France
We've been going to France and the rest of Europe since the summer of 1981. I didn't start this blog until 2007, so there are travels on here since that time. I'll make an effort to post some pictures and chronicle some of our earlier travels as time permits.
Today we visited the most famous château in the Loire valley. Château de Chenonceau was acquired by King François I from a nobleman who couldn't pay his bills. After the king died, his son, King Henri II, gave it to his mistress, Diane de Portiers, who was responsible for building the arch across the river as well as the gardens. After King Henri II died, his widow, Catherine de' Medici, had Diane expelled and claimed the château as her own.
It was bound to happen sooner or later. I caught a small head cold from somewhere, probably from someone in Paris. It's the first time I've ever been sick on any of our trips. But, a trip to the pharmacie, and I'm on the road to recovery. French pharmacies are wonderful. You tell them your symptoms, and they give you these miracle drugs that I've never heard of. I've been on them for two day's now, and I'm feeling better all the time.
Oh, my God!! I always knew there was a reason we always arrived in Paris early in the morning, like 8:00AM. I just knew it instinctively, but I never really knew why I knew it -- until today.
Read more: The Saga Of The Airport (or never arrive at Charles de Gaule at noon)
On our way to the Loire Valley, we stopped at Chartres to see the cathedral, Le Cathédral Notre-Dame de Chartres. Yesterday was Whit Monday, or the second day of Pentecost. Thousands of the faithful go on a pilgrimage, mostly from Paris, to the cathedral on Whit Monday. It was quite a sight. And the cathedral is magnificent. It's also home to one of the most famous labyrinths, but we could not see it because they were performing mass.
It's time for another trip to France! We leave Thursday, May 8, 2008. We'll be in Paris for three days, staying at our regular hotel, the Hotel Marignan. Monday morning we're taking the train to the airport to rent a car and driving to a little town called Mazagné. It's right near Vendôme, about 3 hours southwest of Paris in the beautiful Loire valley. We'll be staying at a new bed and breakfast we found, Le Moulin d'Echoiseau.
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BHS International News Feed
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A Tag-along's Guide to the Harmony Universe 06-02-2012 16:02 
Every August, the Barbershop Harmony Society holds Harmony University, a weeklong music education workshop, on campus.
I decided it was time to find out a litlle bit more about the hundreds of barbershop Quartet members who descend on Missouri Western every summer and entertain us in four-part harmony while we work. So I arranged to shadow a Harmony U. attendee, and at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4. the fifth day of the workshop, I lound myself sitting in on their general session in the Potter Hall
theater.
I've been to a lot of conferences and workshops before. But... Read more... |
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Media Coverage for Midwinter 27-01-2012 16:01 
Two quartets from the Tucson area appeared on local TV broadcasts on Wednesday, January 18 during the Midwinter Convention.
Joint Venture sang and interviewed on "Morning Blend", a show on the local ABC channel Wednesday morning at 11:00. To listen, click here.
Touch of Grey recorded two songs and an interview for the local PBS channel which aired Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 7:00. The interview covered the history of barbershop music and of the Society. To listen, click here.
The local NBC Channel covered the Youth Festival with... Read more... |
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Shows Like American Idol Introduce Young Colorado Men To Barbershop Quartet Singing 23-01-2012 18:01 
Originally posted in KUNC.org
With shows like American Idol bringing a major increase in revenue dollars for TV networks, there's an old American musical art form which is also seeing an increase in popularity with a younger audience across the country, and right here in Colorado.
There's an interesting phenomenon taking hold in the Barbershop Quartet world. You know barbershop? "…Hello my baby, Hello my darling, hello my ragtime gal..?" Yea, it's pretty old and outdated.
But YouTube "Gaga Barbershop Quartet", and you'll find a group of high school guys singing Lady Gaga's... Read more... |
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Singing group raises record cash for local Salvation Army 22-12-2011 22:12 
Originally posted in http://www.theolathenews.com/2011/12/20/1363582/singing-group-raises-record-cash.html
By MATT CAMPBELL
A holiday chorus making the rounds of retirement communities in Johnson County last weekend set a personal best and possibly a local record for one-day donations to the Salvation Army.
The Heart of America Chorus, comprised of more than 40 volunteers, raised nearly $23,000 in one six-hour period Saturday. That was up from last year's take of just under $7,000.
"I almost passed out, it was unbelievable," said chorus co-chairman Mike Mathieu, who carried a peck basket to collect all the donations that were tossed to the... Read more... |
