Opinion

Christmas music joys

Kaye Sullivan

MEEKER | I love Christmas in part because I love the joyful music that is part of this season. I dig out my well-worn holiday music and start playing my piano even if it is only for me because the sounds are so comforting. The old familiar tunes bring back memories of years gone by and songs we can sing by memory.

Now, as the part time pianist at the Methodist church, I get to record music from our three hymnals that add up to more than 1,200 choices. Well, not all of those are Christmas music, but there is plenty to choose from.

Since the church is closed, I will miss playing Christmas Eve duets with Mary K Kruger that was always a treat or playing anything at a live service. It’s not the same without the congregation singing and candles on Christmas Eve, but somehow, I am motivated to try to play better to help make these online services an excellent substitute for the live events.

My piano music is sparse and thus I appreciate using an online service of sheet music that sells books and immediately downloadable pieces. For example, when I heard on the radio Bill Wither’s song, “Lean on Me,” I wanted to play it. So, I searched this site and in just minutes was printing a piano version of this music.

One of the gifts we have during this pandemic is unparalleled virtual resources. I listen to Pandora music all the time while I work or cook. Starting Dec. 1, I switch to Christmas music for most of the month. I listen to many musicians and varieties of music and always find something new to entertain me.

Sometimes I set aside time to listen to the entirety of Handel’s “Messiah.” This is profoundly serious music and the performing choir and orchestra practice endlessly to sing this challenging music. Recently, I appreciate Pentatonix who is a more modern group and performs music in unique ways. These two examples are quite a stretch apart in style, yet I enjoy them both for different reasons.

I will miss listening to Meeker’s community choir this year. They are a huge joy of gathering together various voices from our town and melding them into lovely productions.

But even while recovering from COVID, music brings me joy and as I heal, I can play a little.

Yes, our traditional Christmas traditions are falling by the wayside during COVID. But music is still out there to comfort us and provide a wee sense of normality.


Special to the Herald Times

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  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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4 days ago
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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