Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, April 30

The 16th annual singing convention at Harrods Creek Baptist Church was held the last Saturday in April and Sunday following. Michele Cull and Rebecca Eldridge called the class to order leading 59t, followed by welcoming remarks and announcements. Rebecca Eldridge led 65. The opening prayer was offered by Adrian Eldridge.

Leaders: Darrell Swarens 36b; Bill Beverly 440; Steve Duff 163b; Scot Oliver 100; Wayne Dell 82 (CB); Liz Meitzler 111b; Tim Reynolds 84t (SoH), 4b (SoH); Tom Morton 159; Paula Oliver 182; Martha Beverly 504; Clara Herr 547; Joel Deckard 61; Heather McAllister 448t; Nathan Rees 145 (SoH).

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Co-Chairpersons—Michele Cull and Rebecca Eldridge; Finance Committee—Liz Meitzler; Arranging Committee—Brenda Waters, Chandler Bainter, Rebecca Eldridge, and Michele Cull; Secretary—Pat Meek. Michele Cull thanked Buford Parrish and Harrods Creek for allowing us to hold the convention there. The Harrods Creek Shape Note Convention was renamed the Harrods Creek/Bob Meek Memorial Singing.

RECESS

Leaders: Ray Rechenberg 138t (CB); Loraine Bayer 225t; Nikos Pappas 250; Will Fitzgerald 41 (SoH); Esther Crookshank, Eddie Hatfield, and Betsey Hatfield 63; Jim Herr 549; Elizabeth Rechenberg 551; John Bayer 143 (SoH); Samuel Sommers 254 (SoH); Jonathan Smith 289 (SoH); Levi Bainter 392 (CB); Annaliza Jane Cull 155; Berk Meitzler 122; William Shetter 121 (SoH); Rebecca Eldridge 120; Hans Bayer 168; Bob Cull 505 (CB); Sue Duff 472; Zachary Davis 50 (SoH); Jubal Bayer 142; Roger Crabtree 128; Ruth Dolby 40; Doug Trent 480; Eddie Mash 464 (CB); Tim Morton 306. Jim Herr offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The class was called back together by Michele Cull leading 388. Leaders: Laural Cornell 569b; Joan Frankel and Ray Rechenberg 38 (SoH); Bill Hayes 277; James Eldridge 177; Joan Aldridge 270; Laura Morton 178; Virginia Eldridge 383; Adrian Eldridge 38t (CB); Darrell Swarens 341; Katherine Eldridge 129; Bill Beverly 511t (CB); Steve Duff 313t; Paula Oliver 300; Wayne Dell 571 (CB); Liz Meitzler 81t; Tim Reynolds 278t; Tom Morton 49b; Martha Beverly 196; Clara Herr 348t; Joel Deckard 64; Heather McAllister 294; Ray Rechenberg 276; Loraine Bayer 274t.

RECESS

Leaders: Nikos Pappas 220; Will Fitzgerald 42; Jim Herr 109; Elizabeth Rechenberg 457; John Bayer 89t (SoH); Samuel Sommers 55; Jonathan Smith 76 (SoH); Berk Meitzler 426t; Bill Shetter 28b; Rebecca Eldridge 133 (SoH); Hans Bayer 240; Bob Cull 146.

Following announcements, Rebecca Eldridge led 46 as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Jimmy Vest.

Sunday, May 1

The Sunday session of the Harrods Creek/Bob Meek Memorial Singing was called to order by Rebecca Eldridge leading 32t. The opening prayer was offered by Jim Herr.

Leaders: Bill Hayes 131b; Wayne Dell 66; Joel Deckard 535; Ray Rechenberg 410t; Jim Herr 310 (SoH); Bill Shetter 488b (CB); Paula Oliver 385; Annaliza Cull and Stephanie Rae 268; Elizabeth Rechenberg 408 (CB); Berk Meitzler 369; Ruth Dolby 350; Eddie Mash 494 (CB).

RECESS

The class was brought back to order by Rebecca Eldridge leading 133. Leaders: Michele Cull and Kelly Toon 282; John Bealle 392 (CB); Scot Oliver 176b; Sue Duff 331 (SoH); Martha Beverly 217; Laurel Cornell 143; Hans Bayer 269; Adrian Eldridge 97 (SoH).

RECESS

James Eldridge led 137 to bring the class to order. Leaders: Steve Duff 63 (SoH); Joan Aldridge 475.

A memorial lesson was held at this time. John Bealle led 278t for victims of recent tornados. Virginia Eldridge led 33b in honor of the sick and shut-ins. Tim Reynolds led 128 in memory of the deceased, and Tim Morton led 574 (CB) in memory of Bob Meek.

Leaders: Eloise Clark 39 (SoH); Bill Beverly 523; Darrell Swarens, Hans Bayer, and Jubal Bayer 96 (CB); Clara Herr 200; Liz Meitzler 55; Esther Crookshank 68b. Jimmy Vest offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The class was called back to order by Michele Cull and Darrell Swarens leading 236. Leaders: Katherine Eldridge and Catherine Naiser 162; Jubal Bayer 182; Joan Frankel and John Bayer 25b (SoH); John Bayer 56 (SoH); Randy Weber 126 (CB); Regina Frick 39 (CB); Loraine Bayer 454; Johann Kim 232; Tim Reynolds 132 (CB); Doug Trent 276; Ben Dockery and Annaliza Cull 448t; Bob Cull 505 (CB); Liz Meitzler and Regina Frick 47b; Tim Morton, Darrell Swarens, and Johan Kim 424; Christine Clifford and Virginia Eldridge 441; Scot Oliver and Paula Oliver 108b; Eddie Mash 365.

Announcements were made. Michele Cull and Rebecca Eldridge led 347. The closing prayer was offered by Steve Duff, and the class was dismissed.

Co-Chairpersons—Michele Cull and Rebecca Eldridge; Secretary—Pat Meek