Bucks
Richard Nice, Marshall Wampole, Christmas Memories
Dear Friends,
Good morning. Mighty Betsy and I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and that you’ll have a healthy New Year. We all wish for peace in the world.
As I was helping Marshall Wampole put up the Santa decorations on his store’s roof at Eleventh and Broad (Quakertown), I saw Richard Nice walking down the street. During each Christmas season, Richard makes Boyer’s Market more festive by playing carols on an electronic piano. This year, he had assistance from Maynard Cressman on the trumpet. Actually, Mayard brought three instruments with him…two trumpets in B flat and C, plus a flugelhorn. They certainly livened up the store. More about Richard in a moment.
Our middle child, Anne, loves the Santa and four reindeer decoration on the top of Marshall Wampole’s store. Every year, Marshall and I crawl through a window-sized door leading to the flat roof. Because he has to lean out to affix the four reindeer, someone has to hold on to the belt of his pants. My role is to prevent Marshall from flying away. He’s a very trusting person.
One year, the only time he had available to assemble the display was on a dreary day. The roof was full of ice and the going was treacherous. Every year since, Marshall tells me that he’s waiting for another icy day.
Marshall’s a young 79. I think those decorations have adorned his roof since the 1950’s. I asked Marshall to make the display available to Anne Meredith when he leaves this world for the next. I promised that I would pay his estate. Marshall’s in great shape so he won’t be heading to the North Pole anytime soon. Don’t worry.
Anyway, I was thinking about Richard Nice and the good work that he does for the community. Years ago, Richard and I were classmates at the Quakertown schools. Richard didn’t play sports and wasn’t a macho type. Teenagers can be heartless and many were unkind to him because they didn’t appreciate his remarkable talents.
But Richard was an excellent pianist and organist, plus he could sing. Richard is a tenor and often helps Larry Benner’s Christmas cantatas at the St. John’s UCC in Richlandtown.
“Are you still singing tenor,” I asked?
“Yes,” he replied with a laugh, “Ten [or] 12 miles away!”
After Richard graduated from QHS in 1953, he joined the army and was a chaplain’s assistant for three years. While in Korea, he met a native who suggested that Richard should become a professional musician…the Westminster Choir College would be the perfect place for him to begin his studies.
Several years later, Richard graduated with a musician’s degree…a major in organ and a minor in voice. His career took him first to Maryland where he was the organist at the Salisbury Presbyterian Church for 21 years. He returned to Quakertown, where he resides.
Richard has been the organist at Solomon’s UCC in Bedminster for 23 years. He finds time to play at the Penn Foundation, especially around the holiday season. Richard’s been a musical hit at the Foundation for 22 years. And patients at the Phoebe Home in Richlandtown appreciate his appearance at Christmas time. He gives private piano lessons too.
I asked him about his musical genes. “I must have gotten them from my mother,” he replied. “She and my grandmother were especially gifted. Mother also sang in the St. John’s [Quakertown] choir.” Richard’s sister, Barbara (Nice) Appold, has been singing with the Upper Perkioman Choral Society for 21 years.
I remember the Nice home on Juniper Street where music always filled the air. For several years, I was an Assistant Scoutmaster for Richard’s father [Roland]. The next time that you see Richard, be sure to thank him for making this region more pleasant.
Richard Nice is an unsung hero.
And speaking about musicianship on Juniper Street, I remember Worman Shelly who lived at Eighth and Juniper. Shelly was the conductor of the Citizen’s Band. He also played piano and literally made the Christmas manger scene come to life. He dressed his wife and family in Biblical attire where they sat on the lawn, shivering in the cold for hours. Where was Worman? From speakers on his porch, you could hear him playing carols on the “charms”…in the comfort of his warm living room, of course.
Ah, what pleasant memories.
Sincerely,
Charles Meredith