Krohn’s Conservqtory–Butterflies

This month our Day Trip was a fun one to Krohn’s Conservatory to see the Butterflies of the Philippines and have a great dining experience at Buca di Beppo in Cincinnati. 21 of our people and our driver made the trek. This month, I was away at the Moody Pastor’s Conference in Chicago, so it was managed by Lisa and Nancy. Alright! I heard that. But, I admit the ladies do a very good job and I could never do this without their help and guiding hands.

Of course, there is always more to see at the conservatory than just butterflies. There are plants of all types and many bright colors.

NOTE: Click on any photo for a larger view

As you can see, the evidence shows that they arrived a little after 10AM

Inside there are plants of all varieties. Some of these are decked out in beautiful color, and others are exotic! There is even a waterfall!

I can hear the questions, asking “where are the butterflies?”  Actually, they’re often camouflaged and hide in among plants or flowers of blending colors. But, other times they can be coaxed into the open.

Do you see them above? There are several but you can see how they manage to blend in with their environment. The next photos below are much more obvious. I always like to feature our people and also children,

There is so much more to see around the conservatory in Eden Park. Check it out sometime. This is the Elsinore Tower.

Looks a bit like a castle, doesn’t it!

I know some of our people were more excited about our choice of place to eat than the butterflies. This time we went back to Buca di Beppo. Where there is always some very good family style dining in a very unique environment.

There’s always a comic in every crowd

May 12, 2015 Luncheon–The Spoon Man

This month we were excited to introduce another new program. As you know, I’ve been trying new people and groups for our entertainment. This was another unusual one and it was fun. I think everyone enjoyed the comedy, music and audience interaction. I know that I did and I received a number of favorable comment requesting that we bring this one back.

We started with more great music by Grace Averitt at the piano, for our Early Bird Prelude time. Following the mini piano concert, we introduced several first timers and our trips that are coming up. Incidentally, it appears that our Fall Trip to Niagara Falls and Toronto, Canada will be cancelled for lack of interest. After this, I introduced our special guest from Michigan, Jim Cruise, The Spoon Man.

As you all know we work hard to get good entertainment; but there is always a risk when using people from outside our church circle. Sometimes, I go purely by word of mouth that the entertainer is good and has a clean act. Jim assured us that he has a totally clean act, no dirty silverware is ever used! Jim has been playing the spoons (and knives and forks) for over 35 years and he actually supports a family doing it! He has performed worldwide and his audience included former President Gerald Ford and Russian President Mikhail Gorbochev.

One thing that I like about Jim Cruise is that he involves the audience. He was always playing to the audience but he also had our audience join him on stage to help entertain! First, he brought up one of our men, Glen, to help him.

Next, he asked for three special helpers. I fooled him by including another Spoon Pro, Jean Prather, and we also added Gene Morrison and Maurine Palmer. They were a Hillbilly Spoon group. So, they got costumed up a bit!   See the right photo below.

Gene and Jean both played with the spoons but Maurine was chosen to play a washboard. I guess this means that she is “washed up”! I think from the photos above, you can tell that Jean is the pro of this bunch, but I am pleased to report that all three of them did an awesome job and may be asked to go on the road, soon! Well, maybe I AM stretching the truth a little.

Fortunately, everyone can learn to play the spoons. Jim even has a DVD and book that he offers on his Internet website. Check it out, if you are interested in this or would like to give a nice gift to a grandchild. Perhaps one who is currently too active with DRUMS! Spoons are certainly a good alternative and not nearly as nerve wracking!

Next month, we will have a very special musical duo! Charlie Pagnard and his trumpet will be joined by Leslie Stratton with her Harp. This is a combination that we should all HARP on! Don’t miss our June Young@Heart Program!

Young@Heart Luncheon with Resounding Joy!

OK, I did the title with tongue in cheek! But we had a great program with the Dayton Christian High School – “Resounding Joy” choral group. They are always a great treat.

I didn’t get a final count of people, so I am not sure if our numbers are up or down but looking out over the group, it appeared to be down, at least a little.

Resounding Joy is now an educational course rather than just an extra curricular program at Dayton Christian. I’ve always thought this would be a great way to prepare teens for a future working in ministry, particularly with Praise Teams or other music service. It looks like this is the idea, now.

The group is led by Tracy Miller. They frequently minister at area churches and will actually be here in Washington Heights Baptist again, for our evening service on May 17. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear this excellent group of teens.

