Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal file photo Barbershop quartet members, from left, Jim Crowley, Dave Ramer, Lester Harris and Rook Wetzel, will be delivering Singing Valentines around Carson City next week as part of three groups performing to raise money for the Chorus on the Comstock organization.
By Rhonda Costa-Landers
Appeal Staff Writer
In days gone by, a gesture of affection from a man to a woman included serenading her or bringing her flowers or candy.
Though that was many years ago, the Chorus of the Comstock is continuing a time-honored tradition by making available three quartets to deliver to that special someone - female or male - a gift of love.
On Valentine's Day, handsomely dressed men will deliver a chocolate lollipop, personalized card and a red rose, then sing three songs to the recipient, all for a suggested $30 donation.
"We've been doing this seven or eight years now," said Rook Wetzel, president of the Chorus of the Comstock.
The quartets include Partners in Harmony and the Wild Cards, but the third quartet is yet to be named.
Wetzel said the third quartet has been added due to high demand and to be able to accommodate a larger service area. Quartets will sing from Gardnerville to Carson City, to Mound House and Dayton.
Wetzel, who has been singing with the Chorus for about six years and with Reno for quite some time, said each year there are memorable events.
"One year, we went to sing for a guy's wife who was in the hospital," he said. "She then asked us to sing for another woman's mom who was in a wheelchair and about to have a serious operation."
Wetzel paused, overcome with emotion recalling the day.
"When you do this, it comes from the heart," he said. "It puts a lump in your throat.
"It's very rewarding when you touch people's lives, even just a little bit."
Wetzel said proceeds from the Singing Valentines fund the group's operation for the year, sends high school students to camps and colleges and supports various music programs.
"It's important to us, financially."
Singing Valentines
WHO: Chorus of the Comstock Barbershop Quartets
WHEN: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Valentine's Day
WHERE: From Gardnerville Ranchos to Carson City to Dayton
COST: $30 donation requested, includes songs, red rose, chocolate lollipop and personalized card
CALL: (888) 904-1999 or 720-8316