United Presbyterian Home News

The Health Center Christmas party was held on Friday morning. Older children arrived to help Santa?s Elf, aka Carol Enfield, with the party and pass out presents to residents. They discussed the magic of Santa, what he wears, and traditions of Christmas in the past and now. They sang Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is Coming to Town before they enjoyed treats of cookies and juice.

Murray and Pat Coon were pleasantly surprised on Friday evening when their apartment door opened and there stood their daughter Jan. Jan flew in just in time for Christmas and will stay for the week.

Mrs. Jane Vetter was hostess to her immediate family Saturday at the Pizza Ranch where they all enjoyed dinner and the afternoon as Jane opened her gifts. Present were Steve and Kathy Vetter, Jeff and Amy Vetter, Isaac and Cole of Washington, Andy and Anna Vetter of Coralville, and Scott Vetter of Ollie. Mark and Jan Vetter and family were unable to attend the Saturday afternoon party so they visited on Friday night and brought gifts. Brian Vetter of Boise, Idaho, sent his mother a lovely bouquet of flowers earlier in the week.

Ying and Gwen Ying spent Christmas Eve in Elmhurst, Illinois, at the home of Gwen?s daughter Meghan Furbee and her family. Also present was Gwen?s son Andrew Furbee and his family who traveled from Hudson, Ohio, to be at the family gathering. Gwen was delighted to be able to see her children and spend the holiday with them.

Those eating Christmas dinner in the Health Center were treated to special violin music from Rita Du. Rita attends fourth grade at Lincoln School and is the daughter of Jane Wong of Washington. Rita performed at last year?s Christmas dinner at which time she knew only three songs; this year she knew twenty-three selections. Rita is a violin student of Gwen Ying and we are blessed that she shares her talent with us.

Connie Bauer has had a busy December leading up to Christmas. She attended the symphony and choral presentation at the Paramount Theater in Cedar Rapids to see a friend perform with the group. She has also been to Hancher Auditorium for a musical program and to the Arts Center in Coralville for music in surround sound. Connie visited friends in Chicago via a bus trip where they visited a German village and toured the Field Museum where she took special interest in a display of China, reminiscing of her time there. Back home for the holidays, Connie hosted a Christmas dinner on Monday, Dec. 26, to 19 hungry family and friends.

Cottagers met on Monday evening in the Main Dining Room for their monthly social potluck dinner. Ted Stewart welcomed everyone to the day -after-Christmas dinner. Lois Swank directed the eating order following a blessing given by Norman Thomas. December birthdays and anniversaries were celebrated. Quinton Hicks of Wichita, Kansas, was recognized as a guest for the evening. Quinton is the grandson of John and Gerry Sproule. The December serving committee included Norman and Ann Thomas, John and Gerry Sproule and Lois Swank.

Seven members of the book club held a December meeting. They shared memories of Rachel Pollock, a beloved member who always had a funny story to tell. Then each person mentioned the title and author of a Christmas book she had enjoyed. Esther Bordwell read part of the chapter on Christmas from the book Memories of a Former Kid by Bob Arthur. Next month?s book will be Tea Time for the Traditionally Built. This is the 10th book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. The mysteries are set in Botswana.

Olivia Griffith, grand-niece of Patricia Dusenbery brought the sounds of Christmas to the United Presbyterian Home on Wednesday when she entertained residents with her piano and vocal music. Olivia is a sophomore at Iowa State University majoring in Performing Arts with an emphasis in acting and directing. Her talent is meant to be shared and we appreciate that she enlightened our afternoon with her music.

Classics Et Cetera for Dec. 29,included the overture to ?Lady Valentine? by Franz von Suppé; ?High Society Polka? by Johann Strauss, Jr.; ?Music of the Spheres,? waltz by Josef Strauss; ?Hunter?s Desire,? galop by Joseph Lanner; 3rd Movement of Symphony No. 3 (?Scottish?) by Felix Mendelssohn; ?Champagne Galop? by Hans Christian Lumbye; ?Radetzky March? by Johann Strauss, Sr.

Hans Christian Lumbye (1810-1874) is called the ?Waltz King of the North.? Six years younger than Johann Strauss, Sr. and 15 years older than Johann Strauss Jr., he was a native of Denmark. In 1839 he organized his own orchestra and started composing in the Viennese style after being inspired by a program by Johann Strauss Sr. Lumbye became musical director of the newly opened Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen in 1843 and stayed for 29 years.