5/22 REECH Concert
To Be Jobes’ Final One

The Randolph selectboard has proclaimed Tuesday, May 22 to be Clara Jobes Day to honor the long-time volunteer for many organizations.

On that day, at St. John's Church in Randolph, the REECH organization will hold its annual fundraising concert—which once again, as always, has been organized by Clara Jobes.

Starting at 7 p.m., the concert will include a violinist, a pianist, vocal soloists, organ music, the choirs of St. John's and the Baptist Fellowship, possibly some surprises, and even a bagpiper.

"I never print the program until the day of the concert because I never know how it will be until then," said Clara with a smile.

The concert on Tuesday is Clara Jobes' last volunteer effort in Randolph before she moves to New York State to live with her son and daughter-in-law.

"It will mark the end of an era in Randolph," said Jane Eubanks, St. Johns choir director. "Everyone is invited to this concert to enjoy the music, to support REECH and to celebrate Clara and all that she has done."

Wednesday Potluck

The next day, Wednesday, May 23, a potluck celebration will be held to honor her at Bethany Church, starting about 6 p.m.

Anyone who would like to help with this potluck should call Martha Hafner at 728-4860 or Shirley Huang at 728-5004.

Lifelong Volunteer

When Clara Jobes sees a need in her community, she volunteers to help, according to REECH volunteers Jane Eubanks and Harriet Chase. Her deep religious convictions along with the example of her volunteering parents, called her to help others.

She says her lifelong volunteerism has kept her young, and "when you think about others you don't have time to think about yourself."

Clara has volunteered for many different Randolph groups, including the Food Shelf, the Randolph Bloodmobile, Prevention Partnership, and REECH.

REECH stands for the Randolph Ecumenical Emergency Committee on Housing which uses donated funds to help those who are temporarily in need of money for rent, mortgage payments, fuel or electric bills. It is sponsored by many Randolph churches.

In an effort to raise money for REECH, Clara six years ago suggested that someone should organize music concerts. Everyone thought the concerts sounded like a good idea, but no one stepped forward to do it, so she volunteered. 

In the six concerts which followed, Clara has brought together a great variety of music from choral groups, to solo singers, violinists, harmonica players, barbershop quartet, organ, piano, hammered dulcimer, flute, trombone, recorder and even a bagpiper. There is always a hymn sing.

Clara came from a musical family, and one of her favorite memories is singing duets with her son Alvin from the time he was a year old. Although her health prevents her from singing now, she still enjoys playing the piano. She loves music of all kinds from classical to gospel and can't imagine life without it.

KEEP this correction WITH THE ABOVE STORY, PLEASE

Correction

An article in last week’s Herald indicated that a potluck celebration to honor Clara Jobes will be "Wednesday, May 29." That was incorrect. The date doesn’t even exist.

The potluck actually will be held this next Wednesday, May 23. It will be at 6 p.m. at Bethany Church on Main Street in Randolph. All are invited to honor and say "goodbye" to this longtime volunteer, who is leaving the Randolph area to live with her son in New York state.

Anyone with questions or who would like to help with this potluck should call Martha Hafner at 728-4860 or Shirley Huang at 728-5004.