When they arrive, they immediately go to work setting up their equipment, mostly the sound stuff, like the microphones, amplifier, speakers and sound board. It appeared that everyone had a job to do and they did it well. They also did a little musical warm-up in preparation for our program. So, the following photo shows them out of their formal attire as they do the set-up work and warm up.

Don’t forget, you can always click the photos to see a larger version or download!

After our normal preliminary stuff of welcoming and acknowledging newcomers, etc. It’s on with the program! Wow! Don’t they look sharp?

There were several solos with the choir and even a young lady doing signing for anyone who may be hard of hearing.

I know you are all saying, alright, were is the music? Click here to listen to the entire program.

Of course, it wouldn’t be like the good old days with “Resounding Joy”, if they did finish with the group surrounding their audience (US) as they sing without accompaniment. They sounded great and harmonized perfectly.

The kids did an awesome job but there were a number of opportunities for something to go badly for our luncheon. Most importantly, my most important sidekicks, Lisa and Nancy both decided to be gone for the day. Lisa at a university event with her son (yes, we did have to call her at least once) and Nancy at a university event with our grandson. As you know, Lisa is really the person who should get credit for much of what we do, and Nancy keeps me straight. I won’t say everything went perfectly, but I know the imperfections were not noted. We had excellent help in the kitchen, even without Lisa. Shhh, don’t tell her! Al and Janie Brothers are relative newcomers to our church and willingly stepped up in the kitchen and had everything working very well. The meal was delicious. WELL DONE! Thanks to the kitchen and dining room staff.

Next month, we will be entertained by Jim Cruise “The Spoon Man”! This is a first time program for us. Jim comes to us all the way from Michigan and specializes in a very clean program, NO Dirty Silverware! He only uses clean spoons. This will be a fun program of music and comedy. Join us and experience something new.

March 10 Luncheon Program

We’ve been anxious for this day to arrive because we haven’t had the group together since December. It was awesome to see so many of our friends again! Welcome Back! We missed you.

We had a great kickoff luncheon program; starting with our Prelude Program of Piano and Violin music, followed with an awesome program by our old favorite soloist, Dave Harney. Then, finishing with some delicious food. Several people asked for the dessert recipe, so I will put that in our next newsletter.

We had some good prelude music to start us off as everyone assembled in the auditorium enjoying a time of fellowship with old friends, prior to the meeting. Today, we had a trio of good music performers: Fred Scheffler, Nathan Brandt and Caitlin Erlandson with her mom, Julie, at the piano. You can listen to their program, HERE!

Following this prelude, I opened our program with our normal jokes, acknowledgements of birthdays, anniversaries, and newcomers, and introductions to day trips and our fall trip. This fall we’re going to Canada and the Niagara Falls.

The for our REAL program we brought up Dave Harney. Dave sang a great selection of songs from his newest CD! Of course, he also shared stories and jokes. His programs are always entertaining as well as inspirational. You can hear the entire music program, HERE. I will also provide a couple of video clips, below.

Video #1      Video #2

Following the program Lisa and her staff served a meal of pulled pork (roasted on the premises) with baked beans and mac-n-cheese. This was followed with a delicious Banana Split Pie. I will be sure to include the recipe for that in our April Newsletter.

Next month we’ll enjoy Dayton Christian Schools, “Resounding Joy”!

Miracle on 34th Street–LaComedia

This has been a terrific start of the Christmas season for Young@Heart! On Thursday, December 11, 2014, we enjoyed a very good musical and lunch at LaComedia in Springboro. We thoroughly enjoyed the Miracle on 34th Street. This seems to be a good program for all ages and at the same time never grows old. Perhaps it brings out the “child” in each of us!

The food was as good as always and was perhaps even a step above normal, because of the season.

Of course, we enjoyed good fellowship with each other during the trip down and back and also during the meal. Many of the people weren’t our regular YAH people because we purchased too many tickets and gave some away to staff and friends.

We’re not allowed to take photos during the performance but I was able to get the following of the entire staff during their grand finale.

I think everyone of us would agree that this is a worthwhile musical for any family!

Christmas Program and Luncheon

I may be prejudiced but I think this was the best program of 2014. We used people from our church for singing and playing instruments. Washington Heights has talent! This was planned and managed by Mark and Grace Averitt and Nancy Jensen. They did an outstanding job of putting this program together.

