11-01-2022 4:50am

All Saints Day: Celebrating the Saints Among Us

by Jane Stahl

November 1—the day after “All Hallows Eve” (or "Halloween," as we know it)—was designated “All Saints Day” in the seventh century by Pope Boniface IV; it is the day in the Catholic Church’s tradition that “all of the saints who have died and reached heaven” are celebrated.

But one doesn’t need to follow the Catholic Church’s traditions to celebrate folks whose saintly actions deserve appreciation. A few folks have appeared recently in my life whom I am nominating for sainthood.

#1 Beth Ashcom and Maria Trampé: All Souls Connected
In line for sainthood, are Beth Ashcom and Maria Trampé. Beth and Maria operate a non-profit organization named “All Souls Connected.” Theirs is a mission of compassion: reducing the stray cat population through what is known as “trap, neuter, and release” that also provides hospice care for ill or injured cats.

Beth explains. “What people may not know is that cats can become pregnant every 10-12 weeks. And if they’re born in the winter, many kittens freeze to death because the mother cat cannot clean or keep them all warm fast enough. The cats we trap are generally not friendly, and it’s not our mission to keep them; but when they are released, they are no longer breeding.”

“Unneutered cats can be a big problem for farmers; within two years there could be 100 cats living on the farm,” adds Maria.

And so, when a stray cat or litter of kittens arrives in their neighborhood, or when they are made aware of a stray or a litter, Beth and Maria make the arrangements with local veterinarians and animal rescue associations to neuter the animals, make them available for adoption, or release them back into the neighborhoods.

Their story began nine years ago when Maria’s husband came home one night—hands behind his back—and said, “I guess I shouldn’t show you what I have.” What he had was a stray kitten that needed to be bottle fed, and he knew Maria would want to provide care—somehow--for that stray kitten that became known as Simba. Beth is a retired veterinarian technician who answered Maria’s Facebook post asking for help to bottle feed Simba. Between the two of them and some help from others, Simba survived.

That singular “save” not only has transformed the lives of Maria and Beth, but also the lives of over 600 feral cats and over 17,000 humans who have been inspired by the efforts that resulted from Simba’s rescue.

But their dedication really began when Tyrone entered their lives. Tyrone was an abandoned cat with a serious eye problem. “Treatment failed to cure the cyst in his eye socket, however; eventually Tyrone’s eye disappeared and left an unsightly hole in his head and an ungodly smell,” Beth offers.

“But he was the sweetest cat; he slept with me, bonded with my dog, and kept on living, despite the vet’s prediction that he’d live only several months. And then one day I went into his room, and I saw both eyes looking at me. Apparently, during the healing process, the eye resumed its normal position. To me it was a miracle,” she shares. “And, again, despite the vet’s diagnosis, the eye was viable; Tyrone could see. Later, Tyrone developed lymphoma; he and my German Shepherd went through chemotherapy and Reiki together, and they both lived another 2 ½ years.”

But Tyrone is still very much alive through Beth and Maria’s efforts. Maria wrote a book about his struggles and publishes a blog written from Tyrone’s perspective. “He’s cranky,” explains Maria, “but he’s inspired thousands of people in desperate conditions. We started receiving story after story of how Ty’s survival and will to live enabled them to go on when they were starting to give up. One homeless woman wrote us to explain that Tyrone’s blog inspired her to face her situation, given everything he went through. She said, ‘If Tyrone can thrive despite his trouble, I can too.’ The woman subsequently found a job and a home.”

In addition to “his” publishing efforts, Tyrone has inspired several businesses that support “All Souls Connected." TyDrops began featuring mementos from fused glass that included a pet’s ashes. Since their initial investment, however, they expanded their offerings to jewelry and décor that does not contain ashes.

Neither woman had any experience with fused glass when they purchased thousands of dollars of equipment and glass. Fortunately, an out-of-state glass artist witnessing their purchase and learning of their inexperience, volunteered to teach them.

In addition, the women have launched Wayward Whiskers featuring refinished furniture and “an eclectic collection of handcrafted décor, art, entertaining and gifts—from elegant to quirky,” according to their website. “We donate a portion of every purchase to Tyrone’s nonprofit, “All Soul’s Connected,” a non-profit organization created in 2013, located in Barto, PA,” Maria explains.

Care for the animals is funded through donations. Maria will feature a needy animal on Facebook and request donations for their care. “Maria is a tireless and effective fundraiser,” shares Beth. Find TyDrops Forever Memories and Wayward Whiskers Art Studios on Facebook and their websites: www.tydrops.com, www.waywardwhiskersart.com, 484-767-3791, 610-507-6673

Today Maria shares her home with three cats. Beth recently lost one of her beloved German shepherds, but she and her remaining Shepherd are being cared for by a deaf kitten who will not let them brood.

“This deaf cat is annoying, insists we play with her, curls up with us for naps,” Beth notes. “I’m convinced that animals come into our lives to care for us—not just for care for themselves. And I’ve come to see its deafness as a blessing; she can’t hear all the bad stuff all around her. She’s taught me to have a ‘deaf ear’ to a lot of this world’s negativity. I feel blessed by her example; she’s a saint to me.”

