50+ Lifestyles

RSVP – Lead with Experience

Reg and Linda Shoesmith – Extraordinary Entertainers with Extraordinary Hearts

By Bill Sedlacek
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois

When I met with Reg and Linda Shoesmith, the couple in this month’s volunteer spotlight, I got to know a bit about them and asked “What sort of volunteer activities are you involved in now?” Forty-five minutes of conversation later, I thought a better question would have been “In what are you not involved?”

Both Reg and Linda were in education, an occupation of choice for those with a strong desire to help others. Reg began teaching in 1967 at Davenport Central High, and also taught or served as an administrator at both North High and West. He is one of the few who can claim to have done so at all three Davenport High Schools in his 35 year career. After Reg retired as an Associate Principal at Central High, he was hired at Scott Community College as an administrator in the Adjunct Instructor Program, retiring from there last year. Linda taught music here and in Myrtle Beach South Carolina while Reg was in the Air Force. She cannot claim a 35 year career like Reg since she, like a lot of wives of our generation, took time off to nurture their two children, Sarah and Ben. She did teach 18 years at Scott Community College, mostly in the Math Department.

Their desire to help others that called them to a career in education is still with them today. They volunteer for the Bettendorf Police Academy, the Scott County Sheriff Reserve, the Bucktown Review, the Sons of Norway where both served as President and Treasurer, the Senior Voice Christmas show, the River Music Experience, their church, the Christ Family Church in Davenport, and a host of other activities from entertaining with music and skits at nursing homes or any other event that needs an uplifting presence. While they do other things for some of their volunteer work, performing music and skits seems to be their favorite activity.

One of their more interesting stories is how they helped to resurrect an ancient musical instrument called the Psalmodikon (No, don’t ask me to pronounce it and you are welcome to check my spelling). From 1825 to 1875, the Psalmodikon was used in the Nordic Countries Church
services instead of the violin or guitar, etc., which were considered instruments of the devil. It has one string and is played by drawing a bow over the sound hole. It has frets and numbers that are read like musical notes, telling you on what fret to compress the string. Becoming acquainted with the instrument through the Sons of Norway, they found it wasn’t something one could buy easily on the open market and decided to make their own. Reg has made three from scratch and six more from kits. The instrument is gaining in popularity, with a group dedicated to playing it within the Sons of Norway. Reg and Linda took their involvement in the Sons of Norway one step further with Linda making Period costumes for her and Reg which they wear while entertaining.

In addition to the Psalmodikon, Reg and Linda play a more familiar stringed instrument, the “Hammered” Dulcimer, which is played by striking a padded “Hammer” on the strings. They also play another more familiar instrument, the Ukulele and are charter members of the Quad City Ukulele Club.

I’d really like to see this talented couple perform. They perform skits in the style of Garrison Keillor the third Friday of September through May at the Bucktown Review in the Anne Whitmeyer Center on Eastern Avenue in Davenport. They will also be performing with the Quad City Ukulele Club at the Senior Voice Christmas show at the Fairgrounds Starlight ballroom on December 1st. If you are lucky, maybe they will come to your church or club. I have a feeling all you have to do is ask.

RSVP Directors note: Reg and Linda are 2 of many different entertainers who entertain free of charg to different community groups. We call them our Heritage presenters. To learn more about Heritage presenters please call the RSVP office (309) 793-4425 or email rsvp@wiaaa.org. Thanks Reg and Linda for the great work you do!