April 23, 2011

The day after Earth Day and we get snow. Figures.  Ironically, I took the snowblower off the tractor yesterday.

Not that we really celebrated Earth Day, but it was a nice day, sunny and fairly warm. I was on vacation and played golf at Shattuck (round #2 for the year--very pleased with how I played). Then we went to Kimball's. And, when we came home spent time walking around the yard.

Happy to report that we saw a pair of Cardinals, the first we've seen at our house in a very long time. Hope they are here to nest. The Broadwing Hawks are also back--watched a pair soaring in and out of our trees. It's just amazing to watch them fly.  Not sure where the nest is, but I think it's in the woods on the east side of the house.

Happy spring.

Peterborough Chamber Choir & WGBY-TV

Update: We recently learned that the PCC has now been selected as one of four semi-finalists. Now, we sing in a live performance on Saturday, April 30. If we are then chosen as the finalist, we will sing in another live performance on Sunday, May 1.

This is all good news except for the fact that the Monadnock Chorus concerts fall that same weekend! Fortunately, although it will be close, the timing works out okay. Lots of driving between Peterborough and Springfield, MA, though.


Back in December, I wrote about a choral competition being sponsored by WGBY, the public television station in Springfield, MA. We had to do an audition tape, then 10 groups were selected in five different categories. We are in the "small adult category." We went to the studios in Springfield to record our "competition" entry. Now, they are broadcasting the performances in a series of shows. Oddly, there are 4-5 barbershop groups in our category--quite a difference from the type of music our group sings.

It was hard to sing in that space. It was "dead" acoustically, so we had difficulty hearing each other. Also, we were limited to two "takes" that had to be complete, with no stops. In other words, they did not splice the best performance of each song together. But it's been a fun process. And grandson Max got to go to the studio with us during the taping. I think he enjoyed seeing Deeda on television and looking around at the cameras, lights, etc.

Click here to see my original post about the competition which has our "audition" recording.

And here is the recording done in the WGBY studios:

Max's 6th Birthday

It took us MUCH longer than expected to drive to NYC for Max's birthday party.  A 20 mile detour; followed by a 1.5 hour stoppage near Waterbury, CT; only to find the Saw Mill River Parkway closed because of flooding.  We made it though.  The party was held at a fitness club--Max seemed to be having a great time.

 

 

Spring!

The fantastic full moon last night followed by a beautiful first day of spring--42 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.  We still have about 9 inches of snow in the yard, but that's going away quickly.  And the tulips are beginning to come up.  Things are looking up!

Yes, We've Got Snow

Sharon Invitational Golf-in-the-Snow Tournament

Gina and Rory Goff recently hosted the first (annual?) Sharon Invitational Golf-in-the-Snow Tournament.  (Very cold) beer on the course, followed by hot rum toddies, cornbread and chili. 

It was a bit awkward swinging a club while wearing heavy gloves, big boots and several layers of clothes.  However, most disconcerting, was trying to find a proper stance in thigh-deep snow and then being able to choke up enough on the club to actually hit the ball.

First, some still pictures showing our form during "warm up."  Then a brief video of the golfers playing hole #1.  Great fun!

CTE Director of the Year

I was recently selected as the Career-Technical Director of the Year by the NH Association of School Principals. Very nice ceremony in Concord with several hundred people plus the Governor.  And, best of all, Sue was able to be there with me.

A distinct honor. Plus, I can't recall ever seeing my name in lights!

Snow and Sledding

We had a little snow before everyone arrived for the holidays.  The Boxing Day storm added more--good times on the sled!

 Brian took some great shots during the height of the storm.

 

 

Peterborough Chamber Choir

A performance of "Who'll be a Witness."  The recording was made on December 13, 2010, to be entered into a competition sponsored by WGBY, the public television station for Western Massachusetts.

FWIW, I am standing on the second row in the middle of the group--Chet.

Update - January 7, 2011
Looks like we made it past the initial screening.  WGBY sent us the following:

Dear Singers:

 

Thank you for registering and submitting your materials to WGBY’s choral competition. We are very pleased to invite your “Small Adult” chorus to take part in the upcoming TV series, Together in Song: A Celebration of Choral Music in Western New England.

 

The next phase involves scheduling participants to perform at our studios in Springfield. The tapings will occur throughout the month of February beginning on Tuesday, February 1st.  

Quilt

 

This is the quilt Sue made as a wedding gift for David and Amanda.  She sewed a label (shown below) on the back of the quilt that gives the basic details.  

The finished quilt is 108" by 108".  The block print bird that David and Amanda used as the visual theme for their wedding is quilted into each corner.   And, stitched in cursive around the outside edge is a quote from the book that was read at the wedding, A Lovely Love Story, by Edward Monkton.  The quote reads, "Together they stand on the hill, telling each other stories and feeling the warmth of the sun on their backs.  And that, my friends, is how it is with love."

It truly is a beautiful work of art.  And, since the fabrics were contributed by so many wedding guests, it will a source of wonderful memories for David and Amanda.