Summer 2007 The Newsletter of Sipe’s Orchard Home Volume 52

News from the ORCHARD

Look, Ma...!Brian L. Phelps, president

We all like attention, at least when we’re doing something we’re proud of. Most children have to learn appropriate ways to get attention. Sipe’s has certainly helped many children learn that lesson. It’s too bad they did not have a newsletter where they could announce their accomplishments to the world, because that is what I am about to do.

Endorsements: In the past few weeks, Sipe’s again earned full endorsement for our Level II residential services and our preschool day treatment services. Though I would like to take the credit, the actual work was done by the dedicated staff members working in those programs.

Programs: Our treatment programs, both residential and day, continue helping children through difficult times; our More-at-Four classes ended their school year with a touching and enthusiastic graduation; our new summer camp has been wildly successful. Children at Sipe’s are learning, growing, healing, succeeding, and having fun.

Board Members: I want to brag on our board, especially the members of the Executive Committee (Chairman Bill Burton, Vice-chair Warren Hutton, Secretary George Moretz, Treasurer Pete Whitener, and Past-chair John Wiley). This group has held extra meetings, studied programs, wrestled with finances, evaluated options, and otherwise spent a great deal of their time and energy shaping and ensuring the future of Sipe’s. Though we have no crystal ball, our movement forward will be carefully considered and well informed, thanks to them.

Welcome to Huckleberry Summer Camp!In a flurry of T-shirts, tote bags, fishing poles, and sidewalk chalk, (not to mention paint, cookies, horsehair, balls, splashes, games, and tire swings) Sipe’s launched its back-to-basics summertime experience for children known as Huckleberry Summer Camp.

President Brian Phelps likens this summer to the Sipe’s campus in the 1950’s. “Instead of troubled children, instead of more therapy and counseling, summer camp has brought play and laughter and carefree boys and girls to our campus. And though we don’t worry about being

therapeutic with our campers, in many ways, this summer program is no different from what we’ve done for years, serving families and using our resources to help children learn about themselves, their world, and other people.”

Chad Scott, director of operations, adds, “Whether the kids are trekking to the waterfall or painting a flower pot or swinging in a tire, our staff members help them have fun without all the high-tech gizmos and canned entertainment they’re accustomed to these days.”

The schedule is balanced and relaxed to accommodate the children. Parents are pleased with their children’s summertime experience here. With generous community donations and modest fees, the camp supports itself and does not draw resources away from Sipe’s ongoing treatment programs.

The summer camp program at Sipe’s is an affordable way for children to be active, sociable, challenged, and engaged in a safe and supervised environment.

Look, Ma...! continued on page 2

We help families grow their dreamsSee page 3 for more summer camp photos

Look, Ma...! cont. Staff: And finally, I would like to show-off the Sipe’s employees. They have been handed new responsibilities, changing expectations, difficult clients, aging facilities, unplanned challenges, and inadequate money, but they persist in doing an outstanding job. None of the accomplishments listed above would have happened without them.

I think this is an impressive list, and I want everyone to know the good work that is being done at Sipe’s on behalf of children.

News from theORCHARDThe newsletter of Sipe’s Orchard Home

Published quarterlyThird Class Postage Paid

at Conover, North Carolina office

Sipe’s Orchard Home4431 County Home Road

Conover, NC 28613Telephone: (828) 256-5056

Fax: (828) 256-4031www.sipesorchardhome.org

Brian L. Phelps, PresidentChad Scott, Chief Operations Officer

Jim Hunt, Business ManagerNan Lacy, Marketing & Fund Development

DirectorMark Morgan, Director of Communications &

Technology

SIPE’S ORCHARD HOMEBOARD OF DIRECTORS

ChairmanBill Burton

Vice-ChairWarren Hutton

TreasurerPete Whitener

SecretaryGeorge Moretz

Margaret ChathamRon McGee

John MillhollandPolly PearsonJesse RectorJohn Wiley

PRESIDENT ANDBOARD CHAIR EMERITUS

Richard Tyndall

BOARD MEMBERS EMERITUS

Claude Abernethy, Jr.Chuck BlevinsRuth Deaton

Robert Gaither, Jr.Harriet Kuhn

Hamp Shuford, Jr.Charles Snipes

Thomas Warlick

Summer 2007 – Issue 52Sipe’s Orchard Home

4431 County Home RoadConover, NC 28613

(828) 256-5056

For more news about Sipe’s please visit www.sipesorchardhome.org

Children pictured in News from the Orchard are not necessarily residents of Sipe’s Orchard Home.

At a recent board meeting, ten staff members were recognized for five or more years of service to Sipe’s. Here, vice-chairman Warren Hutton (right) congratulates president Brian Phelps on his eighteen years as president.

The board of directors, motivated by the Executive Committee, has decided to move forward with expanding the services at Sipe’s. In the fall, the campus will see two new programs:

Daycare Classroom: Using the fourth (and currently unused) classroom in the Tyndall Center, Sipe’s will open a five-star daycare program that will serve ten private-pay preschoolers.

Before and After School Care: With two separate components, Sipe’s will begin offering before and after school care for both preschoolers and school age children. The preschool service will compliment Sipe’s More-at-Four program which currently serves over thirty at-risk preschoolers daily. Before and after school care for school age children will provide

New Programs Coming to Campusa needed resource for the working families of our area.

These new programs are part of a long-range plan for enhancing the services Sipe’s offers to children and families. The executive committee focussed on these services because of the need in this area, the cost effectiveness of the programs, and the positive impact it can make upon children.

The Sipe’s board, especially the executive committee members Bill Burton, Warren Hutton, George Moretz, Pete Whitener, and John Wiley, are to be commended for their dedication, their time, their guidance, their focus, and their fortitude during this process of evaluating and enhancing the services at Sipe’s.

HUCKLEBERRY SUMMER CAMP

The tire swings under the big oak tree have been a favorite attraction since the first campers arrived on June 11.

The Sipe’s campus provides numerous opportunities for recreation, exploration, and discovery.

Horses make patient teachers; with them, the

children learn self-control, patience, self-confidence,

non-verbal communication skills, and

physical coordination.

Children can explore their artistic side through a variety of hands-on arts and crafts projects.

“...in many ways, this summer program is no different from what

we’ve done for years, serving families and using our resources to

help children...”Brain Phelps

President

Sipe’s Holds Summer Camp Open HouseOn May 19, 2007, Sipe’s hosted an open house for the Huckleberry Summer Camp donors, campers, and families.

Hay rides, pony rides, good people, music, smiles, snacks, and sunshine all combined for an ideal introduction to the Huckleberry Summer Camp at the Orchard.

Led by Dr. Ben Hutchens, the Dei Laudes choir entertained guests at the picnic pavilion with songs from

around the world.

Sheila Moseley, summer camp director, welcomed guests and answered countless questions.

Foodservices manager Tony England provided an array of drinks and cookies.

Chad Scott, director of operations, helped guests see the barn and other facilities which the campers will enjoy

this summer.

Many thanks to the following donors for their support from March 1, 2007 through

June 30, 2007:Ms. Pamala AaronMr. & Mrs. Harold E.

AbercrombieMr. Blair AbernathyAlray Tire Center of ConoverAmerican Legion Post 16American Red CrossMrs. Vera C. BeaneMr. Truitt J. BeardMr. & Mrs. Mitchell D.

BearfieldMrs. Frances Jones Beaver Family Foundation,

Inc.Ms. Wanda L. BeckMrs. Alice K. BlackburnMrs. Johanna BlackmonMr. & Mrs. Gary BostBottom DollarMr. & Mrs. Johnny L. BrownMrs. Agnes Willis BuffDonald W. Bumgarner estateMr. & Mrs. Charles BunnMr. B. W. BushMr. & Mrs. J. Michael ButlerDr. & Mrs. Lawrence M.

