At the St. Paul Museum

Peggy Woodlief 

For Randolph Hub

RANDLEMAN – The December opening of St. Paul Museum will be the first Sunday in December (Dec. 3), scheduled at this time because December is always such a busy month.

The program, however, will be something special, a bell performance such as you have likely never heard. 

The performers will be Rachelle Brand Denny, assisted by her son John Brand. Denny will perform on cow bells (yes, real cow bells) and Brand will play corded cluster bells The music will be traditional Christmas carols and songs.

Denny, who lives in High Point, has been performing on these bells since 1960. The bells themselves are quite old, coming from the 19th century. When asked who else performed on cow bells, she replied that she had never known of anyone else apart from family members in earlier generations.

A retired teacher and principal, she is familiar with Randleman, having lived here for two years in the early 1960s.

Other notes:

— If you have not yet obtained your 2024 St. Paul calendar, there are still some available. This year’s theme is Deep River with lots of good photography. The price is the same as last year, $12. The calendar also makes a thoughtful gift. 

— As usual, St Paul will be closed for January and February. During this time paint restoration and the planning of new exhibits will be going on.

— For newcomers, St. Paul is at the corner of Stout and High Point Streets in Randleman.