Friday, June 3, saw the Grand Re-Opening of Daily Companions, Inc. There was a great turn out for our event. Tina Combs, President & CEO of the Martinsburg Chamber of Commerce, brought the red ribbon and gold scissors for the ribbon cutting ceremony. On hand to cut the ribbon were Ms. Cloughfeather, CEO, Shannon Ball, CFO, Kat Hagedorn, Waiver Manager, Holly Barry, Placement Specialist, and Cathy Irizarry-Barron, Employment Program Specialist. Teresa Hayes, mother of a DCI Member, was on hand to give a brief speech about how much DCI’s program has meant to her daughter. It was a touching moment for all of us.

After the ribbon cutting, everyone toured DCI facilities and enjoyed refreshments. Many positive comments were made about our new layout, with round tables and comfortable seating areas for learning and relaxing. Framed photographs of Friday Field Trips adorn the walls. Andrew Nelson, M.Ed., ISA-CI, Program Coordinator with WV Autism Training Center at Marshall University was on hand to speak with families. Autism Speaks will now have office space at DCI and Andrew or his staff will be able to answer questions from the general public on Autism.  Background music was provided by DCI Volunteer Emily Stotler. DCI Members are very enthusiastic about their music sessions with Emily on Tuesday afternoons.

Mike Collier, a former Pittsburgh Steeler’s player, was on hand to give autographs to his fans. Everyone was excited to meet him and hear stories about his days playing football. Many of DCI’s members were eager to get an autograph to take home. One DCI Member, Chris, was unable to meet Mike due to his work schedule. Mike, on hearing that Chris, (who is one of the biggest Steeler fans ever) was missing this event, made plans to surprise Chris at Cracker Barrel later that evening. A quick call was put in to Cracker Barrel Manager Kevin Kobarcik and operation “Surprise Chris” was on. And boy was Chris surprised!

Asked about the visit Chris grinned and said “ I was very surprised! It was great to meet Mike. He shook my hand and gave me an autographed copy of his picture. Some of the other employees were peeking out and excited to see him too. I won’t ever forget!“

Daily Companions, Inc. would like to thank all those who attended our Grand re-Opening and made it such a great success.   We also want to thank The Journal News for sending their reporter, and Jon Howard for taking such great shots of our employees.

DCI was able to visit Claymont Court on our Friday Field Trip. Amy Silver, one of the curators, gave us a very informative tour. We learned that Claymont court was built in 1840 by Bushrod Corbin Washington, grand-nephew of George Washington, to replace a house that was originally built in 1820, but burned in 1838. Bushrod finished building Claymont for $30,000, a massive sum at the time; it was the largest house in the area, containing 59 rooms and 25 fireplaces.

We all tried to imagine what the amount of work would have been like had we been servants; in the words of one DCI Member “that would have been very very hard!” Amen to that!

DCI Members stood in the lovely ballroom, imaging themselves decked out in fancy dress, listening to the violins, and smelling the bunches of flowers. What intrigues, flirtations, and clandestine meetings must have taken place! Oh, if those walls could Talk!

Next we stood in the dining room, picturing sumptuous feasts, family meals, parties, and probably dinners with “persons of great importance” over the years. Then out to the rear patio, to imagine ourselves sitting and rocking, enjoying the sunset with a cup of tea or, in hot weather, perhaps something a little stronger!

Ms. Silver informed us that the movie “Gods and Generals” was filmed in part at Claymont Court. Tents were set up in the rear of the home and some scenes were filmed there also.

Over the years there have been several owners that have made changes to suite their life styles. Today The Claymont Society for Continuous Education functions as a non-profit, hosting retreat groups, with modern facilities and a conference room.

Ms. Cloughfeather, CEO for DCI, has purchased new seating for the DCI Day Center. Her vision is for all DCI Members to have an area where they are free to engage in quiet conversation with each other or with staff; read a magazine, or enjoy group conversations on differing topics. Have you ever had a problem and wanted to share it or ask advice? Or have you ever been so happy about an event and wanted to share that happiness? Sometimes, if something or someone has made you sad or mad, it helps to talk those situations over too. Well, DCI’s “Seating for Success” is the place to talk it out!

Ms. C has also provided an area where DCI Members can relax and watch educational documentaries or just an entertaining movie. There is a white board for educational training purposes that will take place in this area too.

New round tables that seat six have been provided for group activities such as games, goals, tasks, supported employment, and vocational training. Anywhere you look in the Day Center, you can be “Seated for Success”!

Daily Companions, Inc. will hold a grand re-opening on Friday, June 3, 2016 from 3 pm to 6 pm.  This is free to the public and we encourage all graduating seniors with intellectual development disabilities to attend.  A tour of our facility and programs that we offer will be available, should you like to learn more.

Have questions about Daily Companions, Inc.? Come out and join us and we will answer all questions that you may have.

To commemorate this occasion, Daily Companions, Inc. will host a special Re-Grand Opening celebration with a free special appearance from The Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back Mike Colier (Super Bowls 1975 and 1976).  Also in attendance will be Tina Combs, President and CEO, Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce.

Local media outlets will also be on site and free refreshments will be served.

We hope you can join us!