Main Sections

Spreading A Little Joy Around Meet The Unpredictables

photo by Photo Provided When the Unpredictables come to an elderly care home or an appearance, the songs may be unpredictable, but very predictable is sharing joy through music, comedy and song! Besides the hoilday season, the group is also active in the summer and where ever a smile is needed.

photo by Photo Provided Floats in the annual Hinestburgh July 4th parade are yet another way the Unpredictables and members of the Laplotte Chapter # 64 of the Eastern Star reach out to the community.

photo by Photo Provided For Dick & Wilma Preston, the Unpredictables is a way to bring laughter and a bit of joy to many up and down the Champlain Valley. Seen here are members : Ellie Carpenter, Judy Humphrey, Wilma Preston, Dick Preston and Bob Harrington.

photo by Photo Provided Yes, Elvis does stop on by in the performances, " Thank you very much" and is just one of many in the cast of characters that Dick Preston assumes as part of the Unpredictables.

Tuesday December 1, 2015

By Cookie Steponaitis

Richard and Wilma Preston have been married fifty-nine years and have been involved with the Masons and Order of the Eastern Star for almost as long. Both fraternal organizations were founded on the principals of serving the community. The Prestons belong to the Laplotte Chapter #64 of the Eastern Star in Hinesburgh, Vermont. The members are active in setting community goals each year that have included projects at Camp Ta-Kumpta, Camp Thorpe, Veterans Programs and more. They also serve the year round in the form of a musical and comedy group called The Unpredictables founded close to thirty years ago. The Unpredictables perform at nursing homes, parades and other gatherings throughout the year with music, dance and comedy featuring routines that encompass the 1930’s -1950’s. At the heart of The Unpredictables is the creativity of many members including Richard and Wilma Preston. Whether it is a female ensemble called the Lemon Sisters, the Laplotte River Bottom Boys or dance and song routines where Elvis and other famous people have been known to make an appearance, The Unpredictables are entering another busy holiday season with performances from Rutland to Burlington.
    The group is currently comprised of Ellie Carpenter, Donna Masterson, Joan Ouimette, Ray Ouimette, Judy Humphrey, Maurice Humphrey, Elaine Harrington, Dee Howe, Madine Churchill, Rodney Churchill, Natalie Billings and Richard and Wilma Preston. The Unpredictables like to, “spread a little joy around,” grinned Unpredictable Dick Preston who shared a favorite story of a show at a nursing home where one elderly woman had her head bent over and was not engaging. When Preston and the group burst into song she perked up, quipped with the group and threw them great opening lines and puns. “That for us is what it is about,” concluded the Prestons. “Giving some joy and smiles is what we like to do.”
    People wanting to contact The Unpredictables for appearances or possibly to join, should contact Dick and Wilma Preston at (802) 425-2463 or Donna Masterson at (802)870-7115 . In addition, the LaPlotte Chapter #64 of the Eastern Star in Hinesburgh is seeking new members to join them in community service work and projects and any questions can be directed to the Prestons or Donna Masterson. Whether it is a song, dance, skit or a musical presentation including all, the Unpredictables are in fact very predictable because in each appearance and with each audience they see, engage with a focus on the heart, the smile and sharing of fun and music. The Valley Voice salutes the Prestons and all the Unpredictables for demonstrating what Vermont Mason William Arthur Ward meant when he remarked, “Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring with others, and sharing with others.”

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives