The second Town Hall I am in charge of is similar to the first one.
We’ll have a Mystery Resident and interview; report from the Executive Director; reports from each of the six department heads; a “Whole House” survey of the residents’ desires for the TV news program offered during breakfast; special prize for the winner of the “drawing”; and whatever else the residents want to discuss.
Since this is the last Town Hall meeting before Christmas, we will have an assortment of Christmas Carols playing during the hour prior to the meeting.
One of the features of the Town Hall is a drawing from those attending, with the winner being taken out to eat by our Executive Director. In my memo to several, I asked “Any volunteers?” The ED, at the time of that memo, had not committed yet. She did later.
In the meantime, this morning a few hours before the meeting, Judy Falloon, the Marketing Director of The Grand Court, prepared a gift package and sack and presented it.
Before that, the ED had said she would again provide an “eating outing” to the drawing winner. I couldn’t turn that down either.
So, I told Judy about the ED commitment, and asked her for a suggestion for a question to ask the Residents - the one first correctly answering would get Judy’s gift.
She said, “How about asking ‘What company owns the Grand Court?’”
The answer, of course, is “Brookdale Senior Living”. We’ll see how many can come up with that answer.
(The preceding was written prior to the actual meeting.)
After the meeting:
Praise the Lord!
What happened today at Town Hall was the best thing, in my opinion, that has happened here since I arrived the end of February.
Each of the residents here has a “pendant” around our necks that provides a means of getting emergency help if we fall, or have a major disability when we are alone.
If we are anywhere within this facility, pressing the “button”, sends our name to one of the nurses or aides, so they can come to our relief. They do so right away.
A BIG problem revealed in this emphasis on the “button”, is that MOST of the residents take off the pendant - either before retiring, or while in the shower - or both.
SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!
Pendants are water proof, and should be worn AT ALL TIMES.
At our Town Hall a month ago, I made a strong case for keeping them on by reporting that I have NEVER removed my pendant at any time in the nine months I have lived here.
After our asking the facility to re-emphasize the monthly test of the pendants, they tested every one right here during the Town Hall - today.
Mine was the first.
What we found out was that maybe 40% of them WERE NOT WEARING THEM today. It took a very short time to test those that were present.
“I went to the grocery, but took it off before I left, and forgot to put it back on when I returned.”
I said, “You should NEVER take it off. The very reason being what you’ve just illustrated, YOU FORGET TO PUT IT BACK ON”!
One of them reached for his pendant around his neck, but couldn’t find it.
“I know it works, though”, he said
“I always take mine off before entering the shower. I don’t want to damage it”, another said.
“It’s waterproof!”, I said.
“One time, mine reported a problem when there was none. I must have inadvertently pushed it.”
It seems to me that an occasional “false alarm”, when one is inadvertently pushed is a small inconvenience for the advantage of having the protection. And, after all, the “inconvenience” is to the Aide, not to us.
There were a couple of people who didn’t even have one. Apparently, if you are on “Independent Living”, as I am, you’re not required to have one.
They only cost $10 per month!
“Ok”, I said. “I’m 85 years old. Supposing I’m in my apartment, away from either the living room alarm, or the bath room one. I have a stroke, fall to the floor and am unable to even crawl to the alarm on the wall. My pendant is lying on the bed, across the room. I can’t reach it.
“What will happen to me IF I don’t have my pendant to push?”
“You’ll die!”, several said.
“Exactly!!”, I reply.
“I am unwilling to take that chance!”
An additional two or three times during the meeting I asked,
“What should I do with my pendant tonight before retiring, or before getting in the shower in the morning?”
Those who DID answer, said,
“Leave it on!”
It was also announced that the “in-room” emergency buttons will continue to be checked monthly, as well.
Successful emphasis, in my opinion.
We had another Mystery Resident today. It was an advanced aged mother of 9, whose husband had died between the time Jean and I were here in 2007 and now.
I said,
“Give me all nine names real quick”.
She started out fast, but slowed down at about number 7, but finally finished it.
I presented her a K-Mart gift subscription worth $10, provided by one of the Resident Council members, as we did last month.
The Executive Director gave a report, and introduced a new staff member, who is the new Health and Wellness Director. She announced that there will now be a nurse on the job until 11 PM. Previously, it had been Aides after 8 PM, until 6AM the next day.
I announced “no response” to our letter to 21 churches, asking them to consider providing a Sunday afternoon Worship Service here for the residents who cannot get out. Only my pastor responded, indicating that they are already doing this in two places, and could not come here at this time.
(Later note: One pastor called after this meeting, indicating that he would try this out, to see what interest there is.)
Praise the Lord!
Our survey about the TV news program in the Dining Room during breakfast, was a “bust”, in my opinion.
The survey was as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Residents,
There have been some complaints about airing the Fox News TV program during breakfast. Others WANT Fox. Since we desire to listen to the wishes of the Residents, we have prepared this Survey.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only one response per resident is permitted:
CIRCLE one:
1. Do you come to breakfast fairly regularly? Yes No
2. Are you interested in the TV News during breakfast? Yes No
3. If you ARE interested, which channel would you prefer?
CNN? Early Show (CBS)? Fox and Friends?
Good Morning America (ABC)? Today Show(NBC)?
Other _________________________ Turn it off?
Thank you,
Resident Council
Pleased return completed form to a Resident Council Member.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say it was a “bust”, because we got 14 responses, with 7 saying they don’t care; 4 wanted CNN; and 3 Fox News.
Hardly a landslide.
There are still others to vote, who were not at the meeting, but it’s doubtful to me if we get a definitive answer. Management will have to decide somehow.
(Later - We ended up with 7 for CNN, and 7 for FOX. Alternate months? Management will decide. All the others didn't care.)
We had 28 residents total attending, and though not as many as we would want, it is an improvement over the past several months.
Thank the Lord!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Veterans Day
The Grand Court Ceremony, honoring the 15 Residents here who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces, was one of distinction and patriotism.
It included appearances, and presentations by:
Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly for Welcoming Remarks
“Taps”, played by Judge Richard Carey
A 21 Gun Salute by American Legion Post 286
American Legion Chaplain for Invocation and Benediction
R.O.T.C. from Springfield High School to lower, then raise a flag
American Legion leading in the Pledge of Allegiance
Zach Hoppes to sing The National Anthem and God Bless America
Presentation of a retired flag to the oldest veteran, Emil Spivla
Flag to Paul Bartruss, the oldest Army veteran
Flag to Mike Maddex, the oldest Air Force veteran
Flag to Paul Kuss, the oldest Navy veteran
All of this, including framed pictures of the veterans by Timi Neff.
I’ve guessed the crowd to be over 100, including Residents and Visitors.
Patriotic music was played during the preceding half-hour
This “Tribute” by Joanna Fuchs was printed on the back page of the program:
When America had an urgent need,
These brave ones raised a hand;
No hesitation held them back;
They were proud to take a stand.
They left their friends and family;
They gave up normal life;
To serve their country and their God,
They plowed into the strife.
They fought for freedom and for peace
On strange and foreign shores;
Some lost new friends; some lost their lives
In long and brutal wars.
Other veterans answered a call
To support the ones who fought;
Their country had requirements for
The essential skills they brought.
We salute each and every one of them,
The noble and the brave,
The ones still with us here today,
And those who rest in a grave.
So here’s to our country’s heroes;
They’re a cut above the rest;
Let’s give the honor that is due
To our country’s very best.
Sheriff Kelly in Welcome:
Judge Richard Carey playing Taps:
Twenty-One Gun Salute:
Mike receiving flag flown from Camp Pendleton CA:
Some of our veterans:
National Anthem by Zach Hoppes:
Retiring the flag:
The weather was a little chilly, but after all, it was November 11. What would one expect.
Clark County Commission President, Roger Tackett - a paraplegic, wounded in Vietnam - was scheduled to give the welcome and opening remarks, but illness prohibited it. Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly took his place.
Much of the ceremony was very solemn and respectful. Memories of those fallen were very real.
This was just one of the many community oriented occasions observed by The Grand Court, planned and presented by Timi Neff, Lifestyles Program Director here.
It included appearances, and presentations by:
Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly for Welcoming Remarks
“Taps”, played by Judge Richard Carey
A 21 Gun Salute by American Legion Post 286
American Legion Chaplain for Invocation and Benediction
R.O.T.C. from Springfield High School to lower, then raise a flag
American Legion leading in the Pledge of Allegiance
Zach Hoppes to sing The National Anthem and God Bless America
Presentation of a retired flag to the oldest veteran, Emil Spivla
Flag to Paul Bartruss, the oldest Army veteran
Flag to Mike Maddex, the oldest Air Force veteran
Flag to Paul Kuss, the oldest Navy veteran
All of this, including framed pictures of the veterans by Timi Neff.
I’ve guessed the crowd to be over 100, including Residents and Visitors.
Patriotic music was played during the preceding half-hour
This “Tribute” by Joanna Fuchs was printed on the back page of the program:
When America had an urgent need,
These brave ones raised a hand;
No hesitation held them back;
They were proud to take a stand.
They left their friends and family;
They gave up normal life;
To serve their country and their God,
They plowed into the strife.
They fought for freedom and for peace
On strange and foreign shores;
Some lost new friends; some lost their lives
In long and brutal wars.
Other veterans answered a call
To support the ones who fought;
Their country had requirements for
The essential skills they brought.
We salute each and every one of them,
The noble and the brave,
The ones still with us here today,
And those who rest in a grave.
So here’s to our country’s heroes;
They’re a cut above the rest;
Let’s give the honor that is due
To our country’s very best.
Sheriff Kelly in Welcome:
Judge Richard Carey playing Taps:
Twenty-One Gun Salute:
Mike receiving flag flown from Camp Pendleton CA:
Some of our veterans:
National Anthem by Zach Hoppes:
Retiring the flag:
The weather was a little chilly, but after all, it was November 11. What would one expect.
Clark County Commission President, Roger Tackett - a paraplegic, wounded in Vietnam - was scheduled to give the welcome and opening remarks, but illness prohibited it. Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly took his place.
Much of the ceremony was very solemn and respectful. Memories of those fallen were very real.
This was just one of the many community oriented occasions observed by The Grand Court, planned and presented by Timi Neff, Lifestyles Program Director here.
Monday, November 23, 2009
New Book
All right!
I suppose it eventually came to this - though I CERTAINLY didn’t foresee it happening!
I’ve “written a book”.
