Friday we entertained at Villa del Sol in the afternoon. We usually have a pretty big crowd there, but this time there were a few more out to hear us. They kept having to move everyone forward until Dale only had a tiny little place to dance in! Several family members come to visit during our gigs and we love to meet the residents children and grandchildren. It is usually pretty lively there and Vickie - who works there - dances with a lot of the residents to get them involved with the music. Thanks also to our faithful friends that come out to see us when we play in town - Iona, Marcus, Mable, Loui, Marlene and Arnold who brought along two of his friends.
Later in the evening we played at Glenwood for larger than normal crowd. Some of our friends came again to hear us...we love those people!! A resident there just lost her husband and she told me that she really looks forward to our music. It gets her out of her apartment and brings back some of the memories of when they used to go out dancing to the songs we play.
This afternoon Sugar & Spice will share the stage with "5 For 1" up in Albion at the Methodist Church's pie and ice cream social from 3 to 5 at the Albion park. If you are looking for something to do this afternoon and want to eat some amazing home made pie come check it out!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Weekend off ??
If you have been reading these posts you know we had the weekend off to recuperate from a long stretch of gigs. Well, I had the weekend off, but Spice was busy going to the State Fair to listen to the group 5 For 1 that he does sound for along with several friends that have bands that were playing there. Then he topped that off with a concert in Sioux City to see The Band Perry and Rascal Flats concert. He said it was awesome and is still "high" on music!
Monday we played at Southridge in Marshalltown for their "Birthday Party". Several friends came to listen and they always serve a great birthday desert. It kind of felt like a day off since that was the only gig we had that day.
We were out on the road early on Tuesday heading to Sunrise Hill Care & Rehab in Traer. We play from 9:30 to 10:00 in the Alzheimer wing. When we go there Spice plays guitar and then we take turns singing so we don't have to take a lot of gear along with us. While he sings and plays I go around and dance with the residents. Most are happy to grab my hands and swing back and forth with me while setting in their chairs. There are several men there that don't have walkers and so they get up and we dance. There is one gentleman there that always tells me he doesn't want to dance. This time I kept asking him and it took a little bit, but he did get up and dance....and oh my, did we dance! He swung me around and we did the spinning and strolling around the room! He was grinning from ear to ear and when the nurses brought out the camera he really "hammed" it up!
Then we go out in the front room and play for an hour, we were happy to see our friend Marvina there to see us. When we are there they celebrate the birthdays from that month.
After a yummy lunch at the Chinese place in Grundy Center we drove over to Oakview Nursing Home in Conrad. Spice was still feeling his "music high" and things got a little silly. Marvina must not have gotten enough of us in Traer because she was at Conrad too and she brought her husband Andy along too! He was working in the morning and couldn't make it in the morning. Some of our friends from Marshalltown came up to hear us too.
Wednesday found us traveling up to Ackley to play at Presbyterian Village - I know we are supposed to be taking Wednesdays off....but this was for something special. They were celebrating State Fair week and wanted us there to entertain them. We have been there several times and there was a good crowd. We always enjoy the drive through Pine Lake and Steam Boat Rock so glad when we get to play there.
This morning we played at Bickford Assisted Living here in town. They have a great group there and since it's in town we usually have friends that come to hear us. We are amazed that they are so faithful and we do love them for showing up. We think some day they could just take over for us as they probably know our songs as well as we do!!
Now this evening we will be playing in State Center Nursing & Rehab, but for now I'm going to take it easy and work on some new music.
Monday we played at Southridge in Marshalltown for their "Birthday Party". Several friends came to listen and they always serve a great birthday desert. It kind of felt like a day off since that was the only gig we had that day.
We were out on the road early on Tuesday heading to Sunrise Hill Care & Rehab in Traer. We play from 9:30 to 10:00 in the Alzheimer wing. When we go there Spice plays guitar and then we take turns singing so we don't have to take a lot of gear along with us. While he sings and plays I go around and dance with the residents. Most are happy to grab my hands and swing back and forth with me while setting in their chairs. There are several men there that don't have walkers and so they get up and we dance. There is one gentleman there that always tells me he doesn't want to dance. This time I kept asking him and it took a little bit, but he did get up and dance....and oh my, did we dance! He swung me around and we did the spinning and strolling around the room! He was grinning from ear to ear and when the nurses brought out the camera he really "hammed" it up!
Then we go out in the front room and play for an hour, we were happy to see our friend Marvina there to see us. When we are there they celebrate the birthdays from that month.
After a yummy lunch at the Chinese place in Grundy Center we drove over to Oakview Nursing Home in Conrad. Spice was still feeling his "music high" and things got a little silly. Marvina must not have gotten enough of us in Traer because she was at Conrad too and she brought her husband Andy along too! He was working in the morning and couldn't make it in the morning. Some of our friends from Marshalltown came up to hear us too.
