HELENA HANDBASKET PLAYS AT CANTON CHURCH OPENING
 | Author:
Nancy Marks, Reporter
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
HELENA HANDBASKET PLAYS AT CANTON CHURCH OPENING Nancy Marks Reporter With hand instruments and four voices that harmonize perfectly, the Helena Handbasket Quartet played lively but soulful bluegrass music at the seasonal opening of the Canton Church Friday, June 9.
A practically full church audience enjoyed the band members’ array of Montana artists’ songs such as “Can’t Stand Those Rattlesnakes,” and sad songs about soldiers along with “living in a small town there’s no place to hide.” Another sad rendition of “Sonny don’t go away” is about a momma trying to keep her grown son home so she won’t be so lonesome.
Goose Bay Glass Blowers, Jim and Terry Gunderson and their long-time friends and fellow blue grass players, Candy and Dave Payne of Helena, stuck closely to their hand instruments. They played with an upright bass, concertina, violin and guitar. The acoustics of the Canton Church are perfectly fitted for voice and instruments. Each word or song can be heard easily from the front or the back of the church.
Vic Sample, Canton Church Restoration, Inc. board member introduced the quartet with a short history of the church, built in 1875/76 in the village of Canton, whose location was covered when the Canyon Ferry Reservoir filled the valley in 1952. House mover H.J. Sigity hauled the church to its present location. The church served first as a Catholic Church from 1876 until the mid-1980s. It was originally built as a community center in Canton. Now it has come full circle as a community hall serving musical performances and speakers who delve into local history. The nonprofit began in 1997 when several local historians gathered to restore the building. The restoration was completed on Christmas Eve, 2002.
Next on the church’s performance schedule is a Broadwater County favorite performer, Judy Williams. She will play on June 23 beginning at 5:00 pm. The performance is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information go to https://www.canton-church.org.
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks
Image 1 Caption: Helena Handbasket (left to right): Jim Gundersen, Terry Gundersen, Candy Payne, Dave Payne
