At the Grinnell High School All-School Reunion on July 2nd, Neal Burkett, a gardens and grounds specialist at The Mayflower Community, performed on harmonica with Mojo Machine blues band. Pictured is Neal (GHS 1979), harmonica, and microphone. The GHS alumni group played in Central Park to a crowd of over 1,000. — Bob Mann, Sales…
The Community Life and Wellness staff of The Mayflower Community, Leslie Davidson, Director, and Tracy Woolfolk and Jessica Hasenyager, Coordinators, plan numerous musical performances for Mayflower residents in the Health Center and Beebe Assisted Living. When the weather is conducive, the events take place outside on our campus. Otherwise, the acoustical gem, Mayflower’s Carman Center,…
Jerry Beauchamp has performed with the Jerry Beauchamp Band since 1980. Jerry and Mert Evans are both from Eldora. They started performing together at retirement communities and other locations in September 2012, almost 10 years ago. Jerry played accordion and Mert sang. About five years ago, she began playing the accordion, along with Jerry. The…
During recent March days, several events took place in The Mayflower Community Health Center and Beebe Assisted Living. First, there was St. Patrick’s Day. Then, the students at Bailey Park Elementary School honored our residents with special cards. To make it all melodious, Valerie Whitman, came in with her flute to play a variety of…
Bill Lawyer, Marshalltown acoustical guitarist, played for residents of The Mayflower Community’s Health Center and Beebe Assisted Living on Friday, March 11th. Bill describes himself a “finger-style flat-picking guitarist.” Playing since he was 15 years old, Bill performed a variety of music with special interest in Kris Kristofferson, Hank Williams, and Kenny Rogers. — Bob…
After a short hiatus for COVID-19 precautions, The Mayflower Community has resumed musical performances in the Carman Center for Health Center and Beebe Assisted Living residents. On Tuesday, February 22nd, guitarist/keyboardist, Ronnie Burgess of Cedar Rapids IA, played and sang for residents. He was hosted by Mayflower’s Community Life and Wellness staff, Leslie Jaworski, Tracy…
On Tuesday, December 30th, singer/guitarist Dennis Perry performed The Mayflower Community’s last concert of 2021. He played for a physically-distanced crowd of Mayflower Health Center and Beebe Assisted Living residents in the Carman Center. The hour-long rendition of favorite country music songs was nostalgic for Mayflower residents. A Marshalltown area native, Dennis learned to play…
On Thursday, December 9th, the Grinnell College “Fresh Flutes” ensemble performed a mini-concert tonight in The Mayflower Community Buckley Dining Room to a gathering of about 40 residents. Fresh Flutes has been a staple ensemble of the Grinnell College Music Department since the early 1990s. Always seeking repertoire that covers a range from traditionally Classical…
Valerie Wedgeworth, a retired accountant from Des Moines, was recently hosted by the Community Life department at Mayflower to play flute for residents. She says that she “…has fun playing for senior living communities. The residents are so nice to play for, and it’s SO fun playing songs to bring back memories.” Valerie has played…
On Friday, September 3rd, under foreboding and sometimes sprinkling skies, Grinnell’s own Too Many String Band played Mayflower…outside in the Beebe Circle. Residents Sig Barber and Sandy and Betty Moffett were joined by Wait-Lister Bob Cadmus and Mark Laver to entertain hardy residents. The group is a gift to Mayflower and the Grinnell community. —…