Page 5
We extend a big Croeso! (welcome) to those who have joined WSCO since the last issue of Dragon Tales was published – Vic Woods, Anthony Price, Charlie Crabtree (you ate some of his tea cakes at the October te bach), and Larry Browne, a language class participant and a good friend of Tim Jilg, our Welsh language teacher. A special welcome and apology goes to Carolyn Jones, a new member that your Editor missed naming in the last issue of DT. We look forward to meeting all of you at WSCO events.
The ranks of the Columbus Welsh Singing Society have grown by three who were already members of WSCO. Sopranos Charlotte Richards Forquer and Anne Powell Riley are giving that section depth and richness, and Weldon Abels has so enriched the bass section that he sang a solo at the December concert. Welcome aboard!
Kara Lewis Jones, former Director of the Madog Center for Welsh Studies, gave birth to a beautiful 8lb. 6oz. girl on Sunday, August 27, 2006 and named her Tarian. For Tarian’s parents’ address, please contact WSCO at (614) 470-4999 or centralohiowelsh[at]aol[dot]com.
Director of WSCO’s chorus, Ann Gillard, and her husband, Jim, welcomed their first great-grandchild, Caden James Turner, into their family on December 1, 2006. Caden’s parents are Ann and Jim’s granddaughter, Annie (Ann’s namesake) and Tommy Turner, who live just a block away from the happy great-grandparents. Ann says, “Of course he is quite a beautiful, perfect and remarkable baby!”
David Penry, son of life members and long-time WSCO supporters Mary Ann and Bob Penry, graduated this past summer from Princeton University with his doctorate. David is now teaching as a professor of computer architecture at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Peggy and Joe Speakman’s granddaughter, Lisa Crownover, was married to Dan Zacharias on Saturday, October 14, 2006, in Winston-Salem, NC. After the pastor’s Bible reading, grandma Peggy, at Lisa’s request, read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. The newlyweds honeymooned in Hawaii and are now at home in Winston-Salem. The occasion was made even more special as Peggy and Joe’s granddaughter, Anne Speakman, (daughter of WSCO members Sue and Joe, Jr.) was a bridesmaid and grandson, James Crownover, was a groomsman.
Mary Ellen Morgan, of the large and illustrious Edwards Brynele family, reports that her cousin, Bob O'Brien, won First Place in the Senior Hymn Solo Competition and in the Semi-Professional Vocal Solo Competition at the 2006 National Gymanfa Ganu in Cincinnati. Bob was awarded the David Morris Award of $3,500 to be used to compete in the 2007 National Eisteddfod in Mold, Wales. He will be WSCO’s 2007 gymanfa ganu soloist. Not to be outdone, Bob’s granddaughter won first place in the Under 18 Instrumental Solo Competition with her piano solo.
Gwawr Edwards, another member of the extensive Edwards clan, is now working for Wales' S4C TV and is living in the Cardiff Bay area. She has again auditioned for the Guild Hall School of Music in London and been accepted to this extremely prestigious school. She'll start there in September. Good luck, Gwawr!
WSCO members Irveline and Paul Evans very generously hosted Bob Donaldson and Mary Ellen Morgan at a lovely dinner at the Refectory restaurant in late October and all had a wonderful time.
Helen Davis who for many years has made some of the delicious tea sandwiches you enjoy at the October te bachs, was hit with a bout of pneumonia in September and October and had to miss the 2006 event but sent those sandwiches anyway. Now, that’s dedication.
Joe Speakman, Sr. was taken ill when it was time to travel south for his granddaughter’s October wedding and had to be hospitalized for surgery. Joe, Jr. stayed behind with him while Peggy, Sue and Anne traveled on without them since Anne was in the wedding.
Gene Beard went through a heart catherization procedure in November and was just too darned blocked for them to be able to get through, so he is now on a drug regimen to try to help remedy the situation.
Joan Bash, another of our very dedicated te bach tea sandwich makers, started off the Broken Ankle Brigade in early fall (Ouch!! Don’t say “fall”!) Joan hobbled in to help with the 2006 te bach carrying not only her own sandwiches but also those of Helen Davis. Barbara Clark went out her front door one lovely morning in October with her dog, Jack, and promptly found herself sitting on the porch with a broken ankle and a few torn ligaments.
Member Highlights continued on page 6