By Linda Elissalde
Thanks to the support of our peninsula community, the inaugural SUMMER GOSPEL MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA AND BAZAAR! can be counted as a successful event. Bruce Haire’s life-long dream became a reality on June 14, 2014. Bruce lined up a stellar cast of musicians from the area. Their performances pleased the audience with varied and unique numbers. Thanks to the help of Chris Smith, who fixed a cranky generator, the show was able to go on in style with Curtis Morgan as MC. Performers included Travis Hefley from CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP WORSHIP CENTER, Jean, Mary Jean, Anna Leigh, and Bill Sargent of EXODUS XV, Sandy Cook and the COMMUNITY CHURCH GOSPEL BAND, Bucky Faggard, Margie McAlpin and THE HIGH ISLAND BAPTIST YOUTH CHOIR, Mary Hernandez of ZUMBA FOR JESUS, Mrs. Yvonne Hatcher, and Kellie Calvit and Kayla Leorch of SPRING MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH. Bruce and Skip Haire with THREE WAY SWITCH closed out the gospel music program.
However, as great as the musical numbers were they were matched by wonderful and varied vendors. These included: BEACH BUNS, KONA ICE, BAY VUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, NICOLE BODDIE, BOLIVAR PENINSULA CULTURAL FOUNDATION, TAMMY CLEMMONS, PATTY HAGSTROM, GREEN LIFE NURSERY, HIGH ISLAND BAPTIST CHURCH, HOUSE OF DISCIPLES, RITA MOSELEY, BILL RICHTER, MARY ELLEN SMITH OF BEACH OR BAY, and DEE WHISNANT. The CHILDREN’S CORNER thrived under the leadership of Carolyn Akers, Christine Whitney, Kathy Tucker and Maggie Elissalde.
Sherry Morgan described the EXTRAVAGANZA as, “a Fun Raiser, not a fund raiser.” It turned out to be a bit of both. With this inaugural event under their belts Bruce Haire and Bay Vue United Methodist Church are already planning a GOSPEL MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA AND BAZAAR! for next year. Don’t miss it!
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It was a fun site and the music was great. Sorry I missed seeing you and even sorrier that I lost in the bidding for several times I would have loved to have had. But it was such a beautiful day and a great place to eat and enjoy.