Quill of the Hill

The year 2002 has a nice symmetry to it, doesn’t it. I hope it lives up to it.

St. Simeon’s seems to look more beautiful every Christmas. Most of the credit goes to the Life Enrichment, Maintenance, and Housekeeping Departments. They have done an outstanding job. Residents and their families also add to our joy of the holiday with their door and room decorations. Two fun additions this year (and there are probably others) were the lights on the Gazebo complete with the angel on top. As evening approaches it is so beautiful. Many thanks to Louise Keplinger’s family for provided them. Have you seen the charming Gingerbread house in the Ice Cream Parlor? Betty and John Lawson’s daughter came and assembled that with Betty and left it out for all of us to enjoy – no nibbling...

The St. Simeon’s Garden Club had a good group for an outing in December. Ruth Baber, Juanita Davis, Adelle Graves, Hope Hall, Lydia Lacallade, Margaret McConnell, Pat Nelson, Ruth Staudt and Pat Washington went to Binding Stevens Nursery and also visited Cohlmia’s next door. Several folks brought home a plant or two. Two things elicited a few comments -- the Singing Christmas Tree and the Drag Queen Doll. Is this country great or what.

Several residents received potted Amaryllis for Christmas. Those are the large bulbs that send up strong dark green stalks and later beautiful large blooms of various colors. They are a popular gift. They can get pretty big but I had no idea how big. I read this year that the record for the tallest Amaryllis was one grown by Rev. and Mrs. Miles of Kent England which reached a height of 4 feet 4 inches.

Have you noticed the new addition in the Garden Gift Shop? Gene and Ruth Anderson donated a delightful butterfly clock – that is butterflies where the numbers would be. Quite educational. Life Enrichment Director, Chris Smith has a bird clock in her office which emits actual bird sounds on the hour. I guess if you’re real quiet maybe there are flutter sounds with this butterfly one.

And there is also a new plant in the Garden Gift Shop. All summer Elma Paul had an unusually beautiful New Guinea Impatience hanging basket outside her window. It was just too nice to let nature take its course so we brought it inside. If it doesn’t get watered really, really often then, as impatience are prone to do, it totally collapses and appears to be dead to the world. Ruth Anderson has named it Talulah for Talulah Bankhead because it seems to so dramatically swoon.

Helpful Hint

If you would like to keep birdseed in your apartment, please remember to store it in a plastic, air-tight container. Birdseed stored in open, partially open or paper bags may attract other types of critters less desirable in your home.

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Ruth Boone and Linda Paul Concert A Wonderful Treat!!

A big thank you to resident Ruth Boone and family member Linda Paul (daughter-in-law of resident Elma Paul) for sharing their talents on Friday, December 14th. Ruth and Linda performed “A Concert of Piano and Organ Duets” featuring several Christmas favorites. Ruth played the organ whole Linda played the piano. The residents, many friends and visitors truly enjoyed the concert and reception.