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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 20, 2019)
SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2019 | 3A Community News Florence FloTones give back to community in final encore By Burney Garelick special to Siuslaw News F loTones give back to community one last time If music be the food of love, the FloTones fed the central Oregon coast with songs for almost two decades before Florence’s inimitable vocal jazz ensemble decided to bring down the curtain last May. That’s when the FloTones produced their fi- nal concert, “Music Matters,” as a benefit for the Siuslaw schools music programs. The singers made their final appearance that year at the Community Chorus of Flor- ence Oregon (CCFO) Christ- mas concert. But the FloTones were not quite done. They were deter- mined to go out with a flour- ish. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the group understood that, upon dissolution, it was re- quired to divest all of its as- sets and distribute them to other nonprofits, including public schools. Over the years, the Flo- Tones had purchased some major items including a digi- tal keyboard, an entire sound system, 12 wireless micro- phones and other assorted items — all of which totaled in excess of $11,000. Because music matters, the items were given to the Siuslaw schools music programs. The funds, secured in a credit union account, were used to purchase full page ads in the performance programs for “The Wiz,” CROW’s (Children’s Reper- PHOTO COURTESY KEN JANOWSKI tory of Oregon Workshops) As part of the distribution of remaining FloTones assets, FloTones President Kate 2019 musical production and McBroom Redwine recently presented a check for $1,000 to Florence Food Share Board President Rick Klessig l l A Mo g n i l ms l a C Kitchen Klutter is asking for pictures of Mom for our Mothers Day event Saturday May 11 from 11-4. Pictures will be displayed and returned. Bring in a picture now through May 4th and receive a $5 coupon for your next purchase of $25 or more. NEW and ESSENTIAL gadgets,bath & body, decor and baby gifts. So much more than a kitchen store 1258 Bay St. • 541-997-6060 the CCFO’s spring concert. The remaining funds went to Florence Food Share and St. Andrew’s Outreach Program. Providing financial sup- port to the community had always been the mission of the FloTones. The singers frequently performed benefit concerts for Florence Food Share, the Boys & Girls Club, Florence Habitat for Human- ity and area churches from Yachats to Reedsport. Flor- ence performances, includ- ing their gospel repertoire, were given at the Presbyteri- an Church of the Siuslaw, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, New Life Lutheran, the First Baptist Church, the Unit- ed Methodist Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of FROM ACADEMY AWARD WINNERS LEONARDO DICAPRIO & FISHER STEENS Siuslaw Climate Alliance and the Florence Earth Day Committee Presents MONDAY APRILL 22, 2019 CITY LIGHTS CINEMAS 1930 HIGHWAY 101 12:30pm and 6:30pm SPONSORED BY Tickets are FREE* Admission tickets are required and are available at City Lights Cinemas Latter-day Saints, Florence Christian Church, and Cross- road Church. Additionally, the FloTones performed many times at Shorewood Senior Living, Spruce Point Assisted Living and Regency Florence, a se- nior living facility. The community-spirited singers were drawn together like bees to honey to create the FloTones. The group was formed in 2003 by members of the CCFO to perform at special community func- tions. Apart from the larger choral group, the FloTones’ repertoire aimed to provide jazz-oriented vocals. The FloTones spun off from the CCFO in 2004 and achieved its nonprofit sta- tus. The fledgling ensemble decided that, for all perfor- mances, the singers would memorize the music. That way, they wouldn’t need to refer to the printed score and could more readily en- gage each other to produce exquisite harmony of the highest quality vocal balance and blend. Music selections came mainly from “The Great American Songbook” including 125 songs. The rep- ertoire also included about 50 jazz-flavored Christmas songs and 20 gospel songs. Over the years, approxi- mately 50 singers were part of the FloTones’ family, includ- ing a former Florence mayor, Phil Brubaker, and a former Florence First Citizen, David Capen. Three of the singers — Jan Kinslow, Jeanni Sand- ers and Ken Janowski — were charter members from start to finish. The FloTones were fortu- nate to have had some very talented music directors and accompanists. No sooner had Dorian Carter founded the group then, in 2003, she left for a sabbatical, and Chuck Cassey became director. Cassey was music and choral director for national television programs including “The Garry Moore Show,” “Perry Mason,” “Mat- lock,” “Columbo” and “The Hulk.” Under Cassey’s direc- tion, in 2005, the FloTones produced a CD showcasing their best work, including their signature song, “The Best Is Yet To Come.” Cassey retired in 2007, and Laura Merz became director and accompanist. Merz, a native of Florence, had just earned a master’s degree in music from California State University at Northridge in Los Angeles. She started her tenure by directing Flo- Tones’ performances at the Florence Holiday Tree Light- ing, the Florentine Estates Christmas Dinner, a Peace Harbor Hospital luncheon, three holiday performances at the Three Rivers Casino, and a Florence Food Share benefit performance that brought in 350 pounds of food and $198. When Merz retired in 2015, the FloTones became a self-directed group, ac- companied by several fine pianists including Marty Ad- ams, Chris Lewis, Jennifer Weier, Deb Young and, since 2017, Rhianna Haines. From time to time, Ron Green, president of Oregon Pacific Bank, contributed stunning trumpet accompaniment at FloTones’ performances. In addition to concert and Rhody parade appearanc- es, the FloTones undertook individual, thematic shows. Their first production, in 2005, directed by Cassey and staged at the Florence Events Center, was “Eklektik!” a myriad melodious musicale from Mozart to Mancini. The show was a smash hit, and the eclectic ensemble went on to put on a show for Elkton’s “Picnic in the Park” music festival in 2007, followed by a series of shows including “In the Attic” in 2009, “Crui- sin’” in 2011, “Down Memo- ry Lane” in 2013, “The Glo- ry of Love” in 2015, “Latin Rhythms” in 2016 and “Mu- sic Matters” in 2018. Perfor- mance venues included the FEC, Florence Playhouse and Class Act Theatre. It’s been a dynamite run for the FloTones. Not only the hills, but the forests, sand dunes and ocean shores have come alive with the sound of their music. Their song may be over, but the memories will linger, and the commu- nity will continue to benefit from their largesse. There’s no doubt, as time goes by, that new tones and tunes will be inspired to flow. As the FloTones so of- ten sang, “The best is yet to come.” Public meetings to discuss school facilities County Transfer & Recycling The Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Siuslaw School District is planning several commu- nity meetings seeking input on issues regarding our local schools. The meetings will func- tion as workshops in which citizens will have the oppor- tunity to share their views on a wide range of topics relating to the schools: ed- ucational offerings, facility requirements, meeting the present and future needs of students and more. The committee is gather- ing information that will be useful to the school board for planning purposes. The first meeting will be held on SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY APRIL 20 APRIL 21 APRIL 22 APRIL 23 Tuesday, April 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Dunes City Hall on Spruce St. in West- lake. Coffee, tea and cookies prepared by Siuslaw High School culinary students, will be available. All local residents are in- vited to participate. WEDNESDAY THURSDAY APRIL 24 APRIL 25 FRIDAY APRIL 26 Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy AM Showers 55°F 43°F 57°F 42°F 61°F 48°F 63°F 49°F 59°F 45°F 57°F 45°F 57°F 45°F RACK UP Receive Up to the Savings a set of 4 tires of any brand! Shervin’s Annual Spring Tire Sale!! with your purchase of a new set of tires. w * SALE RUNS UNTIL APRIL 30TH. O Open M Monday d - Friday F id 8am-5pm AJ and Megan Shervin Owners 15% off GET A FREE ALIGNMENT Shervin’s, your one stop auto care center. locally owned, community minded!