Well….. what I’ve actually done is to edit 44 of these postings (at the suggestion of some of my family and friends), and publish them in a book.
It’s called “Musings of a Story Teller Wannabe”.
Catchy, huh?
“How did you find a Publisher that thought enough of the book to ‘go for it’, Mike.”
I didn’t.
I am publishing it myself.
Cost me $369 for just one book. But, that means that any number of these books may be ordered, then bought, in a timely manner - for a “going” price.
IF there are any royalties at all (at a dollar a book), they will be used to offset the original cost that I am “laying out”.
I have to give our son John the credit for finding me a “self-publisher” to do this. It’s on the Internet. I just send them the finished “manuscript” (Ooooh! That sounds so ‘chic’, doesn’t it?), and they “put it all together”.
It’s going to be on Amazon Books, and Barnes and Noble, as well as being available at other national bookstores - on the Internet. I have an ISBN number.
A week later:
I’ve hit a “snag” on publishing this “book”. The Word Processor on which I wrote it is different from the one the “Publisher” uses, and I’m having difficulty getting the right print type; paragraph indenting; page numbering; title page; table of contents; author’s picture; etc. done right.
It grieves me that I have lost a week to this dilemma, but my habit is that if I don’t feel secure in taking the next step in any venture, I “mind the checks” - that is: SLOW DOWN! I pray a lot, looking for some answers, but right now I’m stuck.
Who knows what will be in this next paragraph, AND, when the paragraph will be written.
Of course, procrastination could be involved, I suppose. But I feel a little tentative about the whole project anyway, and until I can “still” the “butterflies” in my stomach, I might wait for Guidance.
Still another week later:
John said he could “convert” my file to one the publisher could use, if I e-mailed my file to him.
I’ve done that, but now, he asks me if I can send him another file as an “attachment” that he can use. I don’t know what that is.
I’m waiting to talk to him, to see what I can do.
Yet another week:
I was talking to John about the book, and I asked him just how I could send him the file, instead of just the written word.
He explained it to me, and within the hour, I had sent him the file, and less time later than that, he sent back two different files they can use.
So, this morning, I e-mailed my contact person there, and she explained how I could get into my file, send them $369 from my debit card, and get on the way.
I did that, then I shortly received three e-mails as a receipt, plus further instructions on what to do.
One of the things just mentioned is that, in addition to the author’s picture on the back of the book (Timi Neff took some shots for that), I need a sketch, or illustration for the front of the book, ostensibly providing a drawing description of the title.
I discovered that one of the night Aides here named Jessica Pikey, does sketches, so I gave her a sample picture of me at the computer, and asked her to draw something like that, or another view altogether, that would depict “Musings of a Storyteller Wannabe”, the title of the book.
Again, I can say, “I’m on my way!”
I don’t know yet how to get the photo on the back cover; the sketch on the front; and up to 10 or 12 photos inside the book, in 300 dpi.
Somebody will surely help me - I think.
If this all comes about, as dumb as I am about it, don’t tell me there are not miracles!
Yet another week later:
In the receipt and letter I got back, it indicated a new name to contact. I’ve done so, with some difficulty, since the e-mail has to have a reference number, something like this, the example they used:
[ ref:00A00bA0.00000AbA0:ref ]
I sent 4 or 5 e-mails with some version of this. One time I used the wrong brackets, and another, the right one at the beginning, but wrong one at end.
I just now sent another, that DIDN’T return because of an improper subject. I followed up with two more, just a little different, and finally, it was accepted.
I’m anything right now, since I am thoroughly confused. Hopefully, the next paragraph will be better.
Next day:
I’ve heard back with further instructions. I’ll TRY to follow them!
Next day:
I’ve JUST NOW (11:20 AM, November 13, 2009) sent the “manuscript”. Whether I did it right or not, I don’t know. I’m sure I’ll hear.
Later that day, I “uploaded” 13 pictures - including the sketch for the front cover, and Author Photo for the back.
Horrors!
They came back, indicating that the files were too long. I had included 6 photos in each file.
Did it over again, 3 photos in four files, and 4 in another.
They didn’t come back.
My representative there said she had sent my manuscript to the formatting department, and that I would hear from them when that was finished.
Wow!
Who said “writing a book” was simple?
I hope you’ll forgive me for this Biblical reference, but I just couldn’t help thinking about the “travail” of “preparing” the book, then the joy of having it published, as it relates to this passage in John 16:21:
“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the angush, for that a man is born into the world”.
After the book is once in my hands, I’m sure I will NOT remember this “travail” I am now going through - with the book.
Since it will be several weeks, probably, until the project is finished, I think I’d better post this now. If there are “dramatic developments” in the project later, I’ll probably post them as well.
Whew!
“Brethren, pray for us!”
Oh………..she just said I uploaded the 13 pictures “perfectly”.
Will wonders never cease?
Next comes the “Table of Contents”. That is, the list at the front of the book indicating what page each chapter starts on - all 44 of them. Can’t do that, though, until the “formatting” department finishes with it, numbering the pages.
Complex, huh?
That’s what I’ve been thinking ever since I started this project.
Time to post this thing. More on “the book” will come later.
Author photo on back cover:
I suppose it eventually came to this - though I CERTAINLY didn’t foresee it happening!
I’ve “written a book”.
Well….. what I’ve actually done is to edit 44 of these postings (at the suggestion of some of my family and friends), and publish them in a book.
It’s called “Musings of a Story Teller Wannabe”.
Catchy, huh?
“How did you find a Publisher that thought enough of the book to ‘go for it’, Mike.”
I didn’t.
I am publishing it myself.
Cost me $369 for just one book. But, that means that any number of these books may be ordered, then bought, in a timely manner - for a “going” price.
IF there are any royalties at all (at a dollar a book), they will be used to offset the original cost that I am “laying out”.
I have to give our son John the credit for finding me a “self-publisher” to do this. It’s on the Internet. I just send them the finished “manuscript” (Ooooh! That sounds so ‘chic’, doesn’t it?), and they “put it all together”.
It’s going to be on Amazon Books, and Barnes and Noble, as well as being available at other national bookstores - on the Internet. I have an ISBN number.
A week later:
I’ve hit a “snag” on publishing this “book”. The Word Processor on which I wrote it is different from the one the “Publisher” uses, and I’m having difficulty getting the right print type; paragraph indenting; page numbering; title page; table of contents; author’s picture; etc. done right.
It grieves me that I have lost a week to this dilemma, but my habit is that if I don’t feel secure in taking the next step in any venture, I “mind the checks” - that is: SLOW DOWN! I pray a lot, looking for some answers, but right now I’m stuck.
Who knows what will be in this next paragraph, AND, when the paragraph will be written.
Of course, procrastination could be involved, I suppose. But I feel a little tentative about the whole project anyway, and until I can “still” the “butterflies” in my stomach, I might wait for Guidance.
Still another week later:
John said he could “convert” my file to one the publisher could use, if I e-mailed my file to him.
I’ve done that, but now, he asks me if I can send him another file as an “attachment” that he can use. I don’t know what that is.
I’m waiting to talk to him, to see what I can do.
Yet another week:
I was talking to John about the book, and I asked him just how I could send him the file, instead of just the written word.
He explained it to me, and within the hour, I had sent him the file, and less time later than that, he sent back two different files they can use.
So, this morning, I e-mailed my contact person there, and she explained how I could get into my file, send them $369 from my debit card, and get on the way.
I did that, then I shortly received three e-mails as a receipt, plus further instructions on what to do.
One of the things just mentioned is that, in addition to the author’s picture on the back of the book (Timi Neff took some shots for that), I need a sketch, or illustration for the front of the book, ostensibly providing a drawing description of the title.
I discovered that one of the night Aides here named Jessica Pikey, does sketches, so I gave her a sample picture of me at the computer, and asked her to draw something like that, or another view altogether, that would depict “Musings of a Storyteller Wannabe”, the title of the book.
Again, I can say, “I’m on my way!”
I don’t know yet how to get the photo on the back cover; the sketch on the front; and up to 10 or 12 photos inside the book, in 300 dpi.
Somebody will surely help me - I think.
If this all comes about, as dumb as I am about it, don’t tell me there are not miracles!
Yet another week later:
In the receipt and letter I got back, it indicated a new name to contact. I’ve done so, with some difficulty, since the e-mail has to have a reference number, something like this, the example they used:
[ ref:00A00bA0.00000AbA0:ref ]
I sent 4 or 5 e-mails with some version of this. One time I used the wrong brackets, and another, the right one at the beginning, but wrong one at end.
I just now sent another, that DIDN’T return because of an improper subject. I followed up with two more, just a little different, and finally, it was accepted.
I’m anything right now, since I am thoroughly confused. Hopefully, the next paragraph will be better.
Next day:
I’ve heard back with further instructions. I’ll TRY to follow them!
Next day:
I’ve JUST NOW (11:20 AM, November 13, 2009) sent the “manuscript”. Whether I did it right or not, I don’t know. I’m sure I’ll hear.
Later that day, I “uploaded” 13 pictures - including the sketch for the front cover, and Author Photo for the back.
Horrors!
They came back, indicating that the files were too long. I had included 6 photos in each file.
Did it over again, 3 photos in four files, and 4 in another.
They didn’t come back.
My representative there said she had sent my manuscript to the formatting department, and that I would hear from them when that was finished.
Wow!
Who said “writing a book” was simple?
I hope you’ll forgive me for this Biblical reference, but I just couldn’t help thinking about the “travail” of “preparing” the book, then the joy of having it published, as it relates to this passage in John 16:21:
“A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the angush, for that a man is born into the world”.
After the book is once in my hands, I’m sure I will NOT remember this “travail” I am now going through - with the book.
Since it will be several weeks, probably, until the project is finished, I think I’d better post this now. If there are “dramatic developments” in the project later, I’ll probably post them as well.
Whew!
“Brethren, pray for us!”
Oh………..she just said I uploaded the 13 pictures “perfectly”.
Will wonders never cease?
Next comes the “Table of Contents”. That is, the list at the front of the book indicating what page each chapter starts on - all 44 of them. Can’t do that, though, until the “formatting” department finishes with it, numbering the pages.
Complex, huh?
That’s what I’ve been thinking ever since I started this project.
Time to post this thing. More on “the book” will come later.
Author photo on back cover:
Friday, November 20, 2009
Antique Mall
This Bus Trip was announced over a month ago. Didn’t interest me, and I didn’t care where it was. Nonchalant, I guess.
