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MDB Capital Holdings Provides Third Quarter 2024 UpdateNone
In her new memoir, Angela Merkel writes about the many dilemmas she had to navigate as Chancellor of Germany. Dilemmas her male colleagues never had to sweat. Like, can you wear a pantsuit instead of a skirt in the Bundestag, Germany's parliament? She decided the answer was, yes. Merkel is the only woman ever to rise to the most powerful political post in Germany. She served as chancellor from 2005 to 2021. Angela Merkel has gone toe-to-toe with world leaders like Vladimir Putin, led Germany through times of turmoil and become a role model for other women aspiring to positions of leadership. But her legacy is complex. She gets into all of this in her new memoir, "Freedom." For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for C onsider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Email us at considerthis@npr.org . This episode was produced by Erika Ryan and Esme Nicholson, with audio engineering by Andie Huether.It was edited by Courtney Dorning.Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.Norfolk Southern Corp. stock underperforms Monday when compared to competitors despite daily gainsPhoto contributed Fresno County is closing in on its $400,000 goal to launch the . Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell and County Supervisor Brian Pacheco hosted a fundraiser on Dec. 17 that raised $73,000. With the success of the fundraiser. Fresno County is only $20,000 away from the $400,000 needed. In November, Maxwell announced that the City of Fresno contributed $225,000 to help jumpstart the campaign. According to the news release highlighting the fundraiser, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library would “provide an age-appropriate, high-quality book each month to registered children from birth to age five at no cost to the family.” Maxwell stressed the importance of bringing a program like this to Fresno in the release. “When our children succeed, our city succeeds,” Maxwell said. “Every child enrolled in this program will receive up to 60 free books by the time they start kindergarten, helping to ensure their educational success. They say it takes a village to raise a child and so many great people and organizations across Fresno have stood up to the occasion to turn this wonderful program into a reality.” The release mentioned some of the other large-amount donors in addition to the fundraiser and the city’s initial contribution, highlighting Valley Children’s Healthcare, Producers Dairy, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Pacific Gas & Electric Company and local leaders including Fresno Councilmember and recently elected County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld, Fresno City Employees Association among other supporters. Donations can be made on the website. Fresno County is closing in on its $400,000 goal to (AP) — Several environmental groups are suing California air regulators Marjaree Mason Center officials announced Thursday that a $1 million donation Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday proclaimed a state of emergencySchrock: U.S. ranks low in public science literacy
VANCOUVER, BC , Dec. 18, 2024 /CNW/ - SKRR Exploration Inc. SKRR (FSE: B04Q) (" SKRR " or the " Company ") is pleased to announce the appointments of Messrs. Aleem Fidai and Bryson Goodwin to the Board of Directors of the Company (the " Board "). The Board accepted the resignation of Jeremy Ross as a director of the Company, and as member of the Board's Audit Committee effective December 18, 2024 , and is pleased to announce that Mr. Aleem Fidai has joined as a director of the Company to fill the vacancy created by the foregoing resignation and has also been appointed to the Audit Committee in place of Mr. Ross. The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Bryson Goodwin as a director of the Company. Sherman Dahl , President & CEO of the Company, comments: " Properly telling the company story to the investing community is a competitive business. If it is not done properly, the return on these initiatives is deeply impacted. Adding Aleem and Bryson to the team is a win for SKRR as we move forward into 2025. The board wishes to thank Jeremy Ross for his dedication and many contributions to the SKRR board over the years. We wish him well in his future endeavors. " Biographical Information of New Board Members: Mr. Aleem Fidai , based in Vancouver , brings specialized expertise in strategic, investor-focused marketing, online communications, and shareholder relations. A successful resource sector investor, he has built a strong investor