IDEA Center Offers Autistic Adults Support and Opportunity

IDEA Center Offers Autistic Adults Support and Opportunity

By Mike Lauterborn

(front page of June 16 Fairfield Sun)

6/6/11

Bridgeport, CT – What happens when autistic children become adults? It is an intimidating question that families of adults with autism face every day. The reality is that there are very few services to assist adults with even mild autism, and very few opportunities for them to further their education, work and socialize – in short, to live full, productive lives.

To address the situation, Monroe resident Pat Paniccia founded IDEA for Autism, Inc. and a dedicated private facility at 515 Washington Avenue in Bridgeport. At an open house hosted Sunday evening, June 5, she spoke about her inspiration, outlined programming and introduced clients and associates that shared related stories.

Clearly a need

“I had always been on family services boards and involved with Easter Seals, and have friends with grandchildren that have autism,” said Paniccia. “In talking with them, I learned their major concern was that, after 21, no services are available. Services are only federally mandated until 21, unless the person graduates at 18, then services end. And in Fairfield County, there was nothing to serve autistic adults. On top of this, the medical community had forecasted that 500,000 autistic young adults will graduate from high school and be without programs in the next five to ten years.”

Adopting the acronym IDEA, which stands for Individual Development and Education for Autism, Paniccia founded the non-profit in April 2008 with a mission to provide services for young adults and adults on the autism spectrum. Initially, she rented the Washington Avenue property, a three-level private home converted to house classrooms and administrative offices, then bought it in December 2010. Established to serve all of Fairfield County, it currently accommodates 10 adults from areas that include Shelton, Stratford, Fairfield, Bridgeport, Norwalk and Westport. Eight clients are male and the age range among all is mid-20s to mid-50s.

“No two people with autism are the same,” said Paniccia. “They range from high functioning individuals with Asperger’s Disorder, characterized by social and behavioral challenges, to being non-verbal and unable to communicate. Because of the wide range of needs, programming here is individualized.”

Upon registering, initial clients were evaluated by IDEA’s team of clinicians, which include two psychologists, two occupational therapists, a nutritionist/cook, a physical trainer, a career counselor and a special education teacher.

A big draw was the cooking program IDEA offered. “To clients, it seemed like a simple starting point or activity,” said Paniccia. “But to us, it represented the opportunity to get them to socialize, work as a team, learn about nutrition, find independence and form friendships. And what we would cook we would then serve and they would eat together.”

A success story

When clients were not cooking, they were meeting with the various team members as necessary or desired, to work toward their objectives. This included partaking in instruction on integrated job/career counseling, resume writing, interviewing skills, role-playing in an office environment, social skills and independent living.

A good illustration of how the program has served its clients is Richard Hudson, 36, who wanted to go back to college for a computer science degree, find a girlfriend and land a best friend. “He met with the psychologist and the career counselor,” said Paniccia. “The job coach walked him through an application process at Housatonic Community College, to help him successfully enroll in a math program, which he just completed. Now he’s applying for another course in September.”

She continued, “With regard to his romantic interests, Richard met with the psychologist, who assisted him with correct social behavior. The men, as a group, meet to talk about men’s stuff, like romantic and social relationships, too. In this area as well, Richard has succeeded in attaining a girlfriend, whom he’s been seeing for a couple months.”

“In addition to those achievements,” Paniccia said, “he has landed a volunteer position at Bridgeport Public Library. These are huge steps for him. When he first came to us, his face was buried in a book, he interacted very little and wasn’t on time. We used to have to call him constantly to motivate and remind him. Now he gets himself up on time and gets himself to classes and his job on time. His girlfriend lives in Hartford and he coordinates travel there by bus himself.”

Fellow advocates

Attending IDEA’s open house and speaking about her related experience with autism was Dr. Laura Lustig, founder of The New Learning Therapy Center in Southport, author of “Attics in the Mind” and mother of an adult with autism. She addressed the gathering, which numbered about 50 parents, supporters and local community representatives, including Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch.

“Family is the basic building block for a young person and, for an average family, this is a given,” she said. “But what happens when a baby is born that doesn’t respond to its mother and is developmentally stunted? The family needs to consider the complications of raising a disabled child. Families can become overwhelmed. Pat has created an extended family that helps autism students in need.”

