RUN, WALK, GET MOVIN' FOR ALICE'S HOUSE

BY ALYSSA QUACKENBUSH

With my small to-go black tea from The Voyage warming my hands, I made my way through the beach entrance, finding myself teetering over the rocks in a line right down the middle: to my right, the familiar beach houses, and to my left, the ocean, which looked especially beautiful today. Something about the mid-morning sun highlighting the breaking surf, embracing the scattered sailboats and occasional passerby inspired a feeling of peace, not unlike the full-body calm that follows a deep, mindful breath.

I was headed to Alice’s House for the first time. For a place I felt I had heard so much about, I seemed to know very little.

A House For Healing

Upon walking in the door, I was greeted by Janet Gibson and Julie Johnson, two of the board members of Alice’s House, who encouraged me to take a solo walk-through of the three floors before we got to chatting about the place. Immediately, I felt at home. There seemed to be a subtle, calming voice surrounding me when I walked in the door, saying, “Hey, let your guard down. It’s all gonna be okay.”

PHOTO CREDIT: CDB PHOTOS, CHRIS BERNSTEIN

There was no rush in Alice’s House. Instead, the energy that filled the place encouraged me to take my time. It only felt right to be in the moment. Each room offered a new perspective, literally and metaphorically; I was swept away into a moment of peace and inspiration at each window facing the dependable rumble of the sea, letting in the sunlight in a way I had never seen before.

PHOTO CREDIT: CDB PHOTOS, CHRIS BERNSTEINIn the Summer of 2017, Marcia Ballou organized a special gathering of local artists at her studio located in Marshfield, Ma. Donna Rosetti Bailey, Kristine Brennan, Laura Harvey, Nancy Colella, Dottie Penthan… — PHOTO CREDIT: CDB PHOTOS, CHRIS BERNSTEIN
In the Summer of 2017, Marcia Ballou organized a special gathering of local artists at her studio located in Marshfield, Ma. Donna Rosetti Bailey, Kristine Brennan, Laura Harvey, Nancy Colella, Dottie Penthany, Debbie Cornwall, Sally Dean and Mary Curran worked together painting hearts.

Stickers included in the participant packets are fashioned after the artwork in Alice’s House.

After making my way back downstairs to Janet and Julie, we got to talking about the house, its history, and its purpose. Janet, the founder of Alice’s House non profit, became friends with Alice Feeney back in 1989 when Alice had become the “matriarchal” figure for her cancer support group of women dealing with these major diagnoses. Alice, who was significantly older than most of the women in the group and had at that point survived her own cancer diagnosis, joined the group as a comforting figure of hope that these women could absolutely beat their cancer and live full, happy lives.

The longer that Janet knew Alice and her husband John, the more she understood them to always have their doors and hearts open for those who need healing. After Alice passed in 1997, Janet began the nonprofit Alice’s House and established a mission to maintain the same soothing, healing energy that Alice had crafted over the years, resulting in an energetic masterpiece of a home, a compilation of love from each and every visitor.

After the original house was burned down in 2012, Janet was met with the challenge of rebuilding a space that emulated the same energy as the first Alice’s House, while allowing for that energy to be built upon and expanded in the future. Julie, who designed the new house, mentioned that her primary challenge was creating a house that looked well-loved and long-established but by using a balance of maintenance-free modern materials and materials that will age to the same effect as the long-standing house that had been lost.

Three years since its reopening, Alice’s House has harbored all types of people who need all types of healing. Whatever that healing looks like--whether it’s a newfound focus, dealing with grief, finding peace, or just spending much-needed time with loved ones in a space that has no agenda but to make room for your needs.

Run, Walk, Get Movin'

October 11-18, Alice’s House will be hosting its third annual Rock Your Heart 5k. Of course, this year the race has got to look a bit different from years past. Instead of an in-person 3.1 miles, the Rock Your Heart event will be happening virtually. This way, you, your family, or your team can complete the challenge in any way that feels best. Have fun with it--whether you decide to run, walk, jump, skip, dance, surf, swim, or bike your way across the “finish line!”

You’ll receive a bib and a Rock Your Heart mask to wear in your virtual submission video. Plus, sponsors get an opportunity to add their favorite “Get Movin’” song to the official Rock Your Heart playlist.

The 5k is a major fundraising event for Alice’s House, and all of the proceeds will be put back into the House’s sustainability fund; maintaining the healing and centering environment that’s meant so much to so many people.

Leaving Alice’s House, after having only spent an hour or so there, the energy of healing that surrounded me within the walls remained. I felt recharged as I walked back to my beat-up old Accord, this time with the houses to my right and the expansive ocean to my left. Ready to face the real world again, I was reminded of exactly what we each need to hear from time to time: the real world will wait for you. In the meantime, it’s okay to take a break. Heal, grieve, find yourself, feel through whatever it is you need to feel, and take your time doing so. Alice’s House, through Alice Feeney’s memory, provides a safe space to do exactly that.