Inside: C2, Maija■ C3,

Yasui
Happenings
■ C5, Yesteryears
■ C6, Classifieds

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 C1

Story and photos by

JULIE RAEFIELD–GOBBO
News staff writer

Arriving home at
Portland International
Airport ... the group
looked, to coin an
English phrase, Well
spent! a worthy
result for any spring
break adventure.

Singing in the steps of queens and kings

Chesham
London
Windsor
Farnham
Glastonbury Tor
Winchester

Tintagel

Newquay

❂ Truro

From London to Cornwall

HRVHS
Chamber Choir stirred sacred stones and hum

C
reating a success-
ful performing
tour for 49 high
school choir mem-
bers is much like
weaving a well-executed
tapestry –– creativity and
painstaking work become
inextricably linked.
A tapestry’s outward-facing weft
side greets the viewer’s eye with
scenes of resplendent beauty and
rich, complex artistry.
The hidden side, the warp, re-
veals the crafters consummate
work with intricate, interwoven
threads from differing sources and
skillful repairs of minute flaws.
Summarizing the nine-day UK
performing tour by the HRVHS
Chamber Singers is akin to dis-
playing both sides of that exquisite
tapestry, and fitting the room-sized
hanging into a tiny suitcase. There
are so many sensations to relay, so
many logistics to appreciate.
Take a deep breath, allow your
mind to wander to the land of King
Arthur’s legend, and relive a small
part of our teen singers’ once-in-a-
lifetime experience.
Early in the wee hours of March
17, the students, with 17 adult chap-
erones, flew across the Atlantic on
a journey of musical and personal
discovery.
The Chamber Singers, under the
guidance of Mark Steighner,
HRVHS music director, spent six
months preparing for the musical
exchange.
“English choral traditions have
shaped the way I developed as a
choral conductor,” said Steighner,
explaining why he continues his
14-year-old tradition of bringing
HRV choirs to England.
On arrival March 18, students
and chaperones boarded a double-
decker bus (coach) and quickly em-
barked on a jetlagged, whirlwind
visit to Windsor Castle, Queen Eliz-
abeth’s weekend home just outside
of London.
From the castle, the chior jour-
neyed to the small town of Farn-
ham for a March 19 joint concert
with the Farnham Youth Choir.
Tour students stayed with gener-
ous host families and teens for two
days while preparing.
On March 20, the group pro-
gressed out to the westernmost
point of England on the Cornwall
peninsula. By March 24, the choir
had circled back again to London
— holding seven formal concerts
and many impromptu ensembles
along the way.
The singers visited Tintagel Cas-
tle (legendary site of King
Arthur’s birth); Glastonbury Tor cliffs, high hills and pastoral fields
(the mythical Avalon); the Merry filled with grazing sheep and
Maidens stone circle (from Druidic trimmed hedge fences.
times); the Minack Theater (sited Each day’s journey echoed with
on a dramatic Cornish sea cliff); laughter and footfalls from the
Winchester and Truro Cathedrals; young balladeers, accompanied al-
the towns and churches of ways by an impressive array of
Newquay, Penzance, Marazion,
Lands End, St. Michael’s Mount, Please see ADVENTURE, Page C5
Chesham and many historical sites
across London.
Through it all a rich sensory
palette connected each diverse day.
Once outside London, each turn
of the road yielded vistas of bril-
liant yellow and golden daffodil
fields spreading out in every direc-
tion, separated by the vibrant
spring green of grasses, crops and
budding trees.
At every stop, imposing stone
structures — gothic churches to
pre-Christian standing stone cir-
cles — resounded with student
voices singing medieval Christian
chants, Bollywood film scores, Bud-
dhist meditations, American spiri-
tuals and Sufi prayers.
Long and sometimes arduous
walks led through ancient cobble-
stone streets, castle ruins, sea

