Celebrating One Year of The Telephone of the Wind

A Very Special Podcast Release Celebrating the One Year Anniversary of The Telephone of the Wind: Oneonta Connection located at Lower Wilber Park, Oneonta, NY, a special community project in collaboration with The City of Oneonta, Oneonta Parks and Recreation, BOCES and sponsored by The Alzheimer's Association Executive Producer: Bernadette Winters Bell, LMSW, PLLC Produced by Beatrice Georgalidis, BGCA Phone Calls for Healing and Hope (Oneonta, NY) One year after the ribbon-cutting, we are celebrating the anniversary of The Telephone of the Wind; Oneonta Connection located in Lower Wilber Park in Oneonta, New York. We have heard from countless organizations and individuals of all ages and backgrounds about how The Telephone of the Wind has supported them during emotionally challenging experiences and events. Community members have shared their stories of finding comfort and consolation as they express feelings of grief, sadness anger and confusion. Some have asked, "Why would a phone connected to nothing be helpful?" Winters Bell offers that a sacred space allows the opportunity for private, personal conversations with others who cannot (or will not) respond. The release of concealed emotions and private thoughts can offer relief for many. This relief is similar to that of expressing ones self through poetry, music, and other art forms. Winters Bell, committed to ensuring that the Telephone of the Wind could be accessible by as many as possible, installed two phones at different heights. An unplanned bonus was that the two phones made "conference calls" possible! This special installation podcast features personal experiences with the Telephone of the Wind by Oneonta and Cooperstown residents, as well as an interview with Ann Thayer, Associate Director of Programs & Services at the Alzheimer's Association Northeastern Chapter, who shares her thoughts on how the Telephone of the Wind can support the loved ones of those suffering from Alzheimers.