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!

Luncheon Program–Chris Thompson

This month we had another musical concert, this time a vocal concert featuring our own Chris Thompson.

During our “Early Bird” prelude period our conversations were enhanced by the piano music of Fred Scheffler and Nathan Brandt. You can hear their music HERE.

Following our announcements and recognition of Birthdays (there were no anniversaries this month), Chris Thompson provided an excellent vocal selection of gospel music. He chose music that was familiar to most of our people and often invited us to join in.

You can listen to the entire concert HERE! This is somewhat flawed where the audio soundtrack messed up.

I’m also including links to YOUTUBE videos of two of the songs that Chris performed.

I'd Rather Have Jesus

No More Night

During our November luncheon we will feature Chuck Clevenger as a concert pianist and artist. Yes, we will be combining these two art forms into a treat for our ears as well as our eyes. This looks like it could be a great program. I’m looking forward to how it will be done!

SCIOTO HILLS DAY TRIP

October 9th. we took a group of 33 of our Young@Heart people over to Scioto Hills Camp to enjoy a luncheon program. They typically have this program, “Seasoned Saints”, twice a year in the spring and fall. So we scheduled this trip for a nice Fall Color drive and an opportunity to enjoy some good music and comedy.

There was some color but it was a rainy, gray, overcast day! So, while the color was there, it wasn’t the great brilliant color that we think of when we think “fall color”. Here is a sample photo that I took from the patio where we had our luncheon. I was a true fall day but not a brilliant one!

The photo above is the dining hall of the camp where we ate. It does a good job of illustrating the cloudy sky.

The camp director and leader of the “Seasoned Saints” program is Scott Bruns. Scott introduced our program and gave an update about the camp. I was surprised to find that they have a full-time staff at the camp of 8 to 14 people, depending on if we count wives in the number. I think it is fair to do this since they help with the meals, and so on, throughout the entire year. The kids camps are their primary focus but they have year around activities such as “Seasoned Saints” and various church groups. In fact, our church is sending down a group of men for a Men’s Retreat, late this month.

To start, we had a very nice luncheon. Actually, it was very tasty and I have requested a couple of the recipes to use in our Newsletter. Watch for them! We had one of the larger groups and were acknowledged as the group traveling the furthest.

Joy Jones was our featured soloist. The last time we went to Scioto Hills, fall of 2012, we heard Joy and two of her sons sing. They weren’t able to join her, this year. She has a nice voice and we enjoyed the gospel music.

One of my greatest fears when planning our programs for Young@Heart is that we would have a last minute cancellation of our performer due to illness, etc. That is what happened to Scott for this program. We were supposed to have a male singer and comedian and he had to cancel two days prior to the program. We were fortunate to have Joy available.

If you’d like to know more about the camp click on this link.

If you’d like to know more about Joy and her boys check out their website, here.