Reporter Central Kitsap
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FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014 | Vol. 29, No. 27 | WWW.CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.COM | 50¢
Find some hidden gems at RAGS on Saturday BY LESLIE KELLY LKELLY@SOUNDPUBLIHING.COM
The biggest darn garage sale of the year is on its way. And if you want to make sure to get the best of the best, be in line at at Kitsap County Fairgrounds early on Saturday morning. It’s the annual RAGS (Rotary Annual Garage Sale) and the doors open at 8 a.m. “We sing the National Anthem and then we open the doors,” said Rotarian Danny Brown. “The people just come pouring in.” Just as they have every year since 1995, the
Kitsap County Rotary Clubs come together this week for their annual garage sale. The pavilion at the fairgrounds, the Van Zee Building and portions of the parking lot, will be filled to the brim with just about anything imaginable. Participating clubs include the Silverdale Sunrise, the Silverdale Noon, the Bremerton, the East Bremerton and the South Kitsap Rotary clubs. Whatever proceeds are earned will be split among the clubs to be used for projects that benefit local communities. Brown has been involved in RAGS for 13
years and has been chairman the past three years. “It has two great purposes,” he said. “It helps us earn money that we use in the community to support students, and it is a great place for community members to get things they need for a great price.” Last year’s sale generated about $35,000, Brown said. Each of the five participating clubs took home $5,000 which most used for scholarships for high school students and for other educational projects. About $10,000 was kept on reserve to help Leslie Kelly/ staff photo
SEE RAGS, A9
Vicki Bess sorts through craft items getting ready for the RAGS sale which is Saturday.
Unique instrument stirs a student’s passion BY SERAINE PAGE SPAGE@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Seraine Page/staff photo
Andrew Samuelson practices on a 5-octave marimba.
When band becomes an option for students at the middle and high school level, most opt for instruments like the flute or oboe. But not Central Kitsap High School senior Andrew Samuelson. For Samuelson, a percussionist, there’s nothing like the marimba. Samuelson, 17, discovered the large instrument early in his high school career while in “the pit” during a band performance. An upperclassman was playing the instrument when he first heard it. “I was totally fascinated by the sound,” the senior said. “It has such a range to it.” The instrument bares a small resemblance to the xylophone, but sounds much deeper. When struck with mallets, it produces varying tones. It is also much more expensive to replace than other instruments, with a single key costing
It was then that he upward of $500 to fix if knew he had to learn broken. Samuelson was recent- to play. So, his parents ly selected to participate signed him up for private in the state competition lessons. He also owns for solo and ensemble in a marimba that he can Ellensburg at the end of practice on regularly at the month. He won for home in addition to the the Timpani f ive-o ctave division as one at well as a school. first alter- “It’s such a pleasure Once a nate posi- to play this thing. week he tion for I’m so happy meets with mallets. instrucI’m able to. It’s tor Amy “ T h e fantastic.” Putnam, marimba w h o is really – Andrew Samuelson received my passion,” said her Master Samuelson, of Music in who also plays the drums, 1996 from The Juilliard Timpani and a little bit of School. piano. “I just thought it He quickly learned that sounded so great. A lot of he had to practice if his people don’t know what parents were going to it is.” continue paying for the After hearing its lessons, he said. sound and falling in Now, he estimates he love with the music that spends at least four hours could be produced on a week perfecting his it, Samuelson started skills, and with a statetaking lessons in 2010 level competition coming with a private instruc- up, Samuelson expects tor. He quickly became that may increase. enthralled with YouTube “I think I should probvideos showcasing how ably practice more,” he joked. to play the instrument.
Several experiences, including going to state and auditioning for honor bands, cemented his thoughts on going to college for music education. “We’re very proud of him,” said Julie Samuelson, his mother. “I think Andrew found his niche. We’ve just seen him blossom.” So far, Samuelson has auditioned for Central Washington University and Liberty University in hopes of pursuing his love of music. He plans to go on to be a band director “like Mr. Woods,” who is his current CK High instrumental music director. Every year, Woods said he has a few students who pick up the marimba fairly well. They’ll usually have an older peer — like Samuleson did—who coaches them along the way before they leave the high school. But, in addition to peer mentoring, some are just naturally prone to picking it up SEE MARIMBA, A9