Lustig said the incidence and prevalence of autism has increased dramatically, to 1 in 110 births. “The economic impact is huge,” she said. “It’s imperative that changes be made to accommodate needs. There have been many improvements made in special needs populations, but little has been done to meet needs when they become adults. They need the support of the whole community to lead productive lives.”

Lustig added that when she wrote her book, she felt that she was speaking for other families like hers, and wanted as normal a life for her son Jessie, now 48, as possible. “My book tells about our struggles overcoming impediments and Jessie’s devotion to family, which has brought out the best in us.”

Lustig wished IDEA has been around when her son was graduating from high school. “It would have lessened our family turmoil and helped him assimilate into society,” she said.

Mayor Finch recognized the critical nature of the program and the fellow support of Congressman Jim Himes’, who helped the organization get a $225,000 grant. “Do the math,” he said. “If 1 in 110 is diagnosed with autism, in a city of 145,000, that’s 14,500 people that could have the condition,” he said. “I’m proud to have IDEA in Bridgeport and glad to have Congressman Himes’ help. The productiveness of IDEA’s clients is a boost to our economy. No more segregating, no more institutionalizing. It’s all about helping people live a complete life. IDEA is a great fit for this city. I’m so proud of the Paniccias.”

As for Pat Paniccia, the experience has led her on a fulfilling new journey. “This has been life-altering for me, and I’m happy to see all the progress that’s been made in a year through our services.”

SIDEBAR

Nowhere to turn… until IDEA

A Bridgeport resident, IDEA for Autism client Richard Hudson has high-functioning autism. He tells a sad tale that brightened dramatically when he found the organization, a non-profit helping autistic adults.

“I was raised in New York City, and began to have issues in 4^th grade,” he said. “My school did not have a program for someone of higher-than-normal intelligence with behavioral problems due to lack of social skills. I was placed in a class with emotionally disturbed children – psychopaths, sociopaths, abused children and abusers – and became ‘prey’. I was bullied and persecuted.”

In junior high school, he was placed in a similar situation and, by the time he reached high school, he had essentially given up and wanted to quit. “Teachers just didn’t know what to do with me,” he said.

“When I was 24, my mother and I were living in an illegal apartment due to lack of work opportunities, and the place caught fire,” he said. “We became homeless.”

Through Dan Gilbride, an autism advocate, Hudson started to receive services from the Dept. of Mental Health. Social worker Jackie DeCoit also went “above and beyond the call of duty.” Hudson connected to the Kennedy Center, too, though they didn’t have the help he needed, he said.

“I spent years calling agencies and groups seeking help, without avail, until IDEA, which I found online,” he said. “I became one of the first members of the program. It helped me immensely. I had someplace to go every day, started dressing better and got help organizing my finances and loans.”

Hudson said there are a lot of people out there in the autism spectrum that would benefit from IDEA. “And every dollar given to this program will not only help the government save money by getting autistic adults off public assistance and helping them become more independent, but they will become full contributing members of society, too. This is fiscal conservatism and social liberalism at its finest.”

For more information about IDEA, visit www.ideaonline.us or call 203-334-IDEA.

Yankee Doodle Fair a Dandy Time

Yankee Doodle Fair a Dandy Time:

Annual Woman’s Club Fair draws fun-seekers of all ages

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

6/17/11

Westport, CT – The skies looked threatening but the rides and games were anything but. They invited participation, by kids of all ages.

Thursday, June 16 marked the first day of the four-day Yankee Doodle Fair, an annual carnival event hosted by the Westport Woman’s Club at 44 Imperial Avenue. Features included 14 rides, an International Food Court, games for small children, a raffle with a $1,000 grand prize, craft vendors and a silent auction. The Fair was scheduled to run through Sunday, June 19.

“The Woman’s Club has been hosting fairs since its inception in 1907,” said Mary Lee Clayton, event co-chair along with Dorothy Curran. “The first sought to raise funds to install some of the town’s first sidewalks. The Yankee Doodle Fair itself was initiated in 1940, to be patriotic during World War II.”

Clayton said the event is the Club’s major fundraiser, benefiting around 35 charities that it supports, along with its scholarship fund.

“In addition to our usual rides, this year we added the Staples High School Players, who will juggle, perform magic, sing and tell fortunes,” Clayton added. “This is one of the most popular events in town, attracting generations of families.”

Eight-year-old Lauren Spheeris of Westport, waiting to ride a ferris wheel, sputtered with excitement about the fair. “There are lots of fun rides, and food!”

Lauren’s mom, Karen, noted that the event had become a family tradition. “It’s easy and safe for all families, and supports a great cause,” she said.

Nearby, Westporter Carol Alexander, with daughter Maya, 7, another pair of fair veterans, said, “This is our summer kick-off. It’s good family fun, and gives us adults a chance to be kids, too, which is always welcome in this crazy world we’re living in.”

Watching her six-year-old daughter, Christina, whiz around in a bumper car, Westport resident Tina Meehan commented, “My daughter loves amusement rides and this supports a good cause… and it’s a beautiful night to be out with friends.”

Speaking on behalf of the herds of teens, that clutched oversized stuffed animals and flitted from ride to ride, Westporter Gwyneth Mulliken said, “It’s a great time and way to hang out with friends.” Joking, and effecting a voice, she added, “We going to party all night, no sleep!”

Admission to the Yankee Doodle Fair is free. Event hours: Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri. 5-10pm, Sat. Noon-10pm and Sun. Noon-5pm. $25 unlimited ride wristbands available during specific timeframes.

Chamber Passes the Gavel at Annual Meeting

Chamber Passes the Gavel 
at Annual Meeting:

Members mingle at Brooklawn Country Club

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

6/15/11

Fairfield, CT – As the sun dipped down and cast long shadows across the fairway, a polished crowd stood on the adjacent veranda, clinked glasses and talked business.

It was the 65th Annual Meeting of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, held Wednesday evening at Brooklawn Country Club, 500 Algonquin Road. Sixty people, including members and family, came together to enjoy cocktails, a buffet dinner and the exchange of command from outgoing officers to incoming.

As jazz pianist Peter Randazzo tickled the ivories to set the evening’s tone, Chamber President and CEO Patricia Ritchie summed up the meeting’s goals. “We’re here to pass the gavel, from outgoing Chairman Andy Aziz to incoming Chairman George Szondy, and say goodbye to others that have served their time,” she said. “But our other important mission is to eat, drink and be merry. I’ve said it 100 times – we’re the fun Chamber. This is just a nice way to get together.”

Asked about the state of Fairfield’s business climate, Ritchie commented, “The community is in pretty darn good shape in comparison to other towns. You’ve got a lot of new stores, like Whole Foods Market, CVS, Chipotle Grill. And once the train station opens, that whole area is going to boom.”

Ritchie added, “On the horizon, we have Chips coming in on Black Rock Turnpike. The vacancies don’t last long.”

Incoming Chairman Szondy said his own business, Abbey Tent and Party Rentals, was going gangbusters. He looked forward to helping steer the Chamber and cited his objectives. “One is to bring in more members,” he said. “Andy had initiated efforts to ally with the BRBC (Bridgeport Regional Business Council) and Westport Chamber of Commerce. I plan to pick up on that and make it grow. And I want to recruit more members here in Fairfield.”

Szondy’s view of Fairfield is that it has a great base of businesses and is well off, but that business owners can’t just sit back and expect things to fall in their laps. “Many businesses are service oriented and have to maintain quality,” he said. “The Chamber can help fortify connections.”

Szondy’s own journey with the Chamber began about five years ago, when he joined and got involved. “You meet great people and have the opportunity to talk with other business owners about positives and negatives,” he said.

Incoming First Vice Chairwoman Rose Corr, in the Law Offices of David H. Dworski, was eager to support Szondy and learn the ropes from him with regard to becoming Chair in 2012. In her view, “Fairfield’s business climate is holding and, if everyone can stay strong, by the close of 2012 things will be on the up and up.”

Outgoing Chair Aziz, President/CEO of Payzone, reflected on his tenure. “The past year was challenging,” he said. “I’m very passionate about creating commerce for the members. My main accomplishment was the alliance with the BRBC. It was driven by the comment that many of the same people are at Chamber functions. More members equates to wider networking and business opportunities.”

Serving up a spoonful of advice to Fairfield businesses at large, Aziz said, “If you want to increase your business, you can’t hide. You have to meet more people to see results. My job was to create opportunities for businesses – I feel I did a good job of that.”

