Christmas surprise at UP Home

Pearl Arnold was greatly surprised and very pleased when she received a call from her son Bill who happened to be standing right outside her door at the time. Pearl had not seen Bill or his wife Nancy in five years when they arrived for a one week stay. It was a belated birthday treat for Pearl. Bill and Nancy live in Harrisburg, Nebraska.

Connie Bauer and Bob Crane participated in the Holiday Spectacular at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids with three concerts over the weekend. They sang in two concerts on Saturday and one on Sunday as part of the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale. Bob participated last year and talked Connie into performing for the first time this year. The couple also attended a dance at the Eagles Club in Iowa City Sunday evening. It was the last performance of Dale Thomas before he retires.

Carolers from the law offices of Lloyd, McConnell, Davis and Lujan brought Christmas cheer to the Cottager's Potluck Monday evening with their music. New resident Dianna Pacha attended the potluck for the first time and reports that there is no other eating establishment like it with an abundance of delicious food and friends.

Donna Proudfit entertained her sister Pam and brother-in-law Bob from Madison, Wisconsin, at a Christmas dinner and celebration on Tuesday. They toured the campus and were very impressed with the facilities, especially the Wellness Center and Therapy Department. They were able to meet a number of residents and staff and visit with friends Pat and Brad Goff as well as Carla Carter whom Pam hadn't seen in many years.

Holiday sights and sounds are everywhere this time of year. Residents enjoyed the debut violin performances of 4-year-old Ymbrace Yudelmo and his mother Benice last week. Both Ymbrace and Benice are violin students of Gwen Ying. Their passion for the art of music and their eagerness to learn is evident in their music.

Mark Gordaon Gaskill brought his guitar and keyboard with him when he visited the United Presbyterian Home this week. Mark played for residents in the Health Center the memorable songs of Christmas from 1935 through 1959. Mark is a talented guitarist, keyboardist and singer/songwriter from Gahanna, Ohio. Mark was accompanied to the United Presbyterian Home by his wife Karen Maguire, daughter of Dorothy Soucek.

Gwen Ying and Martha Chalupa graced residents with their musical talents Thursday afternoon. This talented duo presented a holiday concert with Martha playing the piano and flute and Gwen performing on her instruments of choice;, the violin and viola. Gwen enlightened the audience with bits of humor between selections.

Residents enjoyed the music of Ned Francis during the Christmas Dance held in the Michael Moore Family Dining Room Thursday afternoon. Ned played a variety of holiday tunes along with a mix of favorite dance songs as residents, dressed in holiday attire, danced their way around the dance floor. Everyone enjoyed a little Christmas cheer and refreshments as they shared an afternoon of dancing and socializing.

Kids from First Baptist Preschool stopped by this week to see firsthand the model train display make its way around the tracks. Mildred Houseal was delighted with the visit as her granddaughter Erin Thorius is an educator with the preschool and great-grandson Jayse is a student. They enjoyed watching the toy trains together and later sang to residents.

Twenty-four candy canes hidden throughout the UPH connected buildings provide an opportunity for residents to get some exercise and observe the many beautiful decorations throughout the hallways while participating in a Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt. Candy cane prizes are awarded to residents who turn in correctly filled-out clue forms.

Residents and staff have been under the watchful eye of a familiar elf dressed in a red suit this week. He has surprised many with his appearances on the brick wall along East Washington Street, atop the office filing cabinet and in the Maintenance Shop. Everyone needs to be on their best behavior as it is rumored that this elf reports directly to Santa, updating the naughty and nice list.

The names of Mary Atwood and Connie Bauer were omitted from the Christmas Pageant information last week. Mary and Connie were instrumental in organizing, recruiting, costume fitting and directing the program. We thank them for their many hours of work in putting together a very special program.

Classics Et Cetera for Dec. 20, 2018, included Entr'acte from 'Journey through the Fairy tale World” by Franz von Suppé; Transcription for 2 flutes & piano by Franz Doppler of 'Remembering Adelina Patti” from 'The Sleepwalker” by Vincenzo Bellini; 'O Holy Night” by Adolphe Adam, sung by the Three Irish Tenors; 'Ding, Dong Merrily on High” sung by Julie Andrews; 3 Selections from 'Messiah” by George Frideric Handel; 3 German Dances, K. 605, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

For most of his life, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) had no official position in the court of Vienna, but in 1787 he was appointed Imperial Chamber Composer by Emperor Joseph II. The main purpose of the position was supplying dances for the Ballrooms of the Imperial Palace. Mozart was an enthusiastic dancer and he produced many dances of various genres, including around 60 German Dances. One of them - called 'Sleigh Ride,” No. 3 from his 'Three German Dances,” K. 605. - is particularly popular. It was written in 1791, the year of his untimely death. It requires tuned sleigh bells to add to the delight of skimming musically over the snow.