ALL GOOD THINGS

ALL GOOD THINGS   by Barbara Biddison

Well, these good things are not, to my knowledge, coming to an end, in
any  permanent sort of way,  but both have reached a point when we
appreciate the "intermission" where we gather our thoughts and reflect
on what we've accomplished.  Always a good thing to do.

Sunday afternoon, May 21, featured the HG Spring Choir at the
Presbyterian Church.  It was packed.  I sat in the back row, could see
perfectly and hear pleasurably.    We heard CHILDREN'S CHOIR TOO, and
these littlest ones are not only fun to listen to but lovely to watch
as well.  It is a joy to see children that young actually paying
attention to their director.  And we heard CHILDREN'S CHOIR (which is
next up in age and the first group when HG kids began singing).  And
then the YOUTH CHOIR  which is basically high school gals and guys.
Such concerts always take me back to my own long-ago high school days
in Mc Allen High School where we had an extraordinary director who
rehearsed our ACapella Choir before school because so many football
players wanted to sing and football practice was after school.  Then
he added the Methodist Church to his choir directing, and we all
became Methodists for the time.  These music experiences live for a
long time with a person.

Now for the other regular programming that has gone on break for the
summer.  Acting Up began in2002 and Larry and I began co-coordinating
this idea in 2005.  It is still going  now with very few changes in
concept.  We get together and we read aloud.  No memorizing.  Just
speaking with expression and listening.  The basic format each 2nd and
4th Tuesday of the month is simple.  All who gather are invited to
find and practice a short bit to offer to the group.  Everyone listens
to these offerings with interest and appreciation.  Then whichever of
the two of us is "in charge"  provides copies of a short play or
several poems or anything that "reads aloud well."  We never know
who's going to show up.  Numbers range from 8 to 20, but about 12-18
is usual.  Some  stay with us for decades and others just show up and
continue when they can.  So now we are on break for the summer.  We're
meeting on the 2nd floor of the Deane Center now, in one of the
smaller group rooms.  It's handicapped accessible in every way.
including elevator as well as stairs.  This kind of reading and
listening stays with a person for a long time as well.  Good things.

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