We are READY … we are SET …

September/October 2014
President’s Corner
2
V.P. Thoughts
2
Treasurer’s Trove
2
Secretary’s Note Pad
2
FallFest Band Schedule
3
FallFest Information
4
Members Page
5
Calendar of Events
6
Tickets / Membership
7
Ballot(s)
In.
We are READY …
we are SET …
it’s time to GO to FallFest 2014.
We’ve got BlueTown, we’ve got Dog 1, we’ve got Billy Strings and
Don Julin, we’ve got Schlitz Creek, we’ve got Deadwood, Dueling
Banjos, Hawks and Owls, and the Luke Lenhart Family and Friends.
Have you got your tickets? There is still time to get $5.00 off each ticket,
but you’ve got to act fast. Deadline for advanced tickets is September 13.
The order form is in this Newsletter.
ELECTION TIME AGAIN
The ballots that you find in this newsletter ARE your ballots for this election.
You can drop them off at FallFest, mail them to Ruth Lakatos or bring them to the
Voters Meeting in October, but these are the ballots you will be voting with. So
take special care of them.
The Board that you seat in October will be faced with very critical decisions for
our Association. I can’t stress enough how important your nominations and votes
are in this process. Plain and simple...we need everyone to get involved with the
future of WMBMA.
Important Announcement
RONNIE BAILEY - (616) 891-1443
DAVID BILLOCK - (616) 901-6344
DAVE CONLEY SR. - (231) 796-7204
JOSIE CONLEY - (231) 796-7204
PAT MARCOTTE - (616) 283-1447
AL PURSLEY - (616) 340-0637
JIM STRANGWAYS - (616) 457-5228
Starting in January 2015, we will no longer be sending a hard copy of
the newsletter to you via US Postal Service. We will continue to publish
the newsletter on the same schedule we always have but it will be delivered to our web site at www.wmbma.org.
It can be displayed on any device and any operating system. It can also
be printed on any printer If you are not currently receiving the WMBMA
email blast, signing up will not only alert you to the availability of the
newsletter, it will also give you up-to-date information on all the bluegrass events happening in our area. You can sign up for the “blast” at
the Association Table at FallFest.
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Visit our website at: www.wmbma.org
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Hello WMBMA Members,
I hope you are all looking forward to FallFest 2014, and are planning to attend. It promises to be a great festival, with lots of great entertainment both on
and off the stage. All the concerts are in the Foreman building which has been renovated with a fresh coat of paint and all the broken windows repaired.
When you come to FallFest bring along a friend and show them how much fun are festivals can be.
In this newsletter you will find your ballot for our 2014-2015 WMBMA Board elections. Please take the time and vote for your new officers and board. As
you can see we have a number of open positions, so if you would like to help us out just write your name on the ballot and submit it, I will be in contact
with you. The elections will be held during our regular monthly meeting on October 18, 2014 in the King Building, here at the fairgrounds.
We need your support to make FallFest a well-attended event. So pack up the camper and come to the Kent County Fairgrounds for a weekend of some
great bluegrass music and plenty of jamming. Early campers are always welcome.
See you all at FallFest and have a Bluegrass kind of day,
Lee Strassburger
WMBMA President
VICE PRESIDENT’S THOUGHTS
Two weeks until FallFest...my thoughts turn to what needs to be done in that time… Ruth has all the shirt orders is line…
she’s gotten the wristbands and forms for the Main Gate… Association Table items together… Hmmm …
I’VE GOT IT ! I’ll call for volunteers !
Stand by your phones. I’ll be calling many of you real soon. If FallFest is on your agenda, please volunteer for a two hour
time at the Main Gate, Association Table/Concert Gate or helping with the Bake Sale. Thanks.
Also, thank you for allowing me to be your WMBMA Vice President for the past two years. It’s time for me to step back for
awhile so please consider the Vice President position. It’s fun and you learn so much about the workings of WMBMA. We
have a great group of people on the Board and WMBMA needs you.
John Lakatos
TREASURER’S TROVE
Ah summertime! Sandy and I have been around to a few festivals and have seen some great stage acts and participated in
some wonderful campground jam sessions. I hope you have had a chance to attend some of the other bluegrass festivals
around the state, region, or country this year. In many respects, these festivals are the best part of the summer.
The Association is in-between festivals during July and August, so there isn’t anything new to report from the Treasury since
the last newsletter report. However to provide a recap – the board is very focused on finding ways to reduce our expenses in
order to continue providing the festivals and events as we have been. At our most recent board meeting, there were a number
of ideas that were presented. We agreed that some were worthy of further effort and a couple board member teams are following up. Hopefully, one or more of them will work out for our benefit.
Remember my note after JuneGrass where I stated that all we needed was a few more campers, a few more day passes, etc.?
