Musicology

If you attended the Ice Cream Social at Sturbridge, you heard the great music performed by Cobblestone Crossing.

You also heard that the group had no idea how musically challenged convention chairman Brian O'Neill is!

For one number, Darrell Varley issued an old fashioned washboard to Brian, seen here holding the washboard and wearing the convention's signature tri-corner hat.  They asked him to strum a pattern on it, a pattern which is best described as One anna Two anna Three anna Four.  Zip zippa Zip zippa Zip zippa Zip.

No matter how many times they asked him to repeat that pattern, all Brian could do on the washboard was Zip Zip Zip Zip Zip Zip.  Sometimes as many as seven strokes, sometimes as few as three, and never with any semblance of rhythm.

The irony is, Brian is a tremendous music lover.  He listens to all forms of music, at home, in his car, in his office, at live performances.  It was Brian who brought Cobblestone Crossing to Sturbridge and it was Brian who scheduled the Karaoke night that took place earlier in the week.  But despite his appreciation of and enthusiasm for music, American Idol will not be calling.

A Message from the Convention Chairman

A Message from 2012 Convention Chairman Brian O'Neill:

The 2012 CORSA International Convention is fast approaching. Plans for a fun-filled event are set and the convention committee is looking forward to being your hosts. The Sturbridge Host Hotel is going all-out to make your stay enjoyable.

There is more than ample space for all our activities. The hotel, being both a hotel and a conference center, has a big parking lot with nighttime surveillance. We have only one small issue. The layout, while allowing more than ample parking, is not conducive to trailer parking. We want to offer an clear view of our cars particularly during Saturday's Car Display.

So we have made arrangements with Old Sturbridge Village, which is just across the street, for trailer parking. The grounds at Old Sturbridge Village are actively patrolled and trailers and tow rigs will be safe. But to make everyone's arrival go smoothly and to avoid traffic congestion we'll need folks at both the hotel and the Old Sturbridge Village parking area.

Two-hour shifts start at 2 PM on Tuesday and then 8 AM the other days. The last shift ends at 8 PM each day. We need your help. We have a great committee for the convention events but this manpower requirement is testing our limits.

I'm asking for your help because NECC events have always received great support in the past. If you can help let me know your availability and I'll reply with a proposed shift. Please contact me here. Thanks so much.