Tag Archive | Nonagenarian

The secret to long life? Singing!

The women of Na Leo Lani thrive well into our late years. Have a look at the photos below and you’ll see: our amazing Ruth turned 93 earlier this year, Vera turned 91 in April, Anna celebrated another excellent year of her 70s, and that’s just a few of our senior members!

What’s our secret? It’s simple: singing is like meditation, but way more fun. We practice breath support, we listen closely to each other, learn new music and master complex harmonies every week, and most of all, we enjoy our sisterhood of song at rehearsal every week — plus we perform for the public whenever we get a chance.

Hail to our March, April, and May birthday gals! (See pics below.) And keep those cycles ‘round the sun coming — singing with you is such a joy.

In addition to being a bass extraordinaire, Ruth recently won an acting trophy from her retirement community. Bravo, Ruthie!

April birthday gals Coralyn and Vera ham it up (and happy birthday also to Anna in absentia!)

Sweet Adeline Sisterhood

Apr29

What a tremendous experience it was to return to the Region 12 Convention in Sparks, Nevada, after seven long years! Adjusting to the high elevation and chilly temperatures wasn’t easy, but we were bowled over by the beauty of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, the cameraderie and supportiveness of our sister choruses, and the sheer joy of singing with so many Sweet Adelines in one place.

As you can tell from the photos (below), we gave it our all and had a blast singing with and watching the other contestants, as well.

Congratulations to all of this year’s contest performers, including the winning quartet, Equilibrium, from Emerald Valley Chorus in Springfield, Oregon!

Log on to the SAI Region 12 website HERE to watch all of the performances via video on demand from now through May 12.

Singing at the after-contest dinner

PDQ quartet joined in celebrating Ruth’s 92nd year ‘round the sun.

Birthdays make our hearts sing

Aug12

(This is a belated post from April that somehow got stuck in the drafts folder and was never published! Still, it’s never too late to celebrate these fine ladies’ birthdays …)

Hard to believe these ladies are another year older — could it be that singing a cappella makes one age in reverse, like Benjamin Button? Either way, we’ll never pass up a chance to sing Happy Birthday — in four-part harmony, of course!

Happy birthday, Anna and Vera! And happy birthday in absentia to Coralyn, who missed her chance to wear the April birthday gals’ sash (there’s always next year 😉).

. . . and many more!

91 and going strong

Mar23

Our most senior member, Ruth, is not only a powerful bass, she’s also a proud Roosevelt High School alumna. In keeping with tradition, she celebrated her 91st birthday this month with an enthusiastic rendition of the Rough Riders’ school song, joined by fellow alumnae Rosie, Carole, Janice, and more! Hail to thee, Roosevelt, and Happy Birthday to you, Ruthie!

Proof that singing keeps you young

Apr10

Happy 90th birthday, Ruth!

Putting the “non-aging” in “nonagenarian,” one of our longtime members, Ruth de Mesa, recently celebrated her 90th (!!) birthday, which fell on our regular weekly rehearsal night. A loyal alumna of Roosevelt High School, Ruth didn’t miss a beat when our Birthday Captain, Wally, asked her to sing the Rough Riders’ school song.

Enjoy this video of Ruthie belting out “Ever faithful, ever true; Roosevelt, to thee our song shall be– All Hail! Hail! Hail!” https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3157519444568006&ref=sharing