Sue Jarvis
For The New Era
Oh, what a night, beginning with a lovely art display featuring oils and acrylics by Bob Waibel, Eda Miller and Norma Johnson and outstanding photography by Gary Graham, Garth Tomic and Helen Hamil.
Stephen H. Young displayed beautiful woodwork, and Karen Young displayed her weaving, which included yarn that she spun.
Ann Rose, Marilyn Taggart and Anita Lewis provided wonderful water color while Alphonse Napoletano and Pat Sellers provided amazing pen and ink and charcoals.
Exhibits were all arranged by Henry and Mollie Wolthuis, Anita Lewis and Sue Jarvis.
While looking at these fine art works, we were treated to a lovely string duo, Marilyn Tyler on the violin and Rhonda Johnson on the cello, playing a variety of classical music.
A choral prelude was provided by the Latter-Day Saints Lebanon Stake Men’s Chorus with Eric Mc-Kirdy followed by greetings by John Wittwer and an invocation by Mary Schofield.
The Men’s Choir then sang “Redeemer of Israel,” by Freeman Lewis and Wm. W. Phelps, accompanied by Wittwer.
Youth artist Paden Tyler played “The Clowns,” by Dmitri Kabelevsky, on piano.
Special guests included a trio, Suzannah Doyle, piano; Paul Bezanson, vocal, and Stuart Curtis, woodwinds, with Nicki Bezanson as guest vocalist. Doyle performed “We’ll Meet Again,” by Doyle.
Other performances included “Give Me the Simple Life,” by Ruby and Bloom; “Do you Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?” and “My Funny Valentine,” by Rogers and Hart and performed by Bezanson; “You Can Close Your Eyes,” by James Taylor; “L-O-V-E;” “Let’s Wash Away,” by Bezanson and Paul Bezanson; a funny “Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long,” followed by a beautiful organ solo by McKirdy; “Trumpet Tune in A,” by David Johnson; and for the younger and young at heart, a reading of “The Tar Baby” by Valerie Raymond, who did all the voices.
The beautiful soprano soloist, Dianne Nelson, performed “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables,” by Boublil and Schonberg. She next sang, “Home” from “The Wiz,” by Charlie Smalls. What a fine talent.
Speaking of fine talents, Joseph Battrick then favored us with “She’s Who I am,” from “Jane Eyre,” the musical classic; “Oh, Divine Redeemer,” by Charles Gounod; ending with “Dein ist Mein Ganzes Herz,” from “Das Land des Lachelns,” by Franz Lehar, accompanied by Doyle and McKirdy.
The Doyle trio performed again, including the traditional “Wade in the Water;” “You’ve Got a Friend,” by James Taylor; “Georgia,” by Ray Charles; and “Love Potion #9.” The audience joined in and enjoyed it very much. This group has such positive energy and is truly professional in every way.
A change of pace came with a choral benediction by the Lebanon Stake’s Men’s Choir, including “Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort,” setting by Mack Wilberg, and “As the Shadows Fall,” arranged and conducted by McKirdy.
Deacon Skip Malone of St. Helen’s Catholic Church gave a very sincere blessing and benediction to a most impressive evening.
We all enjoyed another look at the fine art works and ate delicious refreshments.
This festival is intended to bring a bit of artistic joy and a happy coming together for our Sweet Home community. May it be a sweet home for us all.
See you next year, and many thanks to all those involved from the Gala Committee, including Henry and Mollie Wolthuis, John Wittwer and Sue and Steve Jarvis.