Evergreen Outreach
By Charlene M. Jett
At last we are back to a semblance of normal, thank you, God. After a most difficult and cold winter, we had another successful Evergreen Outreach meeting on Monday. And I’m 99 percent over my cold. Yea for sunshine and warm weather!
The Rev. Jim Fackler and his infamous, gold-plated joke book was our leader. We missed Donna Smith and her husband, so we had to sing our special meeting songs a-capella. Not really a good ring to the ears, but a good message to the heart.
We also sang "Happy Birthday" to Marge Tipsword, Donna Pruett, Tracy Stokes, Bill Whitehurst, Dorothy Walters, Audri Holskotter, Christine Penny, Robert Wagner, Mary Woolsey, Carl Rhodes and Randy Schukar.
What a delightful treat that Randy Schukar offered to play a few amusing songs while we waited for the First United Methodist Church Preschool students to entertain us. Randy was using the two finger approach to “Pop Goes the Weasel” and “Three Blind Mice.” Then Ron recited his very cute and humorous “Chocolate Ice Cream Cone” poem. Robbie played a selection, which sounded like it was from New Orleans.
Then, at last, the children arrived. Seventeen well-behaved, bright-eyed, energetic preschoolers, under the direction of Cindy, Jaclyn and Abby. They lined up across the stage in a most professional manner – we may someday get an Oscar winner. Keep your fingers crossed. These talented children maintained their composure as brave Dolly (Phyllis Rames’ dog) walked across the stage to be petted by 34 friendly children’s hands.
Then, the singing commenced. They performed on stage to a marching song, entitled “The Way We Do It,” in which they all moved parts of their body in synchrony. What fun entertainment! The next number was “Traveling Song,” in which they ran through wheat fields, crossed rivers and bridges, climbed trees, rowed boats and ran from a bear! Quite an indoor adventure for 3-5-year-olds. And not one got scared and left the stage. There was a little more action in the song “Can’t Sit Still.“ This performance was one in which they took turns shaking their bodies, again in synchrony, first fingers, then noses, then shoulders, knees, chins, heads and toes. And they went faster and faster! This was my favorite, as I tried to keep up with them!
Their encore was entitled “Good Bye to Friends,” to which Pastor Fackler told them that what they really meant was “Auf Wiedersehen,” which means “until we meet again.” I didn’t have time to catch all their names – maybe next time.
The pinochle table was missing Richard Kruenegel, who is having another surgery. Best of luck to him, and also to Lily Moore, who fell and broke her arm. Both pinochle games were won by Susan Meador and Rosamund Hobler, but from the looks of the scorecard, they just barely squeaked by Mary Woolsey and Edith Elliott.
I'm so happy to be back among the EO volunteers. Thank you all for your many prayers. Such a peaceful feeling I have when I know that you pray for me. Thanks so much.
Hope to see you next week.
