Saturday, November 4, 2017

Looking Back on the Oct. 31st Chapter Meeting
The Harmonizers gathered at the First Baptist Church this week, where we will rehearse for the next three weeks.
The primary focus for the evening was the Holiday Show, December 2nd and 3rd. Director Joe Cerutti thanked all the guys who turned out for the community singing event last Wednesday at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. It was a great event made possible in large measure by Dean Rust and John Oswald Green. Joe read parts of an email from Joyce Garrett, the church's Director of Music and long time Alexandria community supporter. She was so thrilled with the event she wants to make it an annual event.
Terry Reynolds conducted this week’s business meeting, reminding members of important information about upcoming shows. On November 10, we will again be participating in the Veteran's Day salute at the Oakton Middle School. Call time is 8:30 am. Dress is coat and tie or military uniform with patriotic ties encouraged. This is always a fun event and a great opportunity for our 6th row guys to perform. We will be singing the “Armed Forces Medley,” “God Bless America” and the tag to “God Bless the USA” (a quartet will sing the rest).

It's time to sell tickets for the Holiday Show. If you have not done so, FaceBook users should follow Steve Murane's instructions to locate the events on the Harmonizer FB page and indicate you are going, then share the announcement with a personal note. Brian Ammerman is organizing a Paint-the-Town event Saturday, November 4 to help spread word and have some fun. Contact Brain if you can participate.

For the holiday show and other events, we will be wearing our holiday sweatshirts and scarves. Guys were encouraged to make sure they can find them and that they are in good condition. If you do not have them or they need replacement, please report back next week.

 In addition to the Holiday show December 2-3, we will be singing at senior centers during the day on December 8 and 9.

Terry announced that the yahoo groups will be discontinued as a means for chapter communications and replaced with Groupanizer. To prepare for this, guys should log on to Groupanizer and make sure their primary and secondary email addresses are updated.

Liz Birnbaum, president of AH Inc., reported on recent donations of gift cards and other valuable merchandise for the Holiday Show silent auction. Steve Sutton, another AH Inc. board member has donated some valuable, eye catching items. Rob Barnovski received facility passes from the Fairfax County Parks Authority. Johan Westberg secured valuable donations from IKEA and several guys received gift cards, just by asking businesses they patronize. One out of two businesses will make a donation if you ask. Where else can you beat those odds? Liz encouraged everyone to do their part and ask. Liz also announced the need for a laptop or Ipad. If anyone would like to make a tax deductible donation of one of these items, please talk to Liz.

Al Herman, chapter treasurer, told us about a great opportunity for those of us in retirement to help the chapter and reduce taxes at the same time. Look for more information in your mail box. Chris Buechler, still recovering from surgery, presented Jim Kirkland with his eight year membership card.

Membership Director Dave Kohls announced that Chris Leyen and Mario Sengco had passed auditions and introduced guests Brad Jayne, Nick Fredrick, Shelly Reagan, and Carlos Barillo's family members Susanna, Connie and Maria.
After break, we worked on Holiday songs and “God Bless the USA” in preparation for the Veteran's Day program. Carlos taught us slightly revised choreography for “Text Me Merry Christmas.” Joe thanked the guys for the great progress being made on the holiday music and challenged us to be ready to take it to the next level next week.

A good group enjoyed the afterglow at Ramparts.
(Thanks to Don Harrington for taking notes for YeEd.)

Until next time – editorjack!
(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on each week during the 70th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

                                                                                                                      

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