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Archive for the ‘Shows at Retirement Homes’ Category

On Flag Day at Covenant Shores, Mercer Island: “I Stand for the Flag” Trumpet Show

Posted by glennled on July 16, 2019

“I Stand for the Flag” trumpet show at Covenant Shores on Flag Day, 14 June 2019

On Flag Day, 14 June, I returned to Covenant Shores Retirement Community on Mercer Island to perform a different show from the one I had performed about 13 months earlier. That was a show named “Showtune Favorites,” and this one is called “I Stand for the Flag.” It consists of 25 patriotic marches and songs and a bugle call, “Tattoo.” About 60 residents attended—an excellent turnout. To ensure that everyone could sing the last six songs to close the show, Nile Clarke and Chaplain Greg Asimakoupoulos distributed my handout of the lyrics to: 64218777_10157542828875774_385686663021461504_n

The Navy Hymn (Eternal Father, Strong to Save)
This is My Country
America the Beautiful
God Bless America
You’re a Grand Old Flag
The Star-Spangled Banner

It was grand.

On Flag Day, this retirement community was called “Covenant Shores,” but on 25 June, 11 days later, its name changed to “Covenant Living at the Shores.” This reflects its parent company’s own name change to Covenant Living Communities and Services (please see https://www.covliving.org/). For more information on this widely-known and revered Mercer Island retirement community, please see my blog post of 24 May 2018 and https://www.covlivingshores.org.

Fairfield, WA Flag Day Parade—110 consecutive years, 1910-2019

Flag Day

Flag Day commemorates the adoption on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress, of the USA flag. In 1885, the idea of celebrating this event was born in Waubeka, Wisconsin when a 19-year old schoolteacher placed a 10″ flag with 38 stars in an inkwell and had his students write essays on what the flag means to them. He became a lifetime advocate of an annual observance, honoring of the birth of the flag. Flag ceremonies on 14 June had become quite prevalent by 1916, prompting President Woodrow Wilson to issue a proclamation establishing Flag Day as an annual national event. In 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed the legislation that designated 14 June 14th as national Flag Day and calling upon the President to issue a Flag Day proclamation annually. It is not an official, federal holiday.

Citizens display the flag at their homes and communities hold parades on Flag Day. And in 2010, the small farming town of Fairfield, Washington (southeast of Spokane, near the Idaho border) celebrated its “Centennial Parade”—the longest continuing Flag Day Parade in the nation, having begun there in 1910. That year, the census count established Fairfield’s population as 612. Please see https://fairfieldflagday.com/. In contrast, Appleton, Wisconsin (population almost 73,000 in 2010) holds an annual Flag Day Parade that draws crowds of 75,000 from the city and its surrounding region. Please see https://www.facebook.com/Appleton-Flag-Day-Parade-90849509066/.

Photos at Covenant Shores by Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos, Chaplain. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

: Lyrics handout

: Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos, Chaplain, with two patriotic residents of Covenant Shores

: “We have lived in the best nation in the best period of human history.”

: L to R: Nile Clarke, Glenn Ledbetter, Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos, Chaplain, Covenant Shores

: Jupiter pocket trumpet used when playing “You’re a Grand Old Flag”

Waubeka, Wisconsin, Historical Marker

Birthplace of Flag Day, Waubeka, Wisconsin, 1885

Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations, Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: Covenant Shores, Jupiter, lyrics, marches, pocket trumpet, retirement community, songs, trumpet | Leave a Comment »

Trumpet Show at Skyline Towers, Seattle—Flag Day Celebration One Day Early

Posted by glennled on July 8, 2019

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On 13 June, the day before Flag Day, I made my fifth performance at Skyline Towers, a retirement community in downtown Seattle. The first four were to sound “Taps” at various ceremonies, but this one was my first full-length, one-hour trumpet show for these residents. “I Stand for the Flag” is comprised of 25 patriotic songs and marches. About 40 attended and sang along and laughed at my jokes, riddles, and a limerick.

