Hospital goes extra fraction of a mile
Helen Hesketh, of Bellevue, recently spent a couple of days at Overlake Hospital Medical Center, thanks to a case of pneumonia. She and her husband were impressed by the post-hospitalization curbside service.
The normally healthy Hesketh was exhausted. She had surgery in September and then got pneumonia.
“She has been doing little other than resting and sleeping,” said her husband, Joe Hesketh.
To be certain she was recovering, her physician ordered an oxygen-level test through Overlake’s respiratory-care department.
When technician Karen DePasquale learned Hesketh had just been in the hospital, she arranged the drive-up service. She asked Joe Hesketh to bring his wife to the valet parking area.
DePasquale met them at the curb, and Helen Hesketh stayed in the car for the test.
Although curbside service isn’t routine, Terry Smith, director of the respiratory-care department, wasn’t surprised by DePasquale’s carside manner.
“Our technicians are wonderful, caring people,” he said.
Flying high
Bryan Hanner, of Bellevue, flew to Neverland - not the first time this 10-year-old has run away with Peter Pan. He’s playing Michael Darling in a touring production of “Peter Pan.”
A few weeks ago Bryan’s mother, Dawn, received a late-night phone call from New York asking how soon Bryan could join the company. They caught a red-eye flight to Maine, and he went on stage within hours of arrival. They’ve been touring the Northeast and Midwest. (The production will be at the Pantages Theater in Tacoma Jan. 16.)
Fortunately the Cougar Ridge Elementary fifth-grader knows the role well. (Yes, he’s expected to keep up his schoolwork, too.) He played Michael in “Peter Pan” at the Ivanhoe Performing Arts Center in Bellevue, the Mountaineers Players in Kitsap County, and at Skyline High School.
In September he wowed audiences when Attic Theatre produced “The Sound of Music.” He was Kurt Von Trapp and consistently hit a high note during the children’s “So Long, Farewell” song.
The touring cast will have a couple of weeks off around Christmas.
So what does Bryan, who has been doing seven and eight shows a week, want to do on the break?
“Go see all his friends and colleagues in shows in Seattle,” said Dawn Hanner.
Salt-free memorial
I resisted putting salt on my lunch Wednesday as my own private memorial to singer and actor Robert Goulet, who died this week.
During a lunch interview many years ago, he teased me about using too much salt.
It was the beginning of a running joke. I was fortunate enough to work with him several times when he performed in Seattle. (I was even invited to his wedding but was unable to attend.) Mr. Goulet was charming, funny and, oh, what a voice.
Here’s a backstage tidbit: He bounced around the dressing room before a show, worrying aloud that he wouldn’t remember the lyrics. He always did.
Sherry Grindeland: 206-515-5633 or sgrindeland@seattletimes.com