🎻 WOTFA District 4 Report – August
Summer Greetings, Fiddler Friends!
Hope you all had a joyful Fourth of July celebrating America’s 249th birthday — and plenty of good music to go with the fireworks! It’s been a full and lively summer for our District 4 family, filled with great play-outs, jams, and fellowship.
🎶 July Play-Outs and Musical Highlights
Life Care Center:
A cheerful crowd of 18 residents enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of music from Gayle, Forrest, Rich, Vern, and Dwight. Starting five minutes early meant each musician got to play five tunes apiece! Many thanks to Dwight for bringing and setting up the sound equipment — everything went smoothly. Fred was home recovering from a summer bug (feeling much better now!) but sent his appreciation to everyone for keeping the music rolling.
Sedro-Woolley Senior Center:
The summer spirit was strong here, with Bill, Ben, Rich, Greg, Mici, Jim, Forrest, Gary, Dwight, Gayle, and Denise performing to a happy, full room. The food was great, and the smiles even better! Many thanks to all who played and helped — your dedication is always noticed and appreciated.
Mount Vernon Senior Center – Fiddle Tune Workshop & Jam:
A fantastic turnout — 17 musicians and 32 in the audience, plus 6 participants in Dennis’s workshop! There were tasty goodies, good fellowship, and great energy. Thanks to Dennis, Dwight, and David for setup help, and to everyone who pitched in — including ride-givers Ben, Martin, Barbara, and Nancy, and Barbara for handling the paperwork.
Players that evening included Forrest, Sarah, Diana, Gary, Dwight, Dennis, Vern, Jim, Ben, Greg, Graham, Denise, Barry, Marvin, Rich, and David from Bellingham — quite the lineup! It was wonderful to see Sarah and Diana there too.
July 25th Jam at Mount Vernon Senior Center:
Even an unexpected bathroom closure couldn’t dampen our spirits! With determination (and good humor), the evening went on — music, laughter, and even vegan chili and homemade goodies.
Performers included Rich, Greg, Denise, Diana, Gary, Forrest, Graham, Ben, and a resident Jim on mandolin. Late in the evening, audience members Margaret and Ken joined in — Margaret on harmonica with “Red River Valley” and Ken singing “Jambalaya” with Fred. Their granddaughter Dahlia even joined in the fun with Bluey the stuffed animal!
A big thank-you to Nancy, Diana, Ben, and everyone who brought food, helped, and spread cheer. It was a delightful night of music, laughter, and fellowship — proof that nothing can stop the Fiddlers when there’s a tune to play!
🎵 Tune of the Month
Indian Ate a Woodchuck
Be sure to check it out and give it a whirl!
And don’t miss the photos from our recent events:
👉 District 4 June–July 2025 Highlights
(Note from Fred: “One typo in the captions — it’s Sedro-Woolley, not Sedro-Woodley — but Katie does a fine job editing my ramblings!”)
🎻 Remembering Old Friends & Looking Ahead
Fred reminds us fondly of the Stixrud Family, long-time members of District 4 — Mom Debbie on mandolin and piano, Dad Duane on guitar, and their musical children Matthew, Sarah, Suzie, and Tim. Many will recall that D4 sponsored fiddle lessons for them years ago. We wish them all the best and thank them for the memories and their contributions to our musical family.
And to all our fiddlers, travelers, and campers, we hope you’ve had a wonderful summer full of music, sunshine, and stories. Can’t wait to hear your adventures when you’re back!
🎂 Coming Up in September
🎉 Danny’s 96th Birthday and Sara Jane’s 91st Birthday
📅 Saturday, September 13
📍 6414 N. Fruitdale Rd, Sedro-Woolley
🎶 Music at 11:00 AM
🍽️ Potluck lunch at 12:00 PM
Let’s all gather for this very special double birthday celebration full of love, laughter, and fiddle tunes!
💛 Thank You
As always, a heartfelt thank-you to all our players, helpers, and supporters. Whether you’re strumming, bowing, clapping, baking, or just cheering from the audience, you’re what makes District 4 such a warm and joyful community.
Here’s to a wonderful August filled with music, joy, and fellowship!
With appreciation,
Fred Robbins 🙂
Interim Chair
📞 206-786-3369
📧 fred@robbinsmetal.com
🌐 wotfa.org
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