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.
Saturday
Willows Foundation Board Annual Meeting
Speaker: Julio Rivas
Saturday
Movie:
"Tender Mercies"
Sunday
Hymn Sing
Theme: "Make you a new heart and a new spirit." Ezekial 18:31
Wednesday
Residents' Quarterly Meeting
All residents are encouraged to attend.
Thursday
Board Dinner & Entertainment:
The Bermudez Triangle
Read more about Sarah and Richard Bermudez in the North County Times (online)
Saturday
Nethercutt Museum
A treasure trove of prize-winning automobiles, mechanical musical instruments and rare collectibles.
Click here for the Museum website
Friday
South Coast Symphony
- If you would like to be placed on the stand-by list for concerts, please call Anna Marie Trueman (215.6215)
- Symphony website, with concert information
Sunday
Hymn Sing
Theme: "Our Favorite Hymns"
- 2:00 PM in the Garden Room
Saturday
Sing-Along and Games Day
Everybody brought their favorite snacks or drinks to share.
Happy Valentine's Day
Tuesday
Las Concordias Luncheon
Las Concordias, the social club for Christian Scientists, met at The Willows on Tuesday, February 17 for luncheon and to hear speaker JD Douglas.
Douglas develops future plans for roadways, public transportation, bike and pedestrian paths, and parking. People need transportation and JD figures out how to meet the needs of the most while harming the least number of people. He will tell us how he does it.
JD Douglas is a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Laguna Beach.
Thursday
Quilt Visions 2008 - Oceanside Museum of Art
The Off-Campus Committee scheduled a trip to the Oceanside Museum of Art's presentation of Quilt Visions 2008: Contemporary Expressions.
Museum's website
Saturday
Movie:
"Sleepless In Seattle"
Thursday
Board Night speaker: Physicist Phil Collins
Professor Collins' talk "Powering The Future" explained the various technologies such as petroleum, coal, gas, wind power, nuclear fuel, and sunlight from which we derive energy. He helped us consider how to bridge the gap between our metaphysical knowledge that supply is infinite, and the current general concern that supply is running out.
Phil Collins, is a Professor of Physics at U.C. Irvine, and a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Laguna Beach.
Thursday
Longyear DVD: Who Shall Be Called
A new historical documentary which recreates the growth of the Christian Science movement during the Concord years from 1189 to 1903. Much of the story is seen through the eyes of Mrs. Eddy's household as they met challenges, grew in their spiritual strength, and went about their daily activities under her guidance.
Saturday
Poetry Group
We have several published poets here at The Willows. So why not a poetry group? Come and see! We'll meet monthly in the Book Nook.
This month's topic is: Mary Baker Eddy as a Poet
All are welcome to come, to listen, or participate.
- 10:00 AM in the Study Center (monthly)
- Call Pat Litz [580.0069] or Priscilla Holzworth [583.0081] for more information.
Sunday
Hymn Sing
Theme:
"Hymns from the 1910 and 2009 Editions of the Hymnal"
Friday
South Coast Symphony
- If you would like to be placed on the stand-by list for concerts, please call Carol Cory [302.1964]
- Symphony website, with concert information
Sunday
Play: Say Goodnight Gracie
Re-living an afternoon with George Burns (enacted by Don McArt) in the award-winning, one man play, 'Say Goodnight Gracie', we traveled to La Mirada Theatre on Sunday, March 22nd for this acclaimed event, Broadway's third longest-running show, a humorous, heart-warming play.
- More about Say Goodnight Gracie
- La Mirada Theatre website
Thursday
Board Night speaker: Professor Crossley
The subject of Professor Crossley's talk was "Christianity and Islam: Variations on a Theme, or Religions in Conflict.
Saturday
Bible Talk: The Sermon on the Mount
The Willows provided a bus at no charge for those wishing to attend this Bible Talk by Kristy Christian, M.A.R.
Saturday
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.
- 10:00 AM in the Study Center
- Call Pat Litz [580.0069] or Priscilla Holzworth [583.0081] for more information.
Sing-Along and Games Day
Bring your favorite snacks or drinks to share.
- 1:00 - 4:00 PM in the Garden Room
Sunday
Concert: "Sketches of Laguna"
All enjoyed the 10th Anniversary Concert of the Laguna Community Concert Band. The concert included a specially commissioned piece composed by James Christensen. During this piece, one-of-a-kind photographs, taken by Scott Sporleder, were projected.
