The Citizen, 2000-03-01, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2000.
Tunes take seniors on a stroll down memory lane
Seniors entertaining seniors
Dorothy Stettler (foreground), Alice Brothers and Harold
Stettler have been entertaining the residents of Huronlea
every month. The Old Tunes take the seniors on a walk
down memory lane with their renditions of nostalgic
favourites.
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
Memories do light the comers of
the mind and for many people music
of bygone days can stimulate some
of the most pleasurable.
Entertaining seniors groups and in
retirement homes can be a satisfying
experience, seeing them smile to
fami'iar songs, or recite familiar
verses.
And for the seniors who entertain
it is a fulfilling way to keep active
and enjoy life.
Harold and Dorothy Steffler, along
with Alice Brothers of Brussels have
been bringing musical sunlight to the
residents of Huronlea once a month
for several years.
The Stefflers moved to the village
in 1972 from their home outside
Toronto. The city, Dorothy says, was
catching up to them, and after an
extensive search they found the
house they were looking for in
Brussels.
Always musical, the Stefflers,
however, pretty much kept their tal
ent to themselves, though Dorothy
had tinkled the ivories for residents
at Callander Nursing Home from
time to time.
That changed, though when the
couple began wintering in Arizona
about eight years ago. “Harold start
ed playing in a harmonica band
down there,” says Dorothy, adding
that they also began jam sessions
with a husband and wife who
played the banjo and autoharp
respectively.
Getting together with other musi
cians had been inspiring and
Dorothy soon found herself in the
company of Brothers a former piano
teacher from the Toronto area, now
living in Brussels. “Alice mentioned
that it might be fun to get Harold to
join us and before we knew it we
were playing every month at
Huronlea.
Billed as The Old Tunes the trio
has been invited to entertain for
events in Wingham, Goderich and
Blyth, to name only a few. At one
engagement the group was
approached by Bill Templeman who
said he played the drums and would
like to play with them. “He joins us
when he gets the chance,” says
Harold.
That the group performs strictly
out of pure enjoyment is evident.
“We like playing music,” Harold
says. The Tunes play tunes that are
well-known to their audience mem
bers which always brings a smile.
One woman at a Wingham retire
ment home, knew all the songs the
group played says Harold. “You
could hear her singing along with
us.”
“That’s only part of the pleasure,
though”, says Dorothy. “I couldn’t
stand to just be sitting around. This
keeps us busy.”
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