GJ SYMPHONY GUILD NOTES
Winter 2019
Lunch Bunch
Our monthly Lunch Bunch
took a break in December.
We’ll get together for a non-
business, social time next at
11:30 am on Thursday,
Jan. 17. If our regular spot, Redlands Mesa
Grille, is closed for winter months, we’ll find
another location. So that Cathy Zippert can give
the restaurant a heads-up, let her know by
Jan. 14 if you’ll be joining the gang (245-9215 or
cathyzippert@yahoo.com).
Candlelight Dinner 2018
Marilyn Johnson’s glittery Christmas sweater
matched the table settings she worked on
before Candlelight dinner.
Our annual Candlelight Dinner set the tone for a
festive holiday season with a dazzling setting,
scrumptious food and drink, and beautiful
music by Kelly and Elise Anderson. It came
together so perfectly that we may not fully
realize how much background work goes into
the evening. Pam Turell penned a special thank-
you for all those whose diligent efforts made
our Candlelight Dinner so special this year. It’s a
riff on Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St.
Nicolas,” also known as “The Night Before
Christmas,” and is too good not to share with
everyone.
‘Twas just before noon on the eve of
Candlelight Dinner,
When all through the Chateau,
No guests were about, all having checked out.
The decked tree stood tall and boughs were
hung
In hopes that Pam would soon be there, no
doubt.
No one was in their beds since it was almost
noon.
But there arose such a clatter throughout the
hall as
Torie, Alberta, Jackie, Rene, Cathy, Susan, Pat,
Sheryl and Kathy
Set about with linens, flatware, wine glasses
and teacups.
Bobbie and Judy wrapped napkins with ribbons
of gold.
Tables were topped with centerpieces by
Marilyn.
Glass vessels of sparkling bulbs, woven with LED
lights,
Tea lights and wax candles aided by batteries
added more light,
With Paula staying behind checking twice.
It was into the sunshine that all of them swiftly
rode home
With hopes of a clear night to come.
Then it was the five o’clock hour, the start of
the night,
When who did appear, but the greeters,
Page 2 GJ Symphony Guild Notes
Barbara, Janice, Kennie Ruth and Sheryl.
It was Steve in his finery who led guests through
the doors.
Warm fur coats were hung, though not by a
fireplace.
In Cathy’s hand were a bundle of tickets
given to all for a glass of fine cheer.
Upon the appetizer hour, foods and company
were a delight.
There was no talk of round bellies, only of tasty
raspberry jellies
And Mary Lou’s delectable artichoke dip.
And it was certainly a night without any pipes.
Sitting down for dinner was a welcoming part of
the night.
There was no fright, only Belgian beer in beef
bourguignon.
The French cannot top Zane’s crème brulėe.
Kelly’s voice was heard on high and
Elise’s harp sounded nigh.
What beautiful music danced in our heads,
As we drove into the night with a few snow
flurries.
All went well, and to all a hearty thank you!
A Merry Christmas to All!
Member Notes
Judy Neste is understandably proud of her
granddaughter Cadence Neste, who has sung in
many Grand Valley events. Many of us have
already thrilled to Cadence’s beautiful voice,
mature beyond her years. She was one of the
Three Spirits in this summer’s performance of
Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” Cadence will sing
next with “GJSO at the Movies,” Jan. 12 and 13.
Linda Jenks is again heading up the (now third)
annual GJ Cat Concert on Friday, Feb. 1. This
year's "Cat’s Meow" program showcases
professional musicians, talented young
musicians, singers and dancers. There will be a
Winter 2019
wacky "Mice Is Right" game show, and prizes
for audience members' best animal costumes.
All proceeds will benefit Grand Valley Pets Alive
(“romantically repairing companion animals”).
Doors open at 6:30 pm for a 7 pm show at the
Redlands United Methodist Church.
Be sure to take in “A Little Noon Music” on
March 13 when Kelley Latshaw will play with
fellow flutist Jane Kuenzel and Susan Hess on
bassoon at First United Methodist Church.
In mid-January Linda Boote and husband Dave
will be downsizing and moving across town,
nearer the church where she spends so much of
her time. Her new address will be 2220 Piazza
Way, GJ 81506.
We lost a much loved
member when Barbara
Meysenburg passed away on
Nov. 13. In addition to being a
long-time Guild member, she
was a member of Newcomers and volunteered
for the Colorado National Monument and the
Ride the Rails Interpretive program. She was
often seen on Powderhorn’s slopes, though she
didn’t learn to ski until she was 68. Her family
has published a tribute to her that tells just a bit
about what a remarkable woman Barbara was.
Knowing Barbara, she probably had a hand in its
writing as well -- View Barbara Meysenburg's
Obituary on GJSentinel.com and share
memories
I awoke this morning with devout
