More sadness for NHCDS members! We have lost another beloved member; Jack Dennis passed away last month (Jan 2006). We all will miss him terribly!!

We have lost a beloved member of NHCDS. See Carl Scott's Memorial Page here.

WORKSHOP PLAYBACK:

Jan. 27-29 Winter Weekend Workshop with Peggy Carter and Steve Eulberg.

The Winter Workshop Weekend took place at South Main Baptist Church in Houston the last weekend of January, and it was a huge success! Everybody enjoyed workshops by Steve Eulberg from Colorado and Peggy Carter from Houston .... the jam/tune share at Peggy's house was really fun! LOVED THE CAJUN TUNE!!! We had a total of 36 folks registered to take workshops. In addition to folks from ALL AROUND Houston, we had players from Austin, Texarkana, Baton Rouge, Love Lady (thats in Texas... really!), Corpus Christi, and 1 from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands!

If you didn't make it, you missed a wonderful weekend! Put it on your calendar for 2007.... the last weekend in January.
Peggy Carter

** A side note about this workshop weekend from Suzanne Campling: What a BLAST!!! Not only did we have our noses to the grindstone to learn tons of new and intense information about how to become better players of mountain and hammered dulcimers, we also had one of the most fun jams that I have ever attended!!! Just ask me about "Old Jig Clark" and "Bile that Borscht"!!! If ya'll haven't had the pleasure of meeting, learning from and jamming with Steve Eulberg, you have missed out, now couple his sense of humor and intelligence with that of Peggy Carter, and you can't match such a fun learning and laughing experience!!! Don't miss next year's workshop!!!

The July Dulcimer FunFest in Evart Michigan exceeded all of my expectations … particularly the temperature. The only thing warmer than the temperature (and humidity) was the warmth of the Michigan people, and of course, all the folks who were there from all across the US, including Texas. I've NEVER seen so many hammer dulcimer players together at one time!!! There were 12 barns filled with musicians taking workshops all day, and in addition to the barns, there were several pavilions filled with musicians jamming all day and into the wee hours at night. The festival officially starts on Thursday, but the regulars were there the entire week jamming, hanging out, eating, and just generally enjoying themselves and each other. I think everybody in Michigan plays the hammer dulcimer, but you'd be surprised how many Mt. dulcimer players were there, too... and ukelele.... plus all of the other instruments you'd expect to see at an acoustic event, such as fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, dobro, folk harp, bowed psaltery, harmonica, whistle and yes, even accordion and piano. I'm hoping to go back next summer, and I hope y'all will come go with me. Peggy Carter
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Bayou City Old Time Music and Dulcimer Festival
Anyone who missed this festival missed hearing some great music and meeting some fantastic people. Thursday night’s concert was a gospel concert with musicians that many of us have heard, such as the Wrights and Maureen Sellers. But, there was also a local trio of men, Crosswords, who were new to me and gave a wonderful concert. From there the festival got better each day. I was glad to see and to take lessons from Bill Taylor from Tennessee. (He built one of my favorite dulcimers.) And, to spend time with Maureen Sellers whose music I often play. At the concerts, I was awed by the flat- picking style of Steve Kilby, a guitarist that I had not seen before. He lives in Virginia and was accompanied by his wife. Then, there was Laura Boothsinger
who not only entertained us with her banjo and autoharp but also sang with one of the most beautiful voices I have heard. A bass player named Amanda, who did a super break on Alabama Jubilee, accompanied her. Steve Kilby also did a rendition of Alabama Jubilee during his performance on Saturday. I have only mentioned a few of the performers who were there but all did an outstanding job. I am grateful to Gordon and Sandy White and Jerry and Margaret Wright for stepping out to organize this festival in Houston. I am looking forward to another music-filled festival next year.
Durelle Kincel

Dulcimers 4 Dawgs Benefit Concert
What a great day we had!!! The music was wonderful, the crowd was great and their pockets were deep for the DAWGS!
THANKS to all who participated! I’d like to list everyone here, but the truth is, I don’t have enough space, nor does my memory serve well enough to remember everyone’s name!
One name does come to mind….a special thanks to “Lucky”, a golden retriever who did his best to join in singing on just about every tune played! (we just have to teach him what key to sing in☺)
We are already beginning to make plans to do this again next year, only even better!
I don’t have the final total of monies gained from the benefit, but I can say that we are very pleased for this first effort!

