I suppose I should say more, Bert. I had been doing my committee member work at camp, and I arrived late at the singaround while this person was singing "Goodnight Irene." I think maybe she was trying to sing it as a serious song, but I didn't catch onto that at the time. So, I sang the "sometimes Irene wears pajamas" verse after the woman finished singing. And then she made a speech, publicly chastising me for that.

If she had talked with me privately, that would have been another matter. But she's one of those dominating personalities who rules with negativity, and I think that's something that can kill the spirit of a singaround. If there is criticism to be made, it should be done in a positive manner, and privately.

I was at a singaround a couple weeks ago, and there was a newcomer there who kept time to every song with his tambourine. I was trying a song that was new to me, but couldn't find the melody with that damn tambourine playing. We have a rule that people should not play instruments unless they're invited by the person singing, but I didn't want to hurt the guy's feelings - but his tambourine was distracting to a number of singers. We decided that if he comes again, we'll tell him - privately.

-Joe-