Hollister
– Jody Larson’s fingers dance across the keys of the Wurlitzer
organ as he plays one of the
”
golden oldies
”
for a crowd of nursing home residents who hum along with the
tune, happy that the music has returned to them after being gone
too long.
Hollister – Jody Larson’s fingers dance across the keys of the Wurlitzer organ as he plays one of the “golden oldies” for a crowd of nursing home residents who hum along with the tune, happy that the music has returned to them after being gone too long.
For years Larson, 85, had played organ music for the residents of Mabie Northside Skilled Nursing Facility every Wednesday morning, a tradition cherished by both the entertained and the entertainer. But the weekly recitals came to an end in February when the organ at Northside was severely damaged after a careless person – a “scalawag” as Larson puts it – left it plugged in all night and the instrument fried.
Repairing the organ would cost several thousand dollars, Larson discovered after talking to a repairman, and buying a replacement would be just as expensive. It seemed hopeless until Larson turned to the community for help, and in a community like Hollister a call for help seldom goes unanswered. After a recent report in the Free Lance about the organ’s demise more than 15 people – one as far away as Aptos – called Larson offering him either organs or cash to buy a replacement. Larson, a retired music teacher who has played for local nursing home residents for about two decades, said that he appreciated each offer that he received.
“I feel great about it,” he said.
After looking at many of the organs offered, Larson said he chose the Wurlitzer – donated by Hollister resident Gloria Lomanto, by way of her mother Rita Bowling – because it was the only full-sized organ in the bunch. The instrument was transported to Northside a few weeks ago, and Larson began playing again on April 19.
“It’s a fine organ,” he said. “It’s got some bells and whistles that I still have to get used to. It makes enough noise that it pleases the old folks.”
After reading about Larson’s quest for an organ in the Free Lance, Bowling said she recalled the organ that a friend had willed to her. Bowling had given the organ to her daughter, who had the instrument in storage.
“I saw the (story) and thought, ‘Oh my god, this is perfect,'” Bowling said. Lomanto agreed, and they decided to donate the organ to Northside.
“I spent some time in a rest home, there’s no finer place for anybody to help,” Bowling said. “They do a lot of good work there.”
Northside residents eagerly await Larson’s weekly performances, and everyone at the nursing home is thankful for the new organ, said Mayvin Orellana, activities director at Northside.
“We’re just really happy with the community,” she said. “It’s great support. Everybody is really happy.”
Resident Ethel Tipton said she especially likes to watch Larson’s feet working the organ’s pedals as he plays the songs of the 1940’s and 50’s.
“Every Wednesday, I’m here to see him play,” she said.
Luke Roney covers local government and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at
lr****@fr***********.com