Suzanne Campling

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*Submitted by Jerry Wright: "I learned from Gilbert and Pat Richardson that Calvin Williams was about to have by-pass surgery and then through another email that he indeed did have the surgery. On Friday (Aug 15th) Margaret called Calvin’s hospital room. We both spoke with him. He told me that after meeting with the doctor, the doctor decided in about 20 minutes that a by-pass surgery was imminent. The surgery was scheduled right then. He told Calvin that without it he wouldn’t see November. Calvin went in and had 5 by-passes. You read it right – Calvin said 5!
So on Friday Calvin sounded fine. He said he had a little discomfort from the surgery itself but other than that he really felt fine.
Thanks to Gilbert and Pat Richardson for letting us know."
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Playback - Comments about some of the events that members have attended recently:

Letter of thanks from Christ Lutheran Church - El Campo: (Sept. 21)

Dear Dulcimer Society;
Many, many thanks from Christ Lutheran Church for your performance at our Sausage Fest.
There have been many compliments floating around about how good you sounded and how much it added to our celebration. God has given you a great talent but it's made all the better by your gift of sharing it with others. We hope you will consider coming again next year.
(Maybe by then we can get a better sound system.)

Again we thank you and ask God for his blesssings on all of you and your families.

In His Service,


Art Weiss, Pastor
Carol Wied, Secretary
Congregation of Christ Lutheran Church
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SAMFest 2003!!! From Peggy:

"SAM-Fest is over, and I just want to thank all the folks who supported the festival with your attendance this year. Without you, the festival would have been pointless, because your participation is what its all about!

Many folks have commented to me about what a good "line-up" we had this year, with teachers from New York to California, and many places in between, including Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Louisianna, and all across Texas.

"The performer/teachers commented to me that there were SO MANY good players in the workshops, and they were able to teach on a fairly advanced level. The less advanced beginners were all so enthusiastic and anxious to learn new strategies for playing their instruments.

"I heard many comments about how good the meals were.... and they were right there and so conveniently located! Others commented about how NICE and COOL it was in the classrooms and at the concerts!

"I can honestly say, that I was able to sit back and relax and enjoy the performances each night. Let's do it again next year! (July 29 - 31, 2004).

Peggy Carter

from a very pleased attendee:

I can only speak for myself, but I just bet that my feelings are shared by many if not all who attended this year's SAMFest! What a blast!!! I say that because not only did we all get to listen to a ton of great music, jam with the best, visit, eat and buy good stuff:), the workshops were super! I know that I brought home enough music and information to keep me plenty busy for some time to come...not only did I gather stuff to soak up in time, but I discovered that I had learned alot just by participating in the classes! Anyone who really wants to learn more and develope new skills in playing will certainly benefit from SAMFest! See ya'll in the classrooms next year!

Suzanne Campling:)

Old TIme Music and Fellowship Night at Covenant Lutheran Church: We had a great time playing to an audience that really enjoyed listening and even joining in with singing when asked:)! There were aproximately 50 people in the audience and the Special Needs Fund benefitted with $273.00 in donations!!! YEAH!

A very special THANKS goes to the Kincels, the Johnsons, Beth Case, Albert Hollan, Marianne Drabek, Ileene Morrison (and hubby, Earl who sold CDs for us), Michele Koester, Ed Mills and Patty Ragatz for sharing their talents!!!

