Huntsville, AL: CASA Day 4--Southern Kindness Continues to astound us!

Day four awoke with another four hours in the CASA garden. We split up, and while Kassy, Lisa, and Caroline worked like maniacs in the dirt, Jenny, Meghan, and myself accompanied Lee to the events planning warehouse where we picked up tables and tent poles for the Garden party fundraiser CASA has been preparing the garden for since we arrived in Alabama.  While at Mullen's (the event planning store) Meghan and I met a man we both agreed was by far the most attractive we had seen the whole trip. But enough of that--this trip isn't about us finding Southern love (though I did promise Hannah, one of the Summer Alternative Breaks coordinators, that I would reenact Sweet Home Alabama (the Reese Witherspoon movie, not the song)) it is about serving others and learning about the people we are helping.  Which is why Team CASA's trip to 8th street this afternoon was absolutely perfect.
After spending our trip thus far working at some distance from the people we are serving, (even at Manna House, we only had moments with those coming through the line--never enough time to ask about their lives, but only enough time to observe things about their appearance or stature) 8th street was a totally new experience.  8th street is actually '305 8th Street', an address to a six-thousand square foot home that houses sixteen mentally disabled residents (Alabama considers those who are mentally disabled to be anyone with an I.Q. of 69 or below) in a community-living atmosphere, sort of like a Scholarship Hall, for those University of Kansas students familiar with the set-up.  I think the lady in charge when we arrived was a bit surprised that we were staying for four hours.  The tasks she gave us to work on were very simple, and within two hours we had a majority of the work done.  However, we took advantage of our down time by getting to know the residents.  8th Street is a really wonderful home, and right away it is clear that the residents and workers care deeply for one another.  Team CASA gathered in the living room with a few of the residents who were awake and watching TV--"Walker, Texas Ranger," a personal favorite of my childhood, one that I was shocked to find out Caroline and Meghan had never seen!  (I guess now is as good a first time as ever, right?)--and as we talked, it was great to finally get to know the people we are serving.  Ira, a tall man with a very lively spirit and a trucker's hat, was very good at keeping a conversation going with great jokes and come-backs.  Granny, the sweetest little old lady in a night gown, sat and told Meghan stories of her family and childhood.  We found out from the lady in charge (who kindly gave us a very thorough tour of the intricate house) that the residents had been housed in a hotel for three weeks while 8th street was getting some major renovations done, and that Granny--who had charmed the hotel staff--had been given a bed to take home with her, courtesy of the hotel, because she was so comfortable sleeping in it.    Finally, our group bonded quickly with Michael, a man who was very eager to meet and get to know us.  Eventually he invited us out to shoot some hoops (since we are, of course, from the greatest Basketball school in the country!) and soon a friendly game of 'HORSE' started up. Michael, of course, had to refresh our memories on how to play, but despite our lack of hand-eye coordination, we all were shooting pretty well by the end.  Over all, it was probably the most fun I've had playing outside since I was a little kid.
Team CASA has decided that our trip is the 'Service Collage,' meaning that we are being exposed to a little bit of everything concerning those involved with assisting the poverty-stricken, the homeless, the home-bound, the aging, and those needing assistance to live.  We are extremely excited about this, though, because no where else would we be able to learn so much in just a week and a half.
In the evening, we explored the downtown Farmer's Market and the Hunstville Artwalk that coincide once a month on Thursday evenings.  I was excited to finally be able to pull my film camera out, and can't wait to get my pictures developed!  We keep discovering just exactly how historical Huntsville is, and the people continue to amaze us with their southern charm and sweet hospitality. First United Methodist Church, which has so kindly housed us for our time here, was actually founded in 1808 in Hunstville (the Sanctuary chapel).   Billy, FUMC's maintenance man and our guardian angel, has been so excited to assist us, and was so pleased to open the door and show us the Sanctuary chapel, which actually has a very cool spiral staircase in the foyer.  I'll have to admit, I did splurge on some pickled okra and a very cool-looking ceramic mug and a hilarious looking birdhouse which may end up becoming a Christmas gift (so if you think it'll be yours, forget you read this!) In the morning we talked to Lee about possible sights to visit on our day off and discovered that the Appalachian mountains are actually the hills that fill the horizons of Huntsville on every side, and Team CASA is super excited to go hiking! (So look for a post about our soon-to-be-amazing adventure later!)
Everyday Huntsville, Alabama, and the South in general become more and more lovable, and I think we will all miss our fantastic adventure here when it is over. I just wish I knew more about the state and culture in general. We have all agreed that this cannot be the only time we visit Alabama.  And the next time we come?  Of course we are visiting all of the lovely people we've been blessed to make friends with this time!
-Tasha Cerny, CASA Summer Alternative Breaks 2012