Day Trip – The Wilds

Today, June 18. we traveled across Ohio to the Zanesville area, where we visited the Wilds. This place is a beautiful animal sanctuary. It includes many animals that are not native to Ohio or the USA. In fact, the only American wild animals that I noticed were Buffalo. There were whole herds of Buffalo. There were also a number of African animals including wild horses, Cheetahs and many others. One beauty of this place is that they are reproducing and continuing the species! Some may even eventually be placed back in their homelands.

I will show a number of photos without attempting to name them, because I know I’ll be wrong in many, maybe most, cases. I do know Buffalo (because I lived near their homeland of Custer, SD) and Cheetah, because I have seen them in zoos.

This photo shows an Ostrich but this wasn’t really my purpose, here. There were two kinds of transportation through the park. One was on open bus type vehicle as seen here behind us. And the other was enclosed. Both had disadvantages – the open vehicle was subject to heat and rain. The enclosed vehicle avoided this because it was enclosed and air conditioned. Unfortunately, our A/C generated a lot of moisture which rained down on those of us in the rear of the bus. A huge disadvantage for the enclosed bus was restriction of shooting photography through reflective windows. You may be able to detect some of this on my photos, here.

This is an up close and personal view of an ostrich. They liked our bus – it appears that they think we are their food or perhaps we’re bringing food!

I was also interested in the buffalo/bison. There was a huge herd of them on the hillside! But they were very mangy in appearance. Our guide was very knowledgeable and explained that they are in the process of shedding their winter coats. So, there is a lot of loose hanging fur. I especially wanted to include the buffalo photo because, our next YAH Luncheon will feature Buffalo Bill Cody (aka; Stephen Hollen) who will act the part and tell Wild West Stories. Buffalo Bill got his fame and name by shooting about 1600 buffalo in a short time period to provide meat for the railroad workers who were opening the west.

It also appears that this is the mating season for the deer. This one looks terrible to us but he apparently thinks he’s attractive to the females. He is also wearing his “cologne”! It must be date night!

This is a photo of our group from inside the bus.

Of course, we took time to eat a late lunch before returning to Dayton. Fortunately, the day was pretty much dry, until our ride home.

Lisa arranged to purchase nice boxed lunches from DLM for our meals.

I would happily recommend that any one visit The Wilds. We will probably take our grandkids some time. But, I would recommend using the open buses, if you can endure the heat and there is no threat of rain.

June 9 – Trumpet & Harp Concert

We had an outstanding program this month for our Young@Heart Luncheon. Charles Pagnard and Leslie Stratton played some awesome music! Charlie played Trumpet and Leslie played the Harp. This was a great musical treat and truly blessed us all.

In addition to playing the music, they explained some interesting and technical details about their instruments. I thought is was educational and sometimes even humorous.

They often played together and each of them did a few solo pieces, also.

You can listen to the entire Concert, HERE.

Also, I am linking five YouTube videos from our concert that are worth seeing. Like I mentioned, these are a mix of duets, and solos.

“The Lord’s Prayer” – Trumpet and Harp

“It’s a Wonderful World” – Trumpet and Harp

“Claire de Lune”  - Harp

“Wonderful Words of Life” – Trumpet

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” – Trumpet & Harp

Next month, July 14 we will have Buffalo Bill Cody on our platform! Well, actually it will be Stephen Hollen doing his impersonation of Buffalo Bill and telling stories.

How about that! Story Tellin’ ‘bout a Story Teller. Be sure to join us!

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.