Area 5 has been blessed with a fine leadership team for the past two years, led by our Chair, Denise Holmes. Denise now steps away from the board following her 2nd tenure as Chair. Personally, I am grateful for Denise’s leadership and example of how to care for the membership of Area 5. She worked tirelessly for all of you to provide programming to teach and grow your ringers in the skills. Denise provided great networking opportunities and was always available to help when asked. Her energy, wisdom, patience and sense of humor were a great gift that we have all benefited from. We will miss you and your magic wand, my friend!
Also leaving the Area 5 board are: Ann Wood (Secretary), Judy Phillips (MI Chair), Stephanie Nash (OH Chair) and Claire Miller (Communications Chair). These ladies have also served Area 5 well and I am grateful for their leadership, creativity and passion for the art of handbell ringing. Friendships made while sharing the love of music are truly treasured and never forgotten.
While it’s bittersweet to see this change of season on the Area 5 board, it is with great excitement and enthusiasm that we welcome these new folks to the board: Mary Lou Fast (Secretary), Julie Hyatt (MI Chair), Jarod Ogier (OH Chair) and Joe Galyon (Communications Chair). At our summer board meeting, we were intentional to have board members, both old and new, spend time together to learn the “ins and outs” of the Area 5 board, how it works, and how we can work together for the next 2 year cycle. The time was well-spent and I am eagerly looking forward to working with this new board. They are some of the most creative people I’ve met, sure to compliment the returning board members. Their thoughts and ideas are sure to move Area 5 forward in our programming efforts for our membership.
More changes and excitement a-comin’! Our next event, “Bluegrass, Bourbon and Bells” (Louisville, March 6-7, 2020) will feature bluegrass-style music, a bourbon tasting “night owl” class and a commissioned piece by our conductor, Michael Glasgow, special to this event. What fun! More information can be found here. I can also share that we will have 2 events in 2021! We are working hard to instill fresh ideas to our spring events, so stay tuned, read your Area 5 Blast for updates and invite other handbell choirs in your area to join us to take part in the fun.
As always, feel free to introduce yourself at the next Area 5 event, drop us an email, request a mentor, and attend your state workshop. Your Area 5 board is here to help you in any way that we can.
Blessings to you and your ringers!
Rhonda
