Family Night Experience

For a big gathering like the 50th anniversary, we needed to gather in the way the Dale House always has: at Family Night. There were too many of us to fit in the Big House, our usual Family Night spot for the past twenty years. First Presbyterian Church graciously opened their building, providing space for the 150+ people who joined us.

Family Night at the Dale House follows a clear formula: music and silliness, talks (usually from the Directors), punch and cookies. We used the same elements for the 50th Family Night experience -- take a look below!

If you'd like to watch a recording of the event, send us an email at info@dalehouse.org asking for links to the videos. For copyright and confidentiality reasons, we aren't broadcasting the link but are happy to provide it to anyone who asks!

Talks from the Directors.

Family Night always has a talk-- most often, from the Director of the Dale House. We were able to have three.

George and Jane went first. But, George had broken his wrist earlier in the week and wasn't able to make it that night. So, he and Jane recorded some thoughts on 50 years. They shared about the decision points they made to keep serving kids, to be true to our convictions as a ministry, and their gratitude for the 50 years.

Ted Woodard spoke next. He shared his gratitude for this ministry and the impact of these relationships. Thanking God for the people who impacted him he shared his "list of saints, cut from another cloth" that made this place so special to him and to so many others. His passion as a leader is the DHP would always continue to offer the same experience to others that he himself had received.

The Langes spoke last. Through a pandemic and the winds of change, they shared gratitude for health of the "Tree" of the Dale House - healthy ring after healthy ring of growth. The health of that tree drew from its nourishment from how it was planted: trusting in trust in Jesus and on an unquenchable faith in kids.

"We've always been a community of belonging. A stable place to make a transition in someone's life, as we respond and live out our faith." - Anne Lange, quoting Jane Sheffer

If you would like to hear their thoughts, send us an email asking for access to the video online!

The Food

Part of any successful family night are the treats and refreshments we enjoy. We were grateful for the food provided by Jake and Telly's and Wooglin's, as well as a crush of cookies donated by the Pathfinders, a Sunday School class at First Presbyterian. We had punch as Martie Sheffer always intended it!

By the time the night wrapped down First Presbyterian staff had to (lovingly) escort all the Dale House people out of the building. There were too many conversations going on well into the night.

There were 'distinguished' guests from the first days all the way to current residents. We enjoyed photos of staff and residents when they were at their hairiest, or when they had hair at all.

But, the tone was set: this was an event truly celebrating all 50 years of this ministry, and we have all been blessed to be part of something this special.