1. food and drink
2. desserts and baking

The Helping Hand Newsletter
Residents’ Camp 2014
November/December
2014
Inside this
issue
Recipes
Birthdays
2
GA Gives Day 3
Stokes & Day
Staff
Anniversaries
The 2014 Resident Camp at Camp Twin Lakes
in Rutledge, GA was a blast! Once again,
residents and staff from Wesley Glen joined
DDM for a week full of fun, new friendships,
and exciting adventures! This year we had a
total of 136 people at camp. A big THANK
YOU to all of the staff who came to camp and
helped make this week such a memorable
experience for all of our residents! As always,
the staff from Twin Lakes played a vital role in
making our week such a great success, as well.
The week consisted of activities such as fishing,
canoeing, paddleboats, art/crafts, farming,
ceramics, ziplining, drumming, basketball,
tennis, wiffle-ball, putt-putt and swimming!
Cooking classes this year were taught by our
very own Desmond Ridehalgh, Denise
Williams, and Shelton Batchelor! We also had
a special Health and Safety Class where
residents inspected germs using a black light…
thanks Sylvia Crowe! One of the highlights of
the week was a Talent Show brought to us by
DDM and Wesley Glen residents….we even
had a guest appearance by Elvis! On
Wednesday night, the evening entertainment
was brought to us by Laughing Matters, an
improvisational comedy team. The week
culminated on Thursday night with residents
and staff dancing the night away. Every year
awards are given for various camp
achievements. This year, DDM Resident
Michael Champion received the highest camp
award and was named Mr. Camp Twin Lakes
for 2014. Congratulations Michael!
(See more photos, pages 4-5)
Fun at Camp
4
More Fun at
Camp
5
Cherokee
Smiles
Keep Your
Personal Info
Secure
6
Denise
Williams’
Poem
7
Banquet
Invitation
Ways to Make
Water Taste
Better
8
Briarlake/Little 9
Light of Mine
DDM
10
Happenings
Lessons Life
Has Taught Me
Special Family 11
Retreat
Calendar,
News,
Residents’
Rights, DDM
Needs, Prayer
Requests
12
Tasty Recipes From Residents
Beefy French Onion Potpie
Black Bean, Corn, and Turkey Chili
Jasper Hm Resident Ingredients:
Desmond Ridehalgh 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
led two cooking classes 1 lb. ground turkey or turkey breast
at DDM’s Camp Twin 1 large onion, chopped
Lakes Residents’
2 tbsp. chili powder
Camp. The following 1 tsp. ground cumin
2 recipes were prepared 1 tsp dried oregano leaves, crushed
in his classes.
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 3/4 c. Swanson chicken broth
Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 c. Pace chunky salsa
1 small onion, chopped
1 tbsp. sugar
1 (10.5 oz.) can condensed French
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and
onion soup
drained
1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (15 oz.) can whole kernel corn,
1 (12 oz.) tube refrigerated buttermilk
drained
biscuits
Cheddar Mac & Ham Casserole
Samaria Home Residents Shelton
Batchelor (left) and Denise Williams
(right) each led a cooking class at Camp
Twin Lakes Residents’ Camp. The
following recipe was prepared in each of
their classes.
Ingredients:
1 pkg. Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheesemost nutritious-Organic White Cheddar
1 c. frozen peas, thawed and drained
1 c. chopped, smoked ham
Directions:
1/2 c. skim or low-fat milk
Cook ground beef and onion in a large
1/2 c. finely shredded cheddar
skillet over medium heat until beef is no
Directions:
longer pink; drain. Stir in soup. Bring
Preheat oven to 400°. Prepare Mac
to a boil. Transfer to an ungreased 9”
Directions:
& Cheese as directed. Add peas,
deep-dish pie plate. Sprinkle with
Heat
the
oil
in
a
4-quart
saucepan
over
ham, and milk; mix well. Spoon
cheese. Bake at 350° for 3 minutes or
into a 9” square baking dish;
medium-high
heat.
Add
the
turkey,
until cheese is melted. Top with
sprinkle with cheese. Bake 15
onion,
chili
powder,
cumin,
oregano,
refrigerated biscuits. Bake 15-20
minutes or until heated through.
black
pepper,
and
garlic
powder.
Cook
minutes longer or until biscuits are
Serve with tossed salad. Makes
until turkey is well browned, stirring
golden brown.
about 4, 1 cup, servings.
constantly.
Stir the broth, salsa, sugar, beans, and
corn into the saucepan. Heat to a boil.
Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for
30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
November and December Birthdays
November
1-Latonya Roberts, PT Paul
1-Sylvia Crowe, Policies & Procedures
Specialist
10-Pam Watson, Paul Residential Services
Coordinator
11-Brian Haynes, Briarlake
13-Selenna Henderson, FT Paul
16-Cheyenne Jackson, PT Wooten
17-Marjorie Evans, PT Briarlake
22-Sherry Mays, Stokes Residential
Services Coordinator
Page 2
24-Marlene Thomas, FT Briarlake
26-Kimberly Williams, FT Briarlake
27-Tamara Davis, PT Drew
30-Beverly Kitchens, Pedigo
December
1-Latonia Nelson, FT Day
2-Dawn Moore-Lockett, FT Snapfinger
11-Doug Rowell, Hess
14-Bill Neal, President/CEO
14-Linda O’Neal, PT Day
15-Diana Bright, Corbit Walker
18-Jennifer Sheffield, Samaria Residential
Services Coordinator
19-Brandon Cox, Hess
19-Michael Paul, Paul
20-Jason Kent, FT Hess
24-Deandria Williams, PT Samaria
25-Jeri Wilensky, Stokes
28-Danny Henderson, Facilities Mgr
31-Randy Fogg, High Hope
31-Lisa Johnson, Pedigo Residential
Services Coordinator
The Helping Hand Newsletter
Georgia Gives Day
Georgia Gives Day is an annual statewide giving blitz aimed at raising
as much money as possible for Georgia nonprofits like DDM. The event is
spearheaded by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits. Georgia Gives Day
2014 will take place on Thursday, November 13. We encourage you
to help support DDM on this day by making a donation at
hƩps:// www.gagivesday.org/c/GGD/a/ddmga .
The DAY HOME attended the ballet: top left, l-r, Resident Angie Mattox, Residential Services Director Denel
James, Resident Jessica McFarland, and Residential Services Coordinator Donna Bowman. Top center, top
right, below left and second, the STOKES ladies had fun at the Gwinnett County Fair. Top right, l-r: Residents
Jeri Wilensky, Tamara Wyse, Stacie Darnell, and Colleen Campbell each won a fish to take home. Below third
and fourth, the Stokes ladies enjoyed visiting the Center for Puppetry Arts.
DDM Staff Anniversaries
October 26, Lister Lestrade, Snapfinger Residential Services Coordinator, 4 years
November 1, Laverne Phillips, Jasper FT Resident Companion, 1 year
November 2, Deborah Shelton, Cherokee PT Home Manager, 2years
November 4, Denel James, Residential Services Director, 1 year
November 6, Alexis Chrispen, Duvall PT Home Manager, 1 year
November 11, Sylvia Crowe, Policies and Procedures Specialist, 1 year
November 15, Pearlina Foreman, Stokes FT Home Manager, 1 year
November 16, Marisa Albert, Snapfinger FT Home Manager, 2 years
November 19, Kimberly Williams, Briarlake FT Resident Companion, 1 year
December 6, Gifford Bowers, Chatham PT Home Manager, 2 years
Page 3
The Helping Hand Newsletter
Fun at Residents’ Camp
Page 4
The Helping Hand Newsletter
More Fun at Residents’ Camp
Page 5
The Helping Hand Newsletter
Cherokee Smiles
Pictured in the above photos, the Cherokee Home was treated to tickets to the Ole Miss vs. Boise State Game at the
GA Dome. Second top photo, l-r, Terry Heath, Home Manager Kim Johnson, D.C. Dewberry, Lee Abercrombie,
Home Manager Carly Shadden, and Robert Goss. Third top photo, with the Geico mascot at the Chick-fil-A Fan
Fest before the Ole Miss game. In the first two photos below, the guys enjoyed eating at the Varsity before going to
WWE wrestling. Lee had the time of his life at WWE wrestling—got a Coke, and was smiling, laughing, and cheering
the whole time! Third photo below, D.C. is sporting his new Jon Cena t-shirt—he’s a big fan! Far right photo below,
Lee is posing in his new breast cancer awareness Hulk Hogan t-shirt.
Keep Your Personal Information Secure Offline
Lock your financial documents and records in a safe place at home, and lock your wallet or purse in a safe place at
work.
Limit what you carry. When you go out, take only the identification, credit, and debit cards you need. Leave your
Social Security card at home. Make a copy of your Medicare card and black out all but the last four digits on the
copy. Carry the copy with you—unless you are going to use your card at the doctor’s office.
Before you share information at your workplace, a business, school, or a doctor’s office, ask why they need it, how
they will safeguard it, and the consequences of not sharing.
Shred receipts, credit offers, credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks, bank statements,
expired charge cards, and similar documents when you don’t need them any longer.
Destroy the labels on prescription bottles before you throw them out. Don’t share your health plan information with
anyone who offers free health services or products.
Take outgoing mail to the post office. Promptly remove mail that arrives in your mailbox. If you won’t be home for
several days, request a hold on your mail.
When you order new checks, don’t have them mailed to your home, unless you have a secure mailbox with a lock.
Consider opting out of prescreened offers of credit and insurance by mail. You can opt out for 5 years or
permanently.
Page 6
The Helping Hand Newsletter
Camp Twin Lakes DDM Residential Retreat
Sept 8 – 12, 2014
By Samaria Home Resident Denise Williams, Sept 27, 2014
Every year we gather together
To have some fun that will stay with us forever and ever.
There is a group that pairs up with DDM
By the name of Wesley Glen.
Together we all have tremendous fun
While serving Jesus daily and bringing glory to Him.
There are many activities in which we can participate.
Doing something different that we’ve never done before is great.
This year we showed off our talent that God has supplied to us
By singing, piano playing, exhibiting our art, and other things.
Within all of these we are to daily place our trust.
Every year we see new faces,
Whether it be resident or staff,
May we all live our lives beneath our loving Savior’s graces.
Let our lives reflect the life of our Savior and Lord,
Looking forward to the days of next year,
While we live each of the days to come with Christian accord
As well as tremendous cheer.
The staff that the Lord has placed within each of our homes,
To daily guide our steps and protect our life,
To help us work through those days when we seem to have tremendous strife.
Let us live each day while walking daily beside our Savior,
Showing to those that we meet, our precious Lord’s glorious favor.
As residents of DDM,
In every experience we need to walk closely with Him.
Let us daily appreciate the staff that our Savior placed inside our home,
To guide us in every path that we walk down.
Then, as we follow God’s magnificent lead,
Let us always remember the Christian creed
To live as our Lord and Savior taught us to live.
So daily live with Jesus in one accord,
Expressing your love for Christ as our Savior and Lord!
Written in honor of our DDM retreat
And our Savior, whose name we should daily repeat.
Page 7
The Helping Hand Newsletter
DevelopmentalDisabilities
Ministries,Inc.
cordiallyinvitesyoutoour
ANNUAL
CHRISTMAS
BANQUET
Friday, December 5
6:15 p.m.
SmokeRiseBaptistChurch
5901HughHowellRoad
StoneMountain,GA30087
Cost:$15perperson
PleaseR.S.V.P.byNovember28to
AnneHendersonat
ahenderson@ddmga.orgor
call770‐623‐4899
Ways to Make Water Taste Better
Not everybody has a taste for water, but we all need it to ensure that our bodies continue functioning properly. If you
want to drink more water, but aren’t crazy about the taste (or lack thereof), here are some tips that can make it more
enjoyable. (www.everydayhealth.com)
1. Add fresh fruit. Citrus fruits are classic water enhancers. Try crushing fresh raspberries or watermelon
into your water, or adding strawberry slices. Cucumber and fresh mint are refreshing flavors, as well.
2. Use juice. Go for juices that are all natural, with no sugar added. Tart juices like cranberry,
pomegranate, grape, and apple are especially delicious. Fruits and their juices don’t just taste good—they contain
vitamins and antioxidants that can benefit your health, too.
3. Make it bubbly. Many people prefer sparkling to still water. Try a naturally effervescent mineral water
or bubbly seltzer You can add fresh fruit or natural juice flavors to your seltzer or look for naturally
flavored seltzers at your local grocery store.
4. Get creative with ice. Flavored ice cubes may make an even better drink. Using some of the flavoring
suggestions above, chop your additive of choice, add it to your ice cube tray along with water, then freeze.
You may also consider juice, tea, or coffee cubes.
5. Drink tea. Herbal, fruit, green, white, and red teas have little to no caffeine. There are countless flavors
of these teas from which to choose.
6. Try bouillons, broths, and consommés. If your palate leans toward the savory, you may want to try one
of these hot and savory liquids instead. Since soup is water--based, a cup of hot soup will count toward your
daily fluid consumption.
7. Add fast flavor. If you’re looking for a quick-and-easy flavor booster, you might consider sugar--free
drink mixes.
Be thankful for our clean water. Much of the world is in dire straits due to the lack of it. We are fortunate and blessed.
Page 8
The Helping Hand Newsletter
Briarlake Home/Little Light of Mine Activities
The Briarlake Home went on an outing to Northlake Mall earlier this fall. Pictured in upper left and middle photos,
l-r, are Residents John Smith, Michael Champion, and Brian Haynes by the mall fountains. In the above right photo,
John Athens, Michael, and John Smith visit Brian while he is recuperating at his parents’ home after surgery.
