United Presbyterian Home News

The table display in the third floor Stewart Hall Lounge has special meaning. It belongs to Bev Young and was given to her husband Sam by Mary Lee Moore; mother of former UPH Director Mike Moore. Sam and Mary Lee worked together at Wolf floral back in the 70s when this arrangement was made by Mary Lee and gifted to Sam. It is an evergreen arrangement filled with pine cones and ornaments surrounding a glass chimney. How fitting that it has come to be displayed at the United Presbyterian Home.

A wooden Nativity puzzle measuring approximately 12” by 12” is on the puzzle table in Stewart Hall. It is a quick little puzzle for believers of all ages to assemble.

I Think it is Time to Remember, a Christmas pageant was presented to the community on Friday reminding everyone of the true meaning of Christmas. A cast of many directed by Andrew Zuehlke worked for weeks to present a traditional Christmas program complete with a chorus, angels, wise men, shepherds and of course the blessed Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus (aka Stella Haworth). Narrators Esther Bordwell, Carla Carter, Ida Carlson, and Cathy Kleese took us to Bethlehem for the blessed birth. Special music was provided by Sara Bartlett, Bob Crane, Dave Brown and Andrew Zuehlke.

Kathy Knutson returned just in time for Christmas following a 2 ½ week stay with her daughter, Tanya and family in Winchester, Virginia. Tanya's family came to Washington for a visit in late November at which time the family celebrated a combined Thanksgiving and Christmas. Kathy followed Tanya back to Virginia where she enjoyed warmer weather and family activities including a trip to the Botanical Garden and a 200 year-old plantation. Kathy made the trip home with her dog, Ellie as navigator. The navigator slept the entire trip.

Nine people shared favorite Christmas books at the December meeting of the book club. Authors included Agatha Christie, Truman Capote and Mary Higgins Clark. The January meeting will be the fourth Wednesday. To Die but Once by Jacqueline Winspear will be discussed.

Bert Lampkin and her great-granddaughter, Sydney Williams shared a day together during the school Christmas break. They decorated a pre-constructed gingerbread house with lots of frosting and candy. They report that this is a first for each of them but they got through it and loved every minute.

Santa visited the Garrett Center on Christmas Eve stopping by each room to spread a little Christmas cheer and trade a few HO HO HO's with residents. Santa and his helper Becca Enfield along with the Up with Day Care Kids passed out presents to each resident. Santa then treated the children to candy canes and treats for being such good help and singing Jingle Bells in such a festive tune before Santa had to get on to his other Christmas Eve duties.

Classics Et Cetera for December 26, 2019 included the Overture to 'Boccaccio” by Franz von Suppé; Selections from 'The Birdseller” by Carl Zeller; 'Pizzicato Polka” by Johann II and Josef Strauss; 'Voices of Spring” with soprano solo, by Johann Strauss II; Highlights from 'Gasparone” by Carl Millöcker: 'Fire Bell Polka” by Josef Strauss; Radetzky March by Johann Strauss I.

They know how to celebrate the new year in Vienna. Since January 1, 1946, the Vienna Philharmonic has presented a concert on New Year's Day at the famed Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein. The annual concert features Viennese music of the Strauss dynasty era - essentially the last half of the 19th Century. The concert is then rebroadcast over public radio stations in the United States, including Iowa Public Radio Classical, KSUI 91.7 FM, from 10 a.m. to noon, New Year's Day. The program above is typical of the wonderful music you'll hear. Tune in!

Iowa Public Radio Classical, KSUI 91.7 FM.