Sing a Song of Christmas

I have enjoyed every type of music this season. We have heard the Mennonite singers of all ages when they cane to share their talents with us at Morningside. These included infants, young boys and girls, their parents and grandparents. With no accompaniment except a hum from one of the men, they helped us start off the season with their visit.

Later a small group of United Methodist children and their Sunday school teachers caught me in bed and I rejoiced at hearing their sweet voices. But perhaps the best Christmas gift was given by the members of the Community Choir.

That loyal group has joined together for many years, with some new additions added each year, to spend their fall Tuesday night’s rehearsing familiar and new songs about Christmas. This year there were 35 singers, the expert pianist Rhonda Leonard and the gaily-dressed director, Wesley Morton.

The attractively decorated stage at the Fox Theater was brought to life with the colorful clothing of the participants and the smiles and cheerfulness of all the participants.

When you’re thinking of a Christmas concert led by the high school music director, you assume that the cast of singers will be students. Not so for this concert, which was sponsored by Renwick Insurance Company and filled with businessmen and women, retired personnel, housewives, and members of different choirs of local churches.

One of the most interesting and talented singers is Dan Keller who has been blind since birth but can walk to the rehearsals; learn all the intricate songs with no music binders bringing the words, notes and movements.

Speaking of movements we were amazed at Rhonda Leonard who had no moments to rest. From the opening of the curtains, to the intermission and then from the second half she was not only on stage, but was playing the piano all the time. Some of the groups could sit down or leave the stage while special songs were presented, and everyone one else had a few minutes to sit and rest.

On Sunday afternoon I was able to go with a nice group of residents of Morningside of Nevada while the CCPA made provisions for some of our walkers, wheel chairs and canes. Everyone was comfortably seated and enjoyed the time together after coming from a fully packed van. With the help of the two drivers from the Morningside and a few who had found other ways to come to the concert, they increased the number of attending in the third performance.

Those who chose to remain at the Morningside were somewhat surprised at the enjoyment felt by those who had gone and those who did go enjoyed being part of the enthusiastic audience. I felt that next year no one will be choosing to take a nap or watch TV instead of seeing this local performance.

Kim Bessey, from the CCPA group, and some of us residents of Morningside worked together to make the occasion a “Christmas to Remember.”

We wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.