However, today, I heard which one it was to be - the second one north of the Clark County Fairgrounds - and I thought I should go. I remembered this as a “genuine” Antique Mall.
At lunch time, I signed up, and at just before 2 PM, I joined 5 others and climbed on the bus. There were 3 walkers, and one large wheel chair with us.
As is regular with me, I helped put on and take off 3 hand walkers, and one large wheel chair, with a rider in it.
Our bus has an electric lift at the right rear, which drops a “table” right to the ground, and the walkers/chairs are just wheeled right on. Inside, we line them up, and on some occasions, strap them in. Don’t want them to “wander around” behind the back seat.
Today, though there weren’t as many passengers total going, that’s the most chairs/walkers I’ve seen go. The space behind the seats was full.
The entrance to the Mall is just across the road from the Clark County Fairgrounds, and though it appears both of them are reached by the same entrance, not so was the case.
Actually, I had been there right after it opened some 15 years ago, but I hadn’t remembered the two entrances.
Timi was a little uncertain how to get in to the second one, and of course, “old-know-it-all” me, told her to go right in the first entrance, since I thought I knew so much.
Even after we came to the front of the first one, with no clear way to get to the second one, I insisted that you could just drive right around the first one, and get there.
Several, including our bus driver Timi, were reticent about it, but my insistence brought us behind the first one, with no way to get out but “back around”.
Chagrin!
We then drove back out of that drive, looked eastward, and lo and behold, the sign for the right one became visible.
“There it is”, someone said.
“Boy, Mike. Sure was good we listened to you, wasn’t it?”, said Timi. I think others sarcastically thought the same.
We got into the Mall, and comparing its present antiques with those when I was first there, was like “day and night”!
There were, I think, eight LONG rows of displays - one on either side of the aisle, by hundreds of dealers, each of them in their own spot. One complete row was filled with glass cases of jewelry, for maybe 40 or 50 yards. No dealers present, however. Just 3 or 4 workers.
We broke up into three groups. David and I took a different row than the others, and after we went clear down the first row we traveled, then back up another, we met 3 of our gang coming our way.
David is a “baseball enthusiast”, especially the Cincinnati Reds.
We came upon a “booth” that held a “pristine” copy of a Cincinnati Reds Program, with Mario Soto’s picture on the front. It was nicely wrapped in plastic, and was for sale for $7.50.
David picked up that program four or five times, trying to decide whether to buy it or not. He was really tempted, and I encouraged him in that, suggesting that this might be something he would like to have. He assured me that he had brought along enough money to buy it, but he had “mixed emotions”.
I checked to see what booth it was in, in case he decided, after going to the cashier, that he wanted to go back and get it. It was in booth 25. He looked in his billfold again, but started back toward the front of the building, without the program.
Even when we went out into the “lobby”, I suppose you could call it, where I sat on a sofa to rest my back, he was still contemplating it. I kept asking him if he wanted to change his mind, but no. The temptation went away.
He was smart, though. He gave it “full” consideration.
After resting a bit, I went back to the “counter”, and since this was an Antique place, I remembered an old RCA Victor record I used to play on my Dad and Mother’s Victrola in the twenties/thirties.
There were two of them I played all the time, but the main one was titled “The Hold Up At Buck Run”, and it was sub-titled, “The Station Master‘s Story”. It was a recitation, given by the man who wrote the story. It has always fascinated me.
To add to the fascination, my dad had listened to the recitation, wrote it down, and memorized it, giving it in public several times - mostly at Men’s Meetings.
I never lost the fascination for that reading, and have tried several times down through the years to find it - at least a written version of it - to no avail.
So, I went up to the counter to ask the attendant if there were any chance the Mall might have a copy of it, or maybe someone would know about it.
She said, after asking a couple of her associates about it, “Let’s look for it on the Internet”.
I had done that, in a cursory way, with no “hits” at all.
But, she turned around and said it was in truth on a RCA Victor recording; was written by a man by the name of Ralph Bingham, and was recorded by him. (I later found out that he recorded it in 1916.)
Today, after bringing that information home with me yesterday, I went on the site called, “Encyclopedia Discography of Victor Recordings”, and found that reference to it.
The listing told when it was recorded, the number of the 12 inch vinyl assigned by RCA; and other info.
“How can I get at least a WRITTEN copy of that?”, I asked myself.
So far, at supper time the next day, no copy yet.
Hope to complete this after supper.
What is that old saying? “Supper waits for no man”, or something like that?
Be back.
7 PM
Still no more info on “The Hold Up At Buck Run”, but have some more to say about our bus trip yesterday.
After leaving the Mall to go get on the bus, everything seemed to progress normally. All three walkers had been placed on the “lift” by me, while Timi was in the bus “parking” them.
Diane in her wheel chair, was waiting to drive onto the ramp, so I moved away.
With all of us present looking back in our “minds’ eyes”, it appears to us that when I started to move out of her way, I snagged my foot on the lift, and DOWN I WENT!
Flat on my face, no hands involved! I remember my forehead smashing against the pavement, and I lay there a bit, stunned. Diane and Timi, the two available to see what happened, tried to get to me to help me up.
“Are you OK, Mike?”
Did I say I was stunned?
Timi rushed out of the bus with a handful of paper towels, smashing them against my nose (it was bleeding profusely), and I gradually sat up, hardly knowing what happened.
It was fast, was what it was.
I seemed to not hurt anyplace else, though my watch band had pulled apart, and my watch was on the ground. My glasses were intact, and and had to be taken off.
I finally got to my feet, maybe a little wobbly, and stepped onto the bus, paper towels “askitter”. I kept taking down the paper towel, but the blood just kept coming.
“Keep holding it, Mike!”
Diane got her wheel chair on the bus, and Timi started driving home. She called the Grand Court nurse on duty, to tell her we were on the way home with an “incident”.
“I’ll look at him when you get here”, the nurse said.
I kept my eyes closed and paper towel on the bridge of my nose all the way home.
We went in the front door right to the nurse.
She checked me out, cleaning the wound on the bridge of my nose and bandaging it, then everybody began discussing whether I should go to the ER.
“Call the Squad”, someone said.
“NO WAY”, said I.
“Better get looked at and tested. You might have a concussion”.
Several staff gathered round, and each one admonished me to consider letting the hospital check me out.
Finally Timi said, “Let’s call your son Jim, and ask him to take you to ER, if you won’t go by Squad”.
I gave her my phone after “voice dialing” Jim’s number. She told him what was going on and asked him if he’d like to take me to the ER.
“I’ll be there in 15 minutes”, Jim said.
The staff gave me some tissues, and some ice in a rubber glove, and we took off for the Emergency Room.
I told them all “If I’m still sitting in the ER at 10PM and not having been seen yet, you’ll hear from me”. (Past experience with Jean, working here,)
“You call when you know something”.
It turned out that the ER is not as busy as it used to be, or else they’re more efficient than they used to be.
We were ushered into a room fairly promptly, and a nurse “checked me in”. Temp, BP, age, etc. Oh……, and Insrance.
Then she “re-bandaged” the bridge of my nose, and shortly a doctor came in.
Asked questions, examined me, and said, “Since you’re taking Plavix, we’d better get a ‘CT Scan’, because it’s a ‘bleeder’”.
Got one, was told my brain looked intact, but that I have a broken nose.
“Nothing you can do for that, right?”, I said.
“Right. You’ll be out of here in no time.
Not quite, but better than it used to be.
Jim had called John and told him he was in the ER with the “Old Man”, then later reported the broken nose.
Jim took me home, and everyone “made over me” like I was their Dad. Sometimes, I think maybe I am.
The kitchen crew hadn’t gone home yet, so they gave me some Chicken Salad, and a large bag of ice. The salad was delicious, along with my Peanut Butter and Ritz, all washed down with my favorite Orange Gatorade.
Didn’t feel badly, really, but on principle, went to bed at about 8:15.
As I passed the Nurses’ Station going back to my room, Aide Tammy was there. She had taken a picture of me with my Blackberry a month or so ago to have at home, and I e-mailed it to her. On an impulse, I asked her to take another.
This one was on Monday night, the evening of the fall:
Tells it all, right?
Got along fine today. Will remove the “nose bandage” tomorrow.
Second day after:
Fourth day:
Felt fine today, but “black and blue eyes” are the vogue of the day, though no bandage.
My advice: Don’t argue with the concrete pavement. You’ll lose every time.
I haven’t yet given up on “The Hold Up At Buck Run”, though I see no promise of success yet.
Time will tell.
Next day!
Wonder of wonders, I found it!
A CD recording of it, actually, with some other old time stories.
I ordered it off the Internet, and should receive it in maybe 10 days.
Cost me under $20.
PTL!
Mercifully, that’s the end of THIS story!
However, today, I heard which one it was to be - the second one north of the Clark County Fairgrounds - and I thought I should go. I remembered this as a “genuine” Antique Mall.
At lunch time, I signed up, and at just before 2 PM, I joined 5 others and climbed on the bus. There were 3 walkers, and one large wheel chair with us.
As is regular with me, I helped put on and take off 3 hand walkers, and one large wheel chair, with a rider in it.
Our bus has an electric lift at the right rear, which drops a “table” right to the ground, and the walkers/chairs are just wheeled right on. Inside, we line them up, and on some occasions, strap them in. Don’t want them to “wander around” behind the back seat.
Today, though there weren’t as many passengers total going, that’s the most chairs/walkers I’ve seen go. The space behind the seats was full.
The entrance to the Mall is just across the road from the Clark County Fairgrounds, and though it appears both of them are reached by the same entrance, not so was the case.
Actually, I had been there right after it opened some 15 years ago, but I hadn’t remembered the two entrances.
Timi was a little uncertain how to get in to the second one, and of course, “old-know-it-all” me, told her to go right in the first entrance, since I thought I knew so much.
Even after we came to the front of the first one, with no clear way to get to the second one, I insisted that you could just drive right around the first one, and get there.
Several, including our bus driver Timi, were reticent about it, but my insistence brought us behind the first one, with no way to get out but “back around”.
Chagrin!
We then drove back out of that drive, looked eastward, and lo and behold, the sign for the right one became visible.
“There it is”, someone said.
“Boy, Mike. Sure was good we listened to you, wasn’t it?”, said Timi. I think others sarcastically thought the same.
We got into the Mall, and comparing its present antiques with those when I was first there, was like “day and night”!
