Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The fifteenth annual Eldridge Schoolhouse Singing was called to order by Adrian Eldridge leading 270 and offering a prayer with particular reference to the devastation that tornadoes caused our region over the prior night. Selections were generally from The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition. Leaders: James Eldridge 99; Beth Garfinkel 504; Sarah Lynne Gershon 198; Bill Hayes 268; Shannon Tibbs 277; Ben Fink 66; Curtis Cook 147t; Tim Gregg 65; Prisca Rice 122; Timothy B. Morton 228 in memory of Joan Aldridge, who had always been a kind supporter of this singing; Ben Fink 236 by request of Kathy Sweeton; Jared Wootten 472; Terry Wootten 176t; Jamey Wootten 399b; Kevin Jones and Shannon Tibbs 452.

RECESS

Erin Fulton called the class back to order by leading 141. Leaders: Prisca Rice 344 in honor of Jim and Clara Herr, whom other obligations prevented from attending this year; Timothy B. Morton 384; James Eldridge 176b; Jared Wootten 37b; Shannon Tibbs 86; Sarah Lynne Gershon 102; Adrian Eldridge 522; Curtis Cook 426b; Beth Garfinkel 146; Jamey Wootten 48t; Bill Hayes 551; Tim Gregg 565; Terry Wootten 76b in honor of Shane and Marlon Wootten, both of whom are in difficult health; Erin Fulton 227; Ben Fink 240; Prisca Rice 38b; Timothy B. Morton 38t; Curtis Cook 178 by request of Kathy Sweeton; Beth Garfinkel 455. James Eldridge gave a blessing and the class adjourned for their meal.

DINNER

Ben Fink called the class back to order by leading 186. Leaders: Adrian Eldridge and Bill Hayes 16 (SoH) in honor of Katherine Eldridge; Terry Wootten 152; Tim Gregg 225b; Sarah Lynne Gershon 273; Prisca Rice 306; Jamey Wootten 313t; Timothy B. Morton 192; Erin Fulton 397; Jared Wootten 182; James Eldridge 147b; Curtis Cook 547; Adrian Eldridge and Terry Wootten 461; Ben Fink 515; Shannon Tibbs 28b in honor of William Shetter, whose advanced age has prevented him from attending recent singings but who is still dear to us; Bill Hayes 507; Erin Fulton 126. Announcements were taken. Several members of the class objecting that there were Christmas songs still unsung, Beth Garfinkel led 223 and Erin Fulton 81b by popular behest; Sarah Lynne Gershon led 209 by request of Kathy Sweeton. James Eldridge led 347 while the class took the parting hand. Having sung fifty-seven selections, Terry Wootten dismissed a class of seventeen singers from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Pennsylvania with a final prayer.

Chairman—Adrian Eldridge; Vice Chairwoman and Secretary—Erin Fulton