President's Message
By Diane Huber

“Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers, and are famous preservers of good looks.” — Charles Dickens

This quote jumped out at me shortly after our convention in Indianapolis. How many beautiful faces did we see on that big screen? All of them filled with happiness and contentment. Each of us glows when we perform and it’s so becoming. We look good, we feel good and we make others feel good too. This is truly a wonderful organization for women. Television commercials and magazine ads feature women with scowly faces and thin bodies clad with cosmetics and expensive clothes. Somehow I don’t feel particularly good about myself when I look at those models. I think being content with who we are and what we’re doing with our lives makes us a whole lot better looking.

Singing is good for us. It raises our self-esteem and brings us joy. It puts our minds at ease during troubled times and makes us cheerful. It’s aerobic; therefore it’s a healthy choice. It makes us happy. It allows us to play and teaches us to share. The fact that we share this cheerfulness with women around the globe is even more gratifying. Singing makes us beautiful. Tell someone!

The sharing aspect of our hobby is also a beautiful thing. I couldn’t sit still during Harborlites’ finals package. I grinned from ear to ear, from beginning to end during "the Buzz’s" finals package. All of the performers in Indy brought great joy to their audiences. Many of us know and understand what a labor of love it is to prepare and perform on the international stage and we thank you for sharing. And how about all of you who participated in the mass sing? You certainly looked content in the Indianapolis Star on Saturday morning.

Finally, Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” You have a wonderful opportunity this spring to run for your management team or board of directors. It’s an opportunity to learn, grow and serve your fellow Sweet Adelines and your community. Dig in and get to work. You won’t regret it! It’s also time to ready ourselves for regional contest once again. Competing is still the best measure of our progress. Progressing musically is what keeps us coming back to rehearsals each week. We’re very busy women so it’s imperative that our hobbies be educational and rewarding. Keep the joy in your rehearsals and you’ll keep the members coming.

Remember — “tell someone” about your Sweet Adeline experience. By the way … YOU look MAHVELOUS!

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