After the presentation, RBCHS president Ellene Meece shared a brief slide show showcasing vintage photos of past musicians, school bands, dance bands and dancing. Tom Allen shared the history of music in the school, including marching band accomplishments and the legacy of many of the teachers who taught here.
Allen also brought photos and yearbooks that presented a visual, adding to the dialogue.
Dave Main spoke about the musicians who inspired his musical career and shared stories of his own musician father, Gene Main.
Mary K. Krueger gave first-hand information from her famous uncle, Al Wear, about the musicians who got their start in Rio Blanco County and went on to reach further popularity.
She also brought an antique mandolin she inherited from Charles Tagert along with the letter he wrote when bestowing this treasure into her keeping.
Audience members responded enthusiastically and supplied their own stories on the topic where frequent applause and laughter filled the room. It all ended with an amazing mini concert by Main and Krueger.
These historic presentations are open to the public. The RBCHS’s next meeting, on Oct. 5, is set to tell the stories of the natural resources in our county.
The RBCHS is also looking forward to all the activities during Range Call, including a presence in the parade, root beer floats on the courthouse lawn from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the bank robbery re-enactment at 3 p.m. and the Milk Creek tour, meeting at the garrison at 10 a.m. on Saturday, $10 per person.
