Blog Day 5: Improvise, Adapt and Overcome. The mantra of the U.S. Marine Corps and now the Charles Wesley Singers. What a day. At the Tolbert farm, it started with the realization that the gate by the pond had been left open the night before. The cows were no longer in their field but were now grazing in the field across the pond. Ooh, hate when that happens! Next, we learned our wonderful bus driver Johanna suffered a scratched cornea last night and by this morning her eye was swollen shut. While she was diverted for emergency treatment, we re-thought the day’s plans. It was quite amazing to see, actually. Plan B: Our other wonderful driver, Paul, took the youth and a couple of chaperones on to Gainesville, GA to connect with our hosts at Gainesville UMC. The rest of the chaperones and “tall friends” used the time to reorganize over bagels and coffee. A chase vehicle followed the silver bus, retrieved Paul and drove him two hours back to Anderson, S.C., where he picked up the remaining passengers in the gold bus. The group ultimately reconvened at the church in Gainesville. We’re hoping Johanna’s eye will heal enough for her to drive tomorrow, but we’re working on a back-up plan just in case!
In spite of the challenges, our kids made it to Gainesville pretty much on time and were greeted with a pizza lunch. They joined with some of the local youth, and one group went to the movies (Toy Story 3-D) and the other went bowling. One of the Gainesville church’s buses broke down, so they improvised, adapted and overcame with other vehicles. Then, what else, the second Gainesville church bus broke down. Okay, improvise/adapt/overcome is getting a little tedious. Now we’re having to divide and conquer - and that’s not even our mantra. While a chaperone was being treated for multiple bee stings in an Anderson, SC urgent care center and our bus driver was having her scratched cornea treated by an ophthalmologist, a CWS soprano was being x-rayed for what we discovered was a broken hand. Buses and people are not the only things breaking down - we lost a flute and violin, too. But all are thankfully now on the mend.
On the brighter side, you should see this magnificent church! It is unbelievable. Forty foot high stained glass windows, rich wood walls and ceilings, gardens, fountains, and a huge recreation center. They have an entire youth wing with ping pong tables, games, a bandstand for their two praise bands and a DJ center. How convenient, we just so happened to bring Montgomery County’s best DJ, Blake Motter. The kids had fun just being kids - playing, singing and dancing.
One of the coolest things about this church is their Lakeside Chapel. A wooded path next to the church takes you to a big outdoor amphitheater, right on the lake. There are tiers of wooden benches, but the pastor told us most folks just bring their lawn chairs to worship at 8:30 on Sunday mornings, from Memorial Day through October. In fact, some of the locals just pull their boats up and either dock or stay right on the water, where they are able to pick up an FM signal for the service. We were treated to a magnificent southern barbecue dinner prepared by Frank, who this very day was awarded “Best Barbecue in the Greater Atlanta Region.” Needless to say, we cleaned our plates and shamelessly went back for more.
The concert tonight was amazing. As the choir sang Omnia Sol, the sun was setting, hitting the massive stained glass windows - the sanctuary just glowed. It was so serene and beautiful. We ended the night with a favorite from last year - My Soul is Anchored in the Lord. The choir was just on fire and has never sounded better! What a high note (literally) to end this day on.
Click Here for Pictures from Day 5
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Tour 2010 - Day 4
Day 4: Hot enough for you? At least we got to sleep in a little this morning. We re-grouped at our host church at 8:45 and went for a really nice tour of Clemson University. Much of the tour was blissfully on an air conditioned bus, and the campus was really beautiful. We had the chance to run down Cardiac Hill at the football stadium and enjoy the luscious Botanical Gardens. Don’t be surprised if your kids come home decked out in orange and purple T-shirts. Go Tigers! Never too soon to start applying for those out-of-state scholarships. After the tour we strolled through the town, chatting with the local shopkeepers and enjoying the quaint atmosphere.
