06/15/11 Those who attended the Marshall County Church Orchestra & The Kings Way concert on Sunday evening in Bourbon were treated to a little bit of “the good old days”. A trip to the Bourbon Town Gazebo is much like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting. The evening orchestra’s Concert in the Park series of 2011. They have been performing the concert series for the past six years. The Bourbon Town Park provided a perfect setting for an enjoyable, nostalgic evening of small town Americana as we know it.
The Bourbon town park located on the northwest corner of “old” highway 30 and St. Rd 331 is a small, well-kept park. Everything is freshly painted in white with a lot of lattice work and stone. There is a wooden porch swing and of course, the gazebo. It is a very inviting area.
Old and young alike began gathering for the 6:30 p.m. concert which also included a fund raiser for the Bourbon Volunteer Fire Department. The firemen and their wives were on hand to sell hot dogs and pop and homemade cookies…all for a donation. The firemen boots were set out to collect the loose change people dropped in as they walked past. The fire engine sat strategically placed across the street from the park.
The Orchestra members dressed in their traditional black and white blended well with the décor of the park. As they tuned their instruments more and more locals leisurely gathered at the gazebo with lawn chairs and mosquito spray to take part in the Sunday evening festivities.
Under the direction of Don Harness the orchestra began as they always do with prayer and a rousing rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner”. They continued with traditional church hymns, classical selections and Broadway tunes as the audience sang along and tapped their toes.
The King’s Way Trio took the stage half way through the program and shared inspirational Southern gospel music. At intermission Harness presented Fire Chief Ryan Schori with a donation from the orchestra and an honorarium to the trio. Terry Clemens of the King’s Way immediately announced they would like to donate their honorarium to the fire department. The on-lookers burst into applause.
As sun slowly set behind the town buildings the orchestra played on. Bourbon citizens continued to stroll past the park pulling their children in wagons and walking their dogs. Others rode up on bicycles and golf carts and stopping to listen and enjoy the music.
Those who missed the memory-making evening should not despair. The orchestra is traveling throughout the county this summer. There will be other chances to enjoy a relaxing evening of musical in beautiful settings with the orchestra. Their next performance will take place at the Plymouth Farmer’s Market on Saturday, June 25 at 9:00 a.m. They will also perform in Culver at the town park by the train station on Sunday, July 10 at 6:00 p.m. The special guest artist at the Culver Town Park concert will be the Plymouth Youth Orchestra. For a complete M.C.C.O. schedule call 1-574-952-3661 and ask for Cindy.
Photo: Orchestra Director Don Harness (far left) presents a donation to The King’s Way and the Bourbon Volunteer Fire Department. (left to right)Terry Clemens. Dennis Dreibelbis and Ryan Schori.