Campbell Taft: The Inspiring Story of a Young Cancer Survivor

Campbell Taft: The Inspiring Story of a Young Cancer Survivor:

Tot battles brain cancer 

and “beats it up”

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Stratford.Patch.com)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

6/16/11

Stratford, CT – To see the healthy blond-haired lad now, you would never know the challenges he had endured and how close he had come to the unthinkable.

Just shy of this third birthday, Stratford resident Campbell Tate is a brain cancer survivor. In fact, Friday, June 17, the day walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer when the 10th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Stratford gets underway, marks 29 days his disease will be in remission. His mother, Sherry, will lead one of the participating teams, appropriately called Team Campbell, and make a presentation during the event’s opening ceremonies at Bunnell High School Friday evening. She took a moment to speak with Patch about Campbell’s fight and amazing spirit.

“At seven months old, in March 2009, we noticed that Campbell’s eye was twitching slightly,” said Sherry, with regard to how the long trial began. “We went to see an ophthalmologist, who did a basic exam. He suspected Campbell had an eye disorder, that was treatable and he would outgrow.”

At the same time, the specialist, Milford-based Dr. Bacall, said there was a one-percent chance that the eye condition may indicate the presence of a brain tumor and asked the family if they wanted to have an MRI performed, just to rule it out.

“I initially said no, but the doctor insisted, and the MRI was done April 2,” she said. “My husband and I just expected to go out to lunch after, but midway through the process, the team said they needed to do further exploration. We knew something was up.”

It was not until six hours later – an agonizing wait – when a brain surgeon confirmed the presence of a very sizeable brain tumor. Campbell needed surgery very soon and was immediately admitted to the Pediatric I.C.U. at Yale New Haven Hospital. “Here he was among all these sick children and he looked just fine – it was a very surreal situation,” said Sherry.

The tumor was touching both an optic nerve and his pituitary gland, which are both delicate areas. Dozens of doctors and specialists reviewed the case with regard to approaching the surgery, which was scheduled for April 7. The timing gave the family a little time to prepare, which they partly spent just enjoying some togetherness, but also planning logistics in terms of care for Campbell’s older brother, William, who was five at the time.

“We were at the hospital very early, with several friends and family members, the day of the surgery,” Sherry said. “We kissed him and handed him over, which was very hard. Ultimately, and thankfully, Campbell came through ok.”

His recovery occurred over two weeks, but the family learned only 80 percent of the tumor had been removed due to its location. Sadly, in the process, Campbell also lost sight in his left eye. Pathologists recommended leaving the remainder of the tumor alone, and just monitoring it.

Three months later, Campbell had a routine MRI that indicated the tumor had grown back to its initial size and there was now a cyst, loaded with cancer cells, attached to it. He went back for surgery in July and, again, 80 percent of the tumor was removed. However, a program of chemotherapy was also introduced, which took place every week for the next two years. During that long period, Campbell had three more surgeries, related to complications that included fluid in the cranium and infections of a central chemo line.

“He just completed his last chemo session three weeks ago and his cancer is in remission,” said Sherry. “Now he walks around so proudly saying, ‘I beat up cancer.’ He’s stronger than anyone I know and certainly stronger than me. He amazes me.”

View Finder: Square Foot Gardening at Woods Library

View Finder: Square Foot Gardening 
at Woods Library:

Moms and kids enjoy storytime 

and vegetable planting

By Mike Lauterborn

(posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 6/16)

6/14/11

Fairfield, CT – Grey skies and a some misty rain created the perfect opportunity for a little indoor storytime, then outdoor planting session, at Fairfield Woods Library Tuesday morning. A roomful of children and their moms nestled together to enjoy several garden-themed books read by Children’s Librarian Cheryl DelVecchio. She also had them join in on a chorus of “Eensy Weensy Spider” before they all marched outside to help get started “Mr. McGregor’s Garden”, a 5’x5’ square foot plot.

Led by Amie Guyette Hall, a square foot garden certified teacher, the children helped dig holes and make homes for a variety of vegetables from snap peas, tomatoes and watermelon to cucumbers, squash, pickles and eggplant. Children were invited to return to the garden during the summer to check on its progress and pick the vegetables they helped plant.