network and a track record in operational improvement, marketing strategy, and corporate promotion across North America and Europe . As the founder and CEO of Senergy Communications Capital, a leading investor relations and marketing firm, Aleem has managed multimillion-dollar media and advertising spend for publicly listed companies in Canada . Aleem understands the dynamics of attracting investors across all demographics. He has already worked with over 40+ public companies, making a notable impact in the industry at such an early stage in his career. Aleem is focused on adding true value to public companies with well thought out digital strategies. Mr. Aleem Fidai comments: " I am thrilled to join the Board of Directors at SKRR Exploration and contribute to reshaping the company's trajectory. Together, we'll build a high-performing operational team and a strong project pipeline aligned with our long-term vision. It's an honor to be part of this journey, and I look forward to a successful collaboration that delivers lasting value for all shareholders ." Mr. Bryson Goodwin is a practiced international executive with extensive experience in finance, management, investor relations and operations with both private and public companies. His experience has demonstrated an operational, market and banking track record in the technology, biotechnology, oil/gas and resource sectors. Over the course of his career, he has fostered an extensive high‐profile international association of contacts and close relationships through networking and proficient communication skills. He has been engaged by a number of resource, energy, clean tech and technology firms in the departments of finance, business development, public and investor relations, marketing, and sales. This has required extensive travel and flexibility in approach to business. Most recently he has held C‐level executive positions in a banking and finance capacity. He brings extensive experience in the systems governing Canadian and U.S. stock exchanges, as well as public company management, predominantly in the resource and energy sectors. Mr. Goodwin also sits on the board of a number of public and private companies. About SKRR Exploration Inc. SKRR is a Canadian-based precious and base metal explorer with properties in Saskatchewan – some of the world's highest ranked mining jurisdictions. The primary exploration focus is on the Trans-Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan in search of world class uranium, precious, and base metal deposits. The Trans-Hudson Orogen – although extremely well known in geological terms has been significantly under-explored in Saskatchewan . SKRR is committed to all stakeholders including shareholders, all its partners and the environment in which it operates. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Sherman Dahl President & CEO Tel: 250-558-8340 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This news release contains "forward‐looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, the potential plans for the Company's projects, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its projects and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of metals and uranium, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner and that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses and those other risks filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. The Company does not undertake to update forward‐looking statements or forward‐looking information, except as required by law. SOURCE SKRR Exploration Inc. View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2024/18/c4806.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Wake Forest keeps Detroit Mercy at arm's length for winNone
Trump's threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for reliefEvery Black Friday, there’s a number of viral products that everyone has on their Christmas wish list, and we don’t expect this year to be any different. However, not all of these popular items are going to stay in stock, and we have some insight on the ones that won’t. Black Friday is big business, and last year shoppers spent $222.1 billion during the entire holiday shopping season, according to Queue-it. Sales on Black Friday reached $16.4 billion (online and in stores), and this was a 9% increase from the year before. While it comes as no surprise that electronics are the most sought-after products of the holiday season, Queue-it said this accounts for the majority of holiday sales, jumping to $50.8 billion in 2023. Apparel, furniture, groceries and toys are the other hot sellers of Black Friday. Together, these five categories accounted for 65% of