Down in the Valley may make us smarter
Posted on January 19, 2009
Filed Under News | 1 Comment
Repost from: Grand Forks Herald
Link to story: http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=102029§ion=columnists&columnist=Naomi%20Dunavan
Just the other day, Ginny Bollman read that the more music you have in your life, the smarter you’ll become.
“It’s proven,” Ginny said. “There are research studies that show that if you have at least two years of music lessons, the average IQ is increased by several points. Music increases your attention span, overall wellness, good feelings and good attitude. Music is a medicine of its own, and you don’t even have to have Medicare or Part D.”
Wait! What about the music made by those on Medicare and Part D? Well, theirs is over the top.
Ginny is founder/director of Tufte Tunes, a handbell choir made up of residents living in Tufte Manor, one of Valley Memorial Homes’ five assisted-living facilities in Grand Forks.
The Tufte Tunes are on the program when VMH holds its “Down in the Valley” fundraiser for its chaplaincy program at 2 p.m. Sunday in Sharon Lutheran Church, 1720 S. 20th St.
A year ago, Ginny’s dad, Reuben Ellwood, 91, came to Grand Forks from a nursing home in Iowa.
“We went down to move him up,” Ginny said, “and they had these handbells in the home there. My sister and I thought this is great fun, and when Dad moved into Tufte, we wanted to do something.”
So, Ginny, a connoisseur of music, bought four sets of one octave bells, and soon they were ringing within Tufte. Then, the Tufte Manor-ettes, an organization that supports VMH programs and projects, bought another four sets of one octave.
“We can play with up to 64 bells,” Ginny said. “I’m hoping that on Sunday we’ll have 14 residents and that we’ll use 36 or 40 bells.”
As a song plays on a CD, residents do their ringing by the colored handbell method, which means Ginny holds up colored flashcards, and when the players see a color that matches the color of their bell, they ring away.
“It’s very user-friendly,” Ginny said. “There might be four bells ringing at the same time. The bells do have a nice sound. I count and flip the cards, and I have to pay attention because I’ve been known to miss a beat.”
During Sunday’s program, Tufte Tunes will play “Jesus Loves Me” and “Amazing Grace” and the audience will be invited to sing along to “God Bless America.”
Ginny’s husband, Jim Bollman, will emcee “Down in the Valley.” The Valley Chordsmen will sing, and the Prairie Preachers — John Rieth, Karen Trenne, Pat Mersch and Paul Trenne — will provide a bit of Lutheran humor. Anne Christopherson also will sing, and Karen Miller will play piano.
Despite Down syndrome, Karen, 25, “has amazed us all,” said Karen Dalager, her piano teacher. “She reads notes beautifully, and her timing has gotten so good. She puts more expression into playing than most students, and she likes a challenge. She’s willing to work hard to master it.”
A freewill offering for VMH’s chaplaincy program will be received. Last year, $4,000 was gleaned to supply such things as Bible study materials, devotionals, communion wafers, wine and grape juice.
“The chaplaincy program is an extension of the faith community of the Grand Forks area,” said Sue Bjornstad, development director. “Beyond the need for physical care is the spiritual care our residents need. That’s what our chaplains provide.”
VMH is a Christian nonprofit organization owned by 26 area Lutheran churches. Since 1924, VMH has carried out its mission of preserving the dignity and independence of the people it serves by providing long-term care services.
VMH has two chaplains — the Rev. Roger Brockmeyer and Larol Hursman, a certified lay Catholic chaplain. They team together with chaplains from Altru Hospital to serve the needs of residents.
During the program, the Tufte Tunes’ rendition of “Amazing Grace” will be dedicated to Roger, who retires Feb. 1. He served 10 years as an Altru Hospital chaplain and 13 years with VMH.
“It’s been very rewarding to carry on this ministry, Roger said. “I’m looking forward to retirement, but I’m sad to leave all the people behind. That’s going to be the toughest part. It’s been a privilege to be present at the sacred times in people’s lives. That’s something I will really miss. There are sad occasions and happy ones, and they are all meaningful. Sharing those things is really priceless.”
Roger and his wife, Suzanne, plan to travel before he begins a long list of home projects. Then, “I want to look around to see where I’d like to do more ministry,” Roger said. “I want to stay involved and use my talents in the community in some way.”
The Rev. Kerwin Sletto, a native of Draper, S.D., is Roger’s replacement. He’s not new to Grand Forks.
In 1981, while attending the Association Free Lutheran Theological Seminary, Kerwin served a summer internship at Trinity Free Lutheran Church, Grand Forks. His first parish after ordination was at Buxton and Portland, N.D.
Sletto said he and his wife, Wendy, are happy to be back, and he dearly loves ministering to the elderly.
“They are so welcoming and friendly, and they love to visit,” he said. “Life has changed so much for them when they’ve reached this stage. It’s good to have someone to talk to about their journey. That scriptural foundation is so strong in them, and being a chaplain really encourages a relationship. I will be extending the hand of Christ in love to enhance the lives of the tenants, residents and staff in whatever way I can.”
That said, how about we go Sunday to support VMH’s chaplaincy program. Just think how much smarter the music will make us!
Dunavan is a Herald columnist. Reach her at (218) 773-9521 or naomiinthespirit@aol.com.
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