Blessed by patriotism and sacredness

by NAOMI DUNAVAN - IN THE SPIRIT
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Some days are just over the top and we had one of them last week. The pews inside Trinity Free Lutheran Church on Chestnut Street in Grand Forks, were packed last Thursday afternoon (Nov. 6) when the Nelson Family gifted us with an amazing patriotic program. The Nelsons, as in Sheila and Roger, their daughter-in-law, Robin, sons Paul, Mark and John plus eight “grands,” presented, “What Price Freedom.” Hosted by Thursday Music Club, gentlemen in attendance were mostly veterans. Like Jim. That evening was Riverside Christian School’s annual fall banquet at the Alerus Center. We heard sacred songs by the school’s worship team and after the meal, were blown away by “An Evening of Keys,” with David Snyder. You’ve no doubt read such headlines as, “local boy does good.” Well, David is a local boy who is doing phenomenal things. Now living in Los Angeles and married to Amanda, he was back home with his “The Piano says it Better” show. About the Nelsons: The various families (every one with the surname Nelson), live in East Grand Forks, Halstad, Minn., and Grand Forks. Their program began with the National Anthem and a line-by-line explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance presented on big white cards by the eight grandchildren. Besides piano and harp, other musical instruments this extended family has mastered are clarinet, trumpet, trombone, xylophone, bells and drums. The Nelson’s “grands,” range in age from 9 to 18. They are Titus, Christine, Dan, Leah, Elizabeth, Lillian, Hannah and Helen. As Titus played “Caisson Song,” on piano, I sang what I learned as a child and still love: Over hill, over dale, we have hit the dusty trail, and those caissons go rolling along. "Counter march! Right about!" hear those wagon soldiers shout, while those caissons go rolling along. “Gratitude Attitude,” is another of my favorites on the program: Gratitude is an attitude To show that you know what you’ve got. I know that gratitude is an attitude It starts when you say, “Thanks a lot!” Hey! Beyond amazing were, “America the Beautiful,” and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” on harp, and “Marines’ Hymn,” with clarinet, trumpet and trombone, I teared up during “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “This is My Country,” “I Love to Tell the Story,” and “Here is Love.” This patriotic hour was a gift from the Nelsons to the community. “It was our privilege to be able to celebrate our USA,” Sheila said. About David Synder: I saw David when he was on stage at the Empire Arts Center in Grand Forks in 2023. I knew I wanted to see him again. The son of Shawn and Paul Synder, David has nine siblings. He went to kindergarten and first grade at Riverside Christian School. David is a delightful and energetic maestro on the keys. When not seated in front of a grand piano, he straps a keyboard around his neck and plays and dances around the stage as he tells his story. As he was being taught classical piano playing, David had a longing within for something beyond classical. He wanted to compose. His instructor, however, said composing was wrong. After 10 years of lessons, David quit. “I didn’t know what to do about this piano thing,” he said at the Alerus. “Then God blessed me with a gift. He gave me Amanda.” His wife encouraged him to play piano, “just for fun.” He began to feel a “closeness to God. Honestly, I am so grateful to those who spoke Christ to me. I started to approach piano again. I had to be me and it felt so good. I could breathe again. Honestly, I love it so much.” David has translated his skill into creating solo piano and instrumental tracks. Based in Los Angeles, he has appeared on America’s Got Talent and he’s opened for such artists as Snoop Dog. Riverside Christian’s fall banquet always closes with the singing of, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” And of course, David was at the grand to accompany the hundreds of voices. How good it is when hometown boys come home. Until Soon


Frandsen 11.12.2025
Harry's House