Rolla Presbyterian Manor
AUGUST 2022
Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Dinah Dutta, chaplain at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor®.
Pause, Breathe,
Rolla Presbyterian Manor residents remember their wedding days Summer is the best season for swimming, fresh produce — and weddings. Every year, tens of thousands of couples say “I do” around this time of year, so we thought it would be a good time to ask residents to share their wedding memories.
Illa Bell and her husband George married on Oct. 18, 1945, about three weeks after Illa turned 21. The couple had been courting for two years, but Illa’s mother said she couldn’t get married until after her 21st birthday. The Bells’ wedding ceremony took place at First Presbyterian Church in Rolla, a pretty, white building on a hill. (The structure has since been George and Illa Bell married in 1945, turned into an antique mall, Illa honoring Illa’s mother’s wishes by members says.) About 40 family waiting until after Illa’s 21st birthday. and friends were in attendance. Illa and her mother traveled to St. Louis to buy her wedding gown, a white jersey street-length dress trimmed with gold nailheads. Her two attendants wore melon and blue sheer wool dresses, and George’s two attendants wore rosebud corsages. She chose black accessories and a white Bible adorned with an orchid and white satin ribbons. After the ceremony, Illa’s parents hosted a wedding reception at their home with cake, punch and coffee. Bouquets of flowers were placed around the house as decoration.
Wedding days – continued on page 3
HOPE By Chaplain Dinah Dutta
I can’t help but share this beautiful song with you as my thoughts are wrapped around 4th of Dinah Dutta July as I write my love note to all of you: The patriotic song, “America the Beautiful.” In spite of all the chaos, hatred, fear, and much more, I want to sing this song with all my heart. Each word reminds me how privileged and blessed I am to live in this great country. Please join me in singing: O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Pause, Breathe, HOPE – continued on page 4
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