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Van Rensselaer brings favorites to Music Monday
After a rainy week two moved Music Monday to Greencastle Christian Church, organizers are hopeful they will return to Robe-Ann Park this Monday for a free kids’ concert from Mike Van Rensselaer.
The show is set for 1 p.m. at Shelter No. 1.
Since retiring from teaching at Greencastle Middle School, Mike Van Rensselaer has added more and more children’s songs to his music repertoire.
Known to students as Mr. Van, he has regularly volunteered at Deer Meadow Primary School, banjo and guitar in hand, performing for music classes of all grades, teaching second graders to sing one of Abe Lincoln’s favorite songs and singing pioneer songs at Billie Creek Village for a first grade field trip.
Last winter he performed for both the Deer Meadow and Ridpath holiday concerts. His long white beard drew more than a few second looks from both schools’ first graders who sang with him.
Every summer for his ParkFest concert, the local folk singer invites youngsters to sit in front of the stage and sing along with one of his children’s songs.
He will sing all of those songs at the Music Monday Concert, as well as tell stories that have entertained children for years.
Additional performers in the lineup include: June 25-Jim “Figgy” Hardwick with music, magic and laughs, July 2-Kevin Johnson, July 9-Camp Discovery at Greencastle Christian Church and July 16-Miss Bobbie.