I used two trumpets (Getzen and Jupiter), a Super Olds cornet, and a Getzen bugle. Some favorites included the Sousa marches: “Semper Fidelis” (1888), “The Washington Post March” (1889), and “The Liberty Bell” (1893). Among others were “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” (c. 1863), “We’re in the Army Now,” (1917), “Over There ” (1917) and the official songs of each of the five branches of the U.S. military. We also went abroad to play some tunes from our allies in Great Britain: “Colonel Bogey March” (1914), “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” (1912), and the oldest one that I played, “British Grenadiers” (1716)—more than 300 years old! And many more…

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Olympic Tower at Skyline in downtown Seattle will be ready for occupancy in Fall 2021

It was an unusual venue. I was outside in the sunlight on the patio facing about 15-20 residents in chairs and wheelchairs. Behind them were two wide open, double doors, and another 20-25 residents were sitting there, inside a large meeting room. They furnished me with a microphone, but all the speakers were inside the room. That was fine, but could the outside residents hear me speak? They said they could, so away we went with the show—and it worked fine!

For articles about my past performances at Skyline Towers, please see my posts of 7 November 2018, 6 June 2018, 19 November 2017, and 10 November 2016, using the Archives in the left column of this blog. There you will find lots of information and photos about the two existing Skyline Towers at 725 9th Ave, Seattle.

Skyline Towers Expansion

The big news about Skyline now is its pending, nearby expansion. The new Olympic Tower at Skyline is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in Fall 2021. It’s located at 8th and Columbia and is already taking reservations for apartments (for ages 62+). At 21 stories high, Olympic Tower offers luxury, cosmopolitan, condo-style living with multiple restaurants, a pool/spa, and 360-degree views of the city, Puget Sound, and Mt. Rainier.

According to Skyline’s website, Olympic Tower is Seattle’s only true Life Care retirement community, with completely predictable living costs, just in case increased care ever becomes needed. The website indicates that already, the units are over 50% reserved.

There are a total of 77 apartments, and there are 23 different floor plans. The 1 bedroom, 1.5 or 2 bathroom units are sized at 1034-to-1415 s.f. All others are 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom units, and they range from 1309-to-1899 s.f.; those on the penthouse floor range from 1309-to-1487 s.f.

For more detailed information, please see https://www.skylineseattle.org/expansion-skyline-retirement-community-seattle/. Photos and renderings are courtesy of Skyline Towers. Please click on any image to enlarge it.

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Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: bugle, cornet, march, songs, Sousa, Taps, trumpet, tune | Leave a Comment »

Flag Day: Four Patriotic Songs Accompany Speech About “Flags Across America” at Cristwood Park Senior Living Community in Shoreline

Posted by glennled on June 24, 2019

Flags Across America, Arlington National Cemetery (pp. 100-101)

Flag Day, 14 June—where were you? Did you display the American flag at your home? Did you attend a ceremony? I did and hope you did, too.

Cristwood Park, Shoreline. Photo courtesy of Cristwood Park

Two days earlier, on 12 June, I attended an event at Cristwood Park, a retirement community in Shoreline. Elizabeth Patton, Life Enrichment Coordinator, had scheduled Karen S. Robbins, co-author of Flags Across America, who lives in Gig Harbor, to give a speech about the American flags which are pictured in her book. Mrs. Patton scheduled me to play two patriotic songs on my Getzen trumpet before and two songs after Ms. Robbins’ speech. The first two were “America, the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.” The last two were “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” We handed out the lyrics to all of them, and the audience sang along as I played.

Ms. Robbins teamed up and co-authored the 208-page book with Dale Baskin, a photographer and writer who lives in Seattle. So, she began her speech with a joke about their team being akin to the very popular ice cream shops, “Baskin-Robbins.” Then she showed many photos of American flag, as photographed, drawn and painted by people across the nation. All were unique, and some were simply amazing. See for yourself at https://www.flagsacrossamerica.org/.

