"IHOH" in Mankato

Our convention in Mankato last weekend was called, "International House of Harmony".

It is always such a wonderful time for me to spend a weekend singing and listening t0 Barbershop Harmony.

On Thursday night about 40 of us went to St Peter and had dinner at the "Whiskey River" restaurant. We sang Happy Birthday to a guest there who had turned 90. We also sang to a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

On Friday we attended a couple of music classes put on by one of our winning choruses. Friday night is the Quartet competition. My friend, Carol sings with her three sisters. They came in 6th out of 16 competing quartets.

On Saturday morning it's eat a good breakfast, rehearse, put stage make-up on, get costume on, enter the competition pattern to go on stage, get picture taken, sing two songs on stage, wait for the announcement of the winning order. We went onstage this year with a brand new director and came in 11th out of 18 choruses. There are four judges and they give us a score sheet for both songs. We are judged for Music, Showmanship, Expression and Sound.

On Saturday night we have a dress up banquet and the top five Choruses and Quartets sing for us again. They also recognize us for years we have belonged to the organization. This year I received a certificate for belonging to Sweet Adeline's International for 30 years.

I got home around 1:30 pm on Sunday, Mother's Day. On my way home, Keith called me and for dinner that day Lynn, Bobby, Chad, Cassie, Eddie and Zoe came out for dinner. Lynn brought Deviled eggs & jello, Bobby grilled Hamburgers, I made fried potatoes, and Lynn brought Brownies. It was a fun time.

On Tuesday night my chorus had a banquet at a restaurant downtown. I was in charge of the Installation of our officers for the upcoming year. I will be President for a second term. We also give out an award for the "Sweet Adeline Leading Lady of the Year" or S.A.L.L.Y. I was also in charge of this.