Strings and Things

The Official Newsletter of the Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance

Volume XXIV Number Six

June 2006

FROM OUR PRESIDENT:

  I know that I've said this before, but I believe summer has arrived.  I'm also amazed at how fast time flies.  Just a month ago we were at the dulcimer festival in Glen Rose, TX, but it only seems like last week.  Thanks to Chuck Carr for running the meeting in my absence.  I don't know what Chuck has lined up for the workshops.  It seems like we have all been very busy. We will be making more plans for the warm up picnic (which is only 3 months away). We also need to get final counts for sweatshirt order. If you want a GPDA sweatshirt, and you won't be at the meeting, let someone know so we can get final counts. Don't forget "Happy ½ Hour " at 9 a.m. Saturday, general meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. , and hopefully workshops at 10 a.m. or so.  See everyone on Saturday.

Prez Joe

VICE PRESIDENTIAL CORNER:

A FEW WORDS FROM OUR VP:

Greeting to all GPDA members.
Whoa, are we coming up to mid-June already?  That means just three meetings before the Warm-up Picnic.  It is time to be thinking of how you can help support this great event.  Joe and First Lady, Marie have offered to chair the event, and we all know how much work that is, so let them know what you can do to help.

I want to thank Larry and all the members that came to play and talk with the public at Senseney Music June 3rd.  We had a good time, good music and were able to contact some interesting people.  I am grateful to Senseney Music for allowing us the opportunity to inform the community about GPDA.  Senseney Music has been a strong supporter of our events over the years, and it is good to see the relationship develop even more.  Thanks again to Larry for arranging everything.

To those that made it to the 4th annual camp out on the Fairgrounds at Winfield, it was good to see you.  It was similar to mini version of the festival complete with good food, good music, good people, warm weather and even portables!  Great fun was had by all!

Next time you are in Winfield, stop by the new music store Winfield Strings located at 208 East Ninth.  Owned by Brock and Tashlyn Benjamin, the shop features traditional bluegrass, old-time and acoustic instruments and accessories.  Brock is a certified instrument repair technician, specializing in acoustic instrument set-up and repair.  Winfield Strings is also the home of custom, handmade Benjamin Guitars.  So if you are just passing through, or you break your only G string, or somehow fall asleep while you are walking and playing at the festival, thus dropping your instrument and breaking the neck, don't despair, Winfield Strings is there.

This month's workshop will be lead by Ken. Focusing on the mountain dulcimer, Ken is going to stretch your knowledge, introduce a new key and revive a song he has not played for some time.  This should be a good learning experience for all the mountain players, so come ready for an adventure!  We will also continue with the open jam session as our other "workshop".

Hope to see you all Saturday, June 10th. Till then, stay cool and play on.
Chuck

 

SECRETARY'S NOTES FROM May MEETING:

 

 

 

 

DULCIMER FAIR @ SENSENEY MUSIC
The GPDA Dulcimer Fair at Senseney Music was a qualified success this past Saturday. The club was well represented our membership, and we had a great time playing music, answering questions and chatting with the public.  The event was described by Senseney Music management as a great music education presentation, and we have established a very good relationship with them.  Senseney Music was very generous in hosting our club, and provided a first-rate forum for our fair. They look forward to working with us again in the future. My thanks go out to those club members who participated, to Matt for the bottled water, to Joe for MC'ing the event, and to Senseney Music for helping promote our club. For those of you who weren't able to attend, you missed my first public performance on a hammered dulcimer. I managed to play along with Joy without messing up too terribly, ha.  See y'all at the club meeting!  Larry
 
THE FOLLOWING IS A MESSAGE REC'D BY BARBARA BARR-MADORIN REGARDING DEEP FORK FEST:
“Hi Barb,
No, we will not have a festival this year.  Help us spread the word.  It is just too much work for Mary and I at this time.  We may resume the festival in 2007 with a new date (in mid October) and a little different format.  Continue to keep Mary in your prayers as she continues to get better.  Hoping to see you soon at a festival or at Winfield this fall.  Thanks, and best wishes, Leo & Mary Roberts”
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Cowboy Round-Up at Winfield this past weekend was fun and LOUD.    They estimated 4,000 folks there.    The weather was good and Charlie Pride and Neal McCoy were the head liners for Friday and Saturday night.    What a great job they did and they had the volume turned down so you could set in the stands without your ears bleeding.   Got to meet Barry Patton (bones champion) and purchased two sets of Osage Orange bones from him.    Now I can annoy everyone during my learning curve.    Steve & Barb Madorin

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Eighth Annual
Flint Hills Folk Life Festival
Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
June 10th & 11th, 2006Saturday, June 10th, 10:00 am to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, June 11th, 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m.
on the grounds of the historic Chase County Courthouse.

Historical Presenters in period dress demonstrate the skills necessary for pioneers to live and work in the mid-1800s. Items produced at the festival will be for sale. Historical Presenters in previous years have included:
    * Basket Making
    * Soap Making
    * a Blacksmith
    * Spinning
    * Paper Marbling
    * Hand Carving
    * Leather Working
    * Calligraphy
    * Pottery Making
    * Rope Making
    * Natural Herbs
    * Weaving
    * Kettle Corn
    * Broom Making
    * Primitive Handmade Furniture
    * Tatting
    * TreenWare
    * Quilt Making
    * Homemade Root Beer
    * Civil War Era Encampment
    * Abraham Lincoln
    * a Zither Player
    * Live Music

The TallGrass Pickers will gather to jam at the Courthouse lawn at 7:30 Saturday evening. Plan to join us to listen or participate. Bring lawn chairs.  There is no admission charge to the festival or grounds.

For more information contact:

    * Charley & Carol Klamm at the Fiber Factory
      (620) 273-8686
       
    * Sue Smith at the Emma Chase Cafeʹ
      (620) 273-6020

 

 

For sale: