Bringing the library and affection to Newport seniors

The last time Virginia Stockus visited Gene Malone, the 70-year-old

gave her a little hug. It was July 2002, and Ginny was bringing Gene

a summer vacation.

A teacher herself, Ginny knew all about summer vacations. For her,

they required packing, tickets and even jet lag.

That was never a problem for Gene. His trips had no attendant

hassles or costs, yet they transported him everywhere. Best of all

for the homebound diabetic, they could be enjoyed from the comfort of

an armchair. They came in a black canvas tote bag with a van labeled

Newport Beach Public Library rolling across its front. “Have Books,

Will Travel,” the tote promises.

On this summer day, Ginny was fulfilling the promise -- a mission

carried out by a corps of volunteers in the Newport Beach Public

Library’s Homebound Delivery Program. Rather than books, the Avalon

resident had specified travel videos on the preferences form he

completed when registering for the free service.

If frequent flier miles were awarded for virtual travel, Gene

would be entitled to significant globetrotting. Every three weeks,

librarian June Pilsitz had been selecting 10 travel documentaries for

him. Before delivering the latest installment, Ginny wanted June to

know how much the septuagenarian appreciated her efforts.

“He was so bloody happy, his eyes welled up with tears,” she

reported. “He absolutely loved the New York series.”

Like some 30 other homebound adults served by the program, Gene

can enjoy library resources without relying on family or friends for

transportation. While his driving days might be over, his interest in

seeing the world had never dwindled.

“Through the program, seniors like Gene, who can’t come to the

library due to temporary or long-term illness or disability, can be

as well-read as their more mobile neighbors,” program coordinator

Charlene Ashendorf said.

Available to Newport Beach residents living independently and in

assisted care facilities, the service provides for the selection and

delivery of books, videos, books-on-cassette and CD, and cassette/CD

players.

For 70-ish Earl Hefer, large print memoirs fit the bill. Now

challenged by Alzheimer’s disease, Earl can be forgetful:

“Mr. Hefer forgot I was coming today,” volunteer Kathy Bambeck

said, “so I had to interrupt his exercise class.”

Mr. Hefer didn’t mind.

“He’d asked me to bring Coco, my teacup poodle,” Bambeck said.

“She entertained the class as they did their stretches, and he

enjoyed that.”

For all involved, rewards often extend beyond reading. Although

she’s skeptical about whether her client is absorbing the books she

brings, Kathy is confident she’s providing a meaningful connection.

“If you have an additional client, I’d be glad to take them on,”

she suggested. “It means so much to them, and it feels good to be

appreciated -- especially when you have a 14-year-old at home.”

Former librarian Jeanne Little has little doubt homebound client

Elizabeth Brownsberger is reading the books delivered to her Corona

del Mar residence. While hubby Kenneth Brownsberger only peruses the

newspaper, Elizabeth is an avid bookworm. Now in her 90s, she still

loves a good story with accurate character development, Jeanne

reported.

Like any good tale, program connections can have interesting

twists. Inspired to volunteer after being homebound for 18 months a

disabling accident, 30-ish Lisa Mamo now brings books to Avalon

resident Rae Licay. The 80-plus senior likes mysteries, romance sagas

-- and helping others. Having befriended a facility employee from

Argentina with limited English language skills, she now tutors him

daily.

“Ms. Licay just finished working with her friend, with ‘Sylvester

and the Magic Pebble,’” Lisa reported to Charlene. “She wants more

books like this to work with him regularly. What do you think?”

“I don’t know if we’ve ever had a homebound customer who has

become a tutor,” Charlene said. What goes around comes around, it

seems.

Sometimes, however, the circle ends. After visiting Malone last

October, Ginny called to report, “Gene almost left us and went into a

coma with his diabetes. Keep him in your prayers ... such a nice

guy.”

And finally this: “Well, the news on this end isn’t very good.

Dear Gene passed away after his hospital stay.”

Recalling her last visit, Ginny continued, “You know, Charlene, I

feel pretty blessed because the last time I visited Gene, he gave me

a little hug. He’d never done that before, so I carry a really loving

memory of him.”

“Maybe he knew we wouldn’t see one another again ... . I don’t

know. Anyhow, I know he’s in good hands now, and at peace. When

you’re ready with a new client, I’m ready, too. Take good care. Love,

Virginia.”

* MELISSA ADAMS is the Newport Beach recreation and senior

services coordinator. For more information about the center and its

activities, please call (949) 644-3244.