Treat your valentine to a serenade

BY MICHAEL J. RUDOLF

Wyoming County Press Examiner

Valentine's Day is not far away, and many are looking for the perfect gift.

Members of the Endless Mountains Barbershop Chorus are offering Singing Valentines, which are sure to be remembered.

A quartet from the chorus is available to go to someone's home or business and serenade them. The group will perform two songs, plus deliver a special card, a fresh rose and some candy.

Singing Valentines are available throughout Valentine's Day weekend, on Feb. 12, 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $40.

"It's sort of an obvious thing for us to do, in a way," said chorus member Don Overdorff, who organizes the Singing Valentines.

Overdorff noted that the chorus has been presenting Singing Valentines for the past five years. Actually, there are two quartets from the chorus that go out, one throughout Wyoming County and one in the Pittston area.

In years past, each quartet typically did about a dozen performances in a day. Overdorff noted that because Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year, the program has been extended to extra days to allow for serenades of people at work.

For the most part, the Singing Valentines are surprises, Overdorff noted. People are usually unaware that the quartet is coming.

"Suddenly, these four guys walk up in full tuxedos with a box of candy and start singing," he said. "You can imagine the kind of reaction you get."

The response from recipients in unpredictable.

"It goes anywhere from giddy to almost in shock," Overdorff said.

Most of the Singing Valentines are sent by men to women, Overdorff noted. But each year, there are a few male recipients. He said it's usually quite an experience when the quartet shows up at a garage or a machine shop and starts singing.

"Some of it is done as a prank, but as a loving prank," he commented.

Singing Valentines are done for all sorts of couples, he noted, from high school sweethearts to those celebrating their golden anniversaries. There have even been some marriage proposals delivered by the barbershoppers.

Overdorff said the singers get just as excited about the performances as the recipients do. He said part of that is because someone took the time to send a gift that is unique.

"This is a one-on-one, up close and personal thing that makes it special for us as well as the recipients," he said. "You end up getting the sincere feelings of warmth."

To send a Singing Valentine, contact Overdorff at 335-3379.