IN THE PIPELINE:

It must be Wednesday morning at the Michael E. Rodgers Senior Center on Orange Avenue.

After all, even down the hallway from Room D, you can hear it. It doesn’t matter that the door is slightly ajar; you’d hear it regardless. And outside the building on this clear, breezy spring morning, you’d hear it in the parking lot — maybe even out on the street.

There’s no escaping it — the dulcet sounds of people singing from their hearts, loud and clear, with passion and exuberance. That’s how the Singing Goodtimers do it, and that’s a good thing.

Formed by vaudeville entertainer Esther Rivelli Brown back in 1971, today the group boasts about 60 seniors whose ages fall between the early 60s all the way up to 90.

They meet to rehearse each Wednesday in Room D for an hour, between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., and a plaque outside the room acknowledges Rivelli, who died in 1998.

It says, “Esther’s charm and vitality will be missed. Her dedication to the seniors in Huntington Beach made a difference.”

This is some more background from one of the coordinators of the group (and a lovely singer herself), Dianne Shirley: “Our singing group was formed in 1971 as a voluntary service organization, hopefully to bring pleasure to our community, especially our seniors. We entertain in senior community centers, retirement homes, convalescent hospitals, care homes and adult day-care centers. We are a voluntary service organization, and we are all seniors. We hope that we will inspire and encourage some of the seniors who listen to us to join in the fun, have a few chuckles and make life a little merrier. If we can encourage them to join us in singing, then we feel rewarded for our effort.”

Wally Benton, a retired architect, has served as the group’s conductor for several years.

Acting as a sort of Fred Waring or Mitch Miller, he leads the group from the front of the room, stopping from time to time to clarify nuances in the songs.

Incredibly, every month the group’s repertoire changes, swapping out 25 or so songs each time to reflect the theme of that particular month. For instance, January features show tunes, February is love songs, March is St. Patrick’s music, April is light, spring songs and so on.

On this April day I was treated to enchanting versions of “My Blue Heaven,” “On A Clear Day,” “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree” and the closing showstopper, “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” (among many others).

The old adage “They don’t write ‘em like that anymore” certainly applies to every Singing Goodtimers gig.

Chestnut after glorious chestnut has new life breathed into them by the group, many of whom actually grew up appreciating Tin Pan Alley classics in the era they were written. This is “Your Hit Parade” in the flesh, made possible by seniors who are not just donating their heart, but their soul as well.

The day I visited, about 45 singers were there, prepping for a show the next day. Accompanied by piano and a few percussion pieces (and led heroically by Wally), they sang with the enthusiasm of teenagers meshed with an almost military precision.

The joy in their faces seemed to signal that for all the happiness they bring to their audiences, there’s something elixir-like in the magic of the music that makes the singers happy as well. Sure, it’s logical to credit the Gershwins, Sammy Cahns and George M. Cohans of the world for writing such sturdy, dependable works of pop genius.

And the Eddie Cantors, Judy Garlands and Nat King Coles for creating models of performance.

But give these seniors credit, too, because they seem to have found a fountain of youth in Room D — a space they’ve created which nourishes love, friendships and the celebration of the song.

And they’re using their talents to make others feel better.

When 90-year-old Joe Splinggared stands to tackle one of the several solos that will be performed, the room gets extra still. I’m told Joe is battling Alzheimer’s disease, but he’ll never forget the songs.

They’re too ingrained in his psyche, evidently. In a soft tenor, Joe sings the standard, “O sole mio.” First in English, then in Italian — and it is exquisite.

What generations the Singing Goodtimers represent — of the Great Depression, World Wars and victory gardens. Of big bands, jazz, bobbysoxers, Bogart, summer cotillions and Joe DiMaggio. Of hard work, discipline, decency — and generosity.

They are beautiful dreamers, one and all, and if I am allowed, I will return to Room D on occasion, to listen, to watch and to bask in the glow of a very special group in this community.

I think they’d like the company if you’d ever like to pop in. And if you can sing, well, then you may never want to leave.

For more information on the Singing Goodtimers, contact Dianne Shirley at (714) 536-6668.

On a personal note, I would like to thank my wonderful mom for always being first to read this column the night it goes to print and then sending me a note about it.

My mom is of the generation described above, and I’m sure that were it not for her patience and resilience, odds are high I would not be writing this column (or anything else for that matter!).

So since I know you’re reading this before anyone else Mom, thank you for everything.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of 14 books, including the new “Huntington Beach Then & Now.” You can write him at [email protected].