Looking Back on the Dec. 17^th Carol Craw; Dec. 16^th Sing for Cameron Station

First off – the weather on Tues. 10^th was awful – rainy and cold with snow predicted.  So chapter leaders decided on Monday to switch the Carol Crawl in Old Town to Dec. 17^th. Well the weather at 7 pm was not much better, but it quit raining and we had a nice time.

About 50 members of the chorus met at Market Square (near the stage) at 7pm for the annual Carol Crawl with the chorus singing in restaurants along King Street. This is about our 13^th annual caroling walk and the first time for several of our new members.

As usual we sang first at Gadsby Tavern (a popular spot for George Washington and his friends in the day) and then worked our way thru the popular Old Town entertainment district.  We sang three songs at each stop, wished them a Merry Christmas after announcing who we were and suggesting that if guys like to sing, come join us.  

And also as usual, we had a good group of fans (and some Harmo family members) who followed us along the street to each place. 

The Harmonizers were wearing Santa hats and dressed in colorful sweaters and bright scarves for the season.  Director Joe Cerutti was at the helm for the singing. 

As is the tradition, Mark Klostermeyer made contact with the owners/managers of the locations for us to sing.  Joe Cerutti Sr. organized an afterglow gathering spot at Chadwick’s which was our last stop for singing. A good crowd of the Harmo gang relaxed there. 

(In other news, here is a report prepared by Dean Rust from the Dec 15^th singout in Cameron Station.)

A group of hardy Harmonizers brought Christmas cheer to around 100 residents of Cameron Station on Sunday December 15.  The Cameron Station Community Association held its Holiday Extravaganza with ample food, hayrides for the children, and music from the Harmonizers.  Following an outside warmup near the community pool, the 20+ Harmonizers under the direction of Terry Reynolds took their place in the Gazebo while the families wandered out from the community center.  The sun was out, but the low 50’s temperature made it an extra “cool” sing out.  The audience including many children was very appreciative; we made some new friends and plugged the upcoming holiday show.  Special thanks not only to Terry but to Joe and Janet Cerutti and Joel Goldman for handling the sound system and to Clyde Crusenberry and Noah Van Gilder for their solos. 

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 70^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

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

First off – the weather on Tues. 10^th 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. 17^th.

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 10^th  – but those who made it worked on many little spots in the songs for our holiday show on Sat. Dec. 21^st 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. 30^th.

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 21^st.

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 4^th 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. 5^th.)

“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 70^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd