For the last 5 years I've been singing with the Sweet Adelines (women's barbershop singing). Our chorus - Mission Valley - took 7th place in the most recent International Competition in Atlanta. I'm the Assistant Director as well.

I also fulfilled a dream to work on radio and share hosting duties on KKUP radio (www.kkup.com). We work The Human Voice show and feature acappella vocal harmony. It's a blast! (streaming media URL http://live.kkup.com:8000)

In the real world, I'm a mild-mannered materials planner for a World Class Contract Manufacturer, Genus. 

We had purchased them the night before at a hat store down the street from the hotel and spent all night sewing mirabou (the black fuzzy stuff on the brim) on the hat. Talk about last minute preparations!

For more information, you can check  www.snbw.org. We have aligned ourselves with Support Network for Battered Women as a way of giving something back to the community - 25% of our receipts are donated to this group. We also hope it will provide an opportunity to introduce women in need of direction to a fun hobby. We're very proud of our association with this group. --*Duchess*

(These pictures continues to show the East Coast Van's that the West Coast Van's really ARE weird!!! I love it!!)

August 10, 2000

Left to right: Barbara VanderPutten (Duchess), Linda Kuester (BouFont), Trish Sliter (Trixie) and Sydney Williams (Venus).