~by Mary Weaver
Sunday afternoon December 8, I completed one of my Christmas traditions by attending a concert by the Town and Country Band at Central Christian Church in Jefferson.
Nestled into the sanctuary, amidst the beautifully decorated trees and the fireplace glowing warmth on the large computer monitor, I enjoyed listening to familiar and traditional Christmas melodies.
The band was formed 25 years ago. In 1998 my friend, the late Lawrence Geisler, was featured on the Michael Cotter WHO Sunday night storytelling program. Lawrence told numerous stories and the impact of his English teacher, Mr. Quentin Umbenhower, who taught at Churdan High School from 1947-1952.
His sister Nada Umbenhower was a listener that evening and a correspondence developed between she and Lawrence. Lawrence became aware that while she was a very private person, she wanted to leave a memorial to Churdan to honor her brother. In July of 2000 Ms. Umbenhower’s lawyer notified Lawrence that she had died, but left funds of $15,000 for a piano, along with funds to build a bandstand in Churdan.
Materials were purchased locally and construction of the bandstand was completed. On July 4, 2003, the bandshell was dedicated in honor of her brother the English teacher. The dedication was followed by a concert.
The Town and Country Band had been formed in 1999 at the suggestion of Chris Lohr and with the assistance of the Paton-Churdan music director Colin Lord. It became an opportunity for adults to retrieve their musical instruments and to make music again.
Two original band members remain – Wayne Lautner and Phyllis Minnihan were a part of the Christmas concert. It is a three-generation band, with the youngest member, Lily Sheridan, playing the clarinet. She and her grandfather Wade Weiss, who dusted off his trumpet to play tunes with Lily when she started on clarinet, attend rehearsals together.
The current band director, Snowy Anderson, played the sleighbells as an 11-year-old when she accompanied her mother, flute player Tori Riley, to rehearsals. Snowy’s 9-year-old sister played the whipcrack.
Phyllis shares they have performed at numerous Greene County events and out of town celebrations, including the Municipal Band Festival in Boone and the Iowa State Fair. They’re in integral part of the Memorial Day program in Churdan, and then pack up their instruments and head to Bayard for the program there. They were even requested to play swing at Garion Consier’s wedding reception in Ida Grove. This had to have pleased his grandmother, clarinetist Ruth Consier.
The band is all volunteer except for a small stipend for the director. Donations go toward that stipend and purchasing new music.
The Town and Country Band is on hiatus until mid-March, but they always welcome new members. They practice once a week, and “No matter how bad the day has been, going to rehearsal and making music always makes us happy,” according to Phyllis.
Look for their concerts in 2025. You’ll tap your foot and be happy, too.
View from my Window is shared by Mary Weaver from her farm home near Rippey.
