Singin' in the Rain
As the Jacob’s Village bunch of Wanda, Donna Kay, Debbie, Mike, Michael, Scott, Home Coordinators Angel and Barry continue their journey through the months of 2007, an expectation of excitement, entertainment and sometimes adventure comes from Ann Coy time. The activity for the month of March was no different and was appropriate for this time of year. Diane Anderson, a good friend of Ann’s and also a ‘Friend of Jacob’s Village’ (FOJV), donated tickets to the residents for North High School’s Spring Musical ‘Singin’ in the Rain’. Diane’s son Joe was a dancer and an extra in this performance. Diane was also responsible for a few of the entertainers for Ann’s ‘Summer Variety Show’ under the Jacob’s Village carport August 29, 2006. Her son Joe and older son Pete, U.E. student and musician who has blessed Jacob’s Village on more than one occasion, his friend Shawna, Ann’s granddaughters Amy & Lindsey put on an outstanding ‘Summer Variety Show’. The residents enjoy the times when Diane Anderson contributes her offerings. The musical was showing March 15-18 and the tickets were for the Sunday Matinee finale. Evansville North High School’s Drama Department presented ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ in their 1,100 seat auditorium. Regarded by many as the best musical of all time, this musical adaptation was taken from the 1952 movie that starred Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Conner. The storyline to ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ is set in 1929 as a silent film producing company and cast were making a difficult transition into the new talking genre. The wild popularity of the ‘The Jazz Singer’, starring Al Jolson, MGM’s first all talking musical film in 1929 was the talk of the town. It had all the major studios scrambling to change silent movies to ‘talkies’ while a legendary silent screen couple were just finishing up with their latest film ‘The Duelling Cavalier’. The sexy, leading lady had a shrill and irritating voice that audiences never heard and it left the previewing audience of their new film in stitches roaring with laughter. The only way they thought could save the film from being a disaster was to change the name into a musically titled show such as ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and secretly dub in the singing and use a voice over for the star’s lines. The devious plan would have been successful if not for a demanded live performance at the premiere. There was a curtain malfunction revealing the star was lip-synching the words while the actual singer was behind the curtain. All the characters in this hilarious, mad-cap romp worked it all out with the leading man running off with the new found star. The entire cast returned on stage for an encore of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’. Compliments to the North High School’s Drama Department for an excellent reproduction in the performance, and the stage crew for providing real water for the rain…the rain in the play stayed mainly on the stage. Good seats and a good time were had by all and Jacob’s Village sends a big heart thank you to Ann Coy and Diane Anderson for arranging for them to see one of the best musicals of all time.
St. Paul's U.C.C., German Township
Rev. Dan Sather of the St. Paul’s U.C.C. in German Township made a return visit to Jacob’s Village Sunday evening, March 11, 2007 at 6:00pm. Prior arrangements had been made to have an evening prayer service following a few games of Bingo. Soon after the evening meal in the men’s home was cleaned up, Jacob’s Village residents Donna Kay, Mike, Michael, Scott and Home Coordinator Joe greeted the special guests from St. Paul’s. Accompanying Rev. Sather on this pastoral visit were members from his congregation: Jenny Byers, George Garst, and Ray and Brenda Brown. Introductions were made to a roll-call of a favorite activity and a variety of activities were named off that included: playing Bingo, reading, doing word find puzzles, being a sports fan, attending car shows, stamping cards, dancing, flower gardening, and an avid NASCAR fan. The Bingo cards with chips to cover the numbers were passed out; the roller cage was filled with numbers and the games began. The guests from St. Paul’s were bearing gifts for all Bingo yellin’ winners. There were a couple of girl oriented bath products, but most received a specially wrapped box of Little Debbie Easter Snack Cakes. How could they have known what the guys really wanted…? After the table was cleared from playing Bingo, Rev. Sather began a little evening prayer service that had the theme of Love & Friendship. Everyone sang together a couple of favorite songs, “This is the Day” and “Jesus Loves Me”. He continued on with scripture reading from the Book of Colossians, Chapter 3: verses 12-14. In this reading, Paul outlines Compassion, Kindness, Patience, and Forgiveness of what he expected in a friendship. And ends with, “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony”. Rev. Sather started a discussion about friends. What’s everyone looking for in a friend and how can one be a friend? Because it’s all about love…show your love…and be a friend. Some new friends were made on this night between St. Paul’s and Jacob’s Village and Little Debbie cakes never hurt to break the first ice. Another activity or a night of Bingo should be in the works. The surprises didn’t stop there, a small sack of Easter candy and chocolates were given to each resident. Boy, they sure do know how to make a good first impression. A closing prayer was led by Rev. Sather with one and all joining in. Jacob’s Village sends a big heart thank you to the special guests from St. Paul’s U.C.C. German Township.
'Mamma Mia'
Towards the end of each school year when Spring-Fever is in the air, local schools and national touring theatre companies present musical productions to showcase their talents. It’s that time of year again and Ann Coy, resuming her mission to provide culture for the Jacob’s Village residents, is arranging a musical slice of life. Ann’s once a month activity for the residents in February had them on an outing that found them at The Centre in Downtown Evansville Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2:00pm. Old National Bank of Evansville sponsored ‘Mamma Mia!!!’ A Broadway Smash Hit Musical based on the ten year career-catalog of songs from ABBA, a 70’s Pop-Rock-Disco band from Sweden. All the residents were fans of ABBA when their dance music first crossed the Atlantic Ocean and hit the radio airwaves during the Summer of ’74. Through the weeks with their own CD collection, the residents were getting reacquainted with the ABBA tunes. The Jacob’s Village bunch of Debbie, Michael, Scott, and home coordinator Joe arrived in downtown EVV as a steady light rain was coming down. Joe pulled the van up to the front door of The Centre, every one got out, rushed in while he found a place to park. The Jacob’s Village bunch met Ann, Wanda, Mike, who were previously picked up by Ann, and Patty, a friend of hers from the Rehab Center, in the lobby about 1:45pm. The lobby was full of people scurrying around, venders selling ABBA souvenirs, CD’s, DVD’s, 70’s paraphernalia, and $10:00 program’s…had to have a program. Hoping not to leave anyone behind, everyone stayed close and in single file order while weaving through the crowd in the lobby and down the corridor. The auditorium was filling up quickly when the Jacob’s Village bunch was shown to their VIP seats in the middle of the room right below the balcony. Good seats they were, not too close, not too far away, plenty of elbow room, they were just right. This production of ‘Mamma Mia’ had an amusing script for a story; a large cast of good actors, dancers, singers, and outstanding music from a little nine-piece band being directed down in the orchestra pit. It sounded like more, but this live band consisted of four keyboards, three guitars, two lead with one bass, and a set of drums and percussion. Reading the reviews prior to show time, it was noted that the audience was always out of their seats dancing in the aisles for the two encore finales of ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Dancing Queen’. No stretch of the imagination here, ‘Mamma Mia’ lived up to its billing of a feel-good, have a nice day type of show. Every one of the approximately 1,100 people in attendance for this two-hour show was in a good mood and left with a smile on their face. A rockin’ good time was had by all and anticipating future musicals to attend. Jacob’s Village sends out a big heart thank you to Ann for arranging for them to see such good musicals.
