An egg-in-a-bag breakfast started off the day on March 4. It was thoroughly delicious and run very efficiently. Nearly 100 people were served.
Before breakfast began and tables were called up to create omelets, Galen Parker delivered grace. He did a very nice job, while the crowd of people observed a moment of silence.
(Courtesy of Marty Rubenstein)
Tables were then called, and guests prepared their own omelets, choosing from ingredients that included bacon, ham, cheese, onions, mushrooms, green peppers and Jalapeno peppers. Also available were sausage gravy, biscuits, hash brown potatoes, and coffee and orange juice.
The volunteers who helped included Jim and Judi Leitzke, and their granddaughter, Heather; plus, Doris Sutfin, Sue and Galen Parker, Carol and Clayton George, Ed Goldstein and Lynne-Rae Dyson.
Later that evening, about 84 people gathered at the community center to enjoy a show by Rich Wilson. He performed a variety of talents and kept people laughing in their seats.
Gary Wilcox introduced the entertainer, who was dressed in a snazzy blue jacket over a black vest, slacks and black shirt. This was a class act, and we were in for a delightful experience.
He sang several hit tunes intermingled with a variety of jokes.
He started the show by singing “For Once in my Life,” and sang it with much emotion and feeling.
He continued the show with several more songs, including some country tunes, such as Johnny Cash‘s “Folsom Prison Blues” and an excellent job of “Dixie” by Ronnie McDowell.
There was also audience participation during a medley, which included “Blueberry Hill” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You.”
Rich continued with some Elvis songs such as “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” with all the shaking and various movements.
He proceeded with several more jokes and recognizing several people in the audience, and then sang a Dean Martin song entitled “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head.”
After that, he went to some old songs, such as, “SH Boom SH Boom” and “Little Bitty Pretty One” to clapping and audience participation. The audience sang all the ‘mmms’ and ‘ahs’ at the appropriate time.
He sang a lovely version of a Buddy Holly song called “True Love Ways.” This was sung with such enthusiasm and emotion. It was truly lovely.
The entire evening kept us at the edge of our seats, and he sang his heart out on a Neil Diamond song entitled “Sweet Caroline,” along with all the antics that you would expect.
There were several more songs, including Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” Charlie Pride’s hit, “Kiss an Angel Good Morning,” and several more.
The audience sang along with Rich on a Neil Sedaka tune called “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” and Conway Twitty’s “It’s Only Make Believe.”
He performed several other songs, but the one that stood out was a Louis Armstrong song entitled “What a Wonderful World.” He did a masterful job of it.
A tribute to the vets was given, and they were recognized in the audience as well.
He also mentioned that we should not only give our thanks to them, but their spouses as well.
The final song, “God Bless America,” was followed by a standing ovation.
Ed and Gary presented several door prizes, including a basket that was created by Barb Livingston and won by Bobbie Forschner. Other prizes were won by Bob Weinle and Chuck Carlson.
In addition to Gary Wilcox and Ed Goldstein, who presented the show, there was additional help that included Carol Wilcox, Donna Quinn and Eileen Goldstein.
By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons
Published March 15, 2017
