BY WENDY ELLIOTT
Kings County Advertiser/Register
The L'Arche-Homefires community in Wolfville is bustling with 30th anniversary excitement.
"We celebrate everything at L'Arche," director Ingrid Blais said last week. "Two things are the hallmarks of L'Arche: forgiveness and celebration. We're better at celebration. It's very important."
These foundational practices, she said, "are warmly embraced by all of us."
Planning for the coming weekend's celebration began in May and the festivities begin Friday, Oct. 7 with an evening open house at the Applewicks headquarters of the community.
Blais said the family friendly event will run from 7 to 9 p.m. and feature a square dance in the parking lot behind the Gaspereau Avenue building. A rain location will be the farmers' market.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, there will be a barbecue at Applewicks from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Face painting, live music and a bouncy castle are lined up.
Blais said all of the L'Arche homes will be open to visitors during those three hours.
More than 160 tickets have already been sold for a turkey dinner and dance with Trip A Lady Saturday evening at St. Joseph's Church hall, Kentville.
An ecumenical prayer service and social time is set for 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Al Whittle Theatre.
Jean Vanier, the Canadian founder of the worldwide L'Arche movement, once said the community "is about bringing us all to freedom."
Blais tells a story about a recent event at Acadia University to illustrate that intent. Keith Strong, one of the original core members, heard a classical guitarist playing some Spanish music quietly at the edge of a large group of people.
Keith went over and listened closely. Soon he was dancing flamenco style. Spying him moving, a man leaned over and said to Blais, "why can't I be as free as that?"
Strong may have felt free to dance solo in public because of the place he calls home. According to Blais, "we're not just part of Wolfville. In 30 years I've never seen a community where people with disabilities were so well integrated."
Having lived in Edmonton and Ireland, Blais can compare. She said local residents know the core members by name, even the non-verbal ones like tiny Jen Parker.
"They care about her. It's wonderful. This is a small enough town to be safe. I never take that for granted."
Homefires was started in 1982 by Jeff and Debbie Moore. It has grown to include 21 core members housed in five homes and two apartments.
Applewicks was opened in 1990 to provide meaningful work and opportunities for adults with special needs from both Homefires and the community.
Blais said Homefires actually runs three day programs, including Applewicks. Cornerstone is for the most disabled and Discoveries involves retired members.
The community has a new calendar featuring artwork by core members coming from Gaspereau Press.
