November 2010 Volume 51 Page 1
Greetings from Compeer
Inside this issue:
Compeer News
1
Breakthrough House
News
2
November Activities
3-4
Volunteer Outing
4
Birthdays
4
November’s
Skillbuilders’ Event
4
Thanksgiving Facts
5
Youth Outing
5
November Game
6
It was an INCREDIBLE evening at Washburn University
during our 7th Annual Monopoly Tournament on
Saturday October 16th. Fantastic food, exceptional
entertainment and wonderful people all joined in to make
the evening a success!!! We would like to thank everyone
who attended this event and Joey Little, our Emcee, for
providing our entertainment during the evening. We
would like to send a special thank you to our key
sponsors: Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Capital City
Bank, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, and
Learning in the Community (LinC) for their much needed
sponsorship to ensure the success of the event. All funds
raised at this event will support the Youth Compeer
Program and allow us to successfully recruit more
community volunteers!
Through Compeer, a volunteer can help change
someone’s life for the better and it’s just as simple as
being a friend. Please call today to set up a meeting.
232-6807 x 305.
Greetings from the Executive Director
As we enter the Fall season, and begin thinking about upcoming Holidays and festivities, please
also remember that the Compeer staff will be working hard to meet year-end goals for the program!
As Cheri mentioned in her email message to you, United Way of Greater Topeka, and other funders
will soon review our program goals for 2010, to ascertain whether we are “doing what we say we are
doing,” are being accountable, and most importantly whether we are making a difference in the lives
of our consumers. Of course, we know you, as volunteers DO make a huge difference in your
Compeer friends’ lives… We just have to make certain we demonstrate how, and explain this to our
generous funders and donors. If you have ideas on how to help us recruit additional volunteers,
please let us know.
Thank you so much for all you do for Compeer and for your special Compeer friend(s). We would
not exist if it were not for your generosity. This Thanksgiving, the staff and Board of Directors at
Breakthrough House want you to know we are giving special thanks for YOU!
-Danette Tipton, Executive Director
November 2010 Volume 51 Page 2
Breakthrough House News!
Residential Services
Residential Services would like to welcome all of the new staff members in Housing. Welcome
Erica, Natasha, Jennifer, Stevie, Vicky and Amber. Bed bugs are becoming more and more of a
nuisance in the United States, mostly of the East and West coasts but here is how to identify them.






Immature bed bugs are light yellow or tan in color
Adults are brown or reddish brown
Adults are 1/8th of an inch in size and can be seen by the naked eye.
Bed bugs are wingless, oval and flattened in appearance and crawl at a steady rate.
They prefer to hide close to where they sleep.
Their flattened bodies enable them to fit into tiny crevices- especially those associated with
mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards.
Clubhouse
September, ah September……we rush into the fall season and leave the hot days of summer
behind. And the speed picks-up and holidays, food, and presents move into our thinking along with
the cooler weather.
Mowing and yard work and more mowing….The clubhouse TEP (transitional employment
program) workers earned a weekly paycheck and spiffed-up the lawns at all the Breakthrough
Group Homes and apartments. Lawns were mowed, trees were trimmed, and curbs adjacent to the
buildings were cleaned and cleared of weeds and dirt. In but a few weeks the buildings took on a
different and new beauty. In the doing, four clubhouse members gained additional self-confidence
and satisfaction with work very well done. And they took more steps on their journey toward
mental health.
Then there was the United Way Day of Caring. Four participants in the Hope Street Academy
volunteered their time to clean the three clubhouse vans. Young and energetic, they washed, swept
and polished. We are very grateful and extend our thanks to the youth and the Academy for their
efforts.
-Jim Mosbacher, Clubhouse Director
Consumer Assistance
It’s time to pull out the winter coats, boots, hats and gloves! November brings the possibility of
snow storms, which might keep a person “snowed-in”. Therefore, it’s also time to make sure your
food pantry is stocked up with a variety of canned and non-perishable (no refrigeration needed)
items to tide you over until you’re able to get to the grocery store again. Some other items that are
also important are hygiene items, toilet paper, etc. Being prepared will make it easier for you to
relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery a snow storm provides.
Patty and Lynn wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!
November 2010 Volume 51 Page 3
November Activities
Bugs and Bugsicles
Fee: FREE. Date: 11/02. Time: 4:30-5:30pm. Where: Topeka Shawnee County Library (1515 SW 10th)
Learn the amazing ways bugs survive the freezing cold of winter, make a cozy caterpillar craft, and enjoy a
tasty bugsicle treat. Try it - you'll like it!
Crazy Extreme Scientist
Fee: FREE. Date: 11/15. Time: 6:00-7:00pm. Where: Topeka Shawnee County Library (1510 SW 10th)
Discover your inner wizard and learn the science behind some of your favorite magic tricks. Registration
required by November 12. Call 785-580-4565.
Pilgrims on Parade
Fee: $7. Date: 11/16. Time:10am. Where: Garfield Community Center.
Turkey! Stuffing! Pumpkin Pie! Oh my! Celebrate Thanksgiving “Gar” style! Create special Thanksgiving
centerpieces and art for your family to enjoy on turkey day! Stories and special snacks included. Space is
limited. Register by November 12th.
