Evanston, IL (September 19, 2013)—A tradition was in full bloom on Monday, September 16, 2013, when the Woman’s Board of Presbyterian Homes hosted its 40th Festival of Roses for residents at Westminster Place, a Presbyterian Homes’ retirement community in Evanston, IL. The end-of-summer event featured bouquets of roses, cake, punch and the Banjo Buddies Dixieland jazz trio.
Since 1973, The Festival of Roses has been a way for the Woman’s Board to bring flowers, fellowship and entertainment to the residents of Presbyterian Homes. Bouquets of roses were placed at each concierge desk and on each floor of the McGaw Care Center and Frank Foster Pavilion for the enjoyment of residents who were unable to attend the event. The musical event was also broadcast on the retirement community's internal TV channel.
“While the residents enjoy the anticipated traditions of The Festival of Roses, we like to offer a different musical performance and genre each year,” says Hannah McInnis, Woman’s Board member and co-chair of this year’s Festival of Roses. “And with any event, there are many details to The Festival of Roses. It takes the support of many board members for it to run smoothly every year. We are grateful for everyone’s help and participation.”
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The Banjo Buddies Dixieland Jazz Trio has recorded eight albums and been named “entertainers of the year” by the Illinois Festival Association. Their take on Dixieland applies the distinctive Dixieland sound to a wide range of tunes, from 20th-century standards to country to blues. The Banjo Buddies perform over 200 shows each year from performing art centers to major nightspots, national and international festivals, trade shows, theme parks, cruise ships and countless private functions. Trio members included Ann Stewart on jazz banjo and vocals, Tim Stewart on trombone, and Verne Rind on bass and vocals.
Following the musical program, the Woman’s Board invited the approximately 150 residents in attendance to a reception in the nearby Geneva living and dining rooms. Attendees enjoyed cake and punch, and members of the Woman’s Board presented each resident with a long-stemmed rose to take home.
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About The Woman’s Board of Presbyterian Homes
Founded in 1914, The Woman’s Board of Presbyterian Homes is a service organization whose goal is to enhance the quality of life at Presbyterian Homes. Board members visit with residents, transport them to activities, and host events such as the Festival of Roses. Through sales in their Westminster Place shops and an annual appeal, Board members raise money to support a wide range of projects and programs at Presbyterian Homes. Among the programs the Board underwrites are a longstanding chaplain intern program and the Gift of Music monthly classical organ recital series. The Woman’s Board has donated nearly $3.0 million to Presbyterian Homes over the last quarter century. The Woman’s Board will celebrate its 100th year of service to the residents of Presbyterian Homes in 2014.
ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN HOMES
Founded in 1904, Presbyterian Homes is a not-for-profit organization with a national reputation for creating extraordinary retirement communities. Presbyterian Homes serves more than 1700 older adults through its residential and healthcare programs on campuses in Evanston, Lake Forest and Arlington Heights. The organization is accredited by the CARF/CCAC, the nation’s only accrediting body for retirement communities.
