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As we look back on 2008 we realize what a busy and blessed year we had. We met many wonderful new friends and became reacquainted with many friends from our past.
We took some time off in the winter months but enjoyed a great concert with the New Life Trio in Windsor in March. It is always good to be with Ron Burnham and his family. In April we enjoyed singing with our friends the Kingsway Quartet, Heading Home Trio and the Revelations Quartet. It was a great night at Stoney Creek Baptist in London, where we all enjoyed singing together in a Gaither-style format.
We enjoyed being with our friends Lowell and Lois Brown at the Free Methodist Church in Stouffville in May. What a night of blessing as we rejoiced at what God is doing through their ministry. In June we renewed our friendship with Pastor Earl Sault and enjoyed an afternoon of ministry with the Sault family at the New Credit Fellowship Church. It was good to catch up on what God has done in our lives over the past twenty plus years.
In 2008 we enjoyed several trips into the great State of Michigan where we sang in Deckerville, Flint, Lexington, Marine City and Port Huron. We thank God for the many faithful friends we have made in Michigan and we thank them for allowing us to minister in their churches. We look forward to many more times of fellowship with them in the future.
We enjoyed singing at two Rodney Gospel Sings in the spring and fall where we ministered with The Rodney Revival Singers, Jenny Babcock, The Mudde Family and Heading Home trio. We look forward to more concerts in Rodney in 2009.Our summer was busy with lots of concerts in campgrounds and parks throughout Ontario. We had great times with our friends in Thamesville, Strathroy, Woodstock, Port Franks, Dresden, Windsor and Carrick Camp. In Ingersoll we enjoyed working with our friends Kingsway Quartet in a Gaither-style concert. We had fun and everyone seemed to enjoy hearing the old songs once again. We hope to join Kingsway often in 2009 for combined concerts.
Another highlight of 2008 was singing on a cruise out of Perry Sound. What beautiful scenery. We enjoyed singing for a couple of hours to a very enthuisiatic audience on board the ship. We had a great time and hope to do it again in the future,
It is always a joy to be with Dave Yancy and this year we enjoyed being with him at Balls Falls for the conclusion of his summer concerts.
A highlight of 2008 was our trip to the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in September. Our friends from Kingsway Quartet were there with us and both groups enjoyed singing at an afternoon matinee sponsored by NQC. We enjoyed seeing many friends from Canada and it was good to meet many new friends from a variety of States.
On November 7th, we had the honour of being in concert with Kirk Talley (formerly with the Cathedrals and Talley Trio) at First Baptist Church in Ingersoll. It was a joy for us to sing with Kirk and we thank Charles Ward for inviting us to be a part of this special evening. A big thank you to Charlie for all the work he did to make this night successful. On November 8th, we had a great night with the Johnston Quartet at the Brantford Community Centre. What a blessing to work with this amazing family who love the Lord and enjoy singing for Him. Thanks to the Johnston's for allowing us to be a part of this special evening.
In November the Chapelaires sponsored Christmas in the Country at Forest Cliff Camp in Forest, Ontario. It was our first attempt to host a Christmas program and in spite of a snowstorm we had a wonderful night where everyone who attended enjoyed the sights and sounds of an Old Fashioned Christmas. Many of our friends have asked us to do this program again this year and we plan to host a two night concert , November 7th and 8th at Forest Cliff Camp. It is a beautiful setting that is picture perfect for Christmas in the Country. We performed Christmas concerts at the Waterloo North Presbyterian Church, Bethel Baptist, Strathroy, West Park Baptist, London and Word of Life church in Blenheim. Everyone enjoyed the Christmas Programs and have asked that we repeat these concerts in 2009.
On New Year’s Eve we ended our year in concert with our friends, Hilltop Vocal Band in Gormley, Ontario. We had a great night of fellowship and enjoyed being with our friend , Judy Steckley and her group after many years. We hope to be able to minister with the Hilltop Vocal Band in future. They have a great sound and servant hearts.
Looking ahead to 2009 we are very excited. Many new opportunities lie ahead and we look forward to being in Guelph for the 125th Anniversary of the Salvation Army in May. We are also excited to be part of the Gospel Dinner Cruise on the M/S Chicheemaun , Tobermory in September, and to be part of Praise in the Park in Aylmer in July. In addition to these new opportunities we look forward to returning to many of the locations where we sing on an annual basis. Another special date will be June 28th in Ingersoll, when once again, we will join our friends from Kingsway in another Gaither-style concert.
We would like to give special thanks to Jim and Darlene McDonald who come to the majority of our concerts to assist us with tearing down and packing up equipment. Because of their support we are able to talk to many of our friends and enjoy fellowiship after the concerts. Thanks again Jim and Darlene for all your work and support for our ministry.
Also we want to say thank you to Charlene Steeves for maintaining our website and keeping all the information updated for you our friends. We hope to post more information and lots of pictures on the website this year, so be sure to check out our site on a regular basis.
Thank you to all our friends and family for your prayer support. It is going to be a busy year, and more than ever we need your prayers. May God richly bless each one of you our dear friends.
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