St. Joseph’s sent a group of 10 participants on this year’s Appalachian Experience June 17-24, 2017. Volunteers included Ezra Bard, Bill Curtin, Dave Czerny, Dan & Sean Fejes, Aaron Hluch, Hannah Mann, Chris Rector, Mike Schilling, Caleb Self. After making the 700 mile trip & then settling in to their week’s accommodations on Saturday, our group went to Sunday’s Mass at St. Joseph’s in Clintwood and then were invited to attend a farewell pot-luck dinner for Sr. Jean. She was getting ready to move to her order’s motherhouse in South Bend, Indiana (look for her farewell Facebook post included on our website’s Appalachian Experience page under Ministries & Organizations). The week of volunteering included building or improving the porches and steps of several homes. As in year’s past, some of the group made the trip up the mountain to Birch Knob, an old fire tower that has spectacular views. They also heard music and stories from Jimmy Mullins and his fiddle playing friend. In addition, they were able to present a couple of the homeowners with lap quilts that had been made last year by the Garrettsville Piecemakers Quilting Group. Though not as busy as in years past, the group felt a sense of accomplishment in what they were able to offer the people of this area.