Notes From Gary

First let me say something about our upcoming event at the Beaumont hotel in Beaumont Kansas. It is on September the 12th starting at 10:00 a.m. and running to noon. There are still camping spaces available to reserve. I would suggest that you do so right away. The camping spaces are a bit pricey, but it is just for one night unless a person plans to stay longer.

The RV park offers full hookups with 30/50 amp electrical, sewer, and water. Tent camping space is available. In any event one will need to check out their Web page and call them to make personal arrangements. Here is the link to their Web page:

http://beaumonthotelks.com/

Also keep in mind that although the hotel serves excellent food. It is the only place for several miles where one can purchase a meal. The nearest gas station/convenience store is 20 miles to the west of Beaumont. I purchased a jar of excellent pickles in that store one time. But that is another story.

We don’t plan much of a business meeting just simply jamming for as long as anyone would cares to jam.

We can set up our circle in the grassy area between the hotel and the RV Park. I hope to see many of you there. So far, the poll on the group’s page shows that 10 persons plan to be there. It sounds like great fun!

Additionally, I want to mention the recent Quarantune Dulcimer Festival 2.0 which is a bit of a misnomer because there were several other instruments covered there.

I do not know how many of our club members participated. I would imagine there were several. Considering that there were over 1800 participants, I'm not surprised that we didn't necessarily see one another in the classes!

Since the organizers planned a second festival, it begs the question; will they also now organize yet a 3rd festival? I don't have the answer to that but given the fantastic success of both of these online events I would not be surprised if they don't plan something for early or mid Winter.

It was great fun as I have heard from the comments of other participants. It gave a person the opportunity to have a class with an instructor whom one may never have had an opportunity to see before.

I had instructors offering classes from literally all 4 corners of the continental United States. That's kind of amazing when you think about it.

It is my sincere hope that your music-playing-time has not greatly diminished because of this virus!

I would suggest that one should take every opportunity available to participate in these types of online courses. It is good for you it is good for the instructors.

We will endeavor to publicize this type of information as it becomes available.

Hope to see you at Beaumont Hotel September 12th!

Gary Bell President GPDA

PS --The Executive Committee is taking names for next year’s upcoming officers.