United Presbyterian Home news

Another fine November feast was enjoyed by the cottagers at their monthly potluck social, Monday, November 25, 2019. The tables were decorated with autumn colors, accented with leaves. Serving on the committee were chairmen Rodney and Joyce Letts with Charlie and Betty Thompson, and Cathy Kleese. A highlight among desserts was President Larry Bartlett's apple dumplings. Larry also entertained the group with stories of 'home schooling back in the day.” Birthday honorees were Jim Bower and Rodney Letts. Darwin and Dorothy Widmer were honored for their anniversary in absentia. It was a lovely evening.

There was a buzz of activity last week with visitors to the United Presbyterian Home allowing many residents the enjoyment of preholiday activities with loved ones. Thanksgiving Day many residents and their families shared a delicious buffet of traditional holiday foods in the Moore Family Dining Room that left everyone with bellies full and ready for an afternoon nap.

Nancy Albert and Carol Ray marched in the Holiday Lights Parade on Saturday as part of the group, 'Women's Vote Centennial.” The participants wore large picture hats and lighted sashes that proclaimed 'Votes for Women.” Several marchers carried torches. The group carried a banner which honored Iowa's role as one of the original 36 states to ratify the XIXth Amendment to the Constitution. Marchers were preceded by a local hero driving a 1926 Ford, adorned with banners and many lights. They were pleased to have applause and waves from the parade watchers. More activities are planned throughout 2020.

Pat Jenkins returned home Sunday night after spending last week in Fayetteville, North Carolina with her son, Rick and Nancy Jenkins while visiting Rick's son, Tim Jenkins and family of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The highlight of the trip was to meet Tim and Inna's four-week-old son, Robert Charles Jenkins. Joining them at their Airbnb were Rick's daughter, Tiffany and Waylon Brenneman, Mya and Lara of Kalona, Iowa who had spent the previous week at Disney World, and Pat's son Russ Jenkins of Warner Robins, Georgia. They enjoyed lots of good food, board games and football on TV, especially the Iowa-Nebraska game. The BnB was a barn that had been converted into an interesting guest facility, and was unique and comfortable.

Esther Bordwell entertained six Temple nieces at a coffee Monday morning in the second-floor lounge of Stewart Hall. It is not often that they are all in the area at the same time allowing them time to reminisce.

A committee of residents and board members worked their decorating magic and transformed the parlor and lobbies to look holiday festive. The tree and decorations in the parlor keep to the 1940s house style. Thanks to Sandy Dunlap, JoAnn Torpey, Jane Cuddeback, Barb Hinchcliffe, Dorothy White and Jill Jordan for their creative style and hours of work.

A sign outside the door of Don Dayton's apartment reads, 'Home of the Hawkeye Tree,” inviting passersby an invitation to view his tree decorated with black and gold ribbons, ornaments and pictures of Hayden Fry, Nile Kinnick and other Hawkeye celebrities dangling from the branches. Gwen Ying gets credit for being the first cottage resident to display outside holiday lights. Neighbors in Kerr Hall and the Garrett Center enjoy the view.

The model train display is up and running making its debut run over the weekend to the delight of kids young and old. Children, parents and grandparents have already stopped in to visit. Engineer Jim Bennett operates the train at various times in its location in the Stewart Lobby, which everyone is welcome to visit.

The book club discussed The Maze Runner a science fiction book by James Dashner. It is the story of an artificial world with about 40 teenage boys chosen for their intellect. Most of the members did not like the book but they had fun discussing it. The December meeting will be held on the third Wednesday of the month. Members are asked to bring a Christmas book of their choice to share.

Birthdays celebrated in the Town Center this week include Jeane Fry and Donna Proudfit.