#2 Artist Mimi Conrey Meets Alice and Big Mike
Fine artist Mimi Conrey was searching the internet for interesting recipes when she joined a Facebook group page “Big Mike’s and Alice’s Kitchen.” She was curious because Mike and Alice lived in the “coal region” where her husband grew up. She wanted to learn more about recipes from that region of the country: boiled cabbage and potatoes, for example.

Mimi learned that Alice is 91 years old; Mike is his mother’s caregiver, and they regularly cook and bake together; Alice is his sous chef. And then they give the food away to individuals or groups hosting dinners for members of their organization or community fundraising events.

Mimi was inspired by their togetherness, by their humility, generosity, and by the love they showed one another. Mimi shares that the things that matter to her—God, family, her dog, and her art—were reflected in Alice’s and Mike’s story.

Mimi admires Alice’s smiling happy face, her level of activity—that she participates in every recipe they do. “I call Alice 'The Mona Lisa of the Coal Regions,' Mimi adds. “I, too, try to be as active as possible and will keep doing it until something breaks.”

To honor them and show her admiration, Mimi painted several portraits of Alice to include in her current exhibit at Boyertown’s Studio B Art Gallery and to gift Alice and Mike whom she invited to her opening reception. The mom and son team drove several hours to meet Mimi in person and accept her gift.

Mike explains, “We make food together because it keeps Mom busy and active and healthy. Together, I can keep my eye on her to keep her safe.” Mike posts recipes and photographs on their Facebook page along with information about the people and events that receive their donated food. And, as he says, he does it all for the love of it, to see people smile.

As an artist, Mimi has arrived at a point in her life where she wants to share the joy of life through her art. She’s done competing, creating art to please judges or to make a living; today she wants to share her art with people and bring them joy.

Part one of a two-part episode of “B Inspired” podcast interviews Mimi as she discusses her artistic journey. The second part was recorded weeks later at Mimi’s exhibit opening featuring Alice’s and Mike’s visit to the studio. The episode will be available for listening on November 18, 2022.

#3 Sean Halloran: Barnstorm Art for Kids
Sean Halloran, Art Therapist and Psychologist, is the executive director of Barnstone Art for Kids, a place located in Phoenixville for children to heal, cope, and grow from trauma they’ve experienced in their lives by participating for 90 minutes a week in art activities with a mentor and/or connecting with members of the community. Sean and his team—many are volunteers—are believers in the power of art and in the healing nature of supportive relationships.

Testimony about their mentors is noted on the website: “Our Mentors are the backbone of Barnstone Art for Kids. We know how lucky we are to have such an amazing group of volunteers. The people who work with our children are generous, loving, and wonderfully creative. Mentors and the relationships they nurture help our kids feel connected. They know that they are not alone in dealing with life’s stressors. Research shows that kids who have had positive mentor relationships are more likely to enroll in college, hold leadership positions later in life, and volunteer themselves in adulthood. These are really strong outcomes showing that the work we do today pays off in their later life. Children benefit from sustained one-on-one interactions with a motivated mentor and our mentors are rewarded with a sense of fulfillment and a chance to make a difference.”

Barnstone Art for Kids was founded by Lynn Detwiler in 2011, who merged her passion for art with her work with grieving children. She watched a fellow artist connect with a child who was struggling and recognized that art had the power to encourage individuals to heal, cope and grow from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s).

Sean offers, "Lynn realized that when a child is traumatized, the trauma doesn’t just go away. Some [intervention] is necessary, and art can be an important part in recovery." He continues, "Trauma is common: 67% of the American public has experienced some sort of trauma. Examples include bullying in school, cyber-bullying, medical trauma, the COVID pandemic. The threat of physical harm is very real.”

Lisa Katarynick volunteered at Barnstone first as a mentor and and after five years joined the team in 2017. After graduating from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, Lisa held various graphic design and art director positions in magazine and music publishing. When Lisa began teaching children art both privately and in various classes and art camps, she eventually landed as a volunteer at Barnstone Art for Kids.

Lisa shares, “When I heard about Barnstone Art for Kids, I didn’t have to think twice about saying YES to volunteering! Mentoring kids and watching them heal, cope and grow through the Power of Art is so rewarding! I am so lucky to now be part of this amazing team where I get to work everyday with wonderful people who help children in our community!"

Through one-on-one mentoring, children participate in trauma-informed practices and art activities designed to strengthen resiliency. Barnstone Art for Kids is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that offers services free to children who are grieving or recovering from physical, social, or emotional trauma. The children’s stories are heart-breaking; their recovery with the help of their mentors is inspiring.

[The “B Inspired” podcast episode to learn more about Barnstone Art for Kids is available for listening beginning November 4, 2022, on your favorite podcast platform. ]

On this “All Saints Day,” look for the saints among us. You’ll find them everywhere.