2014
Believe in Tomorrow provides mountain respite for families of critically ill children
Walking through the Pinnacle Falls community, you may recall passing a beautiful home with a stone façade, star-studded chimney, and a garden filled with brilliantly painted rocks. This garden is unique, and these are not just any rocks. They represent the many memories made by dozens of families who have found a respite from illness in the Appalachian Mountains through the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s Foundation.
The Believe In Tomorrow House at Pinnacle Falls opened its doors nearly four years ago to families of critically ill children as part of Believe In Tomorrow’s respite program, which offers these families free, year-round getaways to the beaches and mountains. It is also the second respite home within the Believe In Tomorrow Military Initiative, which prioritizes military families facing a child’s life threatening illness.
From the December 2010 ribbon cutting to today, the Believe In Tomorrow House at Pinnacle Falls has provided nearly 2,000 individual overnight accommodations to families traveling from Illinois, Florida, and everywhere in between to experience the healing qualities of a mountain respite home.
“The house was incredible, all of the people that we met were wonderful, and we truly had a fantastic time,” wrote one family. “While this was our first trip since our daughter’s diagnosis, this was actually our first family vacation ever as well! It was so relaxing, and while we knew we wanted to have some sort of a getaway, I don't think we had realized how much we needed one, until we were there.”
From preparing welcome baskets to hosting families into their own homes for a meal, the community of Pinnacle Falls welcomes each and every family with open arms to make their respite as warm and comforting as possible. With preparations underway for the holidays, Believe In Tomorrow is truly thankful to the many volunteers who make each family’s stay so memorable.
Laura Gorney knows first-hand what families go through, remembering her son, Walker, and his battle with cancer while the house was being built. Wise beyond his four years, Walker saw the beauty and healing qualities of a mountain respite, desiring to be the first child to visit. Sadly, he passed away before the house was completed.
In his memory, Laura set up a Pampered Chef registry to fill the kitchen with an abundance of cooking tools so every family can enjoy meals together during their respite. For the past four years, the Gorney’s have provided the means for each family in the house during the week of Thanksgiving to be able to enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal together, complete with a turkey and all the fixin’s.
Local businesses also contribute coupons and passes to make each family’s respite just like any other family vacation. Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, TCBY, Firehouse Subs, Hot Dog World, Mrs. G & Me, Asheville’s Fun Depot, Bicycle Rentals/Sycamore Cycles, Zero Gravity Skate Park, and Huck Finn Rafting Adventures are just a few of the amazing community partners who make the respite program so wonderful for families!
For anyone wishing to donate to the Believe In Tomorrow House at Pinnacle Falls or become involved as a volunteer or community partner, please visit www.believeintomorrow.org.
This article and photos were contributed by The Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation
The Believe In Tomorrow House at Pinnacle Falls opened its doors nearly four years ago to families of critically ill children as part of Believe In Tomorrow’s respite program, which offers these families free, year-round getaways to the beaches and mountains. It is also the second respite home within the Believe In Tomorrow Military Initiative, which prioritizes military families facing a child’s life threatening illness.
From the December 2010 ribbon cutting to today, the Believe In Tomorrow House at Pinnacle Falls has provided nearly 2,000 individual overnight accommodations to families traveling from Illinois, Florida, and everywhere in between to experience the healing qualities of a mountain respite home.
“The house was incredible, all of the people that we met were wonderful, and we truly had a fantastic time,” wrote one family. “While this was our first trip since our daughter’s diagnosis, this was actually our first family vacation ever as well! It was so relaxing, and while we knew we wanted to have some sort of a getaway, I don't think we had realized how much we needed one, until we were there.”
From preparing welcome baskets to hosting families into their own homes for a meal, the community of Pinnacle Falls welcomes each and every family with open arms to make their respite as warm and comforting as possible. With preparations underway for the holidays, Believe In Tomorrow is truly thankful to the many volunteers who make each family’s stay so memorable.
Laura Gorney knows first-hand what families go through, remembering her son, Walker, and his battle with cancer while the house was being built. Wise beyond his four years, Walker saw the beauty and healing qualities of a mountain respite, desiring to be the first child to visit. Sadly, he passed away before the house was completed.
In his memory, Laura set up a Pampered Chef registry to fill the kitchen with an abundance of cooking tools so every family can enjoy meals together during their respite. For the past four years, the Gorney’s have provided the means for each family in the house during the week of Thanksgiving to be able to enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal together, complete with a turkey and all the fixin’s.
Local businesses also contribute coupons and passes to make each family’s respite just like any other family vacation. Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, TCBY, Firehouse Subs, Hot Dog World, Mrs. G & Me, Asheville’s Fun Depot, Bicycle Rentals/Sycamore Cycles, Zero Gravity Skate Park, and Huck Finn Rafting Adventures are just a few of the amazing community partners who make the respite program so wonderful for families!
For anyone wishing to donate to the Believe In Tomorrow House at Pinnacle Falls or become involved as a volunteer or community partner, please visit www.believeintomorrow.org.
This article and photos were contributed by The Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation
Updated December 2, 2014
Construction on new homes underway
Progress on the construction of two new homes in Pinnacle Falls is moving along at a quick pace.
Lot 21 property owners, Michael Ebanks and Jennifer Stickey broke ground on their lot on Pinnacle Falls Lane, across from the entrance of the clubhouse, in mid-November.
And John and Lesley Gilbert's home on Wild Deer Trail (Lot 38) is now in the advanced stages of framing.
Lot 21 property owners, Michael Ebanks and Jennifer Stickey broke ground on their lot on Pinnacle Falls Lane, across from the entrance of the clubhouse, in mid-November.
And John and Lesley Gilbert's home on Wild Deer Trail (Lot 38) is now in the advanced stages of framing.
