By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

The original “Sweets and Songs” came into being as part of a church -wide fundraiser three years ago. An evening of singing and dancing, accompanied by much laughter and awesome desserts, provide a great time for all ages. This is a family production and is now an annual event.

This year will feature a ‘50s theme with members of the First Presbyterian chancel choir along with the youth and children’s choirs all being involved. You will clap along with “At the Hop,” “Barbara Ann,” “Beauty School Drop-Out” and many more. An instrumental of “Wipe-Out” will remind many of us of our skating rink days.

The production will be held on Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Thompson Middle School Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10 per person with a charge of no more than $30 per family. Got five kids? Come on out for a fun evening at a reasonable price — much cheaper than the movies. For tickets, call the church office at 663-3152, contact a choir member at First Presbyterian or get your tickets at the door.

The opportunity to share fellowship, memories, dance, laughter and fun will be a good experience for us all. I found myself mouthing the words at rehearsal the other night and my feet were tapping too!

Director of Music Jeannie Hardwick Bubbett grew up in Saginaw with sisters Jane Riley and Jerrilynne Chambers, attended Thompson schools, lived in the same house all her life and knew her life had a higher calling. Parents Lois and Melvin Hardwick made vacation interesting by saying, as they pulled out of the driveway, “which way — right or left?” They taught their girls to be givers, study hard, listen and share their talents or gifts with others. Today, Bubbett tries to instill those same values in her chorus students at Thompson Middle School, her family and the choir she directs. Bubbett is vivacious, young at heart, peppy, talented and downright funny.

The Bubbetts, Jeannie and husband, Jon, met at Troy University, stole a kiss in music theory and it’s been a 31-year marriage. Some kiss! Son Miles, 20, is a junior at the University of South Alabama and daughter, Mallory, is a junior at Thompson High School.

“Our children are our best work on this earth,” Jeannie Bubbett said. Kitchen-table time, just chilling and really discussing the day is her favorite family thing to do.

The Bubbetts’ favorite music period is the “romantic era.” She also loves spirituals and jazz and sings with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Chorus. About the only music she is against is music which has a negative message.

“There is enough bad stuff in the world already, music should give us something to cling to when the world holds us down,” Jeannie Bubbett said. “There is almost no time I feel closer to God than when I sing.”

Community columnist Sandra Thames can be reached by email at bobthames1942@yahoo.com.