November/December 2015- Page 3

THE VAIL VOICE Exhibit at the M.I.A. by Patricia E.

Vincent Van Gogh was born in 1853. He held various jobs until he was twen-ty-seven, when his brother encouraged and financially supported him to be-come an artist. A sensitive soul and a keen observer of the world inside and around him, he proved a brilliant and opinionated artist, obsessed with color. Towards the end of his career he went to the South of France to establish an artist community, but only one came, Paul Gaughin. Their heated arguments about art ultimately led Van Gogh to threaten Gaughin with a razor, and later that evening he sliced off his own ear and presented it to a prostitute. Van Gogh spent the following year in a nearby psychiatric hospital working and recovering. In his career he completed 850 paintings and had been an active artist for on-ly ten years. He also has nearly 1,300 works on paper: a triump of art over adversity. On July 27, 1890, just a few months after leaving the hospital, he walked into a wheat field and shot himself with a pistol. He died two days later with his brother by his side.

This piece was written in response to a recent outing to the MIA in which the museum featured several of Van Gogh’s pieces. Members and staff from the Hop-kins Clubhouse spent several hours walking around the museum and observing great works of art.

A Tribute to John A.

By L.A.

“Doc,” “Snack Bar Boy,” “Big John,” “the other John.” His nicknames were as tall as his personality, booming voice and stature, even if he did walk with a cane. John Alderson wasn’t with us - - - Vail Place Hopkins members - - - very long, but we came to love him and encompass him as part of the Clubhouse culture almost as much as our daily lunch. John unfortunately died of heart complications before he got to see and experi-ence our new Clubhouse. He would have been proud, because he was everything and more there was to know about Vail Place Hopkins - - - from the steaming hot kitchen, to the Sun Room, to the fish tank, and, of course, the Lava Lounge which he hovered over with due diligence a major portion of the time. Yes, John was a man of many words - - - kind and glowing words about Vail Place, on the Clubhouse Facebook page, upon which he gave us five stars and a glowing review.

“I am so glad that there is a place that takes you for yourself and not like someone who can’t do anything…,” he wrote. “I am glad to have found Vail Place……feels nice to feel I have a place to hang out for a while, make new friends and find that I am still able to do things. I am snack bar man, bingo man and now u may say cook-ie, yes i cooked a Thursday free dinner, also the feeling of being accepted also pos-itive reinforcement of things you do.” Perhaps he was most fondly and enthusiastically known by members for his speech at the Vail Place Annual Meeting just a few short months ago at International Mar-ket Square in Minneapolis. John emphatically shouted and stressed what Vail Place had done for him, and akin to his short time with us in the Clubhouse - - - not by design but merely as part of the moment……shut the meeting down.

Members made remembrance boards and celebrated John’s life at a memorial service on Nov 18th.

THE VAIL VOICE

David A. Sharon B. Donna C.

Ed D. Mike F. David H.

Calynn H. Bobby K. Yvette M. Mark M.

Jeremy N. Catherine O.

Lisa S. Lee S.

Connie S. Carolyn S. Ranee S. Susan T. Steve W. Leslie W.

November/December 2015 - Page 4

Nov/Dec Birthdays

Pictured from Left: Dave M., Seana F., Christine S., Paul H., Vicky C., and Tim P. spend a rainy afternoon rid-ing horses at Bunker Hills Stables.

Seana F. and Jonathan A. at Red Rock State Park during their trip to the International Conference.

Holiday Party Tuesday Dec, 15

From 3 to 6 P.M. at St. Mary’s Vail Place Hopkins and Minneapolis will have its annu-al Holiday Party Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 3 to 6 p.m. at St, Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in south Minneap-olis. You do not have to sign up for the event unless you de-sire transportation to and from the church. The sign up book is on the bookshelf in the dining area.

Vail Place Hopkins Open

House Thursday, Dec. 10 Vail Place Hopkins will be showing off its new spac-es- - - kitchen, dining, snack bar, clerical area, fitness area, offices, conference room and restrooms- - - to the public as part of an open house Thursday, Dec. 10 from 3 p.m.. to 6 p.m.