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BRC resident demonstrates “stained glass”
creation
Delbert Blickenstaff, MD retired, demonstrated the process of building
stained glass windows for Greenville Kiwanis last week. A resident of
Brethren Retirement Community, 89-year-old Blickenstaff created a
number of the stained glass windows at BRC, along with four new windows
at the Greenville Cemetery Mausoleum. One has been installed; the other
three will be installed in the near future. Greenville Kiwanis meets
every Wednesday at BRC’s Chestnut Village Community Center. Membership
in the community service organization is open to interested individuals
who want to help serve the children of our community.
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By Bob Robinson
A dry, sometimes sharp wit entertained about 30 Kiwanians and guests
Wednesday as retired physician, Delbert Blickenstaff, MD, demonstrated
his stained glass skills.
He told the group that the last time he did a demonstration, “they got
bored,” so he decided to build a smaller piece of glass… then proceeded
to go through a step-by-step process of cutting various pieces of
stained glass to fit a pattern that he had created.
He put the pieces together, using a combination of tape and solder to
attach them, sometimes explaining sometimes simply concentrating on the
task at hand. Questions were often answered with a blunt “yes” or “no.”
The world seemed to go away for the artist… he had a project to finish.
Contrary to being bored, Kiwanians started standing and moving closer
to get a better view. Several seemed transfixed as multi-colored pieces
of glass began to form a pattern, which Blickenstaff proudly displayed
when finished.
“It was awesome,” said Key Club member, Mariah Reitz, who was one of
this week’s high school visitors to the sponsoring club’s weekly
meetings.
So why is Delbert Blickenstaff, MD, a “Maestro?”
Maybe because he’s a talented stained glass window designer, who is
responsible for a number of completed windows at Brethren Retirement
Community and Greenville Cemetery’s Mausoleum.
Maybe because he took wood from a downed tree, treated it and carved
small shelves that now adorn the doorways of many of the residents at
BRC.
Maybe it’s because he served the community for decades as a physician
at Family Health in Greenville.
Maybe because he is a talented actor and writer with many local
community and church drama performances under his belt.
Maybe because he is president of the Darke County Senior Scribes and
has published a variety of interesting stories over the years… maybe
because as a Director of the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund he helps
raise money for scholarships for Darke County teens.
Or maybe it’s because he’s going to turn 90 years old on July 3… and
has reservations to go White Water Rafting in West Virginia on July 5.
Maestro? I don’t know. It just seems to fit.
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