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St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, June 7, 2013
Elvis ‘lives’ at Arlington Place assisted-living community by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
“Elvis” made an appearance at the annual summer picnic June 1 at Arlington Place assisted-living community in St. Joseph. Elvis circled the room and serenaded residents and guests as he draped scarves around women’s necks and even gave out a few coveted kisses. He sang Love me Tender to Clara Stueve, Helen Parich and Lenora Hilsgen and Young and Beautiful to Martha Kierzek. He continued to serenade residents Irene Haus and Luvern “Notchie” Kirscht. “We have to talk later,” Kirscht whispered. “Your room or mine?” crooned Elvis. Elvis kept on performing even as the temperature started to rise and Ken Krona, the maintenance man, turned the thermostat down. “It’s getting hot in here,” Elvis said. Elvis held the hand of Audrey Schroeder, Hilsgen’s daughter, as he sang Hold My Hand and gave a stuffed teddy bear to Hilsgen’s 8-year-old granddaughter, Amber Hilsgen, as he sang Teddy Bear. He continued to sing Can’t Help Falling in Love With You to resident Mary Pfeffer and Karen Hennessy, housing manager. Elvis had Hennessy and Krona participate in All Shook Up by asking them to do a little bit of shaking
while he sang. He sang The Wonder of You to his wife, Sharon. Elvis and Sharon have been married for 42 years. Arlington’s 20 residents and about 50 other friends and family listened and laughed as Elvis performed many other songs, including Don’t be Cruel, Loving You, Blue Suede Shoes, Am I Ready, You Don’t Know Me, Just Pretend and many others. He also sang a set of gospel music, including How Great Thou Art, Peace in the Valley, If We Never Meet this Side of Heaven and others. Elvis ended the performance with a song his brother, Jerry, wrote called I Miss Elvis Presley. Hennessy, who has been the housing manager since December 2012, said the theme for this year’s annual picnic was “Elvis Lives.” “I think everyone had a great time,” she said. Prior to Elvis’s performance, residents and guests had enjoyed picnic food consisting of barbecues, hot dogs, potato salad, watermelon and other items. They were treated to icecream cones after the Elvis performance. Members of the St. Cloud Antique Auto Club, nicknamed “The Pantowners,” displayed some classic cars of the 1960s in the Arlington Place parking lot. Cars on display included a 1960 Ford Thunderbird and a 1960 Chrysler Saratoga, both owned by Randy
photos by Cori Hilsgen
Above: Elvis asks Ken Krona (left) and Karen Hennessy to help him perform All Shook Up by doing a little shaking. Below: The St. Cloud Antique Auto Club, nicknamed “The Pantowners,” displayed classic cars from the 1960s at the Arlington Place annual picnic. This 1960 Ford Thunderbird, owned by Randy and Karen Marchand, was the favored car. Inset left: Elvis sings to Clara Stueve, 100. Inset right: New resident Mary Bailey, 82, enjoys the picnic with her daughters and granddaughter (left to right) Mary Brown, Karen Marks and Kyndra Sing. Bailey moved to Arlington a month ago.
and Karen Marchand, a 1970 Chevy Impala owned by Larry Hennessy, a 1961 Pontiac Bonneville owned by Larry Engel and a 1963 Chevy Impala owned by
Jim Zwilling. Residents and guests voted on their favorite cars. The first- place winner was the 1960 Thunderbird; the second- place winner was
the 1961 Pontiac Bonneville. Owners of the cars received trophies from Hennessy. Elvis performer Jim Schmidt is a 66-year-old
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