I have gotten far behind! Here’s what’s been happening.

When we told friends we were moving to Vermont, they assumed that after a few months we’d be bored. What did they know? We’re busier than ever! We love Rochester partly because there’s so much going on. And when we see a lull ahead, we plan community activities: a concert, a play, a visiting speaker or a singing class.

I’ve been busy singing and encouraging others to join in. I’ve been leading the Valley Voices, a group of singers who meet in a beautiful space in the Rochester Library several times a season. I occasionally travel to do workshops. On October 19th I’ll be the keynote at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference of the Threshold Choir, a national organization of choirs who largely focus on singing for Hospice patients. We will meet in Gaithersburg MD. Since we moved here, I’ve led the New England Regional Conference in Boston twice. And we celebrated 10 years of the Threshold Choir of NYC at the Mid-Atlantic gathering in 2016.

Back at home I am on several committees including Pierce Hall Community Center. Built in the early 20th century, the building has been refurbished to be a shining center of activity in our town. The auditorium is ready for concerts, weddings and other celebrations. We’ve recently opened a fitness center and dance studio. Classes are beginning soon!

I’m working with the White River Valley Players as we encourage the community to join our Musicmaker events. So far we’ve had two successful Pub Sings and a Broadway Singalong. Other interactive events are being planned. The Players (founded by a group headed by Dick and Dorothy Robson, my brother and sister-in-law) are celebrating their 40th year of presenting great theater for the Valley. There will be a Gala party at Pierce Hall on October 12th.

I’m also singing with a terrific trio. Since we are all named Sue, we call ourselves the Three Sues. We sing for local coffeehouses and fund-raisers. I love the tight a capella harmonies and working with good friends!

We love to travel to see our grandchildren in St. Louis. Dan and Sarah are working hard and Tilly and Tommy are growing fast. Adam and Iona are in Boston and are expecting their first child in November! (UPDATE: Dan and family have moved to Middlebury, VT! And Adam, Iona and baby Alenka have moved to Bedford, MA, not too far away! March 2021)

Vic is on several committees including the board of the local hospital and the ambulance company. He’s head of emergency management for our town and part of a committee looking into ways to enhance Rochester by focusing on its many strengths.

For more information on Threshold Choir, see my previous blogs and www.thresholdchoir.org.