Press Release:  Event Date December 12, 2016

For further information contact Mary Chrastil, 260-982-0672 nmhistory@cinergymetro.net; or  marygrace1066@gmail.com.

Final Bicentennial Program from the NM Historical Society: and Merry Christmas to All

Indiana finishes its Bicentennial Year on December 11, the day we officially became the 19^th state.  On Monday, December 12, the North Manchester Historical Society will present its final Bicentennial offering.  The Wabash Community Band will provide a program of Indiana composers and performers, concluding with a Christmas sing-a-long.  The program begins at 6:40 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Timbercrest Senior Living Community, 2201 East Street. 

Every year, the North Manchester Historical Society’s December program is a celebration designed to thank Timbercrest Retirement Community for hosting our monthly programs throughout the year and to thank the general public you for supporting NMHS programs and museum.  We invite all to wrap up the Bicentennial and enjoy the holidays with us.  There is no admission charge for the program.  

North Manchester has celebrated the Bicentennial all year long, with a torch relay, program with Thomas Marshall and cupcakes, genealogy and family history projects, Pioneer Days in the park, special FunFest and Harvest Festival programs, planning for a kayak and canoe launch, and mini bison appearing throughout town.  For the December Historical Society program, the Wabash Community Band will play music by Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Crystal Gayle and Red Skelton—yes, that native Indiana comedian was also a composer.  Other offerings include State Fair Suite, Trumpets Ole by Frank Cofield from New Castle and Indiana University, and a march medley written by three different Indiana composers.

Wabash Community Band was established in 1992 by Art Connor, then the director of the Wabash High School Band. Chris Hickman became co-director in 1998.  Starting in 2001, when Art retired and Chris had moved to another community, several guest directors presided.  In 2009, Bob Urbani, a recently retired band director from Peru, agreed to direct on a temporary basis.  That “temporary commitment” continues today.  The band consists of 30 to 35 volunteer members from Rochester, Peru, Wabash, and North Manchester who rehearse at the Winchester Senior Center in Wabash. 

For more information call the North Manchester Historical Society at 260-982-0672.