sales during the holidays last year and is only expected to grow in 2024. While many items that sell out over Black Friday are driven by a good deal, we also know that a hot product is just that — a gift that most people want to open on Christmas Day. So, here are our picks for the top 10 hot-ticket items that could sell out over Black Friday. Samsung 98-inch QLED TV 1. Big TVs The holidays are ripe for TV deals, and we expect shoppers to buy a ton of them in 2024, especially at Walmart. Consumers are trending toward bigger TVs and the super low-price deals over Black Friday force many models to sell out. This is especially true of popular models from Samsung, Hisense, LG and more favorites. Apple Watch Series 9 2. Apple Watches Apple's smartwatches are a top pick among Apple fans. We’ve seen prices on the Apple Watch continue to trend downward, which was only spurred by the release of the new Apple Watch 10 in September. This pushed down prices on earlier models, with the best deals coming on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 9. For Black Friday, we think the prices will drop even lower and sell out due to high demand. Beats Solo3 3. Beats headphones Wireless headphones are one of the most popular products of 2024, and Beats are one of the top brands. We’re already seeing big markdowns on Beats Wireless Headphones, and we expect these price drops to continue into Black Friday. The Beats Solo3 is likely to be on sale for even cheaper than we’ve already seen, and we think they will sell out for Black Friday, with the possibility of other popular Beats headphones joining them. Apple AirPods (3rd gen) 4. Apple AirPods If you haven’t picked up a pair of Apple AirPods yet, this could be your year to do it. With Apple launching a fourth generation of AirPods earlier this year, the price on prevvious models are creeping lower. We think over Black Friday they’ll be at their cheapest price ever, with the AirPods (3rd Gen) likely to sell out. JBL Flip 6 5. JBL bluetooth speakers Bluetooth speakers are a must-have for many this year, and with the big sound that comes from JBL’s speakers, it’s easy to see why they might sell out for Black Friday. These popular speakers come in a variety of portable sizes and waterproof designs. We expect big deals on JBL’s top-rated Clip 5 and Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker models. Apple iPad (10th Gen) 6. Apple iPad One of Apple’s most sought-after products of the year was the iPad, and we saw the 9th Gen and 10th Gen models drop to their lowest prices ever. We think this year will bring some iPad bliss with even better discounts, but these deals will disappear just as fast as they arrive. We think that mega discounts on the iPad (9th Gen) and iPad (10th Gen) could cause sell outs, especially on Amazon. Dyson Airwrap 7. Dyson Airwrap The Dyson Airwrap just might be the top product of Black Friday, as this is one of the rare times there’s a discount on the beloved hair styling tool. At $600, the Airwrap carries a hefty price tag, so any discount presented is a welcome surprise. But as we’ve seen in the past, any Black Friday deal on the Dyson Airwrap causes a crush of interest that’s followed by a sell out. Ugg Tasman slippers 8. UGG Tasman slippers If you’ve tried to scoop up the UGG Tasman Slippers in previous years, you already know they never stay in stock for long. As the “it” slipper of the holiday season, UGG’s Tasman sells out multiple times over the holidays, even without a discount offered. We think that this year will be similar, with popular sizes and colors of the Tasman Slipper snatched up fast over Black Friday. Bissell Little Green 9. Bissell Little Green The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is a popular home product that just can’t seem to stay in stock. With prices falling under $90, this mighty machine can be a blessing for pet owners and parents, as its compact size makes it easy to store and use when needed. We’ve seen the Little Green Machine sell out before, and we’d be surprised if it didn’t do it again over Black Friday. Furby Galaxy Edition 10. Furby Galaxy Edition We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a top toy that we think will be hard to find and gift this year. Our pick is the Furby Galaxy Edition. This glow-in-the-dark Furby is based on the original Furby from the late ’90s with even more features, interactive modes and more fun. Making a comeback in 2023, we saw the revival of this popular toy sell out last year, and we expect the new Furby Galaxy Edition to do the same. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Make your house a home For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!
