From High Notes to Handbells: Playing the Tunes Susan Garton lives in a two-bedroom apartment at Masonic Village at Sewickley. One bedroom is for her; the other bedroom is for her bells, arranged on a 9-foot table next to a keyboard and a computer. Susan has been a professional handbell soloist long before she found a home for herself and her bells at Masonic Village. A former nurse practitioner with the Grove City Area School District in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, after retiring in 1992, Susan started her career in handbells. While a longtime resident of Slippery Rock, she was a member of the Celebration Ringers, a community ensemble, and the East Main Presbyterian Church bell choir. Susan is currently the director of the Village Handbells, a bell choir at Masonic Village at Sewickley. She also performs at church services for residents. “It’s been my life for a long time,” Susan said. “I have chimes, too, but I mostly use handbells. I just love making music. It’s such a delight. When you begin working on a piece, it doesn’t sound like much, but when you get it polished, it’s really exciting to end up with a good piece of music.”
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Winter 2021 Issue
