October Highlights
Thank you to everyone who participated in October’s events! Here’s a quick recap of what we accomplished together:
•S/W Senior Center Jam: A great turnout with 70 people in the audience! Thank you for saying your name, the song, and the key—you all sounded fantastic.
•Schuh Farm Play-Out: Wonderful music and fellowship! Special thanks to Sarah for singing, Martin and Barbara for transportation, and all our musicians, including Suzie, Bud, Greg, Cristal, Banjo Jim, and more. Two hours of great music brought smiles to kids, parents, and staff.
•La Conner Inn Performance: Thank you to Denise, Jim, Gary, Dwight, Forrest, Mici, and Dennis. Your music was much appreciated by the audience.
•Mount Vernon Senior Center Meeting and Jam: After a short meeting, we had a fantastic jam session! Thank you, Nancy, for taking minutes.
Key Takeaways from October Discussions:
•Musicians agreed to introduce themselves, their songs, and the key during performances for a more professional experience.
•We clarified that only string instruments are allowed to maintain the Old Time Fiddlers’ standards. Thank you, Ben and Jim, for addressing this with a new guest.
•We’re exploring ways to capture more photos during events—thank you, Jay Morrison, for your help with this project.
November Updates
Upcoming Events:
•New Fiddle Circle – Nov. 8, 5 PM, M/V Senior Center: Led by Barry and Dennis, this is a chance to learn new fiddle tunes and backup techniques. We hope students and fiddlers alike will join!
•Monthly Jam – 2nd and 4th Fridays, 6:30–9:00 PM: Join us at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Ave.
Looking Ahead:
•Bellingham Play-Out on Nov. 25: Barry, David, Graham, Dwight, Jim, and Mici will be performing. Thank you for representing us!
•2025 Membership Renewal: Don’t forget to renew your membership before December 31! Visit wotfa.org/membership-renewal.
•Leadership Elections: We need to fill positions for Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. Please consider volunteering—your help is essential to keeping our district vibrant!
Special Thanks
•Carol Oglesbee: After many years of joyful music and dedication, Carol is stepping back to stay closer to home. Thank you for your contributions, Carol—we’ll miss you and wish you all the best!
•Volunteers: Thank you to everyone who sets up, carries equipment, and helps keep our events running smoothly. Let’s share these responsibilities to support one another!
Reminders
•Donation Increase: We’re considering raising the suggested donation from $50 to better reflect today’s costs. Let’s revisit this discussion soon.
•Support the Fiddlers: Your participation keeps Old Time Fiddlers’ music alive for future generations. Contact Fred or Sarah if you’d like to get involved.
Contact Information:
•Interim Chair: Fred Robbins – (206) 786-3369 | fred@robbinsmetal.com
•Treasurer/Event Scheduling: Sarah Buntin – (360) 679-6595 | itsrustyoldhalo@frontier.com
•Calendar: Fred Robbins – (206) 786-3369 | fred@robbinsmetal.com
Thank you all for your dedication to music, community, and fellowship. Let’s keep the music alive!
This revised version organizes the information into sections, making it easier to navigate while preserving Fred’s enthusiasm. Let me know if you’d like further tweaks!