Visiting the Sacred Heart
Co-Cathedral

By Diana Hernandez, Activity Coordinator

Every month, participants at Amazing Place travel on a community outing to locations ranging from the Museum of Natural Science, to a spring and fall trip to consulting dietician Jayne Gilbert’s farm in Chapell Hill. Most of our participants anticipate our outings simply for the experience of exploring Houston and, on December 2, they had the pleasure of exploring Houston’s beautiful Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral. The outing was recommended by volunteer Cathy Hard, who viewed a television documentary on the cathedral, which opened its doors in 2008. Having accompanied Amazing Place on prior outings, Cathy recognized that participants would likely enjoy viewing the marble and stained glass artwork and interior. This quickly proved true as several participants marveled at the cathedral as the bus pulled up.

Once entering the cathedral, participants were led on a guided tour by docents who provided a historical background of the cathedral and the artwork. Participants and staff were fascinated by facts such as the cathedral taking a mere three years to complete and many of the marble sculptures weighing six tons or more! Participant Sally Sweigart especially liked the stained glass design depicting Christ serving communion. Another participant remarked that he intended to bring his family back for their own visit.

Following the cathedral visit, staff and participants were invited by volunteer David Vannoy to dine at The Chelsea Grille. Laughter was shared when Activity Director Emile Unverzagt joked that he would display the less-than-flattering pictures of us enjoying the chicken pasta on the big screen at Amazing Place. As is tradition since breaking ground at the Drexel site, the outing concluded with a visit to see the progress on the new building, which staff and participants are excited to move into this spring. And as the move approaches and Amazing Place grows, participants and staff look forward to more opportunities to travel, reminisce, enjoy one another’s company and share these experiences with others.

Construction Update: Mariquita and Libbie Masterson Design Colored Glass Window For Amazing Place Chapel

It’s hard to believe that it’s been one year since construction began at 3735 Drexel! The new facility will allow Amazing Place to serve three times as many families who have a loved one suffering from early stage memory loss. The building is about 80% complete and the organization hopes to move in during the month of April, depending on state inspection approvals. The building is being constructed to LEED standards and will go through the certification process after the move.

Family Life Nourishes the Soul -
the Ayres’ Story

A close and meaningful family life gives great satisfaction to Amazing Place participant Nanette Ayres, her husband, George, and their children, Alison and George Jr. Nanette remembers her childhood with fondness. She was the eldest of three sisters who all remained best friends. Nanette and George found each other later in life than some couples, so their relationship with each other and their children has been most precious. George smiles as he recalls their house with two children, a dog, cat, bird and almost one of every creature Noah had in his ark.