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Flags Across America, 3-D paintings on buildings in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia by Scott LoBaido (pp. 44-45)

Flags Across America (pp. 32-33)

Flags Across America, Washington State (L, p. 104) and Iowa (R, p. 105)

Flags Across America, America One Flag Balloon (pp. 26-27)

Flags Across America, Whidbey Island, WA (L, p. 24) and Fort Clatsop, OR (R, p. 25)

Posted in Seminars, Lectures & Workshops, Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: America the Beautiful, Cristwood Senior Living Community, Flags Across America, Getzen, God Bless America, Karen S. Robbins, patriotic songs, The Star Spangled Banner, trumpet, You're a Grand Old Flag | 2 Comments »

Trumpet Show on 31 May re: Memorial Day at Edmonds Landing Retirement Community

Posted by glennled on June 20, 2019

For me, the trumpet show, “I Stand for the Flag” that I recently performed at Edmonds Landing Retirement Community (ELRC) was the last of seven performances clustered around Memorial Day. Three performances during the period of 21-31 May were of that one-hour trumpet show of 25 patriotic marches and songs; four were strictly bugle calls—“Assembly,” “To the Color,” “Taps,” and “Echo Taps.” They were spread through Edmonds, Lynnwood, Seattle, and Mercer Island. It was exciting for me to have that level of activity in so many locales within 11 days.

The trumpet show at Edmonds Landing happened on the Friday (31st) after the nation had observed the national holiday four days earlier (27th). Patriotic feelings were still high. Awareness and memories of those who died in military service to our country were still high. Nancy Thomas, Lifestyle Director was right to book this show at this time. The residents are proud of America. They are blessed, they know it, and they are grateful for our freedom. They sang “America the Beautiful” and the other songs, and together, we stood for the flag.

Edmonds Landing Retirement Community (ELRC)

ELRC is located about four blocks southeast of the Washington state ferry dock in Edmonds. It is one of 9 communities in Washington operated by Frontier Management, founded in 2000 and based in Portland, Oregon. Frontier Management operates 90 communities in 16 states. One-third of those are in Oregon. Please see https://frontiermgmt.com/ and https://edmondslanding.com/.

Built in 2001, ELRC offers both independent and assisted living. It has 83 apartments with three different layouts: studio with alcove and one- bedroom (Types A & B). The main difference between Types A & B is the access to the bedroom and bathroom. Please see the floor plan drawings below. These and the photos are courtesy of Edmonds Landing. Please click on any image to enlarge it.

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Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: bugle, echo taps, Edmonds Landing, marches, performances, retirement community, songs, Taps, trumpet | Leave a Comment »

Trumpet Show at University House, Wallingford in Seattle on Memorial Day Weekend

Posted by glennled on June 13, 2019

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From the moment I arrived at University House, Wallingford (UHW) on 26 May in Seattle, I felt that things here were special. I parked in the gated garage, went up to the lobby, and was ushered into the Olympic Auditorium by Beth Sutton, Life Enrichment Director, there to find an elevated stage with the American flag correctly placed of the left, from the audience’s perspective. Perfect for my trumpet show, “I Stand for the Flag.”

It was Memorial Day weekend. For one hour, I played 25 patriotic marches and songs and told a few jokes to an enthusiastic audience of about 40, including several veterans. I used four horns and four mouthpieces (two for my trumpets and bugle and two for my cornet). Judging from the sing-a-long participation, applause, laughs, comments, and compliments, it was a success. They went away happy, and so did I.

University House, Wallingford (UHW)

UHW was developed in 1997 by Eli and Rebecca Almo, real estate developers specializing in retirement communities. They now have a family of 8 such communities in the Greater Seattle area (please see http://www.eraliving.com). The sister community to UHW is University House, Issaquah (please see my blog post of 30 March 2019). Both communities have affiliations with the UW Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Social Work and the UW Retirement Association for the benefit of their residents. There is an emphasis in their programs and services on a “lifetime of learning.” Please see http://www.eraliving.com/about/health-wellness-partnerships/.

UHW has 146 maintenance-free, senior residences in one or two-bedroom floor plans, with 22 different layouts to choose from at current prices ranging from $3,640 to $6,770 per month. Please see http://www.eraliving.com/communities/wallingford/floor-plans/.

