United Presbyterian Home news

Don Kline presented his antique and vintage Christmas decorations to the residents on Monday, December 2. Don had various tabletop Christmas trees ranging from German pre-WWII feather tree to the vintage classic silver tree. He had lights, decorations, reindeer and wonderful stories and historical information to match each item. The residents enjoyed sharing memories and stories of Christmases past.

Fortnightly members and UPH residents crowded into the Moore Family Dining Room Thursday to listen to Christmas music provided by Andrew Zuehlke. The audience reports that Andrew's voice with his own piano accompaniment is a seasonal treat. He played holiday classics along with the new, Joseph's Song which was a crowd pleaser. It put everyone in the holiday spirit and some residents are still humming Christmas tunes.

Wassel and cookies were served in the Parlor Monday for the official lighting of the Fulton Hall fireplace. Firewood is in place and preparations made for the winter months ahead of us.

Ten members of the Prairie Pride 4-H group visited the United Presbyterian Home Monday bringing a bag full of gifts to each health center resident just as Santa Clause would do. Each Thirty-One bag carried a soft throw blanket, hand lotion, socks and lip balm. What an unexpected treat! In addition to the gifts, the 4-H girls spent time chatting with residents. Herb Hammen and Bill Dusenbery report what wonderful young people make up the Prairie

Pride 4-H group.

Betty Flynn and Pat Bagley hosted the Kerr Hall luncheon Tuesday in the Moore Family Dining Room. Tables were decorated with trees, Santa figurines, Santa candy kisses and Christmas turtles. Turtles follow Pat wherever she goes. Pat offered the blessing prior to the meal giving Herb Yoder a break from his usual duties. It is reported that Dining Services Director, Dee Verrips went out of her way to accommodate residents, even serving meatloaf without onions. Everyone enjoyed the meal and socializing.

Birthday wishes go out to Louise Richards and Jean Cousins who celebrated birthdays in the Town Center this week.

Classics Et Cetera for December 12 included the overture to 'Hansel and Gretel” by Engelbert Humperdinck; 'Alleluia” from 'Exsultate, jubilate” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed by Julia Lehzneva, soprano; Five numbers from 'Messiah” by George Friderick Handel; 'Merry Christmas Polka;” 'Roses from the South,” a waltz by Johann Strauss, Jr.; 'Jack Tar,” a march by John Philip Sousa.

Engelbert Humperdinck is listed as the composer of the popular opera 'Hansel and Gretel,” listed above. He is not the British pop singer of the latter half of the 20th Century who went by that as a stage name, but whose real name was Arnold Dorsey. Instead, he is German Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921). The opera's libretto by Humperdinck's sister Adelheid was loosely based on the fairy tale by The Brothers Grimm. It premiered on December 23, 1893, to instant and overwhelming success in Weimar, Germany, and has since become a Christmastime favorite.