Monday
Las Concordias Speaker: Don Robertson
All Christian Scientists are welcome to join Las Concordias, a social club which meets five times a year to hear of the activities of other Christian Scientists. The application of the principles of Christian Science provides a wonderfully inventive and stable basis for human activity which Las Concordias celebrates.
Dues of $20.00 per year pay a small honorarium to our speakers as well as office costs.
If you would like more membership information, contact Peg Schneider at 714.838.2277
Wednesday
Clothing Sale - Fashions To You
Fashion show at lunch in the Dining room.
- 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM clothing on display in the Garden Room
Thursday
Board Night program: 20th Century in Revue
Bowers Museum Docents Jim and Marci Cortese presented a decade-by-decade rumble seat ride down Memory Lane. Learn more...
Friday
South Coast Symphony
- If you would like to be placed on the stand-by list for concerts, please call Carol Cory [302.1964]
- Symphony website, with concert information
Saturday
The Roslyn Kind Show
Laguna Woods invited Willowites to the Roslyn Kind Show. Roslyn Kind is a dynamic, multi-talented entertainer with a successful career in all facets of entertainment - from Broadway to top concert venues the world over. Her repertoire specializes in familiar standards and ballades.
- More about Roslyn Kind
Saturday
Sunland Annual Meeting: "Time & Eternity"
Guest Speaker: Laurance Doyle
Dr. Doyle enjoys a distinguished career in astrophysics and space exploration. He has worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, at the SETI institute, and is a member of the NASA Kepler Mission Science Team. His gifted ability to link the discoveries of science with the nature of Truth makes him a favorite speaker and lecturer at Principia College, as well as an insightful contributor to the Christian Science periodicals.
- Sunland Home Foundation website
Monday
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.
Saturday
Open House & Garden Tour
The Tour included several villas of different sizes, with distinctive features of individual design, decor and beauty.
After guests enjoyed the walking tours, or delightful surrey rides, refreshements served throughout the afternoon.
Saturday
Movie: Whale Rider
Whale Rider is a 2002 film that follows the story of Paikea Apirana at the age of 12 who is the only living child in the line of the tribe's chiefly succession. Pai believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny.
Learn more about the movie...
Sunday
Hymn Sing: Peace
A joyous hour of singing in the Garden Room
Monday
South County Outreach Food Drive
Howard Wixon continues as the chairman of this year's drive, which he as so ably served for the last three years.
Residents brought their packaged and canned foods to the Garden Room for collection.
The Residents' Association also collected cash or checks for the South County Outreach.
- South County Outreach website: sco-og.org
Thursday
Trip to the San Diego Zoo
We ventured through the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
Our group took the tram rider together, then split up to explore for the next three hours.
- San Diego Zoo website
Thursday
Board Night: Jazz on the West Coast
Thom Mason and Jazz on West Coast in the 50s and 60s.
Dr. Mason amazed Willows' residents a romp through the more recent stylings of jazz in American music.
- Thom Mason's website: masonmusic.com
Saturday
God's Law of Abundance in Divine Economy
Marta Greenwood, CSB, of Surrey, England gave this Christian Science lecture in the Voyager's Bible Church in Irvine.
Sunday
Tucker Booth Performance
Betty Everett invited everyone to a Sunday afternoon with Tucker Booth, a musician and raconteur.
Tucker attended Principia College where he pursued his interest in stand-up comedy. His focus shifted to acting and singing, and he performed in numerous bands in southern Illinois.
Tucker continued to perform at gigs around Illinois and California until he had an awakening and discovered what Christian Science really meant to him. He joined a branch church, where he met his wife Charlotte, and is now working in Los Angeles.
This joyous event was anything but boring!
Thursday
Picnic at Heisler Park, Laguna Beach
Heisler Park is a greenway that runs along the bluffs of the Laguna Beach coastline, providing opportunity to picnic, walk, people-watch, and relax while overlooking the ocean. Some travel magazines have been quoted as describing Heisler as "perhaps the most beautiful park on the California coast."
Tuesday
Las Concordias Luncheon
Sara is a journalist, raised in California. She went to work for the Christian Science Monitor in 1977 as a staff writer. She was also a founding reporter for the (now defunct) Monitor Radio. In 1990 she became a free-lancer, contributing to various publications and discovered a new passion; photography.
Sara was featured in the 1991 book "Women on Deadline" as one of the top ten female reporters in the United States, for her international reporting. She is currently working on "Forgiveness and Conflict: Lessons from Africa" which explores traditional practices of truth-telling and forgiveness in post-conflict African countries.
Sunday
Hymn Sing: Father of Us All
A joyous hour of singing.