There were, I think, eight LONG rows of displays - one on either side of the aisle, by hundreds of dealers, each of them in their own spot. One complete row was filled with glass cases of jewelry, for maybe 40 or 50 yards. No dealers present, however. Just 3 or 4 workers.
We broke up into three groups. David and I took a different row than the others, and after we went clear down the first row we traveled, then back up another, we met 3 of our gang coming our way.
David is a “baseball enthusiast”, especially the Cincinnati Reds.
We came upon a “booth” that held a “pristine” copy of a Cincinnati Reds Program, with Mario Soto’s picture on the front. It was nicely wrapped in plastic, and was for sale for $7.50.
David picked up that program four or five times, trying to decide whether to buy it or not. He was really tempted, and I encouraged him in that, suggesting that this might be something he would like to have. He assured me that he had brought along enough money to buy it, but he had “mixed emotions”.
I checked to see what booth it was in, in case he decided, after going to the cashier, that he wanted to go back and get it. It was in booth 25. He looked in his billfold again, but started back toward the front of the building, without the program.
Even when we went out into the “lobby”, I suppose you could call it, where I sat on a sofa to rest my back, he was still contemplating it. I kept asking him if he wanted to change his mind, but no. The temptation went away.
He was smart, though. He gave it “full” consideration.
After resting a bit, I went back to the “counter”, and since this was an Antique place, I remembered an old RCA Victor record I used to play on my Dad and Mother’s Victrola in the twenties/thirties.
There were two of them I played all the time, but the main one was titled “The Hold Up At Buck Run”, and it was sub-titled, “The Station Master‘s Story”. It was a recitation, given by the man who wrote the story. It has always fascinated me.
To add to the fascination, my dad had listened to the recitation, wrote it down, and memorized it, giving it in public several times - mostly at Men’s Meetings.
I never lost the fascination for that reading, and have tried several times down through the years to find it - at least a written version of it - to no avail.
So, I went up to the counter to ask the attendant if there were any chance the Mall might have a copy of it, or maybe someone would know about it.
She said, after asking a couple of her associates about it, “Let’s look for it on the Internet”.
I had done that, in a cursory way, with no “hits” at all.
But, she turned around and said it was in truth on a RCA Victor recording; was written by a man by the name of Ralph Bingham, and was recorded by him. (I later found out that he recorded it in 1916.)
Today, after bringing that information home with me yesterday, I went on the site called, “Encyclopedia Discography of Victor Recordings”, and found that reference to it.
The listing told when it was recorded, the number of the 12 inch vinyl assigned by RCA; and other info.
“How can I get at least a WRITTEN copy of that?”, I asked myself.
So far, at supper time the next day, no copy yet.
Hope to complete this after supper.
What is that old saying? “Supper waits for no man”, or something like that?
Be back.
7 PM
Still no more info on “The Hold Up At Buck Run”, but have some more to say about our bus trip yesterday.
After leaving the Mall to go get on the bus, everything seemed to progress normally. All three walkers had been placed on the “lift” by me, while Timi was in the bus “parking” them.
Diane in her wheel chair, was waiting to drive onto the ramp, so I moved away.
With all of us present looking back in our “minds’ eyes”, it appears to us that when I started to move out of her way, I snagged my foot on the lift, and DOWN I WENT!
Flat on my face, no hands involved! I remember my forehead smashing against the pavement, and I lay there a bit, stunned. Diane and Timi, the two available to see what happened, tried to get to me to help me up.
“Are you OK, Mike?”
Did I say I was stunned?
Timi rushed out of the bus with a handful of paper towels, smashing them against my nose (it was bleeding profusely), and I gradually sat up, hardly knowing what happened.
It was fast, was what it was.
I seemed to not hurt anyplace else, though my watch band had pulled apart, and my watch was on the ground. My glasses were intact, and and had to be taken off.
I finally got to my feet, maybe a little wobbly, and stepped onto the bus, paper towels “askitter”. I kept taking down the paper towel, but the blood just kept coming.
“Keep holding it, Mike!”
Diane got her wheel chair on the bus, and Timi started driving home. She called the Grand Court nurse on duty, to tell her we were on the way home with an “incident”.
“I’ll look at him when you get here”, the nurse said.
I kept my eyes closed and paper towel on the bridge of my nose all the way home.
We went in the front door right to the nurse.
She checked me out, cleaning the wound on the bridge of my nose and bandaging it, then everybody began discussing whether I should go to the ER.
“Call the Squad”, someone said.
“NO WAY”, said I.
“Better get looked at and tested. You might have a concussion”.
Several staff gathered round, and each one admonished me to consider letting the hospital check me out.
Finally Timi said, “Let’s call your son Jim, and ask him to take you to ER, if you won’t go by Squad”.
I gave her my phone after “voice dialing” Jim’s number. She told him what was going on and asked him if he’d like to take me to the ER.
“I’ll be there in 15 minutes”, Jim said.
The staff gave me some tissues, and some ice in a rubber glove, and we took off for the Emergency Room.
I told them all “If I’m still sitting in the ER at 10PM and not having been seen yet, you’ll hear from me”. (Past experience with Jean, working here,)
“You call when you know something”.
It turned out that the ER is not as busy as it used to be, or else they’re more efficient than they used to be.
We were ushered into a room fairly promptly, and a nurse “checked me in”. Temp, BP, age, etc. Oh……, and Insrance.
Then she “re-bandaged” the bridge of my nose, and shortly a doctor came in.
Asked questions, examined me, and said, “Since you’re taking Plavix, we’d better get a ‘CT Scan’, because it’s a ‘bleeder’”.
Got one, was told my brain looked intact, but that I have a broken nose.
“Nothing you can do for that, right?”, I said.
“Right. You’ll be out of here in no time.
Not quite, but better than it used to be.
Jim had called John and told him he was in the ER with the “Old Man”, then later reported the broken nose.
Jim took me home, and everyone “made over me” like I was their Dad. Sometimes, I think maybe I am.
The kitchen crew hadn’t gone home yet, so they gave me some Chicken Salad, and a large bag of ice. The salad was delicious, along with my Peanut Butter and Ritz, all washed down with my favorite Orange Gatorade.
Didn’t feel badly, really, but on principle, went to bed at about 8:15.
As I passed the Nurses’ Station going back to my room, Aide Tammy was there. She had taken a picture of me with my Blackberry a month or so ago to have at home, and I e-mailed it to her. On an impulse, I asked her to take another.
This one was on Monday night, the evening of the fall:
Tells it all, right?
Got along fine today. Will remove the “nose bandage” tomorrow.
Second day after:
Fourth day:
Felt fine today, but “black and blue eyes” are the vogue of the day, though no bandage.
My advice: Don’t argue with the concrete pavement. You’ll lose every time.
I haven’t yet given up on “The Hold Up At Buck Run”, though I see no promise of success yet.
Time will tell.
Next day!
Wonder of wonders, I found it!
A CD recording of it, actually, with some other old time stories.
I ordered it off the Internet, and should receive it in maybe 10 days.
Cost me under $20.
PTL!
Mercifully, that’s the end of THIS story!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Magic Show
It all started with this e-mail from our Grandson Jim - a professional “Magician” in Chicago:
Hey Grandpa,
I enjoy reading your blog about some of your adventures and activities at Grand Court. I was wondering if you guys would be interested in me performing.
Have you ever had a magician there? I wouldn’t charge anything (except maybe a meal).
I can come on a Sunday or Monday or Tuesday. It would be a lot of fun.
How many people are hard of hearing? Do they have a Microphone?
What do you think?
I can make it like a visit as well. My show lasts almost an hour.
Love Jim
My following e-mail to Timi, our Activities Director:
Timi,
My grandson, Jim Jr. lives in Chicago and is a professional magician.
He does table by table magic and offered to come for a visit, and while here do a free show for Grand Court. I'll buy his meal.
He says his show lasts nearly an hour.
Catch him at http://magitainment.com/
Let me know what you think.
Mike
Timi back:
Wow! How cool that would be. Let me know when he is available.
Then, I told Jim that Timi had accepted his invitation:
His response:
That’s great. How about November 8th or 9th.
Just to clarify this would be my stand up show that I do for special events or birthdays. I wouldn’t be doing table magic. Unless of course that’s what is preferred.
I look forward to our visit.
Jim
Here’s a shot of the flyer that was posted around the Grand Court, announcing his appearance.
To use an old Mechanicsburg phrase: The upshot of this was, that on Monday, Jim arrived, and before maybe 30 residents and staff, he gave us about an hour of prestidigitation.
Since I try to be honest and open on this blog, I have to say that I was more than a little nervous that, instead of driving down on Sunday as I would have, he waited until Monday morning to drive 300 miles, and get here before the 2:30 PM “show” time.
He arrived at 2 PM (after calling me an hour earlier to tell me he had just crossed into Ohio), and proceeded to dress in his “magic costume”, gather his “effects” together, and start the show.
Timi introduced him, and I then stood up beside him (he’s 7 or 8 inches taller than I), and re-introduced him as my twin brother.
He started out with a “silent” routine, involving a couple of “first rowers”, that most had trouble following, and then continued with some striking “illusions”, that “flabbergasted” us - saying, “How did he DO that?”
Heere's me, trying to get the "ringss" together. He could, but I couldn't.
He used several audience members as “props”, and performed several “tricky” tricks - more than one involving revealing cards silently picked out, and one time, turning a twenty dollar bill into a “folded-up” insert in an unopened (until later) kiwi fruit, with the donor’s initials still written on it.
“How did he DO that?”
Here's Timi, mouth agape while watching "her card" slowly rise out of the deck.
The audience was enthralled, as was I. Someone said later, “I’ll bet you taught him everything he knows.”
WRONG!
I knew nothing of what he did, though I had seen him do some card tricks several years ago.
He used to be rather shy - but far from that now. He carried himself well - as do other magician friends of his that I’ve seen.
One of the elderly (aren’t we all?) ladies in the second row, who participated in one of the card tricks, said to me the next morning at breakfast,
“I’ve never seen a magician as good as he is!”
He was good - and it was a joy to watch him work.
Afterward, knowing how he likes to eat, I said to him,
“How about dinner? Got a favorite place?”
I knew better than to ask that, because I KNEW - from past experiences with him here.
“How about ‘Golden Corral’?”
Right! The buffet place.
After eating (wonder of wonders, he ate a couple full plates more than I did), I asked him what he’d like to do.
So, knowing he likes movies, I suggested we might find one he’d like.
