Convention’s 25th Anniversary
The 25th International Whistlers Convention, April 16-19, 1998 had a major change in programming. For the first time the convention schedule had two days and an evening for prolonged competition. This resulted in the finalists having to be prepared for as many as eight songs instead of two. The Convention was part of a “Happy Whistlers Week” designated by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the Governor of North Carolina as for many years in the past.
Honored judges were Milton Briggs, a prolific composer of classical and popular works for whistlers. From Carmichaels, California, he was also the director of the 1998 International School for Whistlers held on April 16. Other judges were Juanita Williams, a retired music teacher, performer, and world traveler; Joe Shearon, musician and choir member, and member of the Louisburg Town Council; and Edith Anderson, retired musician of choral music and music theory with the Governor’s Award of excellence. The latter three judges were from Louisburg, North Carolina. From Franklinton, North Carolina was another judge, Cenieth Elmore, a retired composer, teacher, and concert performer from Campbell University; Mitch Hider, from Monroe, Oregon was the Convention’s Master of Ceremonies. He is a professional whistler and has written a history of whistling.
Children’s International Whistling Champions were first-place Blair Haggett of Alexandria, Virginia, and second-place to Joseph Pellegrino of Franklinton, North Carolina. Teenage International Whistling Champions were first-place Michael Barimo of Winter Park. Florida, and second-place to James Smith of Louisburg, North Carolina. In the adult division for the International Whistling Champions were males Tanguay Desgagne of Sherbrooke, Canada for first-place, and Chris Ullman of Arlington, Virginia in second-place. The female champion for first-place was Mimi Drummond of Horsham, Pennsylvania, and second-place was Astrid Hillebrand of Nottuln, Germany. | | The whistler who traveled the farthest was Leo Eide from Jarfalla, Sweden. Mary Frances Herndon of Sedalia, Missouri, was winner of the Lillian Williams Entertainment Award. Sidney Stafford of Louisburg received the 25th Anniversary Special Service Award. In the Division of Allied Arts, the first-place teenage winner was Michael Barimo of Winter Park, Florida. For the adult females, first-place was Kathleen Radspinner of Hughesville, Pennsylvania, and second-place went to Norma Pugh of Austin, Texas. Adult men were firstplace winner John Ross of Silver Spring, Maryland, and second-place to Clinton Hyson of Seat Pleasant, Maryland. Milton Briggs won the 1998 Hall of Fame Award, the Convention’s highest honor for a leader in the musical art of whistling.
School for Whistlers Expanded
Directed by Mary Frances Herndon of Sedalia, Missouri, the International School for whistlers was extended to three sessions for April 15 and 16, 1999. Competition for the 26th International Whistlers Convention began on the afternoon of April 16, included the evening, and all day April 17. The closing luncheon was at noon on April 18. Master of Ceremonies for the Convention was Mitch Hider from Monroe, Oregon. Sid Stafford, sponsored by WHLQ and WYRN Radio in Louisburg, portrayed Benjamin Franklin to honor Franklin County. Judges were Beth Isley, Brian Miller, Mark Campbell and Cenieth Elmore, all highly qualified musicians and from Franklin County.
Winners in the Children’s Competition were Whitney Harris (third-place); Joseph Cutchins III (second-place); and Blair Haggett, from Alexandria, Virginia (first-place). Jeff Tillitt was teenage champion, from Louisburg. Female adult champions were Patsy Ediger, Dayton, Oregon (third-place); Betty Sylliaasen, Sacramento, California (second-place); and Mimi Drummond, Horsham, Pennsylvania (first-place). Male champions were | |
