Season’s Greetings 2011
Photo essay by Richard Baznik
As winter slips into town, Kendal residents and staff begin an annual cycle of creativity, celebration and fellowship that warms everyone and everything. Gathered here are selected images of the 2011 season, clustered under several headings. Click on the heading or photograph in each section to see more images for that subject.
Kendal Early Learning Concert
The community’s youngest members, toddlers and preschoolers from Kendal Early Learning, joined forces with their teachers and volunteers for a holiday concert on December 13 in the Heiser Auditorium. The big finale of the performance was a version of “Jingle Bells” in which they used sign language as well as their energetic voices.
Kendal Bell Choir
Residents of the Stephens Care Center prepare an annual bell chime concert for the holidays under the direction of Jara Stull. This year they also performed in the winter solstice program, the Kendal Revels. Their concert in the Central Activities Room took place December 16.
Marimba Christmas
A highlight of the annual holiday celebration for several years now has been the visit of the marimba band from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, under the direction of Professor Michael Rosen. This year’s program on December 11 again played to a full house of residents, staff and visitors in the Heiser Lounge.
Scandinavian Yule
Kendalites with ties – directly or by marriage – to Denmark, Finland, Norway or Sweden gather each year to share national delicacies, stories and music. This year’s event on December 11 included an irreverent tribute to lutefisk, the legendary dried cod dish, and a reading of the old Scandinavian folk tale, The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
Winter Solstice
Kendal has noted the winter solstice with an annual event for many years, led by a series of residents who stepped forward to organize the events. This year’s event, “The Kendal Revels” took place on December 15, written by Meg Gold, directed by Robert Taylor, and featuring readings by several residents and music under the direction of Helen Taylor.
Staff–Resident Potluck
The array of foods available at the Fox and Fell Dining Room is normally impressive, but it couldn’t compare to the selections available on December 14 when staff and residents brought foods for lunch. A clever quiz contest encouraged the two groups to talk with each other, and coded place mats encouraged mixed groups at tables in the dining room.
Visit from Santa Claus
For children of all ages, the holidays would not be complete without a visit from the most famous resident of the North Pole. Children from Kendal Early Learning, together with family members and staff, enjoyed the visit on December 14. Santa listened to requests and hopes from the kids and distributed candy canes and hugs.
Christmas Eve
Before hanging their stockings with care in anticipation of the following morning, residents gathered in Heiser Lounge on December 24 for seasonal music by the Kendal Trio and Allen Huszti, and to hear Bob Baldwin read stories of Christmases past by T.S. Eliot and Dylan Thomas. Resident Pat Talbot was director and mistress of ceremonies.
New Year’s Eve
To ring out the old year and ring in the new, residents and friends celebrated with music, dancing, games and refreshments. Dan Rieber and Gaye Laurell organized the evening, which was a fitting way to conclude the winter holiday season — a whirlwind of activites that we look forward to repeating again in 2012.