UHW Garden

Amenities:

Elegant restaurant with flexible dining options, featuring various cuisines and in-house chef
Vibrant Life Enrichment program
Wellness and Active Aging programs
On-site Wellness Center staffed by a nurse and caregivers
Emergency call and daily check-in system
Weekly housekeeping and linen services
Maintenance services
Group transportation
Access to public transit
Personal transportation services*
Full service, on-site salon and massage therapy*
Resident* and guest parking
Large fitness center with various fitness programs and access to a personal trainer
EnhanceFitness classes
Large, professionally maintained library
Beautiful garden courtyard, lush landscaping, and al-fresco dining
Business Center with internet access
Auditorium for large gatherings and events
Private meeting rooms
Professionally curated art collections

*Additional fee.

UHW Lobby

Residence Features:

Private balconies available in most residences
Cable TV and internet access
Full kitchens
Easy-access adjustable shower
Individually controlled heating
All utilities except telephone
Emergency call system
Additional storage available
Pet-friendly

Photos are courtesy of University House, Wallingford. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

UHW-senior-living-building-side-view-front-entrance

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: bugle, cornet, marches, song, trumpet | Leave a Comment »

Trumpet Show, “I Stand for the Flag,” at Ida Culver House Broadview in North Seattle

Posted by glennled on June 9, 2019

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Entrance, Ida Culver House, Broadview in North Seattle

On 21 May, I gave my first performance of my trumpet show, “I Stand for the Flag,” a collection of 25 patriotic marches, songs, a bugle call, and a hymn. The venue was Ida Culver House, Broadview, a retirement community in north Seattle. For one hour, I entertained the residents with pieces such as “Semper Fidelis,” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again,” “Over There,” “Shenandoah,” “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” (The Navy Hymn), “God Bless America,” “America the Beautiful,” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

The residents sang along and, in between songs, laughed (or groaned) at my jokes. I introduced each song with a wee bit of information about it, such as when it was written by whom or with what branch of the service it is associated or what famous singers made recordings of it, etc.

Dressed in my VFW uniform, I used four Bb instruments: my Getzen trumpet, Super Olds cornet, Getzen bugle, and Jupiter pocket trumpet.

On the bugle, I sounded my favorite call, “Tattoo,” which nightly is played 15 minutes before “Taps,” which signals lights out at 10 p.m. For the mournful “Shenandoah,” I played my cornet with a Denis Wick 4 mouthpiece which makes it sound like a flugelhorn. For “The Navy Hymn,” I used my regular Bach 8C cornet mouthpiece. My Jupiter pocket trumpet was my choice for playing “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” And for the marches and most other pieces, I used my Getzen Eterna Severinsen trumpet (please see my blog post of 14 December 2015), with either a Bach 8C or Bach 1.5C mouthpiece. For me, the 8C plays easier in the high range, and the 1.5C does better in the low range.

Ida Culver House, Broadview (ICHB)

This retirement community is part of the Era Living family of 8 such communities in the Greater Seattle area (please see https://www.eraliving.com/communities/broadview/). ICHB offers facilities and services for independent, assisted living, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, and memory care. Stephanie Butler, Life Enrichment Coordinator, offered me this opportunity to entertain the ICHB residents.

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Private cottage residences

ICHB has 245 residences with floor plans ranging from studios and three-bedroom apartments to single family cottages with garages! From some vantage points, there are breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Residents enjoy a lavishly landscaped garden courtyard, refreshing saltwater pool, elegant décor, and fine dining.

Amenities include:

Vibrant Life Enrichment programs
Café Bistro and billiards
Elegant restaurant with an in-house chef
On-site Wellness Center staffed by a nurse and caregivers
Emergency call and daily check-in system
Weekly housekeeping and linen services
Maintenance services
Personal* and group transportation
Access to public transit
EnhanceFitness classes
Swimming pool & spa
Beautiful outdoor amenities, lush garden, and terrace seating
Full-service, on-site beauty salon and massage therapy studio*
Library and Media Room
Fireside lounge
Professionally curated art collections
Resident garage* & street level parking available

* Additional fee

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Fitness class

Residence Features include:

Full kitchens
Cable TV and internet access
All utilities except telephone
Easy-access shower
Bath tubs in select residences
Individually controlled heating
Washer & dryer in select apartments
Private decks or patios in select residences
Emergency call system
Additional storage available
Pet-friendly

Sample Floor Plans and Starting Monthly Fees: please see https://www.eraliving.com/communities/broadview/floor-plans/.