We scrapped plans for the outdoor shopping excursion and opted for the comfort of an air conditioned mall. It was nice to have some down time to just hang with friends. One group pretended they were on tour from England and completely fooled the locals, who couldn’t get enough of their British accents. The mall had an indoor bunjee jumping center that was fun, a place to get massages and the usual array of mall chain stores. As we regrouped on the buses, waiting for the stragglers, we couldn’t help but notice some commotion in the parking lot. Now first, we want to point out that we were spectators, observing from the safety and comfort of a luxury motor coach with tinted windows. Second, we want to assure you we were not in any way in danger. That said, we were in for a bit of excitement as some reality-TV style drama between a few young men began to unfold in the mall parking lot. First came the posturing and smack talk, then the dance that says “you want a piece of me?” Then the intervention of buddies, girlfriends and grandmas, pleading for cooler heads to prevail. As it continued to escalate, Jane Webb called 911 to report the incident . She called out the play-by-play action to the police, as the two young gents danced and punched their way around the parking lot in the classic, testosterone-enhanced interaction that is half ballet and half street brawl. The police quickly moved in (with the help of our own Jane Webb), arrests were made and the buses rolled out. It was all caught on about a dozen phone videos and may already be posted on YouTube. Quite exciting, indeed.
Next came the highlight of the trip thus far. We had the pleasure of being hosted at the fabulous farm of Caroline Tolbert. Caroline is a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church here in Anderson, and we connected to her through the vast network of lifelong friends that Peggy and Walt Edmonds maintain. The farm is quite large, complete with cows, a pond, estate house with wrap-around porch and rocking chairs, and a pavilion shaded by what is officially the largest pecan tree in South Carolina. We wish you could have all been here to experience an evening that can only be described as magical. Many of the kids reflected on this as the best time they have ever had on tour. Who knows what serendipitous combination of factors merge to create that kind of spiritual energy. Perhaps it’s a few days shared together singing of God’s love and grace, an appreciation for the genteel ways of our Southern hosts, the love for one another that grows day by day. And a great backdrop, complete with volleyball, pedal boats, a go-kart, adventurous rides in the pick-up truck and great food. The young folks enjoyed being together but also loved spending time with their hostess. Many of them talked after we left about how touched they were by Miss Caroline and the wisdom she shared with them. To top it off, the singing group “Cruz Control” came out to the farm for a very entertaining barbershop quartet performance. They were so great, and of course we felt obliged to perform for them as well (Siyah Humba, The Lord Bless You and Keep You). We were having so much fun we didn’t want to stop singing, but all good things must come to an end. So as dusk faded to dark on this equinox evening, we boarded the buses to the church and bid farewell to the amazing Miss Caroline. A night to remember, for sure.
Click Here for Pictures from Day 4
We scrapped plans for the outdoor shopping excursion and opted for the comfort of an air conditioned mall. It was nice to have some down time to just hang with friends. One group pretended they were on tour from England and completely fooled the locals, who couldn’t get enough of their British accents. The mall had an indoor bunjee jumping center that was fun, a place to get massages and the usual array of mall chain stores. As we regrouped on the buses, waiting for the stragglers, we couldn’t help but notice some commotion in the parking lot. Now first, we want to point out that we were spectators, observing from the safety and comfort of a luxury motor coach with tinted windows. Second, we want to assure you we were not in any way in danger. That said, we were in for a bit of excitement as some reality-TV style drama between a few young men began to unfold in the mall parking lot. First came the posturing and smack talk, then the dance that says “you want a piece of me?” Then the intervention of buddies, girlfriends and grandmas, pleading for cooler heads to prevail. As it continued to escalate, Jane Webb called 911 to report the incident . She called out the play-by-play action to the police, as the two young gents danced and punched their way around the parking lot in the classic, testosterone-enhanced interaction that is half ballet and half street brawl. The police quickly moved in (with the help of our own Jane Webb), arrests were made and the buses rolled out. It was all caught on about a dozen phone videos and may already be posted on YouTube. Quite exciting, indeed.