You are invited to follow along with our program via this blog. Just click on the Links to hear the music. Also, you can click on any photo to see it in a larger view.

After our normal opening and introductions, the program began with Mark
Averitt, reading the Christmas Story from Luke 2:1-20.

Next, Christina Comer sang a very nice solo of “I Believe”.

Grace Averitt played a fun piano medley called “Ding, Dong, Merrily on High/Silent Night”.

Following Grace, our Vocal Ensemble sang an “Irving Berlin Christmas”.

Then, Julie Erlandson sang, played piano while her daughter Caitlin Erlandson played the violin. They performed a nice Christmas Medley.

Erica Kwast performed a piece of music that I have been wanting to hear her do since last year. Our 2013 Christmas Program was cancelled due to snow. Fortunately, we were still able to use some of this material for this year. Erica sang a great new Christmas song called, “Where’s the Line for Jesus?”.

Our Brass Trio played a piece called “Lo! How a Rose E’re Blooming”. Since this is an unfamiliar song, we displayed the words for everyone to follow.

Grace Averitt and Nancy Jensen decided that it would be nice to “tickle the ivories” for next number with Grace playing piano and Nancy playing the organ. The music was “Every Valley”. Since this  wasn’t a well known carols, we also put the words on the screen for everyone to follow.

Next, we had our first of several selections by sisters. Sarah Robertson (part of the Britton clan) played her flute, accompanied by her father, Mark Britton, on the piano. Her music choice was “O, Little Town of Bethlehem”.

Mike Krumlauf came back to the platform after playing with the Brass Trio and did a nice rendition of “Every Valley” (from the Messiah) on his Baritone Horn.

Sarah returned to the platform with her sister, Rachel Dudenhofer, that sang a nice duet of “Mary Did You Know?”. Once again, their father, Mark Britton, was able to accompany them on the piano through CD and Thumb Drive technology.

Following the duet with Rachel and Sarah, Rachel Dudenhofer stayed on the platform to finish the program with a beautiful Violin rendition of “Tidings of Great Joy”.

We hope you enjoy listening to this music as much as we enjoyed hearing it live. I believe it was one of our best programs of the year. It was even better because they are all members and friends of our church and many of them have performed for us before.

Following the program, we adjourned to the gymnasium for our luncheon. This was Ham and Noodles, Broccoli, and Sweet Potato Casserole, finished with a Peppermint Brownie. Lisa and the kitchen and dining room staff did their normal outstanding job with this special Christmas meal. Thank each of them.

Dr Chuck Clevenger–Young@Heart Piano/Watercolor Concert

Our November Young@Heart luncheon featured Dr. Chuck Clevenger at the piano. Dr. Clevenger is a noted Concert Pianist and also Watercolor Artist. We were privileged to have Dr. C perform a very nice and unique combination Piano/Art Concert.

Chuck showing off his Watercolor of Charlie Pagnard

The concert featured six watercolor paintings and played music appropriate for 5 of those pieces of art. First, he showed a painting that he did of Charlie Pagnard. We’ve enjoyed Piano/Trumpet concerts by Charlie and Chuck in the past, so this brought some of our friends into perspective. Next, he showed a painting of a Lighthouse on the coast of Western Michigan and played music about the tempest surrounding the lighthouse. He talked about the paintings and gave some great background to each of the paintings, explaining the tie-in to the music. Sorry, the recording of the program did not pick up the talking portion.

He also had a painting of his daughter and of Mont St. Michele, France and played appropriate music for each. He had another painting of his other daughter and granddaughter with appropriate music.

Lighthouse Watercolor

Chuck was assisted by his wife Ronda

Remember – Click on a picture to see it larger

I think it is appropriate to say that everyone enjoyed the concert! Several came to me requesting that he return. Currently, we are hoping that this can be accomplished the middle of next year.

We’ve included a YouTube video of Chuck performing to the painting of his Daughter and Granddaughter. You can see the YouTube version, HERE.

Granddaughter and Daughter
to the tune by Debussy “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair”

You can also hear the entire concert HERE!

Or Perhaps, you would prefer to browse his collection of paintings via his website, Studio-C-Art. I have a number of his note cards and enjoy using those to write notes. I prefer the water scenes and lighthouses but I mix it up, knowing many recipients don’t share my interests. I’m sure you can find something that would match your interests. These would even make great gifts!