Independence Day
Burger and Hot Dog Cookout
- 11:30 - 1:30 pm in the Garden Room Patio
All Departments Closed
Poetry Group
Theme:
"Mrs. Eddy's Hymns: Reading Aloud for Meaning"
We hope to see you!
Griffith Observatory
Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy
- The Griffith Observatory web site
Residents' Quarterly Meeting
All residents were invited to attend the meeting in Hodges Hall.
Board Night
"You'll know you're a Christian Scientist if..."
Lona Ingwerson tackled some presumptions made by Principia students who offered tongue-in-cheek thoughts about their experiences as Christian Scientists. In doing so, she shared answers to questions we've all been asked by others about our religion.
Pageant Of The Masters
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.
Hymn Sing: Mrs. Eddy's Hymns
We learned about the historical context of these poems, mirroring something of the challenges and triumphs in her life when each of these seven hymns was written.
Institutional Meeting
This was the second meeting for those interested in the work of the Orange County Institutional Committee. The discussion will look in depth at the Orange County Committee. This will include how church services and Chaplains’ visits are arranged, approval of readers and Chaplains by the County Correction Department, and making available to inmates, Bibles, Science and Health and literature.
Those residents who read at institutional church services were present to explain more including the importance of metaphysical work and the value of all our metaphysical work.
Board Night
Program: Swing Set Band
The music of the 40’s filled the Garden Room as the 16 piece Swing Set Band entertained all. The band was founded in 2003 in the living room of former McDonnell Douglas engineer Brian Cameron and his wife Bobbette. He plays the tenor saxophone, and his wife is a very accomplished pianist and string bass player.
The musicians play for the love of music. Three of them hold PhD degrees in scientific fields. Others are employed or retired from jobs in and outside of music. Occasionally a vocalist joins the band.
Las Concordias Luncheon
Speaker: Steven Shore
Steve is, putting it simply, an entrepreneur in the fields of music and entertainment as well as managing performers. He was a personal manager of recording artists with Warner Brothers, CBS, and Geffen Records. Shore was one of the early music business partners in Russian and American joint ventures.
He is also an authority on copyright law. In 1994 he founded a company dedicated to protecting intellectual property and trade.
He is a native of Oregon and now resides in Carmel, CA. He is a life-long Christian Scientist.
Information Meeting
Institutional Committee Work
This is the third meeting for those interested in the work of the Orange County Institutional Committee. The discussion will look in depth at the Orange County Committee. This will include how church services and Chaplains’ visits are arranged, approval of readers and Chaplains by the County Correction Department, and making available to inmates, Bibles, Science and Health and literature.
Movie Night: Last Chance Harvey
Harvey Shine is in London for the weekend for his daughter's wedding. His work in New York preoccupies him. With family he's also on the sidelines - long divorced, his wife remarried. His path crosses that of Kate Walker, unmarried, set up by friends on blind dates leading nowhere. Where can their conversation lead?
Learn more about the movie...
Capistrano Valley Symphony
Tunin' to TV Land
The concert was in the historical courtyard of the famous mission with its magnificent fountain and abundant summer flora. This year, the Willows seating were in the chair section.
- Capistrano Valley Symphony website
Board Night
Program: John Cain and Katie Catinella
John is the ultimate popular musician, playing several instruments, singing, composing, arranging, and writing.
For years, Cain has been delighting audiences with his unique and versatile talent, singing in five languages and performing a vast, international repertoire. Cain is always fun and entertaining. He appears regularly at top San Diego venues.
Katie is a jazz singer with a classical background. After her BA from San Francisco State University with a minor in music, she discovered jazz singing. Since then, she has performed at the major jazz clubs in California and particularly in the San Diego area where she met John.
Ice Cream Social
"The ice-cream social was a delicious success. Approximately 100 people attended. The “Men of The Willows” did an excellent job of dipping and serving. We had nine flavors to choose from with multiple condiments to top off your favorite.
Randy Woltz did his usual wonderful piano playing and entertained us thoroughly.
Next year, 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.
Thanks to everyone who helped and came to enjoy.
The money from the clothing sale helped defer the cost of the social."
Report from Sandy Toner, Administrator
Sunday Hymn Sing
A joyous hour of singing. Our theme:
Healings from the Hymnal
Each month, our hostess Marilyn Spencer, selects about 20 hymns, and the composers and poets are researched in depth. She often confers with the Longyear Foundation Research Department. The Hymn Sings always begin and end with Mary Baker Eddy’s poems.
Broadview Annual Meeting
The theme of this year's annual meeting is: "Harvest of Healing."
