Harps of Grace Christmas Concert

What a Glorious way to end the year!

December 12, 2017 we enjoyed the Christmas Music of Harps of Grace with the stage full of Harps! Ten to be exact. They played many of our favorite Christmas carols, even though some had a different beat than we may be familiar with. But all versions were very enjoyable. I love this group.

I know that this sounds like a broken record, but remember, you can see larger versions of the photos by merely clicking on them.

Likewise, the videos can be expanded with the control in the lower right.

Harps of Grace is an Ensemble of Harps played by professionals and amateurs. The group is led by Leslie Stratton, who is also the Principal Harpist with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.

You can see and hear the “Harps of Grace” with the following videos:

 Joy To The World

We Three Kings

Morning Gliss

O Come Little Children

Unfortunately, our attendance was down because of the snowy weather.  But is was a great day inside with plenty of warm, cheery friends.

Speaking of friends – we were happy to have Sherm and Pat Bowser with us. We took this opportunity to take a photo of three generations of Young@Heart Leadership. Sherm and Pat were the second generation, following our founders, Jim and Carol Neely. Nancy and Roger Jensen are the 3^rd generation and Greg and Lisa Poe will be the 4^th Generation.

Greg already has a full calendar of Luncheons and Day Trips planned, starting January 9, 2018. They are also planning a very nice Fall Trip. You will be hearing much more about all of this in January!

This month, Roger and Nancy close out 10 years of service as Young@Heart leaders and Roger as Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries at Washington Heights Baptist Church. They are retiring but will continue to be with you, our friends, in the audience and the back of the bus. Be sure to save us seats!

Roger will always remember these 10 years as the best years of his life. He has been blessed to work with a fantastic staff at Washington Heights, and with YOU!

Next month, Greg and Lisa will lead our program with Greg and friends speaking on a number of topics. He will also be bringing back many of your old friends to entertain and bless you with music. 

January 16, Greg & Lisa will lead a Day Trip to the Presidential Conference Center, where we will hear from a number of speakers about topics of special interest to us as seniors. A nice meal will also be provided. So, if you consider yourself a senior (perhaps 55 and older) join us next month!

La Comedia Timeless Memories

This month on Thursday, November 30, we enjoyed a very nice Christmas Musical program at La Comedia. It was called Timeless Memories because it was about a family reminiscing about the Christmases of the past. There were a good number of different music styles including 90s, Elvis, and the WW 2 period.

We had a good number of our members turn out for this program and filled 4 tables. 

As always, Click any image for a larger view!

We enjoyed the infamous La Comedia Buffet. Wow, what a selection!

It wouldn’t be a La Comedia Christmas without singing of the popular songs representing the true meaning of Christmas and their rendition of “Oh Holy Night”.

I was impressed with the large number of children and teens in the cast. They actually far outnumbered the adults.

Next Luncheon, December 12, we will hear more beautiful music from the "Harps of Grace"! Be sure to join us at Washington Heights Baptist Church at 11AM.

November 14 Luncheon - Thanksgiving

This month, we enjoyed some great music by our own Washington Heights Ladies Quartet. The quartet is made up of Nancy Jensen, Annie Orme, Grace Averitt and Jane Weiss. The music was perfect to focus our attention on Thanksgiving. They sang “We Are So Blessed” and “Give Thanks”. You can hear their music by Clicking on the Links. Or watch the following video

Note, there was a problem with my recording at the beginning, so it is somewhat truncated. Sorry about that!

Our program focus this month was a Thanksgiving Message by Greg Poe. You can listen to a portion of it, HERE. I am pleased to have Greg succeeding me as your leader, effective January 1, 2018. Greg spoke to our group before as a Banker. In addition to the message, he gave some insight into future plans for our group. I honestly look forward to more good years assisting Greg and enjoying times with him and all of you. He also introduced his Advisory Board. Contact any board member to share your ideas. I'll share the names in our Newsletter.

Greg Poe

Another part of this program that everyone truly enjoyed was the meal prepared by Lisa and the Young@Heart kitchen staff. Well done! Thanks to all of our Dining Room and Kitchen Volunteers.