Let’s make an extra effort to invite some friends to join us at FallFest. You know what a good time our festivals are. Let’s
share the joy!
Doug Lindhout
SECRETARY’S NOTE PAD
Hi Everybody,
Lots of “BE SURES” for you today….
* Be sure to get you advanced ticket order to me ASAP (September 13) if you want to save yourself some $$$.
* Be sure to renew your membership at the festival. The Membership List will be up-dated right after FallFest.
* Be sure to check out the long sleeved FallFest Logo T-Shirts. We do have Ladies shirts again and they do run big, just keep in mind
that they will shrink when you wash them. Our supplier has never steered us wrong on that.
* Be sure to call John (616/846-5163) to sign up for volunteering at festival. We have lots of spots to fill.
* Be sure to cast your vote at the election in October. The future of WMBMA depends on your involvement.
See you in a few weeks,
Ruth
September/October 2014
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Visit our website at: www.wmbma.org
Page 4
Are You A Jammers’ Widow
Are you looking for something to do on Friday morning, September 19 at FallFest? Then
come to the Jammer’s Widow Craft Event from 10:00 - 12:00am in the King Building. We
will be making a tealite pillar candle decorated with real dried flowers. All the supplies will be
provided free of charge by your hostesses Ruth Lakatos and Sandy Lindhout.
We can only accommodate a limited number of people so to assure yourself a seat in the class contact Sandy Lindhout by Monday, September 15.
Leave a message at (616)897-9404 (home) or at (616)318-3733 (cell)
or E-mail Sandy at: [email protected]
If you haven’t made a reservation, stop by the King Building at class time and see if we have room
for you. Please bring a hair dryer and extension cord if you have them available.
See you there for some fun!
Sandy Lindhout
FallFest Thursday
Evening Potluck/Jam
Norma Noall will be hosting the
Potluck/Jam in the King Building.
Everyone is invited!
Bring a friend, a dish to pass, table
service and you instruments.
Coffee will be furnished.
There will be door prizes
and a 50/50 drawing.
Come and join the fun!
BAND SCRAMBLE
Don’t forget about the Saturday Band Scramble. Sign up with Josie Conley Thursday, Friday, or Saturday morning. She’ll be at the Pot
Luck/Jam, at the Conley camp site and out and
about on the golf cart lookin’ to sign you up.
NEW FOOD VENDOR AT FALLFEST
Starlite Concessions will be rolling in to Lowell to bring you breakfast,
turkey and beef burgers, sirloin steak burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, assorted chicken wraps, sweet potato fries and many other
great food items. They’re even offering vegetarian items on their menu.
Be sure to plan a meal or two with our new vendor
while you’re enjoying the music at FallFest.
BAKE SALE ON SATURDAY
We have some awesome bakers in the Association and Saturday is the day
where you can judge for yourselves. Please bring your favorite goodies to our Bake Sale
Table or drop them off at the Association Table.
Our volunteers will bag them and price them for you. This is one of our favorite fundraisers where everybody can get involved, and as always, you can get your coffee there too.
Thanks in advance, we appreciate all your donations .
AREA BUSINESS DRAWINGS
JAMS AND WORKSHOPS
When you enter the fairgrounds you will get
a Festival Program. You’ll want to check
it for times of the Slow Jams and Workshops, along with other things going on
during the festival. You won’t want to
miss any of your favorite activities.
While you’re at FallFest, drop off
all your area business sales receipts
at the Association Table. Put your
name on them for identification
purposes, and we will be drawing
receipts throughout the weekend.
You may win a prize for your patronage of area businesses. A
Thank You from the city of Lowell.
SUNDAY MORNING
GOSPEL SING
Main Stage area
At 10.00 am.
All musicians
and singers
are welcome.
Page 5
September/October 2014
Over Jordan
Our condolences go out to the families of Arman Balk, who passed away in July
and Ray Carr who passed away in late August.
Enjoy the music guys - until we meet again on Heavens Bright Shore.
On The Mend
Prayers and wishes for a quick healing go out to WMBMA member Patty Thunder. She will be missing FallFest to get a hip replacement. You know what that means… another dancer for JuneGrass 2015. We’ll miss you Patty.
Our good friend, Rose Newton, is feeling a little under the weather, so you won’t be seeing her at her usual station, our festival Bake
Sale Table. Keep her in your prayers as the doctors try to find the cause of her discomfort.
You will be seeing Nancy Hedburg as she has put her walker away and is now able to get around with the use of just a cane. I don’t
think she can out run “Hat Man Jim” yet, but I bet she gives him a good run for his money.
And ol’ Jim VanderWall is back up on stage again thumpin’ out the beat for Steam Powered Bluegrass. Glad to see him back. The
Steam Powered boys were looking sort of lost with out him.
