Young County Musicians Achieve Gold ISSMA Ratings

The Southern Wells Junior High choir and also the Norwell 7th and 8th Grade bands all achieved gold ratings at ISSMA Competitions held at Garrett over the weekend.

Congratulations to the young musicians who took part in these events.

The photos are of the two Norwell bands as they performed at the Norwell Pork Chop Dinner Music Extravaganza Saturday evening. (The 7th Grade band is the top one).

More photos from that event will be posted over the next couple of days. (Monday was very busy, so I didn't get the chance to work on them).

First Photos From Norwell Pork Chop Dinner Extravaganza

Norther Wells Community Schools held their annual pork chop dinner music extravaganza fundraiser Saturday at Norwell High School with talented youngsters from all levels of the school system strutting their stuff on stage.

The story is in Monday's (April 6) News-Banner and also this week's Ossian Journal. Over the course of the week, I will be posting photos from the show, but here are a few to get you started.

Don't forget the Norwell Drum Line's fund raiser at East of Chicago Pizza Monday and Tuesday evenings!

Hello Dolly - Act 2 Scene 4

The final scene. All the supporting cast have already been successfully matched up, and finally, Dolly (Chelsea Smith) gets Horace (Justin Perry) and everyone lives happily ever after!

Hello Dolly - Act 2 Scene 3

After the night out at the Harmonia Gardens ends in turmoil, all the main characters are taken off to court to appear before the judge.

Former Southern Wells Principal James Schwarzkopf makes a special guest appearance as Judge James, assisted by the policeman (Tyler Hogston) and clerk, Linly Lloyd. Cornelius (Kevin Feemster) declares that despite all the stress and trouble, his visit to New York was worthwhile, as he has fallen in love with Irene (Emily Hartley).

Dolly (Chelsea Smith) meanwhile, continues her efforts to snare Horace (Justin Perry) as a husband.

Hello Dolly - Act 2 Scene 2 (Part 2)

Dolly (Chelsea Smith) begins to cast her spell on Horace (Justin Perry), while Ambrose Kemper (Kyle Thompson) and Ermengarde Vandergelder (Jenny Lloyd) compete in the polka competition at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant.

Hello Dolly - Act 2 Scene 2 (Part 1)

Okay, so a lot happens in this scene.

Barnaby (Damon Smith) and Cornelius (Kevin Feemster) try to entertain the ladies, Minnie (Johanne Lichtsinn) and Irene (Emily Hartley), at the fancy Harmonia Gardens Restaurant with little over a dollar in their wallet, but get lucky when they accidentally "swap wallets" with Horace.

Horace (Justin Perry) meanwhile, finds that his intended bride, Ernestine Money (Mandy Stoffer) isn't quite the wonderful company he was hoping for.

Then, Dolly returns to the Harmonia Gardens and performs with the waiters!

More photos from this scene to follow.......

Norwell Drum Line Serving Pizza to Raise Funds For World Champs

The Norwell High School Winter Drum Line will be serving pizza at East of Chicago Pizza in Ossian, Monday and Tuesday.

Drum line members and moms will be serving from 5 to 8 p.m. each night. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Norwell drum line and their trip to WGI World Finals in Dayton, Ohio later this month.