Next came the highlight of the trip thus far. We had the pleasure of being hosted at the fabulous farm of Caroline Tolbert. Caroline is a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church here in Anderson, and we connected to her through the vast network of lifelong friends that Peggy and Walt Edmonds maintain. The farm is quite large, complete with cows, a pond, estate house with wrap-around porch and rocking chairs, and a pavilion shaded by what is officially the largest pecan tree in South Carolina. We wish you could have all been here to experience an evening that can only be described as magical. Many of the kids reflected on this as the best time they have ever had on tour. Who knows what serendipitous combination of factors merge to create that kind of spiritual energy. Perhaps it’s a few days shared together singing of God’s love and grace, an appreciation for the genteel ways of our Southern hosts, the love for one another that grows day by day. And a great backdrop, complete with volleyball, pedal boats, a go-kart, adventurous rides in the pick-up truck and great food. The young folks enjoyed being together but also loved spending time with their hostess. Many of them talked after we left about how touched they were by Miss Caroline and the wisdom she shared with them. To top it off, the singing group “Cruz Control” came out to the farm for a very entertaining barbershop quartet performance. They were so great, and of course we felt obliged to perform for them as well (Siyah Humba, The Lord Bless You and Keep You). We were having so much fun we didn’t want to stop singing, but all good things must come to an end. So as dusk faded to dark on this equinox evening, we boarded the buses to the church and bid farewell to the amazing Miss Caroline. A night to remember, for sure.
Click Here for Pictures from Day 4
Monday, June 21, 2010
Tour 2010 - Day 3
Day 3: We love it here in Johnson City. Especially our host homes and the wonderful Munsey Memorial UMC. After the concert last night, we went “home” to some good times - more great food, swimming pools and plenty of laughs. A large group crashed at Ina Sue’s (Mamaw Motter) who soon became everyone’s grandma. She makes the most amazing blueberry muffins! There’s other stories that could be told, but what happens at Mamaw’s stays at Mamaw’s (Blake and Blake, ‘nuff said).
Sunday morning we sang and played at both services. The youth sang “Hallelujah, We Shall Rise,” the orchestra played Adagio and the congregation said AMEN! After a pizza lunch, we loaded back up and hit the road, pressing onward and southward. Next stop, Anderson, S.C.
So we are having a few medical issues. The weather is hot and it’s tough for the kids to stay hydrated. Substantial stomach distress in the violin section. A broken toe in the choir. Cellists with cut fingers. A number of complaints of general malaise (that’s French for exhaustion). But these kids are troopers! We keep passing the hand sanitizer, gargling with Listerine, drinking lots of water . . . one minor detour to the ER for IV fluids and medication. So please, join us in fervent prayers for our good health. At any rate, the show must go on!
Tonight we sang at Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson S.C. Very hot and humid - upper 90’s. But the church is magnificent - and thankfully, the air conditioning that was not working this morning is working this evening. We were served a wonderful meal of Mexican baked ‘taters, a delicious salad, sweet tea and freshly baked sugar cookies. We sang a roaring rendition of Happy Birthday to Matt DeHoff (a John Deere birthday cake no less) then sang to a delightful crowd. They just loved the performances.
After a few rigorous days, we are ready for a little break in the action. Our hosts tonight will have us for two nights, as we look forward to a little R&R, soaking up the sights here in sunny South Carolina!
Click Here for Pictures of Day Three
Sunday morning we sang and played at both services. The youth sang “Hallelujah, We Shall Rise,” the orchestra played Adagio and the congregation said AMEN! After a pizza lunch, we loaded back up and hit the road, pressing onward and southward. Next stop, Anderson, S.C.
So we are having a few medical issues. The weather is hot and it’s tough for the kids to stay hydrated. Substantial stomach distress in the violin section. A broken toe in the choir. Cellists with cut fingers. A number of complaints of general malaise (that’s French for exhaustion). But these kids are troopers! We keep passing the hand sanitizer, gargling with Listerine, drinking lots of water . . . one minor detour to the ER for IV fluids and medication. So please, join us in fervent prayers for our good health. At any rate, the show must go on!
Tonight we sang at Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson S.C. Very hot and humid - upper 90’s. But the church is magnificent - and thankfully, the air conditioning that was not working this morning is working this evening. We were served a wonderful meal of Mexican baked ‘taters, a delicious salad, sweet tea and freshly baked sugar cookies. We sang a roaring rendition of Happy Birthday to Matt DeHoff (a John Deere birthday cake no less) then sang to a delightful crowd. They just loved the performances.
After a few rigorous days, we are ready for a little break in the action. Our hosts tonight will have us for two nights, as we look forward to a little R&R, soaking up the sights here in sunny South Carolina!
Click Here for Pictures of Day Three
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