Bouquet

From Crystal Hogan, Dickinson County Community Chorus director:

As sung in “The Sound of Music” — “We must have done something good” to be honored by the rainbow making a special appearance at the end of Sunday’s concert. The storm went around us on both sides (came down in torrents in Sagola) and the rain held off until the end when it shed gentle tears of gratitude for our efforts. The varied clouds and colors in the sky felt like a hug from our loved ones who’ve gone before.

At 6:50 p.m. I was informed that the likelihood of a severe thunderstorm was expected halfway through the concert. I breathed a sigh of overwhelming emotion. Why? Why can’t life be easy? Why can’t things just go along perfectly as planned? My mind was spinning, thinking, “We can’t move to the Presbyterian Church at this point, we can’t tell everyone to go home, we can’t cancel because the message of this concert was so important and we all worked so hard to make it happen.”

But then I was reminded that life isn’t easy, life is messy and things don’t go along as perfectly as we planned — but we carry on. I was reminded that when we deal with illness or disease, life isn’t easy, is messy and things don’t go along as perfectly as we planned — but we carry on. As I looked out at the family and friends gathered with anticipation for this truly blessed event, the message of the concert played out in real time — and we carried on.

There was no turning back at that point, and many assured me that they were sending strong messages and prayers to the big guy and the show went on, and on in a powerful way. The focus and determination of the chorus and instrumentalists came through in hearts (rather than spades) and the performance was a success!

To the Dickinson County Community Chorus, ensembles, and accompanists: thank you for your expressive, heartfelt and powerful and excellent presentation. The children’s chorus, under Dawn’s direction, was delightful and warmed the hearts of the audience to see these children sing their hearts out. Thank you to Gerald Kippola for his excellent sound reinforcement skills to make sure we sounded our very best.

I was honored to have the best seat in the park.

P.S. I’m sure I didn’t thank everyone who worked behind the scenes, which would have been a concert of appreciation in itself, but thank you. Remember, it takes a community to put on a concert. To Kaye and Tom for tying the concert together with the meaningful narration. To The Daily News and Advertiser for working hand in hand with us to promote the event.

P.P.S. And thank you to the chorus for the flowers. You’ve heard of the icing on the cake; well, the bouquet was the flower on top of the icing on top of the cake! So sweet of you!

P.P.P.S. Thank you to the Lake Antoine Park Partners for the water and popcorn sales and the children’s chorus for being our sellers. The LAPP started popping the corn at 5 p.m. and did all they could do to keep up with the demand throughout the concert. We raised $958.74 total. Split will be $479.37 for Alzheimer’s and $479.37 for Lake Antoine improvement projects.