Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 35th annual Kentucky State Sacred Harp Singing was called to order at 9:06 a.m. by Ron Pen. After making a few announcements about the singing and the facilities, and offering a prayer, Ron led 549 (Hesperian Harp). The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition, and Southern Harmony were used throughout the day.

Leaders: Alana Boltz 277; Joy Dunn 503; Tanner Jones 347; Mary Brinkman 49b; Donna Kwon 335; Tim Morton 127; Paul Wyatt 125; Zach Davis 16 (SoH) (for Jim Thobaben); Keith MacAdam 178; Tom Morton 209; Stephen Huffman 36b; Bob French 47b; Mary Huffman 276.

RECESS

The class was called back to order by Ron Pen. Leaders: Zach Davis 322 (SoH); John Huffman 327; Randy Webber 515 (for Howard Carlberg); Ben Fink 159; Glenn Koenig and Randy Webber 126; Zach Davis 344 (for Susan Liddle); John McCluskey and Ben Fink 197; Gwen Johnson and Ben Fink 457; Randy Webber 236 (for Shirley Carlberg); Judy Taylor 193; Traci Cornett and Stephen Huffman 284; Ron Pen 455; Randy Webber and Marguerite Emmons 186.

RECESS

Joy Dunn led 542 to bring the class together. Leaders: Randy Webber 504; Tanner Jones 339; Doug Trent 59; Ron Pen 146; Alana Boltz 128; Zach Davis 117 (for Jillian Lykens); Mary Brinkman 313b.

Zach Davis conducted the memorial lesson. Joy Dunn memorialized her Aunt Elvadeen Dunn, saying that they would have long telephone conversations and that Elvadeen would have singings at her home once a year. Elvadeen was a Kentuckian, and died in 2016. Joy led 278b (SoH). Ron Pen read a brief encomium to honor his mother, Yvonne. Yvonne would sing during family musicales, and would sing lullabies to Ron and his sister, including occasional up-tempo numbers she knew from her chorus line days, touring with the Three Stooges. An actress, singer and dancer, Yvonne was the subject of many photographs. Ron led 118. Tom Morton remembered Mary Catherine Hayes, Bill Hayes’s mother. Catherine was a Kentuckian, and died at the age of 94 just before the 2016 Harrods Creek Singing. Tom led 421. Tim Morton spoke of Oliver Kindig-Stokes, a Pennsylvania singer, who died in an auto accident in October of 2015. Tim led 176t. Bob French remembered Lorrain Cannon, a long-time friend of his from Australia, who died in April, 2016. She had visited him in Lexington numerous times and had attended folk singings and Sacred Harp singings. Bob led 312b. Randy Webber memorialized Loraine Bayer of Ohio, who died of cancer in 2015. Randy mentioned Loraine’s famous rainbow Jello salad/dessert, and led 38 (SoH).

Zach read the following list of names of the sick and shut-ins: Brenda (Begie) Rechenberg (Ed Walton led 565); Norma Green (Stephen Huffman led 569t); Nancy Wyatt (Paul Wyatt reported that his wife, Nancy, is doing better after surgery, and then led 285t in memory of his deceased father, Wilton (Roy) Wyatt of Alabama).

Zach Davis remembered his adopted grandfather, Terry White, a regular singer with the Lexington-based group, who had been ill for a number of years and died the day before the 2015 Kentucky Annual Singing. Zach felt that his relationship with Terry was what saved Terry spiritually, as Terry had not really had a religious faith before meeting Zach. Zach led 410t. That concluded the memorial lesson. Jim Thobaben asked a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Randy Webber leading 79. Leaders: Zach Davis and Marcy Thobaben 268; Annaliza Cull 472; Laura Earles 148; Brenda Waters and Annaliza Cull 535; Zach Davis 201 (for David Beshear); Michele Cull 300; Ben Fink 254 (for Mary Brinkman); John Huffman and Kay Huffman 147t; Ben Fink 522; Zach Davis and Gwen Johnson 524; Tim Morton 424; Paul Wyatt 464; Mary Brinkman and Ben Fink 481 (for Jim Thobaben); Ed Walton and Michele Cull 143.

RECESS

The class was reconvened by Tom Morton leading 496. Leaders: Zach Davis 107; Stephen Huffman 48t; Bob French 338; Mary Huffman 165 (SoH); Zach Davis 15 (SoH); Joy Dunn 34b; Doug Trent 480; Ron Pen 163b; Randy Webber 218; Laura Earles 278b; Brenda Waters 49t; Michele Cull 46; John Huffman 149; Ben Fink 549; Gwen Johnson and Ben Fink 282; Tim Morton 74b; Paul Wyatt 53; Zach Davis 45t (for Betsy Fleischer).

Randy Webber thanked everyone for coming, especially those who had come a long distance. Announcements were made. The class sang 267 as the closing song. All who wanted shared the parting hand, and the class was dismissed at 3:10 p.m.

Chairman and Treasurer—Charles H. Coulston; Secretary—Mary Brinkman