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| From: Toban Dvoretzky President, Ancient Harmonious Society of Woodshedders, Inc. DATE: 18 July 2001 RE: AHSOW News (and exciting pre-announcement) Greetings! This is one of several AHSOW newsletters that you will receive this year. If you have an e-mail address other than this one where you prefer to receive AHSOW notices, please report it, or report any pending changes to your e-mail address, to TBone@selec.net -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- AHSOW ELECTIONS At the Nashville International, these men were (re-)elected to the AHSOW Board of Directors: President: Toban Dvoretzky (SWD), 2-year term VP: Steve Shannon (SWD), 2 years Secretary: Fred Hinesley (DIX), 1 year (specially adjusted term) Manager/Treasurer: Ed Hartley (EVG), 1 year At-Large: Don Dobson (DIX), 3 years At-Large: Bob Folk (SUN), 3 years Bob Folk, nicknamed "The Florida Flash" for his boundless energy and flow of ideas, produced the hard-copy AHSOW newsletter that each of us got last year. He is a strong proponent of providing resources and opportunities for current AHSOW members. Bob succeeds Tom Millot (CSD), who has stepped off the Board after many years of dedicated service and provision of ideas. Tom will continue to support AHSOW in every way that he can. All other individuals were re-elected. Write Bob at rvfolk@strato.net to congratulate him on his election, and thank Tom at tsmillot@juno.com for his dedication. This will be Fred Hinesley's last year of service as Secretary. If you are literate and conscientious, and can attend all Internationals and Mid-Winters for a two-year term beginning in 2002, apply to TBone@selec.net for more details. Board meetings at Internationals are on the Tuesday night; at Mid-Winters, they're on the Thursday morning. Ed Hartley is looking to turn over the reins of the membership and financial authority of AHSOW. If you are scrupulously honest with funds and accurate with databases to every detail, and if you have impeccable "people" skills in all circumstances, and if you can attend Internationals, Mid-Winters, and Harmony College, apply to TBone@selec.net for more details. Referrals of AHSOW members are welcome. E-mail capability is a prerequisite for service on the AHSOW Board of Directors. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -- DIXIE DISTRICT! Our AHSOW room at the Dixie Lakeside Harmony Weekend (this weekend!) will be on the lower level of our dormitory building at Clemson University. Our room will be open on Friday evening immediately following the organized curricular activities. It will also be open following the Saturday-night show, which will feature Riptide, FRED, Michigan Jake, and the Young Men In Harmony chorus. Snacks will be available in our room on both nights. A personal invitation has been extended to all of the visiting, featured quartets to appear and to woodshed with those in attendance in our room. Don Dobson will be looking for you there! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- MORE AHSOW BOARD ACTION -- BYLAWS The Board approved an overhaul of the AHSOW Bylaws. Highlights: 1. A new position of "Vice-President of Marketing & Public Relations" was created, and Russ Seely was elected to it. The VP of M&PR has active responsibility for marketing and promotion of musical and other activities within the Districts. This will permit the AHSOW District Educators & Certifiers (DECs) to concentrate on the musical leadership for which they were appointed. Contact Russ Seely at SAS4Fits@aol.com to volunteer your expertise and to learn exactly how your skills and ideas can enhance the experiences of others. 2. The "Vice-President" position was retitled "Executive Vice-President & Chief Educator." Steve Shannon and his successors will have active responsibility for the musical and educational activities and performance of the DECs. 3. Flexibility in renewal plans, other than the traditional biennial one, has been approved. A committee has been established to evaluate the possibilities. Contact Don Dobson at rascaldon@netzero.net to volunteer your ideas. 4. Electronic voting (e.g., over the Web) has been endorsed. 5. Perhaps the best news: Remember the rule saying that we had to have two years in SPEBSQSA before we were eligible for AHSOW membership? It's gone! This means that if a 15-year-old with six months in SPEBSQSA can woodshed well enough to qualify for AHSOW, he's in. Thanks go to AHSOW member Glenn Pearce for pushing this very good move. When the official Minutes are approved, they'll be posted on http://www.ahsow.org for you to read. Checking in on your web site is a great way to keep up with what's happening. The site is user-friendly and very quick to download -- and new features are added all the time. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -- NORTHEASTERN DISTRICT! AHSOW will have a room on the nights of Friday, August 10 and Saturday, August 11 at Harmony College Northeast (formerly Harmony Pilgrimage). For your planning purposes, write to Jim Dodge now at jamesdodge@mediaone.net to learn the exact location of the room. See http://www.newebgroup.com/ned/schools for all the details about this exciting HEP experience, and please register now. Don Dobson (yes!) and Vin Zito will be your AHSOW hosts. Snacks, and perhaps a special historical videotape, will make the HCNE AHSOW room the place for you to be. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- EVEN MORE AHSOW BOARD ACTION -- HONORS By unanimous vote, Phil Richards of Connecticut was slam-dunked into the AHSOW Hall of Fame. A charter AHSOW member and Assistant DEC in Mid-Atlantic, Phil was inducted for his service as an Assistant DEC, and for his construction, maintenance, and continuous improving of the AHSOW web site. Write Phil at pcr@ieee.org to congratulate him.  In our June 5 AHSOW News, we read that Bud Hillier retired from the AHSOW Board in April 2001 after continuous service since the inception of the organization. The Board presented Bud with a 12" x 15" brass-plated walnut plaque, with this inscription: INDESCRIBABLE APPRECIATION gratefully presented to BUD HILLIER for his steadfast and peerless administrative and musical service, dedication, and devotion to the ANCIENT HARMONIOUS SOCIETY OF WOODSHEDDERS, INC. by rescuing it in the beginning, sustaining it through the present, and perpetuating it for the future. July 3, 2001.  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -- FAR WESTERN DISTRICT! It's important that you register now -- today -- for Harmony College West (August 24-26). If you fail to do so, the Woodshedding class and other good courses run the risk of being canceled. Go to http://www.spebsqsafwd.org and scroll down the left side; click on "Harmony College-West" for all the information and registration forms. Contact Jim Crowley at jimcrowley1@worldnet.att.net for further information about the school. The fine FWD AHSOW DEC troops have big plans for your experience at Harmony College West, so register today! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- PERSONAL UPDATE AHSOW member Bob LeClair (Illinois) has been undergoing aggressive treatments most of this year for esophageal cancer. He attended the Nashville convention and looked exceptionally chipper. Medical indications at that time were that the chemotherapy and radiation treatments were licking the disease. Subsequent exams revealed residual cancer cells that chemo and radiation will not kill. Surgery is not an option. A remaining treatment, photodynamic therapy, is being investigated; it can help in the case of superficial tissue involvement but very little if the cells are deeper. If feasible, the treatment would occur locally in Chicago, or Bob could go to the Mayo Clinic. Be sure to write Bob again at TyronesBud@webtv.net to let him know that you're still thinking of him. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- EXCITING PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT The AHSOW Board approved production of the "EAR-rangement #1" package -- a product that AHSOW members have been requesting for years. This item is so important that it will be the sole subject of a separate announcement to follow. In brief:
The package (developed by AHSOW's best minds and sorest butts) includes:
AHSOW members will enjoy a deep discount off "public" prices, and a further discount for early-bird ordering (during July 2001). The capability for electronic ordering is currently being installed. The complete announcement will reach you in just a few days, so stay tuned! See the details at the announcement. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- WRAP-UP FOR THIS MESSAGE I am grateful to work on your behalf, and I intend to lead the charge through 2003. Your responsiveness to administrative items and to requests for service will enhance the AHSOW Board's effectiveness. Your registering for HEP schools where AHSOW opportunities exist will enhance your experience as a member of our elite "discovery singing" society. Thank you for the privilege of continuing to serve as your President and writing these words to you. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ADDENDUM of 25 July 2001 Greetings! This message features the special announcement promised in the AHSOW newsletter of July 18. (If you didn't get that one, holler to TBone@selec.net) First, a quick update about two other items mentioned on July 18: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= SUPREME WOODSHEDDING AT THE DIXIE HEP Want to know exactly why you should participate in District AHSOW rooms? The Dixie District's HEP school, Dixie Lakeside Harmony Weekend, was held July 20-22 in Clemson, SC. This report on the exciting woodshedding activities comes from Don Dobson (Tenor, Four Rascals), who hosted the AHSOW room: "We had a ball, and there was plenty of woodshedding away from all the other activities. Our guest register was