May 2017: Old Time Jam with Brendan Hohmann, Square Dance, Contra Dance, Madrone Stump Removal, Food Bank Garden

May 3rd (Wed) 7:00 Old Time Jam led by Brendan Hohmann

This will be our next to the last jam before taking a summer break and a good opportunity to get in some tunes before festival season is in full swing.
Brendan will be starting off the jam by breaking down Isham Monday's "Fire on the Mountain" (AEAE tuning on the fiddle). We'll probably be playing some tunes in the key of C but will just have to see what evolves.

Our jams are participatory and focus on old time string band music, so come with your instrument and join the fun! You are encouraged to bring cookies or other snacks to share and a couple of bucks for using the Grange hall. Doors open at 6:45. If you have any questions call Marla at 360-385-6924



May  13 (Sat)  8:00-11 Square Dance - Suzanne Girardot and the Barn Owls

The last spring square dance is coming up fast. Seattle caller Suzanne Girardot is a veteran caller with
The Barn Owls
photo credit Jessica C. Levine

Caller Suzanne Girardot
a very big dance repertoire, This is the first time she will grace Quimper Grange hall with her wonderful calling. The Barn Owls are an old-timey, country trio from Seattle. One late summer evening, Brittany Newell, Hanna Traynham and Kate Lichtenstein spent hours trading tunes around the woodstove. By the end of the night, they were a band. The Barn Owls bring an intuitive and inventive bent to the old-time and early country music tradition, mixing high energy dance tunes with tight three-part harmonies on traditional and original songs. Morgan John will be joining them on bass for this dance.

All dances are taught. All ages and experience levels are welcome. This a family friendly event.  Please bring your own personal water container. And, if inclined, bring some light snacks to share.

Dancing starts at 8 PM, but you can come at 7 PM and jam with the band. Adults $6. 16 and under free.  For more info, call Dave Thielk at 360-602-1270.

May 20 (Sat) 7:30-11 Contra Dance
Music by Countercurrents, Michael Karcher calling
Lesson 7:30 to 8:00
Brian Lindsey and Alex Sturnbaum met in college in Ohio where
they both played in the band "Gallimaufry". Later they formed "Countercurrent ", a contra dance and folk music band with driving guitar, foot percussion, lyrical fiddle, and vocal harmonies. The passion and creativity they infuse into their music is contagious and dancers can't help but to get into the groove.


Michael Karcher
Michael Karcher is a PhD student in statistics at UW and has been calling dances in the area for 2 years. His diverse repertoire makes dances enjoyable and accessible to all levels of dancers. This will be the first time he has called in Port Townsend and the first time for Countercurrents to play for our dance as well! Lets welcome them with a full house of dancers. 
Admission $6 Under 16 free.



Madrone Tree to Madrone Stump to Sawdust: 
Next Step? Wait and See




A big pile of sawdust on the north side of the Quimper Grange Food Bank Garden marks the place where a big old Madrone tree used to be. Like many of these trees in Port Townsend the one that used to stand here was dying and had to be taken down. Brett’s Stump Grinding did an excellent job of stump removal. Keep tuned to see what evolves in this area next…

What's Happening in the Food Bank Garden?

During the month of April Quimper Grange Food Bank Gardeners prepped beds for spring planting. Cover crops were turned over and many of the beds have already been planted. In the greenhouses even more crops are being started.

Although it has been cold and wet most of April, the garden still had kale, collards, carrots, salad mix, chard, spring onions and perennial herbs such as chives, rosemary and parsley to deliver to the food bank. 

Volunteers are always needed, so if you would like to roll up your sleeves and help out contact Emily Stewart:  517-231-1332 or email  evagts13@gmail.com