This year we must say "Thanks" to the several choral groups which came to Angwin at Christmas time, to give us Christmas cheer.

 The Napa Valley Chorale, under the baton of Jan Lanterman, presented the entire "Messiah" in the church sanctuary. Jan said this was a wonderful experience for the singers, and that was certainly the same for the audience, all three hours of it.

 The Chorale has been in existence for 42 years. Jan has been conducting it for 20 years. She teaches music at the Napa High School and is director of music for the Methodist church. She is honored by her peers to serve as executive director of the California Branch of American Chorale Directors.

 Angwinites enjoyed the complete presentation of "The Messiah" by the Napa Valley Chorale
photo by Bob Wilson

 Carolyn Bisel, who taught voice at PUC and Andrews University, brought her group from Sacramento to put on a splendid Christmas program. Carolyn delayed heart surgery to direct this concert, conducting from a wheelchair. She was welcomed by a host of Angwin friends and fans.

 The Bisel choral group with flautist brought holiday cheer to Angwinites

 We owe a special vote of appreciation to Norman and Wendy Skeels, both of whom have choral groups which have won a place in the hearts of Angwinites. They are our own.

 Wendy's group, the St. Helena Hospital Men's Choir, performs with precision 10 or 12 times a year in California, Nevada, and Oregon. The 35-member Choir was invited to the General Conference of SDA's in New Orleans. Most of the members are Angwin and Deer Park guys.

 This year's Christmas concert in Yountville was absolutely splendid. Aren't they all? You can buy a new CD in the Bookstore.

 Concerts by the St. Helena Hospital's Men's Chorus have become a Christmas tradition

 Norman's group, the Norman Skeels Chorale, does not produce a Christmas program, but draws our applause several other times during the year. The Chorale, 54-strong, gives nine concerts all over northern California. It has performed with the Napa Valley Symphony, and on one memorable occasion, was invited to sing in a body of 500, in New York City.

 Warren Meyer has lived in Angwin for 56 years. He and his wife, Lucile, lived in the same house on Sky Oaks Drive for 55 years. Warren came here in 1949 to finish college at PUC. After graduation, he worked in the bindery and as a carpenter, helping to build the Dining Commons and Paulin Hall.

 Three and a half years ago, Warren started weaving as a hobby, in earnest. He has completed 386 pieces, mostly as gifts for friends, but he will do a custom piece for a reasonable price.

 His most popular piece is a 48-star American flag. (He can't do a 50-star flag on his simple loom.) It takes about 5 hours to complete.

 

Warren With Finished Flag

 A general assembly of the PUC Elementary School was turned into a simulated refuge camp last Tuesday, as students heard what it was like to lose everything and live like a tsunami refugee.

 James and Ellen Dick , who were relief workers in Africa, told the children what it was like to live in a refugee camp.

 The school provided a typical refugee lunch of corn meal mush, a banana and powdered milk; and the students gave their normal lunch money to a fund for the tsunami survivors. Then they gathered in small informal groups to prayer for the children in Southeast Asia.

 "We wanted the children to experience what it is like to be a refugee, and we wanted them to give up their lunch money for relief work in Asia," said Mirtha Miller, PUCE principal. "We wanted to be part of the outpouring of generosity taking place all over America.

 The school provided a typical refugee lunch of corn meal mush, a banana and powdered milk; and the students gave their normal lunch money to a fund for the tsunami survivors. Then they gathered in small informal groups to prayer for the children in Southeast Asia.

 
Ellen Dick, a former aid worker in Africa, describes living under a tarp.

 
Teacher Tureic Cordis and some Kindergarten children sit
on the floor of the unheated gym to eat a typical refugee lunch.

 
Students line up for a bowl of mush.