Photos are courtesy of Ida Culver House, Broadview. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Lobby entrance

Cafe Bistro

Outdoor garden terrace

Aquatic center

Billiards lounge

Phyical therapy

Woodworking

Olympic dining room

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: Bach, bugle, cornet, Denis Wick, flugelhorn, Getzen, hymn, Ida Culver House Broadview, marches, mouthpiece, retirement community, Severisnen, song, trumpet | Leave a Comment »

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration—My Trumpet Show at University House, Issaquah

Posted by glennled on March 30, 2019

University House, Issaquah

On the 15th of March, two days before the actual St. Patrick’s Day, my one-hour trumpet show, “St. Patrick’s Day Celebration,” was listed on the calendar of University House, Issaquah (UHI) as only one of seven events scheduled that day. Compared to many retirement homes, that’s a lot of activities for the residents to choose among when they ask in the morning, “What shall we do today?”

So, at 3:00 p.m., about 50 of them showed up in Gilman Auditorium to hear me play 27 Irish tunes on my three horns and tell a dozen Irish jokes. Amber Duffy, Life Enrichment Director, had advertised the event thusly on the UHI Calendar: “St. Patrick’s Day Happy Hour with the Irish Trumpet.” And it was grand.

Among the ballads, jig, and reels that I played were many old favorite traditional songs, including “My Wild Irish Rose,” “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral,” “Molly Malone,” and “Danny Boy.” Others included “Chicken Reel,” “The Irish Washerwoman,” “St. Patrick’s Day,” “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary,” “Whiskey in the Jar,” “The Irish Rover,” and “The Rocky Road to Dublin.”

For most of them, I used my Getzen Eterna Severinsen trumpet; for several, I played my Super Olds cornet; and for one, the finale, I played my Jupiter pocket trumpet.

Here’s a sample joke:

The doctor was puzzled and said, “I’m very sorry, Mr. O’Flaherty, but I can’t diagnose your trouble. I think it must be the—alcohol.”
“Don’t worry about it, Dr. Cullen, I know how you feel. I’ll come back when you’re sober.”

When the show ended, I handed out a sheet containing 22 good, clean Irish jokes, encouraging the residents to have some fun on the phone, the internet, or in person with their grandchildren and others during the festive weekend.

University House, Issaquah

UHI is one of eight Era Living Retirement Communities (please see https://www.eraliving.com/communities/issaquah/). It offers senior independent living CaringStar2019[1] and assisted living care, but it is not an average senior living community. It has unique partnerships with the University of Washington’s Schools of Nursing, Social Work and Pharmacy and the UW Retirement Association in order to deliver innovative programs designed to foster healthy living.

It appeals to residents who “share a passion for knowledge, a fascination with art and culture, and the desire to stay active in mind, body, and spirit.” The community has “a distinct academic flavor where residents enjoy a connection to UW programs and a commitment to lifelong learning.”

Amenities:

Elegant restaurant, flexible dining options, variety of cuisines, in-house chef
Vibrant Life Enrichment programs [such as my trumpet show]
Reception
On-site Wellness Center, nurse, caregivers
Emergency call and daily check-in system
Maintenance services
Weekly housekeeping and linen services
Personal and group transportation services
Swimming pool
Fitness center featuring EnhanceFitness classes
Full-service, on-site salon*
Two solariums
Garden courtyards
Game and crafts room
Library
Internet Cafe
Professionally curated art collections
Auditorium for large gatherings and events [such as my trumpet show]
Resident parking*
*Additional fee

Residence Features:

Full kitchens
Easy-access shower, bathing benches, grab bars
Individually controlled heating
Ceiling fans
All utilities included, except telephone
Cable TV and internet access
Emergency call system
Additional storage available
Pet-friendly

Floor Plans:

There are 184 senior residences, offering 44 different floor plans, including expansive three-bedroom penthouses.

