Residents@JV

Zoar's UCC picnic

Members of the Zoar’s United Church of Christ’s congregation had made arrangements to have a Jacob’s Village Day, Sunday, June 24, 2007. The day’s agenda included having the Jacob’s Village residents attend the Church’s season ending Softball games and a picnic out at Jacob’s Village for the residents. On the grounds of Zoar’s U.C.C. at 4600 Church Rd. right off Harmony Way on the Westside of Evansville, they have a regulation size softball field with bleachers. The Spring of 2007, Zoar’s U.C.C. began a Church co-ed Softball League. The newly formed co-ed league was established for both men and women to play on the same teams, although the men are required to bat opposite their good hand to level the playing field with the women when it comes time to bat. Many of the tri-state area’s local Church’s participated in this inaugural first year as all the games were played at Zoar’s UCC field on Sunday afternoons. They had a good response and everyone is eager to pick up where they left off for next year’s scheduled games that begin in April. The Jacob’s Village residents: Wanda, Donna Kay, Debbie, Mike, Michael, Scott and Home Coordinators Janice and Barry also look forward to, and enjoy outdoor events. Although on this Sunday in June, similar to a few days leading up to it, the weather conditions were favorable for a thundershower at any time. And, after being dry, without rain for some time, there had been much rain in this short period causing the softball field to be wet, muddy, and the grassy areas to be slick. The final softball Sunday had to be canceled due to poor field conditions. It was disappointing to hear Shirley Johan relay the bad news to the residents when she stopped by to inform the residents, but the remainder of day went on as planned. Sunday evening, June 24, 2007, about 3:30pm, 16 members from Zoar’s UCC congregation led by Rev. John & Cindy Motz, started arriving for a picnic at Jacob’s Village. The Zoar’s UCC members providing the picnic included: Elmer and Ellen Berberich, Ray and daughter Andrea Pritchart, Don & Shirley Johann, Don & Dorothy Sander, Ray & Jean Schroeder, Frank & Pat Stewart, Margaret Clem, and Pat Seipert. The automobiles parked in under the Jacob’s Village carport, in between the men’s and women’s homes, had been moved out and the pavement swept in preparation of tables and chairs to be set up for the pitch-in picnic. The VIP guests from Zoar’s UCC began unloading their dishes of goodies, an assortment of drinks and organizing them on the tables. After the precious cargo of goods were put in place, everyone on the premises gathered in the women’s home for a little music and prayer. A full house it was but a seat was found for everyone. Elmer Berberich pulled his harmonica out of its case and started the music portion of their time by playing a few popular harmonica pieces. Also, there is an electric piano on a stand that is kept in the women’s home for occasions such as this. So, Ray Pritchart found his spot behind the piano and he accompanied his daughter Andrea, who played the violin very well everyone agreed, and Elmer on harmonica, play a few appropriate selections for the day. One tune that stood out from the rest was a John Denver composition of ‘Annie’s Song’. Ellen Berberich took over as the piano player, keyed out some gospel tunes and ‘Edelweiss’ from the popular Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Academy Award winning ‘Best Picture’ show of 1965 ‘The Sound of Music’. Hearing that good rendition of ‘Edelweiss’, Scott had something he wanted to show off to the guests. Just by coincidence, Scott’s daughter Britini had just recently returned from a two-week German-Austrian trip with the North Posey German Club. Britini had picked up an authentic German hat with several pins on it from the places the group visited for her Dad. One in particular was a pin of the Edelweis flower from the site where ’The Sound of Music’ was filmed in Salzburg, Austria. A conversation item it is with the German heritage that is so prevalent in Southern Indiana and especially on the Westside of Evansville. Being so close to the 4th of July, Ellen had an American Flag to pass out to each Jacob’s Village resident, a collection of patriotic songs were played and sung along to. Since the softball game was cancelled, a suggestion was made and everyone joined in to sing ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ a couple of times. The VIP guests from Zoar’s UCC provided outstanding entertainment with a variety of talents, the residents of Jacob’s Village really appreciated their time, but the feast had not yet begun. Camaraderie spirit was in the room and it was taken out to the carport where the grilled burgers were just coming off the grill. A blessing of the food and fellowship was given by Rev. John Motz and it was time to form lines for the filling of plates. There were all kinds of goodies to choose from: burgers, dogs, vegetable condiments, salads, casseroles, an assortment of potato dishes, bean dishes, deserts of cakes and pies. Some individuals took up residency to eat in the gazebo and the umbrella picnic tables in the courtyard. It was a very nice evening to have a picnic and spread good cheer. The residents really like Church functions of pitch-in dinners, it’s a shame there’s not one everyday. It could go without saying, but it didn’t matter what was available on the tables, there wasn’t a bad dish in sight. And…if not mistaken, what was left…stayed at Jacob’s Village to satisfy another day or days however long it would last. After the feast, a good time of fellowship and new friends were being made. Tours of the homes were given and a walk along the new work-in-progress Jacob’s Village attraction, ‘The Nature Trail Walk and Meditation Area’ was explored. It’s easy to become a FOJV, and Zoar’s UCC made all the right moves to become one. The new friends and good times disbanded about 7:00pm and the residents of Jacob’s Village want to send a big heart Thank You to Zoar’s United Church of Christ.

posted by J V Resident Blog @ 11:50 AM