NoneWinter conditions are likely to blame for members of a group of 15 hikers making a second unexpected overnight on the Kludahk Trail northeast of Jordan River. For some, a second night was spent with some well-trained rescue volunteers, while others hiked out Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue was called in before noon on Sunday (Nov. 14) for the group that included four adults and 11 kids roughly aged 11 to 15, said Victoria Clarke, coordinator for JdF SAR and a search manager. “I suspect they underestimated the winter conditions up there,” she told the Sooke News Mirror. “Those are challenging weather conditions on the Kludahk Trail, even the most prepared people once you get wet, once you get cold, your body expends a lot of energy trying to stay warm and we worry about hypothermia. “What it’s like in Jordan River is not what it’s like in the Kludahk Trail.” The group had hiked up, overnighting at Meadow Cabin Saturday then on to Wye Lake before calling for help after determining hiking out Sunday wasn’t possible as a group. An InReach – A Garmin satellite communicator – provided them quick and key access to the resources. “Thanks to West Coast helicopters we were able to insert two people to get there quickly. That enabled us to make an assessment of what was going on,” said Clarke, one of the two SAR volunteers who made the first in-person contact. With the 442 Squadron military search and rescue helicopter team on call from Comox, the initial plan was to helicopter all 15 people out of the wilderness. Low clouds and the setting sun scuttled that plan. After an assessment, two adults and six young people from the group hiked out with Juan de Fuca and Metchosin SAR members while others remained overnight. “Once we made that decision and I had more team members come in to assist, they came in by foot and we got a big fire going,” said Clarke, who hiked out that night to get warm and dry herself before taking over command at Jordan River the next day. Those left behind were warm and dry, with bellies full of hot food and drink, to shelter in place overnight. “It’s the kind of thing we don’t normally have to do, but we train for that, so it all came together,” Clarke said. “They were great, they were all able to hike out. We had lots of people to assist with their gear and equipment.” The group was prepared, doing nearly everything right including calling for help early before waiting until things were more dire, forcing the rescue team to make assessments and decisions in the dark. “They had good gear, they called for help when they realized they were in trouble. I credit them for having communication devices,” Clarke said. “I commend them for calling early, for recognizing when they needed help.” As is also often the case, the rescue was a team sport. For this rescue that included Metchosin Search and Rescue, West Coast Helicopters and 442 Squadron (the Canadian Forces transport and rescue squadron based in Comox). “Sometimes it takes various components in a rescue, everyone coming together and working hand-in-hand,” Clarke said. “We don’t do this on our own. We do it with the support and assistance of other teams.”
Mixed reactions to Tjibaou's election to New Caledonia pro-independence party
Becton Dickinson & Co. stock underperforms Monday when compared to competitors despite daily gainsHealth In Tech, Inc. Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering
Posing on red carpet at film premiere, Gray after another trip in taxpayer funded limo
Ian Schieffelin came within two assists of a triple-double and Clemson handed Penn State its first loss with a 75-67 decision for the championship of the Sunshine Slam tournament Tuesday in Daytona Beach, Fla. Schieffelin finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for the Tigers (6-1), leading four players in double figures. Chase Hunter added 17 points, while Chauncey Wiggins scored 14 and reserve Del Jones chipped in 10 points. Clemson sank 9 of 19 3-pointers, converted 16 of 20 free throws and was able to limit the impact of the Nittany Lions' full-court pressure. The Tigers committed just 13 turnovers, helping them hold Penn State (6-1) to less than 85 points for the first time this year. Ace Baldwin starred in defeat with game highs of 20 points and 11 assists, while center Yanic Konan Niederhauser added 14 points. Nick Kern came off the bench to score 11 but Penn State was outscored 15-2 on the fast break and made just 4 of 18 attempts from 3-point range. Schieffelin came up big down the stretch, assisting on a 3-pointer by Jaeden Zackery with 6:04 left that made it 65-61. Then he made two foul shots and tossed in a jump hook from the lane to up the margin to 71-66 with 1:03 left. The big storyline going into this game was which team would be able to control the pace. Penn State came in averaging 96 ppg, while Clemson demonstrated its ability to enforce a slower tempo in March, advancing to a regional final in the NCAA Tournament. In the first 10 minutes of the game, the Tigers made the Nittany Lions play at a crawl, opening up a 17-10 advantage when Schieffelin converted a short hook in the lane. But Penn State answered with an 18-4 run over nearly six minutes, establishing a 28-21 lead when Kern shook free for a layup. Clemson rallied with nine straight points but the Nittany Lions had the last say as Baldwin converted a layup with 24 seconds left, cutting the Tigers' edge to 38-36 at halftime. --Field Level Media
Nokia completes the share buyback program launched in MarchJOHANNESBURG South Africa on Monday reiterated its call for an immediate cease-fire in Palestine and Lebanon and the initiation of a political process to secure a just and lasting peace. "South Africa once again calls on the State of Israel to realize that the only way to achieve peace is a two-state solution where Israel will be able to exist side-by-side in peace with a viable and fully independent Palestinian State within internationally recognized parameters," said a statement marking the 47th United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Pretoria highlighted that the unresolved Palestinian issue, now spanning 75 years, remains central to tensions in the Middle East. "This occasion (International Day of Solidarity) provides us with a crucial opportunity to reflect and take stock of the plight of the people of Palestine," the statement said. South Africa reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to strengthening its bond of solidarity, friendship and cooperation with Palestine. "In keeping with South Africa’s long-term and principled support for the Palestinian people, the Government of South Africa remains committed to supporting initiatives aimed at refocusing the international agenda on Palestine and a revived Middle East peace process," the statement added. The government also urged the international community to intensify efforts to assist Palestinians in achieving their aspirations for freedom, justice and the establishment of an independent state.