Pastor & Mrs.Sloan's Farewell Dinner Party
Sunday, Feb 11, 2007, at 5:30pm, Westwood General Baptist Church celebrated Pastor John and Gladys Sloan’s 30 years of devotion to Westwood. He is retiring from the pulpit after leading Westwood General Baptist Church since 1977 for thirty years. Pastor and Mrs. Sloan are moving to Poplar Bluff, MO. where Pastor John will become a Minister to and oversee other Baptist Ministers working out of the General Baptist Headquarters. The Jacob’s Village bunch of Mike, Michael, Scott, and home coordinator Joe arrived at Westwood shortly after 5:00pm. They were to meet Debbie and her mother Mary there for the celebration. The Schnitzelbank German Restaurant of Jasper, IN, catered the meal of smoked pork-chops, fried chicken, roast beef & gravy, mashed potato’s, green beans, corn, roll, white and chocolate cake, tea and lemonade. Held in the Fellowship Hall, there were approximately 260 friends and family in attendance to bid farewell to Pastor John and Gladys. Bob Hammonds was the speaker for this evening’s event and he kicked it off with an invocation prayer blessing the food and evening. After the tasty and satisfying meal, Pastor John and Gladys was called up to the stage where a big poster of all the Peanuts’ characters, John’s favorite, was hanging on the wall that stated ‘Farewell to John & Gladys’. Bob was also the emcee for a ‘This is your Life’ type of Roast held in honor of John & Gladys. Next to the stage, he was standing at a podium that was decorated up like Lucy’s .05 cent psychiatric help booth. Bob had done his homework and conveyed many humorous tidbits of personal info about the honored couple and on the many special guests that had anecdotes themselves to tell on the VIP’s. John and his family moved to Evansville when he was in High School and began attending the General Baptist Church when it was located on 12th Ave. Gladys was already a member of the Baptist Church when the two met and she favored John’s blue eyes, charismatic demeanor and his humor. Gladys began showing the new kid on the block the way around the Church, to clubs and events. John liked what she presented him with at the Church causing him to choose serving the Lord as a life-long ambition. He wanted to spread the good news of the word so he enrolled and graduated from Oakland City College. Gladys also attended and graduated from Oakland City College with a PW, Pastor’s Wife Degree. Pastor John Sloan began his career leading the First General Baptist Church in Dixon, KY, and he led another First General Baptist Church in Owensville, IN, for his second stint. For the party, many friends wanted to share a few happenings of their times while Pastor John and Gladys served The General Baptist Church. Among them were Mary Lou Howard, Brian Cook, Billy Grub, and Lloyd Yeager. Lloyd, being the oldest of the elders and longest serving member in the General Baptist congregation, was invited up to say a few words on Pastor John’s behalf. Lloyd misunderstood it as two words and all he said was ‘Thank You’. Bob corrected his error and Lloyd continued on with an anecdote. As the stories of past occurrences were told, many laughs were had. Each story was a surprise and not everyone knew what was up next, there are a few that are worthy of retelling. All are in good fun and right down the honored couple’s alley. Pastor John used to ride a motorcycle while totin’ Gladys. A shirt he would sometimes wear had a statement on the back, ‘If you can read this shirt, I better find out what happened to Gladys’. On a clear night in Missouri, while on one of their first overnight stays at their new home overlooking a valley and a lake, admiring the view, Gladys asked Pastor John, “Which is closer, the Moon or Florida?” “Well duh!!!” exclaimed John, “You can’t see Florida from here.” A gentleman passed the Sloan’s sitting in a local McDonald’s one day. They were sitting across from each other with only one sandwich, one bag of fries, and one drink on one tray. Pastor John was the one eating while Gladys was staring at him. Knowing the Sloan’s were a thrifty, conservative couple he asked if everything was alright and offered to buy an extra meal for them. They declined and said no thanks, but Gladys seemed some what more fidgety than usual and he watched’em for a little while longer. Pastor John continued eating while allowing Gladys a drink from time to time. What a poor sight to see he thought; Gladys getting the short end of the stick. It went on and on…so he stepped up again an asked’em,” Is there something wrong, anything I can do to help?” Gladys spoke up this time in disgust and said, “Oh… John’s just taking a little longer to eat this meal an…I’m waiting til he’s done with the teeth.” Pastor John and Gladys had a pair of black Labrador Retrievers when they first got married. Pastor John had a hard time keeping appointments an was always a bit behind schedule. Being the dogs were constantly at John’s side, Gladys thought it was a good idea to name the pair Rolex and Timex, they were his watch dogs. Time to move on…this is the kind of farewell that was given to Pastor & Mrs. Sloan and they will be greatly missed. They have been involved with many community affairs and activities. There has been a renaissance at The Westwood General Baptist Church under his leadership. The Church is strong; let’s turn the page and welcome a new leader with open arms. Everybody wishes Pastor & Mrs. Sloan good health, good times, and Love, Peace, and Joy. We hope they find their fortune in their future endeavors in their new calling. The evening came to a wonderful close and Kenny Mears agreed to lead everyone in a Benediction closing prayer.
