Jared Schaefer of WRJM in Charleston with the presidents of EIU and Lakeland College
PRESIDING WITH THE PRESIDENTS
Jared Schaefer (center) is the newest member of the CCC. He is also the voice of WMCR (1270 AM and 107.5 FM) in Charleston, IL. Last Saturday he performed a live interview with two area college presidents. At the left is Dr. William Perry of Eastern Illinois University and at the right is Mr. Scott Lensink of Lakeland College (Mattoon).
With their schedules, it is not easy to get them together at the same time….that’s why Jared sings LEAD.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS HONOR FLIGHT
Marsha Bowyer and Charles Riggle on the WWII Honor Flight
Jeff and Marsha Bowyer just returned after being guides for two WWII vets on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC. They left on May 23rd and returned on May 24th. They have lots of stories and photos, as will James Tidwell when he accompanies his father next week on a similar excursion.
We’ll have a “Special Honor Flight” summary newsletter in the next week or so. We hope to collect significant donations at our June 9th Show, so as to provide some funding for additional vets to make this trip.
Here, Marsha sits with Charles Riggle from Danville as the flight leaves for Washington.
The Bowyers and honored vets at WWII Memorial
Marsha, with Mr. Riggle and Jeff with Arthur Skelton (Champaign) are photographed at the WWII Memorial on their tour.
Ironically, it turns out that Charlie and Arthur both sang barbershop with the Danville and Champaign Chapters, respectively. What is the probability of two former barbershoppers being guided by two current lovers of the hobby?
All were overwhelmed at the great respect and courtesies the vets where shown throughout the venture. Young and old, at airports and other locations, were quick to acknowledge and personally thank those who fought for our freedoms some 60 to 70 years ago.
BET YA DIDN’T KNOW THAT…
Jim and Lee Roll will fly to California this weekend to see their new (one week old) granddaughter.
After being called BS, Brad Smith announced that he was one of six children, all of whom had the initials BS. Not in order of age, they are Bonnie, Betty, Bob, Bill, Bruce, Brian and Brad.
This coming Saturday (June 2nd) a special “Gourd Gathering” event will take place at the Pumpkin Patch in Arthur. Bruce Condill (PP Owner) explains that the event will last from 10 AM to 4 PM and demonstrations of artistic decorating will be part of the program. The bakery will also be open with some free samples..sounds like a good deal.
The new Scrolling Marquee has arrived and Jim Roll and Les Heath hope to get it up and running by show time so that the chorus members can have visual cues as to progress of the show…what song comes next.
Sharon Gilbert, the narrator for our upcoming show, will be the first woman in our 42 year history to narrate a major performance for the chorus. It is ironic that she will be with us for the military show when the fact is that her own father, Knawha Ferguson, was a WWII veteran of battles in South Pacific.
On April 6, 1945, he was aboard the USS Newcomb (destroyer) which was hit by five kamikaze plane attacks that demolished the ship. Forty-three of the 108 men on board were killed that day. Fortunately, Sharon’s father survived, though he rarely spoke of the incident.
LAST NIGHT
Thirty five would be a pretty decent 9 hole golf score and that was the same number we had on the risers last night. Roger Smith has the Chorus Contest photos ($12). Les Heath was given his 13 year membership card and Dave Clausing announced that he is starting to get some “thank you” notes from area high school music educators who received our financial gifts to their vocal music programs.
Woodshedders Woodall, Roll, Hawker, Leathers, Heinz, and Smith
For a couple of years, Ron and Sue Leathers have hosted the bi-monthly Woodshed Lunch events in their home. Last night some of the regular attenders sang a parody version of “The Sidewalks of Andover Place” (tune: “The Sidewalks of New York” …East Side, West Side etc.) for the chorus. From left to right: Tom Woodall, Jim Roll, Gary Hawker, Ron Leathers, Chuck Heinz and Brad Smith.
Brad wrote the words to the second verse. “Come to Ron’s house for barbershoppers lunch. We sing a lot of pole cats, we’re a harmonizing bunch. When we start to woodshed or try a new part to sing. We still have fun with our music, cause we love to make chords ring”.
Toby Beachy -- we'll save you a place
We still have some 300 tickets to sell to fill the hall, but the Patron donations are nearly $5,500 (about 80% of our annual goal). A recent significant donation came in from State Farm Insurance…thanks to Stan McMorris.
Derek Gilbert reports that web site ticket sales are picking up (www.colescountychorus.com).
Unfortunately, Toby Beachy will be taking what we hope is just a temporary “leave of absence” from the chorus. He stopped to share that news last night and did well in directing “Keep the Whole World Singing” To show his versatility, he also helped move risers following the meeting.
*****
JUNE 7, 2012 7 PM Thursday Extra and Final Show Rehearsal at First Presbyterian Church in Mattoon
JUNE 9, 2012 SATURDAY ANNUAL SHOW at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
4 PM Show at Dvorak Hall 6:15 PM After Glow Dinner and Program at EIU Student Union
Guest: The Charleston High School Girls Quartet, After Hours Illinois District Champs (2010) and International Semi-Finalist. The Sound of Illinois (Bloomington Chorus) 2012 Illinois Chorus Champs will also appear on the show. Ron Hawkins 276-3312 is the Ticket Chairman
JUNE 12th thru JULY 31st GUEST NIGHTS Bring a friend….expose him to the CCC and our Musical Fellowship
JULY 3rd – 7th INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AND CONTEST Portland, Oregon
JUST IN CASE YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW HERE IS THE BHS CODE OF ETHICS
The Society aspires to preserve for its members and for all future generations of members the sacred right of men to seek haven from the burden of their daily cares through indulgence in old-fashioned vocal quartet harmony, and to that end we do hereby solemnly pledge ourselves to abide by the precepts of the Code of Ethics.
• We shall do everything in our power to perpetuate the Society.
• We shall deport ourselves and conduct the Society’s functions in such manner as to reflect credit upon the Society and its membership.
• We shall conform in all aspects to the bylaws of the Society and the rules from time to time promulgated by its Society Board of Directors.
• We shall accept for membership only congenial men of good character who love harmony in music or have a desire to harmonize.
• We shall exhibit a spirit of good fellowship toward all members.
• We shall refrain from forcing our songs upon unsympathetic ears.
• We shall not use our membership in the Society for personal gain.
• We shall not permit the introduction of political, religious or other controversial issues into the affairs of the Society.
• We shall by our stimulus to good music and vocal harmony, endeavor to spread the spirit of harmony throughout the world.
• We shall render all possible altruistic service through the medium of barbershop harmony.
