2008-2009 Ensemble Cookout....at our house

The CHS administration recently interviewed several candidates for my choir position next school year 2008-2009. I will remain on disability for one more year before final decisions are made. Anyway, they hired Ms. Corie Brown to fill the position for the upcoming school year.(Corie is no relation to any Brown's at CHS).

Corie is from the Benzonia area and graduated from Alma College in 2007. (funny thing...I graduated from Alma in 1977.......thirty years apart!!) Corie has had experience teaching at the HS level, and most recently filled in as a long term sub in the Otsego school district. Congratulations Corie! We are enthused to have you on board....and wish you the best!

Because school is just a month away...we thought it would be good for some of the students to meet her....so we had a cookout at our home for the ensemble on Thursday....Aug. 7th. Lots of the students came....except the ones that were working or out of town. We had a great time just visiting, eating, playing croquet, riding the Rhino (4 x 4)...

.Joel gave the rides and the kids had a blast!

We were even surprised by a visit from last years seniors....Josh, Chelsea, and Emily!

Pam Liebler and Sharon Badovinac were here to help out where needed, Ann Hunt came...and Ken did the grilling! he also did a bunch of preparation like lawn mowing, chairs, etc. Thank you thank you thank you Ken!! Jessica Gonder baked cookies brought celery, and carrots, my neighbor Diane Cooper brought over brownies, JoAnn VanLente sent over a bowl of fruit, Sharon brought watermelon and a beautiful bouquet of flowers, Ann brought cookies, and Jesse Liebler did a crock pot of potatoes! Way to go Jesse!

So....here are pictures from the event...even a short little video clip!

Katelan Smith.......

Ethan, Jesse, Emily

Jacob Combs (Audrey in the background)

2008 Grads Chelsea Dixon and Emily Laurent.

The girls are headed out to college in two weeks.

Josh Hall also stopped by.....sorry Josh I didn't get you in any pics!

Chris Rickerd

Corie and me

Audrey, Hadassah, Lizzie, Jessica, Holly


2008-2009 Ensemble and Mrs. N

Missing were: Christina, Chrissy, Caitlin, Matt, Aaron, Dave and Kristian

The ensemble plus Ms. Brown and Mrs. Hunt
(notice Ann and I are both in pink shirts and khaki pants:)

The kids were spontaneously singing songs from past musicals we performed.....so I urged Ethan to do this clip from "Music Man"......he obliged....and it was good!!! He and Chelsea were just finishing "Pick a little" first........enjoy!!