Steel Magnolias take New England by storm

Snowstorm Avery hit the northeast by surprise in mid-November, and The Steel Magnolias ran right smack dab into it. We retreated and took cover for the night, but only to strike out again the next morning as we made our final destination to Portland, Maine for yet another concert.

The Steel Magnolias returned to San Marcos Thanksgiving week after 11 days traveling to Washington, D.C., where they made seven appearances in the D.C. area on the weekends of Nov. 11 and 18. After the first weekend of concerts, we headed north to the New England States for a series of gospel music concerts traveling through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine before returning to the Capitol City for the second weekend of singing.

The singing troupe was almost grounded (literally) outside Boston, Massachusetts, as we finished a concert and found the area blanketed with snow. It was coming down hard, and we knew we needed to get in position for a concert the next morning, but wanted to be careful not to put ourselves in jeopardy.

The ladies packed up and left hurriedly after the concert to get ahead of the storm if possible, cancelling a two and a half hour drive to Portland, ME, and found a hotel to accommodate the group 35 miles up the road, in Hampton, New Hampshire, which regrettably took over an hour and half to trek to through the storm. We finally stopped and were so thankful we had called ahead to secure accommodations for lodging much closer in proximity. We were just about there when the roads became completely covered, and we were not able to see the lane markers any longer. 

The next morning was evidence enough why we stopped when we did, as we witnessed several 18 wheelers, trucks and cars being towed out of ditches. Many had remained in their cars for hours until help arrived – not a situation we would have welcomed with all of us traveling with suitcases and sound equipment in two rented passenger vans. We Texans are not used to that kind of weather.    

We made it to Maine that morning, but were about 45 minutes late for our concert. The folks waiting for us were so gracious telling us they would have surely given us a “pass” if we couldn’t come, knowing full well what we were up against, but we pressed on knowing there would be an audience waiting for us. We sang our hearts out, wanting to make up for the delay in the concert start time. The crowd was not disappointed and we were thrilled we had moved on for the slow drive the next morning. It was worth it when we saw the smiles on their faces – what a joy it was to sing for these sweet people at The Cedars Senior Community in Portland.

The ladies had 11 scheduled appearances for their 2018 Fall Tour, and added 19 more opportunities with “Flash Mobs” throughout the New England States. When we go on the road to sing, we will also stop and sing whenever asked. On this trip some of the highlights were at the Ronald Reagan National Airport, the Washington Cathedral, the Smithsonian Institute, exiting the White House, Faneuil Hall in Boston, singing for Veterans, or being held captive at a New Jersey Turnpike toll booth by an agent who insisted we sing as we passed through to pay our toll. That was unbelievable . . . but we were running late for a concert, and this man commandeered our vehicle, so we started singing at the top of our lungs for this agent. There were cars flying through on either side of this toll booth (you get the picture), not to speak of cars lining up behind us. Lots of drivers honking horns and chaos ensued, but this man was determined to hear us sing, starting with “How Great Thou Art,” and ending with “The Old Rugged Cross.” We were late for the dinner provided for us at the concert venue, but singing is what we do, so we DID!!! I laugh now thinking of that situation, as it was a moment of sheer tumult as this man was adamant that we sing for him. He had the biggest smile on his face as we continued through our songs and he never blinked or acknowledged the utter confusion around him. We looked him straight in the eyes and we, too, never blinked – giving him our undivided attention. It was a moment in time – a forever memory!

We made our way on up to Boston wanting to do a tour of the Freedom Trail. What a journey that was through the Boston Commons, Paul Revere’s House, site of the Boston Massacre and many other historic places in Boston. We ended up at Faneuil Hall, the Cradle of Liberty, on an elevator that opened into a private room where a chorus of men were practicing for their presentation at the “United States Naturalization Ceremony” for prospective American citizens, which was to be held in the Main Assembly Room of Faneuil Hall. We sang for the practicing men’s choir and they sang for us – we left and went immediately into the great hall. What a picture that was – absolutely beautiful. 

 The assembly of immigrants was filled with anticipation, and the delight of what was about to happen showed on their faces . . . sheer joy! Those who were to be sworn in were “dressed to the nines” – this was a long-awaited day for these individuals and it was thrilling for us to witness the gathering of friends and families for this event. People were smiling from ear to ear – they would soon be welcomed as new citizens of this great country . . . AMERICA!!!! 

The most special “flash mob” we presented on this tour was when we landed in Washington, D.C. on the first leg of our trip which was Veteran’s Day weekend. We had connected in Houston with a flight going to the Capitol City and there were several veterans on board who were with OPERATION FREEDOM BIRD. This organization, which started in 1988, has been flying soldiers suffering from PTSD for a four-day healing journey each year at this time, and here they were. As we made our way to the baggage claim area, here came a parade of these soldiers through the terminal. We began to sing “God Bless America” and the men were moving at a definite pace, but raised their arms in salute to our singing – one even came over and hugged my neck and said, “Thank you!” That was a highlight for me. 

  We ended our tour coming up the skyway at the Austin Bergstrom Airport singing and again coming down the escalator in the baggage claim area. We sang all the time; I had become numb to preparing myself to sing and when someone said, “Would you sing for us?” we just started belting out another song. It became an automatic response – we didn’t even consider where we were. I had been asleep the entire three and a half hour direct flight home, and wasn’t sure where I was. Ha! When I saw our bus driver, who came to pick us up in Austin, just as he had dropped us off on our departing flight in San Antonio — along with some of the husbands down in baggage claim, holding signs and flowers, waving to us — I knew we were home! Yea!  

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving – we had ours early this year!!!  

It was a great time of giving and receiving in New England, but we were thankful to be home. 

We love TEXAS!!