Sara Terry, noted photojournalist and former reporter for The Christian Science Monitor, will talk about applying Christian Science in challenging situations.
Stories of healing and spiritual progress will be shared. A light lunch will be served after the talk.
- 8:00 AM: Bus leaves the Administration Building
- Broadview website
- Invitation for the Annual Meeting (pdf)
Knott's Berry Farm
Located in nearby Buena Park, Knott’s Berry Farm is a well-established attraction for tourists and locals alike. There’s a complete Marketplace outside of the Theme Park, next to the Chicken Dinner Restaurant. An exact replica of Independence Hall is also part of Knott’s (only accessible to the heartiest walkers).
However, it’s the rides and attractions inside the park that lured most folks. In addition to thrill rides, there is lots of low-key fun at Knott’s Theme Park — a merry go round, a Ferris Wheel, Calico Train and the Calico Mine Ride, to name a few.
Starring Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange.Fashion Show & Sale
- was held in the Garden Room
Resident's Quarterly Meeting
The newly elected Resident's Board is:
- Shirley Attridge
- Phyllis Neale
- Dick Trueman
- Herb Herrmann
- Johanna Hardi
Board Night
Program: Steve Calhoun: Marimbas, Vibraphones, Xylophones
The Willows Residents’ Association welcomed virtuoso Mallet Man, Steve Calhoun, at the Board night program on October 22nd.
Steve specializes in things that he strikes, like piano keys and the bars of the marimba or vibraphone or xylophone. He brought his marimba for this event, playing the songs you requested.
Veteran's Day Luncheon
The Willows' Veterans were honored at a special luncheon.
Lunch was followed by a talk by Kim Schuette, author of a book about Christian Science Chaplins in the Armed Services.
Gene Autry Museum
The Off-Campus Committee planned our trip to this museum.
Stephanie Trick plays "Stride"
A special concert will take place on November 15 all at The Willows. Stephanie Trick, an amazing rag and concert pianist, performed.
You can read more about her and her specialty “Stride” on her website.
Las Concordias: Stephanie Trick
Stephanie has been a long-time fan of ragtime music, developed shortly after the Civil War and precursor to American jazz. She has won the Friends of Scott Joplin Ragtime Competition for three years in a row.
She talked about her adventures in a special kind of ragtime called Stride: a more improvisational piano style popular in the 1920s and 1930s.
See notes about Stephanie's concert on Nov. 15th for links to her website.
Sunday Hymn Sing
Join us for a joyous hour of singing.
Our month's theme: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Dinner at 11:30 am
Principia Christmas Sing
At the Newport Hills Community Clubhouse
Please bring your favorite Christmas cookies or finger food to share.
Beverages will be provided.
Claremont Dinner Theatre
Your Off-Campus Activities Committee arranged this special and unique experience. An elegant three course meal was followed by a unique musical, A Candlelight Christmas. Their website boasts that the Christmas spirit shines especially bright this season at the Candlelight Pavilion. This exciting, colorful new show was, as always, filled with holiday songs and Christmas cheer.
Due to a previous credit at the Candlelight Pavilion, the Committee was able to pass along the savings to you! Each ticket cost just $47, instead of the usual $65. This included the bus, sumptuous meal, tax, beverage, dessert and gratuity, PLUS the especially heart-warming musical.
Resident's Christmas Program
Our Christmas Program this year was based upon Mary Baker Eddy’s description of the stars of the city foursquare in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
She also wrote in Miscellaneous Writings, “The star that looked lovingly down on the manger of our Lord, lends its resplendent light to this hour:....” The citations for this program explored the relationship of the stars to the life of Christ Jesus.
Arts & Crafts Activities
In November, new resident, Marsha Harris gathered several residents for an Arts & Crafts discussion. She shared her love for weaving, and her desire to organize the space next to the Study Center, including organizing all the art supplies donated by former resident, Doris Griffin.
On December 16, several residents set up their craftsfor us to join in or watch beading, spinning, knitting, and/or weaving.
Candlelight Dinner
Back by popular request were Jon Kuriger and Dan Vizer, from St. Louis, who entertained us a few years ago. Their program consisted of classical piano, vocal and, of course, Christmas music.
We all enjoyed a delicious dinner and a delightful evening’s entertainment.
Movie Night: Camelot
The story of the marriage of England's King Arthur to Guinevere is played out amid the pagentry of Camelot. The plot of illegitimate Modred to gain the throne and Guinevere's growing attachment to Sir Lancelot, threaten to topple Arthur and destroy his "round table" of knights who would use their might for right.
Learn more about the movie...
