Elderhostel: "Unforgettable"

Jean and Don Schweda; Helen Meyer and Mary Boyd; Saul and Mady Sokolsky.

The Elderhostel program at the Oregon Bach Festival includes lodging and meals alongside the musicians at the UO's Barnhart Hall dorm; talks and educational sessions; and some concert tickets. it's a popular program that has drawn visitors for many, many years.

The progam is administered by University of Oregon Continuing Education. For more information about the OBF Elderhostel program, please see their site at http://center.uoregon.edu/elderhostel.

Writer Paul Omundson met and chatted with the following Elderhostel participants at the 2006 Oregon Bach Festival.

Don and Jean Schweda from Quincy, Illinois are regulars at the Festival Elderhostel. "We make a point to come here every year," said Don. "We LOVE great music and this is the best there is."

Helen Meyer from Yakima, Washington and longtime friend Mary Boyd, of Charleston, South Carolina, reunite each year at the Festival. It's a cherished routine they've been doing for the last five years. "We plan to be here for many, many more years to come," Mary said. "A college roommate told me about the Festival and now we're hooked."

Saul and Mady Sokolsky of Los Angeles were Festival rookies this year. "Mady used to sing in a choral group and we both love classical music," said Saul. "We've always attended the Bach Festival in Carmel and a friend highly recommended the OBF so this year we decided to go a bit further for our Bach. We're so glad we did! The music and the atmosphere are outstanding. Yes, we'll be OBF regulars from now on." The Festival highlight for the Sokolskys? "Bach's Mass in B Minor," Mady said. "That was unforgettable."