Suzanne & Philip Campling

*Report on San Jacinto Monument play:
"It doesn't get any better than the San Jacinto Play.We were in a beautiful park in the shade of a Live Oak tree.
There was hardly any wind and a cloudless sky. Temperatures were in the 70's.
The audience was appreciative.
The food was excellent. If all that was not enough, we got to make a little music with our friends. After playing for our lunch we regrouped at the base of the monument
and played for the Houston Area Square and Round Dancers.
They considered it a treat to play for live music.

Chuck Chandler (Fretless and Fretted Banjo) led the play and he was joined
by Mark Bailey (Mountain Dulcimer), Suzanne Campling (Mountain Dulcimer),
Philip Campling (Guitar), David Chandler (Guitar), Millie Cochran (Mountain Dulcimer),
Boyd Copeland (Fiddle), Cheryl Dowdy (Mountain Dulcimer),
Tommy Hathaway (Upright Bass), Albert Hollan (Mandolin), Barbara Moore (Autoharp),
Glenn Morrell (Mountain Dulcimer), and Dave Muller (Guitar).

By David Muller

*Katy Folklife Festival - April 5
After a bit of morning haze, the weather at the Katy festival turned out beautiful. We had a grand time, playing in front of the caretaker's cottage and were joined for a few songs by walk-in musicians (Rhonda would train them and we would put them to work). We sold four CDs and gave out brochures to several interested musicians and wannabees.
The high point of the play was in the late afternoon when a couple of kids came up among us and we closed in to their level and surrounded them with our music. They and their parents (and we) really got a kick out of that. Many thanks to Barbara, Millie, Kate, Suzanne and Phillip, and David for making this play a success. Maybe next year we should put together a version of the 1812 Overture; the Cane Island Volunteers could provide the sound effects.

By Chuck Chandler

*On the evening of Saturday, April 5, five members of the Society and two guests played at a private costumed dinner party at the home of Kevin Ray in Columbus, Texas. The theme of the party was "Time was: 1800s," so the players
dressed and performed accordingly. The players in attendance were
Marianne Drabek (mountain dulcimer and tambourine)
Steve Heiser (mandolin and guitar)
Terry and Barbara McCafferty(mountain dulcimer)
Jack Giger (Guitar and mandolin)
Mary Tangen (Dulcijo, mountain dulcimer, and wooden spoons)
Mark Bailey (mountain dulcimer and fife)
Our performance was well received, and we received profuse compliments from the hosts and their guests, and a very good time was had by all.

By Mark Bailey

*Palestine Old Time Music Festival - This past weekend the hills of east Texas were once again alive with the sound of old time music. The following are my picks for some of the outstanding features of this festival.
TOM, BRAD, AND ALICE - Known separately as Tom Sauber, Brad Leftwich and Alice Gerrard, this trio plays old time like it's supposed to be when no one's messed with it. The group gathers around one microphone and achieves a wonderful blend of voices and instruments. I learned that Tom and Brad now live in California while Alice is still in North
Carolina, so I imagine they were as happy to be together as we were to have the three.
THE RAFFLE - We are talking about major big prizes - a Lindsay HD, MacCafferty baritone MD, Lamprecht soprano MD, Sharon Robert's quilt. The "other stuff" was good, too. Brenda Damewood donated three of her beaded watches, Carol Montgomery contributed some of her wood workings, artists donated CDs, and I can't remember it all.
Carl Buchanan took the prize for her "victory dance" when she won the quilt.
LORRAINE HAMMOND - Jerry said he didn't know who she was and invited her on Don Pedi's recommendation.
Thank you Don and Jerry! Lorraine's Friday class of "Singing for the confidence impaired" sounded like just what I needed. The students were clearly a group of hopefuls and then Justin Marquez walked in. He took some good natured ribbing about being there, but we let him stay. On Saturday many more singers were present and the next class, slide
dulcimer, was so full not everyone could get in. I loved Lorraine's teaching method and came away from her classes with a little more confidence in my voice, a great new song, and a cool way to play the dulcimer in any key.
I'm also inspired to work on what I learned and that's the real mark of a good teacher. All in all, I'm sure glad that I was there.

