Genesee Valley Chorus, Friendship High Class of 1963, Irv Hall was a race car driver
By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels
My first thoughts involving referencing the word Excuse as my Grammar Groan word, was to relate it to the word Reason. Whilst getting set up to write this, the word reason wormed its way into my head which caused me to wonder when do the two words mean basically the same…or when don’t they? Before giving my thoughts on those words, it dawned on me that “excuse” is just another one of those words that can have two completely different meanings, neither of which relates to the other.
Comparing reason and excuse. A reason is to have a legitimate stimulation or justification for doing something. An excuse is used when you can’t find a legitimate reason, or you are defending some action or activity that is indefensible. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it.
I will once again insert comments regarding the lead up to the 50th Year Celebration of the history of the Genesee Valley Chorus. Before I do that and note some of Matthew Morris pertinent information, aimed specifically at former members or singers that are no longer active, I want to give a heartfelt “shout out to Matthew” who inched his was a little deeper into my heart at practice this past Tuesday.
The somewhat popular choral song Thank You Lord is on the program for our 50th Anniversary concert. That song was composed by Dave Dunbar who used a poem I wrote as the lyrics of the song. As we prepared to run through it at practice, Matthew interrupted our beginning and asked if I would share with the group what inspired the poem and the song. Without going into detail, the words “thank you Lord” start a goodnight prayer that I offer up before going to sleep. Sometimes I go through a whole list of things and sometimes just the three words. I don’t think anyone has ever wondered or asked me to explain my motivation. That shows me that Matthew is a very caring person.
Following is information regarding Pre-June 14th 50th Anniversary former members who would like to be a part of this celebration. Each and everyone of you played a part in the success and longevity of the Genessee Valley Chorus.
Alumni Rehearsal: We are going to have a rehearsal on Saturday June 13, 3:00 until we finish won’t be later than 7 at Grace United. During this rehearsal we will have time to practice the few songs that we are performing, re-connect with our former members, and have a meal. Even those who haven’t been able to join us this season or for this concert are welcome to learn these songs with us.
Concert Dress: Concert Dress will be black bottoms and white on top with accents of Red, White or Blue.
Dress Rehearsal: Next week on Tuesday, June 9, we will hold our normal Chorus rehearsal, but at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville, 6:30 our usual time and end around 8:30.
Shown here are three amigos from the Friendship Central School Class of ’63. On the right is Bill Hamilton, center is the well-known Friendship resident Tom Talbett, and the ugly one is on the left. Pretty much on an annual basis, when Bill migrates back North from the warmer Florida wintering we get together at least once and have a great breakfast, and a greater chat session with current status and trips down memory lane. Tom is likely the most well known of the three as he is a former business manager at Wellsville Central school, and is very much involved in town activities, Allegany County Fair activities, and anything else that needs participation from Friendship residents. I’m the baby of the group, having started school at 4-1/2 years of age in a cohort with these “much older” guys.
A couple of weeks ago Friendship area residents, especially those from Nile, sadly learned of the passing of Irvin (Irv) G. HALL, 88, of Wellsville, NY. Irv was a significant part of my childhood growing up in Nile. In addition to being a great friend to my stepdad Paul Miles, both worked closely together in the making of, racing, and competing in the “modified” division of car racing. “In the day,” “stockcars” were made from standard shaped “later model” cars with bodies pretty much intact but with “roll bars” and other safety related only, modifications. The “Modified” class of cars, at that time consisted of the much older body styles of vehicles, typically from the 1930’s era. These were really souped up and were very familiar given the more compact size and shape of the “stockcars.”
Here’s Irv with a “Deuce Coupe” body style car that Paul Miles built. Irv took it over when Paul had to retire from racing. A couple of points of “local” interest includes the name of the “chief mechanic” Joe Collins, of Bolivar, NY and the painted notes showing the sponsorship of “Abe Allen’s” garage located on West Main Street in Friendship just before you get to Rte. 275 and then access to Interstate I86 as you head up the hill toward Belfast on White Creek Road (Rte. 17).
Irv was well known for his racing as well on local (surface) roads much to the chagrin of the local law enforcement. One particular instance involved a local constabulary Bob Flowers, aka Posey Flowers, or The Singing Cowboy Bob who had a Country Western Music radio show. Just before where the County Transfer station is, there is a road (maybe Steenrod Road or Ruckle Road) that turns off to the right if you’re heading east, and goes up into the boonies. At that intersection there is a cluster of trees in a little depression area. Irv made the turn easily, but Flowers ran off the road into that cluster of trees. I don’t recall any serious injuries other than to his ego.
I would like to give a “tip of the hat” to Kathryn Ross for her fantastic article in the Olean Times Herald summarizing the 50 years of musical celebration of the Genessee Valley Chorus.
I had started to do a more in depth reporting of the event in my Wramblings but had too many interruptions in my life to ever get that done.
As we speak, my wife’s car, in/with which I had a collision with a large doe deer down the road from our residence, on the Tuesday which started my “week from Hell.” Having paid for car insurance all these years I finally get to reap the benefits, however much unwanted. My deductible is a very modest amount. Most of the damage done to the front of the car isn’t visible and/or was under the hood covering car parts like the Radiator. No leaks “yet” but things need to be straightened and re-aligned to ensure that clearances remain what they should be.
My arthritis is reminding me once or twice again. When I exited the bed one morning last week and upon placing my right foot down and then attempting to stand, I almost did a nosedive. Nope, that trick is left for ditches when looking for golf balls. Pain of walking is just now starting to dissipate. Now, the calf of the other leg is begging for its chance to give me discomfort.
The knee issue did remind me of how to traverse stairways when you have had knee surgery, or it just hurts. The “rule of thumb” is “Going down a step lead with the bad. Going up a step let the injured follow after the good makes the ascent.” There’s probably a more succinct way to say that but my way works for me.
I suppose that I could Wramble on for a bit longer, but the glowing sunlight and drying dew remind me that I have outside work to do. I’ll end with my pool status. After opening it last week I finally have all of the connections leak free and all other functions working well. My first trip into the pool was with a water temperature of 60⁰, followed on repeated daily excursions at 62⁰, 67⁰, 70⁰ and finally last night at 74⁰. I stayed in quite awhile at that “tropical” temperature.
As I started my standard “sign-off” I had to go hunting for a chipmunk. He got away. In the process I had to pick up a fairly heavy object by pinching it between my “pointer” finger and my thumb. That was a mistake as it was not pain free. Just a reminder in passing. When using “Super Glue” and happen to get a drop, however small, do NOT touch anything without having cleaned the glue off. I got careless and while gluing something yesterday I got a drop on the tube of glue or my finger, I forget which, but my finger attached itself to the tube. I had already gotten the Super Glue Remover bottle, and I liberally applied same to the glued parts. I got “almost all of it free but there was a very small section of my finger still stuck. The skin still is and my finger reminds me of the careless donation of my skin.
“Gluer Beware”!
If you have any comments, questions or concerns email me at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com
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