Ani Tirpan: Dressed for Success

Ani Tirpan: Dressed for Success

A family recipe meets a market niche

By Mike Lauterborn

(posted to North Haven Patch.com 6/16)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

6/15/11

North Haven, CT – An interest in healthy eating and desire to create her own legacy led a North Haven-based Armenian immigrant to bring her flavorful, all-natural salad dressings to the marketplace. She hasn’t looked back since.

Ani Tirpan, founder of Wholesome Creations, makers of 100% natural, vegan, gluten-free salad dressings, said she had been working in various home textile manufacturing and import companies for about 25 years before she set off on her own venture. The 51-year-old mother of three grown children said, “I’d been making everyone else successful except me and decided it was time to take the reins.”

She began to think of things she was good at and realized she had been happily making her own salad dressing, something she called Lemon Paradise, for about 30 years. “I’d always gotten a lot of positive feedback about it, and friends suggested I should market it,” she said. “I always used very fresh and all-natural ingredients, squeezing fresh lemons to make the dressing. We would put it on everything. My kids loved it. And as a working mother, it gave me a lot of help in making quick meals that were healthy and nutritious.”

In early 2009, she got on the internet and started searching around to see what dressings were already out there. “I found a lot of products claiming they were all-natural,” she said. “On closer inspection, I saw they were not using fresh ingredients, but a lot of concentrates and powders instead. I realized that the trend of healthy eating in America was growing faster than the industry could keep up.”

As she was still working full days and her brother, Oves, was on disability and had some time on his hands, Tirpan asked him to research the guidelines and FDA regulations involved with introducing a product. They also started to do some market analysis to try and determine if the product would be well received. At the same time, they made batches of dressing and started sampling it at street fairs in New York to get consumer feedback. “The response was overwhelming,” said Tirpan. “I knew I had something that was very special.”

She also realized that she would need to create more than one flavor. “I didn’t want to repeat any of the existing flavors on the market, so I researched ingredients to see which were healthiest and that we could incorporate while maintaining great taste,” she said.

As Tirpan didn’t have any formal culinary training, she mixed and matched flavors and did a lot of experimenting. Ultimately, she developed three new flavors – Mediterranean, Green Tea & Ginger, and Pomegranate Cranberry.

In October 2010, Tirpan took the set of four flavors to the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival, one of the oldest and most popular East Coast shows wherein manufacturers and retailers sample their products to the general public.

“It was a big opportunity for me to see if these were worth pursuing,” said Tirpan about the event. “It was a good fit because my products are suited to Vegans and gluten-free, while also being designed for consumers who ascribe to a healthy lifestyle.”

Again, the response was very positive. “We brought 500 ten-ounce bottles with us and all were sold out by the first day of the two-day show,” she said. “All through the second day, people continued to crowd our table for samples, even though they couldn’t purchase the product.”

Amidst the crowd was a Whole Foods Market buyer who said he wanted to carry the salad dressings in his store. “That was really the beginning of our market entry,” Tirpan said. “From there, we rented a warehouse and office and built a kitchen. To this day, the makers are still me and my son Eric. We use a co-packer to help us bottle. We have the ability to produce 500,000 bottles per month, though we are currently producing 10,000 per month, to meet current market demand.”

Recently, Wholesome Creations partnered with U.N.F.I. (United Natural Foods), one of the largest natural food distributors in the U.S. “This will help us gain placement in other major supermarket chains around the country,” Tirpan said.

In the meantime, Tirpan operates an interactive website through which consumers can share information and experiences with gluten-free products and exchange recipes. “I believe this is a good forum and a responsibility that aligns with our product marketing.”

Reflecting on her journey to this point, Tirpan said, “I never thought a family favorite dressing would ever become something greater. I’m glad to be able to share these taste sensations with a wider audience. You don’t have to sacrifice good taste for health and many people do with other products that are currently available.”

To order, visit www.wholesomecreations.com, or for more information email: info@wholesomecreations.com or call 203-903-5092.
 

