St. Patricks Day celebration

United Presbyterian Home members past and present were represented in a cast of characters in a UPH Historical Pageant presented Wednesday afternoon in the Moore Family Dining Room. The pageant was the brainchild of residents Connie Bauer Crane, Julia Gamon and Dean Garrett. A timeline of the Home's existence for the past 72 years was told through music, pictures and interviews beginning with an original song written for the Home by resident Dave Brown appropriately titled United Presbyterian Home and sung by a chorus of talented UPH residents.

A recount of how the United Presbyterian Home began in 1947 at the former Sen. Smith Brookhart farmhouse and the building milestones were told through pictures old and new. A skit in which present members portrayed the inaugural founding administrators Dr. McIntyre and Dr. George Kerr, First Matron Maud Jackson, and the first cottage resident, Mrs. Bergman, told the story of the early work, dedication and struggles associated with the startup. Clearly the organization is, and always has been, about its members and not just a structure.

Interviews with former CEOs Dick Colby (1965-1992) and Mike Moore (1993- 2017) told of changing times and also the longevity of it directors, staff and family members. Connie Bauer Crane dressed as the Hallmark character, Maxine read a poem written by Eva Gallagher titled I'm Growing Older.

Musical selections spoke of the times. Everyone joined in singing the whimsical 1943 song Mairzy Doats and the classical Amazing Grace. They listened as the future generation of young people attending UP with Day Care sang and acted out songs accompanied by Spiritual Life Director and Master of Ceremonies for the event, Andrew Zuehlke. As if to offer a final blessing the congregation joined in singing Bless This House in the hope the United Presbyterian Home may continue for another 70 plus years.

Bill Dusenbery celebrated his St. Patrick's Day birthday with a family dinner in the Moore Family Dining Room. A traditional Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage was served, or maybe it was the St. Patrick's holiday. Everybody in the dining room sang an impromptu Happy Birthday to Bill accompanied by Dorothy Koehler on the piano.

Residents of the Garrett Center made their own Irish fun when they joined together to listen to some Irish tunes and enjoy shamrock cookies and green beverages. Funny-looking people with green hair and green clothing showed up to dance a jig.

Mary Redlinger welcomed guests Monday afternoon when her daughter Mary Jo Robinson, of Atlantic, arrived for lunch bringing along her 5-month-old grandson Nicholas. Nicholas entertained family members with his playful grin and good looks.

Mildred Houseal celebrated her birthday in Town Center Thursday morning. Mildred's daughter Sandy Suter brought treats to share with the guests. Mildred's son Duane Lewis also joined in the celebration.

Classics Et Cetera for March 21, 2019, included the overture to 'Bianca and Fernando” by Vincenzo Bellini; Toccata Movement from Symphony for Organ No. 5 by Charles Marie Widor; Piece No. 1 from '3 Short Pieces” by Jacques Ibert; 'Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius; 'Champagne Polka played by the Six Fat Dutchmen polka band; 1st Movement of Octet, Op. 803 by Franz Schubert; 'Circus Echoes” by Arthur Wellesley Hughes.

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) was probably the greatest Finnish composer ever. He was awarded a pension by the government in 1897 which allowed him to devote himself to composing. His most famous piece by far was 'Finlandia” which expressed so much patriotism that it became the anthem of the Finnish independence movement. For many years the Russians would not permit its performance, but the Russian troops finally left Finland in 1918. There are at least two Christian hymns that use the 'Finlandia” tune.