PeanutGallery

This will be a pretty short one, but we need to look at a few issues: (from my VP (performance) chair)

1. The show is one week away, and we should have some things ready. This is mainly for our newer members, who
are not used to our uniforms. They need to be cleaned and pressed for the show, but we also need black shoes
and black socks. (please, no white socks) Also, shined does nicely, so it might not be appropriate to have suede shoes.
(nor blue, Elvis)
2. Check your cuff links and studs, since they may have gone astray or become loose since last used. I think Bob might
have a couple of sets that we can plunder for single studs, if needed.
3. Bob has already mentioned it, but we should have tried on our tuxes by now, to see if they fit. If not, tell Al Toivonen
as soon as possible. Check to see if your tie will close correctly. Also see if you can get the vest closed and sew any buttons solid again. I found two of mine loose for the last time we used them, and I hadn't checked ahead, being sure that they were okay. So, in this case, mea copula, I know whereof I speak. (the spelling is on purpose, it should be "copla", but I was feeling verbose) (shirts should also be checked, to see if the collar will still close, since I've gained weight, I figure maybe someone else has winter poundage too.
4. Try to start now, getting hydrated all week. It's going to be hard on our voices, since we don't have a play, and we'll be singing more this week. Also, a little warming up on the way there might help, too. Also, more sleep might help too, especially since we lose an hour, with the clocks going ahead tomorrow night.
{That's all I can think of, from the VP chair}

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I met a Barbershopper in Ontonagon, Michigan, last weekend, and got to talking about shirts, etc. He said that their chorus had originally gone with a medium blue golf shirt, but had to replace them within eighteen months, for a couple of reasons:
a) Stains seemed to migrate to the lighter coloured shirt, and the cotton mix seemed to hold oily stains, such as spaghetti sauce and strawberry stains. They went to a darker red one the second time, and it seems to have worked, for the last 6 years that they've had it.
b) The guys who had a tendency to gain and lose weight found that the lighter colour and lighter material seemed to show all the little bumps and wrinkles that showed, especially in their older members. Again, the darker red didn't show it, especially in a little heavier material.
c) Their newer ones also were "Mercerized", which seemed to shed the dirt better than other types they tried. This seems to be some sort of teflon coating that is incorporated into the material.
d) On the later version of the shirts, they went to a sew-on crest, so that they could get it in different sizes, since the design still had to be digitized before the computer embroidered it onto the shirt.

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HARMONY ROUND-UP 2005
This will be held May 20-22, 2005 at Michigan State University. It's a great chance to improve your singing ability, and add another dimension to our musical experience. It will include good solid teaching, plus fellowship, tag singing and woodshedding. It's similar to our Harmony school earlier in the year, but much bigger, with a chance to meet a lot of fellow barbershoppers. The guest faculty quartet is HAPPINESS EMPORIUM, our 1975 Gold Medal Champions. I will have a few brochures at the Saturday practice and on Monday as well.

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Practices:
Saturday, April 2 - all day at Central United Church
Monday, April 4 - Salvation Army Citadel
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - White Pines. Call time will be discussed Saturday.