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www.canyoncourier.com
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OURIE
The mountain area’s newspaper since 1958
est. 1958
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2021
NOW SERVING EVERGREEN, CONIFER, BAILEY AND PINE
75 CENTS
Music to their ears Elk Run residents create handbell ensemble BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The bells of Elk Run Assisted Living are ringing. Several residents have created an ensemble to learn the art of handbell playing. Practicing for only three weeks, the group performed its first mini-concert last week, playing “Happy Birthday” during lunch to celebrate residents with March birthdays. The group is looking for a song to learn to welcome new residents to the facility, and it hopes to have a lengthier concert soon. Activities Director Sarah Bogdan is the handbell ensemble director, pointing to the bell that needs to be played. She found a set of simple bells for interested residents to try, noting that ringing bells was a good activity for older adults, especially while residents have not had many visitors during the pandemic. She explained that although the ensemble members admit they’re not good singers, they have musical backgrounds, so ringing the bells came naturally. In addition to being fun and musical, bell ringing helps with hand-eye coordination and memory, so the activity is a win-win for the residents. Bettie Lynn Walden jumped at
Elk Run Activities Director Sarah Bogdan points to the bell that needs to ring as the bellringers play “Happy Birthday.” The group was demonstrating its performance skills outside last week for the Canyon Courier, since visitors are not allowed into the building PHOTOS BY DEB HURLEY BROBST because of COVID-19. Left: Chuck Wickland, left, and Ferne Firth prepare to play their parts.
Right: Bettie Lynn Walden enjoys playing bells with the other bellringers.
SEE BELLS, P9
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