Tuesday, December 17, 2019



Looking Back on the Dec. 10th  Chapter Meeting; Dec. 5th Sing for Women’s Club

First off – the weather on Tues. 10th was awful – rainy and cold with snow predicted.  So chapter leaders decided on Monday to switch the Carol Crawl in Old Town to the next week – Dec. 17th.

The chorus will meet at Market Square (near the stage) at 7pm for the Carol Crawl. Mark Klostermeyer suggests guys watch the weather and dress accordingly but to wear some colorful scarves and Santa hats (the chorus will have some hats to issue too).  Parking is on your own – be sure to check the time on the meters in Old Town Alexandria – don’t be surprised that you have to pay til 8 pm or later. We will work our way down King Street toward the Potomac. Joe Cerutti Sr. reports that we will end up at Chadwick’s for an afterglow on the top floor to wrap up the nite.  It’s a lot of fun and even attracts a crowd of followers who are walking on King Street under the holiday lights. Everyone should make this one.

The weather also hampered many guys getting to the meeting on the 10th  – but those who made it worked on many little spots in the songs for our holiday show on Sat. Dec. 21st at 4 pm at Schlesinger. Director Joe Cerutti started the evening with follow up and reactions and stories about the successful holiday performance at Strathmore on Nov. 30th.

He followed with some warm up exercises using some of the songs from the show. He also used this week’s time to add some body energy and staging for a couple of the songs such as “Toyland.”

Of course, the chapter meeting was mostly detail reminders about the show. Auction items are still needed – get them to Randall Eliason.  And if you have nice quality shopping bags or extra bubble wrap, bring some of them to Robyn Murane at the show.

Full details for the show will be issued by email.  Same uniform as Strathmore. No need for more wrapped boxes for the stage. A riser work crew was solicited for the 21st.

President Shawn Tallant reported on the message that Ricky Savage’s wife, Linda, suffered a stroke earlier in the week, but is home and slowly getting rested and  regaining her strength. Gratefully there was no serious effect on her mobility. 

Shawn also was pleased to report that the members of the chapter donated a total of $1200 in a double-my-dues end-of-the-year campaign.  Thanks to all. 

Shawn reminds the chapter members and family that after the Holiday Show, the chorus doesn't get back together until Tuesday, Jan 14 for our first rehearsal of the New Year.  Of note - between those two dates is the Holiday Heat Glow, an annual Harmonizer holiday tradition where we come together for some Harmonizer camaraderie, a bit of grog, and perhaps a tag or two.  This year's Holiday Heat Glow is Saturday, Jan 4th 2020, at the home of Pat and Jack Pitzer - 7801 Suffolk Ct., Alexandria, VA 22315. Casual dress.

Finally Shawn shared a fun evening he had as a guest with Alexandria’s Mayor and other community leaders during the annual Alexandria Scottish Walk – and the welcoming of the sister city VIPs the chapter met in Scotland.  They remembered the chorus and the gifts presented.  Shawn was pleased to accept the applause and thank you from community leaders who expressed their appreciation for our having made the effort to meet with the folks in Scotland.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewals to John Sifuentes for 9 years; Nick Murane for 13 years’ Bruce Roehm for 19 years; and Steve White for 43 years.

After the meeting portion, we sang “Wish You a Merry Christmas” to end the nite early so guys could get home before the roads got bad. 

(Thanks to Chris Huber for submitting the following report from the performance on Dec. 5th.)

“A small group of Harmonizers performed on Thursday Dec. 5th for the Welcome Club of Northern Virginia, a women’s’ club of 234 members.  There were 110 women in attendance.  This was the third consecutive year we’ve performed for this group.  Led by Terry Reynolds, about 17 Harmonizers entertained the ladies with songs from our Christmas repertoire, plus “All You Need is Love.”  As always, we were well-received before, during and after our performance.  We announced the upcoming Christmas show and made flyers available for any who were interested.  About half of the singers gathered afterwards at Oh George restaurant for some “soda”, and lunch.  Of course, we also sang a few songs for patrons in the restaurant.  A fun time for all.


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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