Gleanings From The Mailbag

Here's one for the books. Alvin Ries (1996 IBEC winner), editor of the Merrillville, Ind., Chapter's Overtones, writes about what may be a barbershopping first. Chapter member Danny Zdrojeski was getting ready to marry Sophie Slowiak. Prior to the ceremony he asked a friend for a cough drop. The cough drop wasn't Danny's regular brand and had something in it that caused an allergic reaction.

Danny, Sophie and the priest ended up in the emergency room, where Danny's tongue had swollen to four or five times its normal size. The priest "was flustered and could not read the ceremony, so Danny ended up reading his own wedding ceremony." Alvin further writes that Danny spent the night in a semi-private hospital room and Sophie handled their roles at the reception. "It sure was a quiet reception without Danny," Alvin concluded.

Kudos to Robert Welter, editor of the Oakville, Ont., The Entertainers rechorder, who writes a "What is happening with..." column. Some of his reminders include: Barbershopper of the Month awards; recognition for members who have retired; advertising flyer for the chapter show and articles for the bulletin. Keep it up, Robert! Being an editor takes time and your dedication is obvious.

Here's a novel approach for a chapter. Grant Carson, writing as chapter development v.p. in his Big D bulletin for the Dallas, Texas, Chapter, talks of a "one hundred percent night." He notes that the chapter meetings have had attendance just three men short of full attendance. That sounds like a great goal for any chapter - one hundred percent!

The Peterborough, Ont., Chapter tried something different to find new members and it worked. Editor Norm Savage reports in The Barnstormer how the chapter used a "real barbershop to act as the locale for a membership drive." The owner let them use the shop for an evening. The PR man "laid on the usual publicity, namely newspaper and TV" and a couple of advertisements. Their efforts resulted in two new members!

Milt Weisman, editor of Cherry Hill, N.J., Chapter's Tru-Notes, tells of a chorus trip to England. The trip is from April 28 to May 4 and airfare is a very reasonable $514 per person. They are hoping that they may be able to sing at the 25th anniversary celebration of the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) on Saturday, May 1.

Neil Keihm, Chapter Development VP for the Wilmington, Delaware, Chapter shows a plan for 1999 that includes:

• Have a notice in every local newspaper on a continuing basis about our chapter meetings.
• Have an average of at least one performance per month.
• Support the Music Team by scheduling a weekly and monthly quartet activity.
• Conduct a four- or six-week lecture series at Boscov's Department Store in Sep.-Oct.

[There is no mention in the bulletin what the focus is for the lecture series. Once more is known it will be included in this column. -Ed.]

Good exposure and public relations go together as told in the Johnnycake Ridgerunner, bulletin of the North Coast Chapter of Mentor, Ohio, Stan Wardwell, editor. The Johnnycake Ridge Singers performed a Yule Show at the United Methodist Church in Painesville, Ohio. Performers also included three chapter quartets and the local Riverside High School Performing Choir.

Editor Stan writes: "The Painesville Area Habitat for Humanity had been offered the opportunity to sponsor the evening in return for the net proceeds of the admissions. The group had publicized the event and sold the tickets. The church wasn't quite full, but the audience seemed really to enjoy the music and when we mingled with them after the show, they were very enthusiastic. Many sought inclusion on our mailing list for our spring show."

Describing the chorus's new female director, Doug McLellan, editor of the Grimsby, Ontario, Chapter's The Knight Line, writes: "As for her directing style she is demanding and tells us up front what she expects. She doesn't teach words and music and prints us a monthly schedule, which lays out each chapter night, the songs we will be working on and what level we should be at with each song. She is very positive in her approach and firm in her objectives." [I like the part about printing a schedule and the expectations. -Ed.]

The Peninsulaire, bulletin of the Salisbury, Md., Chapter reports a busy Christmas season. Editor Chuck Steelman tells of six Christmas singouts. It's that kind of exposure that is needed to let the public know that our hobby is not a best-kept secret.