Wendover News

Frontier Nursing Service Quarterly Bulletin, Fall 2003 by Gibson, Barb

Board of Governors Meeting

The FNS Board of Governors held their fall meetings at Wendover October 17 and 18. They began their weekend by attending a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Kate Ireland Healthcare Center in Manchester. After meetings on Saturday, Board members attended the graduation ceremony for 53 nurse-midwives and nurse-practitioners from the Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing.

Guests

During the months of September, October and November, we hosted 74 overnight guests at our Bed & Breakfast Inn and served dinner to 199 additional guests.

Tours

Totty Lawson, Tour Guide, presents the following report:

Since September, we gave tours to approximately 184 people who traveled from near and far and have been of all ages. We had nursing students that will be graduating soon and plan to leave their mark on the world; students that have been in the nursing field for years and were in need of restoration; families of FSMFN graduates; and those just beginning at the FSMFN. We had professors from various schools of nursing make their seventh or eighth visit and some visiting Wendover for the first time.

We had people from all walks of life visit the grounds and walk along the pathway that Mrs. Breckinridge herself walked. They have toured her house, sat in her living room, and heard stories that have been passed down from nurses and couriers that had the great opportunity to know Mrs. Breckinridge personally. Our goal being not only to educate them of all that Mrs. Breckinridge began but also to give them a small glimpse into the rare and interesting individual she was.

Some of our visitors traveled a different path: In june, we entertained 20 journalists on a press tour, courtesy of our friend George Percy, Geiger and Associates, based in Tallahassee, Florida. An article written from that tour appears in the December issue of "Blue Ridge Country" written by Barbara A. Killmeyer, freelance writer, who has gained great acknowledgement with her book "Marketing for Success". Ms. Killmeyer writes of Mrs. Breckinridge's devotion to the people of the Kentucky Mountains being without limits. She boasts of Mrs. Breckinridge's dream and mission to do something useful with her life.

We were also privileged to have Wanda McKinney, Associate Travel Editor for Southern Living Magazine, tour Wendover and dine on wonderful spoon bread and turkey hash, one of Mrs. Breckinridge's favorite meals.

Each individual takes away something different from their visit here. Some are inspired to forge their own endeavor and some find their hope renewed by her story. If you have not traveled to Wendover and visited the home of our founder, Mrs. Breckinridge, we encourage you to do so. We extend to you a warm invitation to schedule a tour or spend the night at our Bed and Breakfast Inn.

Maintenance Projects

Projects this fall included installation of a heating/cooling system in the Garden House. Our boiler heating system became very difficult to maintain. Maintenance and upkeep of the new heat pump system will be much cheaper long term. Special thanks to The Stone Foundation for providing funds for the heating/cooling system.

Annual Bluegrass Committee Luncheon

The annual Bluegrass Committee Luncheon was held September 24 at the Louisville Boat Club. Thanks to Committee Member, Betty Christie, who is a member of the Boat Club, for arranging the Luncheon.

Bill Hall, Vice-Chairman of FNS Board of Governors spoke to the group and Dr. Susan Stone, Dean and President of the Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing updated the group on happenings at the School. Dr. Julie Marfell, Chair of Family Nursing spoke about the Family Nurse Practitioner Program, Mallie Noble, Administrator of MBHC spoke about the Hospital and Totty Lawson, FNS Tour Guide, gave an update of Wendover guests.

Special thanks to Marjorie Vogt for providing the beautiful flowers as centerpieces for the tables. Next year's luncheon will be held in Lexington.

Holiday Activities

We are preparing for the traditional Christmas parties at the rural healthcare clinics. This involves shopping and wrapping toys and filling bags with fruit and candy for the children (see update in next QB). We are also very busy preparing for our annual holiday meals at Wendover.

Merry Christmas from the staff at Wendover: Barb Gibson, Assistant to CEO; Beulah Couch, Director of Human Resources; Patra Simpson, Assistant to HR Director; Totty Lawson, Tour Guide; AnnDraia Bales, Development secretary; Christine Collins, Special Projects; Joey Roberts, Maintenance Foreman; Linda Sawyers, Cook/Housekeeper; Carolyn Wells, Cook/Housekeeper; Vicky Hacker, PRN Cook/Housekeeper; Michael Brock, Maintenance/ security Guard; Ruben Feltner, Maintenance/Securtiy Guard; and Josh Lewis, Maintenance/Security Guard.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Ethel W. Ledegand, Norwood, Massachusetts, for knitting a total of 1,000 baby caps for FNS babies! The caps are given to Level 111 midwifery students to place on the head of the first baby they help deliver.