At the last moment, Joan Ralston discovered that there was a benefit dinner and barbershop concert to be held on March 12th at Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. She called around to members of the Ladybirds and Ellie communicated to those who can receive email to notify them that practice that Thursday night (03-12) would be canceled because a fair number of ladies expressed interest in attending the event, which was to benefit Memorial Park, the site of the dinner/entertainment.

Horse Shoe Chorus

Two carloads, containing eight Ladybirds, left the Park Place United Methodist Church to caravan to Martinsburg, PA, most of them totally unaware that there is a Martinsburg other than in West Virginia. We arrived in a timely manner and met one of the members of the Horse Shoe Chorus, who had invited us to “give them a tune” when Joan had called earlier to make reservations for our group. He had reserved a table right up front for us.

Horse Shoe Chorus

The dinner consisted of baked chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, roll and butter, beverage and cheese cake. The food was scrumptious!

The entertainment began at about 7 p.m., and we were all impressed with the chorus’ sound, harmony, repertoire, and ability to change key so easily and accurately. One of the original members of the thirty year old chorus got up and danced through one of the numbers. Some of their titles included Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Zippidy Doo Dah, Way Down Here, The Star Spangled Banner, Irish Blessing, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Mary Lou, and many others. There were three quartets who also performed.

Horse Shoe Chorus

About twenty minutes into the show, the emcee introduced the Ladybirds and asked for a tune. We sang Hi, Neighbor/When You’re Smiling and reveled in the warm applause we received.

The emcee was very congenial and very complimentary of the Ladybirds and welcomed us at their program; all in attendance were notified that the Horse Shoe Chorus is having their annual barbershop show in May again this year, and we hear that the Altoona Sweet Adelines are going to be performing on stage at that time as part of the men’s show. The specific date, we believe is May 9th, as it is always Mothers Day weekend.

Horse Shoe Chorus

The dinner/concert was attended by over 200 people and enjoyed by all. We’re always ready to travel to a good barbershop presentation, and this was no exception!