The morning of Sept. 5, 1972, began like any other for producer Geoffrey Mason and his ABC Sports team in Munich: another day of capturing the "thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" at the Summer Olympic Games. But as dawn broke, the control room received word that something was terribly wrong. Details emerged. Members of the Palestinian militant group Black September had taken 11 Israeli athletes hostage, demanding the release of hundreds of prisoners held in their country's jails. Inside the cramped ABC control room, instead of covering athletic triumphs, members of the ABC Sports team suddenly found themselves reporting on a life-or-death crisis playing out in real time a few hundred meters away, as the world watched in horror. "At one point, the doors of the control room busted open and the German police came in, armed with machine guns, and told us to turn the camera off," Mason, now 84 and the only surviving member of the core ABC team, recalled on a recent afternoon over Zoom from his home in Naples, Florida. "That was a seminal moment because we realized what we were doing was having real impact." Hours later, the situation reached a tragic climax when a failed rescue attempt at a nearby airfield led to the deaths of all the hostages , along with five of the attackers and a West German police officer. Now, more than 50 years later, the gripping period thriller "September 5" (in limited release Dec. 13, nationwide Jan. 17) brings these tense moments — the first time a terrorist attack had ever been covered on live TV around the world — back to life. While earlier films like the Oscar-winning 1999 documentary "One Day in September" and Steven Spielberg's 2005 "Munich" have chronicled the events from a broader perspective, director Tim Fehlbaum confines the entire story to the claustrophobic control room, with John Magaro and Peter Sarsgaard heading up the ensemble cast as Mason and ABC Sports president Roone Arledge, respectively, as the ABC team grapples with unprecedented ethical dilemmas and technical hurdles under intense pressure. "I liked the challenge of telling the story just from that room with the cameras as the only eye to the outside world," says the Swiss-born Fehlbaum, who previously helmed the 2021 sci-fi thriller "Tides." "I would never compare myself with Hitchcock, but it's almost like 'Rear Window.' Ultimately, it became a movie about the power of images." "September 5," which has earned strong buzz since its back-to-back premieres at the Venice and Telluride film festivals, has only become more timely in the wake of last year's Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel that sparked the ongoing war in Gaza. But the film itself steers clear of overt politics, focusing instead on the media's role in covering real-time crises and shaping public perception. "That [Israeli-Palestinian] situation has been going on since 1948 and, you could argue, for thousands of years before that," says Magaro. "This is a story about the media and our responsibility as citizens in how we consume it. Is showing violence on TV helping us make better decisions as voters? I don't know the answer to that, but maybe the film can open up discussions with people who are in different camps." Amid escalating conflict in the Middle East and heightened political sensitivities, it remains to be seen how audiences will receive a film that revisits a tragedy that still haunts many today. (Families of the slain Israeli athletes reached a deal in 2022 for $28 million in compensation from the German government, which acknowledged its failures in handling the crisis.) Some might welcome the film's nuanced look at the responsibilities of the media, while others may find it difficult to separate its historical focus from the emotionally charged realities of the current moment. While "September 5" has assumed new, and not entirely welcome, resonance since Oct. 7, its meticulous production was years in the making. Fehlbaum, who co-wrote the script with Moritz Binder and Alex David, relied heavily on the insights and recollections of Mason, who played a crucial role as a consultant. "As we began to re-create the story, I would be reminded of things that I hadn't thought of in years," says Mason, who arranged for Fehlbaum and Magaro to spend time in a CBS control room for research. "At the time, there were so many things happening at once out of nowhere, we didn't really have time to think, 'I wonder how we're doing with this?' We