On April 12, the La Crescenta Republican Women met at the La Cañada Country Club to discuss the future of America. Ed Ames, a popular actor and singer of the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, was the guest speaker. He showed the group that at the age of 84 he still has a powerful singing voice when he sang the national anthem.

The Ames brothers were born to Russian parents and raised as communists. To make money as a youngster, Ames sold the Boston daily Reporter on the corner. One of eight children, Ames and his three brothers lived in one room at one time. But from poverty, the singing Ames Brothers rose to the No. 1 singing group.

After he split with his brothers, Ames went on to star on Broadway in “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Man of La Mancha” and other plays. His famous recordings were the songs, “Time to Remember” and “My Cup Runneth Over with Love.” He even related a famous Johnny Carson tomahawk skit, which some report got the longest laugh in television history.

Ames shared his feelings communism, politics in America today and the direction in which he feels America is heading today.

The club also heard from Greg Krikorian who is running for the California state assembly to represent the communities extending from La Cañada to Burbank.

Finally, the club is accepting good items for its upcoming rummage sale on May 5 in La Cañada. For more information, call Mary Wollam at (818) 952-7040.