ADVENTURES IN ENGLAND: Images

are (clockwise from top) Glastonbury
Tor; Truro Cathedral; stained glass in St.
Materiana’s church above Tintagel;
choral “busking” added to charity
funds; Minack Theater in west Corn-
wall; St. Michael’s Mount tidal cause-
way and castle and HRVHS Chamber
Singers at Truro Cathedral.
The map of England shows the route
the group took around the southern
end of the country. Many of the stops
were at the far southwest, including
Lands End and St. Michael’s Mound.
C4 Hood River News, Wednesday, March 30, 2011
www.hoodrivernews.com
ADVENTURE
Continued from Page C1
sung ensemble pieces.
The choir’s musical expe-
riences hinged on formal,
pre-publicized choral con-
certs, which drew both large
and intimate audiences.
Performances were held
in holy spaces constructed
during every time period —
from World War II back to
the dark ages and beyond
into prehistoric times.
Students experienced the
acoustic perfection of
churches built specifically
for the medieval chants in
their repertoire along with
venues more supportive of
their contemporary selec-
tions.
“The choir could finally
hear how certain music was
meant to be performed with-
in a particular church archi-
tecture,” said Steighner.
“They could understand why
the composers left spaces in
the music to accommodate
the resonance of the stone
walls.”
Highlights for students in-
cluded the unplanned
solemn, group “sings” which
erupted spontaneously in
isolated early churches or
ancient outdoor sites of wor-
YESTERYEARS
Fire levels Cooper Spur Inn in 1951
100 YEARS AGO — 1911
Early spring weather has
brought big business to the
boat lines and they are mov-
ing a lot of freight as well as
passeng ers. T he war m
weather has made a good
stage of water, which, ac-
cording to Capt. Alden, of
The Dalles City, had been the
lowest during the winter for
a number of years. The
Dalles City will run until
April 1st, when the Gatzert
will take the run. About May
1st it is expected that the
Gatzert will commence mak-
ing round trips daily. River
men still keep pounding
away on Hood River getting a
dock near the city, and be-
lieve it would be a big thing
for the town if it could be
done.
S.A. Helmer, a pioneer resi-
dent of Mount Hood, is in a
Portland sanatorium in a seri-
ous condition brought about,
it is stated by Mrs. Helmer, by
taking a Chinese remedy ad-
vertised as a cure for rheuma-
tism. Mr. Helmer has almost
lost his hearing and is also be-
coming blind. He is said to
have become as weak as a
child and grave fears are en-
tertained for his life.
90 YEARS AGO — 1921
The Game Protective as-
sociation last week released
24 pairs of valley (or crest-
ed) quails at various points
in the county. The associa-
tion also plans on securing
some Bob White quail later
in the season and, on ar-
rival, these will be set free
to make homes and raise
families in the valley. The
association asks ranchers to
take an interest in these
birds if they locate them, es-
pecially during the winter
s e a s o n . Q u a i l a r e we l l
p r ove n f r i e n d s o f t h e
far mer and spend the
greater part of their waking
hours cleaning up the bugs
which play havoc in the or-
chard and garden tracts.
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Floors Save Housework —
Bare wood floors, especially
k i t c h e n f l o o r s, r e q u i r e
much back breaking work,
scrubbing, to keep them
clean. Acme quality floor
paint makes this unneces-
ship.
“As with nearly every tour,
performances of the music
began tentatively and grew
in assurance. When the stu-
dents sang William Byrd’s
“Ave verum” in the ancient
chapel at Tintagel, they were
not so much performing as
praying — in the broadest,
most inclusive sense. That is,
they were offering their
music as a statement of
thanks — for the beautiful
day and their experience of
being in a genuinely time-
less, holy place,“ Steighner
said of the students’ growth
as musicians during the
tour.
Beyond the moments
taken away by the group,
some special benefits were
left behind in their host
country as well. Several
charitable organizations uti-
lized the HRVHS concerts to
fundraise for various causes,
including a local food bank
and tsunami victims in
Japan.
A particularly successful
event featured the HRVHS
singers at a national “Help
for Heroes” choral concert
held at Truro Cathedral.
The March 22 fundraiser
for wounded U.K. soldiers
drew more than 1,200 people
and was broadcast live to
troops overseas.
sary. It for ms a smooth,
hard, non-absorbent surface
from which dirt and grime
can be easily wiped off. It
protects and saves the sur-
face. E.A. Franz Co.
80 YEARS AGO — 1931
When Crag Rats feel real
a m b i t i o u s a n d h ave n o
o t h e r wo rk t o d o, t h e y
motor out to their plot of
raw land west of town on
the Columbia river highway
and clear a few more square
feet in anticipation of
building a Crag Rat club-
house in the future. One of
the direct results of the
work is that several of the
mountain men are undergo-
ing treatment for poison
oak, and one, at least, has
discovered that his boasted
immunity to this tantaliz-
ing weed was mistaken.
L.M. Karstetter has re-
ceived a letter from a broth-
er in Pennsylvania and is
now in a state of consider-
a b l e e l a t i o n ove r t h e
prospects of securing a
slice in a huge estate be-
longing to his pater nal
greatgrandfather. The letter
stated that the courts had
cleared the way for a distri-
bution of this estate, esti-
mated to exceed a valuation
of a hundred million dol-
lars, and that heirs are now
being sought. The estate
consists of large tracts of
land in southeastern Penn-
sylvania and in Holland,
and until recently the titles
were under contest.
70 YEARS AGO — 1941
The Hudson Motor compa-
ny’s line of 1941 model cars
will be distributed in the
Hood River area by C.J.
Smith, owner of Smith’s
Auto Park, on the Columbia
river highway at the west
edge of this city. Appoint-
ment of Smith as Hudson
distributor was made this
week, by Ray Albee, Portland
distributor of Hudson cars
and Smith already has two
models which he is demon-
strating to Hood River mo-
torists. Hudson and Terra-
plane cars are well known in
the Hood River area. New
models are economically
priced at from $885 to $1595.
Hood River school authori-
Their voices together are breathtaki
moving.
A CROWD of over 1,200 attended the Chamber Singers’ Truro Cathedral concert. While visiting a
Christopher Wren church in London (below), Duncan Krummel was allowed a turn at playing Mozart
(and a bit of jazz) on a working 1769 bellows organ, while Ian Baxter looked on.
In an emotional finale at
the event, Steighner directed
seven choirs and a live band
in a united performance of
“You Raise Me Up” — earn-
ing a boisterous standing
ovation.
Along with the creation of
musical beauty, the choir
also enjoyed some local cul-
tural treats from others.
While visiting Newquay,
the group spent an evening
listening to Cornish stories
from a fiddle and harp duo.
Another evening offered the
teens a two-hour-long
Ceilidh (Celtic dance party),
where students were taught
traditional country-dance
steps, accompanied by a
local Cornish-Celt band.
Behind all the splendor of
England in spring, the sa-
cred music and the spectacu-
lar vistas were the hours of
preparation and supervision
that went into making the
trip a possibility.
Imagine meeting the
needs of 49 teens and 17
adults for meals, rooms, lug-
gage, passports, tickets, elec-
ties have just received word
that the training course in
Aviation Sheet Metal work
has been finally approved for
the Hood River area, and
arrangements for getting
this course started are being
made as rapidly as possible.
It is expected that the class
will start about April 14, and
will include lay-out work,
riveting and sub-assembly.
M.L. Bullard, assistant state
supervisor of National De-
fense Training, has given the
go-ahead signal.
60 YEARS AGO — 1951
Fire of undetermined ori-
gin leveled the Cooper Spur
inn early Sunday evening,
destroying a landmark at the
junction seven miles south of
Parkdale. Mrs. Marle Ward,
who had operated the café-
tavern, was reported to be
visiting in Portland at the
time. By the time the Park-
dale rural fire department
force appeared on the scene
the entire one-story struc-
ture was ablaze and beyond
saving.
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50 YEARS AGO — 1961
Hood River county’s new
airport will be dedicated in
dramatic and comprehensive
day-long Fourth of July cere-
monies according to Dan Di
lullo, recently appointed
Hood River county junior
chamber of commerce air-
port dedication committee
chairman. De lullo stated
that he anticipated a large
turnout by valley residents
to enjoy the program which
will feature a fly in break-
fast, large commercial plane
display, military displays, jet
flyovers, military helicopter
visitations, special aerobat-
ics, simulated bombing, and
for mal dedication cere-
monies.
Hood River high’s verdant
lawn will again be the hunt
scene for this town’s annual
Hood River News, Wednesday, March 30, 2011
tronics, music, videography,
sightseeing and concert lo-
gistics over nine days and
tens of locations.
Yes, there were a few
snags and challenges. But,
like the tapestry mentioned
before, these remained most-
ly hidden in the warp, allow-
ing the primary beauty of
the music to shine forth.
Steighner credits his long-
time tour teammates, Tom
Schaefer and Nancy Merz,
for much of the preparatory
planning and coordination
details. Mary Anne Parrot
