Video: Valentine's Day isn't just for lovers ...
When it comes to telling great stories about Valentine's Day, Ed Rummler has plenty of good ones about all the sweethearts he's met over the years. The only problem is, they haven't been his.
The Pittsford resident has seen plenty of smiles, hugs and even kisses on the most romance-laden holiday of the year and most of the time, it's been because of him and other members of the Chorus of the Genesee. Every year, Rummler and dozens of other singers hit the road to drive all over the county to help other people woo one another and fall in love.
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<param name="wmode" value="transparent" />width="425" height="355" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zApAgXxjjm4rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> One year, Rummler and three other crooners were sent to a hospital after a doctor's wife placed an order for a singing valentine. When Rummler and his group arrived, they realized the man they were supposed to find wasn't just a doctor, he was a surgeon. "He comes in wearing scrubs looking for someone lying on the floor," Rummler said, laughing. "We sat him down on a sofa and his eyes were as big as saucers when we shoved this rose in his hand and sang. He said 'thanks' and then raced off to be with a patient." Rummler said he's sung at houses with dogs howling in the background and strangers staring, but last year held another special moment to add to his memory banks. "I said to this man 'What would you like to put on your card for your girlfriend?' and he wanted it to say 'Will you marry me?'" Rummer said. "He ordered a dozen roses and proposed to her that way. And oh yes, she did say yes." Penfield resident Bill Rohlin said those kind of reactions are what makes his job fun. "I tell people there's no better way to tell someone you care and embarrass the living daylights out of them at the same time," he joked. "You'll get tears from some and you'll get 'I'm going to get even!' from others." For as long as many of the chorus members have been traveling to deliver singing valentines, none said they experienced as wild a day as last year's holiday, when snow blanketed the state. Mike Morgan said while he and his quartet drove to a nursing home, there were more cars in ditches off the side of the road than driving. Despite the scary conditions, Morgan managed to come away with another great Valentine's memory. "We were delivering a valentine to a woman from her son and in the middle of 'I Love You Truly' another resident came in and started singing with us off key," said the Irondequoit resident. "She was just singing words that didn't go and notes that didn't work and we had to keep a straight face. It was a rather amusing scene." For Scott Ventura, last year's storm provided some excitement as well. While the Webster resident was traveling around to deliver his valentines, it became apparent that many couples weren't where they were supposed to be. At one stop, he and his group were planned to serenade an employee at an auto body shop. When they arrived, she wasn't there. So, the group just performed for a group of auto mechanics who were. "You never know what you're going to get," he said. "There are always fun surprises." That's not always a good thing, said Jason Weitz, who coordinates the valentines for the Chorus of the Genesee. He said while the reactions he's seen are usually ones of joy and happiness - with some crying, too - that's not always the case. Just because they're making one person happy with their singing delivery, it doesn't mean there aren't some green eyes of jealousy in the crowd. "If we're in an office or restaurant, we'll get more people to react and some will say 'Why didn't my husband buy me that?'" he said with a smile. "So, we'll give them our card." <em>The Chorus of the Genesee will accept orders for singing valentines through Feb. 14 by calling (585) 385-2698. The nonprofit group charges $40 for orders up to the night of Feb. 13 and $50 for orders on Valentine's Day. Orders include a card, rose and singing performance. Bryan Roth can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 270, or at broth@mpnewspapers.com