Neighbors hold "Ethnic Cuisine" night
Nearly 20 members of the community gathered at the clubhouse on Saturday, November 15 for a taste of homemade "Ethnic" cuisine. Some of the dishes served featured cuisine from Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, the U.S. southwest, and France.
How well do you know Christmas?
Take the Christmas Quiz
Every year, millions celebrate Christmas around the world. Yet, many of us don't really know the history of the holiday, its traditions, or even the culture.. See if you can answer the questions below correctly.
Answers below.
- Where did the saying "Jimmy Christmas" come from?
- Is the Christmas tree a Christian symbol? Where did it come from?
- Scholars can't agree on exactly when Christ was born, but how long has Christmas been celebrated on December 25?
- How long have people been sending out Christmas cards?
- How did the custom of giving Christmas presents originate?
- How many reindeer fly Santa's sleigh? Name them.
- How many times does Santa check his "Naughty & Nice" list?
- What was Scrooge’s first name?
- What is the most popular tree topper?
- What does "Noel" mean?
Answers below.
Answers to the Christmas Quiz:
1. "Jimmy Christmas" or "Jiminy Christmas" is a direct reference to Jesus Christ and dates back to 1664, when it was first recorded as "Gemini," a twist on the Latin phrase Jesu domini. The name of the Walt Disney character Jiminy Cricket was probably based on this phrase.
2. Decorated trees were used in winter celebrations long before the advent of Christianity. Plants and trees that remained green all year had a special significance for people who lived in cold-winter climes. Ancient people hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. Some believed that evergreens kept witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness away. Romans decorated evergreen trees with trinkets and topped them with an image of their sun god. Druid sorcerers hung golden apples and lit candles on oak trees to celebrate the winter solstice. It is generally agreed that the use of an evergreen tree as part of Christian Christmas celebrations started 400 years ago in Germany and spread to most of northern Europe by the 19th century.
3. The exact circumstances of the beginning of Christmas as we know it remain obscure. The oldest existing record of a feast to celebrate the birth of Christ is in the Roman almanac called the Chronographer of 354 or the Philocalian Calendar. This almanac noted that a festival commemorating Christ's birth was observed by the church in Rome in the year 336. Chronographers of the third century were the ones who reckoned December 25, around the winter solstice, as the most likely day of Christ's birth. Many historians believe that the church stirred up interest in a festival at this time of year to counter the pagan festivals surrounding the solstice, but no historical document proves Rome's involvement. The record shows that such a festival was adopted throughout the Christian world by the year 458. The word Christmas comes from "Christ's Mass."
4. The first Christmas card is thought to have been printed in England in 1843. Wood engravers of the time often produced prints with religious themes, but this was the first time anyone produced these prints in quantity and sold them (1,000 copies in London). The design was of a family party, beneath which were the words "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." In the mid-19th century in the United States, the owner of a variety store in Albany, New York, produced a card carrying Christmas greetings from "Pease's Great Variety Store in the Temple of Fancy."
5. The ancient Romans gave each other gifts on the calends (first day) of January, and the practice spread throughout the Roman Empire. Eventually, Christians moved the custom to December 25, although many Christians still give gifts on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the manifestation of Jesus' divine nature to the Magi.
(Answers for questions 1-5 are from www.almanac.com)
6. Nine reindeer. They are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph
7. Twice
8. Ebenezer
9. Angel
10. Christmas
1. "Jimmy Christmas" or "Jiminy Christmas" is a direct reference to Jesus Christ and dates back to 1664, when it was first recorded as "Gemini," a twist on the Latin phrase Jesu domini. The name of the Walt Disney character Jiminy Cricket was probably based on this phrase.
2. Decorated trees were used in winter celebrations long before the advent of Christianity. Plants and trees that remained green all year had a special significance for people who lived in cold-winter climes. Ancient people hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. Some believed that evergreens kept witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness away. Romans decorated evergreen trees with trinkets and topped them with an image of their sun god. Druid sorcerers hung golden apples and lit candles on oak trees to celebrate the winter solstice. It is generally agreed that the use of an evergreen tree as part of Christian Christmas celebrations started 400 years ago in Germany and spread to most of northern Europe by the 19th century.
3. The exact circumstances of the beginning of Christmas as we know it remain obscure. The oldest existing record of a feast to celebrate the birth of Christ is in the Roman almanac called the Chronographer of 354 or the Philocalian Calendar. This almanac noted that a festival commemorating Christ's birth was observed by the church in Rome in the year 336. Chronographers of the third century were the ones who reckoned December 25, around the winter solstice, as the most likely day of Christ's birth. Many historians believe that the church stirred up interest in a festival at this time of year to counter the pagan festivals surrounding the solstice, but no historical document proves Rome's involvement. The record shows that such a festival was adopted throughout the Christian world by the year 458. The word Christmas comes from "Christ's Mass."
4. The first Christmas card is thought to have been printed in England in 1843. Wood engravers of the time often produced prints with religious themes, but this was the first time anyone produced these prints in quantity and sold them (1,000 copies in London). The design was of a family party, beneath which were the words "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." In the mid-19th century in the United States, the owner of a variety store in Albany, New York, produced a card carrying Christmas greetings from "Pease's Great Variety Store in the Temple of Fancy."
5. The ancient Romans gave each other gifts on the calends (first day) of January, and the practice spread throughout the Roman Empire. Eventually, Christians moved the custom to December 25, although many Christians still give gifts on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the manifestation of Jesus' divine nature to the Magi.
(Answers for questions 1-5 are from www.almanac.com)
6. Nine reindeer. They are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph
7. Twice
8. Ebenezer
9. Angel
10. Christmas