We went to the Chakeres Theatre on East Main Street, and saw the animated version of “Dickens Christmas Carol”. I had not seen such realistic animation before, and I was astonished at the realism of some of the scenes.
Enjoyable.
He hadn’t seen Jodi for several years (his cousin), so he asked about her. She had told me she wanted to be at his magic show, but she had to work.
I “texted” her, then called her, but no answer.
I knew she went to her dad’s sometimes, and, forgetting about Monday Night Football (THEY are die hard Steelers fans), I saw Jodi’s car there, and knocked on his door. He lives upstairs, so he didn’t hear my knock. She told me next day that they were watching the Steelers. Too enthralled to even hear her phone. I DO know she keeps it in her handbag, because I’ve seen her miss some calls in the car with me.
So, we headed for my apartment, and on the way, stopped at Speedway to fill up Jim’s car. Least I could do for his coming all the way down here for the show. I tried to give him some money, but he said he was going to work for his dad in electrical work the next day, and would be paid that night.
He fiiled up, and we went to my back parking lot.
When I was just ready to get out of the car, I looked at his gas gauge, and it registered half-full. I said,
“Hey! You didn’t fill up!”
“Yes I did”, he said.
While we watched, his gas gauge gradually dropped down to Empty.
What’s going on?
He started the car again, and the gas gauge went only half way up.
Turned it off, then looked under the car for spillage that he hadn’t noticed, since he did have that problem one time when the hose from the filling tube to the tank came off.
No gasoline on the ground.
What to do?
He decided he’d go ahead and drive to his dad’s, and see what happened.
He later called and said the gauge was working properly, and that he expects the tank full to take him home.
The next day, he worked for his dad, then headed for home. I talked to him in mid-afternoon, and he said it looks like he’d be able to get home.
He sent me a text at near midnight, saying, “Got home safely!”
Whew!
What a “two day” experience!
Hey Grandpa,
I enjoy reading your blog about some of your adventures and activities at Grand Court. I was wondering if you guys would be interested in me performing.
Have you ever had a magician there? I wouldn’t charge anything (except maybe a meal).
I can come on a Sunday or Monday or Tuesday. It would be a lot of fun.
How many people are hard of hearing? Do they have a Microphone?
What do you think?
I can make it like a visit as well. My show lasts almost an hour.
Love Jim
My following e-mail to Timi, our Activities Director:
Timi,
My grandson, Jim Jr. lives in Chicago and is a professional magician.
He does table by table magic and offered to come for a visit, and while here do a free show for Grand Court. I'll buy his meal.
He says his show lasts nearly an hour.
Catch him at http://magitainment.com/
Let me know what you think.
Mike
Timi back:
Wow! How cool that would be. Let me know when he is available.
Then, I told Jim that Timi had accepted his invitation:
His response:
That’s great. How about November 8th or 9th.
Just to clarify this would be my stand up show that I do for special events or birthdays. I wouldn’t be doing table magic. Unless of course that’s what is preferred.
I look forward to our visit.
Jim
Here’s a shot of the flyer that was posted around the Grand Court, announcing his appearance.
To use an old Mechanicsburg phrase: The upshot of this was, that on Monday, Jim arrived, and before maybe 30 residents and staff, he gave us about an hour of prestidigitation.
Since I try to be honest and open on this blog, I have to say that I was more than a little nervous that, instead of driving down on Sunday as I would have, he waited until Monday morning to drive 300 miles, and get here before the 2:30 PM “show” time.
He arrived at 2 PM (after calling me an hour earlier to tell me he had just crossed into Ohio), and proceeded to dress in his “magic costume”, gather his “effects” together, and start the show.
Timi introduced him, and I then stood up beside him (he’s 7 or 8 inches taller than I), and re-introduced him as my twin brother.
He started out with a “silent” routine, involving a couple of “first rowers”, that most had trouble following, and then continued with some striking “illusions”, that “flabbergasted” us - saying, “How did he DO that?”
Heere's me, trying to get the "ringss" together. He could, but I couldn't.
He used several audience members as “props”, and performed several “tricky” tricks - more than one involving revealing cards silently picked out, and one time, turning a twenty dollar bill into a “folded-up” insert in an unopened (until later) kiwi fruit, with the donor’s initials still written on it.
“How did he DO that?”
Here's Timi, mouth agape while watching "her card" slowly rise out of the deck.
The audience was enthralled, as was I. Someone said later, “I’ll bet you taught him everything he knows.”
WRONG!
I knew nothing of what he did, though I had seen him do some card tricks several years ago.
He used to be rather shy - but far from that now. He carried himself well - as do other magician friends of his that I’ve seen.
One of the elderly (aren’t we all?) ladies in the second row, who participated in one of the card tricks, said to me the next morning at breakfast,
“I’ve never seen a magician as good as he is!”
He was good - and it was a joy to watch him work.
Afterward, knowing how he likes to eat, I said to him,
“How about dinner? Got a favorite place?”
I knew better than to ask that, because I KNEW - from past experiences with him here.
“How about ‘Golden Corral’?”
Right! The buffet place.
After eating (wonder of wonders, he ate a couple full plates more than I did), I asked him what he’d like to do.
So, knowing he likes movies, I suggested we might find one he’d like.
We went to the Chakeres Theatre on East Main Street, and saw the animated version of “Dickens Christmas Carol”. I had not seen such realistic animation before, and I was astonished at the realism of some of the scenes.
Enjoyable.
He hadn’t seen Jodi for several years (his cousin), so he asked about her. She had told me she wanted to be at his magic show, but she had to work.
I “texted” her, then called her, but no answer.
I knew she went to her dad’s sometimes, and, forgetting about Monday Night Football (THEY are die hard Steelers fans), I saw Jodi’s car there, and knocked on his door. He lives upstairs, so he didn’t hear my knock. She told me next day that they were watching the Steelers. Too enthralled to even hear her phone. I DO know she keeps it in her handbag, because I’ve seen her miss some calls in the car with me.
So, we headed for my apartment, and on the way, stopped at Speedway to fill up Jim’s car. Least I could do for his coming all the way down here for the show. I tried to give him some money, but he said he was going to work for his dad in electrical work the next day, and would be paid that night.
He fiiled up, and we went to my back parking lot.
When I was just ready to get out of the car, I looked at his gas gauge, and it registered half-full. I said,
“Hey! You didn’t fill up!”
“Yes I did”, he said.
While we watched, his gas gauge gradually dropped down to Empty.
What’s going on?
He started the car again, and the gas gauge went only half way up.
Turned it off, then looked under the car for spillage that he hadn’t noticed, since he did have that problem one time when the hose from the filling tube to the tank came off.
No gasoline on the ground.
What to do?
He decided he’d go ahead and drive to his dad’s, and see what happened.
He later called and said the gauge was working properly, and that he expects the tank full to take him home.
The next day, he worked for his dad, then headed for home. I talked to him in mid-afternoon, and he said it looks like he’d be able to get home.
He sent me a text at near midnight, saying, “Got home safely!”
Whew!
What a “two day” experience!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Bingo Back
What do you know about Bingo?
Probably a lot more than I do, I’ll bet.
“So, Mike, why do you think you can write a story about it, then?”
I don’t write “stories”.
I know nothing about how to write fiction.
I can only relate what I’ve felt. What I’ve experienced. What I’ve learned.
I learned a little about Bingo tonight.
It’s a game.
The way these people play it, it’s just “minor league” gambling.
But, let me tell you what one of the residents here at The Grand Court told me a couple weeks ago, when it looked like Bingo on Monday and Friday nights here would be over.
He said,
“Mike. I look forward to each Monday and Friday night. It’s the only entertainment I have. I told my daughter that with no Bingo, I’d be bored.”
But, the “Bingo Caller”, an elderly guy (like me), who has been “calling” these Bingo games for several months - maybe years, as far as I know - told us a couple of months ago, that the stress of this operation was hard on his breathing. (He carries an oxygen tank, with the “tubes” in his nose, everywhere he goes. Even to meals.)
He gave notice at just about the time I was elected as President of the Resident Council here.
Right after our organizational meeting of the new Council, I was told by a management representative that the Facility could no longer operate the Bingo games, and that if they were to continue, the Resident Council would have to run it. It has to do with money. Not necessarily the “gambling” part of it, I don’t think. But just that they didn’t want to handle the Residents’ money, in any way.
Reminder:
The Resident Council exists in order to represent the Residents to Management. We’re their representatives, really. We speak for them. We try to arrange things for them.
But what about Bingo? I’m some expert on the game, right?
WRONG!
I don’t remember EVER playing a game of Bingo. It has NEVER interested me. I didn’t even know the rules. For example, how does one “buy” a Bingo card, then maybe win some money on it?
How does that work?
The time kept getting closer to the day he would “retire” from “calling” Bingo, but no replacement came to mind.
On the next to the last night Paul was to call, I showed up, and after the game, I asked to speak to those attending. There were maybe 7 or 8 there.
I announced that Paul had asked to be relieved of this job, and that the Bingo games had fallen into the hands of the Resident Council, and that so far, we could find no solution. The following Friday was to be the last.
Suggestions were made for a solution, and most had to do with asking several different people to alternate the “calling” job.
On the last day, during the afternoon, two or three said they would come to the game on Friday, to discuss their taking over the job.
The night came, and none of them showed up. Even one or two of them who PLAY Bingo didn’t come that night.
The reticence seemed to come from not only the “calling”, but handling the money, and taking care of the equipment.
Since, as I related earlier, I knew nothing about the game, I decided I’d better learn a little.
I logged on to a Bingo site on the Internet, and after discussing with Paul the procedures he had followed, I listed these rules about the game, along with a suggested “requirements” for a caller:
BINGO RULES
Bingo is played in halls. Bingo rules and payouts and play variations vary from place to place. Bingo brochures detailing particular games, rules and payouts are usually available at each respective location.
Basically, players buy cards with numbers on them in a 5 x 5 grid corresponding to the five letters in the word B-I-N-G-O. Numbers such as B-2 or 0-68 are then drawn at random (out of a possible 75 in American Bingo, and 90 in British and Australian Bingo) until one player completes a 'Bingo' pattern, such as a line with five numbers in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row on one of their cards and wins the prize.
A bingo Card contains 24 numbered spaces and one free space (blank), with which you play BINGO. The numbers are assigned at random on each card and are arranged in five columns of five numbers each by five rows (5 x 5 = 25 in total including the blank square).
