Singing with The Ideals in Fordyce, Arkansas...so much fun!

From 1965 to 1969, I sang with a group called The Ideals, in Fordyce, Arkansas. We were high school teens in the sixites and quite influenced by the folk and gospel music of the Vietnam era. Two of our biggest musical mentors were Erby Sparler, the music director at church who helped us get started, and Faye Ellis, the pastor's wife who had a master of arts in music and gave us hours and hours of vocal instructions.

Pictured is front left to right: Becky Vineyard (Rogers), who still lives in Fordyce and Becky Cochran (Bryant), who lives in Sheridan and works in Little Rock. Back left to right: Sherry Smith (Leary), who lives near San Antonio, Texas, and me, Sheila Witherington. I now live in Little Rock. We actually sang together again for the first time in 36 years last year. It was a great reunion. There is a deep connection we have that has survived the many years. What a blessing. I am truly blessed to have good friends.

My thoughts for today.
Sheila Witherington