Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE – The Community Arts Program of Kosciusko County will participate in the annual Salute to Veterans Benefit concert on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 1:30 p.m.
The benefit concert will be held at the First Baptist Church, 2819 Patterson Road, Warsaw.
The Chain-O-Lakes Chorus is hosting this event with performances by the Chain-O-Lakes Chorus, Chain Gang Barbershop Quartet, Community Arts Program Vocal Vibes and special guests the Community Arts Program Vocal Vision Youth. Returning for this year’s event, Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose will serve as the emcee, according to a provided news release.
Admission to this event is free, and seating is limited. Attendees are encouraged to reserve seats by calling 260-249-8229. A free-will donation will be collected to benefit Honor Flight Northeast Indiana directly. Donations to Honor Flight Northeast Indiana can be made online by visiting their website at https://hfnei.org
This annual event raises funds to support Honor Flight Northeast Indiana. Honor Flight Northeast Indiana is a recognized independent hub of the Honor Flight network, created to raise funds and provide volunteers to transport veterans from World War II and all subsequent wars directly from Fort Wayne to Washington, D.C. Upon arrival, motor coaches will be standing by to transport them to their WWII Memorial, as well as other memorial stops throughout the day, before flying them back home the same evening. All Honor Flights are 100% funded by individual and corporate contributions, receiving no funding from any level of the government – federal, state or local, the release states.
The Chain-O-Lakes Chorus was founded on Sept. 24, 1958, when a group of six Whitley County men met at the Elks Lodge to begin what is now the Columbia City Chapter of SPEBSQSA. The name of the Chorus was changed in 1963 to The Chain-O-Lakes Chorus and is known by that name today. The Chorus has been meeting continuously since then and meets each Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. at The Woodlands Senior Activity Center, 710 Opportunity Drive, Columbia City.
Mayor Jeff Grose previously served six terms as a Warsaw Common councilman. He also served as a member of the Warsaw Plan Commission, Board of Public Works & Safety, Warsaw Redevelopment Commission, Warsaw Parks & Recreation Board and Oakwood Cemetery Board of Regents. He furthered his public service by serving as chair of the Warsaw Deer Task Force, a member of the Council Wage & Benefits Committee and the Council Non-Profits Committee.
He is a graduate of Warsaw Community High School, Northwestern University B.S. in Education and Social Policy and Indiana University M.S. in Secondary Education. He coached basketball and taught social studies at Warsaw Community High School for almost three decades, most recently serving as the department chair. He continues to teach part-time as a political science professor at Grace College.
The Chain Gang Quartet was founded by Tenor Jerry Frush and Bass Jim Geller in 1995. Over the past 30 years, there have been several lead and baritones, with Phil Randall singing lead for over 20 years and Mike Lewis singing baritone for the past 18 years. The Chain Gang performs throughout the region, with a repertoire that includes love songs, gospel hymns and barbershop.
Vocal Vibes is a select ensemble, composed of eight singers from within Vocal Vision, focusing on performing more complex songs in a variety of jazz styles; many taken from the Great American Songbook. This premier group of singers also serves as musical ambassadors to promote the Community Arts Program by performing throughout the area. Members of Vocal Vibes include Angel Hamilton, Lori Widman, Bekah Rowe, Melissa Warner, Kirt Case, Mike Lewis, Steve Meulink and Jordan Fredericks.
Vocal Vision Youth is a select mixed choral ensemble of children in second through 10th grades. Vocal Vision Youth is designed to provide a rich and rewarding musical experience for each child. The children will have the opportunity to study and perform a variety of musical literature, both sacred and secular.
The goals of the Vocal Vision Youth are to introduce children to the musical traditions of other cultures, foster the personal and social growth of choir members, strive for excellence in choral performance and to enrich the quality of music in the community through additional vocal instruction.
The Community Arts Program of Kosciusko County exists to provide a variety of creative, collaborative experiences that allow people in Kosciusko County the opportunity to discover, develop, and share their musical and artistic gifts. Visit our website at www.capwarsaw.com to learn more about the organization.
