He's That Good

A couple years ago Kathy, Brenda and I were in Evart for the Osceola County Fair and stopped to watch a gospel singing group called the Sears Trio. They have been together for a long time and Kathy remembers her dad speaking highly of them. We had heard them several times before and enjoy very much their singing. On this occasion there was also another group entertaining, the New Reformation Jazz Band. A young twenty-two year old clarinetist caught our attention playing what sounded to me like Benny Goodman. (My folks had many BG 45 rpm records, aka vinyls, which I played until the grooves were smooth and I knew every song.) We were so impressed we looked up Dave Bennett on the Internet and tried to find if he was performing locally. He has a website but performances were not convenient either in location nor date.

And then, last Saturday, Bennett, now just twenty-four, performed with the DSO. And what a performance. Classic Benny Goodman songs with his own twist in a few places. Especially Sing, Sing, Sing, perhaps my favorite, which has a couple drum solos. He had members of the orchestra tapping their feet and slapping their thighs in time with his beat. And the woman singer was a chip off the old block of Peggy Lee or Rosemary Clooney.

I will still try to see where he is performing locally--he's that good.

Season Opener

We went up to the lake last Friday morning to open it for the season. Stopped first in Birch Run for a few items (outlet malls are becoming shopping malls, methinks), then for lunch and return empty printer cartridges for $3 credit OfficeMax in Midland (James' blog about his Kindle book bargain prompted this stop), and finally dropped off a watch for repair at Hick's Jewelers in Clare.

Pouring rain when we arrived so had to postpone visiting Preston, Angie's 3.5 week old newborn son, until later. Unloaded stuff, put a few things away and read for a while. No dead critters--flies, spiders, or otherwise. When the rain stopped we started the pump (did not want to get drenched in the downpour). Off to see Preston, then to Foster's for a few grocery items. Listened to Red Wings on radio that evening before turning in.

Saturday was a work day. Kathy cleaned--dusted, vacuumed, washed and scrubbed--the inside and removed the leavings of a local raccoon. I prepped the Ranger and JD riding mower for the summer. Took a spin on the Ranger to Kelvin's and Lee's but go no answer at either. We then inspected the property on our way back finding many trees down or nearly so--cleaning them up will keep us busy.

Sunday morning we picked up Kelvin and went to Barryton for breakfast. Spent extra time talking and finishing our coffees. After that we packed the SUV and took a leisurely drive home.

We have a busy summer planned for the lake -- a mix of work, play, and relaxation.

A New Author for Me

I just finished People of Darkness by Tony Hillerman. Jim Bade suggested this author if I was interested in native American culture since the main character is Jim Chee, a native American who is a detective with a tribal police force.

The setting in New Mexico, outside major cities, on reservations and in desolate outposts. Chee solves a case of a murdered dying man, a box of rocks that someone is will to pay dearly for its return, and a many-years-old crime.

I found descriptions of culture, including religion, fascinating, fresh and interesting. I've already started a second Chee mystery.

MBT

On Thursday we saw Meadowbrook Theatre production of Moonlight and Magnolias, a play about writing the screenplay for the movie Gone with the Wind. It was interesting how the screenplay came about and the time it took. In addition, the director and writer had little confidence in its success.

I know little about the story GWTW--from the book or the movie--except for some character names and the famous line. If I would have watched the movie or read the book before I saw the play, I would have appreciated it more.

Great acting and another great set. One actor, who played Ben Hecht who wrote the script for the movie, is Tom Whalen, who James knows from his summer work while in college. We have seen him in a number of productions but I believe this one is his biggest part. We look forward to seeing him again.

Doubt

We went to Ann Arbor last week to see Molly Thomas in the Performance Network production of Doubt. A play set in 1964 at a Catholic school and focuses on the principal who confronts a priest about his abuse of a young student. In addition the principal confronts a young teacher (Molly) about her teaching and her support of the priest, actually disbelieving the principal. Eventually the priest, under pressure, moves to another parish, and about the suspicions of the principal? We are left with doubt.

About a dozen of us went, some retired collegues of Jane Thomas and some family friends, and had dinner before. A fine production with great acting in this small venue. The set was terrific. And we found out after the performance that the production is extended for an additional week.

National Champion

I must have had a brain cramp. Let me rephrase that.

Kansas, in overtime.

Final Game

Now that I've done so well, LOL, let me pick the National Champion...

Memphis. Just because.