LOIS'S STORY

When Lois Escobar moved into her Curtner Avenue residence, provided by Housing for Independent People (HIP), she knew she finally was home. That was 11-1/2 years ago, and, Lois says, "I am very grateful still."

Before Curtner, Lois was in several uncomfortable living situations after her husband, Joe, passed away in the early 1980's. When a friend moved into the Curtner house, Lois followed her lead. Apparently this was a first at the time -- a house of independent living for persons with disabilities.

• Easy-going
  Lois remembers the local and national press interviewing her and two other residents -- and she has the photo to prove it! Even Stone Phillips of national television fame was there to get the story, Lois remembers. She shares the attractive, two-story house on Curtner Avenue with five others. How in the world do they all get along? "You have to have a sense of humor," Lois explains. "I'm easy-going and don't like to make waves, and I like to joke around with my friends, so I get along with everybody." The residents each have a separate bedroom, and they share the common areas. Lois adds a note of independence: "Everybody cooks for themselves."
  
  
• The best thing after husband, children and grandchildren
  Lois says, "This is the best thing that ever happened to me," then corrects herself with a smile, " -- after meeting my husband, and having children and grandchildren, of course!" Her children all live in the area and -- Lois is very proud of this -- two of them were the first in her family to go to college. The Escobars, she notes, go back to Joe's grandfather, who arrived in the area in 1871. Lois loves to read biographies and autobiographies and doesn't like to watch much TV. Except, she adds with another smile, "I do like Peter Jennings."

Stone Phillips, watch out!