Date: August 7, 2000

He's baaaack! Our fearless Director, Rob Mance has returned from a week at Directors' College in St. Joseph, Missouri. I am willing to bet that he has absorbed some new things for us to try. The fun starts at 6:30 for anyone who wants to take advantage of the Early Start Coaching. Liz Mance will be doing choreography and Rob will be doing vocal coaching. Take full advantage of these great talents and let's get improving!

Steve Wheaton did a great job last week. The new program format worked well, and we could have left as early as 10:15 pm. Many people were still singing at 11:00 pm.

Pay-as-you-go-Joe. Get a jump on next years Annual Dues. Don't forget the easiest way to pay is in small instalments. The $14 Monthly payment hardly hurts. (Nor does the $42.00 quarterly payment.) This is encouraged for all members of the Chapter.

If you pay $14.00 at the first rehearsal every month, you save a couple of dollars, but you also make the payment process painless. Start NOW. Post-dated cheques can be given to Ray Watkins, Chapter Treasurer.

All cheques should be payable to Island City Chorus. All members who have just paid dues for June 30, 2000 should start to pay $14 per month NOW. This helps us with our current cash flow problems, and makes the bite less painful.

"Hey mister, want a chocolate bar?" John Clendinneng is the man in charge of Chocolate Bar sales, and he wants you to bring in your money.

Jerry Silverberg got several cases more since the first batch went so quickly. If you haven't already picked up a bag of these delicious milk chocolate and almond bars, do it tonight.

They sell for only $2.00 and John will be glad to get you out earning money. Part of the profit goes to your account to pay for retreats and other expenses.

Wanted - bright ideas. I haven't heard from to many of you with an idea yet. I cannot believe that in the whole chapter, there is not more than two fundraising ideas. Fred Tabah had the idea of running a golf tournament. If there is anyone who would like to take this on, go for it.

Please talk to Jerry Silverberg. Since the show didn't quite bring in as much as we budgeted, we need to have some successful fundraisers.

Obviously singing is an ideal way to raise money. If you know of a group that is looking for some excellent entertainment at a reasonable price, refer them to Alan Kenley at 514-341-7171.

In addition to the sing-outs we will have between now and December 31, 2000, we need to have some other fund raisers. If you have a suggestion, call me (514-993-4673) or send me an email (imphillips@sprint.ca).

Speaking of Fred Tabah, I spoke with Fred last week. He is recovering from some heart problems, and he needs to rest. He may be coming to rehearsal to watch. Let's make sure that he doesn't overdo it. As usual, Fred was in good spirits and I am sure we all wish him a speedy and complete recovery.

Invite a friend to chorus this week. You know that summer is an ideal time to invite someone that you know loves to sing and is able to carry a tune.

We are one of the few singing organizations that do not quit for the summer. Invite people from your church choir, or other choirs that are on summer hiatus. They may like what they hear and want to stay. Remember that membership starts with ME.

This is Harmony Pilgrimage weekend. Westfield College, Westfield, MA on August 11-13, 2000 is the location for this great educational opportunity.

Some excellent coaches will be there and will share their expertise with the attendees, who come from around the Northeast. Ask Steve Wheaton or Murray Phillips for more information, or go to http://www.nedistrict.org/schools/hp/.

1. All other things being equal, big people use more soap.

2. If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

3. One-seventh of your life is spent on Monday.

4. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.

5. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.

6. The more you run over a dead cat, the flatter it gets.

7. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.

8. This is as bad as it can get, but don't bet on it.

9. Never wrestle with a pig! You both get all dirty and the pig likes it.

Practice is something we do at home, every day, between rehearsals!

Rehearsal is where we reinforce what we have been practising every day!