Caldwell, IICamfil FarrCatawba Chapter Order of the

Eastern StarCatawba County United Way,

Inc.Catawba Ladies Golf

AssociationCatawba Valley Medical

Center - PACUCharles Beatty Grading, LLCMrs. Barbara ClarkMr. & Mrs. Dale Cline

Clontz Appliance Repair Mr. John W. ClontzMs. Virginia CobbMrs. Valerie CodyMr. & Mrs. Bob ColletteMr. Charles F. Connor, Jr.Conover Duplicate Bridge

Club Ms. Elizabeth Y. LackeyHometown Sports Mr. Phillip GreeneMs. Joyce G. CorbettMr. Charles R. CorriherMr. Gregory CrockerDr. Henry Cutchin, Jr.Dan L. Waters and

Associates, Inc.Dedicated Transportation

Group, Inc.Dei Laudes ChoirDon L. McAlpin

Construction Co.Mr. & Mrs. Wendell EichExpress Personnel Mr. & Mrs. Don LowmanMrs. Nan D. FanjoyMr. & Mrs. Leonard FidlerMr. Henry J. FieselmanGenworth FinancialDr. Nicholas FrankelDr. Steven R. FryeMr. & Mrs. Hugh R. GaitherMr. & Mrs. J. Robert

Gaither, Jr.Mrs. Nadee GarnerMr. Kenneth GarrettGE FoundationMrs. Margaret GentryMrs. Helen B. George

Mr. & Mrs. Bobby R. MillerMr. & Mrs. John R.J. MillerMrs. Kenneth K. MillhollandMr. & Mrs. John T. MillsMr. Lewis N. MitchellMr. E. J. MorganMr. & Mrs. Mark C. MorganMt. Zion Lutheran ChurchMr. & Mrs. Loyd MullinaxNational Philanthropic Trust

DAFMr. & Mrs. Derwin NelsonMs. Jane B. NewcombMrs. J. C. NoggleNorth Carolina Community

FoundationO. L. Moretz FoundationDr. & Mrs. Deloy C. OberlinMr. & Mrs. James OliphantMrs. Margery S. OwsleyMr. & Mrs. Max PadgettBonnie M. ParkMr. & Mrs. Paul PattersonMr. Robert J. PattonMrs. Susannah Dell PattonMrs. Doris PeelerMs. Janice Caldwell PittsMr. & Mrs. Fred A. PooveyMrs. Roxy S. PooveyMr. & Mrs. Charles R. PowellMs. Elizabeth Powell

George FoundationMr. & Mrs. Farrell R. GilbertGlen Oaks Golf & Country

ClubMr. & Mrs. Stephen L. GraffMr. & Mrs. David L. HarrisMr. & Mrs. Donald HarrisMr. Harold HawnDr. & Mrs. Brian P. HearonHickory Community

FoundationHickory Saw & Tool, Inc. Mr. Mike PannellHickory Yarns Mr. Freddy MillerMr. Rusty HillMrs. Dorothy. HoustonMr. Robert T. HuittMr. Barry IcardMr. Paul IngramMr. & Mrs. Ned M. JarrettMr. Samuel D. JordanMs. Olive M. KaylorMr. & Mrs. Charles D.

KillianKingston Residence of

HickoryKulynych Family

Foundation I, Inc.Mr. T. Steven LackeyMr. Ray L. LaffonMs. Joyce A. LailMr. & Mrs. Albert C. LeeLee Industries Inc.Mr. Albert L. Lofland, Jr.Maiden Lions ClubMaple Springs LaundryMr. & Mrs. Glenn MartinMr. & Mrs. Roger D. MartinMr. & Mrs. Pete MayoMcDonald’s/PPVMr. & Mrs. Marcus C.

Midgett

A ride through the woods with a cool

shower afterwards is a recurring activity

for the Houston girls this summer.

Professional Construction Estimators

Rev. & Mrs. C. Henry Rendleman

Rick Berry DesignMr. & Mrs. Walter E.

RobertsonMr. & Mrs. C. E. Roseman, Jr.Rotary Club of Catawba

ValleyMr. & Mrs. Alan RoweMr. & Mrs. Carol C. SainSaint-Gobain Corporation

FoundationSandy Ridge Wesleyan

ChurchMr. & Mrs. Wilbert W.

SeabockMr. & Mrs. Marcus R. SheltonMrs. Polly ShookMr. A. Alex ShufordHunt & Grace ShufordShurtape Technologies, Inc.Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Mal SigmonMr. Ray SigmonMr. Leslie C. SigmonMs. Meredith SimmonsMr. & Mrs. Robert SimmonsMrs. Rebecca SimpsonMr. & Mrs. James Robert SinkMrs. John F. SinnettVernon O. Sipe estateMr. & Mrs. Harold G. SkinnerMs. Barbara SloopMr. & Mrs. David SmallMr. Charles M. SnipesSt. Alban’s Episcopal ChurchSt. Aloysius Catholic ChurchSt. Luke’s United Methodist

ChurchMr. & Mrs. William D.

