SIDNEY — Residents and staff at Ohio Living Dorothy Love who like to sing are resurrecting the retirement community’s choir.
The ensemble had stopped performing about two years ago, when the health of its director, Kent Smith, began to fail. Smith passed away in February.
Now reconvened by Activities Coordinator Lori Puterbaugh and under the baton of Darla Cabe, of Sidney, about 15 vocalists are preparing to sing during Dorothy Love’s religious service, July 3, to celebrate Independence Day.
Cabe is among those who hope the revival of the choir won’t be a one-time thing.
“Some are hoping it will last a little longer,” she said recently. “I think it would be fun to keep it going.”
“A lot of people were disappointed when the choir stopped. Those of us in the choir missed it and residents missed having it be part of the services,” said resident Marilyn McCarthy, alto. The choir used to sing at one weekly church service in the Amos Chapel each month.
During the upcoming service, the group will perform “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “America,” also known as “My County ‘Tis of Thee.” Ruth Chrisman will accompany on the piano.
“It’s a patriotic service,” said resident Margaret Cook, soprano. She’s been a singer since her youth and performed with the choirs of the churches that her late husband pastored.
Although McCarthy studied music and played clarinet in her high school band many years ago, her participation in the Dorothy Love choir is her first as a singer.
“When I moved here, my neighbor was in the choir. She said, ‘Do you like to sing? We need altos.’ So I thought, ‘I can give it a try,’” McCarthy said.
They enjoy it because it makes them feel good, they said.
“If the Lord has given you a liking for it, you do it,” Cook noted. Her favorite things to sing are hymns and campfire songs. She likes to listen to “familiar songs, especially recordings by George Beverly Shea.
McCarthy’s choices are oldies from the 1940s and 1950s. She enjoys Frank Sinatra recordings and those by Michael Buble.
Their conductor leans toward Josh Groban, Judy Garland and Broadway show tunes. She has assisted in directing the Lehman Catholic High School show choir and led church ensembles. She knows what singing can mean.
“It brings the spirit in,” she said.
