United Presbyterian Home News

National Walking Day was observed last week as residents gathered on the Cottrell Walking Path for some exercise and laps around the track. Wellness staff members, Amy Kleese and Hannah Brenneman were joined by residents Jane Button, Jean Frazer, Bob Koehler, Mary Meeker, Mary Temple, and Ann Thomas.

Fourth-grade students from Wshington Community School Districr visited the UPH Campus Friday morning to read to day care children and adult residents as Week of the Young Child came to an end. Several students were familiar to residents and staff including Kipton Brown, grandson of Dave Brown, and Junior Martin, special friend of Esther Hartman. Fourth-grader students are so smart.

A 100th birthday party with soft-serve ice cream, toppings and mini cupcakes was how Dorothy Soucek celebrated her centennial birthday with friends and family on Monday afternoon in the Garrett Center. Dorothy was joined by family members including her daughter Suzanne (Richard) Riley of Provo, Utah; daughter Jean (Jon) Gloyer of Washington, Iowa; granddaughter Lindsay Mayer and her children Mille and Carter; nieces Laurie Thompson of San Tan Valley, Arizona; Diane Jones of Gilbert, Arizona; Jane (David) Armistead of Atlanta, Georgia; and nephew Dick Thompson of Amarillo, Texas. Dorothy was happy to see Health Center friends, Kerr Hall friends and others. A highlight was Happy Birthday sung by day care kids who joined the party. Dorothy acknowledged that it was Suzanne's birthday also, adding that Suzanne was her best present ever. A lot has changed since 1919, but appreciation for kind friends and laughter of family are still important. Dorothy loved all the birthday greetings, even those on Facebook! Thanks to all who participated.

A Chat-N-Chew took place on Wednesday in the Campus Center where residents brought a sack lunch and learned about healthy eating choices. The group discussed myPlate food guide serving suggestions, what they might need to finish out their day based on what they brought in their lunch and some of their favorite ways to prepare vegetables. The group plans to meet again next month.

Kathy Patterson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a friend of many residents of the United Presbyterian Home, gifted the UPH Library with six large print books this week. Kathy is a part-time librarian with the Fairfax Public Library and knows the importance of large print media for retirement communities.

Classics Et Cetera for April 18, 2019 included the overture to 'The Beautiful Galatea” by Franz von Suppé; Kamennoi Ostrow No. 22 by Anton Rubinstein; 1st Movement of Piano Trio No. 7 ('Archduke”) by Ludwig van Beethoven; 'Carnival of Venice,” cornet solo arranged by 'Del” Staigers; 2 numbers from 'Pineapple Poll,” by Sir Arthur Sullivan, arranged by Sir Charles Mackerras; 2nd Regiment, Connecticut National Guard March” by David Wallis Reeves.

Anton Rubinstein (1830-1895), was a great Russian pianist and composer. One of his most popular compositions is Kamennoi Ostrow No. 22. Kamennoi is a beautiful island in the Neva River near St. Petersburg with many chalets (palaces, really) of the wealthy. While a guest at the chalet of Grand Duchess Helen, he composed a series of 24 piano 'musical portraits” of guests he met there, based on the personality of each. They were published under the collective title of 'Kamennoi Ostrow” ('Kamennoi Island”). Who was guest No. 22? Who knows?