WAWOTA - Nicki Ford and Rhonda Hall are long-time Wawota residents who are the best of friends.
In 1983, they formed a local singing group which was and still is known as the Hints of Harmony. Originally, Ford was the director-accompanist and Hall the business manager. They continue in their exact same roles today.
Hints of Harmony is a women’s group whose goal is to sing pleasing three-part harmony. Their journey to that goal has brought them many more rewards than ever imagined; the laughter and fun of practices, the pride and excitement of a performance well done, the trips taken together, the lengthy discussions, the awe of being on-stage at some fabulous venues, and best of all, the lasting friendships they all cherish.
Presently there are 15 in the group who range in ages from their late 30s to their early 80s. They reside in local towns such as Fairlight, Manor, Maryfield, Moosomin, Rocanville and Wawota. Like clockwork, the group meets every Thursday night at 7:30 for a two-hour practice at the Wawota United Church. Vacation time is taken during July and August.
Ford plays the piano, sings and writes songs for the group,
“Family comes first, and if you leave the group for personal reasons, we always welcome you back with open arms. We are a close-knit group,” said Ford.
“The Hints are very flexible and can perform for any crowd,” she added. “Country, folk, pop, gospel, classical and silly novelty songs, we sing them all. We try and learn a minimum of 10 new songs every year to keep our material fresh. Everyone knows the songs by memory and there are no song sheets on the stage.”
The Hints have both a yearly Christmas and spring concert. They have entertained audiences throughout Saskatchewan and Manitoba. They have performed at dinner theatres, women’s nights out, Telemiracle, and were the winners of the Saskatchewan Search for Stars way back in 1985. They have also sung for one of the premiers of Saskatchewan.
“Our husbands call it our therapy group. Everyone in the community knows where we are on Thursday nights,” said Ford.
Added Hall, “The Hints are extremely committed, and we have developed long-lasting relationships with one another. We share in each other’s joy and share in their sorrows. To quote one of Ford’s songs: “It’s the music that brings us here and it’s the music that makes us stay. We know in this life of hurry and noise; harmony is one of life’s greatest joys.”
A formal 40th anniversary celebration is being discussed but at this time nothing definite is planned. In the meantime, practices continue every week with several events being scheduled in the coming months.
Both Ford and Hall continue to thoroughly enjoy their group, the friendships, and have no thoughts of either retiring or slowing down.
“Once a Hint, always a Hint,” they said in unison.
