Annual Celebration of Life

A yearly Celebration of Life Service was held Thursday, March 28, 2019, to remember the residents of the United Presbyterian Home who passed away in 2018. Families of the loved ones, friends and staff members gathered for a time of sharing. Members of the UP Home staff shared inspirations of love, faith and remembrance aided by the comforting music of Gwen Ying, Martha Chalupa and Andrew Zuehlke. A candle was lit in memorial and flowers were presented to family members as names were read. Those being remembered at this ceremony include Mary Kadlec, Ruth Lowe, Alberta Tedford, Steve Bennett, Mary Ferre', Mildred Statler, Kathryn Ross, Leon Hilfman, Marjorie Kyle, Georgina White, Phyllis Doggett, Myron Herman, Nikki Neuenkirk, Thomas Tanner, Bob Coon, Birch Holden, Sharon Evans, Evelyn Hayes, Margaret Campbell, Mary Whisler Holden, Colleen Havel, George Masson, Davida Nicholson, Marjorie Fullerton, Harold Krebs, Phyllis VanGerpen, Joan Furgason, Mabel Wood, Marshal Rose, Kermit Jenkins, Robert Martin, Cal Wolf, Murray Coon, Joan Collett and Carl Dallmeyer.

United Presbyterian Home Art Instructor Nancy Albert and resident art students hosted an art show and reception Friday afternoon showcasing over sixty works of art by some amazingly talented residents and staff. Mediums included pencil drawing, oil painting, water color, acrylic paint and wood carvings. Visitors toured the Art Room, viewed the works of art and enjoyed a delicious buffet of cheeses, fruit and wine while mingling with the artists and other guests. Nancy reports that everyone has a talent, some may be more hidden than others. Artists included in the show were Nancy Albert, Pat Bagley, Connie Bauer, Betty Beenblossom, Carolyn Dixon, Jean Frazer, Marc Henry, Lucy Landon, Charlotte Magdefrau, Mary Oviatt, Ron Palmer, Carol Ray, Carol Thornton and Marion Turnipseed.

Donna Proudfit saw an opportunity to host a party when she realized that Pat Goff would celebrate a weekend birthday. Donna invited a few guests to her apartment between tournament basketball games Sunday afternoon to celebrate Pat's birthday. Each guest was encouraged to bring a silly card or gag gift for the birthday gal. It appeared that celebrities also sent cards including notes from President Donald Trump congratulating her on being the same age as him and noting that he liked her better than the fake news. University of Iowa Hawkeye Football Coach Kirk Ferentz, or someone helping him out, sent a congratulatory note to a devoted Hawkeye fan and a package of lucky cards arrived from the Riverside Casino with a note thanking Pat for her support of their establishment. The note states that they intend to recognize Pat as Queen of the Golf Club Opening Parade at which time she ride in a golf cart around the parking lot. Watch for it!

Emilia Amper and her Swedish Band performed at the UP Home Wednesday morning. Band members said it was the most diverse age group they have played for at once, the audience ranged from 1-year olds to folks in their 90s. The folk band played a mix of original compositions as well as arrangements of traditional music for the nyckelharpa, a traditional instrument played in Sweden for more than 600 years.

Another sure sign of spring was noted this week as residents spotted a brand-new electric blue vehicle in the Kerr Hall garage. We hope that it will see no road salt or sand until at least next year.

Classics Et Cetera for April 4, 2019 included the overture to 'Egmont” by Ludwig van Beethoven; 'Schön Rosmarin” by Fritz Kreisler; 'Radieuse” by Louis Moreau Gottschalk; Selections from 'Il Trovatore” by Giuseppe Verdi from 'Verdi without Words;” 'Frozen Bill,” a rag by Arthur Pryor; 4th Movement from Octet in F Major by Franz Schubert; 'Bravura,” a march by Charles Edward Duble.

In 1824, Count Ferdinand Troyer, a former patron of Beethoven and a fine amateur clarinetist, commissioned Franz Schubert (1797-1828) to compose a work similar to Beethoven's 1800 Septet that was so popular that Beethoven wished 'it had been burned.” Schubert obliged, following Beethoven's example in its tone, instrumentation and form; he merely added a violin. The resulting Octet in F Major premiered in Troyer's apartment that spring with Troyer playing the clarinet part, and publicly in 1827. Schubert died the following year at age 31, and the Octet, along with most of his other works, was almost forgotten before being rediscovered decades later.