Greetings Friends near and far! Happy 2026. We had a fun time playing Christmas music in December and have put those tunes away
now until next year. The recent sunny days on Puget Sound have been quite welcome. A review of observances for February reveals 2/2-World Play Your Ukulele Day, 2/11 is not only National Get Out Your Guitar Day but also National Make a Friend Day (anything better than music to make friends?), and of course 2/14 is Valentine’s Day followed by Fat Tuesday on 2/17. Our playout list includes The Eighth of January (sung with the history lesson of the Battle of New Orleans-our audience sings along with vigor!), Just Because, Ice on the Road, some jigs and Rusty’s and Josephin’s Waltzes. Sharon brings her Irish lever harp and entertains the folks with a medley. We’re having fun with these tunes.
Playouts scheduled
- Jan 12~Crista Shores
- Jan 15~Clearbrook
- Jan 21~Country Meadows
- Jan 26~ Fieldstone
- Feb 20~Canterbury
- Feb 27~Fieldstone
Contacts for scheduling or attending playouts: Sharon Habener habs_@msn.com or Kay McCarthy kaycmccarthy@gmail.com
JAMMING EVERY TUESDAY 1-4pm! For 2026, Every Tuesday we are meeting at Silverdale Mall in the community room next to Dick’s Sporting Goods. We will resume the First and Third Tuesdays at the Mall when the weather warms up and we return to the Belfair Barn on the Hood Canal for 2nd, 4th and any 5th Tuesdays in May, June, July, August and September. We really have a good time and enjoy some folks dropping in to listen and learn more about Old Time Music. Of course, they like to inquire about Bill’s banjo bass! Stop by, bring a friend.
Speaking of friends. We are happy for Judy Merchant who moved to Arlington to be closer to her family. District 16 will be gaining a skilled jewel of a musician and really fine person. We miss her a lot! A few of us might have to take a trip over for a jam or two with Judy and District 16.
Check our WOTFA5 Facebook page for updates (20+) Facebook
Business meetings will be conducted monthly at the Kitsap Mall space one hour before our regular jam the Third Tuesday of each month….except for January, April, September and December, we will meet at the Kitsap Square Dance Hall from 11-3. Come join us! Update your membership and if you know of any students in our district interested in Fiddle Camp, start encouraging them Now! We have scholarships for these kiddos for next summer!
Stay tuned (literally!) and Keep playing!
District 5 Chair: Kent McCabe dkmccabe0723@gmail.com 360-277-6140 (texts preferred)
Respectfully submitted: Reporter, Sandi O’Kelly s_okelly@msn.com