 As always, Click on any Image for a Larger View!

Our December Program will include “Harps of Grace” led by Leslie Stratton. Leslie has entertained us several times and last year she also brought her group. You will enjoy this group. It is and outstanding program. Come and bring your guests.

This is a photo of Harps of Grace when they performed for us last year

Young@Heart Day Trip to Scioto Hills

This week, October 12, 2017, we drove over to Scioto Hills for their Senior Saints program. This was unfortunately also billed as a Fall Color tour, but mostly is was gray and rainy. We are still on the leading edge of the Fall Color season but, you will see in the photo, there was some color by the pond, if you ventured outside the dining hall, to see it!

We had a good number of people with 39 of us going. We even added a second bus. Actually, our group represented about a third of those in attendance.

Remember: Click any image for a larger view

Scioto Hills Church Camp always does a nice job for us by providing a nice meal and good musical entertainment.

Interestingly, our meal was Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Cole Slaw, Chips and a Pumpkin Cake for dessert with coffee. This pretty was similar to our most recent YAH Luncheon on Tuesday. They should have asked us first!  LOL

After lunch Scott Bruns gave us a presentation about the camp and future plans and needs. We really need for them to purchase the additional land that will provide better travel access! We were also able to wander a bit and I took a few photos. Later editing brought out the hiding color!

Our program this time was Glory Way Quartet. They are an outstanding Gospel Quartet. One of their singers, the deep base, is from Dayton, another from Mansfield, Nashville and West Virginia. We’ve heard most of this group before but the gentleman from West Virginia is new.

I'm including a selection of videos that I took of them performing. I think you will agree, they are GOOD! (I mean the music, not my videos)

It’s a Great Morning 

Turn Your Back 

Chain Breaker 

Walk with Me 

Following the program, Scott Bruns opened the Camp Store where we could shop for Christmas! The quartet also sold their CDs and other items.

Our next Day Trip will be to La Comedia for their Christmas Program. “Timeless Memories of Christmas”. We have a limited number of seats reserved so be sure to reserve your seats, with payment, early! That program will be on November 30th, leaving church at 10:15am.

October 10, Luncheon Program - John Louis: on the Edge of Illusions

Our prelude music today was from an album by the King’s Brass and Organ. I reminded the group that one of the former King’s Brass Trumpeters was the grandson of our first Young@Heart leader, Pastor Jim Neely, Daniel Lewis. I don’t know if he played on this album.

Today, we used another first for the group. One of our people suggested that we use John Louis (no relation to Daniel Lewis). So, I used this as a commercial for our next leader, Greg Poe. He would like to use a sampling of members to form an Advisory Board to provide advice for programs and trips. If you are interested, let Lisa Poe, Greg Poe or me (Roger Jensen) know. We need to get this started, soon.

John Louis bills himself as John Louis: on the Edge of Illusions. And that is truly what he does. No magic, just slight of hand and illusions.

John did some fun things such as turn colorful bits of cloth into a beautiful Rainbow Umbrella. 

Remember: As always - Just click any Photo for a LARGER VIEW!

Also, the favorite old rope pieces tricks.

He even made a Rabbit appear and brought doves from a fiery pan! I’ve never seen that one before. I assume you would have a Squab Meal, if it didn't work!

He had Carmela Fiorito come up to help with one trick using colorful balls and he made a handful of lively balls appear in her hands. Later, she asked me “How did he do that?” I’m not telling.

Here is a short video of this portion of the program.

Then, "to end it all", but I fooled everyone, I’m still here. He stuck a sword through my throat!!! Ouch. I can still talk about it and my head didn’t fall off. But, I am holding it on.  :-)

If you want to listen to the entire program, click the following link.
http://www.whbc.org/media/audio/20171010_JohnLouis.mp3

 Next month, I will still be your leader, but you will get a closer look at the next Young@Heart Leader, Greg Poe. He will present a Thanksgiving Program. We will also hear from our outstanding Ladies Trio. And Lisa will be cooking a special Thanksgiving meal. Be sure to join us on November 14 for a wonderful Thanksgiving Luncheon!