Dr. Stan Howell brought a lot of music to a lot of people during his long life, but I remember him best for bringing TubaChristmas to us, right here in Columbus. I went to my first one years ago and I have not missed one since.

Maybe I will not repeat all of what I have written about the Howells over the years, but this time of remembrance demands a reasonably full accounting, right? Dr. Howell shared the podium with other conductors, but he always conducted Jingle Bells himself—until last year (he was recognized in the audience, however). When he passed his mantle to Manfred Walter, I “told” Manfred to ask Dr. Howell to conduct Jingle Bells. “Always give him the opportunity to refuse,” I insisted. Manfred complied.

I had accused the irrepressible Dr. Stan of inserting the totally unrelated excerpt from the National Emblem March by E. E. Bagley in the middle of Jingle Bells. He denied responsibility, saying that it is included in the TubaChristmas version as arranged by one Norlan Bewley. Now you know.

Dr. Howell’s usually stern countenance hid a decidedly comic propensity, as evidenced by many wry, dry observations, often delivered in a stage whisper. When he forgot to award a plaque as M.C. of one TubaChristmas, he turned around before he reached the stage exit and completed the task. I suggested to him later that I thought he should have wiped the plaque on his pants on the way back, for best comic effect. He afforded me only a grunt, but a smile did play on his lips . . .

I will sorely miss Dr. Stan, as well as his talented wife, Jean. Both taught public school music, a demanding but rewarding undertaking. Jean usually led us in singing the carols at TubaChristmas and played the piano accompaniment with the chosen tuba soloist. If you have never heard a tuba sing “O Holy Night,” you owe it to yourself to attend TubaChristmas!

Not to mention a chorus of about 20 of them carrying the melody of the carols, with maybe 40 baritones taking care of the harmony. It is a sound you won’t hear anywhere else, because tubas are supposed to supply the “Oom” in “Oompah” bands; they are given the bass part in concert bands and orchestras.

Is this a flagrant sell for TubaChristmas? You bet. Save the first Saturday in December, Polk County High School auditorium, free. This is arguably the best way to honor the Howells’ memory.  Just bring your best shower room voice and rise on cue to sing the Christmas carols. Don’t worry, Richard Hall always projects the words on the wall for us. 

I remember Becky Rome as serving on the Columbus Town Council for more than one term. Her husband had bagged our groceries at Food Lion for many years, and their son Chris served on the Columbus Police force. Chris also mowed my yard many times, and then I lost track of him.

I remember Ruby Lee Gibson Jones as a pretty young woman married to my friend Gene Jones. Gene opened a men’s clothing store in Tryon about the time I went into the Air Force, and I visited him in his store when I came home on leave. He gave me a beautiful pair if woolen Argyle socks, which I enjoyed wearing for many years. I ran into Ruby again right after I retired, and I am happy to report that she was still the pretty lady I remembered, but I am sorry that our paths never crossed again . . .

Not only friends, but acquaintances must be acknowledged here. Their survivors want to see that their lives “mattered” to this writer, too. Amen.