StedmanMr. & Mrs. Rick StineMr. & Mrs. Stewart M.

StoudemireMrs. Jeanne S. TaylorMr. & Mrs. Lee Teeter

The Duke EndowmentThe Unifour Foundation Inc.Therapeutic Techniques Ms. Terri L. HastingsMr. & Mrs. Larry

ThroneburgMr. & Mrs. Keith TownsendTri-City Baptist ChurchTri-City Christian SchoolTriangle United WayMr. & Mrs. Kenneth R.

TurnmyreMr. George W. TwitchellUnited Way of Asheville &

Buncombe CountyUnited Way of Caldwell

CountyMr. & Mrs. Robert E.

VollingerMr. & Mrs. Frank Von

DrehleWal-MartMr. & Mrs. Jess G. WatersMr. & Mrs. Carl W. WelchWestern Piedmont

IWANNA, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. John DeBordMr. & Mrs. Barry WhisnantMrs. Eugenia S. WhisnantWhite TireMr. & Mrs. J. David

WhitenerMr. & Mrs. Peter W.

WhitenerWike’s FloristMr. C. John WileyMrs. Nancy W. WillinghamMr. & Mrs. Jan WilsonMrs. Virginia H. WinecoffWoodlawn Baptist ChurchMrs. Ruby Brown WylyMrs. Robert M. YountPastor & Mrs. James P.

ZimmermanMr. Robert Zorn

Memorials:Vicki Corn Allen Bob & Grace GaitherCharles Beach Andrew NelsonCharlie Bearden Josephine A. BellGlenn Beattie Frances J. BeattieRonald Berry Dr. Steven R. Frye & StaffHarold Biggerstaff Ruby T. BiggerstaffDorothy Bolick

Frank E. Jolly Kathleen M. JollyJosina J. Lofland Albert L. Lofland, Jr. Charles L. Lofland, Jr.James Masters The Reverend Fred

ThompsonFrances V. Mauser Mr. & Mrs. Elmon F. Dale,

Jr.Keona C. Millholland Sue MillhollandJenkins C. Noggle Dorothy P. NoggleCharles Plank The Reverend Fred

ThompsonDavid Donnie Rogers Mac & Jewel BrawleyJennifer Rowe Victoria B. MaynardRalph Rutter Mr. & Mrs. Everette

DellingerMarjorie Schell Conover Duplicate Bridge

ClubMalvern A. Schweig Ralph & Sylvia Bowman Dave & Lynne Clark Mr. & Mrs. Stig Egede-

NissenVivian Sigmon Kate RudisillDr. John F. Sinnett Frances P. SinnettR. G. Jack Sipe Mr. & Mrs. John ArneyPowell & Christine Smith Powell Smith, Jr.Robert A. Stewart Les SigmonReverend Dickson Taylor Jeanne S. Taylor

Mr. & Mrs. John R. J. Miller

Robert B. Bost Sr Max & Mary PadgettMr. Ralph “Howie”

Bowman Victoria B. MaynardDr. & Mrs. Neel H.

Bronnenberg Dr. & Mrs. Brian P.

HearonJohn L. Buff Agnes W. BuffGail Robertson Burks Ann ElkinsMary Ayers Campbell Conover Duplicate Bridge

ClubDeborah Cloninger David & Brenda HarrisCharles H. Cobb Virginia B. CobbEdward Evans Deloy & Kate OberlinBob Flack Polly MoretzJean B. Frye Bob & Gerry ReedGail Garner Nadee GarnerMargaret Garrett Ken GarrettVirginia Shuford Hawn Ernest Harold HawnHelen Hodges C. Allen HodgesDewey Houston Dorothy S. HoustonPaul Hudson Kate RudisillEvelyn Ingram Paul E. IngramLillian Warlick Isenhower Bob & Grace Gaither Les C. Sigmon

Long-time friend of Sipe’s Sue Millholland visited this summer and learned about the latest events on campus. She is pictured here in front of the Gifford Memorial Garden which she and her late husband Kenneth gave in 1997 in memory of Sue’s parents, L.C. and Mildred Gifford.

