Winler 1997 • 1
Dear Readers
•
he community where I live has experienced several weather-related adventures this year. Who arou nd here can fo~get the thirty-eight inches of snow early in January, fo~owed by the flooding two weeks later? The cold spring and cool summer fooled even my azaleas. A few blossoms are out there now in late October, shivering, asking, "Hey! Isn't it spring?" Some of Tropical Storm Fran's handiwork is shown in the picture, taken by my friend Bonnie Jacobs. That road that leads under water also leads, two miles downstream, to my house. Yes, that is a roof you see in the picture. Scuttlebut has it that the building was once a club where Winchester resident Patsy Cline performed. The house didn't sweep down the Shenandoah River, but I'll be surprised if it is ever occupied again. When nature showed us she is in charge, our community came together. During Fran's visit, Jill, my neighbor across the road, and I went to cbeck on a house belonging to friends who had just moved the week before. We wondered how others were doing, checking in with the brothers at the Monastery next d ~or to see if they had electriCity. They did; we didn't-for two days. The Monastery became our refuge for water a nd showers and, after things settled down, my source for help in cleaning up broken tree limbs. What does all of this bave to do with dulcimers? We, too, are a community: one of builders and players, of stores and clubs, of festivals, of enthusiasts, and supporters of the music. Dulcimer Players News is one of our community photo albums and diaries. You are the reason we are here; why we now celebrate the advent of our twenty-third year. I've heard the stories of dulcimer club members helping people who have lost instruments and music to floods or fires or earthquakes. We hear that dulcimer people are some of the best cooks out there as you celebrate gatherings with good food and wonder-
ful music. I wisb all of the thousands of us could be on the cover of this, our dulcimer community, issue. Maybe, if we all live long enough, that will happen! We're growing again and have new staff people to introduce. Readers are always fascinated by Ralph Lee Smith's historical columns on the mountain dulcimer. Now some of the hammered dulcimer stories will emerge-be sure to meet Paul Gifford in this issue. Carrie Crompton is " retiring" as the columnist handling reviews and new items. Of course, you and I know that this fine person and wonderful musician will be contributing to the DPN for years to come. But, our thanks go to her for all the years she has devoted to writing this interesting column. Carrie will introduce Neal Walters, who is OUf new reviewer. To our dulcimer community at large: Thank you for your efforts every day to preserve and foster the music of these instruments we love so much! Dulcimerrily,
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NETWORKING Closing daIIII for IINI May 1997-.l1li, 1997 l1'li (To be mailed to subscribers by April 10th) Information for News & Notes, Letters, Music Exchange, etc: February 5th Classified Ads: February 5th Display Ads: February 5th (space reservation), February 15th (camera-ready copy) Ad PrIces Unclassified Ads: 45¢ per word. 4 issues paid in advance without copy changes: 20% discount.
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