knew the trust we had in each other and we knew how to cover events live. We were just doing what we were hired to do: Tell stories not about ice skates or about baseball bats but about human beings." Shooting in Munich near where the actual events took place, Fehlbaum, inspired by claustrophobic films like Wolfgang Petersen's 1981 submarine drama "Das Boot," sought to maintain an atmosphere of gritty verisimilitude on the set. "A lot of times in period movies, the clothes look pressed and everything is very clean," says Sarsgaard. "We were drenched in sweat the entire time. There was never enough sweat for Tim. The lived-in clothing, the ashtrays — it all creates a physical reality." In their dedication to authenticity, Fehlbaum and his production team sourced period-accurate equipment from old television stations and collectors, much of it still working, to re-create the analog control-room setup as faithfully as possible. Adding to the documentary-style realism, the film weaves in actual footage from the ABC broadcast that day, to which Mason helped secure the rights shortly before filming began. "I had always said to the producers, 'I'm not going to do the movie if you can't license the footage,'" Fehlbaum says. As "September 5" was in postproduction, the Oct. 7 attacks reignited the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, adding an unexpected relevance to the film. Though the events it depicts took place more than a half-century ago, Sarsgaard anticipates that some moviegoers will bring their own feelings about the current situation in the Middle East to the theater. "You can't control how people are going to react to things," he says. "I can't anticipate how the audience will feel about this tragic situation," Fehlbaum says. "On the other hand, the conflict was never solved. It has just tragically escalated again. But we chose to focus on the media's perspective, and the film is a reflection on how we consume these stories." For Mason, it took time to fully grasp the significance of what his team had accomplished that day. "Whether it was on a mountainside in Innsbruck or in a figure skating hall in Hungary, we knew how to tell stories about people, good and bad, and that's what we did — and as it turns out, we did it well," he says. "Since that day, I have been filled with an immense pride about how well we used the resources we had, under Arledge's guidance, and what positive impact it had on the level of coverage of live events, sports or news, in our industry." In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, after nearly 21 hours of nonstop, adrenaline-fueled broadcasting, Mason and his ABC colleague Don Ohlmeyer returned to the Sheraton Munich hotel, where they were staying in adjoining rooms. "We built ourselves a giant cocktail, sat on the side of the bed and cried like babies," Mason remembers. "It was the first time we were able to touch that emotion. We'd been too busy telling the story to feel it." ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Copyright 2024 Tribune Content Agency. Get local news delivered to your inbox!WOODSTOCK — Woodstock Presbyterian Church dedicated a new organ just in time for the holiday season after it determined that the cost of repairing its old one was too costly. “Imagine sitting at the organ, playing a piece and your timing is perfect, but the notes are playing after or not at all,” said the Rev. Brittany Lane. “Our organist was working with that. I mean truly think about how much mental capacity it takes to adjust pieces right and left, making changes so that we could use that organ every Sunday.” Due to high costs, the church’s organ had not been updated since the 1980s, Lane explained, noting that such instruments typically require updates every 20 years or so. “Organs are incredibly expensive to both purchase and keep up with,” she said, explaining that factors like the sanctuary’s temperature and humidity levels play an intricate role in its tuning and performance. “We can’t afford to heat and cool the space regularly, like every other space in this building that’s used daily – from renters or us using it.” Refurbishing the organ, Lane said, would have cost the church approximately $200,000. With each maintenance session, the price doubled. What originally started around $20,000 steadily increased over the years. Seeking a solution, Lane, who grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, contacted some of her connections, explaining the church’s