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New affiliation boosts musical group’s profile

Andy Bockelman

Making your voice heard is easy when you can articulate yourself through music. But, publicity sometimes takes outside help.

Since joining the Craig Chamber of Commerce, members of the Bella Vocé chorus have enjoyed a newfound backing in endorsing their group.

“We joined back in January because we wanted to get a lot of the benefits they give to their members,” Bella Vocé team leader Aaron Gillett said. “The Chamber has been really great in helping us create awareness of our group and what we do by promoting us on their site and doing everything else they do for members.”



Chamber membership couldn’t have come at a better time for the all-female singing ensemble, which is striving to raise money for trips later this year.

Bella Vocé qualified for the International Sweet Adelines Competition in March 2011 after a solid score in the Rocky Mountain regional competition. The international contest takes place in October in Denver.



“We’re really lucky that it’s in Denver because they’ve had the international competition in Canada and Hawaii before, so it should be easier to get there,” Gillett said.

This year’s regional contest is also in Denver, which the already qualified Bella Vocé is not required to attend, but the group wants to stay fresh.

While the in-state location is convenient for the group, the cost of getting all the women of Bella Vocé there is still high. Complete with travel accommodations and registration, the price comes to about $1,200 per person.

Members hosted and performed in a fundraising dinner and show at the beginning of February.

“The dinner was a big success, but we still need to raise more and every little bit helps,” Gillett said. “In the fall, we’re planning to do another one with kind of a ‘Hee-Haw’ theme.”

Gillett said new members are always welcome.

“The group is strong and we work hard, but we also like to have fun,” she said.

The group rehearses at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays in the auditorium at Craig Middle School. Visit craig-chamber.com to view the schedule and receive updates about Bella Vocé or call Gillett at 824-5879.

Vacuum distributor warns residents about misleading salesmen

A recent wave of confusion about business connections has the owner of one local sales outlet wanting to clear the air.

For about a week, Craig residents have been receiving visitors at their door in the late hours of the night attempting to sell them a Kirby vacuum cleaner.

David Chapin, owner of D.C. Enterprises, 510 W. Victory Way, a Kirby factory distributor, said the people involved are not associated with his local office.

“They’ve been knocking on doors at 10 or 11 at night, and I just want people to know we wouldn’t have anybody bothering them that late,” he said. “This time of year, the cut-off time is 8 (p.m.)”

Chapin, who has been involved with Kirby for 22 years, 17 of them in Craig, said he has received numerous irate phone calls about the issue.

“They’re from Cheyenne (Wyo.) and Loveland is what they’ve been telling people,” he said. “They’re actually from Cheyenne Distributing is what I understand. They were here doing that last year and it seems like they’ll do anything to make a sale.”

Cheyenne Distributing has received multiple complaints on the Web site ripoffreport.com, both from homeowners and former employees who questioned the company’s business ethics.

Anyone wishing to lodge a formal complaint with Kirby can contact Chapin at 824-9974 or 629-2514.

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