Date: January 8, 2001 Happy New Year

Welcome back! Since we have had the last two weeks off, I remind you that rehearsal starts on Monday evening at 7:30 pm. We are currently at Église Ste-Sixte, corner of Marcel-Laurin and de l'Église in Saint Laurent.

Ron Dawson is improving. The news from Ron's Mom was better than the last time. Ron had a set back the day of the CarolCade. Jeffery Mance and Murray Phillips had visited with him, and he seemed like he was doing well. Later that day he had a seizure and was moved into the ICU, where a temporary pacemaker was used to regulate his heart. After a couple of days he was placed in the CCU, and when things had settled down, he got a pacemaker last Monday.

The Doctors have put Ron back on the 8^th floor of the Royal Vic, where he is doing much better. He gets intravenous antibiotics every four hours. He is expected to be in the hospital for another three weeks, and will be recuperating at home for a while after that. If you would like to send a card or letter to Ron, I am sure he would appreciate it. He would prefer not to receive visitors for the time being.

More news will be sent via email, when it becomes available.

Don't miss the Installation and Awards Night on January 27, 2001 at Le Vieux Kitsbuhel, Île Perrot, QC. We will have a great location, a great meal, and a great time. Please plan to be there with your significant other.

We sang in the St. Anne's Veterans' the New Year's Eve Show. The patients and staff at St. Anne's Veteran's Hospital really appreciated us singing on the wards, and participating in the New Year's Eve show. While the snow made some members a bit nervous, we had a good turn out and the sound was pretty good.

This is a tradition that started with the Pierrefonds Chapter and is now a Greater Montreal Chapter tradition. This was the 55^th Annual Show.

Pay-as-you-go Joe - All members who have December 31 can then start to pay $14 per month for 2001. This helps us with our current cash flow problems, and makes the bite less painful. The $14 Monthly payment hardly hurts. (Nor does the $42.00 quarterly payment, if you prefer that.) 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, and make the payment process painless. Start NOW.

Post-dated cheques payable to Island City Chorus can be given to Ray Watkins, Chapter Treasurer.

Who wants to be a millionaire? Please talk to Jerry Silverberg about any other fund raising ideas you may have. He is willing to consider just about anything that you would like to do (that isn't illegal!)

It would be a wonderful idea for us to have enough fundraisers that we have something that everyone likes to do. That way there would be no nagging from the front each week. That isn't fun for anybody.

"Share the Dream!" It's as easy as 1-2-3. Did you take the time to ask someone in our to come and try our form of music during the holidays? You know people who would hae a great time singing with us. We want to encourage people who can sing, to come and enjoy the fun we have every week.

Remember what got you into singing barbershop? In most cases it was because a friend, neighbour, co-worker, family member etc. asked you to come out once. After that first encounter, you were probably hooked. We are at a stage where we want to attract good singers to add to the great sound we are producing. Take the time to ask a friend to come and share our hobby. They will need to be motivated and able to sing, obviously, but the rewards are many and fun. Sharing is a good thing, so let's do it. It's as Easy as 1-2-3.

We are entertainers. The Chapter is always in need of funds, and good fund raising ideas. 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.

Cadence: The short nickname of a rock group whose full name is Cadence Clearwater Revival.

Chord: Usually spelled with an "s" on the end, means a particular type of pants, eg: "He wears chords."

Chromatic Scale: An instrument for weighing that indicates half-pounds.

Clef: If a student cannot sing, he may have an affliction of the palate, called a clef.

Something to jump from if you can't sing and you have to teach elementary school.

Coloratura Soprano: A singer who has great trouble finding the proper note, but who has a wild time hunting for it.

Compound Meter: A place to park your car that requires two loonies.

Duple Meter: May take any even number of coins.

Triple Meter: Only rich people should park by these.

Conductor: A musician who is adept at following many people at the same time. (See Director)