Gulfport's talented New Horizons Band to perform at Catherine Hickman Theater

Gulfport's New Horizons Band is an asset to the community, and if you haven't heard them, you really ought to make a point of it. The video is from six years ago and it's really just snippets of the band's work but it'll give you an idea of what it's like. The video seems to be the only one anyone has posted online. Your opportunity for hearing this group is coming up at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13 at the Catherine Hickman Theater in Gulfport.  

The Gabber had a nice story about the group that has settled in well after a 10-year run at Eckerd College. The group's band leader, David Irwin, died during the summer. He had taught music at Eckerd. Now Bob Schaer, who used to conduct the Lakewood Ranch High School band, leads the group.

New Horizons of Gulfport is affiliated with a national organization founded by Dr. Roy Ernst at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, as a program for retirees who want to resume playing in a band or learn an instrument for the first time. Music can be therapeutic. It can bring down high blood pressure. And that's just listening. Think what it can do for you if you're playing.

If you're at Pass-a-Grille at sunset, chances are you're going to see this fun beach ritual

Some things just feel like they've always been that way and always ought to be that way. One of those things out at Pass-a-Grille is the tradition of ringing the bell at sunset. Though it seems as if it has been forever, actually the ritual has been going on for about two decades, so there are those around who remember before the ringing of the bell. Still, there are many for whom the sunset bell and life n Pass-a-Grille are synonymous. We noted with delight Helen J. Simon's recent feature in The Gabber about the bell and the people who look after it. Nice read. 

75 years ago today the Japanese attacked the United States in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

The Wall Street Journal has prepared an amazing report about the preparations for observing the anniversary of the attack that brought the United States into World War II. The man in the picture is one of only seven known Pearl Harbor survivors still living in Hawaii. His name is Dick Girocco and he was a Navy flight engineer during the attack. Today he volunteers at a local museum. You really should read this article about the preparations for the 75th anniversary reunion. Those who in Pearl Harbor on that fateful day deserve our respect and admiration.