Recent Events at The Willows: 2009
The Willows conducts a wide variety of special events for, and by, our residents. We also host outside events that are of interest to our residents and local community.
Here are selected events from 2009.
Annual Board Annual Meeting
This year's speakers at The Willows annual board meeting included Barry Walson, President and Chairman who addressed the Board’s activities and focus for this next year, Dian Hughes, Treasurer, who gave the Financial Status report, Dick Trueman, as the new Resident Board President, and Sandy Toner Kutz who gave us an overview of 2009 successes and plans for 2010.
Marjorie Dagnall, C.S. from Aptos, California inspired us all with her talk.
Light refreshments were served after the meeting.
Movie Night: Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris
The plot revolves around Ada Harris, who is so enchanted by her employer's couture wardrobe that she becomes determined to go to the House of Dior in Paris to purchase an evening gown of her own.
Learn more about the movie...
Higher Ground Bible Seminar
Presented by Higher Ground, this 2 day seminar was hosted by First Church, Laguna Niguel. All were invited to attend this inspiring and informational event!
The complete schedule is here.
Classical Piano - Melanie Hadley
The gifted young pianist Melanie Hadley maintains a multifaceted career as recitalist, orchestral soloist, chamber musician, and teacher.
She made her Willows debut, playing piano classics, in January 2010. Her most recent
appearance as orchestral soloist was her European debut with the
National Orchestra of Porto, Portugal, in addition to a debut recital in
Lisbon. She is the pianist for the
recent film The Kreutzer Sonata for which she recorded several works, including Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata
with violinist Pip Clarke.
A native of Ozark, Missouri, Ms. Hadley received her primary training as a pupil of Jane Allen for ten years at the
St. Louis Symphony Community Music School. She is currently teaching privately in Los Angeles, California.
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009 with the theme “the dream continues.” For Cirque, 2009 marked 25 years of dreaming, daring, and pushing the limits. It has brought wonder and delight to almost 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents.
Cirque du Soleil came to IRVINE and the Off-Campus committee purchased 20 tickets to the Friday, January 29th matinee. The show they are bringing to us is called Kooza. It was held under the Grand Chapiteau at Orange County Great Park.
Sing-Along and Games Day
Bring your favorite snacks and/or drinks to share.
- 1 to 4 pm in the Garden Room Board Games
photo from Klutz
DVD - National Parks
- 3:00 - 5:00 pm in Hodges Hall
- National Parks' website
- Visit the National Park's website to take an eHike (virtual hiking in Glacier National Park), watch a Web Cam (live camera feed) from our nation's capital, listen to a podcast, check out the Photo Gallery...
Broadview Workshop
George Strong will talk about The Medicine of Mind.
Christian Scientists rely on the most effective medicine possible - the medicine of Mind. This inspired message is about spiritual health care.
- Broadview's website
- Download the 2010 Workshops flyer- Saturdays at Broadview
Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day
President's Day
All departments
will be closed.
- No lunch will be served today.
Movie Night: Julie and Julia
The film depicts events in the life of chef Julia Child in the early years in her culinary career, contrasting her life with Julie Powell, who aspires to cook all 524 recipes from Child's cookbook during a single year, a challenge she described on her popular blog.
Learn more about the movie...
Hymn Sing "Unity of man & God"
Join us for a joyous hour of singing.
Desiree Goyette concert
A free concert of inspirational music by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Desiree Goyette and her husband Ed Bogas.
Desiree has written many solos for Christian Science churches, her CDs are in our Reading Rooms, and she wrote or arranged several of the hymns in the new Hymnal Supplement.
Hosted by the Laguna Niguel Christian Science Church and San Juan Capistrano Christian Science Society.
- Download the concert flyer.
Rob Verdi, jazz saxophonist
Tonight's Board Program features Rob Verdi.
Rob received his Music Education Degree in 1984 from Arizona State University in Tempe. While in Arizona, Mr. Verdi was a featured soloist with the Phoenix Symphony, and enjoyed the challenge of teaching junior high music. In 1983 he helped form the Side Street Strutters Jazz Band, which became the house jazz band of the Disneyland Resort for 22 years. Rob continues to be a regular performer at Disneyland and participates in a variety of musical ensembles and projects in the Los Angeles area.
Board Night
Once a month, our board hosts a dinner with a special program - a speaker, a musician - it's always a delightful evening.
Some of our guests in 2009:
Professor Crossley
Professor Crossley's spoke about "Christianity and Islam: Variations on a Theme, or Religions in Conflict.
Swing Set Band
The music of the 40’s filled the Garden Room as the 16 piece Swing Set Band entertained all.
20th Century in Revue
Bowers Museum Docents Jim and Marci Cortese presented a decade-by-decade rumble seat ride down Memory Lane.
Jazz on the West Coast
Dr. Mason amazed Willows' residents a romp through the more recent stylings of jazz in American music.
Special Interest Groups
Poetry Group
We have several published poets here at The Willows. So why not a poetry group? Come and see! We meet monthly in the Book Nook.
All are welcome to come, to listen, or participate.
Sing-Along and Games Day
Bring your favorite snacks or drinks to share.
Check out Ongoing Events for more of our groups and regular meetings & shopping trips.
Principia Speaker Series
We schedule visiting speakers, musicians, and musical groups to educate and entertain...
Principia Speaker Series: Laurance Doyle
"Quantum Physics and the
Insubstantiality of Matter"
Dr. Laurance Doyle is a frequent visiting professor at Principia College. His talk explored the history and study of light that lead to what we know today as Quantum Physics.
Annual Mtg. of The Mother Church
Every year we gather to watch the webcast of The Mother Church Annual Meeting.
- The Mother Church Website's Annual Meeting page
We also provide bus service to a number of local Christian Science lectures. Check Upcoming Events to see what's coming up this month.
Monthly Movie Night
Every month we show a classic movie with wide appeal for residents. In July, we screened. Check our Upcoming Events page to see what we're showing this month!
Movie: Rio Bravo
A small-town sheriff in the American West enlists the help of a cripple, a drunk, and a young gunfighter in his efforts to hold in jail the brother of the local bad guy.
Learn more about the movie...
Pageant Of The Masters
Every year The Willows schedules a trip to the "Pageant Of The Masters" in Laguna Beach
2009: Where art comes to life: "The Muse"
The artists ranged from French painter, Paul Gaugin, featuring his oil painting Mahana No Atua from 1894 to Maxfield Parrish the American painter with 3 oils from The Land of Make Believe from the early 1900’s. As always (since 1936) the last act was the fresco from The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.
Ice Cream Social
Presented by the “Men of The Willows”, the annual summer ice-cream social is always a delicious success. The social includes entertainment. In 2009, Randy Woltz did his usual wonderful piano playing and entertained us thoroughly.
In 2010, we will serve from 2 pm to 4 pm since the ice-cream began getting very soupy by 4 o’clock, and we had to close up a little early.
Fashion Show & Sale
Our annual Fashion Show & Sale is presented by Willows' residents.
Veteran's Day Luncheon
The Willows' Veterans are honored each year at a special luncheon.
Luncheons typically include a talk of interest to attendees. In 2009, Kim Schuette, author of a book about Christian Science Chaplins in the Armed Services, spoke.
Candlelight Dinner
A Willows tradition every holiday season - complete with musical entertainment.
We all enjoyed a delicious dinner and a delightful evening’s entertainment.
