Writing, wrambling, singing, gas prices, and the Bonnies big win!
By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels
Before I get to the main theme(s) of this Wrambling, I will apologize to anyone tuning in expecting a chronological regurgitation of the Wrambling’s that I hinted at doing over the past couple of writings. At the time of the promise, my intention was to go back through the 2024 Wramblings and write a piece reflecting on the most significant writing for each month. At the time of initial idea, I thought it was a good idea. Some of you may have agreed but having seen similar such writings from other news sources I have reconsidered.
Nearly all daily, weekly, or monthly publications post a “Look Back” type of story to end their journalistic year. Having seen the same in the Olean Times Herald again this year and browsing it, very briefly, I recalled that I never read those year end articles, and probably never would. As a subscriber of that other “rag” I have already read, or at least had the opportunity to read all of the news stories they would be repeating. If I like them then, I read them. If they didn’t interest me then, there’s no reason to think they would interest me at the end of the year. Ergo, I have decided against compiling that group of historical, if not hysterical articles, even if they were just a snapshot of what was previously written. I may re-think that at a later time if ever I am lacking a main theme or just a bunch of Wramblings.
Some of the information included in the following is noted in an article read at Singers.Com and from Don Besig personally. When Dave Dunbar (RIP) and I were actively in collaboration with writing music, the music publishing company Shawnee Press, to whom Dave had submitted our Thank You Lord song, requested that we add Don Besig’s name to our song if they published it. We agreed, and they did. I communicated with Mr. Besig recently about another song, In His Hands, not yet published, but used a few times locally, soliciting his advice. Mr. Besig, a now mostly retired, world-renowned author teaming up with lyricist Nancy Price, composed songs written primarily for “student singers and volunteer church choirs,” although now retired, he agreed to take a look at the piece.
I have personally sung some of his songs with both the Genesee Valley Chorus, and the Grace United Church, formerly known as the Congregational Church in Wellsville. Including with others of his I have sung were a couple of my favorites; Love Grows Here, and Beautiful Sounds. I have sung Love Grows Here, at a wedding or two. Mr. Besig, residing in the Rochester, NY area has composed over 350 musical arrangements with more than 15 million copies sold. Both Mr. Besig and Dave Dunbar had a similar inspiration musically and worked with high school level students and church choirs. Their musical inclination, and thus, their writing/composing was appropriate for both of those venues, and what makes them both so popular, in their own way.
The musical themes and inspiration in writing Thank You Lord and other musical pieces include knowing and working with musical professionals such as Mr.’s Besig and Dunbar.
I am not now and never will be a “professional” in any aspect of music but my love for Wreading it, Writing it and singing it has certainly educated me in some fashion, musically.
Before continuing I would like to offer this disclaimer regarding my Wramblings. When I write about or mention various organizations or entities I am doing so completely from a personal reporting or discussion perspective. If I mention the Wellsville Sun elsewhere, such as in comments on Facebook, or if I mention the Genesee Valley Chorus or its activities or my participation therein, I am writing strictly on my own behalf. I am “reporting” rather than recording, or representing, or being a voice for those organizations. What I write or say is not a reflection on those organizations, but rather opinions and/or feelings of my own.
That being said, I would like to offer the reminder that the Genesee Valley Chorus will reconvene this coming Tuesday, Jan. 7th. The rehearsals will start at 6:30 PM at the Grace United Church on North Main St. in Wellsville, NY. and will be led by Director Matthew Purks-Morris.
Sadly, some former chorus members shown in this photo have since passed away, but I kept this photo and, share it out of respect, and in honor of, those who are no longer with us.
The Genesee Valley Chorus (GVC), founded in 1976 under a slightly different name consistent with the anniversary celebration of the year 1776, has remained a part of musical celebrations, not only in Wellsville, but throughout Allegany and surrounding counties ever since. GVC typically convenes for the upcoming year’s seasonal activity shortly after Labor Day. It then takes a winter break following their annual formal Christmas/Holiday presentation in December and re-convenes to continue their “musical season” into the next calendar year. The Late Winter-Early Spring season, of the GVC will commence as noted above. Performances continue typically with a Lenten service in February/March then followed by the formal summer concert in Late May or June, then break for the summer reconvening in September. Other special local performances or memorial singing activities may be scheduled into summer or on an “as needed” basis at other times.
Gas pricing continues to be puzzling to me. The price of gasoline here in Scio, NY was posted at $3.15/gal. at the store in Scio. At the reservation in Cuba where the gasoline is, or should be, tax free, even on their 5¢ off day is still at $3.12. As I visited the reservation one day last week, theoretically saving money at that Cuba price, I passed the Shorts Oil Co. truck on my way out. Unfortunately, that was before I noticed the Scio store posted price. People in the Olean area are really getting ripped off as their lowest prices are quite a bit more.
I’m pretty sure I’ve shared this poem that follows before, but with my memory these days it may have been as recently as last week. Having discussed music with Mr. Besig in messages the other day this poem reflects what motivates or inspires me to write.
As a note in passing, I am often recognized and greeted by former Alfred State College students as recently as at the New Years Eve St. Bonaventure game where the Bonnies eked out a hard fought 77-75 win over VCU. As I sat there at the Reilly Center waiting for the game to start a young(er) gentleman leaned on the railing in front of me and asked if I was Chuck Wiser. I admitted to being one in the same and he proceeded to tell me he was formerly a student of mine in 1998 at Alfred State. I apologized to him for not recognizing him and excused it by saying there was only one of me and thousands of students to try and recall. There are a handful that I would still recognize and remember. For those who have friended me on Facebook , and I remember, I am honored and grateful. My retirement from teaching in 2008, and in hindsight, was perhaps one of the saddest days of my life. I miss them all, whether remembered or not.
