Metro Parks celebrated Labor Day with a great festival centered around Wautauga Lake in Centennial Park. We were proudly represented by Judy Beier, Freddy and Janice Brown, Nancy Seifert, Sandy Conatser, Wanda O'Guin, David Schnaufer, Glen Wilson, Bob Yeager, Flem Smith, Priscilla Rushing, and Sue Claiborne. Nine club stalwarts made it to Carnton Plantation on September 25 to add our music to the Fall Festivities. We played in the front parlor of the mansion which was a really nice setting for us. Players were Judy Beier, June Gedde, Rob Rowe, Flem Smith, Marcy Luther, Sue Claiborne, Donna Tokarski, Nancy Siefert and Glen Wilson....Good time had by all.
The August meeting was full of special dulcimers! David Schnaufer brought an interesting old dulcimer which is basically a scheitholt with an added soundbox built into it. This transition instrument shows how mountain dulcimers evolved from the scheitholt, a German zither. This instrument was aquired in Tullahoma, TN, and is decorated in a similar manner to box dulcimers found in the area. The strum hollow is worn through from pick wear. Donny Shelton is one of several club members who build dulcimers. He has just completed this beautiful hammered dulcimer to add to his collection. Freddy Brown brought a koa dulcimer made by Kurt Simmerman. The Simmerman dulcimers feature a bridge which is mounted directly on the soundbox, and they also have an extra bottom which adds volume to the sound. The beautiful wood and inlay in the fretboard are striking!
At the August club meeting, we played "Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing" which has the following lyric,"...Here I raise mine Ebenezer, hither by thy help I'm come..." We wondered about the Ebenezer reference and Donny and Wanda supplied this explanation. In I Samuel 7:12., Samuel places a stone between the two cities of Mizpah and Jeshanah and names the stone Ebenezer as a historical reminder to the people that God gave the Israelites victory over the Philistines, their enemies. In Hebrew the name Ebenezer means "stone of help" We received a request for help in locating a special dulcimer which was lost during a move from California to Georgia in 1999. Here is the description. If you run across it, let the owner know - The maker of this dulcimer is Jean Paul Roach, Portland Oregon in 1984, signature is inside the instrument, pegged, six string, scroll head with four wood laminate, spruce top, Koa wood body, matched back with white and black herringbone join, nautilus shell with heart center wood inlay sound holes, mother of pearl iris flower 7th fret and mother of pearl twined rope 3rd, 15th fret on bridged variegated rosewood fret board, carnelian beads for fine tuning on end piece, residing in a black case with maroon backing and design/flower trim. Dulcimer and case imbedded with rose fragrance. Detail pictures available on request. Contact: Paige or pahena@mindspring.com 770-650-6858, 770-757-1567 Nancy Seifert, Steve Seifert, Brenda Warren and Wanda O'Guin attended the Three Rivers Dulcimer Festival in Waverly, TN, on Oct. 2 and had an enjoyable evening participating in a jam. Maureen Sellers was there with "Stella" (another Kurt Simmerman dulcimer!!). Mountain Laurel will be playing at the Ellington Agricultural Museum's annual Music and Molasses festival on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16 and 17. There will be all kinds of music, food, demonstrations, kids' activities, molasses making, etc. Here's the Christmas song list for our December play dates. We'll be working on them at the October and November meetings. What Child is This (Greensleeves) Joy to the World Angels We Have Heard on High Silent Night Away in a Manger Silver Bells

• Saturday, October 23, 10:00 until noon - Warner Park Nature Center, Highway100 just west of Old Hickory Blvd. On the porch behind the fire place if weather's good, inside in the auditorium if it isn't. Event of the day for them is guided hikes to see the trees, with golf carts for those who wish to ride instead of hike. There will be people waiting for the next tour guide, and we are providing background music for the crowd just milling around. A great time to practice some of the repertoire, even that for Christmas, so that the Carter House Tour in Franklin six weeks from then is even better!
• December 4 and 5 - Candelight Tour of Historic Homes in Franklin....Saturday from 5-8 and Sunday from 6-8...some group play and some individual. Come for part or all of the time. We'll make specific plans in October and November. Contact Glen (wgm8218@aol.com) or Rob Lowe (rslowe@comcast.net) if you have questions or would like a spot for yourself or your group! Currently scheduled for Saturday are the Rojas Family and Friends and Mountain Laurel and for Sunday are Ray Hunley, Fred Sakleh and Tullahoma Friends. There is still room for more!!!

• Sunday, October 17 - Club Meeting!
• Saturday, Sunday, October 16-17 - Mountain Laurel at Music and Molasses, Ellington Agricultural Center, Edmondson Pike off Nolensville Road in south Nashville
• Thursday, October 21 - Bob Mize and Mama Maude Tribute Concert....Bristol TN
• Sunday, October 24, 6 p.m. - David Schnaufer and Butch Baldassari - Music on the Mountain at the Dyer Observatory. Park at the Bethel Church at the corner of Granny White Blvd. and Old Hickory Blvd. and ride the shuttle to the observatory. Stargazing through the large telescope is also available. Bring a lawn chair!
• November 12,13 - Heartland Dulcimer Club Fall Festival - Elizabethtown KY - $30.00 Featured instructor is Lois Hornbostle - group playing, Cajun, Shaker, capoed tunes - Contact Martha Richards 502-833-3240, weaverscorner@aol.com or go to their website at www.geocities.com/heartland dulcimerclub for more information. It's not too far away, not too expensive, and a great way to pick up some new tunes and techniques. If anyone wants to carpool, we can talk about it at the October meeting.
• Sunday, November 21-Club Meeting
• Sunday, December 19 - Club Meeting
• Get this one on your calendar early!!! The Blair Concert Series announcement is out with David Schnaufer, Butch Baldassari and Bobby Taylor's "Annual Appalachian Celebration" set for April First, 2005. This year, April Fool's Day brings more of the unexpected, so get ready to raise the roof of Ingram Hall one more time.

In partnership with Metro Parks, The Grand Old Dulcimer Club sponsors Grand Old Dulcimer Day each year in May at Two Rivers Mansion.

The club and its members perform at festivals and civic events and often take their music into special needs facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities.

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