Gleanings From The Mailbag

[Sounds like parking cars is a better deal than getting quartets to go out and sing, or does it mean that men like cars and dogs better than they like their wives? -Ed.]

This item came from Editor Alan Burt's Rogue Rhapsody, Medford, Oregon, Chapter.

From the Hilltop, Minnesota, Chapter, GNU's NEWS, Emery Nelson, editor and Tyler Smith, assistant editor, is a piece by President John Kleiber.

John writes about the chorus performance of the "National Anthem" at a Minnesota Twins game. Someone from the Minnesota Vikings must have been at the game, because the chorus was then invited to sing for two Vikings games. At the second game, they also sang Rob Hopkins' arrangement of "America the Beautiful" as part of the half-time entertainment. John concludes, "I can still hear 65,000 people cheering!"

On the mailing plate of The Wichita Woodshedder is printed: GO FORTH AND HARMONIZE. Glen Fulkerson is editor for the Wichita, Kansas, Chapter.

Sometimes you really have to be aware of your appearance. You never know who may be watching. This item came from the Salisbury, Maryland, Chapter's Peninsulaire, Shoshana Matthews, editor.

Several things were taken note of by the front row audience (fortunately, all spouses) at the recent performance for the Wicomico County Arts Council on New Year's Eve.... There was a jacket that was obviously three sizes too small for the wearer; a pair of tux pants that was either too large or had not been shortened; ... a white shirt that was not a tux shirt; ... a pair of white socks (that showed from the risers); hands in pockets while standing on the risers (although not while singing). Unfortunately, there were a lot of pictures being taken that night, including by the news media!

A special thank you is in the Stool Pigeon, the bulletin of the Quinte Region Chapter, Ontario District, Rick Casson, editor. Over the last few years, Craig Carlson's wife, Debbie, has donated several pieces for John's weekly swindle in aid of H4S [Harmonize For Speech]. This has provided us with a larger than usual take as the guys buy extra tickets to try and win one of her masterpieces. The latest winner was Jim Mott who took a gorgeous medieval Santa home with him. At the December board meeting it was prominently displayed on his mantle and received many admiring comments.

Thank you, Deb. We all appreciate the hard work and talent that allows us the chance to win one of your lovely works. The money raised goes to our charity.

Editor Harry Squires, writing in The Pot O' Gold, bulletin of the Chilliwack, B.C., Chapter, tells of the experience that every chapter would like: performing to a full house. Not only did they have a full house once, but three times over the weekend. Also, their afterglow was sold out.

Harry also writes: Opening the dress rehearsal to the public on the Thursday evening was a great benefit to the Salvation Army, who had over two barrels of food donated, plus over forty dollars in cash.

Pottstown is working together for the new millennium. The idea is to gather as many area residents as are willing to come to stand together in front of the new borough hall on the first day of the new century.

Mercury photographers will be on hand to take a picture at 11:00 a.m. Veronica White, president of the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority, is taking the lead in putting the event together. White is sending specific appeals to Pottstown's many organizations urging them to come down for the once-in-a-century opportunity. It would be a great opportunity for the Ches-Mont Jubilaires to perform for the large group of people that will be there. Let's make it happen!

This item is from Editor Sylvester Buszta's Jubilaires Sounds of the Pottstown, Pa., Chapter.

From the Palo Alto, Calif., Chapter, Peninsula Pitch, Dennis Baker, editor, is an article on the chapter's fundraising.

The Cabaret and Ice Cream Social netted about $1,700, placing it third among the chapter's fundraising activities for the year behind Singing Valentines ($3,100) and the Annual Show ($2,800). About 60 people attended the ice cream social; there were about 180 patrons at the evening cabaret. A good portion of the house was walk-up sales for both shows.