The numbers in the B column are between 1 and 15, in the I column between 16 and 30, in the N column (containing four numbers and the free space) between 31 and 45, in the G column between 46 and 60, and in the O column between 61 and 75.
Bingo Caller Requirements
1. Like Bingo.
2. Able to speak in loud voice.
3. Have readily available $15.00 in cash for potential pay out.
4. Available every Monday and Friday nights, at 7:30 PM.
5. Set up card simulator and rotary wheel each evening.
6. Charge 50 cents per card.
7. Pay out $1.00 for 5 consecutive Bingo numbers, as called.
8. For final game of evening, play “whole card coverage” for Jackpot.
(Amount left in deposits that evening.)
9. Put away simulator and rotary wheel after each session.
Paul seemed to think it would be easy. Just get 3 guys and 3 ladies to alternate “calling”, so they wouldn’t have to be there more than once very 3 weeks or so.
Right!
Just get the three guys and three gals.
Right!
I found only one guy and one gal who would even talk about it, and even then, rather “nebulously”, without commitment.
I certinly wasn't interested in doing it!
After being unsuccessful, as well as being encouraged to solve the problem, Paul told me that some folk from the next door “senior” facility, “Villa Park”, came to play once in a while, and maybe someone there could help.
I said, “OK. I’ll go over there on Thursday and ask around". Wednesday was Veterans Day, and we were pretty busy around here.
On Thursday morning, right after Paul’s breakfast, when I arrived early at the Dining Hall to help set up Exercising, Paul said to me:
“I’ll call on Friday.”
I went right over to him and said,
“”Wait a minute! Did you say Friday? Or Fridays, plural?”
“I’ll do Fridays, but not Mondays.”
“Starting tomorrow night?”
“Sure.”
We had our exercising class, and right away, I told the Council members that I could find right then, as well as a Management Representative, that Bingo was Back, starting tomorrow night.
I then sent a memo to our Executive Director, as well as the other Resident Council members, and the reply of the “Boss” was typical, when she returned my e-mail saying:
That is GREAT!
Since Paul had said that I should get some of the people from next door to come, I made up a “flyer” that announced the return, and took 5 of them over there.
Then, I asked Timi if it would be OK for me to post a similar flyer here, and she said, effectively, “Go for it! Put them on the doors. You’ll need eight of them”.
I said, “Could we have a banner welcoming Paul back on the job?”
“I’ll make one”, she said.
At the Friday lunch, as well as the two evening seatings, I arose and announced that Bingo would return “tonight”, and that all are welcome.
Just before the evening meal, Timi and I hung up the banner over the large TV screen in the Dining Room. When Paul came to supper, he didn’t seem to notice it, until one of the Wait Staff pointed it out to him.
Couldn’t tell his reaction.
At about 7:15, my BlackBerry alarm went off, reminding me to get ready to welcome Paul back to Bingo.
He was already in the Dining Room, having not left since supper - his regular habit on “Bingo Night”.
When I arrived, the Bingo paraphernalia was already out and ready to go. Paul had told me that Dale helps him set up and tear down, and some residents had begun to filter in.
Shortly, two ladies from Villa Park arrived, and they and Paul greeted each other, as did another lady from Villa Road. She and Paul knew each other as well.
I told Paul that I would welcome the guests, and make a public appreciation gesture to Paul for his return. We all applauded just before 7:30.
As is usual for me, I gave the “count down” until 7:30, greeted everybody, and led them in applause of thanks for Paul.
I took a picture of Paul at his “rotary Bingo wheel”; one of the welcome sign; and one of part of the crowd.
In all, 14 showed up to play, more than the 7 or 8 I had seen on the two previous occasions.
After they started to play, I went around to all the doors and took down the BINGO BACK signs, and the welcome sign for Paul. As I started to leave, Paul said, “Wait a minute, let’s get a picture of me and the sign so I can show them to my son. He’ll think I’m important.”
We certainly do!
I handed Paul the three pictures just before the games ended.
Probably a lot more than I do, I’ll bet.
“So, Mike, why do you think you can write a story about it, then?”
I don’t write “stories”.
I know nothing about how to write fiction.
I can only relate what I’ve felt. What I’ve experienced. What I’ve learned.
I learned a little about Bingo tonight.
It’s a game.
The way these people play it, it’s just “minor league” gambling.
But, let me tell you what one of the residents here at The Grand Court told me a couple weeks ago, when it looked like Bingo on Monday and Friday nights here would be over.
He said,
“Mike. I look forward to each Monday and Friday night. It’s the only entertainment I have. I told my daughter that with no Bingo, I’d be bored.”
But, the “Bingo Caller”, an elderly guy (like me), who has been “calling” these Bingo games for several months - maybe years, as far as I know - told us a couple of months ago, that the stress of this operation was hard on his breathing. (He carries an oxygen tank, with the “tubes” in his nose, everywhere he goes. Even to meals.)
He gave notice at just about the time I was elected as President of the Resident Council here.
Right after our organizational meeting of the new Council, I was told by a management representative that the Facility could no longer operate the Bingo games, and that if they were to continue, the Resident Council would have to run it. It has to do with money. Not necessarily the “gambling” part of it, I don’t think. But just that they didn’t want to handle the Residents’ money, in any way.
Reminder:
The Resident Council exists in order to represent the Residents to Management. We’re their representatives, really. We speak for them. We try to arrange things for them.
But what about Bingo? I’m some expert on the game, right?
WRONG!
I don’t remember EVER playing a game of Bingo. It has NEVER interested me. I didn’t even know the rules. For example, how does one “buy” a Bingo card, then maybe win some money on it?
How does that work?
The time kept getting closer to the day he would “retire” from “calling” Bingo, but no replacement came to mind.
On the next to the last night Paul was to call, I showed up, and after the game, I asked to speak to those attending. There were maybe 7 or 8 there.
I announced that Paul had asked to be relieved of this job, and that the Bingo games had fallen into the hands of the Resident Council, and that so far, we could find no solution. The following Friday was to be the last.
Suggestions were made for a solution, and most had to do with asking several different people to alternate the “calling” job.
On the last day, during the afternoon, two or three said they would come to the game on Friday, to discuss their taking over the job.
The night came, and none of them showed up. Even one or two of them who PLAY Bingo didn’t come that night.
The reticence seemed to come from not only the “calling”, but handling the money, and taking care of the equipment.
Since, as I related earlier, I knew nothing about the game, I decided I’d better learn a little.
I logged on to a Bingo site on the Internet, and after discussing with Paul the procedures he had followed, I listed these rules about the game, along with a suggested “requirements” for a caller:
BINGO RULES
Bingo is played in halls. Bingo rules and payouts and play variations vary from place to place. Bingo brochures detailing particular games, rules and payouts are usually available at each respective location.
Basically, players buy cards with numbers on them in a 5 x 5 grid corresponding to the five letters in the word B-I-N-G-O. Numbers such as B-2 or 0-68 are then drawn at random (out of a possible 75 in American Bingo, and 90 in British and Australian Bingo) until one player completes a 'Bingo' pattern, such as a line with five numbers in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row on one of their cards and wins the prize.
A bingo Card contains 24 numbered spaces and one free space (blank), with which you play BINGO. The numbers are assigned at random on each card and are arranged in five columns of five numbers each by five rows (5 x 5 = 25 in total including the blank square).
The numbers in the B column are between 1 and 15, in the I column between 16 and 30, in the N column (containing four numbers and the free space) between 31 and 45, in the G column between 46 and 60, and in the O column between 61 and 75.
Bingo Caller Requirements
1. Like Bingo.
2. Able to speak in loud voice.
3. Have readily available $15.00 in cash for potential pay out.
4. Available every Monday and Friday nights, at 7:30 PM.
5. Set up card simulator and rotary wheel each evening.
6. Charge 50 cents per card.
7. Pay out $1.00 for 5 consecutive Bingo numbers, as called.
8. For final game of evening, play “whole card coverage” for Jackpot.
(Amount left in deposits that evening.)
9. Put away simulator and rotary wheel after each session.
Paul seemed to think it would be easy. Just get 3 guys and 3 ladies to alternate “calling”, so they wouldn’t have to be there more than once very 3 weeks or so.
Right!
Just get the three guys and three gals.
Right!
I found only one guy and one gal who would even talk about it, and even then, rather “nebulously”, without commitment.
I certinly wasn't interested in doing it!
After being unsuccessful, as well as being encouraged to solve the problem, Paul told me that some folk from the next door “senior” facility, “Villa Park”, came to play once in a while, and maybe someone there could help.
I said, “OK. I’ll go over there on Thursday and ask around". Wednesday was Veterans Day, and we were pretty busy around here.
On Thursday morning, right after Paul’s breakfast, when I arrived early at the Dining Hall to help set up Exercising, Paul said to me:
“I’ll call on Friday.”
I went right over to him and said,
“”Wait a minute! Did you say Friday? Or Fridays, plural?”
“I’ll do Fridays, but not Mondays.”
“Starting tomorrow night?”
“Sure.”
We had our exercising class, and right away, I told the Council members that I could find right then, as well as a Management Representative, that Bingo was Back, starting tomorrow night.
I then sent a memo to our Executive Director, as well as the other Resident Council members, and the reply of the “Boss” was typical, when she returned my e-mail saying:
That is GREAT!
Since Paul had said that I should get some of the people from next door to come, I made up a “flyer” that announced the return, and took 5 of them over there.
Then, I asked Timi if it would be OK for me to post a similar flyer here, and she said, effectively, “Go for it! Put them on the doors. You’ll need eight of them”.
I said, “Could we have a banner welcoming Paul back on the job?”
“I’ll make one”, she said.
At the Friday lunch, as well as the two evening seatings, I arose and announced that Bingo would return “tonight”, and that all are welcome.
Just before the evening meal, Timi and I hung up the banner over the large TV screen in the Dining Room. When Paul came to supper, he didn’t seem to notice it, until one of the Wait Staff pointed it out to him.
Couldn’t tell his reaction.
At about 7:15, my BlackBerry alarm went off, reminding me to get ready to welcome Paul back to Bingo.
He was already in the Dining Room, having not left since supper - his regular habit on “Bingo Night”.
When I arrived, the Bingo paraphernalia was already out and ready to go. Paul had told me that Dale helps him set up and tear down, and some residents had begun to filter in.
Shortly, two ladies from Villa Park arrived, and they and Paul greeted each other, as did another lady from Villa Road. She and Paul knew each other as well.
