What a surprise birthday party Fred Batten had.
An 88-year-old resident at Mountain View Care Center in Ripley, WV, Batten recently had a visit from his family. And, oh, by the way, he also got a special performance by the Ripley High School marching band.
Batten spent more than 30 years as a music educator, 15 of them as the Ripley High School band director. A local resident notified Jannette Reed, Mountain Views’s activity director, of Batten’s background and the two set a day and time for the band’s visit, which was covered by local media.
Best of all, the facility had just come out of tightened regulations because more than two residents at the 116-bed facility had tested positive for COVID-19.
“Normally, we’d be six feet apart and wear masks, but we didn’t have to do any of that, so it worked out wonderfully,” Reed said. “The staff was beautifully helpful to get the residents their dinner, cleaned up and outside, and they absolutely loved it. It was a blessing.”
The band, in full regalia, played the school fight song, the alma mater and the Star Spangled Banner. Here is the video.
“You are magnificent people,” a delighted Batten told the band. “I don’t know you, but I love you.”