New Faces on Campus• Max sits down frequently in the middle of a task.• Mandy is obsessed with smells and sniffs constantly.• Hallie and Rosie like ropes and collars.• One simply goes by the name “Bear.”• Shawnah will bark when spoken to. • A diverse group, they have ancestors from Germany,

Portugal, Australia, and Labrador.

These are not new clients at Sipe’s, but a few of the four-legged members of Unifour K-9 Search and Rescue. At the invitation of President Brian Phelps, himself a breeder of Labrador Retrievers, they have been nosing around Sipe’s lately.

“The dogs need large areas with distracting smells to hone their skills as search and rescue dogs,” he says. “And I remembered V.O. Sipe’s affinity for dogs, especially fox hunting hounds. I don’t think he would mind these tracking dogs on campus.”

Two of the Unifour K-9 Search and Rescue dogs at work in the field.

The group meets every few weeks at Sipe’s. Members take turns walking a meandering trail around the campus, dropping gloves or other articles for the dogs to locate. Alison Bentley, one of the group’s members, explained that the dogs are taught to sit when they locate an article before continuing to follow the track. “And they get really excited about this,” she continues. “They think it’s a game.”

The group prefers no particular breed, but does need dogs that are obedient and well mannered. Three of the group’s dogs have worked for area emergency and law enforcement teams helping locate missing people. Many of the dogs are new to tracking and require more practice and easier tracks to follow. All of the dogs, as well as the fifteen members of the group, enjoy the work and their interactions with each other.

Two of the dogs visited the children in the Tyndall Center.

Ed Thomas Carol LeGrandHelen Tillman Frank & Pat Von DrehleLouise Twitchell George TwitchellThelma Waters Bob & Gerri ReedRichard Welch Carl & Pat WelchWade Whisnant Eugenia S. WhisnantEstelle Whitener Barry & Kathy WhisnantMillard E. Winecoff Jan, Debbie, Betsy, & Kaite

Wilson Virginia Winecoff

Honorariums:Claude Abernethy Stine & Carolyn Isenhower Albert Keiser, Jr.Claude Abernethy, Jr. Russell L. IsenhourDr. Henry W. Abernethy Mr. & Mrs. Carol C. SainRomalda Aman Bob & Annette ColletteExia Bolick Mr. & Mrs. John R. J.

Miller

Edgar L. Peper Alene J. PeperJoanne Shuford Will Eckard, Jr., W & W ServicesMargaret Sipe Ronald & Roxy PooveyMadeline Smyre Robert & Mary SmyreMrs. Mary Teeter Lee & Coco TeeterA. C. Woody Catawba Valley Knitting &

Finishing Co.

Employees of Hickory Saw & Tool, Inc.

Hickory Saw & Tool, Inc.Leigh & Melanie Ford The Reverend Fred

ThompsonChristine Huitt Robert T. HuittRobbie Huitt Robert T. HuittKris Lackey T. Steven LackeyBrian Mackie Ruth Mackie

The News from Glen Oaks

Member Agency ofCatawba County United Way

Sipe’s Orchard Home4431 County Home Road

Conover, NC 28613828-256-5056

Return Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCONOVER, NC 28613

PERMIT #5

In 1991, Bill and Gwen McRee, owners of Glen Oaks Golf Club, first donated part of the proceeds from one of their annual tournaments to Sipe’s. A tradition began, and sixteen years (and over $60,000) later, that tradition continued with the June ’07 tournament, another fully booked success. Sipe’s is grateful for this consistent and generous support.

Sadly, Bill McRee passed away on July 11, 2007. The Sipe’s staff members who knew him will miss his welcome to the golf course, his enjoyment of the players and the game, his smiles and handshakes, and his enthusiasm for the good works done at Sipe’s.

President Brian Phelps remembers Bill’s original offer of support. “He came to me said he wanted to help us with an annual tournament, and I accepted. Over the years, Sipe’s has gained a great deal because of Bill.”

The 2007 golf tournament for Sipe’s at Glen Oaks was the latest in a long tradition of tournaments which have raised significant funds for the children and programs at Sipe’s.