What the Rubberman Wrote

by Michael Harney  

I never knew spring-cleaning involved so much history!  You may have heard that the Western North Carolina AIDS Project is moving into a new space.  In order to do so, the staff members have been going through old files and cabinet shelves and piles and stacks of paper to separate what will be absolutely necessary for the next three months while we are in our temporary office space before moving to our permanent building in September. 

The details are too many to explain in these few paragraphs, but the overall message is that we are moving to a new and larger space. 

I hope I have a window in my new office...

Why do we keep so much paper and so many files?  While packing and preparing to move I saw letters I wrote back in 2001 when I returned to work for WNCAP.  I found photographs from an event we called “Spring Fling” when volunteers gathered at the Ebony Bar and Grill on Eagle Street in their AIDS…It’s Done Enough! Have You? T-shirts to pick-up and walk around town handing-out  carnations with condoms and information about where to get HIV/STD tested. 

I saw the newspaper copy of the obituary of longtime AIDS activist Bill Allen, the draft copy of Charles Lee’s obituary, and notes in an old calendar about a meeting with Greg Haller.  Father Boyd and I met in Franklin with a youth group of Spanish speaking parishioners, and on November 20th that year I went to a Staff meeting at 9:00 a.m., met Phyllis at 1:00 p.m., went to the YWCA with Lori at 4:00 p.m., and a dinner for Loving Food Resources at 5:30.  Who knows what I did after that?!

Bob, you were standing beside me in a photo after I was crowned Miss Lounge Lizard at O.Henry’s (Story by Stephanie Sinclair – she has been around awhile too); it is not the best photo of me.  In the WNCAP Now newsletter we reported having 240 clients in February 2002, with three new intakes that month.  We have grown since then!  So many new clients have moved here from other states, but the funding resources don’t necessarily follow them.  Thanks must be given to all the great volunteers who participate in our two major annual fundraising events: Dining Out For Life, and the Raise Your Hand auction.  I don’t believe WNCAP would survive without them.

Should I part with any of the paper and files?  Wise people have told me that if I haven’t looked at something or used it in two years (over 6 years in some cases), then I don’t need it.  Others would have me keep it all.  I have no idea what anyone else in the building is finding.  I’m starting to think I am a pack rat, but it sure is a fun trip down memory lane. 

One thing I am not parting with is my collection of Men of Westville Pub calendars.  You know I just love me some Jeremy on the front cover year after year.  I hope it doesn’t take too long to get reorganized and situated in the new building.  My desk may look a bit messy now, but I’ll bet you I can find what I am looking for, so don’t mess with the stuff on my desk (See note on my desk).

Hey, before I conclude, I do want to let you know that we have been awarded one of three new state grants to do Hepatitis C testing and education.  If you, or someone you know would like a free HCV testing kit, or would like to schedule an educational seminar, please be in touch with me or Kathy Ostertag, our new Hep C Prevention Coordinator. 

At least my schedule will let up a bit after May 12th when classes end at A-B Tech!  Whew!  Give me a day in the garden.  See you around.

Peace.

Michael J. Harney Jr. – the Rubberman – can be reached at WNCAP 828-252-7489 ext. 311.