Strings and Things

The Official Newsletter of the Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance

Volume XXV Number Eight

August 2007

FROM OUR PRESIDENT:

From your fellow melodic mariner and president : Summer is really getting hot now. It's a great time to find some shade or AC and play some music. This is always a lot more fun in a group, of course.
We are nearing our big event, the warm up picnic for Walnut Valley Festival. This is a full day of sharing and learning about music at Island park in the north end of Winfield. It's lots of fun and a good time to catch up with musicians that you may see only at Walnut Valley time. The evening Pot Luck and concert seem really special to me. The quality of food and music is so very good and it's just a great atmosphere. It seems like an old time community picnic. So come one, come all and enjoy a lazy summer day with good friends.

In July we did the double header on the 19th. Both performances went well.
First at Cowtown, for the Girl Scout Program. There was a nice turn out of players. We played this time for the older girls so the program was somewhat more subdued and professional. It was very nice. Our own Janet Kruske has begun participating more fully in the program by sharing some of the experiences of her grandmother as a teacher in the time period of Cowtown. Letters from her grandmother help Janet impart very unique and interesting happenings. You just never know what will grow from playing some music. We commend you Janet for your new role. Thanks to all who came and played. Our gift for playing this time was apple butter ,yum-yum (hack-hack, hi babe, whoa back, toot-toot). Sorry, it's just automatic .

Our second event for the day was the evening performance at Peachtree Plaza Towers in Haysville. I have come to enjoy the evening performances at the senior places. It seems exciting and just a little mischievous as many of the audience members are staying up past their usual bed time to participate. We just pulled out all the stops and had a real whinge-ding playing until 8 pm. A good time was had by all. Thanks to Joe Anderson for MC-ing. You always do such a great job. Again, Brett on the fiddle is a nice addition. Thanks to all who played, especially those who put in the long day and played for both. There are fun things coming up in August. Tuesday the 7th we've been invited to play at the Lamplighter mobile home park in south Wichita. Bring a side dish and join in the Pot Luck at 6 pm, then we'll play until about nine. A straw hat might be helpful early on and then maybe some insect spray and a little light. These are just suggestions, you'll probably do fine with or without. Of course, there will be no jam at the church on this night.

Our next invite is to the Winfield Veterans home at 2 pm on the 10th of Aug. This is Friday. Here's your chance to do something for the folks who have protected your freedoms. Let's have a good time showing them a good time.

I have also accepted an invitation to play at the Catholic Care Home in Belaire on Aug. 31st. This is right up against Labor Day weekend and during the Winfield Land Rush line up. I hope in spite of the competition that some of you can come to play. I'll be there. I'll send an e-mail later with directions. Just one more note about the Warm up picnic. We are suggesting (key of D ) harmonicas for Troy's harmonica workshop. You can certainly participate if you already have one in another key but we thought an effort to stay as nearly as possible in our favorite key might prove advantageous at some point.

Enjoy playing music together. Remember, when you go to play now, you don't have to worry about ice on the roads.
  Pat                           

 

 

VICE PRESIDENTIAL CORNER:

 

 

(2 cents worth - from the V P)

 

Last month was wet, wet, wet and now we are in the Dog Days of Summer. But in spite of the weather, we have had some great times together playing our music. I hope everyone has been able to learn something new along the way. I just want to thank anyone and everyone who brings and shares sheet music for us to learn. It is so helpful and so much fun to add to our book of playable pieces.

Tuesday night August 7th is National Block Party Night and we will be playing at the Lamp Lighter Mobile Home Park. We have been invited by former GPDA members, Phyllis and Glen Watters. It is from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and if you plan to attend you need to bring a side dish, lawn chair and a large brim hat. There is very little shade and it will probably be hot! There are many play opportunities coming up in August and Sept. Of course we are still needing volunteers for the Warm Up Picnic, come on, don't be shy. We need your help to make it a fun and successful day for all of us. Hope to see all of you there at some point during the day or evening. There will be many FREE workshops and FREE evening concert! What more can you ask. This is all just to get us warmed up for the Walnut Valley Festival on September 12 - 17. See you all there!

Your V.P.
Lonnie

GPDA Meeting Minutes for April 14, 2007

 

GPDA Minutes for July 14, 2007 Meeting
Pat H. opened our meeting and called for volunteers for the Warm Up Picnic which is coming up fast now on September 8th.
We received a card of thanks from Oatville school for our participation in their Pioneer Days.
Joe reported on WUP Workshop Leaders. There was a discussion about what we can afford and should we add a Harmonica workshop. Joe is going to investigate further.
It was decided we will have a raffle again this year at WUP. It was also announced that we will sell lunches prepacked in ziplock bags.
We have been invited to play at the Winfield Veteran's Home on August 10th at 2:00 PM.
Josh Pritchett has joined our club and is learning to play the mountain dulcimer.
Jim C. estimated our current balance to be about $3000.00 as compared to last year's June total of $2480.00.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Upcoming Playing Opportunities

Cowtown Volunteer Opportunities August 9, 2007, 11:15 AM  International Officers Tour  contact Cassie Fahey at 660-1883
Contact: Pat Schwarz, 316-945-3456 or pfschwarz@cox.net

August 29, 2007 Wednesday  10:00-12:30  Bus Tour from Texas  call Cassie Fahey 660-1883 Other volunteer opportunities contact Amy Loch at 660-1878

August 7, 2007 (instead of Tuesday night Jam) Lamplighter Mobile Home Park event.  6:00 - 9:00 Pot luck dinner & open mic/jam.

