Gail Ingis | A Christmas Concert to Remember

On the first December Sunday, December 3, Tom and I took the 90 minute drive up the Palisades, across the Bear Mountain Bridge, around the bending roads and up the hills, to the West Point Cadet Chapel in West Point, NY.

West Point is actually the name of the town, the home of the United States Military Academy where Handel's Messiah was being performed. Our daughter-in-law, Joanne Ingis, was one of the voices in the visiting chorals. The voices echoed like angels in this beautiful chapel. A standing ovation followed the 90 minute concert. Well deserved, I must add.

Joanne, part of a New Jersey choral group, practiced numerous hours over many weeks for two performances: #1 Hawthorne Bible Church in New Jersey, #2 here at the Chapel. On December 19th, Joanne will sing with the choral group at Rockefeller center.and then the next evening, she will be singing Getty Irish Christmas in Carnegie Hall.

A few of the voices, Cadets joined the chorals and featured a female Cadet soloist.

This was not the first time I visited West Point. My son Rick's friend got married in this Chapel, and oh my, it was beautiful. The services were followed by a reception at the Thayer Hotel in close proximity to the Academy.

That's Joanne Ingis and her step-dad, Tom Claus (my hubby)

Son Paul Ingis & me (Gail)

For dinner, of course we headed over to the nearby, Thayer Hotel.

Built in 1926, the lobby and dining areas charmed me with their antiquity. Not so much the furbishing, but rather the ambiance. I imagined former presidents, and great military leaders, walking the halls. The hotel has entertained many of the United States Military and other distinguished visitors. Oh, and by the way, the food was delicious, five star. Onion soup, the best yet, barbecued short ribs in gravy, with a medley of vegetables that included squash & zucchini. The five of us shared one amazing dessert - fresh apple-pear pie with Ben & Jerry's ice cream. WOW!

This little blurb from the hotel talks about how delightful it would be to visit the town of West Point.

You can stay at the hotel, or find the offerings through the visitor center.

The area offers a grand gateway to Hudson Valley area attractions, historic sites and outdoor recreation. Tee off on the West Point Golf Course, hike through the Black Rock Forest or go horseback riding in Bear Mountain State Park. Visit one of the largest contemporary art museums in the world, or sample a local vintage at a Hudson Valley winery. During your visit you can go from West Point tours to Hudson River cruises and shopping sprees.

While you are waiting for my new book coming in the spring of 2018, The Unforgettable Miss Baldwin, would you like some fun? Take the adventure in New York City, and over the prairies and hills across America, from the Catskills to Yosemite, with Leila and Rork in my book, Indigo Sky.

Gail Ingis Claus is an author, artist/painter and interior designer. Her upcoming romance The Unforgettable Miss Baldwin will be released on Valentine's Day 2018. Her current historical romance, Indigo Sky can be purchased on amazon.