Wearing Different Hats (continued from page 1)
6. I then took a job teaching 7th grade life science in
Monroeville, PA. It was to be temporary until I got either
a physics or biology teaching job. Believe it or not, I
actually enjoyed teaching hormone-raging adolescents.
During the 33 years I taught there, I found myself
wearing different hats (thus the title of my article)<
· Life science, physical science, earth science teacher.
· Science club, chess club, environmental action club, student counsel advisor, track coach, and first soccer coach at Gateway High School. Received several teaching and coaching awards. Point - I love competition and I like to win.
· Paramedic- Holiday Park Fire Dept. (saved a few lives and delivered the first baby by an EMT or paramedic in Plum Borough). Hope you never have to do it. Very thrilling, but very messy.
· Cub scout, boy scout and Indian Guides leader for the sake of my two sons, Rob and Mike.
· Married to Darlene for 35 years (may not seem long to you, but probably an eternity to Darlene). We're going on an Alaskan cruise to celebrate and also to Louisville for the International Convention. She wants to see the horses, while I want to hear the singing.
We have 4 grandchildren, including Collin who directed the chorus at the Pressley Ridge ice cream social. "Grandchildren are God's gift to us for not killing our own!" Isn't that the truth; if we could only have them first! Gordon and Donna Knapp share 2 of our grandchildren, Nicholas and Julianna, as our son Mike and their daughter Shannon are married and living near Baltimore. In addition to Collin, Rob and Kerry have another son, Logan. While Collin leans toward music, Logan seems sports minded- at one year old he has his first black eye and loves to tackle, including my black lab Isaac who outweighs Logan by approximately 30 times.
Barbershop History:
The relationship between Mike and Shannon in high school lead to the start of my barbershop experience. Gordon had been singing for a couple of years at the time and asked if I would like to come to a rehearsal. That was the beginning of one of the best things in my life
1. I joined the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter 16 years ago when the chapter was still in Swissvale.
2. I was auditioned by Leo Stefano who blew a note on the pitch pipe and asked me to sing a harmony note. It just happened to be the baritone note and I have been there ever since.
3. Bill Amos asked me to sing in a quartet at my first afterglow, for which I will be forever grateful. The only way to get into quartetting is to just do it! I think it was also Bill who insisted that I be in the annual show at Heinz Hall my first year. Bill has been an inspiration to many over the years. We have many shared experiences, some of which have been quite memorable.
4. During the chapter moves from Swissvale to Churchill to Penn Hills to Forest Hills I have worn the following barbershop hats, and then some:
Program VP - YMIH VP - Treasurer - Secretary - President (this is my second term)
5. There have been many highs and lows (so to speak) during my barbershop time. I was president during the departure of those who became the Metro Chapter. That was not a high point. I have been to too many funerals for barbershop friends. They were not high points. On the other hand, I have sung in the chapter when it was a given that we would make the cut and go to District competition. We even placed 5th or 6th in District one year (correct me if I am wrong). I sang with the chapter when we had close to 130 members.
Yes, I have seen a lot of changes in my 16 years, unfortunately, not all for the good. As your president for 2004 I am going to set forth an agenda that will hopefully return us to a semblance of respectability. It isn't going to be easy. You have a good set of officers and board who have the same positive attitude. There are many good to excellent singers in the chorus. But nothing will occur without your help! Some say our chapter is too old and too apathetic. If I felt that way, I would quit tomorrow.
There are a lot of difficult tasks ahead of us, but I like a challenge. Stay positive, stay focused, stay committed to making this the most improved chapter in the JAD or even in the Society. The goals and strategies to achieve those goals will be made very clear to you, but without each and every one of you doing your best to learn music, sing better, invite guests, sell singing valentines, sell show tickets, sell show ads, etc., our goals are meaningless. Well need your help! Don't let us/me down, please!
Sincerely yours, "Bob the builder".
Can we build it? Yes we can!
p.s. - If you don't know who "Bob the Builder" is, ask your grandchildren. If they don't know, ask your great grandchildren. If they don't know, look it up on the internet.
Although the place has great acoustics, think twice about practicing your part to the tag "love me darling and the world is mine" in the men's room.
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