August 10th, 2007  Friday - Play for Kansas Veterans Home, 1220 World War II Memorial Dr. Donlon Hall, Winfield, KS  2:00 PM

August 31, 2007 Friday 2:00 PM  Play for Catholic Care Center, 6700E. 45th St N.  Bel Aire, KS

September 29th- The last Saturday. Fall Festival.- Faith Lutheran Church , 214 S Derby Ave. Derby KS. In the gymnasium. Time to be announced.

Other Upcoming Events & Festivals
.
August 18, 2007  KBA Second Annual Bluegrass Gospel Concert  7:30 PM main clubhouse at Spring Lake RV Resort,  Halstead, KS  316-835-3443

August 24-25 Shawnee OK  Midwest Bluegrass Festival  405-391-2338 August 31 - Sept. 2  Pagosa Springs CO - Four Corners Folk Festival, contact Dan Appenzeller  dan@folkwest.com www.folkwest.com

September 6 - 8 2007  Queen City MO - Sally Mountain Park Bluegrass Festival  festival@marktwain.net www.sallymountain.com

September 7-8, 2007  Claremore, OK 28th Annual Bluegrass and Chili Festival - Free.  www.claremore.org GPDA 17th Annual Winfield warm-up picnic Saturday September 8, 2007 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM at Island Park in Winfield, KS Free Workshops, evening Concert by instructors. The picnic is open to all friends of acoustic music.

September 12, 2007  Walnut Valley Festival Pre-Festival Workshop in Winfield KS  Flatpick Guitar - Kenny Smith, Finger Style Guitar - Dave Mackenzie & Pete Huttlinger, Autoharp - Julie Davis, Bass - Zak McLamb, Mandolin - Bruce Graybill, Closet Pickers' Guitar 101 - Andy May,  Beginning Mt. Dulcimer - Adie Grey, Mt. Dulcimer for Singer/songwriters - Adie Grey.  For information or registration, call 620-221-3250

September 13 -16, 2007  36th Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield KS 620-221-3250  or email hq@wvfest.com www.wvfest.com

November 17th -Saturday- Emporia Fairgrounds Fall Festival-Anderson Building. Kansas Bluegrass Association Campout List

August 17 - 19 Spring Lake

September - No Picnic See you at the WVF

October 19 - 21 Winfield, KS
Contact Ed Hill 316-214-2694 for additional info.

ONGOING JAMS & EVENTS 
Tuesday Night Jam Woodlawn United Methodist Church, Derby, KS  431 S. Woodlawn, Derby,  Choir room 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Emma Chase Café  Cottonwood Falls, KS

Jam - 7:30 PM every Friday - Various types of music Kansas Bluegrass Association
Monthly meeting/jam  1st Saturday of each month
Immanuel Baptist Church
www.kansasbluegrass.org

Garden City jam third Thursday 7-9:00 PM Kadee's Coffee Break  210 East Spruce  Garden City Folk and Bluegrass.

Arkansas City Bluegrass & Country Jam  Monday 7 - 9 PM  Cherokee Strip Museum  620-442-2107

FOR SALE: Lonnie has three instruments for sale. These belong to friend/family members who don't play them.
# 1 is a Masterworks (Russell Cook) Hammer Dulcimer---16-15, 2 strings per note, 14 lbs, with stand, 3 or 4 years old. Like new. Paid $900.
#2 is a Dusty Strings hammer dulcimer, 12 - 11 - not sure about stand or case etc. but will find out if you are interested. There are some books with these.
#3 is a Kent guitar - 6 strings (needs new ones) and picks, case and beginner books. Very good condition. Auditorium style. If your are interested in any of these or would like more info let Lonnie know at.  lbonne@earthlink.net

REMINDERS GPDA  meeting Saturday August 11, 2007- Happy half-hour at 9:00 AM prior to meeting at 9:30 for visiting & coffee GPDA t-shirts still available (size med. on order)  Sweat shirt orders will be taken starting at August meeting.  Sizes run large.  Prices:  small thru x-lg without hood are $16.00, with hood, $22.50.  Size xxl without hood is  $18.00. Please send Email address changes to  News Letter editors - Dwayne & Jan Jennings HDJ1933@aol.com , also any items you wish to add to News Letter such as instruments for sale.

 

 

Special Announcement

 

For sale:

I am going to sell my 12 string mandola. It has 4 courses with 3 strings per course. It is tuned CGDA like a viola or tenor banjo. I bought it new from the luthier in Rockport, Maine in 1999. I have not played it much and it needs to be played. It also comes with a new gig bag. It has a beautiful sound. There are only three in existance that I know of. One went to a person in Italy, I have one, and Nick kept the third one. If you are interested or want to see/play it, please let me know. I will have it at Winfield in camp as well.

 

Henry

263-3901