Did I say 14?
Yipes.
Do you need more proof of how much "When Swing Was King" has taken off on us? Boy, it's really been something. And, though we truly love doing the program, we're being hard pressed to get all of the other Vital Signs Ministries work done too. So please keep praying for us because with hundreds of senior citizens in Omaha-area nursing homes and retirement centers expressing their ongoing enthusiasm for the program, we're committed to continue bringing this exciting trip down memory lane to their doorsteps.
And that's not even mentioning the terrific friendships we're developing with many of these folks who we now see in their respective facilities every month. Or the appreciation of activities directors who absolutely love "When Swing Was King" because it is thoughtful, fun, professionally conducted, and stimulating on several levels -- sound, sight, soul, mind, social relationships, and affirmation of dignity.
Oh yes; they also love the fact that it's presented free of charge!
The lineup for the Christmas edition is top notch: the Glenn Miller Orchestra ("In the Christmas Mood" and "Silent Night"), The Mills Brothers ("O Holy Night"), the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra ("March of the Toys"), Duke Ellington's band ("Jingle Bells"), Frank Sinatra ("O Little Town of Bethlehem"), Judy Garland ("Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"), Perry Como ("God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"), the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra ("Let It Snow"), the Guy Lombardo Orchestra ("O Come All Ye Faithful"), the Benny Goodman Orchestra ("Winter Weather"), Woody Herman & his Thundering Herd ("Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"), and, of course, Bing Crosby ("White Christmas").
All the songs are accompanied by superb Power Point pictures from Christmases back in the day and extremely interesting trivia (if I do say so myself) about the songs, musicians and photographs. Did you know, for instance, that the very day after "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" was first heard on Eddie Cantor's radio program in 1934 that 100,000 copies of the song's sheet music was sold? Or that in 1906 "O Holy Night" was one of the first two songs ever played over radio? Or that Judy Garland insisted that the original lyrics to "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" be changed before she would sing them in the movie, "Meet Me In St. Louis"?
You want more? You want a delightful Christmas experience, one filled with sights and sounds of the season you'll not likely find anywhere else in town? You want a Christmas experience in which you can do some visiting with people who would absolutely love to know you? Then consider coming along to a "When Swing Was King" presentation sometime this December. Our schedule is always posted over at the Vital Signs Ministries web site but, for your convenience, I'll print it below. If you need directions or more information -- or if you'd like to make a Christmas gift to Vital Signs Ministries to help us keep bringing "When Swing Was King" to our area's seniors -- please contact us at P.O. Box 34278, Omaha, NE 68134 or by phone at 402-341-8886.
December 1 – Life Care Center of Omaha at 2:00
December 5 – Northcrest Nursing Home in Council Bluffs at 2:00
December 6 – Golden Living at 2:30
December 7 – Harmony Court in Council Bluffs at 3:00
December 8 – Maple Crest at 2:00
December 9 – Immanuel Courtyard at 2:15
December 12 - Life Care Center of Elkhorn at 2:30
December 13 – Harmony Court in Bellevue at 3:00
December 14 – Lindenwood at 2:00 (Seating space is really limited here so we can't afford more than a couple of extra visitors at this one.)
December 15 – Waterford at 2:30
December 16 – Regency Rehab & Skilled Nursing Home in Council Bluffs at 2:00
December 19 – Skyline nursing home at 2:30
December 20 – Walnut Grove at 3:00
December 21 – Mercy Villa at 1:00