Wednesday found us traveling up to Ackley to play at Presbyterian Village - I know we are supposed to be taking Wednesdays off....but this was for something special. They were celebrating State Fair week and wanted us there to entertain them. We have been there several times and there was a good crowd. We always enjoy the drive through Pine Lake and Steam Boat Rock so glad when we get to play there.
This morning we played at Bickford Assisted Living here in town. They have a great group there and since it's in town we usually have friends that come to hear us. We are amazed that they are so faithful and we do love them for showing up. We think some day they could just take over for us as they probably know our songs as well as we do!!
Now this evening we will be playing in State Center Nursing & Rehab, but for now I'm going to take it easy and work on some new music.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Marathon Firday
Every once in a while we end up playing three gigs in one day. We try not to let this happen, but there are times that we just can't help it. Friday was one of those days. Since we had a 9:00 gig in Grundy Center Long Term Care at the hospital I had to leave my house at 7:30. It is Spice's month to drive, so I drive to his house and ride with him when we head up that way. We normally are there in the afternoon so didn't know how many residents would be out and about that early in the morning. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived to find people already there waiting for us. By the time we got started the room was full and there were several that had never heard us before.
We had another booking in Grundy Center, but not until 2:00 at Arlington Place which is an assisted living place. They had a big Beach Party planed so we stopped by to see how the decorations were going before heading back to Spice's house to work on our "beach" songs. Spice already had "Rub It In, Rub It In" ready to go and we needed to work on "Itsy Bitsy Tinnie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini". When we got back to Arlington Place there were a few people from the community there to help party. Spice and Kathy, the administer got in a quick game of beach ball volley ball before we played. I do have a couple of pictures, but haven't figured out how to get them on here yet, so look for them on my facebook page.
By the time I got home I had about 15 minutes to change clothes and pick up Keith before going to Rock Creek for our gig at the marina. The weather was perfect for an evening at the lake. We had a lot of regulars there to hear us along with some of our friends that travel to hear us. Three pontoon boats sat out in the lake to hear us. We were glad to see Andy and Marvine from Dyerst made the long trip down. We play a lot longer than is advertised and people have come to expect us to start early, so when we get there many people are already there to get a good place for their lawn chairs and some bring a picnic supper.
Playing out side is always fun and last night we saw an awesome sunset on the lake, a few geese cruising around and a bunch of wonderful people. Yeah it's hard to do three gigs in a day, but we wouldn't have missed last night for anything!
We had another booking in Grundy Center, but not until 2:00 at Arlington Place which is an assisted living place. They had a big Beach Party planed so we stopped by to see how the decorations were going before heading back to Spice's house to work on our "beach" songs. Spice already had "Rub It In, Rub It In" ready to go and we needed to work on "Itsy Bitsy Tinnie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini". When we got back to Arlington Place there were a few people from the community there to help party. Spice and Kathy, the administer got in a quick game of beach ball volley ball before we played. I do have a couple of pictures, but haven't figured out how to get them on here yet, so look for them on my facebook page.
By the time I got home I had about 15 minutes to change clothes and pick up Keith before going to Rock Creek for our gig at the marina. The weather was perfect for an evening at the lake. We had a lot of regulars there to hear us along with some of our friends that travel to hear us. Three pontoon boats sat out in the lake to hear us. We were glad to see Andy and Marvine from Dyerst made the long trip down. We play a lot longer than is advertised and people have come to expect us to start early, so when we get there many people are already there to get a good place for their lawn chairs and some bring a picnic supper.
Playing out side is always fun and last night we saw an awesome sunset on the lake, a few geese cruising around and a bunch of wonderful people. Yeah it's hard to do three gigs in a day, but we wouldn't have missed last night for anything!
Look for God - He's there!
I forgot to mention something else that happened on Thursday evening at Grandview. Things were really rocking right along when we went into our Gospel part of our show. We have started singing "The Church In The Wildwood" and we always ask the residents to sing along. After finishing the song we thanked them for their applause and from the far side of the room came this strong clear voice singing the chorus. We all looked to see who was singing out so strong and feeling the spirit. There in a wheel chair sat a woman with her eyes closed and her head held high singing to God with all her might! It was one of those "goose bump" moments for us. After talking to a woman who visits there often we now know that she has never heard this woman speak one word!
I think we all want to SEE God at work. God is here, working through all of us. Just look around - did you happen to see the smile on the persons face as you held the door open for them or the sunset last night.....yup, He's at work!
I think we all want to SEE God at work. God is here, working through all of us. Just look around - did you happen to see the smile on the persons face as you held the door open for them or the sunset last night.....yup, He's at work!
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Today started out pretty calm with a booking at Newton Nursing and Rehab this afternoon. They are celebrating State Fair week and wanted us to play outside, but it was a little chilly for the residence to be outside...yes, the middle of August and it was a little chilly out for them - nuts I know! They made the best of it with grilled hot dogs and home made pickles. They had face painting and the game "Duck Pond". I think it was the biggest crowd we've had there, several new people there to hear us.
