Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal Partners in Harmony Barbershop Quartet members, from left, Gil Graham, Bob Wise, Chuck Abercrombie and Tom Hammill, rehearse a number in preparation for the singing valentines they will deliver on St. Valentine's Day.
It may not be Cupid ringing the doorbell on St. Valentine's Day, but it could be four dashingly dressed gentlemen delivering a singing valentine.
The Partners in Harmony barbershop quartet are offering singing valentines complete with rose, candy and greeting card for that special someone in a person's life.
Comprised of Bob Wise, Chuck Abercrombie, Gil Graham and Tom Hammill, the men collectively have more than 117 years of voice in a barbershop quartet. And they have more than 123 years of marriage between them.
Graham sings lead; Hammill sings bass; Abercrombie sings baritone; Wise is tenor. They meet and practice year-round.
The group chooses to keep the cost of the singing valentine affordable at $25.
"When we see how surprised and happy the people are to get a singing valentine, it's the reason we keep the cost down," Hammill said.
"We've been to a few homes of some who probably cannot really afford this, but they scrape the money together. Some folks are true romantics and like doing it for their significant other."
"I'm surprised at the number of young kids who are doing this," Abercrombie said.
Appointments are scheduled by Ted Nagel, chapter president. The quartet is available 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 14 and will go to residences or businesses. A few of the songs they perform are "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," "Heart of my Hearts" and "I Love You Truly."
Each year, the quartet has repeat customers, and each year, there is a valentine to remember.
"One of my most memorable is the elderly couple in Genoa," Abercrombie said.
"I remember the lady who was fresh out of the shower, wearing a robe with a towel on her head," Graham said. "She answered the door, and there's her husband with a video camera, and all she said was, 'Oh my God,' and slammed the door. She did come back out."
"There are so many," said Wise. "But it's the young couples who get to me, who you don't expect to be able to afford this. But they go to the effort to express themselves."
"It's great to see the smile on people's faces," Graham added. "We do try to be right on time for the people who are going to be there with a camera."
Hammill said he enjoys seeing the surprise on the people's faces when they open the door. But the emotions that go with it are another story.
"When we sing to an elderly woman and she starts crying, I'm gone," he said.
Money raised through the valentines is put into the Chorus of the Comstock's general fund. Members of the chorus also make a special effort to visit Alzheimer's wards.
Information
WHAT: Partners in Harmony Singing Valentines
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 14
COST: $25
CALL: 720-8316