A sing for Joy

Joy Hayes has been a member of the Guilford Church Community for a long time, almost as long as I can remember. i knew her parents, Jim and Olive Hayes. Jim Hayes, in his later life, was a paraplegic, due to an injury in a ski jump accident. But not before he had inspired a local boy, Bill Koch, to be a cross-country skier. That's the Bill Koch who went on to be the first U.S. Nordic skier to medal in the Olympics - taking the silver medal for the 30k race in 1976.

Bill Koch, Nordic skier. protégé of Jim Hayes, Joy Hayes' father. ****************************** Today, Joy Hayes is a resident at Langdon Place, an assisted living facility in Keene, NH. A group of us from the church went there today to sing for her. But she wanted to share us with the other residents. So we sang in a parlor where about 12-15 residents were gathered - mostly women. We sang hymns from the Guilford Hymnal, which we had brought with us. Three hymns had been requested by Joy Hayes beforehand: "Siyahamba" (We are marching in the Light of God), "Precious Lord, take my hand," and "How can I keep from singing." About 8-9 more requested or suggested by one of us. Several residents sang along. We learned later that there are no Protestant services held there, and there are many residents who miss singing hymns very much. They hope we will come back - regularly!

Langdon Place, Keene. NH

The Parlor where we sang - decorated for Memorial Day Weekend

Joy Hayes

Mary Grove, who organized the group and accompanied some songs on her guitar.**************** We were brought to Keene by Cathy Hess, because we didn't feel safe driving our car to Keene, after the deer damage. She came to the house and picked us up, which was very nice.