April 2018, Grange Month, Old Time Jam, Bobbi Shearn Nikles, The Press Gang Celtic Concert, Square Dance, 2 Contra Dances, Bathroom Remodel, Plant and Seed Exchange, Ducks in the Garden


APRIL IS GRANGE MONTH 
We who keep the doors open at Quimper Grange are all volunteers. Every event that you see in our monthly newsletter came into being due to volunteer effort: our dances, our educational programs, our "House Concerts", and workshops. In addition Quimper Grange has promoted community service through collaborative efforts such as with Food Bank Farm and Gardens of Jefferson County and the organizers of the annual Plant and Seed Exchange. Volunteers too maintain our community hall and grounds as well as hall rental management. It's April, don't forget to thank a hard working Quimper Granger!   Marla Streator, Quimper Grange president

April 4, 7:00 Old Time Jam 
Due to unforeseen circumstances Pam Johnston and Jim Ketterman will not be able to lead this month's Old Time Jam.
Fortunately for us a fine bay area fiddler, Bobbi Shearn Nikles has just moved to Port Townsend and will be able to fill in for Pam and Jim. She will start by teaching the G tune, Josie Girl, in standard tuning on fiddles and plans to play Old Yeller Dog and go from there.

Suggested donation is $1-$2 
Doors open at 6:45



April 10th 7:00 The Press Gang "House Concert" 
Traditional Irish and Celtic Music from Portland Maine


 "One of those rare bands that are ingenious, driving, thoughtful and yet have great respect for the tradition.”  John Doyle

The Press Gang, a traditional Irish and Celtic four-piece based in Portland, Maine, will be playing a concert at the Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St., on Tuesday, April 10 from 7 to 9 pm.
The band features Hanz Araki on flute and vocals, Chris “Junior” Stevens on accordion and concertina, Owen Marshall on guitar and bouzouki, Alden Robinson on fiddle.
Award-winning singer and flute player Hanz Araki has been a prominent figure in the Irish music community for more than two decades. He has released 11 albums, and toured internationally. Christian “Junior” Stevens is an influential member of the Irish Traditional Music community, and is an in-demand performer and teacher on concertina and button accordion. Alden Robinson learned the fiddle growing up in coastal Maine, and furthered his education in traditional music at University College, Co. Cork in Ireland. Bouzouki and guitar player Owen Marshall is one of the most highly sought-after accompanist in Irish and Old-Time genres. 
Doors open at 6:30  
Suggested donation at the door is $15 to $20.

More information about the Press Gang, including sound and video clips, is on their website at www.pressgangmusic.com.



                 

April 14, 8-11 Quimper Grange Square Dance and Social with Joanne Pontrello and Wild Phil and the Buffalo Gals


Wild Phil and the Buffalo Gals
Caller Joanne Pontrello
Chimacum Valley’s own Joanne Pontrello will calling squares on April 14th at Quimper Grange. Dancing starts at 8PM (dancers can come early and jam with band at 7 PM) and goes till 11PM. Joanne is bringing her friends and neighbors, Wild Phil and the Buffalo Gals, also Chimacum Valley residents, to rock out dance tunes. Wild Phil includes Becky Evasick, Quenn Charrier, Phil Andrus, Carol Sword and Tom Fenollosa. I don’t think I need to remind all you dancers that these guys have a track record, having played for countless squares and contras around Jefferson County. The October dance represents a delightful opportunity to hear and dance to a fantastic local caller and band.

All dances are taught. All experience levels are welcome and encouraged. This is a family friendly event (no alcohol). Quimper Grange is located at 1219 Corona in Port Townsend. Admission is $5 if you arrive on bike or foot or bring a non disposable water bottle; $7 for car drivers; 16 and under is free. Bring yourself, a special friend, the family, or the whole tribe. Come at 7 and jam with the band. For more information, call Dave Thielk at 360-602-1270.

April 21, Contra Dance 7:30
Sonya Kaufman calling
Music by Countercurrents,  Alex Sturbaum and Brian Lindsey 

Alex plays a driving guitar and Brian a lyrical fiddle adding foot percussion as well.  Together they surprise you with singing tunes and harmonizing. They played for us last year and we're so happy they are returning again! The passion they infuse in the music is contagious and dancers can’t help but get into their groove.
Sonya Kaufman calling
Sonya is an energetic young caller who has been contra dancing for as long as she can remember. Her energy, grace, and warmth shine through in all that she does, and her clear directions will guide you through the trickiest of dances.

Come early for a free lesson 7:30 to 8:00pm
Admission $6
16  and under free
1219 Corona, Port Townsend    ? call Tinker 360-379-2882


April 28, New England Barn Dance 7:30 with Dudley Laufman!


Dudley Laufman renowned  contra dance caller and National Heritage Fellow

There will be a second contra dance in April!  
Special quest caller and musician, Dudley Laufman will be at the Quimper Grange on Saturday, April 28th 7:30 to 10:30. Dudley, a 2009 National Heritage Fellow, poet, caller and musician has been calling for over 60 years and is known throughout New England for his traditional contra dance calling. The band will feature local musicians coming together to bring tunes and rhythms that inspire us to dance. So come on out for a traditional New Hampshire style contra dance!
Admission $6-15 sliding scale
16 and under free 
Experience not necessary and no need to bring a partner!
1219 Corona
Port Townsend, WA
? call Tinker @ (360) 379 2882

Grange Hall Bathroom Remodel

Sheila  painting the remodeled bathroom hallway
Quimper Grange has had plans to remodel the south end of our hall for years and deal with old plumbing and an awkward kitchen. But our Building Maintenance Committee Chair, and vice-president Sheila Long is starting to move ahead in this direction. (Almost all of our active Grange members serve in multiple capacities.) The first "south end" project has been the bathrooms. It is amazing how much can move forward with just one more "can do" volunteer on the Quimper Grange team!



Plant and Seed Exchange, a Big Success!


This year's 7th Annual Plant and Seed Exchange had the biggest turnout ever! Seven years ago this event started out with two tables of seeds and a few plants but has grown to having many tables filled with seeds and gardening reference books inside the hall, and a 20 foot canopy full of potted plants, tubers, seedlings, plant divisions, and you name it, outside the hall. Thanks Ashley Kehl and Jennimae Hilliard for keeping this community sharing event going!

Ducks in the Food Bank Garden - Quack! Quack!


Just ducky
The  Quimper Grange Food Bank Garden has decided to try a new form of slug control, ducks. Through the generosity of Scott Marckx the garden has inherited not only ducks but a duck house! In one afternoon a group of volunteers cleared a space in the garden and moved the duck house to it's present location.
Scott Marckx moving ducks 





As planting season gets rolling the food bank garden is looking for more volunteers. If you would like to contribute to this effort contact Jo Yount: joyount@olypen.com or Emily Stewart: evagts13@gmail.com