I told Paul that I would welcome the guests, and make a public appreciation gesture to Paul for his return. We all applauded just before 7:30.
As is usual for me, I gave the “count down” until 7:30, greeted everybody, and led them in applause of thanks for Paul.
I took a picture of Paul at his “rotary Bingo wheel”; one of the welcome sign; and one of part of the crowd.
In all, 14 showed up to play, more than the 7 or 8 I had seen on the two previous occasions.
After they started to play, I went around to all the doors and took down the BINGO BACK signs, and the welcome sign for Paul. As I started to leave, Paul said, “Wait a minute, let’s get a picture of me and the sign so I can show them to my son. He’ll think I’m important.”
We certainly do!
I handed Paul the three pictures just before the games ended.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Springfield Children's Chorus
At the Grand Court, we had the privilege of hosting the 25 members of the Springfield Children’s Chorus, who sang for us.
The Children ranged in age from 3rd through 10th grades, both boys and girls.
As noted in the picture, the time of the “concert” was at 6:15PM, right at the end of our second-seating supper.
Timi, not being able to come back for this, asked me, as the Resident Council President, to preside and introduce them.
I agreed to do so, but neglected to realize that, though the children singing would be heard well by the residents, the comments by the Director could not be heard by all. I realized by 6PM that I would need the amplifier and microphone, and when I mentioned this to the Director, she said it was not necessary, since she had a loud voice.
Not so. Thus, my mistake.
We COULD hear the singers, though, and it was a delight to see and listen to.
I tried to get pictures of each one, so it took 4 shots to do it:
The Director of the group is Ms. Carolyn Kearns, and the pianist, Ms. Becky Chasnov, who happens to play the piano for some of the musical programs at my church.
There were several parents along too, who stayed in the background. I got to greet them as a group, at the end.
They left our place to go to a Nursing Home for their next concert. These kinds of outings are not only enjoyable to their audiences, but also, gives them experience in ministering to, and helping the elderly.
An interesting thing about this concert was that we were merely looking-in on a rehearsal, as it were. Especially interesting to me, as a former Choir Director. She would stop them, then re-do some part.
The music was quite complex for these ages, it seemed to me, but they handled it well!
This was merely one of the many activities and visiting groups that Timi arranges for us, here at The Grand Court.
We all love her very much!
The Children ranged in age from 3rd through 10th grades, both boys and girls.
As noted in the picture, the time of the “concert” was at 6:15PM, right at the end of our second-seating supper.
Timi, not being able to come back for this, asked me, as the Resident Council President, to preside and introduce them.
I agreed to do so, but neglected to realize that, though the children singing would be heard well by the residents, the comments by the Director could not be heard by all. I realized by 6PM that I would need the amplifier and microphone, and when I mentioned this to the Director, she said it was not necessary, since she had a loud voice.
Not so. Thus, my mistake.
We COULD hear the singers, though, and it was a delight to see and listen to.
I tried to get pictures of each one, so it took 4 shots to do it:
The Director of the group is Ms. Carolyn Kearns, and the pianist, Ms. Becky Chasnov, who happens to play the piano for some of the musical programs at my church.
There were several parents along too, who stayed in the background. I got to greet them as a group, at the end.
They left our place to go to a Nursing Home for their next concert. These kinds of outings are not only enjoyable to their audiences, but also, gives them experience in ministering to, and helping the elderly.
An interesting thing about this concert was that we were merely looking-in on a rehearsal, as it were. Especially interesting to me, as a former Choir Director. She would stop them, then re-do some part.
The music was quite complex for these ages, it seemed to me, but they handled it well!
This was merely one of the many activities and visiting groups that Timi arranges for us, here at The Grand Court.
We all love her very much!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Reserved Seats
The idea for this posting came to me while thinking about the “reserved” places we got on the River Boat ride on the Ohio River.
Not all “seats” at occasions are reserved.
Last summer, there were several hundred seats at the Summer Arts Festival that we participated in, but NONE was reserved.
Not reserved means that it is “first come, first served”.
We understand why seats for large meals should be reserved in advance. After all, how else would they know how many meals to prepare, if no reservations are taken.
Commercial restaurants, normally, do not have reserved seats. They recognize that many people who come there to eat, do so on a “spur of the moment” decision. They didn’t plan on going, but, at the time, it seemed like a good idea.
There are some “call ahead” restaurants that will hold a seat for you, IF you are there at the right time. Seems to be not much better than “first come, first served”, doesn’t it?
At some public occasions, both “reserved” and “open” seats are available. The “reserved” ones, of course, would be the better seats - down front - as it were.
But, you may still go on a last minute whim, taking your chances on getting a place to sit - especially if the occasion is a popular one, and well advertised.
Supposing, though, that the place you want to go to is VERY important to you, and you don’t want to miss it - at any cost. You know the consequences of missing it, so you make sure you reserve some seats.
On the other hand, you think, why not wait awhile and see how the “wind blows”. Maybe no reserved seats will be needed. Maybe you can just “slip in” at the last minute - without reservations - and enjoy what’s going on, as much as anyone else.
On the “third” hand, maybe reserved seats ARE needed, and you are taking a chance on missing out totally on what you wanted to do.
If you don’t make reservations, what then?
You’ve missed it.
No problem, if it’s not that important to you.
But, suppose it IS important to you.
Is it worth waiting around, possibly missing what you really want to do?
Think about heaven, for a minute.
Did you know that seats there are NOT “first come, first served”?
That they’re “purchased” in advance - or not at all?
You can’t “pay at the door”, after you’re dead.
Heaven and eternal life are for those who, seeing their need for a Saviour, acknowledge that to Him, and receive Christ as a Personal Saviour - without charge.
No payment. Just acquiescence to His right to “set the rules” for entry.
The Bible reports that, “As many as received Him, to them He gave eternal life.”
THAT is a FIRM reservation, with a guaranteed seat waiting for us.
Not all “seats” at occasions are reserved.
Last summer, there were several hundred seats at the Summer Arts Festival that we participated in, but NONE was reserved.
Not reserved means that it is “first come, first served”.
We understand why seats for large meals should be reserved in advance. After all, how else would they know how many meals to prepare, if no reservations are taken.
Commercial restaurants, normally, do not have reserved seats. They recognize that many people who come there to eat, do so on a “spur of the moment” decision. They didn’t plan on going, but, at the time, it seemed like a good idea.
There are some “call ahead” restaurants that will hold a seat for you, IF you are there at the right time. Seems to be not much better than “first come, first served”, doesn’t it?
At some public occasions, both “reserved” and “open” seats are available. The “reserved” ones, of course, would be the better seats - down front - as it were.
But, you may still go on a last minute whim, taking your chances on getting a place to sit - especially if the occasion is a popular one, and well advertised.
Supposing, though, that the place you want to go to is VERY important to you, and you don’t want to miss it - at any cost. You know the consequences of missing it, so you make sure you reserve some seats.
On the other hand, you think, why not wait awhile and see how the “wind blows”. Maybe no reserved seats will be needed. Maybe you can just “slip in” at the last minute - without reservations - and enjoy what’s going on, as much as anyone else.
On the “third” hand, maybe reserved seats ARE needed, and you are taking a chance on missing out totally on what you wanted to do.
If you don’t make reservations, what then?
You’ve missed it.
No problem, if it’s not that important to you.
But, suppose it IS important to you.
Is it worth waiting around, possibly missing what you really want to do?
Think about heaven, for a minute.
Did you know that seats there are NOT “first come, first served”?
That they’re “purchased” in advance - or not at all?
You can’t “pay at the door”, after you’re dead.
Heaven and eternal life are for those who, seeing their need for a Saviour, acknowledge that to Him, and receive Christ as a Personal Saviour - without charge.
No payment. Just acquiescence to His right to “set the rules” for entry.
The Bible reports that, “As many as received Him, to them He gave eternal life.”
THAT is a FIRM reservation, with a guaranteed seat waiting for us.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
River Boat Ride
Anticipation for this “outing” has been building for over a month.
This was a special outing, in that it cost us $30 including an outstanding Buffet Dinner.
This was so special, that the normal “sign-up” sheet was not used, but rather, personal contact and reservation with Timi was made. Anyone could go, but PAID reservations had to be made, so a place would be reserved on the boat.
You see, the problem with the “sign-up” sheet is that, up until the time of departure, you may “cross off” your name, and an alternate who signed up may take your place. I learned early that just because your name might not have made it on the list, it doesn’t mean you can’t go.
There’s a GOOD chance you can still make it.
I found that out last summer when I neglected to”sign up” for one of the “Arts in the Park” outings.
I don’t know why, but I just decided to “take up my coat and hat” and show up in the Front Lobby. My name was not only NOT on the “sign up” list, I hadn’t even added my name to the “alternates”.
Brash, right?
I had no intention of taking any one’s place. I just waited to see IF there might be a space available.
I moved to the background so the “signers-up” might go right to the bus and get on.
I thought the size of the crowd was rather small, but I just waited.
“Well, Mike, are you going or not?”, said our intrepid Activities Director.
“Uh……..I neglected to sign up.”
“Do you see the lobby crowded with people wanting to go?”
“Uh..no.”
“Well, GET ON!”
It turned out that there were STILL seats available.
I say, “That’s the problem with the sign-up sheet for bus ride reservations.”
For this ride to the Ohio River, however, it WAS no problem, since all had paid “up front”,
We ended up with 21 Residents, Staff and some family members - some, of course, riding in their own cars, since the bus only holds 12, plus the driver. (There ARE two additional “jump seats” in the back that WERE used this day.)
We left promptly at 9 AM, and headed for Cincinnati and the BB River Boats - well, Newport KY, actually. We made a “pit stop” at a Rest Stop on I 75, arriving at the boat right when they were “on-loading”.
It was a cold, rainy day when we left. But, we assumed there would be no problem on the covered boat. There wasn’t.
Though there was a long line ahead of us (several groups were going today), the line moved swiftly and on to our Reserved tables. Our tickets were “on hold” just inside the loading platform, so we all tried to go in together. We had some wheel chairs, walkers, and one electric cart. One table held 16, and another 5.
Background music was played throughout the meal, mostly by an accomplished banjo player - right next to our table.
Two waitresses served our table, providing our drink orders.
Shortly, we were guided toward the Buffet Table, which was loaded with “goodies” and several entrees, plus dessert.
Several pictures were taken. Some of which are displayed here.
On the way home, the traffic was “horrendous”.
