The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower in Jefferson has concluded the summer daily seasonal hours but will continue to be open weekends in September and October. Hours remain on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm.
The Bell Tower staff enjoys meeting the many visitors and especially encourages people to experience the autumn colors from the observation deck of the tower. The Paul Nally Observation Deck is accessed by an elevator so is one-of-a- kind to be handicapped accessible. The window-enclosed area is 120 ft. up and the bells are directly overhead.
Tower Tunes Live concerts began after the new four octave carillon was dedicated at the Bell Tower Festival in June. From June 9 to date, 31 volunteer musicians have played the carillon with the digital keyboard. Live concerts have been from 12:15 – 12:30 pm daily with the musicians choosing their own repertoire. A guest book has been signed by each musician along with a list of their selections and comments.
Pictures of these Mahanay Maestros have been taken and can be seen at the website – www.mahanaybelltower.org The name of the Mahanay Maestro for the day is listed under Events and also on the Facebook page Mahanay Bell Tower.
Tower Tunes Live concerts will continue on the weekends in September and October with other special concerts being planned by the Mahanay music committee in the fall and winter. This committee is working with Greene County supervisors to learn how to record music by our local musicians to be put in the rotation of music played after each hour. The two songs that play after each hour are previously recorded and strike the real bells. The list can now be expanded with new locally-recorded selections.
The Mahanay music committee is a branch of the Bell Tower Community Foundation overseeing this new opportunity of four octave bell music. Anyone interested in getting involved as a musician or on this committee should contact Becky Greiner, Alan Greiner, Sheri Sloan, Rick Morain, Bonnie Orris or Peg Raney.
