Wiser’s Wramblings-Music to Start the Summer and Sooth the Sadness

The Genesee Valley Chorus will say goodbye to Al Abbott on June 21 in Wellsville, Bolivar 200 Bicentennial Bash is June 25

By Chuck Wiser I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels

As you read on, you’ll quickly note that the main topic, or topics, are relative to music. This coming weekend will not only mark the beginning of summer, but also a goodbye to a friend who recently passed away, and a musical celebration for the Bicentennial celebration in Bolivar, NY.

A Celebration of Life, with Military Honors, is being planned for a later date. A private burial will be in Genesee Cemetery with his parents and brother.

Al was one of the first people I met as a fledgling member of the Genesee Valley Chorus at its very beginning. Since Al did not drive, nor have a car, I (and many others) gave Al rides home frequently. Al was a “people person” through and through. His frequent employment opportunities often included dealing with and/or serving the public. I didn’t see much of Al during his Customer service days at Better Days in Wellsville as I seldom visited there. My association with Al was through our mutual membership in the Genesee Valley Chorus (GVC). There wasn’t a song that he couldn’t sing, and did sing well, with his beautiful tenor voice. Al often was picked as a soloist when a particular song called for one. After my leave of absence with GVC, and my return Al had changed to the “bass” voices as a Bass/Baritone.

When some job or chore needed a volunteer, Al was first in line. As a talented musically trained singer and musician coupled with his talent, he was non-hesitant in speaking up to point out musical errors, musical suggestions, even to professional directors.

Al was a friend to all, and was a dedicated addition to GVC, in any capacity ranging from room set-up custodian before chorus practice, to the lead tenor soloist on several serious musical pieces.

Al is in the hearts of everyone who knew him and everyone that he sang with. Al will be missed, but I have a feeling that he will be singing along from his vantage un-earthly stage as we sing our condolences June 21^st. Another celebratory activity this weekend will be a Bi-Centennial celebration in Bolivar, NY.

Renowned area soprano soloist and musical director Norene Ferris has asked me to give this weekend’s Bicentennial celebration a little plug and as an invitation to all to join in the festivities. Among other musical groups, the Genesee Valley Chorus will give a musical presentation.

While watching the birds from here in the Sun-Bird Room on the banks of the “Mighty Genesee” this morning, my wife called my attention to a female Grosbeak with no discernable tail feathers sitting on the “garage feeder.” I instantly named her “Bob” due to her “bobcat” appearance. I guess to be genetically named correctly she should be called “Bobbie.”

Once again June has turned out to be pretty much waterlogged as there have been many rained out days and weekends again this year. The Mighty Genesee has shown its teeth, so to say, and has raged a number of times. In the early 80’s maybe even 1980 itself, we were in the process of setting up a seasonal camp at Deer Run Campground. It rained nearly every weekend that year and my recollection was 22 straight weekends, but my wife corrected me to a lower total of 13 weekends. One up-side of the numerous rainy days is saving me the expense of keeping our pool water level at the appropriate height relative to the skimmer. One drawback of our many sunflower seed feeders is the deposit of the seed “shucks” into the pool and thus its filter(s). I started my pool adventures this year when the water temperature was only 62°. It has now climbed to 78° and is quite refreshing. One of my Friendship Central School friends, a couple years my junior, defines “refreshing” as a code word for cold. I’ll admit that the initial plunge into the water is somewhat of a shock to the bodily system, but that doesn’t stop my quick emersion by diving headfirst into the pool. I have always done that going all the way back to my Van Campen Creek swimming days in Nile in my youth. I can’t wade slowly into the water. The headfirst shock wears off much more quickly than it does for initial immersion from the lower nether region.

As I poked my head out of the garage yesterday morning, I saw the USPS delivery vehicle depositing my mail into the roadside mailbox. I looked at my watch and it was only 8:30 in the morning. No wonder mail or packages that are expected on a given day are delayed a day. If my recollection is correct our mail is initially received at the Wellsville Post Office first and then distributed to the Scio post office. Typically, this had been done a little later in the morning than that. The extra day comes about as the distribution has been delayed a day due to the time of its occurrence.

I have no new news about the sewer line renovations and pipe installations with resulting necessary landscaping. Yesterday was a pretty quiet day, activities wise. They must have been working at a different location somewhere else. I didn’t go very long without having witnessed something disturbingly seen all too often in my area living across from a gravel pit as I caught the back view of a guy standing by his truck, helping to “water down the dust,” shielded from view of the main road (Rte. 31) by his truck. They never seem to realize that there are houses and nearby people behind them. I guess it’s kind of like a youngster thinking you can’t see them if they have their eyes covered.

Having mentioned the Mighty Genesee once already I guess it would be appropriate again to share a poem about such…

If you have any questions, cares or comments please reach out to me at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com