Strings and Things

The Official Newsletter of the Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance

Volume XXV Number Twelve

December 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FROM OUR PRESIDENT:

From your thankful partner in music making and pres:

 

November, the month for giving thanks and we have much to be thankful for. Not the least if which is having good and supportive friends to join in playing music. I find renewed energy in the special holiday songs. It is a time to celebrate family. GPDA seems like the family you belong to by choice rather than DNA. Having been blessed in both cases, I sincerely hope that it is true for each of you also.
 
Recent music sharing.
On Nov. 30th a group of us played for the Veterans home in Winfield. Lois Liggett MC'd and as usual did a wonderful job of it. She also brought her Santa Limberjack which fit in quite well as we played mostly Christmas music. Lois is really great at getting the residents involved in the program. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

On Dec. 1st in the afternoon, a group played at the Derby Rec. Center . We sat on the exercise track so our music could float out over the craft fair below and after some initial microphone problems it did. This is a fun event because you are separated from the audience so it's more like jamming. Thanks to Lonnie for setting up this play opportunity.

About a dozen of us showed up to play at cowtown on the evening of Dec. 1st. we played from 6-9 with breaks to enjoy the happenings at Cowtown. It's such a pretty sight with everyone dressed up and sitting on the stage in the old church in Cowtown. The church was decked out for Christmas including a tree on the stage. The playing went well. As always, the favorite activity is the jingle belling as the children come and jingle bells while we play one of the more lively Christmas tunes, usually Jingle Bells, It was an unusually warm evening, nearly 70 degrees. This made it quite pleasant to walk around Cowtown when taking a break from playing. There were square dancers in the livery stable and things were really jumpin' at the saloon with the Dixie Lee Dancers. I heard there was also dancing at Turnverine Hall.

There is another opportunity to play at the church in Cowtown on the 8th of Dec. again from 6-9 pm . This is the same day as our Christmas party and the big 25th club anniversary celebration. There will be a pot luck lunch. We will have the gift exchange again for those who wish to participate. Bring gifts in the 5 dollar range. There will also be a short awards ceremony. Don't forget to bring your cake contest entries. I'll be judging on taste and decoration. One of our industrious and talented members will take home the prize of 50.00. Bring your cake covers so you can trade portions of cake ( sort of like a cookie exchange).

Of course, we plan to play some music if we can fit it in. There's lots of fun to be had. If Cowtown is not your cup of tea, Richard Taylor and David Collucci are playing during open mic in El Dorado at the Iron Horse that night.
 
I now have music packets available. Unfortunately, The cost of printing went up a little. The cost is now $ 14.00.

 

Pat

 

VICE PRESIDENTIAL CORNER:

 

From the tinsel and pine needle covered desk of your  VP:
 
It has officially started - the race is on to Christmas! Why is it that we have to work so hard and fast to get it here when it comes at the same time every year? Maybe it's because there is so much joy and fellowship and so much music to share and see and sing everywhere you go. Christmas is such a wonderful time of year and next to the celebration of the birth of our Savior, family and music are the biggest part of December. Look and listen! There is music everywhere...on TV, radio, in all the stores, the churches are filled with voices and instruments and faces full of love. I try to be a part of as much of it as time allows. I know this is the best month of the year for music lovers. We have many play opportunities and fun things going on this month so be sure to check the calendar at the end of the news letter.

Here are just a few: We played on the walk way at the Derby Recreation Center on Sat, Dec 1st at 12:30 for a couple hours during the art and craft fair. Sat evening we play at the old church at Cowtown in Wichita from 6:00 - 9:00 . Wear black and white or "period appropriate" attire. The same goes for the following Sat at Cowtown. It's a fun evening so bring your family and enjoy walking through the streets and singing carols with the others. Dress warm!

Don't forget the Christmas party and anniversary celebration on Sat December 8th! Fun, fun, fun!

 

Blessed Christmas from your V. P., Lonnie

GPDA Meeting Minutes for November

Pat called the meeting to order and read the minutes in Rose's absence. The minutes for the prior meeting were accepted as read. Dwight agreed to tape the meeting for the construction of the November minutes.

I, Pat, expressed my appreciation for member's attendance at play opportunities. Carolyn Stidham thanked members for playing at the funeral of their daughter and for food and cards they had received.
It was announced that Rose had reserved the shelter at Afton Lake for the retreat on Sat 19th of Jan.

Joe and Marie began a discussion of the 25th anniversary celebration as they had volunteered to head the event at the last board meeting. I asked for volunteers to help them. There were no specific replies. Joe stated they has thought about getting coffee mugs. He asked the club to approve a certain amount that they could spend on the event. He estimated that cake, invitations with stamps to mail them and table decorations would cost about $100.00. He estimated another $100.00 for cups to present to past presidents and founding members. Marie expressed that Silver was important as it is our 25th. I suggested that just a GPDA mug might serve this purpose as silver trim cannot go in the microwave and it might be easier to sell the remaining cups if they did not have reference to a specific event. Troy thought it better if they did have 25th on them. A show of hand was asked for and most who were present indicated that they might purchase a cup with 25th on it. The attendance was approx. 20 members. Joe again asked for a set dollar amt. 

