Showered with gifts at the Schauer

By Lindajoy Fenley

The Israeli Ethnic Ensemble received the key to the City of Hanford, the State of Wisconsin Bluebook, a mini-flashlight and an engraved shot glass at the Schauer Arts and Activities Center. The shower of gifts at the Schauer also included a chocolate marble cake decorated with the ensemble’s photograph.

While most of the gifts home will be carried to Israel at the end of the five-week tour, the cake was devoured by a multi-generational audience at the reception Monday evening.

The reception, kicking off the ensemble’s second week in the Midwest, featured a preview performance of the public concert plus welcoming remarks from State Representative Donald Pridemore, Hartford Mayor Joe Dautermann, Hartford Rotary President Ron Schlitt and Schauer Board President Mark Lindborg.

Schauer Executive Director Tom Robbins, who had taken the ensemble to workshops in nearby Mayville earlier in the day, explained that Arts Midwest World Fest brings world-class musicians to small towns like Hartford in nine different states. He said that during their one-week residency in Hartford, the Israeli Ethnic Ensemble will share their culture with several area schools as well as the local Rotary.

Yonnie Dror checks out the personalized cake.

Avri Borochov receives a bag of gifts from Schauer Board President Mark Lindborg and Schauer Executive Director Tom Robbins.

State Representative Donald Pridemore (R), wearing flag tie, poses with the Israeli Ethnic Ensemble.

Israeli Ethnic Ensemble: Aviad Ben Yehuda, Yonnie Dror, Talya Solan, Sefi Asfuri Hirsh and Avri Borochov