Common Areas:

Lobby
1st Floor Loft
Dining Room with Patio
Private Dining Room
Library
Game Room and Pool
Living Room
Gilman Auditorium [where my trumpet show was held]

Assisted Living’s Memory Fitness Program:

This innovative program is designed for residents with early to mid-stage memory loss. It offers a distinct set of specialized memory support services with structured full-day activities. Incorporating research results and community best-practices, this program enhances the daily experience and quality of life of residents with early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia. Some Memory Fitness activities include:

Memory engagement activities
Exercise group
Social activities
Cooking
Art and music
Travelogues
Famous biographies

Photos are courtesy of University House, Issaquah. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: ballad, cornet, Getzen, jig, Jupiter, reel, retirement community, Severinsen, Super Olds, trumpet, University House Issaquah | Leave a Comment »

“Things Remembered” Trumpet Show for Aegis of Lynnwood Retirement Community

Posted by glennled on December 29, 2018

Happy Hour 1 (6) - by Brenda, 12-14-'18

For my final trumpet show in 2018, I performed “Things Remembered” at the Aegis of Lynnwood Retirement Community on 14 December for an audience of about 25. In the past year, I’ve presented either this 1-hour show or another, “Showtune Favorites,” at 8 different retirement communities in Lynnwood, Bothell, Redmond, and Mercer Island. I want to do more in 2019—it’s wholesome and fun! And I have prepared a third, entirely new show, “In Retrospect,” for return appearances at retirement communities where I’ve already performed.

“Things Remembered” is my Christmas show. It consists of a dozen Christmas songs, mixed with a dozen hit songs from musicals and movies that are well-known favorites among the residents of all retirement communities—songs like “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz,” (1939), sung by Judy Garland, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), also sung by Judy Garland. The residents sing-along and chuckle at a few of my jokes, too.

I play one cornet and two trumpets, sometimes with a Harmon mute, and use four mouthpieces. One mouthpiece, the Wick 4, makes the cornet sound like a flugelhorn, so in effect, I play four horns during the show.

Aegis of Lynnwood

Aegis operates 31 facilities in Washington (16), California (14), and Nevada (1), according to the website, http://www.aegisliving.com. In Washington, all 16 retirement communities are in the Greater Seattle area. Six more new ones are planned to open through 2021. Aegis Living ranks in the coveted list of Top 50 Best Places to Work in America in 2017, amid 600,000 companies on the employee review site, http://www.Glassdoor.com.

At Aegis of Lynnwood, where I presented my trumpet show, residents are provided the following services: memory care, assisted living, and short-term care. Check them out at https://www.aegisliving.com/aegis-living-of-lynnwood/. And more than that, see their 25-photo gallery: https://www.aegisliving.com/aegis-living-of-lynnwood/gallery. Three different floor plans (650 s.f.) are available. For assisted living, there are both 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom floor plans. The other plan, named “Life’s Neighborhood,” also has two bedrooms. Please find these plans at https://www.aegisliving.com/aegis-living-of-lynnwood/accommodations/.

Photos are courtesy of Aegis of Lynnwood. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

: Entrance to Aegis of Lynnwood

: Grounds at Aegis of Lynnwood

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: Aegis of Lynnwood, cornet, flugelhorn, Harmon mute, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christtmas, horns, Judy Garland, musicals, retirement community, songs, trumpet, Wick, Wick mouthpiece | Leave a Comment »

“Things Remembered”—My 1-Hour Trumpet Show on the First Day of Advent at Overlake Terrace Retirement Community in Redmond

Posted by glennled on December 23, 2018

My Christmas trumpet show is called “Things Remembered” because, by using some old favorite songs, I walk the audience through the common pattern of life that we all share—living single, falling in love, getting married, raising a family, celebrating Christmas year after year, laughing at jokes, overcoming adversity, facing retirement, and celebrating the fantastic blessings of life in America during our wonderful time in human history. On 1 December, the first day of Advent this year, I performed this show for an audience of 25-30 residents and staff at Overlake Terrace Retirement Community in Redmond.

