An important part of Appleton's wonderful musical heritage is the Appleton Boy Choir. They have been ambassadors of Appleton for over 30 years. On Saturday, I heard the incredibly beautiful performance of the Boy Choir combined with the adult male voices of the Mastersingers in their Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols performance, an annual event that has been held every year since 1979. Nine readers from the community offer short readings from the Bible, each followed by hymns and carols that shine light on the powerful message of Christmas. The event was held at Lawrence Chapel.

My beautiful wife, Kendra, was selected as one the readers this year. I'm very grateful for that (it also meant I got a great seat near the front of the chapel). Other readers included our outstanding mayor, Timothy Hanna, Ellen Kort (Wisconsin's Poet Laureate), Brian Pertl (Dean of Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music), Dar Stumpf (as in Stumpf Ford--a big supporter of the Choir), Eli Oestreich (choir member), Barry Hoff (one of the MasterSingers), Todd Nennig (Boy Choir Camp Dad), and Anne-Marie Brunner Abderholden (Exec. Director of the Valley Academy for the Arts). Wonderful readings and beautiful singing. Such a treat.

I lingered after the performance to keep listening to the wonderful organ music afterward by Marianne Chaudoir, the organist for the Festival. Just wonderful!

Appleton has so many great cultural events. Love it! And really, the people of this community are so terrific, from the Mayor and big leaders of commerce and government to my neighbors, co-workers, and random people I meet at the store. There are some exceptions, but this really is a wonderful place to live. And the great is part of the Appleton experience.