Evergreen Outreach-May 5, 2011
By Joyce Mueller
May, the month of the rich green emerald birthstone, is all about starting new projects and participating in various events.
This first week, as you know, includes May Day, as well as the Kentucky Derby. Beulah Brown, leader of the day, reminded us of the lovely May flowers, which are now in full bloom.
Pianist Pam Childers continued the program with some favorite tunes – “Wabash Cannonball,” “Bye, Bye, Birdie,” “Clementine,” “Down in the Valley,” “On Top of Old Smokey,” “When The Saints Go Marching In” and “The Eyes of Texas (Dinah).”
Brown, assisted by Erna Wasmuth and Genelle Hachat, led in the “Welcome" and "EO” songs. She then acknowledged this week's birthdays: Mike Cross, Brian Brown, Kathy Erickson, Miles Filer, Ethel Jackson, Elizabeth Krist, Cary Neely, Randy Owen and Delores Weaver. Everyone joined in singing “Happy Birthday.”
Refreshments were provided by Sara Clark and Susan Schumacher.
The Rev. Jim Fackler shared the devotional, which was taken from John 20:22-23. “Then he breathed on them and said 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.'”
Fackler went on to say that Monday was the eighth day of Easter, which was when Jesus came to the surprised disciples. God also breathed on the whole world, including birds, bees, animals and man. He concluded with “Come, Lord Jesus” and closed with a poem and a prayer.
Turning to the stage, Brown introduced Susan Culbertson and her fourth-grade students from Vandalia Elementary School.
Their first song, a learning-as-they-sing description, was on the United States capitals (and states). This was approached in group form – Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Southwest and Pacific (which includes Hawaii).
They continued with the state song of Illinois, which was officially adopted in 1966. They chose two songs from their recent musical program for their last selections.
They were based on things to do when the electricity is off, being instructed by grandpa and grandma. The first one was on ghost stories and was called, “Scare Me If You Can,” and the other was “Fly Away, My Paper Airplane.”
The boys and girls made the planes, and as they finished, they sent them flying throughout the room. As they filed out, they received much applause.
By request, Brown concluded the program with the “Bumperchute Song.” Everyone had fun doing the opening and closing of an imaginary umbrella.
At pinochle table No. 1, Richard Kruenegel and John Hunsley won two games while Rosamund Hobler and Shirley Locke won one game. At table No. 2, there was a 2-2 tie between the team of Wolf Schlicht and Jill Zimmer and the team of Peggy Lippold and Mary Woolsey.
Scheduled next week will be the Rev. Jim Fackler, leader and scripture; Donna Smith, pianist; Edith Elliott, writer; and special entertainment by Judy Varga and Randy Schukar.
A final note: Next week (May 8-14) will be National Nursing Home Week. We extend a special salute to all nursing home personnel.
CARPE DIEM (sieze the day).