Drawn to Perfection, Greenfield Colonial Showcases Eclectic Art and Stylish Features

Drawn to Perfection, Greenfield Colonial Showcases Eclectic Art and Stylish Features

By Mike Lauterborn

(for July/Aug issue Fairfield magazine)

5/3/11

Fairfield, CT - A well-appointed 3,500-square-foot three-bedroom modern Colonial on a landscaped one-acre lot. Par for the course you’d say for a residence in lower Greenfield Hill. But throughout this high-profile home is a broad collection of treasured art, stylish accents and curious furnishings, reflecting the character and unique background of its owners.

Built in 1998 by Bill Kovac of Trumbull, CT-based Sherwood Homes, the structure, perched along Sherwood Farm Road, has immediate curb appeal. Homeowner and professional illustrator Leslie Cober-Gentry explained that the home design was offered as a template, which she and her husband Eric, a doctor of pulmonary and critical care medicine, modified to create more flow and spaciousness.

Curling around from a three-car garage, a bluestone path leads to a columned portico at the center of the meringue yellow, two-story haven. Inside, an inviting foyer is grounded by white crystal marble tiles and accented with curved Murano glass sconces. A manly office with a formal Baker desk, leather recliner, mini bar and built-in shelving occupies one branch off the hallway. A small half bath with a glass basin sink serves as another branch and last checkpoint before entering a sunny kitchen.

Here, the white marble flooring extends, and plays off contemporary maple cabinetry, granite-topped counters, a center island outfitted with stainless steel bar stools with Lucite seats and a full complement of stainless steel Thermador and Sub-Zero major appliances. The real standout features here, though, are a hand-blown Venetian glass chandelier hovering above a Saarinen breakfast table with lime green Jacobsen chairs, and hand-cut white glass backsplashes.

“Designer Jo Ann Ceasrine assisted me with choosing the tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms,” said Cober-Gentry. “She has a great sense of textures.”

Sweeping right into the family room with its 18-foot high vaulted ceiling, one is treated to a host of visuals – and history – to delight the senses. On the contemporary end, large picture windows, a granite-framed fireplace, chocolate and canteloupe colored furniture and a unique Ligne Roset rug with a texture like a Rastafarian’s dreadlocks present a clean face. On the historical front, a mix of antiques, including a hand-carved carousel rooster and a candy-striped barber pole circa 1900, provide intrigue.

But it’s framed sketches of sports figures Pete Rose, Don King and Sugar Ray Leonard and a funny looking ceramic character looking down from built-in shelving that drives Cober-Gentry to mention some remarkable family factoids.

“My dad, Alan E. Cober, was a well-known illustrator who was just inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame along with Norman Rockwell and Howard Pine,” she said. “His work really changed illustration from a classic American style to a conceptual journalistic view. His sketches are featured throughout our home. While he achieved amazing success as an illustrator, in the 1980s he wanted to move into a different medium and began creating ceramic figures. These were essentially his illustrations materializing with a third dimension. He was really becoming established in this category before his untimely death at 62 in 1998.”

Besides the notable sports stars he sketched, Cober traveled with Time magazine on presidential campaigns, was an artist for NASA and accompanied Pope John Paul II on a tour of the U.S. He and his wife Ellen were also among the leading folk and American art collectors in the country.

Paintings from their collection, created by American masters of the 1800s, grace the Gentry’s dining room on the opposite side of the house. Decorated with Italian contemporary furniture, the space flows into the living room, floored with hardwood oak and dotted with Baker side tables.

A floor below, a furnished basement boasts a media room with a pool table, air hockey, sitting area with flatscreen TV and full bath. At the rear of the home, a sunroom/gym with terracotta tiled floors and French doors spills out onto a raised deck with hot tub that overlooks a gunite pool and backdrop of white pines, spruce, lilacs and other assorted trees. The top floor offers a vaulted master bedroom with a walk-in closet, Italian cherry furniture and a Togo chaise, as well as respective bedrooms, connected by a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, occupied by the couple’s two children.

While these rooms and features are well enjoyed, the space that fuels Cober-Gentry most is her studio. There, she has worked on hundreds of assignments for magazines and corporations. “This is where I do all my creating and illustration work, which was inspired by my dad,” she said. “My studio also houses my various collections – iconic advertising dolls, vintage cake toppers and toy figurines.”

Cober-Gentry concludes that her “anything goes” humorous style is echoed in the architectural highlights and artwork in her home. “Heirlooms find a comfortable balance with more contemporary works and sleek modern furniture.”