A neighbor nominated him to get a keyboard, and now everybody gets to enjoy it on music nights good wishes
Phillip Horrell walked to the front of the community room at South Greengate Commons near Greensburg, placed his hands atop his Yamaha electric keyboard and began to play.
Half a dozen residents picked up their songbooks and sang along as he played, “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain” and “I’ve Been Workingon the Railroad.”
A resident of the Westmoreland County Housing Authority apartment complex in Hempfield Township for four years, Mr. Horrell, 90, has long enjoyed participating in its regularly scheduled music nights.
Blind since birth, Mr. Horrell began learning to play piano in seventh grade.
“I never asked to get out of it. Most of it was classical music. My dad found an old piano for $20. He didn’t realize what he bought. It was a good piano,” he said.
But until recently, Mr. Horrell was not able to show off his chops, so to speak.
Another resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, knew he would like a keyboard. She nominated him for a wish through the Westmoreland County chapter of Twilight Wish Foundation.
A widower, Mr. Horrell was a longtime Greensburg resident. For more than 50 years, he served as a masseur atthe Greensburg YWCA.
“I trained at the Young Men’s Hebrew Association in Pittsburgh,” he said.
Now, his fingers work their magic on his keyboard, donated by a Twilight Wish Foundation volunteer, and on his guitar. As part of his wish, he also received a guitar stand and a carrying case for his keyboard.
His grandmother, he said, was instrumental in his learning to play guitar.
“She picked up a little black guitar for about $3. She just gave it to me as a challenge. Other students gave me a few tips,” he said.
Tickling their musical fancy
Mr. Horrell enjoyed playing guitar for entertainment and at family gatherings. He also sang in barber shop quartets for more than 45 years, often performing for residents of nursing homes.
“I like bluegrass, country music. Ricky Skaggs is a favorite. Don Williams was a good singer. I like mostly country music,” he said.
With a shy smile and an easy manner, Mr. Horrell downplayed his skills as residents complimented him.
“You have a very good voice for singing. We’ll sing whatever you want to play,” said resident Gina Rosky.
“I think I have a couple tunes in me yet,” he said.
Strapping on his guitar, Mr. Horrell crooned Mr. Skaggs’ “Crying My Heart Out Over You,” ending the music night with “Wait Til The Sun Shines, Nellie,” “Camptown Races” and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.”
A worthy recipient
Cara Brooks, a volunteer with the Westmoreland County chapter of Twilight Wish Foundation, said an annual golf outing and donations fund the nonprofit’s wishes.
“We get a lot of generous donations,” said Jamie Bostard, Westmoreland County chapter director.
The chapter averages three wishes a month, Ms. Bostard said.
Anyone can nominate someone for a wish, which have included lift chairs, hearing aids, a ride in a blimp, attending a military reunion, having a casino night, meeting a celebrity and attending a sporting event.
Recipients must be 65 or permanent residents of elder care facilities, meet income requirements, be U.S. citizens and possess a history of giving back to others.
“Every wish is a bit different. We had a volunteer who had a keyboard she wanted
to donate for the cause,” Ms. Brooks said.
“He was very excited. He actually got tearful. It was very sweet,” she said of Mr. Horrell’s response to his surprise wish.
“He was the loveliest. I wanted to throw him over my shoulder and take him home with me. … I told him, ‘You are one handsome devil,’” Ms. Bostard said.
Mr. Horrell has four sons and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He recently visited family in Florida, where he said he was surprised with his favorite dinner, meatloaf, and his favorite dessert, coconut cream pie.
Ms. Brooks reminded those attending the music night that others among them could qualify for a wish of their own.
“If you think of someone with a special wish, we are here for you,” she said.
For more information about Twilight Wish Foundation, visit twilightwish.org.