Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, March 3

The 20th annual Ohio State Convention was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Claire Outten leading 171. The morning prayer was offered by Jim Herr.

A business session was held and the following officers were elected: Co-Chairpersons—Michael Darby and Laura Russell; Vice Chairman—Roger Crabtree; Treasurers—Clara Herr and Eric Conrad; Secretaries—LauraLee Thompson, Michael Domino, and Debbie Hall. The co-chairpersons asked their committees to form, and closed the business session.

Leaders: Michael Darby and Laura Russell 72b; Brad Oglesby 47t; Lia Mansfield 38t; Judith McDowell and Carol Mosley 178; Eric Conrad 180; Virginia Cameron 268; Ray Rechenberg 107; Joel-Henry Mansfield 515; Sheila Patterson 335; Rich Overturf 100; Kay Huener 269; Greg Creech 163t; Lorraine Cathala 114; Sue Duff 300; Corey Sees 433; Loraine Bayer 61; Debbie Hall 192; Hans Bayer 522; Roger Crabtree 503; Eloise Clark 174; Clara Herr 564; Shawn Fenton 99.

RECESS

Michael Darby called the class back to order by leading 32t. Leaders: John Bealle 212; David Casenhiser 551; Beth Todd 436; Susan Matthews 479; Cecelia Kramer 311; Bill Beverly 546; Anne Missavage 383; Michael Mosley 343; Eddie Mash 344; AuraLee Furgason 143; Nicoletta Rogers 150; Jan May 474; Pleasance Crawford 183; Timothy Morton 384; Jewell Rowland 341; Stephen Rogers 368; Wayne Dell 271t; Martha Beverly 500; Carol Munro-Mosley 392; Marian Mitchell 163b; Mike Hinton 373; Fred Todt 480. Jim Herr offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The class was called back to order by Laura Russell leading 146. Leaders: Michael Darby 142; Breanna Grimes 159; Enid Thomas 333; Jubal Bayer 189; Annaliza Cull 448t; Michael Darby, Clara Herr, and Eric Conrad 68b; Laurel Cornell 361; Joseph Pimentel 217; Bob Cull 569b; Darrell Swarens 507; Joe Todd 103; Claire Outten 315; Ann Holzer 203; Jim Herr 440; Michelle Cull 29t; Gerry Hoffman 379; Jennifer Krell 59; John Bayer 324; Andrew Pugh 85; Sylvia Thomas 313b.

RECESS

The class was called back together by Jim Herr leading 312b. Leaders: Debbie Hall “Ohio”; Michael Domino 208; Laura Russell 318; Tom Kochan 496; Mike Hinton 532; Steve Rogers 48b; Jewell Rowland 358; Pleasance Crawford 468; AuraLee Furgason 549; Jan May 276; Nicoletta Rogers 328; Eddie Mash 428; Martha Beverly 352; Fred Todt 270; Carol Munro-Mosley 464.

Following announcements, Michael Darby and Laura Russell led 347 as the closing song. Jim Herr offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed until the following morning at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 4

The Sunday session of the Ohio State Convention was called to order by Michael Darby and Laura Russell leading 48t. The morning prayer was offered by Greg Creech.

Leaders: Greg Creech 350; Jim Herr 222; Lia Mansfield 504; Vic Whisman 143; Sue Duff 141; Joe Fothergill 569b; Hans Bayer 481; Ted Mercer 468; Clara Herr 209; Jason Steidl and friend 49b; Brad Oglesby 192; John Bealle 240; Sylvia Thomas 430; Eric Conrad 53; Marian Mitchell 340; Joe Todd 457; Joseph Pimentel 142.

RECESS

The class was called back together by Michael Darby leading 84. Leaders: Joel-Henry Mansfield 56b; Pleasance Crawford 524; Anne Missavage 528; Melanie Hauff 203; Mike Hieber 276; Beth Todd 52t; Eric Conrad and Clara Herr 26; Loraine Bayer 225t; Gerry Hoffman 236; Judith McDowell 87; Michele Cull 112; Shawn Fenton 39t; Annaliza Cull 268; Michael Mosley 492; Elizabeth Rechenberg 106; Kay Huener 107; Judy Hauff 411; Ray Rechenberg 40; Lois Hurt 452; Eddie Mash 234; Stephanie Hysmith 74b; Jubal Bayer 224; Rich Overturf 105.

Beth Todd and Ray Rechenberg conducted the memorial lesson. Mike Hinton was asked to offer a few words as well. Ray Rechenberg led 452 for the following sick and shut-ins: Marky Aden, Goldie Crawford, Geraldine Hooten, Ruth Snyder, Joan Mitchell, Alice Hershey, Nancy Yeager, Buel Oliver, and Kylie Dickman.

Beth Todd led 235 in memory of the following deceased: Joanne Bowman—Massachusetts; Ernestine Pipkin, Marie Ivey, Travis Keeton, Cecil Sanders—Alabama; Frank Evans—Virginia; John Merritt—Mississippi; Lonnie Rogers—Georgia; Nelda Miller—Florida; Cynthia Hogan, Jerry Clagett, Sam Thomas, John Patterson, Lela Patterson, and Don Wallis—Ohio; Edward York and Bill Mosely—Kentucky; Laura Lent—Maryland. At the close of the lesson, Greg Creech offered a prayer.

LUNCH

Laura Russell led 34b to bring the afternoon session to order. Leaders: Fred Todt 348t; Stephen Rogers 439; Mike Hinton 434; Jewell Rowland 81t; Jan May 287; Nicoletta Rogers 547; Carol Munro-Mosley 196; Dave Witter 454; Bob Cull 66; Darrell Swarens 304; Bill Beverly 191; Cecelia Kramer 444; Tom Kochan 323b; Martha Beverly 377; Sheila Patterson 277; Susan Zurcher 38b; Eloise Clark 320.

RECESS

John Bealle called the class back to order by leading 354b. Leaders: Corey Sees 284; John Bayer and Boyd Holliman 45t; Boyd Holliman, Daisy Crockram, and the Columbus Seven-Shape Note Choir “I Have the Holy Spirit” and “I Would Like to Have a Talk with Jesus”; Bobette Olson 95; Laura Russell 300; Michael Domino 172; Joseph Pimentel 168; Ted Mercer 299; Judy Hauff 216; Melanie Hauff 215.

Michael Darby and Laura Russell asked for reports from the committees. The Arranging Committee reported that approximately 160 singers attended from 11 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Eighty-four songs were led on Saturday by 67 leaders and 73 songs were led on Sunday by 62 leaders. Treasurers Eric Conrad and Clara Herr reported that all expenses had been met. Joel-Henry Mansfield offered the following resolutions: Be it hereby resolved to express our sincere gratitude to the following persons: the Food Committee (and all who helped them); Bexley Parks and Recreation (in particular Barb, Craig, and Denny), and the staff of the Jeffrey Mansion for preparing our singing facilities this year; all who pitched, sang, prayed, and made this year’s convention an outstanding success! Be it further resolved that this assembly shall reconvene in one year’s time to recognize and celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Ohio Sacred Harp Convention.

Greg Creech offered a closing prayer, and Michael Darby and Laura Russell led 62, while those who wished took the parting hand. Michael Darby dismissed the class until it can reconvene in March 2013 in Dayton, Ohio.

Co-Chairpersons—Michael Darby and Laura Russell; Vice Chairman—Roger Crabtree; Secretaries—Michael Domino, LauraLee Thompson, and Debbie Hall