predicament. “One of the members from my home church suggested we go to Allen Organ company,” said Lane. After reaching out to the trusted name in the industry, the church was presented with two options: repair its current organ for $150,000 to $200,000 or purchase a new one for $55,000. Lane said an organ committee consisting of members Jim VanKirk, Jerry Germroth, Ruth Burnett, Malina Johnston, Liz Sollenberger, Becky Cooper and herself was formed. To fund its purchase, the committee appealed to the congregation for $60,000, covering both the cost of the organ and its installation. “We started with running a matching campaign, up to $20,000,” Lane said, explaining that members each took a Sunday to share with congregants a bit more about the organ, its problems and their proposed solutions. Due to a significant anonymous donor, funding was achieved in roughly four weeks. Extra funding was placed into the church’s music program for varying events, including bringing in local artists or high school students. “Everyone was sad that we were losing the pipe organ, but we were gaining all these pipe organs from around the world. And their sounds. Once we played it for the first time, the congregation was like, ‘We’re good!’” Known for producing realistic and affordable pipe sounds through technological innovation and advancement, Allen Organ Company installed the church’s new electric organ, a GX 215, on May 7. She praised salesman and teacher Ken Saliba for his expertise and knowledge. “The really cool part is that they actually took recordings from pipe organs from around the world,” Lane explained, noting that its A-5 might be from Notre Dame. It’s awesome.” Lane added that the organ also can record and playback later and has a significantly wider choice of reed stops or instruments, something they didn’t have before. “We have chimes, we have a trumpet stop. So, basically, what they mean is when you press the stop, it plays the notes, kind of like an electric piano.” With lots of opportunities and a lifetime of music, Lane said the beauty of the new organ is its longevity. “It doesn’t need to be tuned,” she said. “And if something goes wrong, you can replace the circuit board. It’s basically like replacing a hard drive on your computer, which is awesome.” Woodworker and congregant Keith Coffman constructed the new base as well as installed the speakers. Lane noted that the original pipes remain, in case at a future date the church wishes to return to the pipe organ. “But I think what blew me away most is that this was my first capital campaign as a pastor. And just the speed with which folks jumped on board for this was outstanding. That was really exciting to see,” she said. “But also that they trusted the committee to make the right decision. They were ready to say yes, and keep moving forward – which I think is a pretty fair statement about this church in general – they may have questions, but they’re ready to keep going whether its theology, mission or a new organ, they’re on board.” On Nov.r 17, the church hosted an organ dedication concert where congregants and the community gathered to hear a standard stop list including Classic Allen, English, Cavaille-Coll, Schlicker, Arp Achnitger, Aeolian-Skinner, Wurlitzer, Barton, and Morton. “We chose different pieces of music – both secular and religious – that would show off different aspects of the organ.” Following songs and hymns such as “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” “All Hail the Power” and “Over the Rainbow” a litany of dedication took place, led by Lane. “We present this instrument to be consecrated to the glory of almighty God and for service in this congregation.” Looking for ways to use the instrument to help the community, Lane said one of the church's goals in the coming year is to engage in more ways than just church. “Church is great. This building is such a gift, and that instrument is such a gift that we want it to be used for other things as well. We couldn’t do that before, because no one wants to play an organ that doesn’t play all the time.” Hoping to offer lessons, concerts, or other musical opportunities, Lane said music is the heart and soul of her congregation. “Music is such a big part of who God is for them,” she said. “And how they live out their faith because music can reach people like words cannot.” Join Woodstock Presbyterian Church, 142 E. Court St., at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve for a Christmas Eve Candle Light Service.