| It is
a joy to recognize members of the Grand Rapids Chorus who have
maintained membership in the Sweet Adeline's organization for at least
25 years. In many ways, these wonderful women continue to represent the
Grand Rapids Chorus with grace and dignity and it is our privilege to
honor them with the status of Emeritus Members, for they remain forever
in harmony with us.
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| Fran Beugelink - May 1950 - FOUNDER | |
| Fran co-founded the Grand Rapids Chorus
after joining Sweet Adeline's in 1950. She remains a supporting fan of
the chorus and is always provided with up-to-date information on chorus
events. Fran will forever be a part of the heart and soul of our
wonderful chorus.
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|
| Pat Namey - July 1954 | |
| Pat joined Sweet Adeline's in 1954 and sang lead in the longest performing quartet in Grand Rapids Chorus history, "Choice Ingredients". | |
| Sandy Bailey - May 1957 | |
| Sandy Bailey joined Sweet Adeline's in May of 1957. She was honored by Sweet Adeline's International in 2007 and given a 50 year member pin and Lifetime Membership status. | |
| Cheryl Peters - 1965 | |
| Cheryl joined Sweet Adeline's in 1965 | |
| Peggy Larson - December 1969 | |
|
Peg Larson became a member of the Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines in December, 1969. She was a member until December 2004 for a grand total of 35 years! Peg sang Lead and up until the last few years of her membership was always on the risers. Shortly before her retirement, she became a non-singing member due to arthritis. But, she served the chorus well by being the Phone Liaison, Facility Chair and keeping our mailboxes up to date and filled with information. She first heard about us from another emeritus member, Jane Perkins. They worked together at Meijer for many years. And, in fact, it was Jane, the Corresponding Secretary at the time, who responded to Peg's request for resignation. Peg has two grown sons, loves the color purple, and can be quoted as saying, "Sweet Adelines can be an expensive hobby, but so much cheaper and a lot more fun than therapy". She credits Sweet Adelines for having helped her along life's path. |
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| Linda Diamond - 1972 | |
| Linda joined Sweet Adeline's in 1972. | |
| Jane Perkins - June 1973 | |
| Jane joined Sweet Adeline's in June of 1973 | |
| Alverne Sidor - May 1975 | |
|
How
I Became a Sweet Adeline In
December of 1974, my husband and I were invited to a New Year’s Eve
party put on by the GR Barbershoppers.
Many Sweet Adelines were there too.
Soon there was singing here and there and I was hooked!
(I gave up Symphonic Choir for Sweet Adelines.)
Later I went to the Pantlind Hotel to “try out” before the SA
Director, Fran Jones – I tried out with a lady named Sally. As we walked out she asked me to be the lead in her quartet.
I was astounded! I said, “Y-Y-Yes.” This
quartet named the Choice Ingredients, lasted for 28 years - with some
changes. I was the lead for
about 8 years – then Marge Faunce, our director, felt I should be
baritone since I harmonized with everything.
I
became president about that time and I got my nerve up and went before
the regional board and “petitioned” to have GR as our regional
competition site. They
voted for it!! I was Past
President when Ann became our director. I
stayed in the chorus until I felt it took me longer to learn the words
of the songs than the rest of the chorus – so I quit after 28 years,
but the Sweet Adelines will forever be in my heart. Sweet
Adelines brought me from a shy, very shy, person to a more confident
person - in fact, I became a ham (in my quartet).
I loved singing in the Choice Ingredients Quartet and in the GR
Chorus. It was one of the
best things I did for myself in my lifetime. I am now a Chapter at Large member – and I help out the chorus whenever I can. I try not to miss a performance. |
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| Deb Wild - February 1980 | |
| Deb joined Sweet Adeline's in 1980 | |
| Joy Annable - October 1982 | |
| Joy joined Sweet Adeline's in October of 1982 | |
| Marge "Precious" Lancaster - | |
| Marge sang Tenor in the longest performing quartet in Grand Rapids Chorus history, "Choice Ingredients". | |