Spring has sprung as you can see by the baby hummingbirds in the picture and regulations are relaxing.  With all of that happening, we are scheduling quite a few playdates!  By the time this newsletter comes out, we will have shared our music with quite a few folks.

We had a great turn out for our meeting/jam on the 2nd Sat. of March.  It was so much fun with so many fiddles and even a banjo joining our regular mandolins, bass and the usual guitar players.  We welcomed newcomers, Judy, Chuck and Jeanne.  Ena joined in the singing and the Smith family came again with 3 generations to join in the fun.

In April, we will have a meeting/jam on Sat. the 9th at the Des Moines Masonic Center.  Doors open at 11am.  We break for a short meeting at 1pm followed by lunch (bring your own).  More jamming afterwards until we get tired or until 4pm, whichever comes first.  What can I say?  We’re either too old with too little energy or too young with too much to make it very long!

This gathering on April 9th is the last one until we resume in September on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays.  We take a break because people seem to be too busy for jams in the spring and summer.  However, we will still be having regular playdates where members perform at senior facilities and other venues during our break.  If you would like to play with us at these, contact me or Bernie Turner at bernus.turner@comcast.net.  We’d love to have you.

Lastly, I have included a couple of recent pictures of Shirley Calvert who passed away on March 2, 2022 after a long battle with cancer.  I think Shirley literally held our district together by all she did!  She kept track of playdates, meetings, attendance, and was the sunshine committee all rolled into one.  I joined the fiddlers about 10 years ago as a beginning guitar player.  She was very instrumental in keeping me coming with her warm welcome and encouragement.  She included me in all playdates and anytime I had questions she helped me.

  

She loved the music and wanted to share it with folks.  We will miss her and her kind spirit.  Please keep Roy and their family in your thoughts and prayers.

Enjoy the spring and keep practicing!  Any questions, please email me.

Jenny Swanson                                                                                                                                                                                                                      timbuktoe@yahoo.com