United Presbyterian Home

Weekend guests of Betty Beenblossom were Roger and Diane Gansen Gerleman of New Hampton. Diane is a former Washington, Iowa, resident and neighbor to Betty. Betty and her guests, along with Reid Orris and Janet Vittetoe, enjoyed dinner at Pizza Ranch. In the afternoon they visited Dorothy Miller.

The United Presbyterian Home cottagers met at the Campus Center on Monday evening for their monthly potluck with 52 residents present. The serving committee included Melva Mineart, Kathy Knutson, Kitch Shatzer and Al and Addy Sents. "April Showers Bring May Flowers" was the theme for the evening with table decorations of miniature umbrellas, garden seeds and a candy treat. A delicious meal prepared by excellent cooks was enjoyed while socializing.

Dave Henderson was seen working on his boat this week. There must be a fishing trip in the near future.

With no school on Wednesday afternoon Washington Middle School students Lincoln Kleese, Ben Loy and Ben Shiefer escorted residents on long wheelchair rides around campus. Their visits are very much appreciated.

Pat Jenkins made rolls to share with folks at morning coffee on Thursday in celebration of her birthday.

Classics Et Cetera for April 30, 2015, included the overture to ?The Queen of Spades? by Franz von Suppé; Fugue in C Major by Dieterich Buxtehude; ?The Prince of Denmark?s March? by Jeremiah Clarke; ?The Dance of the Goblins? by Antonio Bazzini; ?Springtime of Love? by Louis Moreau Gottschalk; ?Fiddle-Faddle? by Leroy Anderson; 3rd Movement of Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff; ?Under the Double Eagle,? march by Joseph Franz Wagner.

Jeremiah Clarke (c.1674-1707) was an English composer of the pre-Handel Baroque era, and also the organist at the Chapel Royal. ?A violent and hopeless passion for a very beautiful lady of a rank superior to his own? caused him to commit suicide. He considered hanging and drowning as options. To decide, he tossed a coin which is said to have landed in the mud on its edge. He then chose a third method and shot himself in the churchyard of St. Paul?s Cathedral in London. Today he is buried either in the cathedral or in its churchyard.