It’s a Mystery
Fee: FREE. Date: 11/17. Time: 4:30-5:30pm. Where: Topeka Shawnee County Library (1510 SW 10th)
For grades 2–6. Wanted: mystery solvers! Come listen to a mystery and then take part in mysterious crafts
and activities. Each session we will read part of a mystery book, and then we will play a game, make a craft
or do an activity with a mysterious aspect. For more information contact Betty Jean Neal 785-580-4565
Winter Wonderland
Fee: $7 per vehicle; Buses-$1 per person. Date: 11/19-12/31. Where: Lake Shawnee-Tinman Circle 3435 SE
East Edge Road Lake Shawnee Campground.
View Holiday lights of one million and dazzling displays while winding through a two-mile scenic drive at
Lake Shawnee. Benefits TARC.
Tom Turkey
Fee: $5. Time: 9:30am. Date: 11/19. Where: Crestview Community Center.
Meet Tom the Turkey at Crestview Community Center when you have your own little Thanksgiving,
celebration complete with crafts and Thanksgiving snacks! Register by November 12th.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Fee: FREE. Date: 11/20. Time: 1:00-2:30pm. Where: Topeka Shawnee County Library (1515 SW 10th)
Dumbledore's dead, Voldemort's gaining power, and Harry Potter must make the choice of a lifetime. Join us
as we battle for the Wand of Destiny, search for a hidden stone, and slip on a cloak of invisibility. (ages 8-12
years)
Who’s In Rabbit’s House?
Fee: FREE. Date: 11/20. Time: 2:00-3:00pm. Where: Topeka Shawnee County Library (1515 SW 10th)
Join us for this celebration of the completion of our fall reading program- Wanted: Readers. StoneLion
Puppets returns to the library to solve the mystery of "Who's in Rabbit's House?" This program is based on a
Masai folktale in which Rabbit has a new guest...one he doesn't want! But he can’t figure out who it is, or
where it is - all he knows is he wants it out! Join all the other village animals as they hunt for clues, solve the
riddles and give their ideas on solving this mystery. After the puppet show you will have time to create your
own puppet that you can take home. For more information contact Betty Jean Neal 580-4565. http://
www.stonelionpuppets.org/shows/index.php?s=31 is the address for information about this particular puppet
show.
November 2010 Volume 51 Page 4
November Activities
Kids Night (ages 6-12)
Fee: $2. Date: 11/20. Time: 6:00-8:00pm. Where: Garfield Community Center.
Fun just for kids! Garfield Community Center has loads of activities planned for this special night. Kids
must be signed in/out by a parent or guardian and are required to remain in the center.
Saturday Night James (ages 6-11)
Fee: $3. Date: 11/20. Time: 6:00-9:00pm. Where: Central Park Community Center.
Are you ready to have fun? There will be music, karaoke, video, and computer games, arts and crafts,
kickball, volleyball, basketball, and more. Make new friends and have fun. Snacks will be provided. Kids
must be signed in and out by a parent/guardian. For questions call 785-368-3796.
Miracle on Kansas Avenue
Fee: FREE. Date: 11/27. Time: 5:30pm. Where: Downtown Topeka.
Miracle on Kansas Avenue. This annual event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with the lighting of the community
Christmas tree, followed by a lighted holiday-themed parade, and evening of shopping.
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November’s
Skillbuilders’ Event
When: Saturday, November 20th
Time: 12:00-3:00pm
Where: BTH Clubhouse (1201 SW Van Buren)
November’s Skillbuilders will be Saturday,
November 20th from 12:00-3:00pm at the BTH
Clubhouse. We will be making Christmas
presents/decorations that you can give to friends
or family if you choose to!
November 2010 Volume 51 Page 5
Fun Thanksgiving Facts
The Plymouth Pilgrims were the first to celebrate the Thanksgiving.
The Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to reach North America.
They sailed on the ship, which was known by the name of 'Mayflower'.
They celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land.
The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, had organized the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621. He
invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians to the feast.
The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.
Mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, popcorn, milk, corn on the cob, and cranberries were not foods present on
the first Thanksgiving's feast table.
Lobster, rabbit, chicken, fish, squashes, beans, chestnuts, hickory nuts, onions, leeks, dried fruits, maple
syrup and honey, radishes, cabbage, carrots, eggs, and goat cheese are thought to have made up the first
Thanksgiving feast.
The pilgrims didn't use forks; they ate with spoons, knives, and their fingers.
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YOUTH OUTING
When: D
ecember
Time: 6:
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What: W
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Movie!! ter Wonderland
and a
We will be going to see the lights at the Winter
Wonderland at Lake Shawnee and then going to a
movie at Hollywood West Ridge 8! We will be
providing transportation to and from the event.
Please RSVP to Bailea at 232-6807.
Breakthrough House
Compeer Program
603 SW Topeka Blvd, Ste 100
Topeka, KS 66603
Compeer Contact Information
Cheri Stortz, Compeer Director
(785) 232-6807, Ext 304
Bailea Ochs, Compeer Coordinator
(785) 232-6807, Ext 305
Fax Number: (785) 232-0751
E-mail: [email protected]
www.breakthroughhouse.org/Compeer.html
November’s Word Search
Word Bank
Autumn
Candied Yams
Celebration
Cornucopia
Cranberry Sauce
Family
Feast
Friends
Gathering
Harvest
Holiday
Mayflower
Meal
Parade
Pilgrims
Pumpkin Pie
Stuffing
Turkey