My Village story began in the early 80s when faithful from our Archdiocese gathered in hotels throughout Greensburg for the celebration & dedication weekend of our new camp. I wasn’t a camper that first summer – but the next year during Great Lent, Fr. John Namie visited my home parish of St George – Cleveland and gave a presentation on summer camp. I was immediately hooked & summer couldn’t come fast enough. I still clearly remember arriving & meeting my first counselor – Linda Farris from Wichita & my cabinmates. Towards the end of my first session, (1980?) Linda had us write a letter to ourselves about how we felt about our week at camp – then 6 months later she mailed those letters to us. 41 years later – I still have mine! After my time as a camper – I was thrilled, summer of 1983 to be at AV for a month as both a CIT & also an assistant with Aunt Pearl in the Infirmary.

Throughout my college years summers were spent on staff as a counselor, staff & even one summer running the infirmary – which never had a dull moment! In the years since, there have been great times at reunions, joy at celebrating weddings, baptisms & even multiple ordinations. Throughout the years, whenever we are together, there is always the retelling of the best stories & laughing until we are in tears.
I treasure how our Village family stays connected regardless of time or miles. As a “Vintage Villager,” one of the greatest blessings is to carry with me the lessons learned from Fr. John Namie – Memory Eternal. The Village is a constant in my life & has blessed me with amazing, lifelong friends & countless memories. Like it is to so many others, our Village is home.