United Presbyterian Home news

Bob and Connie Bauer Crane recently returned from a HUGS trip to Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico where they were able to see many of the sights in that area. One of the most interesting was the first continuous settlement in the U.S. The Pueblo is a populated Native American Village. They live very primitively without electricity high on the top of the Pueblo where the wind blew freely and streets were all dirt and the houses were one and two stories with ladders to the second floor.

Bob and Connie Bauer Crane also traveled to Ames, Iowa to Bob's ISU Singers Reunion. The singers practiced and sang on Saturday and Sunday during the Fall Concert. There was close to 100 alumni singers and the present Iowa State Singers also sang. It was a wonderful weekend of special music and meeting new people from far away places. Bob has been singing most of his life and really enjoyed this opportunity to sing with these talented singers.

An open house was held in honor of Dean Garrett's 90th birthday on November 2, 2019 in the Moore Family Dining Room. A large crowd of well wishers showed up to wish Dean a happy birthday including friends John and Kathy Bertsch who flew in from Texas. The Bertsch's intended to surprise Dean, but decided to tell him just before the date of the party. Dean reports that it was a very memorable birthday.

United Presbyterian Home residents and staff held a Veteran's Day Program Friday with the help of the Washington Chapter of the American Legion. Lonny Milligan paid tribute to all veterans with his remarks of gratitude and shared stories of the struggles many veterans endure after leaving service and returning home. UPH resident veterans were recognized. The service was well attended by residents and veterans from the community to honor, remember and most importantly to say thank you to those men and women who sacrificed for the sake of our freedom. The ceremony ended quietly.

Several military veteran residents were awarded a small star resembling those on the American Flag from Hospice of Washington County as a token of appreciation and thanks for their service. Along with the star came a poem written by James Darnell. The first paragraph of the poem speaks volumes about the significance of the gifted tiny star.

'Quietly and Humbly I bring this small token

A little flag, not very expensive nor tall.

But for the many who live and those who were broken

A little flag which to them was worth their all.”

Rodney Letts and Jim Bower provided treats in the Town Center this week to celebrate their birthdays with friends and neighbors.

A current display in the front entrance to the Washington Public Library features the handiwork of UPH resident, Charlie Thompson. The display consists of twenty-five wooden vehicle models including farm and construction equipment. The oldest is a 1909 McIntyre Commercial Wagon with others ranging up to modern day equipment. Charlie's first piece was a 1935 John Deere tractor which he taught himself to pattern and cut out while in eighth grade. He left the wood craft for many years and returned to it after retiring. These twenty-five pieces are some of Charlies favorites. Wood working of all sorts is a passionate hobby for Charlie and we appreciate that he shares his talent with the community.

Kathy Knutson and Pat Jenkins prepared and served supper to twenty very appreciative residents at the new Christian Community Outreach Center in Washington on Monday evening. The duo served hamburger vegetable soup along with cornbread, apple salad, sweet pickles, red velvet and carrot cakes. Kathy and Pat spent time interacting with the residents and both report that it was a very rewarding experience which they are anxious to do again.

Classics Et Cetera for November 14,2019 included the Overture to 'Tancredi” by Gioachino Rossini; 'Reconnaissance” from 'Carnaval” by Robert Schumann; 'Minuet of the Will-o'-the-Wisps” and 'Dance of the Sylphs” from 'The Damnation of Faust” by Hector Berlioz; 'Tarantella” by John Thompson; 'Yes, We Have No Bananas” and 'So This Is Vienna” from the 'An Experiment in Modern Music” concert of 1924; 1st Movement of Symphony No. 2 by Ludwig van Beethoven; 'The Stars and Stripes Forever” played by the original Sousa Band led by John Philip Sousa.

The famous bandleader Paul Whiteman (1890-1967) organized the 'An Experiment in Modern Music” concert at the former 1,100-seat Aeolian Hall in New York City in 1924. It featured the premiere of 'Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin (1898-1937). But before the 'Rhapsody” came a long list of then-trendy numbers arranged in the styles of the 1920s, including 'Dixieland.” Modern re-enactments of that historical concert are now available in various recordings and are getting excellent reviews.