After leaving the heaviest part of it, Timi said,
“Mike. Why don’t you sing some of the songs you had us sing on another of our bus outings.”
All I could think of was:
“Fee little fitties in an itty bitty poo” - ending with “boop boop dittum dottum wottum chu, boop boop dittum dottum wottum chu, boop boop dittum dottum wottum chu, and they fam and they fam right over the dam.”
Too intellectual?
When my mind wouldn’t come up with any other classical tunes, Timi said,
“My daddy owns a grocery store, and in this store he sells something that begins with (some letter). What is it?”
We went around and around with that for several minutes, with Timi trying to tell us it was on “Aisle 5 at the Derr Road Kroger Store.”
Of course, whoever guessed right had to make up another one.
You know, these bus outings shouldn’t be a total loss - you can learn some really good stuff there!
This was a special outing, in that it cost us $30 including an outstanding Buffet Dinner.
This was so special, that the normal “sign-up” sheet was not used, but rather, personal contact and reservation with Timi was made. Anyone could go, but PAID reservations had to be made, so a place would be reserved on the boat.
You see, the problem with the “sign-up” sheet is that, up until the time of departure, you may “cross off” your name, and an alternate who signed up may take your place. I learned early that just because your name might not have made it on the list, it doesn’t mean you can’t go.
There’s a GOOD chance you can still make it.
I found that out last summer when I neglected to”sign up” for one of the “Arts in the Park” outings.
I don’t know why, but I just decided to “take up my coat and hat” and show up in the Front Lobby. My name was not only NOT on the “sign up” list, I hadn’t even added my name to the “alternates”.
Brash, right?
I had no intention of taking any one’s place. I just waited to see IF there might be a space available.
I moved to the background so the “signers-up” might go right to the bus and get on.
I thought the size of the crowd was rather small, but I just waited.
“Well, Mike, are you going or not?”, said our intrepid Activities Director.
“Uh……..I neglected to sign up.”
“Do you see the lobby crowded with people wanting to go?”
“Uh..no.”
“Well, GET ON!”
It turned out that there were STILL seats available.
I say, “That’s the problem with the sign-up sheet for bus ride reservations.”
For this ride to the Ohio River, however, it WAS no problem, since all had paid “up front”,
We ended up with 21 Residents, Staff and some family members - some, of course, riding in their own cars, since the bus only holds 12, plus the driver. (There ARE two additional “jump seats” in the back that WERE used this day.)
We left promptly at 9 AM, and headed for Cincinnati and the BB River Boats - well, Newport KY, actually. We made a “pit stop” at a Rest Stop on I 75, arriving at the boat right when they were “on-loading”.
It was a cold, rainy day when we left. But, we assumed there would be no problem on the covered boat. There wasn’t.
Though there was a long line ahead of us (several groups were going today), the line moved swiftly and on to our Reserved tables. Our tickets were “on hold” just inside the loading platform, so we all tried to go in together. We had some wheel chairs, walkers, and one electric cart. One table held 16, and another 5.
Background music was played throughout the meal, mostly by an accomplished banjo player - right next to our table.
Two waitresses served our table, providing our drink orders.
Shortly, we were guided toward the Buffet Table, which was loaded with “goodies” and several entrees, plus dessert.
Several pictures were taken. Some of which are displayed here.
On the way home, the traffic was “horrendous”.
After leaving the heaviest part of it, Timi said,
“Mike. Why don’t you sing some of the songs you had us sing on another of our bus outings.”
All I could think of was:
“Fee little fitties in an itty bitty poo” - ending with “boop boop dittum dottum wottum chu, boop boop dittum dottum wottum chu, boop boop dittum dottum wottum chu, and they fam and they fam right over the dam.”
Too intellectual?
When my mind wouldn’t come up with any other classical tunes, Timi said,
“My daddy owns a grocery store, and in this store he sells something that begins with (some letter). What is it?”
We went around and around with that for several minutes, with Timi trying to tell us it was on “Aisle 5 at the Derr Road Kroger Store.”
Of course, whoever guessed right had to make up another one.
You know, these bus outings shouldn’t be a total loss - you can learn some really good stuff there!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Hallowe'en 2009
We had a Hallow’en Party here at the Grand Court.
It featured costumed residents/staff, as well as a Karaoke Operator with HUNDREDS of selections of Song Accompaniments and arrangements of well known singers. Many staff, and some residents sang.
I had seen pictures of last year’s party, when we weren’t here, and I tried to imagine me in a costume, and couldn’t come up with an idea. I wasn’t very interested, actually.
About a week before, I mentioned to someone that I didn’t have a costume, and Timi overheard, and told me she had one I could borrow.
Only, it was a Pope Costume - or maybe just a Bishop - or some other fomal clergy I’m not up on. I was a little hesitant to put on a “horror mask” with that outfit, but Timi said last year, she was considering wearing it, and asked several Catholics if they would be offended by it.
All said “No”.
So, “throwing all caution to the wind”, the night before, I went to K-Mart and bought a “Ghoul Face” mask. Still wasn’t certain, but I “bit the bullet”, and went for it.
On Hallowe’en, coming around the front of our building, I saw three outside Hallowe’en displays that I thought were outstanding.
On the inside was this "pumpkin", made to look like a "kitty".
No sense keeping up the suspense, so here I am (I THINK it is I), just inside the front door of The Grand Court. (Supposedly to “throw off” any suspicion that this could be me - or any other resident, I guess.)
Funny, but I got the feeling that no one, at first, could figure out who I was. Oh, Timi sidled up to me and whispered that she wondered where I was and went down to my apartment, which was vacant. Her borrowed costume gave me away to her.
I got the strangest stares! Nobody wanted to venture a comment. Too scary, I guess.
You know, I’ve learned that human nature is such that you can do something, or act a certain way “incognito” that you wouldn’t think of doing, if it were instantly known it were you.
I strutted around, while various ones were doing their Karaoke thing, giving a “thumbs down” to all the performers, and acting real “smart-alecky”, I think.
Some stared at me, as if they were trying to figure out who I was - half grinning, but not venturing to touch.
Walking around, I found one “old gentelman” in an “old gentleman’s” mask, that I found fascinating. Hard to tell who it was, until I saw that he was sitting at the table of the lady he “pals around with” all the time, who had on an outfit, but with no mask. Then his walk rather gave him away, too.
How about this for authentic old?
He’s with me, but he’s the one with the white hair.
There were others, such as a dining Room Waitress dressed up in green, with a resident beside her.
Here’s a waitress and a resident "Witch".
I THINK these pictures of the hay ride were taken on an earlier date, but they fit right in with this subject:
Old man and the Witch, again.
Near the end of the celebration, Timi lined up all the “costumed” residents, and asked the other residents and staff to vote on the “best” costume. She went through the line maybe three times, then centered on the old man, and me.
Old man, by a lot!
One “perennial” (loosely interpreted) feature of these Karaoke sessions is the duet between Pam, our Dining Services Director, and Timi, our Activities Director, singing “West Virginia”, that they said they first sang several years ago when just the two of them, and their kids, drove into West Virginia, and got the “call” , to sing that song.
Sorry that I have nither the picture of the two of them singing, nor a recording. Sad.
However, I just HAPPEN to have one of them, separately - not singing. Timi, then Pam.
Me singing Anne Murray's song, "You Needed Me.", with the Karaoke.
"A good time was had by all!”
It featured costumed residents/staff, as well as a Karaoke Operator with HUNDREDS of selections of Song Accompaniments and arrangements of well known singers. Many staff, and some residents sang.
I had seen pictures of last year’s party, when we weren’t here, and I tried to imagine me in a costume, and couldn’t come up with an idea. I wasn’t very interested, actually.
About a week before, I mentioned to someone that I didn’t have a costume, and Timi overheard, and told me she had one I could borrow.
Only, it was a Pope Costume - or maybe just a Bishop - or some other fomal clergy I’m not up on. I was a little hesitant to put on a “horror mask” with that outfit, but Timi said last year, she was considering wearing it, and asked several Catholics if they would be offended by it.
All said “No”.
So, “throwing all caution to the wind”, the night before, I went to K-Mart and bought a “Ghoul Face” mask. Still wasn’t certain, but I “bit the bullet”, and went for it.
On Hallowe’en, coming around the front of our building, I saw three outside Hallowe’en displays that I thought were outstanding.
On the inside was this "pumpkin", made to look like a "kitty".
No sense keeping up the suspense, so here I am (I THINK it is I), just inside the front door of The Grand Court. (Supposedly to “throw off” any suspicion that this could be me - or any other resident, I guess.)
Funny, but I got the feeling that no one, at first, could figure out who I was. Oh, Timi sidled up to me and whispered that she wondered where I was and went down to my apartment, which was vacant. Her borrowed costume gave me away to her.
I got the strangest stares! Nobody wanted to venture a comment. Too scary, I guess.
You know, I’ve learned that human nature is such that you can do something, or act a certain way “incognito” that you wouldn’t think of doing, if it were instantly known it were you.
I strutted around, while various ones were doing their Karaoke thing, giving a “thumbs down” to all the performers, and acting real “smart-alecky”, I think.
Some stared at me, as if they were trying to figure out who I was - half grinning, but not venturing to touch.
Walking around, I found one “old gentelman” in an “old gentleman’s” mask, that I found fascinating. Hard to tell who it was, until I saw that he was sitting at the table of the lady he “pals around with” all the time, who had on an outfit, but with no mask. Then his walk rather gave him away, too.
How about this for authentic old?
He’s with me, but he’s the one with the white hair.
There were others, such as a dining Room Waitress dressed up in green, with a resident beside her.
Here’s a waitress and a resident "Witch".
I THINK these pictures of the hay ride were taken on an earlier date, but they fit right in with this subject:
Old man and the Witch, again.
Near the end of the celebration, Timi lined up all the “costumed” residents, and asked the other residents and staff to vote on the “best” costume. She went through the line maybe three times, then centered on the old man, and me.
Old man, by a lot!
One “perennial” (loosely interpreted) feature of these Karaoke sessions is the duet between Pam, our Dining Services Director, and Timi, our Activities Director, singing “West Virginia”, that they said they first sang several years ago when just the two of them, and their kids, drove into West Virginia, and got the “call” , to sing that song.
Sorry that I have nither the picture of the two of them singing, nor a recording. Sad.
However, I just HAPPEN to have one of them, separately - not singing. Timi, then Pam.
Me singing Anne Murray's song, "You Needed Me.", with the Karaoke.
"A good time was had by all!”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
