The Beloit Allegro Music Club Celebrated its Golden Anniversary Monday evening at the New Life Assembly of God Church with a dinner followed by a program of music and memories. Thirty-seven past and present members joined together to celebrate fifty-years of sharing their love of music and fellowship together.
The club honored their eight founding members who were present including Arlene Kadel, Marilyn Grief, Jocile Fulhage, Beverly James, Norma (Simmons) Thompson, Cindy Johnson, Peg Gwenn, and Lola Campbell.
Twenty-two of the present members attended the celebration: Lola Campbell, Elizabeth Fay, Jocile Fulhage, Marilyn Greif, Dee Ann Harbaugh, Dinah Heidrick, Marilyn Huffman, Beverly James, Mary Ann Kibbe, Connie Kopsa, Marianne Metcalf, Donna Munsey, Jean Nyberg, Micky Poelma, Susan Pontow, Carol Porter, Rita Rowh, Mary Ann Shearer, Lila Sherlock, Norma Thompson, Marilyn Vossman, ad Shirley Wichers.
Twelve former members came back for the celebration including: Mary Ann Barstow, Peg Gwin, Cynthia Johnson, Mildred Jones, Arlene Kadel, Karol Kadel, Diane Kolman, Barb McGrath, Karen Studer-Siskosky, Earlene Tice, Linda Tolbert, and Charlene Watson.
Outgoing President, Rita Rowh, introduced her officers for the past year which included: Vice President, Mary Ann Kibbe; Secretary, Lila Sherlock; Treasurer, Dinah Heidrick and Historian, Shirley Wichers. She presented them each with a gift of flowers. Officers for this next year were introduced as: President, Mary Ann Kibbe; Vice-President, Susan Pontow; Secretary, Lila Sherlock; Treasurer Dinah Heidrick and Historian, Shirley Wichers.
President Rita Rowh introduced Marilyn Grief who gave a history of events and accomplishments the club gathered over the years such at performing the "H.M.S. Pinafore Opereta," putting on shows to raise money to send Beloit High and St. John's students to music camps in the summer, the progressive dinners held once a year, furnishing music at nursing homes, club meetings and helping with church and school events. She shared some of the funny episodes and escapades that went on at club meetings and practices.
The music program included a piano solo "Cinderella" by Beverly James, two numbers with two piano eight hands that included Donna Munsey, Jean Nyberg, Jocile Fulhage, and guest performer, Arlene Kadel who filled in at the last moment for Juliane Pruitt who was in the hospital.
Mary Ann Sheer sang two solos including an old Irish Hymn tune, "Be Thou My Vision" and "Remember Me." Mary Ann Kibbe, Marilyn Grief, Shirley Wichers, and Diana Heidrick performed two piano eight hand numbers including "St. Anthony's Coral" and "Pomp and Circumstance" dressed in appropriate attire for each number.
Beverly James gave information about the main reason this club was formed 50 years ago. She proclaimed this year as the "End Of The Era," since there is no way any of the club members will still be around in 50 years. James shared that the Allegro Music Club was called the "young club" at that time since the Beloit Music Club was already in existence.
James remembered that when the club was first formed most of the club members had babies and small children and wanted a night out once a month. She did say many members brought the children with them to practice sessions. The members had talent and they felt they wanted a place to highlight their love of music. She noted that today the music programs are shorter and the dessert sessions are longer.
Requesting the audience to participate in a chorus as part of a "Music Theater" entitled "Goldie Locks and the Three Bears." Five members were selected from the audience to play the parts of Goldie Locks performed by Liz Fey; Poppa Bear, Connie Kopsa; Momma Bear, Jean Nyberg and Baby Bear, Rita Rowh accompanied by Jocile Fulhage. Costumes for the characters were varied and original. The evening ended with a large 50-year Celebration Cake and punch.