United Presbyterian Home

While David Draheim and Victor Thompson share the same birthday, they were thoughtful enough to treat the Town Center coffee group to refreshments on separate days last week. David shared doughnuts on Wednesday, and Victor treated on Friday. This spreads out the celebration and the calories.

Up with Day Care children were guests of Health Center residents on Friday for their annual Halloween party. The children paraded as super heroes, a lion, baseball player and other costumed characters. Flo, the commercialized Progressive Insurance spokesperson, visited and stayed to help with the party. They shared apple cider and candy treats. The children sang Halloween songs to residents, and they all joined in pumpkin bowling and a game of bean bag toss.

Jeanette Miksch celebrated her birthday with a visit from her daughter, Julia Bates of Maryland, over the weekend. Jeanette shared birthday cookies with residents on Monday. On Tuesday evening, Jeanette and a neighbor attended the election night supper in Jeanette? s former neighborhood of West Chester.

The Tuesday afternoon Hymn Sing in the Health Center was led by vocalists Jerry King and Jane Fehr, accompanied by Julia Gamon on the piano.

Mrs. Green?s first-grade class, along with Principal Adam Miller, visited residents on Wednesday morning prior to the Campus Council meeting. There were some familiar faces in the class as several of them have attended Up with Day Care at the UP Home in the past, and their parents are employed here. Sawyer Tschantz, Lily Brown and Tyrese Wright, along with their classmates, told residents what they have recently learned about the first Thanksgiving, reciting words from the entire alphabet associated with this historic meal. They also had jokes pertaining to Thanksgiving that they were eager to share with everyone.

Activities Director Carol Enfield took a group of ladies to the Christopher and Banks trunk show at Halcyon House on Wednesday afternoon. Ladies had a chance to shop for clothing items and purchase them without leaving Washington. While there, Ruth Lowe and Dorothy See visited with their sister, Bess Edwards. It was Ruth?s birthday and they shared a good time together.

Classics Et Cetera for Nov. 6, 2014, included the overture to ?A Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna? by Franz von Suppé; 3rd Movement of String Quintet in E Major by Luigi Boccherini; ?On Wings of Song? by Felix Mendelssohn; ?God Bless the Prince of Wales? performed by the Morriston Welsh Male Voice Choir; Selections from Act III of ?Swan Lake? by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky; ?Washington Grays,? a march by Claudio S. Grafulla.

A native of an island off the coast of Spain, Claudio S. Grafulla (1812-1880) immigrated to the United States when he was 25, and became a French horn player in a regimental band of the New York National Guard, a band that was immortalized by the 1922 march by John Philip Sousa, ?The Gallant Seventh.? Grafulla became well-known as a band composer and arranger whose marches became the prototype of today?s concert march.

The following article is written by United Presbyterian Home Model Train Engineer, Jim Bennett.

U.P. Railroad usually means Union Pacific Railroad; however, in this case it means our own United Presbyterian Railroad.

I know some people will disagree with me, but I thought it took forever for November to get here. While waiting for November, I found several items for the railroad including a trolley. Last year the trolley broke down, and it was hard to find a 1955 replacement trolley, but I did, and after an overhaul, it runs great. I also found two diesel engines, more cars and several accessories. Pat and Murray Coon have donated a Marx diesel set and I hope to have it running soon. It is over 50 years old and due for a tuneup.

I am fortunate to be able to share the trains with so many people. It is so rewarding for me to see the enjoyment from kids from 2 to 102 as they watch the trains. It does take time and organization from a lot of people to make the railroad possible. I want to thank everyone who helps in any way. We plan to have trains running by Thanksgiving. I can?t wait!