Phyllis Armbrecht Memorial Concert set
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Phyllis Armbrecht is in her element with Mary and Darcie and a puppet making cones at the Dairy Queen in Versailles, when the group from California came for a visit.
A beautiful friendship has continued beyond the death of Phyllis Armbrecht and is a lasting gift to her community through the musical talent of Mary Rice Hopkins. When Phyllis met Mary it was a blend of hearts; the two became fast friends. As Phyllis’s health declined, she discussed with her children her wish to bring Mary back to St. Paul for one more concert. It was then they decided to request any memorial donations to go toward making that wish a reality. That concert is set for August 24 at the Holdsworth Entertainment Pavilion, 128 N. Main St. in Versailles (on the square) at 6:00 p.m. The event will be complete with treats from the Dairy Queen, face painting, Troublemakers Food Truck, games and more which will begin at 5 before the concert. Bring the family for an unforgettable evening, compliments of the wish of an unforgettable lady.
Phyllis, her daughters Becky Turner and Jennifer Bunselmeier, and others traveled to California at the invitation of Hopkins to be on her award winning TV show. Created to touch the hearts and lives of children with memorable music, creative puppetry, and live action Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with a Heart equally entertains and teaches valuable life-choices.
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Olean, where Phyllis was a life-time member and very involved with music and children, will present the Phyllis Armbrecht Memorial Concert with Mary Rice Hopkins and Puppets with a Heart by Darcie Maze. Phyllis wanted the area children and their families to experience again the uplifting messages Mary and Darcie transmit through music and puppetry.
Ellen Mulford, sister to Phyllis, told The Versailles Republican when Mary heard about Phyllis’s declining health she called Phyllis from her home in California and sang to her. That’s how close their bond was.
Mary Rice Hopkins will be sharing that same beautiful music with the fun of the puppets that is sure to thrill the younger audience and adults alike. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this group in action. If you don’t get to Versailles on Saturday evening, Mary and Darcie will be performing again on Sunday, August 25 at 3:00 p.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Olean, 5869 S State Rd 129.
While Phyllis has been gone for a year, her memory and love of music and children will live on through the concert she has ensured will come to Ripley County. Her legacy is one of hope for the next generation.
