United Presbyterian Home news

The United Presbyterian Home is honored to have a wonderful group of volunteers who share their time and talent with us in numerous ways. During National Volunteer Appreciation Week we normally honor our volunteers in person with a celebration of brunch and gifts. Because we are not able to gather this year, we can only offer a sincere thank you for the many ways that you help us out. Your generosity, expertise and love are evident now more than ever before. We miss you and look forward to the time when you are able to share with us again.

Dorothy Soucek is accustomed to a shared birthday celebration with her daughter, Suzanne Riley of Provo, Utah. Because that was not possible this year, Dorothy was the recipient of a private Zoom concert compliments of Mark Gordon Gaskill and family members. Mark is a singer, songwriter and entertainer familiar to residents of the UPH for the concerts he shares with us each year. Dorothy was celebrating her 101st year and never imagined a medium such as Zoom to connect with family members and see their faces all at the same. Dorothy was also the recipient of many cards and flowers to make her birthday special.

Everyone got into helping Thelma Wagner celebrate her 100th birthday on Tuesday. Friends, Gene and Judy Driscoll hung a birthday banner on their back porch visible from Thelma's window wishing her a happy day. Larry and Sara Bartlett organized a group of residents to sing Happy Birthday to Thelma outside her window while keeping their social distance. It was also Larry's birthday so the group belted out another round of Happy Birthday and afterwards Sara passed around donuts for the group to share, making sure that Thelma got one also. The mailman delivered multiple cards and florists delivered bouquets of flowers all week long to Thelma. Family members visited through Zoom media several times to commemorate the special occasion.

Carole Martins was thinking about Earth Day weeks ago when she provided sweet corn and potting material for a tallest corn contest among residents. They first planted the seed corn in baggies and later transferred to environmentally green pots for an Earth Day measurement. Harvey Holden was declared the winner with a corn stock measuring a whopping 22 inches. While Harvey has held many titles in his lifetime, he is always and forever a farmer.

Connie Bauer reports that she is keeping busy with many projects and activities during her time at home. Her favorite pastime may be watching videos of her newest great-grandson, Liam Kenneth Bauer. Liam was born January 5, 2020 to parents Jacob and Camarie Bauer. Look for the joy each day.