thanksgiving for my friends, the old and new.
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Page 3 GJ Symphony Guild Notes
New Member Profile
Erika Winters and husband Skip
It’s no surprise Erika Winters has joined the
Symphony Guild. She was raised on a farm
south of Kansas City where music was an
integral part of her upbringing, starting at age
five with the piano. She has started studying
music again with Linda Jenks.
In 2015, after nine years in Seattle, husband
Skip (a.k.a. George R. Winters, III) and she
wanted a change and moved to Grand Junction
for a slower pace of life and our sunshine. Skip
is a gastroenterologist at Grand Junction
Gastroenterology and at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Her two boys keep her busy and, also no
surprise, are both musically gifted. Fifteen-year-
old Ross has a beautiful tenor voice. He sang in
the 1st Presbyterian Christmas Concert and also
sings at various community events in the valley.
Duncan, 13 years old, is a fantastic bagpiper. He
competes in Canada and the U.S. and in 2019
will be heading to Scotland. When the family is
not playing or preparing for a musical event
they are traveling for lacrosse and other high
school functions.
We’re fortunate Erika has found time to join us!
Winter 2019
2018 – 2019 GJ Symphony Guild Officers
President – Sheryl Fitzgerald,
243-6006, buttolph@bresnan.net
Vice-President – vacant
Secretary—Sandy Peterson,
(303) 653-1941, sjp.88@outlook.com
Treasurer – Lynne O’Connell,
(510) 798-2527,
lynneoc0131@gmail.com
Events Coordinator – Janet Shaffer,
549-4189, bluelakes1@msn.com
Membership Coordinator – Dee
Humfeld, 263-8989,
humfeldbox@juno.com
President Advisor – Barbara Burgeson,
270-9975, burgy4@gmail.com
Board meetings are generally once a month.
If you have something you’d like discussed
at a general meeting, contact Sheryl
Fitzgerald so it can be put on the agenda.
Pencil in on your calendar these
upcoming Symphony events
other than the 2018-2019 season
concerts.
Sinners & Saints, Feb. 1
Love Songs and Arias for Valentine’s
Day, chamber music, Feb. 14
Young Artist Competition Finals, Feb. 24
Songs of Hope and Joy, Western
Colorado Chorale, March 8
Kairos Piano Trio, chamber music,
March 29
Page 4 GJ Symphony Guild Notes
Recipe Corner
Here’s a recipe that will put a bright red
accent on a Valentine’s Day dinner table.
It’s from a cookbook the Guild put together
back in 1995.
Cranberry Fruit Salad
1 (6-oz.) box cherry gelatin
2 cup boiling water
1 (10 oz.) package frozen strawberries
1 (16 oz.) can whole cranberry sauce
1 (8 ½- oz.) can chunk or crushed pineapple
Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. When
completely dissolved, stir in partially
thawed strawberries, cranberry sauce and
undrained pineapple. Pour into 1 1/2 –quart
mold. Chill until firm. Serves 8 – 10.
When you have something
you’d like to share—happy news or sad, an
upcoming event, a local “find,” a photo
memory, whatever--please drop a line to
Carolyn White at
cswhite60614@yahoo.com or call her at
549-0439.
Winter 2019
Winter Music in Town
Take a mid-day music break
with classical music at
12:15 pm the second
Wednesday of each month
through May at the First United Methodist
Church, 522 White Ave. Each “A Little Noon
Music” concert lasts 30-40 minutes. Concerts
are free, but donations are welcome. We’ll
especially want to take in the March 13
performance with Kelley Latshaw on flute.
Upcoming are –
Javier de los Santos on guitar, Jan. 9
Spanish poetry and music by CMU
students, Feb. 13
Flutists Jane Kuenzel and Kelley
Latshaw and Susan Hess on bassoon,
March 13
Symphony board members Merritt Kinsey and
Chris Unfug display their musical chops in the
popular King ‘n’ Trio band. Catch them at the
Avalon Theatre on March 14 in a benefit
performance for the Rotary Club.
The Central Library has a
digital conversion station
that you can use to
digitalize old media. VHS
tapes; photo prints,
negatives or slides; 3 ½”
floppy disks or old media cards; old cassette
and vinyl recordings—all need not collect dust
any longer. You must make an appointment
with a staff member to familiarize yourself with
the equipment and then reserve a time slot.
More information is at
mesacountylibraries.org/services/conversionsta
tion/.
 GJ SYMPHONY GUILD NOTES
Winter 2019
SYMPHONY GUILD PUZZLE

Find the words below in the

grid. E F O A L A G C M L G G

(KELLY) ANDERSON Z L H A T R I O L U J T
AVALON (THEATRE) N U G A E I Z N D S M A
B.O.B. O T R A R A C C O N U S
CONCERT
S E V F R P W E A E K G
(THE MAGIC) FLUTE
GALA R V W T A S S R E I U N
GJSO E P D W A H S T A L L I
(GJ SYMPHONY) GUILD D A L X O P N A R N E R
HARP
(CHARLES) LATSHAW N R I A B O B C I I L T
MOZART A V U A V A L O N N E S
PIANO A S G O R D H I I R T A
(SINNERS AND) SAINTS
M O N A I P S R I O H S
STRINGS
UKULELE