Say it with a song
Valentine’s Day singers spreading the love in Pictou County
As a child, Bob Morse remembers he didn’t exactly jump at the chance to compete in a music festival. “I was against it so I went and stayed overnight with a friend of mine who had chicken pox,” he says with a laugh. “I didn’t have to sing in the music festival.” Now older and perhaps a bit wiser, Morse has embraced a love of music and will once again be joining forces with others to brighten Valentine’s Day for people in Pictou County. Singing with him are Peter Townsend, Greg Glasgow, Brian Bowden and Art Bingham, who have been participating in this Feb. 14 tradition for years. All of these men are veteran singers who have sung in various groups over the years and have made a point of keeping the tradition alive. For $25 they will serenade the person of your choice on Valentine’s Day and present them with a rose. To sweeten the deal, their profit will go to charity. They each choose which charity to donate their portion to. For Bowden, the money will be going to Viola’s Place, for instance. Townsend will be donating money to a women’s shelter. Despite the worthy cause, they try to keep the costs low and sing for as many as possible — usually around 25. “We’re raising money for charity,” Bingham said. “But it’s a whole lot better to keep the price low and the customer satisfaction high.” Reactions are often mixed when these gentlemen perform. Many say “Oh no!” and others cry. “We went one year and it was on their wish list,” said Townsend. The men all say they enjoy the camaraderie of singing as a group. Depending on the location and accessibility, three to five of the singers take part. “We have mobility issues amongst us, so we’re going to get anywhere between three and five people singing,” Bingham said. “I think we can sing good with three anyway.” The group is thankful for support from Bob Allen’s, which is donating a rental car for them to use as transportation on Feb. 14 and also to Sobeys which gives them a special price on roses. To book the group, call 902-921-3386.