provided accompaniment,
and 13 additional choir par-
ents paid for the opportunity
to tag along and provide 24/7
supervision of the teens.
“Our chaperones did an
amazing job of providing
physical, moral, emotional,
logistical, organizational,
and even medical support.
What a great group of
adults!” said Steighner.
Due to a bit of lucky tim-
ing, at the Chamber Singers’
final concert, HRVHS Princi-
pal Karen Neitzel surprised
Sunday Easter egg hunt, an-
nounces the sponsoring local
eagles fraternal organiza-
tion. One change in ground
rules is noted by the spon-
sors. Parents will not be per-
mitted to hunt with the
youngsters. As in past years,
specially-marked eggs will
yield prizes for the lucky
finders, and the Eagles indi-
cate a bumper crop of eggs
will be waiting for all com-
ers.
40 YEARS AGO — 1971
(Photo caption) Ken Tamu-
ra will lead students at Hood
River Valley High school
next year as student body
president. Next to him are
Mike Jackson, first vice pres-
ident, and Phil Henderson,
second vice president. In the
second row are secretary
Kaylene Blackburn; publici-
ty manager Debbie Culbert-
son; treasurer Jim Cason
and assistant secretary
Linda Wetherell. They were
elected in a ballot taken just
before spring vacation.
(Photo caption) Saving
pitchers’ arms, a free wheel-
ing pitching machine feeds
fast balls, curves and just
about any other pitch to
Hood River Valley High bat-
ters in practice. One trouble
— HRV hasn’t had much op-
portunity to give the ma-
chine a workout so far this
spring because of inclement
weather. The pitching gear
can be set to vary speed and
type of pitch being delivered.
In this case, Mas Watanabe is
feeding the machine.
30 YEARS AGO — 1981
It was scheduled as an all-
school event when Mid Val-
ley scheduled a balloon re-
lease Thursday, March 26,
promptly at 1 p.m. Purpose of
the project is to determine
where wind currents will
take the gas-filled balloons.
Plans called for releasing
about 300 balloons. To each,
in a plastic bag, a note was to
give some basic instructions
to the finder of the balloon.
The program is being car-
ried out simultaneously
throughout the country.
(Photo caption) There
were more than 40 young
salespeople in the 1981 Hood
River News subscription
C5
Photos by Julie Raefield-Gobbo
On Video:
Steighner has posted several
of the trip’s performances on
YouTube: For a medley of
multiple songs and perfor-
mance sites including a
stone circle gathering see:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
fWgDF_aHeF4
students with a visit to hear
their performance at St.
Mary’s Church in Chesham.
“They are just wonderful!”
exclaimed Neitzel, as she
dashed off to catch a train
back into London.
Arriving home at Portland
International Airport at 9
p.m. March 26, the group
looked, to coin an English
phrase, “Well spent!” — a
worthy result for any spring
break adventure.
Oh, and in case you were
wondering, the weather was
mild and sunny for all but
one of the tour days, and the
food was excellent.
campaign, and these five
were the best. First place
winner was Nicole Perry;
close behind in second place
was Molly Level; others are
Karen Joplin, third, Robin
Lucas, fourth, and Rick
Vanover, fifth.
20 YEARS AGO — 1991
(Photo caption) Andrew
McElderry, owner of An-
drew’s Pizza and Bakery at
107 Oak St. in Hood River,
throws pizza dough in his
new shop. McElderry sells
pizza-by-the-slice and 18-inch
whole pizzas at his business,
located in the former Sail
Away Subs building. The 25-
year-old pizza maker of Nan-
tucket, Mass., opened his
shop March 8 and plans to
add to the menu “baked-
fresh-daily” goods including
scones, breads, muf fins,
cookies and cinnamon buns
in late June.
(Photo caption) Hood
River Police Officer Jerry
Brown and Deputy Chief Joe
Wampler Jr. pose next to
nearly 100 marijuana plants
discovered at a Hull Street
home Wednesday. One man
was arrested at the scene,
and an indictment was ex-
pected Friday against a sec-
ond suspect. More than 275
plants were seized.
10 YEARS AGO — 2001
(Photo caption) Three
local ladies celebrated their
recent 100th birthdays last
week at a party thrown by
Down Manor. From left are
Esther Shepherd, Mabel Cal-
lender and Francis Smith.
The birthday gals were pre-
sented with pink roses and
cake, which they shared with
a dining room-full of cele-
brants.
The International Muse-
um of carousel Art in Hood
River will offer free admis-
sion during April. Carousel
collector Duane Perron said
the promotion is a way of ac-
quainting the museum to the
community and providing
exposure to downtown busi-
nesses. The museum is home
to the largest and most com-
prehensive collection of an-
tique carousel art in the
world, Perron said.
— Compiled by Esther K.
Smith, news staff writer