Retirees show workplaces how it’s done in first choir contest

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This article was published 17/12/2014 (3416 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Rocking Parkway Grannies rolled to victory in the Winnipeg Free Press’s first Hark! The Workplace Choirs Sing contest.

The group of four ladies, residents of The Parkway Retirement Community in Winnipeg who play bridge together, were chosen from among 13 submissions after they garnered the most votes through the Winnipeg Free Press website for their performance.

In their winning entry, the four Rocking Parkway Grannies wore tinsel boas and Santa hats as they sat around a table singing their rendition of Let it Snow with accompanying arm actions.

“I’ve been crying all morning, I’m just so happy,” said Norma Mulcair, who organized the Grannies. “I’m just so, so thrilled. All of us are just so excited.

“I think that what helped was we all have a lot of children. I have eight, most of the ladies in our group have over five children and we let all the kids know and they let all their friends know and it just went on and on and on!”

Along with Mulcair, the Grannies include Elizabeth Watkins, Elsie Alguire and Pat Kettner.

The contest is part of the Winnipeg Free Press’s Miracle on Mountain campaign which is raising money for the Christmas Cheer Board to make the holiday season great for families in need. The Miracle on Mountain campaign was formed after a merger of the Free Press’s two former Christmas charities — Spirit of Christmas and Pennies from Heaven.

“I want to congratulate the Rocking Parkway Grannies for becoming the first winners of our Christmas choral challenge. They captured the essence of what we wanted to do, by spreading both Christmas cheer and raising money for the Cheer Board,” said Winnipeg Free Press editor Paul Samyn, the creative mind behind the contest.

“I also hope they will stay out of retirement and return next year to try to defend their title when we will again invite workplace choirs to lift their voices in song help make a Miracle on Mountain.”

Among the assorted workplace submissions were Pet Valu McPhillips, Warehouse One, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Communications, Manitoba Hydro, McNally Robinson and the Free Press itself.

The Cheer Board has been helping others at Christmas for 95 years. The board’s caring volunteers are able to do so thanks to the kindness of Manitobans.

Please give generously and help them get the job done this year.

Cheques can be mailed to The Miracle on Mountain, Box 1800, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R1.

When you’re out and about shopping this festive season, please drop your extra change in our bins at Portage Place Shopping Centre on the second floor, or at any of six city Walmarts, at our News Café at 237 McDermot Avenue in the Exchange District, or at our offices at 1355 Mountain Avenue.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca