In previous years in the bulletin, I have reported on the barbershop involvement in singing for the handicapped at the "Indiana County Workshop" annual picnic. This occurred again on July 29 and I think you may be interested in some background on this event.

Dave Detweiler from Indiana County had been working with the severely handicapped for 20+ years. He noted that when these handicapped people became adults, the state of Pennsylvania tended to "warehouse" them somewhere and essentially forget about them. Dave also noticed that such people never had any opportunity for entertainment or social events such as picnics.

In 1992, Dave started with seventeen "clients" from the Indiana County Workshop and decided to at least hold an annual picnic for them to enjoy. Dave's wife, who works for a group called "Life Steps" also got involved. The picnic has grown over the years. On July 29, over 300 handicapped persons attended the picnic from the counties of Indiana, Armstrong, Clearfield, Westmoreland and Cambria.

Dave Detweiler had known Bill Amos for many years and sought his involvement. Starting in 1993, Bill started to entertain at the picnic as a clown. Bill clowned at the picnics for three or four years. Then he decided that these handicapped persons just might enjoy some barbershop entertainment.

Bill's first action was to organize a barbershop quartet to entertain. Then he decided to get a group of barbershoppers involved, not only to sing, but to wander throughout the picnic crowd passing out small token gifts consisting of trinkets, necklaces, noisemakers, stickers, rings, games, etc. Those of us attending still remember the year that we passed out small water pistols. It turned into a rather wet afternoon. Bill has always bought and paid for all these gifts from his own pocket.

The handicapped picnic attendees are always waiting for the barbershoppers to appear and look forward to their "gifts." After passing through the crowd, a short performance is presented. This year a combined chorus from Greater Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh North Hills entertained along with a "pickup" quartet consisting of Bill Amos, Matt Coppola, Jack Cox and Bill Stnngert.

At the 2005 picnic on July 29, seventeen barbershoppers attended from the Greater Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh North Hills chapters. In attendance were; Bill Amos, Uri Carpenter, Matt Coppola, Jack Cox, Fred Dean, Ken Ernst, Jim Hughes, Tom Koch, Jim McCarthy, Ken Moelk, Ralph Ostlund, Bob Parker, Mark Pascarella, Stan Schultz, Tom Steimer, Bill Stringert and Joe Veltre.

Since it's inception, the handicapped picnic has always been hosted by the Heilwood Sportsmen's Club in Indiana County. Unfortunately this year, about a month prior to the picnic, an unknown, sick "firebug" torched and burned the Heilwood club to the ground. With the picnic in doubt, Dave Detweiler and others were in a frantic search for a different venue.

At the worst of times, good people always come forth. The Red Barn Sportsmen's Club in Homer City had an acceptable facility and offered it for the picnic. Many volunteers, including the women of the Red Barn Club, stepped forth to work at cooking and serving food and cleaning up. The barbershoppers of course took time to partake of the fine food.

Following their participation in the picnic, the barbershoppers retreated to Bill Amos' camp near Yellow Creek State Park for some fine fellowship and more food and drink.

The chicken wings cooked over an open fire are always a highlight. Our resident boy scout, Mark Pascarella, was pressed into action to get a good fire going. The rest of the afternoon was spent with horseshoes, food, drink, fellowship and, of course, a lot of singing.

In my opinion, this event is just one example of barbershopping "at it's best." If you want a day that will make you feel good in many ways, consider getting involved next year.