Inside this issue:

InCider Press
Newsletter of the Manhattan, Kansas chapter
of the

The chapter and chorus meet  every Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the First Methodist Church Activity Center
on the corner of Poyntz and  6th Street, Manhattan, Kansas.

     Saturday morning, Jan13 at 0530, was dark, cold and slick in spots.  Just like the US Postal Service, “Neither snow, nor sleet, nor dark of night” will keep 4 Barbershoppers from their appointment with COTS in St Joseph, Mo.

      What is this COTS that can compel Bill Hanson, Pat Caffey, Terry Nanninga, and John Thomason to venture out on such a nice day?  Chapter Operations Training Seminar, that’s what.  The seminar was conducted on the campus of Missouri Western State University and it was a great venue for such an event.  Although Bill, Pat and Terry had attended COTS before this was my first time.  I didn’t know what it was all about but I was eager to find out.  The weather caused us to be about 10 minutes late but we made it to the opening assembly then off to individual sessions.

     I participated in the Marketing and Public Relations Seminar.  I say participated instead of attended because just like our Thursday evening Chapter Meetings, one cannot just attend one must participate.  The moderator/instructor was Larry Gilhousen CFRE from Tampa, Fl and a member of the “Heralds of Harmony”.  I could tell that Larry had done this before.  He gave us 2 days of instruction in about 4 hours.  Unfortunately the day was cut short because of the threat of more bad winter weather.  All the information we received was almost overwhelming, especially for a first timer like me, but I learned a lot and I’m very glad I went.  I highly recommend the COTS experience to everyone.  I believe it is well worth the time, effort, and yes, the expense, to attend.

      The thing that impressed me most was the dedication and enthusiasm of the COTS faculty to the unique American Art Form that we all enjoy, Barbershop Harmony.  I wasn’t aware that our Barbershop Harmony Society is such a large and very well organized society.  We owe it to ourselves to be involved and learn more about this Society of which we are members.

     A 300-mile winter road trip, a few icy fingers, a broken windshield and the fellowship among 4 Barbershoppers made my first experience at COTS a good one!  Would I go to COTS again?  You bet I will!

John Thomason, Member at Large  ♪

On the road again with Bill, Pat ,Terry and John

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