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Family of Harmony to Perform

All-school reunion 2014

July 30, 2014

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Family of Harmony

will present a concert of popular and gospel music on Saturday, August 30 at 3:00 pm at the

2014 PCHS All-School Reunion

When Hugh Imboden (UHS/PCHS class of 1954) married Rochelle Ethington (UHS/PCHS class of 1955), he became part of a musical family.  Rochelle’s father, Chalmer Ethington, was a rural mailman who was in great demand for his wonderful voice.  Hugh and Rochelle are both retired teachers living in East Tennessee.  In addition, Rochelle retired last year from twenty six years in her position as church accompanist.  They have sung together and led praise and worship services for over 50 years.  They have been very involved with acting and singing in dramatic and musical stage productions in East Tennessee.  As each of their five sons arrived, they were added to the group, which performed as “The Imboden Family Singers” for many years.  Jeff, their oldest son, will join his folks for the concert at the reunion.  Jeff is active in several areas of music performance.  He sings regularly with The Moonlight Serenaders, a big band based in Kansas City, and with The T Ross Band.  He also sings with the Warrensburg Community Band.  He is heard every afternoon on KOKO radio in Warrensburg as disc-jockey Jaggy Jeff.  Jeff’s full-time job is Director of The Performing Arts Series at  University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.  Returning with the group this year is Jeff’s grandson, Conner Cummings.  Conner will be a Junior at Warrensburg High School and is involved in concert and marching band as well as singing in Show Choir.  He also plays guitar and sings in his church’s praise band and performs occasionally with his grandfather.

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Rochelle’s two brothers, Reid Ethington (UHS/PCHS class of 1961) and Jim Ethington (UHS/PCHS alumni class of 1968) are both accomplished musicians; playing, singing and leading praise and worship.  Reid has lived and worked for over 40 years in and around Columbia Missouri where he was Vice President for Information Technology for the Danuser Machine Company, of Fulton, MO.  He is now retired but continues to do consulting work in the area of Information Technology.  Through the years, Reid has performed with several Christian groups, and continues to be involved in Christmas and Easter productions at Forum Christian Church in Columbia.  Jim lives near Tampa, Florida and holds the position of Senior Managing Consultant for IBM Global Services.  He has performed in music programs at churches and other venues in that area for many years.  Jim’s newest venture is Jim Ethington Custom Guitars.  He designs, builds, and sells custom guitars that are beautiful looking and sounding.

Family of Harmony consists of Rochelle and Hugh Imboden, Reid and Jim Ethington, Jeff Imboden, and Conner Cummings.

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*trivia question:  What was the original name of Unionville and why was it chosen? 

ANSWER: Unionville was first named Harmony when it was established in 1853 as the county seat for Putnam County.  Prior to that, the county seat had moved several times, often with heated debate.  Because of that, the location near the center of the county was used, hoping to bring "harmony" to all concerned.