George Christmas to begin with Marlin Handbell Ringers concert
The Marlin Handbell Ringers of Leavenworth, a group of dedicated musicians, use handbells of all sizes when they perform classical and popular Christmas Music. Front row, from left, they are LaVerne Bergstrom, Nancy Marsh, JoAnne Prusa, Tina Rieman and Sandy Hendrickson. Back, from left, they are Paul Anderman, Linda Read, Ruth Hull, Ginny Langum, Terry Anderman and Dick Rieman.
GEORGE – The George Washington CoffeeHouse concert series will continue on Dec. 1 with annual Christmas Concert by the Marlin Handbell Ringers of Leavenworth.
“We always look forward to this annual visit by the Marlin Handbell Ringers on the first Saturday of December,” said Debby Kooy, coordinator of events at George Community Hall, where the concert will be held.
“It's a wonderful show,” Kooy added. “They'll be doing classical and pop Christmas favorites.”
The concert will start at 7 p.m. The doors will open at 6:30 to give visitors “best seating” opportunities.
This will be a regular concert series concert. After 55 minutes of performance, there will be a cookie break. Then there will be 45-55 minutes more of music.
The Marlin Handbell Ringers have a lengthy history. They rose with the conversion of Leavenworth from a logging community to a tourism-based Bavarian village.
When the bells arrived in October, 1978, a call went out to recruit ringers. The choir evolved into a group of fourteen enthusiasts, all local folk, all amateur musicians.
That group included two painters, a potter, a writer, a professional photographer, a nurse, a computer programmer, a quilter, an airline pilot and two ski instructors.
Through the years, ringers have come and gone, and the list of former ringers numbers well into the 50s. Two of the original ringers are still with the group which currently is composed of 11 ringers.
There is a $3 admission charge, and a hat is passed to raise money for the musicians.
“You get an unforgettable evening with this talented handbell choir, plus some fresh-baked holiday goodies thrown into the bargain,” Kooy said. Bring the kids, and let the Christmas magic begin.”
Kooy reminds everyone that The George Community Hall's First Friday Jam series will continue next week on Dec. 7. It will go from 7-9 p.m.
It will start with a potluck at 6 p.m. downstairs at the Community Hall kitchen. First Friday Jam is a Bluegrass musicians' get-together. Anyone, regardless of skill level, regardless of age, with an instrument can come and play. Anyone with ears can come and listen.
“We learn and share new songs and improve our playing, and you can sing along if you want,” Kooy said “It's one of the funnest things we do at the George Community Hall, and admission is free.”