Our friend Deb is the new activity director at Careage Nursing home in Newton and she asked us if we would come and sing to one of the residence under Hospice care and is confined to her room. Of course we said yes we would, she was tapping her toes so guess she liked the songs we sang to her. Before heading for Marshalltown we stopped for gas and as we were leaving a guy came up and said he was traveling across the country and was out of money and wondered if we could help him out. We gave him a small amount of cash and we are trusting in God that he used the money to buy gas or food.
On the way home we were following a horse trailer with two paint horses in it when it blew a tire out on the trailer. We stopped to see if we could help and a wonderful farmer who's farm was right there came and told them to drive to his shop and he would help them out, so we were on the road again.
This evening we played at Grandview in Marshalltown and they were on fire tonight!! The activity director had them clapping and laughing. Spice sang a new song "Rub It In Rub It In" tonight and she was rubbing all the men's heads - including Spices! Several of the residence were laughing so hard I thought we might have to call 911. We always have a great crowd there and look forward to going there each month.
So today we have had a lot of fun, but have also experienced God's grace. Now to get a good nights sleep for the marathon we have tomorrow!
Our friend Deb is the new activity director at Careage Nursing home in Newton and she asked us if we would come and sing to one of the residence under Hospice care and is confined to her room. Of course we said yes we would, she was tapping her toes so guess she liked the songs we sang to her. Before heading for Marshalltown we stopped for gas and as we were leaving a guy came up and said he was traveling across the country and was out of money and wondered if we could help him out. We gave him a small amount of cash and we are trusting in God that he used the money to buy gas or food.
On the way home we were following a horse trailer with two paint horses in it when it blew a tire out on the trailer. We stopped to see if we could help and a wonderful farmer who's farm was right there came and told them to drive to his shop and he would help them out, so we were on the road again.
This evening we played at Grandview in Marshalltown and they were on fire tonight!! The activity director had them clapping and laughing. Spice sang a new song "Rub It In Rub It In" tonight and she was rubbing all the men's heads - including Spices! Several of the residence were laughing so hard I thought we might have to call 911. We always have a great crowd there and look forward to going there each month.
So today we have had a lot of fun, but have also experienced God's grace. Now to get a good nights sleep for the marathon we have tomorrow!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
It has been over 2 years since Sugar & Spice started entertaining at area nursing homes and retirement homes. Many times we have laughed or cried because of something that has happened at one of our gigs. And we have said that we should be writing these things down. SO, I have decided that now is the time. I will warn you that I don't write a smoothly as Spice and my grammar and spelling won't always be right....but I hope that you enjoy reading about our music ministry. Please feel free to comment or ask questions about my postings.
Today was one of those days that we laughed...well I laughed - actually I got the giggles while singing a song - a LONG song at that! We were met with two kittens at our first gig this morning in Grinnell Nursing and Rehab. As we were unpacking they were everywhere...in our bags, on the speakers, in the plants and on the tables. Every time Spice would nudge the friskiest one from a plant the nudging got a little harder! Finally we started playing and the kittens were playing in the bags in the corner behind me. As I am singing the first song I can hear them tearing around back there! Finally out of the corner of my eye I see Spice walk calmly back behind me and I hear a "Whack".....now I am looking out at the crowd and most of them have the "there, they deserved that" look. Now I have the giggles...I was trying so hard to hold it together, but every time I looked at Spice - he was so calm and acting like nothing happened I would start giggling again. Finally the activity director came and got them and we went on with our show.
We also had the privilege to play for a 101 birthday party for Dorothy at Sunnyhill in Tama this afternoon. An ice cream cake was served and we all sang 'Happy Birthday" to her.
Today was our 13th day in a row for singing, now tomorrow we have a day off and then hit it hard again on Thursday with two gigs and three on Fri. Fri evening we will be at Rock Creek marina at 7, so if you are looking for a relaxing evening come on down!
Today was one of those days that we laughed...well I laughed - actually I got the giggles while singing a song - a LONG song at that! We were met with two kittens at our first gig this morning in Grinnell Nursing and Rehab. As we were unpacking they were everywhere...in our bags, on the speakers, in the plants and on the tables. Every time Spice would nudge the friskiest one from a plant the nudging got a little harder! Finally we started playing and the kittens were playing in the bags in the corner behind me. As I am singing the first song I can hear them tearing around back there! Finally out of the corner of my eye I see Spice walk calmly back behind me and I hear a "Whack".....now I am looking out at the crowd and most of them have the "there, they deserved that" look. Now I have the giggles...I was trying so hard to hold it together, but every time I looked at Spice - he was so calm and acting like nothing happened I would start giggling again. Finally the activity director came and got them and we went on with our show.
We also had the privilege to play for a 101 birthday party for Dorothy at Sunnyhill in Tama this afternoon. An ice cream cake was served and we all sang 'Happy Birthday" to her.
Today was our 13th day in a row for singing, now tomorrow we have a day off and then hit it hard again on Thursday with two gigs and three on Fri. Fri evening we will be at Rock Creek marina at 7, so if you are looking for a relaxing evening come on down!
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