signed by 19 on Friday night and 20 on Saturday night; however, there were so many coming and going, I would estimate 40 to 50 more each night who didn't sign the register. "We were able to round up several good woodshedders to assist in the auditioning process; in fact, we later successfully auditioned one of the certifiers. We signed five or six new members. Ed Beaver was actively involved and a pleasure to have around. Jesse Turner was a big help and spent considerable time woodshedding and had a ball. I was particularly impressed with the number of young woodshedders who got involved both evenings. Friday night (actually, Saturday morning), we closed shop at 1:30 a.m., and Sunday morning it was almost 4 a.m. Some of us engaged Royce Ferguson, tenor of Revival, who indicated that he was pleasantly surprised when he woodshedded a couple of the songs from the qualifier songbook. "I would have to say that what took place was truly woodshedding in its purest form, with a great deal of personal satisfaction on the part of those who participated. The woodshedding was so enjoyable that it was entertaining and educational even for some who just sat and listened." Don will soon travel to the Northeastern District to co-host the AHSOW room at Harmony College Northeast along with Vin Zito. See next item: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= MORE DETAILS -- AHSOW AT THE NORTHEASTERN DISTRICT HEP AHSOW will have a room on the nights of Friday, August 10 and Saturday, August 11 at Harmony College Northeast (formerly Harmony Pilgrimage). The AHSOW area will be on the lobby level of the residence dorm (Russell Hall), in Student Lounge "A" just beyond the elevator. There will be a special AHSOW video presentation for all school attendees on Friday night, and Terry Clarke himself will be on staff (and undoubtedly in the AHSOW room). There are two ways to register: See http://www.newebgroup.com/ned/schools or send a check for $120 ($130 after July 31) to: Don Houldsworth 21 Harding Road Portsmouth, NH 03801-5813. Do it now! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- (DRUM ROLL) THE EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! On July 18, we learned that the AHSOW Board approved production of the "Ear-rangement #1" package -- a product that AHSOW members have been requesting for years. It's available by mail (order-form + check) or on-line at A HREF=default.htm>http://www.ahsow.org Reasons for you as an AHSOW member to own and utilize this package:
CURRENT, PAID-UP AHSOW MEMBERS (yes, we know who you are):
==> METHODS OF PAYMENT: -- Check or money-order may be sent to the address below. -- Order securely on-line by visiting http://www.ahsow.org and clicking the prominent link "order your Ear-rangement package." Follow the instructions diligently. Residents of Canada may pay Canadian values by consulting the current exchange-rate as published on http://www.spebsqsa.org and converting the U.S. funds to Canadian totals. Returns for defective/incorrect merchandise only. AHSOW members due for renewal in 2001 must pay their 2001 dues of $10 to be eligible for AHSOW-member discount. If in doubt about your renewal status, write TBone@selec.net to inquire. Renewal can be done on-line at http://www.ahsow.org, or click here. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The above rates are valid until 15 August 2001 only. Shipping costs are included. Illegible orders and orders without sufficient funds will not be processed. Retain a copy of the order-form for your records. Shipment is expected to begin during July/August 2001. Returns for defective merchandise only. Your check should be made payable to "AHSOW" and mailed, along with your typed or very clearly printed order form, to: AHSOW Ear-rangements #1 c/o Toban Dvoretzky 14531 Ella Blvd., #3806 Houston, TX 77014-2558, U.S.A. This exciting package will NOT be available at Harmony College, so order yours now! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- OBLIGATIONS AS AN AHSOW MEMBER It is your duty as an AHSOW member to promote the art of authentic woodshedding. Thus, you should make copies of the general Ear-rangement order form (sent to the Harmonet and each District listserv, or available from me), with the public prices listed, to hand out at your chapter meeting. If making copies is not feasible, get a couple of minutes of "chapter business time" to tell your fellow singers about all the benefits that the AHSOW Ear-rangement package offers them, and refer them to the AHSOW web site. Your positive action will help spread interest and involvement in woodshedding far and wide. Let's do it! Yours for an old song, ANCIENT HARMONIOUS SOCIETY OF WOODSHEDDERS, INC. Toban Dvoretzky, Pres. TBone@selec.net (H) 14531 Ella Blvd., #3806 (281) 876-0888 H; FAX 281.876.2241 Houston, TX 77014-2558, U.S.A. http://www.ahsow.org http://www.ahsow.org or contact Toban Dvoretzky. Previous news. |
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