K The Ken Bradbury Foundation

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Kathy Seymour - Ann Marie Stahel (Ams)

LAURA YOUNG & SARAH FLECK GOSPEL GALS ROD NICHOLSON PATTY ASHBY STEPHANIE S-W - AMS JAMIE CHESTNUT - AMS SSW - JOHN WILKEY - AMS JOHN HUME - STEVE LILLPOP ABBY SULLIVAN - AMS TIM CHIPMAN - AMANDA RUSH - MATT FRAAS

Welcome… This year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner: Muhammad Yunus, the founder and director of Grameen Bank…an organization that gives microloans…some as small as $1 to residents of impoverished countries…one of the great success stories of the decade. Tonight we are celebrating something very similar and on an even more local scale. In 1976 Millard and Linda Fuller had a dream…to help a struggling friend build a house. Now..200,000 houses later, Habitat for Humanity just celebrated housing its one-millionth person. It’s spread to 92 countries with 2100 active affiliates.

A good friend of mine from Arenzville.. a retired lady… became interested in Habitat so she had the boldness to write the national organization and simply say, “I’m not good at anything, but I’d like to help. And by the way, I’d like to work with President Carter.” She did!

Tonight we celebrate the local Habitat chapter with Jacksonville’s trademark: It’s performing talent. 
1) Kathy Seymour, accompanied by Ann Marie Stahel. 
- 3 songs, 2 w/ CD, 1 with Ann Marie Stahel (AMS) on piano;    God Bless America "A Mighty Fortress" Medley, "", & "Memory" from CATS Kathy is married and has two grown children and three wonderful grandchildren. Kathy is the manager of Mrs. Tucker's Credit Union at ACH Foods and works in the Admission Office of Passavant Hospital. She is also the bookkeeper for her husband's business known as "Jim Seymour, Builders." Kathy sings in her church choir, plays flute in the church orchestra and sings with the Jacksonville Symphony Chorale. 
2) Laura Young: Vocal teacher at Our Saviors. . For several years she was my right-hand lady at Triopia until she was fired. Sorry… I’ve wanted to say that for a year now to get back at her for leaving. Laura currently teaches K-8 vocal and general music at Our Saviors Grade School. She obtained a B.A. in K-12 Vocal Music Education and Vocal Performance from Blackburn College. Laura is involved with music at her church including the church choir. She enjoys teaching private voice and piano. Laura has participated in many talent shows, including Jacksonville's "The Talent Among Us" in which she was awarded first place in 
the Adult Division.
sing 3 duets, Laura sings 1 solo;  all w/ CD,     I guess        "Tell Him", "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love" (WEST SIDE STORY), "You'll Never        Walk Alone",  & "I Have Dreamed" (KING & I) is Laura's solo 
Laura’s sister, Sarah Fleck
putting the final touches on a degree in 
Elementary Education at Blackburn College. She will student teach in the spring. Sarah has been singing with Laura since they were little and have performed in various ensembles together. Sarah to her credit is very involved in Habitat for Humanity at Blackburn College. She has helped build several houses in the Springfield area.
Mr. and Mrs. Fleck’s pride and joy…Laura and Sara

  1. the Gospel Gals, Frankly, this is a group who always scare me. Any group with Lois Kording & Marcia Forman scares me. This barbershop style singing group was first organized in 2002 by Lois and Marcia … they’ve finally practiced enough that we’re going to let them perform. They had sung with Dora Dawson and Frann Western in the "Good News Quartet for over 18 years and wanted to continue after Frann and Dora retired. Thus, at first, Lois would purposely sit in different places at the First Christian Church service to listen for 
good singing voices. She would harass the chosen one until that person agreed to come to 
practice on Sunday evenings. I guess you could call this group, “The Ladies Who Can’t Say No.” The Gospel Gals now number 20 plus  and include former 
members of the Sweet Adeline chorus, singers from Literberry Christian, Literberry 
Baptist, Grace United Methodist and Pittsfield Assembly of God. If you would like to sing with this very unique acapella group please contact Lois or Marcia. There is no mention of wanting any men in the group.

       "Ain'ta That Good News", "Chariots", & "God Bless America" (yea, again)

  1. Rodney Nicholson…last time he performed here, his accompaniment tape didn’t work. At least he didn’t have to worry about staying with the music. Had to sing acapella… and he’s not been asked to join the Gospel Gals. 
  Rodney's main interest is in serving Christ. One of the ways he puts this into 
practice is by singing gospel songs, which he has been doing for the past sixteen years. 
Rodney is currently a member of the gospel group "Echos of Faith" He is also an excellent mason contractor who built the block crawl space walls on the last two Habitat homes in Jacksonville. He’s big and he’s strong and I’m not going to say anything bad about him.       "This Old House", "3 Wooden Crosses", "He Saw It All"

  2. Patty Ashby Patti loves to sing at church and at home where she entertains her husband George. She 
has three grown children, three grandchildren and and is expecting her fourth grandchild 
momentarily. Patti works in the Admission Office at Passavant Hospital. with AMS or Tim Chipman at the piano;

-----------------Intermission---------------------------------- 6) Stephanie Smith-Wilkey is our local living legend in music. You name it and she’s done it. 
commands a wide range of music talent that includes opera, operetta, musicals, 
gospel, and Bluegrass. Stephanie retired from teaching voice at IC though she continues 
to teach privately. We all enjoy listening to her beautiful voice and that of many of 
those she has taught. She was the Music Director at Grace United Methodist Church for 
many years. She looks forward to her Texas visits where she can eat Blue Bell ice cream 
to her hearts content.. Tonight, one of my life-long dreams have been fulfilled. I’ve always wanted to be able to pronounce something that Stephanie Smith Wilkey can sing. Accompanied by Ann Marie Stahel. She’s been Sam’s main mama in putting together tonight’s program. Her last email to me last night was titled, “I am Going Crazy.”      3 Operetta arias w/ AMS playing "Thine Alone" from Eileen (1917), "Indian Love Call" from Rose Marie (1924),       "Yours is My Heart Alone" from The Land of Smiles (1946)

  1. Jamie Chestnut, got a better warmup than most of tonight’s performers. Last night she did an entire concert on this same stage in her senior recital. A music major here at I.C. Also plays oboe, piano, and organ. Music director at the Congregational Church for the last 2 years…also directs the choir and plays the organ. She’s studied voice with Mary Devlin, Stephanie Smith Wilkey, and Dianne Dietz. And on June 30th of next year she will become Mrs. Andy Meyerholz.   Accompanied by Ann Marie Stahel. Jamie Chestnut, soprano; AMS, piano - 2 songs from musicals (King & I and Sound of Music) then AMS on flute w/ Jamie on piano on The Last Rose of Summer.

  2. John Wilkey, Stephanie Smith Wilkey, John Wilkey
John and his wife Stephanie have dual citizenship in the States of Illinois and Texas and 
spend about six months of the year in each, staying just ahead of the traffic tickets. John is a retired United Methodist minister of 47 years. He is a renown bluegrass musician and a veteran of many, vastly enjoyable, 
theatre and musical productions. (I can remember one that wasn’t, but nevermind.) Within his immediately family are Stephanie, Buddy their Basset hound and six cats. (Steph has emailed four times this week, changing the number of cats they own. Apparently it’s a revolving door policy.) None of the cats will be performing with them tonight other than the old Tom Cat on the fiddle. SSW (vocals & autoharp), John (vocals & mandolin), AMS (flutes) - 4 songs Ann Marie Stahel, Ann Marie is a native of Cass County. She attended St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, 
Indiana and graduated with a BA from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She 
earned a Master of Music from the University of Basel, Conservatory of Music in Basel, 
Switzerland. Ms. Stahel has traveled widely. In addition to living 20 years in Europe, 
she served as a music teacher and choral director at a missionary school in the Highlands 
of Papua, New Guinea. Ann Marie is presently Assistant to the President and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees at Illinois College, directs the IC Wind 
Ensemble and Pep Band, the Jacksonville Symphony Chorale, and is Director of Music for Our Saviora Catholic Church… and she has the most amazing collection of concert clothing.

  3. John Hume, Once put a note in the mailbox of our band director and said, “I need a really good trumpet player.” He returned the note saying, “How about the best one?.. John Hume. John Hume grew up in Louisville, KY.  He received his Music Education Degree from the University of Louisville in 1991 and a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  He is married to Paige and has 2 boys, Cameron (8) and Kelley (4).  John has lived in Jacksonville since 1995 and serves as an Associate Pastor of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, where his primary responsibilities are leading the student and music ministries of the church. Accompanied by Steve Lillpop. Dr. Steve has been a physician specializing in Pediatrics for 12 years. He is married to Lisa and has 3 children, Grace, Mitch and Luke. He has been playing the piano since childhood. He threw away a brilliant career in music to waste his life in medicine. 
Softly and Tenderly – Words by Will L. Thompson and Music by Raymond Brown                        Voice Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child Traditional Spiritual Arranged by Donald Hunsberger     Trumpet

  4. Abby Sullivan, Abby is a senior at MacMurray College majoring in Music Education.Her Senior Vocal 
Recital is scheduled for December 2 in Merner Chapel She is also the Music Director at 
the First Baptist Church. In addition to music and theatre. Abby likes to read, roller 
skate and to laugh. She hails from Meredosia. Leading role of Maria in last summer’s West Side Story. Studies with Terri Benz. She also works for the Imagine Foundation and gives private lessons. Accompanied by Ann Marie Stahel. songs from WEST SIDE STORY, OKLAHOMA!, SHOW BOAT, & the Bellini opera LA SONNUMBULA (means "The Sleepwalker")

The sound system provided by George and Mary 
Westenberger.

  1. Tim Chipman, Tim is an accomplished musician, composer and one of the best guys in Jacksonville. He teaches Language Arts at the seventh and eighth grade level at Turner Junior High School. Until last year he was the second-best speech coach in the area and now is is the best.. Coordinator of Youth Activities at the First Presbyterian Church
I mentioned last year that Tim was elected Turner’s sexiest teacher for the second straight year. He lost this year but has asked for a re-count. He does, however, always seem to be dating a gorgeous girl….often changes, but she’s always gorgeous. Tim must be “into” looks. When he did his student teacher he chose to study under one of the area’s sexiest teachers…me. Matt Frass is married to beautiful Allison who, this week, kindly presented to Matt a baby 
girl named Anne marie. ..may grow up to be an accompanist. Also included in their family is their two year old son Aidan ………. 
and Lucie, who is a Foreign Exchange Student from France. Matt graduated from MacMurray College. He is the Principal at Murrayville and the Seventh Grade Basketball Coach at ISD. Something unusual tonight… a multi-talented administrator. 

Amanda Rush is a senior at JHS where she has applied herself and is member of the National Honor Society. She participates in the JHS Marching Band and best of all she makes some of those delicious things at Dairy Queen. 
1. "On the Sunny Side of the Street" ... , piano
2. "Rock Solid" ... Amanda Rush (senior at JHS), flute; , piano
3. "Feels Like Home" ... Matt Fraas (principal at Murrayville), vocalist; me, 
piano.

I think it’s interesting that they didn’t ask me to perform anything tonight. Surprise Guest: Brock Gwaltney

I knew that one day I would be writing a letter like this, I just had no idea when or to whom.  I always knew I wanted my own house to be my home, I just never imagined I would get much more.  Habitat for Humanity has been a true blessing in our lives.  Words spoken from the mouth, words written on paper could never express the joy in our hearts. As I write this letter my eyes are filled with tears, my heart with joy, my hands are sweating and I feel a little flushed just thinking about the day I was asked if I had called Habitat for Humanity and thinking about all experienced with them.  This home is so a part of us.  I don't know if I can explain it or if you even understand it, but I speak so highly about Habitat to everyone I know.  For all that they do, have done and will continue to do with the help of myself and many others.  I could write about Habitat for a very very long time, but I know there isn't time.  I would just like to thank you to know my family and I feel as though we have truly been touched by angels.  I know the Habitat staff have some idea of what you have done for my family and others, but if feelings could be seen, my God the shock you would get.  May God bless any and everyone who knows what the words Habitat for Humanity really means. -Marlisa L. Jones.. St. Louis

One individual can change the world—even if it is only the world of one family who, for perhaps the first time ever, can lie down to sleep at night knowing they are safe and secure. We ask that God continue to guide us as we solve the problem of poverty housing for individuals, communities, nations and the world. 

Paul Leonard
Chairman
Habitat for Humanity International Board of Directors

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