 

A motion was made for $250.00. Marie expressed doubt that this would be enough. Jan Jennings suggested separate expenditures for cups and general party items. Troy made a motion to that effect but before a vote could be taken, Joe brought up that no one really knew how many past presidents there were and certainly could not guess how many might attend. Toni Warren suggested that some of the cost could be defrayed by bringing decor that members already had that pertained to the 25th. She suggested a total expenditure of $300.00. Marie stated that if we set the amount too low, they would be limited in what they could do and if there was excess it would come back to the club. Troy then suggested that Joe and Marie be given free reign on the cups. I revisited the idea of having GPDA cups without the 25th as it would be good advertisement for the club. Marie asked if we wanted extra cups printed that we could sell. I expressed concerns about storage and Marie expressed concerns about tying up club assets. Dwayne asked if we could let the board deal with the cup issue. I suggested a motion of $150.00 for general party items. Troy made a motion for $200.00 for same. Dwayne 2nded and the vote carried (yes). Troy made a motion that board make the decision on the cups. there was a 2nd and the motion passed(yes).

I presented future play opportunities. Jan asked if she could wear regular Cowtown attire rather than black and white to play Christmas music at the church at Cowtown. I said, of course.
I reviewed the idea of the minifest add in Dulcimer Players News. Jan agreed to put it in.

We voted on new officers. Joe made a motion that all current officers be reelected. There was a 2nd and the motion passed (yes).

Toni said they (she and Jim) had done some testing on printing lyrics for sing alongs. I said Rose had also worked on it. Toni agreed to contact Rose and work on it some more.

Jim Colluci gave a treasury report. The current treasury balance is $2480.--
I welcomed guests, Rick and his daughter Sarah Taylor. They asked about hammered dulcimer lessons. Teresa Bachman, Pincess Harris and The Newbies were mentioned.

Marie showed a memory book that Lorretta Naas had made about husband Matt's trip to Winfield. It was put out for display during the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

Cowtown Volunteer Opportunities/Playing Opportunities

 

Christmas at Cowtown playing opportunity:
Our reserved scheduled times to play in the church are:
Saturday, Dec. 8 - 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Taking scheduled breaks are, as usual, our prerogative.
Period dress to be black and white church appropriate.

Other volunteer opportunities contact Amy Loch at 660-1878

 

Other Upcoming Events & Festivals

January 4 - January 6, 2008 14th Annual Dulcimer Retreat, Sam Houston State University , Huntsville , TX   www.dulcimerhouse.com SSDulcHse@aol.com

 

January 17 - 20, 2008   Jam at Perrin , TX    Harps, Hammers and Friends If you are interested, email hdj1933@aol.com & I will forward more information.

 

January 19, 2008   Lake Afton GPDA Music Retreat 10:00 am - ?? (all day), at the large shelter on the west side of the lake.  Bring soup for lunch & pot luck for dinner. Jamming all day long.

 

February 1, 2008 5th Annual Colorado Dulcimer Festival  Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church  Fort Collins, CO  www.owlmountainmusic.com   steve@owlmountainmusic.com

 

February 15 & 16, 2008 Bluegrass at the Marriott  advance weekend tickets- $40.00 until Feb. 6, 2008 - at the door $45.00.  

 

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 one instrument for sale.
A Kent guitar - 6 strings (needs new ones) and picks, case and beginner books. Very good condition. Auditorium style. Asking $100.00 OBO
If your are interested in or would like more info let Lonnie know at her (new) email address. lbonnes@cox.net

 

 

REMINDERS

GPDA Christmas Party and 25th Anniversary Celebration on December 8, 2007 , 11:00 AM - ??  Please bring a covered dish for dinner, & small gift to exchange if you want to participate in the gift exchange.  Don't forget your cake for the cake contest if you wish to enter.

 

Hammered Dulcimer Players:  If you wish to purchase a beginning HD book from Linda Lowe Thompson , we will be sending in a group order.  Book & CD are $20.00 if we order together - bring your check to the GPDA party or mail to Jan Jennings 1743 Tiara Pines Derby, KS 67037 and I will send it in. You can check the book out on Linda's web site:  lindalowethompson.com 

 

GPDA t-shirts still available (size med. are here) Sweat shirt orders will be taken at the club 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. We have ONE large hoodie available right now. See Lonnie.

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.

Welcome to new members:
Joseph and Candy Costello
Trevor Hicks
Patricia Oplinger
Azik Oplinger
Valerie Parker

 

 

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