A RiverPlace Christmas

by Verna McVay

Hearts were touched and voices raised on December 7th when dozens of people from multiple locales joined together to share A RiverPlace Christmas 2024. It was an event filled with joy, laughter and more than a few tears.

There were numerous musical presents unwrapped for the community to enjoy. The bell choir, which spanned a large age range and multiple generations was uplifting and entertaining. Special thanks for their hard work and dedication go out to Jeff and Shelley Galle, Pam and Bob Wenzel and Jim and Jenee Provance,

The audience, which filled not only the performance hall, but spilled over into the adjoining areas, was carried with the choir and cast back in time to the late 1800’s and the story of the Spafford family.

Horatio and Anna Spafford (played by Glen Heppner and Keysha Wolfe) lost not only their livelihood but their children to great misfortune. This pain and sorrow is what caused Horatio to pen one of the most hauntingly beautiful hymns of all time, “It is Well With My Soul”. The patrons watched and many tears were shed as the choir sang their way through the emotional story.

Shelley Galle and Pam Wenzel had tears of laughter rolling down cheeks as they engaged in what Shelley called, “numerous interpretations of a familiar Christmas tune.” The speed, accuracy and amusement as their fingers flew over the keys had the amazed audience filled with laughter. “We had SO much fun! Very rarely do piano instructors get to perform together at their playing level…just for fun!” said Shelley Galle when asked about the event.

There was music provided by many others, including the talents of Nancy Fisher, Trina Billingsley, Roseau High School Eclipse, Sarah Homme, Christy Olafson, Pam Bertilrud and more.

Gratitude is offered to the staff of RiverPlace for all they have done and continue to do for our community. They worked hard behind the scenes and throughout the building to make sure that A RiverPlace Christmas was a huge success.

"What a wonderful beginning of which we have been honored and privileged to be a part of. It will be exciting to experience how the RIverPlace facility will put Northern Minnesota on the map!" excitedly stated Jenee Provance.