UP Home residents enjoy Homecoming activities

Trees on the UP Home Campus are beginning to change bringing in our fall season. Fall decorations are going up, inside and outside of the Campus, for all to enjoy. Welcome Fall!

The UP Home Campus has been busy. This week we are enjoying Homecoming activities. A Homecoming meal was held with residents representing the school of their choice. The Washington High School Cheerleaders entertained the attendees which included them singing the Washington Demon Fight song and conversations with all. Residents had some great stories of their High School experiences. We had two High School Sweet Heart couples at the dinner, Brad and Pat Goff and John and Marty Young. Also, Marty Young was on the first Demon Drill Team. We also wrapped up our School Supply drive. A great evening was had by all. The Washington Homecoming Court will visit. We have two of our own employees represented on the Court, Alecia Goff and Makenna Conrad. Congratulations to the entire Court!

We also celebrated United Presbyterian Home’s 75th Anniversary which included an Alive After 5 event. There were Open House’s in Cottages. We would like to thank residents Randy and Jane Fehr, John and Jan McDaniel, Craig and Leslie Paul, Brad and Pat Goff and Ed and Marj Lins for opening their doors for the tour. We also had a ribbon-cutting ceremony, beverages and hors d’oeuvres by our wonderful kitchen staff. Live entertainment was provided by Aces and Eights with dancing taking place. Esther Bordwell shared a poem/letter she had written in honor of our 75th Anniversary which follows;

Dear Mr. Smith W. Brookhart,

You are a famous historical person to everyone who has lived at, worked for or supported the United Presbyterian Home in Washington, Iowa. I am one of those people. I am writing this letter to thank you for building our home. You did it in 1909. The results of your work was more than fine. The house was FIRE-PROOF from the ground to the roof. The walls were brick. The floor was tile. A frame was made of metal. The slate roof was on metal sheeting overall. When the house was finished, “seeing is believing”. What a great day it must have been when you and your family moved in. The couple had 7 children, they had one favorite event. Skating in the attic. On a floor made of cement! You joined the U.S. Army in World War I. Came home to study law when it was done. Your interest in politics led you to elective office in 1922. A seat in the U.S. Senate was earned by you. When did you sell your house? There were several owners, but my parents, Mary and Cloyce Stewart bought the house and land on May 15, 1944. Dad sold the house on March 12, 1947 to a church committee from the United Presbyterian Church who needed to raise the money to pay for it — $50,000. They traveled all over the Synod of Iowa to raise the money. Now 75 years later with many, many changes and improvements, we salute you, Smith W. Brookhart, the man who started it all.

Sincerely,

Esther Stewart Bordwell.

It was a great evening, wonderful weather and great fellowship. What a spectacular way to enjoy our 75th Anniversary.

We would like to welcome Ellen Cochrum to the UP Home Campus.

We would like to send our condolences to the family and friend of Jean Sampson and Adela Wells.

Enjoy your week everyone!