By Marianne Drabek

*Six members of NHCDS played at the Winedale Spring Festival on Sunday, March 30, 2003. Play leader Carl Scott was joined by Earl and Kate Schultz, Alethea Drexler, Cheryl Dowdy, and Teresa Moore. Carl chose tunes in both “D” and “G” for our program. In addition to dulcimer and guitar, the autoharp, harmonica, mouth harp, and limberjack
were played during our performances.
We were fortunate to have beautiful weather outdoors since the theatre barn, where we usually play, is undergoing renovation. We played two sets in the courtyard of the guest quarters. The arts and crafts vendors were close by so many of those attending the festival were able to stop and listen.
Winedale has been one of our favorite venues for a long time. For any club members who have never been to that festival, you are missing a chance to see the Texas bluebonnets in their spring debut, and the opportunity to look at some of the finest arts and crafts in Texas.

By Teresa Moore

*On Thursday afternoon, March 20, Terry and I played for the Katy/Brookshire Area Fine Arts Group. It was a fairly small group gathered in the beautiful back yard of one of the members. We played a mixture of fiddle tunes, waltzes, and other tunes to give the group a sample of the type of music we play. It was a very enjoyable and relaxing
afternoon. They seemed to really enjoy our music and we sold four CDs.

By Barbara McCafferty

*Dulcimer Cruise
"It was cold and rainy when we left Galveston at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday headed south to Cozumel, but by midday on Friday it warm and sunny. Terry and I had a great time eating, playing a little music, eating, sunning on the deck, eating, going to the shows, eating, being with old friends and meeting new friends. Some of us even made it to every
midnight buffet. We dressed up for dinner each night and one night was even formal. (Quite different from our usual jeans and shorts). I think I heard Peggy say there were 45 of us that went on the cruise and 18 played in the ship’s guest talent show. Probably most of the people there had never seen or heard dulcimers. It appeared we were a big hit.
The audience started clapping along as soon as we started playing. We played “Bile Them Cabbage” at a pretty fast pace, then went into a Calypso beat of “Bile Them Cabbage” and then right into “Whiskey Before Breakfast”.
After beautiful weather on Friday, beautiful weather in Cozumel, and beautiful weather Sunday morning, we returned to a cold, rainy Houston."
Barbara McCafferty

"As a "Dulcimer Festival" this cruise had some VERY unusual characteristics:
1) The constant supply of FOOD!
2) A bevy of stewards and waiters to cater to our every need.
3) Several swimming pools
4) A variety of music to listen to if we could tear ourselves away from our own jam sessions
5) This one is REALLY UNIQUE.... I've seen most of you at many dulcimer events, but its the FIRST TIME I've ever seen all of you so dressed up! Y'all clean up real good!
I really enjoyed our set on the Talent Show.... several passengers stopped me to compliment us. Other passengers stopped me and said how much they enjoyed listening to us play in the Churchhill Library and the Speakeasy Lounge."
Peggy Carter

"I am sitting at my desk at work wondering "what time is lunch" and worrying about what I should wear to dinner tonight and better yet who's going to wait on me hand and foot now. The food was wonderful and the service amazing and Cozumel was absolutely beautiful.
Some of my more memorable times were going with Barbara and Terry, and Tommy of course, to Mr. Sancho's for some basking in the sun, lunch and shopping and then taking a jeep tour around Cozumel. The coastal areas and water at Cozumel was breathtaking. I also enjoyed being able to sit and listen to the group just jam, being at the Gospel session on Sunday and especially being able to sit in the audience and listen to our group perform on stage. For those that missed it, you missed a real treat. Our group sounded great and the crowd went wild during the entire performance. What an honor to be able to say I belong to such a talented group of musicians and have so many good friends on the cruise with us. We had tons of food selections at dinner and wonderful dinner companions. I just wish we could have rotated our dinner companions so we could all have gotten to know each other a little better."
Carol Buchanan