My Life Has Changed Since I Found S.C.O.P.E.

I was retired from General Motors since 1994. I occupied myself early on by hunting and fishing, especially at a camp in PA. Some how I lost my desire to kill anything. So I was searching for new activities. I worked more than anything, but I knew I had to find something more.

I was going to water aerobics at Lordstown High School and met some people who talked about S.C.O.P.E. in Lordstown. This only opened in the summer of 2007, so it was new to me. I went in for a visit and the welcome was very friendly. I recognized a few old friends from school and there were projects. The guys were making bird houses and bird feeders and they needed to be painted, so I helped. I appreciated  the speakers, especially Capri Cafaro, because she helped me personally with her information and expertise. Also the speakers, who give information about care givers for elderly parents, have been helpful to me.

The exercise program helps relieve bodily stress. Learning to  play Bridge lets me know that my mind is capable of learning new things, and I also learn to laugh at myself.

The variety of activities have helped my mind and body. Whenever I leave here I feel somehow better for having relieved stress in life.

Another advantage of belonging to S.C.O.P.E. is that you are not confined to the activities at your own location, but you may attend classes that interest you at another location. This allowed me to attend computer and photography classes in Howland. Now I shoot animals, even butterflies, with a camera instead of a gun. I rest better with my new hobbies.

Attending S.C.O.P.E. is not only good for me, but also my family benefits from my new outlook on life.

Judy Conigy, up front, is the crochet instructor who encouraged Dorothy Owens, Kathleen Pruitt, (second row), Sister Dorothy and Sharon North (third row) to put this quilt together to raffle off at the Lordstown Apple Cider Festival.