The first two photos below, were taken at the annual Stone Mountain Park Picnic for Little Light of Mine, the special
needs ministry of Briarlake Baptist Church, Family and Friends Day in early October. Brian, 2nd photo, enjoyed the
“fishing” activity. If you caught a fish, you got a prize, and in the first photo, John is showing us his prize. Other
activities included hula hoops, beach balls, bean bag throw, etc. Little Light Choir sang at the Park Springs Retirement
Community on Sept. 14. Third photo below features Stokes Resident Stacie Darnell. Next photo, l-r, John S. with his
guitar and housemate John A. Far left, bottom row, Stokes Resident Jeri Wilensky recited her Scripture from memory,
while Michael intently listens. Bottom row, middle photo, Brian and Dad sing a duet while Mom helps hold the mic.
Bottom row, far right, l-r, Stone Mountain Residents Holly Hackley and Joanna Ripley are part of the dance team.
Page 9
The Helping Hand Newsletter
DDM Happenings
Samaria Home Residents, l-r, Angie Lackey,
Denise Williams, and Shelton Batchelor
attended the Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Concert at Dunwoody Baptist Church.
Host church Lake Park Baptist, recently showered the
Pedigo Home with love, food, and fellowship. We
appreciate their many years of faithful support to DDM
and the Pedigo Home!
Stone Mountain and Briarlake Homes recently
attended an Atlanta Braves game. Pictured, l-r:
Residents John Athens, Diane Padgett, John
Smith, Holly Hackley, Joanna Ripley, and Brian
Haynes.
45 Lessons Life Has Taught Me, by Regina Brett, age 90 (final 15)
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Believe in miracles.
33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
34. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
35. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.
36. Your children get only one childhood.
37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
40. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have.
41. Always choose life.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
Page 10
The Helping Hand Newsletter
Special Family Retreat
The fall 2014 Family Retreat was held September 26-28 at Camp Twin Lakes in Winder, GA. This camp was
held in partnership with Camp Twin Lakes and was designed for families with older children with special needs.
Eight families and fourteen volunteers enjoyed a fantastic weekend together enjoying activities such as climbing,
swinging, ziplining, paddle boating, fishing, painting, archery and games. A big thank you to Dr. Janie Avant for
leading our parent chat session on Saturday afternoon!
Page 11
The Helping Hand Newsletter
Featured Residents’ Rights
DDM, Inc.
6320 Amherst Court
Norcross, GA 30092
1-888-340-5820 toll free
Email ahenderson@ddmga.org
“Like” us on Facebook!

Residents have the right to choose how and with whom they spend
their free time: alone or alone with a friend.

Residents’ things can’t be searched unless they are present or good
reasons for the search are given.
REFERRAL BONUS ANNOUNCEMENT

Helping Others Help
Themselves
We’re on the Web!
www.ddmga.org
A $150 Referral Bonus shall be given to the DDM staff member who refers
a full-time or part-time employee. Any 2012 referrals in process will be paid
at the 2012 rate.
Requirements:
 The person making application MUST list the DDM employee’s name on
the original application at the point of application submission.
 The person who makes application MUST be referred directly from an
active DDM employee.
 After six months of satisfactory service with DDM, the bonus will be paid to
the DDM staff member for the new employee (one bonus for either individual
or couple).
DDM NEEDS LIST:

Wii consoles with remotes for DDM homes – Wii games help with residents’ exercise and activities.
Donations for the LEAP Fund – Life Enrichment and Activities Program – designated for medical and dental expenses of residents (growing and urgent need!)
 MAC computer for central office
 Small emergency generators for DDM homes for use during power outages — these would keep
refrigerators or medical equipment, such as CPAP machines, operating.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES STAFF
For those staff who have recently been hired, please
forward any receipts from your criminal background
check, TB Test, or CPR/First Aid training, to
Human Resources, and you will be reimbursed after
6 months of employment. If you have any questions,
contact HR directly.
Calendar of Events
Nov 1- Holiday Spree at Villa Christina
Nov 2- Standard Time Begins
Nov 11- Veterans Day
Nov. 13- Georgia Gives Day
Nov 27- Thanksgiving Day
Welcome new Residential Services staff:
Crystal Palmer, Appalachee PT Home Manager;
Jasmine Parker, Appalachee PT Home Manager;
Cynthia Nwaji, High Hope PT Home Manager;
Dorothy Wedlowe-Bond, High Hope FT Home
Manager; Gregory Goode, Old Lantern PT Home
Manager; Jarvis Starling, Paul FT Resident
Companion.
Please pray for DDM staff and trustees who
have family members with health concerns.
Please pray for DDM residents and their
families who have health concerns.
Dec 5- Trustee Meeting
Dec 5-6- Residents’ Christmas Weekend, Smoke
Rise Baptist Church
Dec 21- First Day of Winter
Dec 24- Christmas Eve
Dec 25- Christmas Day
Dec 31- New Year’s Eve