The Ladybirds held a rehearsal/picnic at Betty Twigg’s home in LaVale on Thursday, August 30. One would think we needed a social get-together because the rehearsal portion of this event didn’t happen, actually. The picnic did, however, as you can see from the pictures provided by Betty Twigg. After eating heartily, we sang briefly and just enjoyed being together, but singing was not the priority on this evening together. The food and company won out!

Rehearsal at Betty Twigg’s

We met at our usual time, 6:30, everyone toting “goodies to eat.” There were eighteen people present, and we stayed indoors because of the heat and humidity outside. The delicious food included everything from salads to fried chicken to elaborate desserts. What a spread! Everyone noticed how quiet it got in the room when the food was displayed and ready to be served. Yes, it sometimes takes food to quieten this group of singers.

While we didn’t actually practice, we sang Happy Birthday to three of our members who will celebrate August Birthdays - Shirley Carson, Liz West, and Margie Mouse. Also, we sang one of our favorite songs we’ve learned recently, Sweet Adeline. We discussed getting together with the Lorelei Barbershop singers and agreed to do so on August 7th. We would like to teach their chorus a song and have them teach us a song. We discussed which song might be appropriate and sang several possibilities: Meet Me in St. Louis, Daddy Sang Bass, and Take Me Out to the Ball Game/Baseball Song (latter song is a parody to tune of Daddy Sang Bass). Which one we’ll choose to present to Lorelei is still not definitely decided upon.

Mary Zeiler, Betty’s next door neighbor came over to join us for a while; we sang Hi, Neighbor to her. She enjoyed seeing several of our singers who are person friends of hers and enjoyed the singing, too.

Rehearsal at Betty Twigg’s

We went around the room, letting each person tell a bit about herself in answer to the questions, “What were your dreams when you were younger? Have you accomplished them? Do you have any regrets?” Some of us expressed wanting to be involved in music in different ways. One lady wanted to learn how to play the piano; another wanted to be a professional singer; one talked about dancing as a child and singing later in life; several ladies wanted either to teach school or to go into nursing.

It was fun to hear these individuals talk about their personal lives, likes and dislikes, their children and their careers. We broke up about nine o’clock that evening, having had yet another fine picnic at Betty Twigg’s lovely home. Our thanks to her for her hospitality. She is a wonderful “hostess with the mostess!”

Rehearsal at Betty Twigg’s

We will be together again next Thursday at Park Place United Methodist Church, where we will meet to carpool to Centerville to sing and visit and have a potluck meal together with the Lorelei singers of Bedford, Pennsylvania. We agreed to meet at the church in time to leave there at 6:00 p.m.; we will wear our “Sing and Be Happy” shirts with any color slacks we choose.