LSU A CAPPELLA CHOIR FEBRUARY 19, 2009
I started this blog last Sunday, the 22nd, when I returned from spending four days visiting family in Mineral Wells (my dad), Dallas (my son Craig and his children, Cameron and Hannah), and Plano, where I attended the concert in the above video (and spent the next day with my sister, Jean). It was at a beautiful Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. The concert was an "Evening of Music", beginning with high school choirs from around the Metroplex, and highlighted by the performance of the renowned Louisiana State University A Cappella Choir. (Cameron is second from the top, on the left end.) If you wish to hear this brief video, you might want to click the pause button on the musical Playlist to the left of the blog, then click on the arrow to start the video. The video lasts only 53 seconds.
To quote from the musical program, "The chorus is chosen each year from the LSU student population... Members of the choir have been named Rhodes and Fulbright Scholars as well as twice winning the national Met auditions. Graduates hold teaching positions representing all levels of education in twenty-two different states and two foreign countries. In addition, many are now performing with major opera companies throughout the world including the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Opera, Vienna Staatoper, LaScala, Munich, Antwerp, Paris Opera, the Chicago Lyric, and the Houston Opera as well as studying in prestigious graduate programs throughout the United States."
Our family is extremely proud that my grandson, Cameron Young, (grandson of the late Ray Young, BHS Class of '54) was one of only three Freshmen to be chosen to sing in this choir. The choir toured portions of Texas last week performing in the Houston, Ft. Worth, and Dallas areas.
Cameron Young and friend Sarah
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BARBARA SHARPES BROOKS attended the wedding of her granddaughter in December. She recently sent the following, along with the photo of the wedding party." This is almost our whole family (only two missing). The wedding date was December 20th, and of course, it was beautiful. I did dance a waltz with my oldest son. I was really impressed with everything. Our daughter did it all. Then a week later her son got married, but we were home and didn't attend. Anyway we have had an exciting start to the new year.
The back row is Tom, me, my daughter Cindi, her daughter Jeniffer and new husband Gabe, and my son-in-law K.W. On the left side is my youngest son Tom, Jr. and his wife Mayra and their two girls, Ariana and Isabella. On the right side is my oldest son Marshal and his wife Judy and their two sons, Marshal Jr. and Aaron."...BARB
BARBARA, except for the silver hair, you look as young as your daughter!
Cameron Young and friend Sarah
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The back row is Tom, me, my daughter Cindi, her daughter Jeniffer and new husband Gabe, and my son-in-law K.W. On the left side is my youngest son Tom, Jr. and his wife Mayra and their two girls, Ariana and Isabella. On the right side is my oldest son Marshal and his wife Judy and their two sons, Marshal Jr. and Aaron."...BARB
BARBARA, except for the silver hair, you look as young as your daughter!
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BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN
Santa Fe Trail Ride 2009
PEGGY VIRDEN SHARP belied any evidence of 
having had heart surgery in 2007 by riding horseback in the recent Santa Fe Trail Ride, from Abilene to San Angelo, to kick off the parade and the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo that ends with performances this week. She spent two days and three nights on the Ride, along with her son Shayne Bomar, who also rode. (Photo on right.) Her 
great-niece Ashley Virden, (photo on left) age 11, was crowned Queen of the Trail Ride, and appeared briefly on Channel 8 when she was interviewed . PEGGY remains a role model for all us "senior" women! She never ceases to amaze me with her vitality and daring. At a recent medical checkup, her blood pressure was normal for the first time in 43 years! Talk about getting younger as you age! ("Benjamin Button")
having had heart surgery in 2007 by riding horseback in the recent Santa Fe Trail Ride, from Abilene to San Angelo, to kick off the parade and the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo that ends with performances this week. She spent two days and three nights on the Ride, along with her son Shayne Bomar, who also rode. (Photo on right.) Her 
great-niece Ashley Virden, (photo on left) age 11, was crowned Queen of the Trail Ride, and appeared briefly on Channel 8 when she was interviewed . PEGGY remains a role model for all us "senior" women! She never ceases to amaze me with her vitality and daring. At a recent medical checkup, her blood pressure was normal for the first time in 43 years! Talk about getting younger as you age! ("Benjamin Button")
By the way, PEGGY'S grandson, Tyce Green, who lives in Houston and attends a performing arts high school, was called back for a third audition this Saturday at Ithaca College School of Music in upstate New York. He also auditioned for NYU in New York City. He will receive a scholarship if accepted at either of these. I heard him sing Christmas Eve 2007, and next to my grandson (just kidding, PEGGY), he will be one of the most famous singers in years to come. Of course, Tyce is opting for a career in musical theater, and Cameron is preparing for a career in opera, so the chances they might compete someday are slim.
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IRENE PIEL BATTS had a recent checkup with the plastic surgeon in San Antonio. She is healing and doing extremely well from all the surgery.
Darlene Smith (JIMMIE SMITH '57) recently retired as Runnels County Auditor and decided to move to Abilene.
GLENN SMITH just returned from Taipei, Taiwan. Yes, Taiwan! He promises to write a synopsis of his trip for the blog. Next on his agenda may be Hong Kong!
Want to share some of your family photos or recent experiences? Just send them to me -- or drop them off. We'd all like to hear about your "good stuff", too.
'Til next time...
Peace and Love,
Marilyn
