United Presbyterian Home News

A 102nd birthday celebration was held in the Moore Family Dining Room Sunday afternoon honoring Arlene Clement on her birthday. Arlene was surrounded by family and friends for the event.

A special ceremony was held Wednesday afternoon at the United Presbyterian Home when Sally Hart, news reporter for KCII Radio, presented a special flag to Mike Orris which she received as a prize following her unkown submission in the Flag Photo Contest sponsored by Farm Bureau Financial Services and entered by Ann C. Williams. Sally captured the photo during opening ceremonies at the Washington Memorial Day Services showing Mike ushering in the U.S. Flag. Upon learning that she had received first place prize in this contest Sally knew that she wanted to share the honor with Mike stating that it was 'Mike's moment.” The flag has found a deserving home with Mike, as no one is more deserving of this flag or will appreciate it more than him.

Following the flag ceremony the Orris family shared a handwritten note from Gov. Kim Reynolds thanking Mike for inviting her to the Washington Memorial Day service and stating that she will never forget the day. The script extended to the back side of the card and was so personal it could have been shared between long-time friends, not just personal acquaintances. It is the second time that the governor has sent Mike a note since their meeting. The folded flag which Mike presented to her at the Washington Memorial Day festivities now has a place of honor at the capitol Building which Mike's great-grandchildren stood in front of for a recent photo op.

United Presbyterian Home residents Betty Beenblossom, Lucy Landon, Carol Thornton and Mary Temple placed entries in the Open Class Exhibits at the Washington County Fair last week. Carol Thornton earned a Champion Ribbon along with a Reserve Champion Ribbon for two of her paintings. Mary Temple had several entries in the Plants and Flowers Division receiving a Reserve Champion for one of them. Everyone earned blue participation ribbons.

A well-attended cottagers potluck was held Monday evening in the Campus Center with hosts Larry and Sara Bartlett, Skip Speece, Connie Eberline, Bill Stewart, Kathy Knutson and Brad and Pat Goff. Those attending report that the food was wonderful and the desserts were so plentiful that diners were forced to return to the buffet line a second time for sweets. Larry Bartlett shared a few humorous stories to add to the already lively conversation. Cottage residents celebrating July birthdays include John Minneman, Sue Kretzschmar, Connie Bauer, Tonnie Crile, Norman Thomas, Clarence Brown, and Gerry Sproule. Jim and Jackie Bower were recognized as having a July wedding anniversary.

Up With Kids Day Care embraced summer with a pool party Tuesday. Children came prepared with swim attire to splash and play in water activities. Several swimming pools, water slides and plenty of sprinklers angled for the best possible run through. Residents enjoyed watching the young people play.

Norman Thomas shared doughnuts with friends, neighbors and staff in the Town Center on Wednesday morning to celebrate his birthday.

Classics Et Cetera for July 25, 2019 included the overture to 'Der Rosenkavalier” by Richard Strauss; 1st Movement of Wind Quintet, Op. 91, No. 5 by Anton Reicha; Prelude in C-sharp Minor by Sergei Rachmaninoff and played by the composer; 'Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree” sung by the Andrews Sisters; 2nd Movement of Symphony No. 39 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; 'A te, o cara” from 'I Puritani” by Vincenzo Bellini; 'La Sorella,” a march by Charles Borel-Clerc.

When Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) retired from composing operas in 1829 at age 37 there were two other composers ready to take over his mantle: Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) and Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835). A native of Sicily, Bellini produced his 10th opera, 'The Puritans,” in Paris in 1835. He was planning several other operas, but he died unexpectedly that same year at the age of only 33, leaving Donizetti as the most famous writer of Italian opera until the coming of Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901).