Hello everyone,
This is a 'keeping in touch' newsletter - sorry I can't announce a 'getting togethre' date yet, but this is to say hope you are all doing ok and making the most of this current situation the best you can!  

We do have some lovely news though!  Let me tell you the "Piano' story!!

"OPTIMISM"
As you know, we haven't had the use of a piano in our Beaumaris venue and Patrice was doing wonderful things with the Yamaha Keyboard.  However, we wanted her to have a piano - Patrice and the Piano just go together, - so, we started planning how we could get one, investigating prices etc. Firstly, we had to receive permission from Bayside Council and, thankfully,they confirmed we could place one in the hall, as long as we agreed to protect it, be responsible for any damage, etc.   Great news!

Second!  Acquiring one!  Russel had said originally that he owned an 'old' piano that he had been given, but he didn't think it was good enough!  So, Maggie nominated her amazing "engineer/musician/organ-fixer extraordinaire/fix everything" Rod (who is a very active member of the Organ Society of Australia, Victorian Branch) to go to Russel's and check the piano out.  He did this and gave it a definite thumbs up!  Next was to ask Patrice to try it out.  This she did, taking along her twin sister Joan.  Russel thoroughly enjoyed their beautiful 'duet' live concert and was thrilled when Patrice and Joan gave their approval!

Third step (amidst lockdown) as you can see 'Optimism' (Russel's name for the piano) was moved to the Beaumaris Hall, and as soon as is safe, we will arrange for a piano tuner.  

Sorry this is becoming the 'dog's tail' story - but then we needed a piano stool for Patrice!  Well, believe it or not, Russel was out on his bike and saw one on a nature strip!  "Ideal." he thought, (mechanics working well, just needed a bit of upholstery work).  So, he took it home!  Voila!  (Upholstery work is now being carried out as we speak!.

In the meantime, Russel had ordered a cover on line, which has now arrived and we 're considering how to secure and label it.    So, all we have left to do is get back to choir and sing!  Perhaps a bottle of champers is needed for Optimism's Christening when the time comes!

CONNOR'S RUN
Susie Forbes, who is organising Connor's Run for 12th September, has been in touch..  The Run hasn't yet been cancelled, but she's not confident that it will go ahead.  However, if it does, she has changed our location to the front of the South Melbourne Life Saving Club, where she thinks we will be better protected from the winds (remember last time?);  More on this in due course.

POPPIES
Rose Olson (Kate's mum) is organising Red or Purple poppies to be sold for 'Remembrance Day'  (11th November) to raise money for Legacy.  Legacy is a wonderful organisation which looks after soldiers and their families.  If you are happy to knit or crochet any poppies, Rose would be so grateful.  She has quite a number of the red now, but is keen to have more purple ones.  The purple poppies represent all the animals that have been slaughtered in all wars - horses, donkeys, dogs, pigeons.  It's a wonderful gesture and if you'd like to help, please contact Rose on rosie@hillgrove.com. (Rose has some purple wool if you need any.  The purple ones usually have a black or green centre;  the red ones have a black centre).  I have a knitting pattern if you would like a copy.

AUSSIE MUSIC
Creative Learning, Arts Centre, Melbourne, have generously provided us with free Aussie music arrangements, which we have gratefully saved for a time when we can sing again!  The songs are:  'Don't Dream it's Over', 'Leaps and Bounds', 'You're the Voice' and 'Keep a Dream in your Pocket'.  Can't wait to exercise our vocal chords again!!

MEETING
The Committee will have a 'zoom' meeting on the 25th August, so if there is anything you'd like to mention or ask, please let one of us know.  We all miss choir and look forward to being together again. 

STAY POSITIVE
Did you happen to hear Dr. Steven (not sure of his surname), Mental Health practitioner last week on the ABC morning radio?  He had some excellent positive messages and did recommend that we try to look on positive side and not to get too bogged down into the negatives.  Pretty sound advice if we can do it.  Penny Wolfe and Sylvia  Ring have wonderful ways of keeping calm and carrying on!  See Penny Wolfe's beautiful gum flower followed by Sylvia's Central Australia painting.  Amazing.


A couple of cartoons to cheer you up, especially if you're dog lover!

TAKE CARE.  
TRY TO KEEP SINGING.

PS - if you want a bit more of a giggle, see the attached "Eating in the Fifties".  I can definitely relate!

Kindest regards,
Pat.



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