20181201_132322 The show consists of 24 songs, half from musicals and movies and half about Christmas. All are favorites of the age group living today in retirement communities. They sing along as I play. And as they listen to me play and talk, they recall where they were and what was happening when they first heard and learned those songs—“Things Remembered.”

2018-assisted-living-award For variety and fun, as appropriate for each song, I play three instruments (two trumpets and one cornet) and use four mouthpieces and one mute. One mouthpiece makes my Super Olds cornet sound like a flugelhorn, so in effect, it’s like playing four different instruments for them.

Overlake Terrace provides independent, assisted living, memory care, and respite services. For more information, here is the link to the website: https://www.stellarliving.com/overlake-terrace/. And for a tour of the interior of the facilities, please see the photo gallery here: https://www.stellarliving.com/overlake-terrace/photo-tour/. The 14 photos show the main lobby entrance, café, and dining room; model bedroom and living room; family rooms, library, exercise room, activity room, and movie theater.

Overlake Terrace is part of Stellar Senior Living, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The group consists of 8 retirement communities, including two in Washington (Redmond and Kent), two in Utah, two in Idaho, and one each in Colorado and Arizona.

The photos below are courtesy of Overlake Terrace. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: cornet, flugelhorn, mouthpieces, movies, musicals, mute, Overlake Terrace, retirement community, songs, Super Olds, trumpet | Leave a Comment »

Trumpet Show at Fairwinds Brighton Court Retirement Community in Lynnwood

Posted by glennled on September 29, 2018

Residents of Fairwinds Brighton Court in Lynnwood applaud Trumpet Show, “Showtune Favorites,” by Glenn Ledbetter

Ruth M. MacDonald celebrates her 84th birthday on New Year’s Day, 2010

Last year, when I first thought of performing a trumpet show at numerous retirement homes, Fairwinds Brighton Court (FBC) was my initial target venue. That’s because my dear mother-in-law, Ruth M. MacDonald, lived there in Room 344 for three years, 2010-2012. She enjoyed the various shows on Sunday afternoons, and we relatives enjoyed attending with her often. So, on 23 September, I dedicated my performance and paid tribute to her—a bright spirit with a warm heart full of love, kindness, and good humor, may she rest in peace. My wife, daughter, and granddaughter attended and honored her with me.

My one-hour trumpet show, “Showtune Favorites,” comprised 24 songs from musicals and movies that are quite familiar to the audience of about 25-30. In fact, they sang along with many of the songs, including “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'” from Oklahoma!, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz, ” and “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady.”

Juna Davies, accompanist to Glenn Ledbetter on trumpet, playing “You’re A Grand Old Flag”

For the finale, I was accompanied by pianist Juna Davies, a FBC resident and former friend of Ruth’s. We distributed a handout of the lyrics, and the audience sang as we played “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” It was written by George M. Cohan in 1906, for the musical, George Washington, Jr. It is said to be the first song from a musical to sell more than one million copies of sheet music. Today, most of us know it from James Cagney’s performance in the 1942 movie, Yankee Doodle Dandy.

During the show, I used two trumpets and one cornet, two mutes, and four mouthpieces.

Fairwinds Brighton Court

Located at 6520 196th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036, a couple of blocks west of Highway 99, FBC was built in 1989. It is quite lovely and offers both independent and assisted living apartments for seniors. They come in three types: studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom, all with fully equipped kitchens, walk-in closets, individually controlled heating, and built-in emergency communication systems. The studios are 377 sq. ft., one-bedrooms are 547 sq. ft., and two-bedrooms are 788 sq. ft. The floor plans and 34 beautiful photos of the exterior and interiors are shown on the website, https://www.leisurecare.com/our-communities/fairwinds-brighton-court.

Some of the many apartment features and facility amenities are listed here: