ORANGE SQUEEZIN'S 
May, 2003
It is important to keep in mind that every time one of our quartets has a public performance, we are representing our chapter and the society. We may not be performers of International level, but that does not excuse anyone from not doing their best performing possible. Take the time to know every note and word to every song you plan to sing. The responsibllity is yours. Everybody in the quartet has to commit individually on their own time and that way the rehearsals are much more productive. Never "blow off" songs that are familiar. Going through the motions does not make for a good performance, and you will be doing your audience a disservice.
When you keep these things in mind, you will be better prepared to perform before an audience. They will receive the satisfaction of hearing a quality performance, and you, the quartet will receive the satisfaction of having put on a great show. Word does get around, and don't be surprised if your quartet receives other invitations to perform because of your willingness to entertain. Chapter Shows--They're For You! by Stanley Tinkle In April I saw two annual shows by chorus chapters, one from the inside as a participant, and one from the outside as a member of the audience. Oldtimers know that such shows are a mix of chorus performances and quartet cameos, and that they usually have one or two headliner quartets who top off the show and let us hear how good the hobby can be. I took part in the Fullerton show, which was entitled "The Barber Pole Run." It had a unique script and reflected Fullerton's motto "We're Number Fun." Popular organist Carolyn Caddell played an overture to the show that included melodies that the chorus and quartets would sing. I was delighted to hear her add "Don't Fence Me In" to the overture, because that was the song my quartet Tumbleweed was going to sing. For variety we towed a real antique Ford motorcar across the stage, and at intermission the locally famous duo of CJ and Katie led a singalong, accented by his tuba and her banjo. One of the best California comedy quartets, Variety, and our Far West Medalist quartet, Hi-Fidelity, were our visiting quartets. Audience response was very positive, and I enjoyed performing because this was the only chance I'd have to sing "Once In Love With Amy," "New York, New York" and a back-beat version of "California Here I Come." A week later, I saw the Whittier Choraliers do "You're A Grand Old Flag!", a musical tribute to George M. Cohan. It was a pleasure to sit and be a member of the audience for a change. Whittier has the admirable custom of inviting the winning FWD high school quartet to sing in their show. This year's winners could not attend, but the silver medalist quartet, Whirlwind, performed and nearly stole the show. The chapter quartets all had good sound, and the two visiting quartets were--are you ready for this?--the same two that sang with Fullerton! But each was very different this time around, and that made both shows fun to watch. Hi-Fidelity did their Adams Family routine, complete with the butler, the hairy creature and the gnome. It was hilarious and eerie, culminating in the tenor lead song "In Your Eyes." Variety sang with Les Dergan subbing masterfully at bass on one week's notice! They did "Swingin' On A Star" and "Remember Dad On Mother's Day" with great pizazz.
I hope all Orange Chapter members go to see every chapter show available. It will help keep from being complacent, as we watch singers work at reaching out to a paying audience. After all, that's where the action is!
The Pitch From Rich Orange Town Four 'Gigs' this past month March 27th: Norwalk Senior Center Volunteers Recognition Dinner. March 29th: Surprise 50th 'Singing Telegram' April 25th : Wycliffe Active Seniors Volunteers Recognition Lunch.
Phil's Harmonics 'Gigs' this past month And who the heck are the Phil's Harmonics? Phil Wortman, Lead and Rich Lewis, Tenor with the Orange Chapter, Warren Willard of the Laguna Hills 'Quartet Only' Chapter on bass, and, Dick Dickey of the Dana Pt. 'Quartet Only' Chapter on baritone.....so there! When any of our other chapter quartets have gigs, please let Rich Lewis know of the event and it will be published. If you have any interesting situations that occurred on your 'gig' outing, let's hear about it too. We would like to share your laughter with the rest of our chapter members. We have two of our chapter quartets competing in the SoCalEast contest this coming Saturday, May 10th. The RETRO quartet is Russ Kimberly on tenor, Rick Little carrying the melody, Phil Roth providing the bottom of the chord and Ken Tillman 'mailing in' the rest of the chord. The other quartet is FERMATA THE BLUE with Stan Haymaker on tenor, Dan Whipple on lead, Dan Gonzales on bari and a solid bass, Vance Heron of the Santa Fe Chapter. Let's all go and cheer them on this coming Saturday. The Quartet Contest starts at 12:30 pm sharp, followed by the chorus contest. I know that normally most of you are not interested in the chorus contest, but some of our members are in an entertaining chorus-the Fullerton Chapter,and, we have some young men we 'weaned' on the barbershop chord in our chapter not too long ago - Pat Claypool (my grandson) and his buddy, Chris Stewart. Remember them? They will be bringing their 'young men' and the Westminster Chorus to the contest again. Let's show our support for these young men of harmony and cheer them on in the contest. They will be 'legal' this time and primed to 'outsing' the old timers. See ya at the contest!
Yours in Harmony, Blood Donations Needed Recently, Sam Barker, one of our old timers, was rushed to emergency care and almost died from internal bleeding. Big time! They used 12 units before they got it stopped. Now they want it replaced. Marcheta Pletcher came to chapter two weeks ago and made a plea to members present. Only three responded. I hadn't given for years when they had an age limit and really didn't know what to do with 86 proof stuff anyway. They know more now and the procedures have vastly improved. Honest! I never felt any discomfort. Any blood donor gives strictly of their own volition, but some get queasy at the thought. Y'know, our recently departed Paul Jockinsen had just received his 100 unit pin. He did a lot of things we didn't know about. Bless him.
Back to the subject, if any one feels a change of heart about donating for Sam, please call Marcheta Pletcher for details. If you give, we want the blood credited to Sam's account. Any of us could have the same problem at any time.
Editor's Note: Marcheta has emailed us these details: Sam had 12 pints given to him in Feb. He can only get people in Orange county and L.A. county. Call for appointment to give blood in Sam Barker's name (714) 744-8721. Can donate blood at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange Pavilion or Golden Circle. Let Sam or Marcheta know so we can record it. And thank you for giving blood. Good Things To Come by Rich Lewis I've found several vintage pix for the bulletin and formulated a 'series' of articles about entertainment quartets past and present with Orange Chapter members. Watch for history and lore about Orange Town Four Quartet, the old 'Plaza City Serenaders.' Santa Ana Golden City Chapter, 'Twi-liters,' Smog Cutters, Beach Nuts, Sweet and Sour Goodtime Harmony Four, Rusty Roosters, Original Sea Notes, West Coast Edition and more. In a subsequent article, we'll list the 'novice' quartets that competed in the Orange and Santa Ana Chapter sponsored Novice Quartet Contest that made to the top of the FWD and some to international level, such as the 'Grand Tradition'. Our chapter 'quartet roots' started back in the early '60's with the startup of the Southern California Novice Quartet Contest by Jim McKee of the Garden Grove Chapter, fore runner of the Orange Chapter. We'll be gathering inputs from the above-listed members for accuracy on quartet names and members. Now for an oldie but goodie, The Sweet & Sour Goodtime Harmony 4. Guess the names? They won the trophy for comedy in that event.
 Mail & Email Orange Squeezin's by e-mail is fine. Only problem is getting my computer into the "reading room" but I'm sure that will pass too. Hope to visit you guys soon. Ed Wilks -------------------------------------- What a great issue.......not just the contents, but,most importantly, the bold, large type and musical background provided a bulletin that was easy to read, and, left you wishing for more!.....I'm sure glad we have you two as our bulletin editors.. Rich Lewis -------------------------------------- The best times of my life were quite happily spent around the barberpole at Shakey's, Monday nights -- Paul Kelley and all. (I may tease him, but I miss him. And his crankiness. Sometimes. OK, I miss everyone else more, but....) Ain't nobody that can afterglow like Rich Lewis and the Orange Chapter!
Keep up the excellent work! I was bulletin editor for a while here at the New Braunfels, Texas chapter; I know what you go through, believe me! Your efforts are most appreciated! And I really enjoy,and look forward to, reading news about "That Old Quartet of Mine."
There are guys in the chapter who don't have a computer, so at times they ask to see a hard copy, plus I like to have a hard copy in my brief case that I take to weekly meetings
Editor Note: No problem, Gene. Watch your mail.
Marcheta's Mom (Sent in a note to Dorothy and Dick Acton) Dorothy, My Mom Stella Adelia Teter passed away April 30, 2003, at 10:00 pm at the age of 99 years. She was a wonderful Mom. She would have been 100 years on Nov. 24, 2003. I told you I would write something about my Mom. In 1926-1928 she was a silent movie piano player. In 1928 my mother was expecting me (Now you know how old I am). Any way, it was about 6 months before my birth, and the sheet music came out for "Marcheta." My Mother decided this is what she wanted to name her baby, and that was me. She had the first printed sheet music and I still have it. I also was given 2 other original sheet music, so now I have 3. My mother had 23 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She was a beautiful singer. My father and mother were both deacons of the church of the brethren. She was also president of the PTA.
My Mother's Memorial is May 8th at 4:00 at Town and Country Manor Chapel, 555 E. Memory Lane, Santa Ana.
Editor's note 1: If you plan to attend the Memorial, please let Marcheta know so she can make arrangements for the food. Marcheta, you have our deepest sympathy. Yes, we have been talking about this article you were going to write about your Mom. Sorry about the circumstances that caused it to be written now. WORDS THAT ARE BANNED Here are a few of the terms that may no longer be used in textbooks for students from K-12:
Adam and Eve--use Eve and Adam to show that males do not take priority over females. A Great Place To Find Tags Is Back! The Shop, a wonderful website for finding graphics and tags, had disappeared off the Internet for a while. But, happily, it is now updated and renamed "The Afterglow Lounge." There is a Tag of the Month, as well as Classic Tags, Celebrity Tags, Christmas Tags, and the entire archives of Tags previously available at The Shop. Visit the Afterflow Lounge at http://www.theafterglowlounge.com/Music-Tags.asp for a treasure trove of tags.
Target publication date for the next Squeezins' bulletin is June 1. (Early, because the typist will be out of town later that week.) Send your articles to Dick Acton at racton@adelphia.net or bring to the Monday meeting.
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