Dick Neff is everywhere! He’s gotten a clean bill of health and is out enjoying all the camping and bluegrass he can get in his new
fancy home on wheels. So glad to have you back in the swing of things.
Wernick Bluegrass Jam Camp
Know the basic chords on your bluegrass instrument?
Know a few songs? Now what to do … want to learn to play
music with others? Then this is the music camp for you. In
October, Maggie Bilby will be conducting a Wernick
Bluegrass Jam Camp in Jackson and Grand Rapids,
Michigan. Check out the details at
Drbanjo.com
You will be so glad you took this MAJOR step!
2004 Gibson F9 mandolin
in very good condition.
Paid $4,800.00 asking $2,500.00.
Call Ruthie Eilers at 231-742-0202
Ruthie’s Music Café
has expanded and moved
to 28 S. State Street Hart Michigan 49420
The phone number is still 231-861-4008.
Ruthie’s Music Café now has live music every Friday
and Saturday nights starting at 7:00pm beginning in
October. We are looking for solo or duet acts for Friday evening performances and bands of all genres
for Saturday evenings. If you are interested in performing at Ruthie’s, please contact her at the store,
or on Facebook at Ruthie’s Music Café.
If you have something you would like to share
with our WMBMA Family.
Please send the information to
[email protected]
We need to know what’s going on with you
if you would care to share.
Visit our website at: www.wmbma.org
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6
Zellies Opry House
New Outlook
616/260-3032
3/4
Live Music @
Ruthie’s Music Cafe
231/861-4008
7 pm - ?
7
Bob’s Barn
Jamboree
616/374-8205
4 pm - 7 pm
5
Bob’s Barn
Jamboree
616/374-8205
4 pm - 7 pm
9
WMBMA Jam
Caledonia Library
616/891-8825
5 pm - 8 pm
10 /11
Live Music @
Ruthie’s Music Cafe
231/861-4008
7 pm - ?
12
Georgetown United
Methodist Church
616/669-0730
7 - 9 pm
11
Zellie’s Opry House
Steam Powered Bluegrass
616/260-3032
7 - 9 pm
Bob’s Barn
Jamboree
616/374-8205
4 pm - 7 pm
12
Bob’s Barn
Jamboree
616/374-8205
4 pm - 7 pm
K-zoo Nature Center
Steam Powered Bluegrass
269/381-1574
1 - 1:30 pm
14
WMBMA Jam
Caledonia Library
616/891-8825
5 pm - 8 pm
19
FALLFEST
BLUEGRASS
FESTIVAL
wmbma.org
17 / 18
Live Music @
Ruthie’s Music Cafe
231/861-4008
7 pm - ?
20
FALLFEST
BLUEGRASS
FESTIVAL
wmbma.org
18
WMBMA
Voters Meeting
wmbma.org
21
FALLFEST
GOSPEL SING
wmbma.org
19
Bob’s Barn
Jamboree
616/374-8205
4 pm - 7 pm
Bob’s Barn
Jamboree
616/374-8205
4 pm - 7 pm
Mid Michigan Concert&Jam
Lansing, Michigan
517/482-2383
27
Wurst Festival Ever
Steam Powered Bluegrass
616/681-2342
3 - 4:30 pm
24 /25
Live Music @
Ruthie’s Music Cafe
231/861-4008
7 pm - ?
29
WMBMA Pass it on
Jam
Comstock Park Library
616/272-8815
26
Bob’s Barn
Jamboree
616/374-8205
4 pm - 7 pm
27
WMBMA Pass it on Jam
Comstock Park Library
616/272-8815
5 pm - 8 pm
Steam Powered Bluegrass
14
5 pm - 8 pm
Bob’s Barn Jamboree
Every Sunday afternoon from 4:00 to 7:00
The sound is superb in the barn.
Sign up with Lynda to take your turn at the mic
Exercise your lungs with a song or two…
Don’t be shy, your new and old friends are here.
1417 Johnson St., Lake Odessa, MI 48849
Mid Michigan Bluegrass
kicks off its 2014-2015 season.
There will be a concert / jam on the third Sunday of each month
in Lansing at the Woldumar Nature Center
starting October 19th. and running through April.
For more information contact:
Henry Casillas at 517/842-2383
Page 7
WMBMA MEMBERSHIP FORM
______ $10.00 Single Membership
16 to 20
21 to 35
36 to 45
_______ $ 15.00 Family Membership
46 to 55
56 to 65
65+
(Age brackets: Please circle the one(s) that apply.)
Name: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
(List names of children 15 yrs. and younger included in this membership)
Address: _____________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________ State: ________ Zip: ____________
Phone: ( ____) ______________________________
New or Renewal
(Circle one)
E-Mail: ________________________________________________________________
(sign up for our electronic newsletter and up to date news blasts)
ADVANCED FALLFEST TICKET FORM
Number of tickets: ___________ X
$20.00 = _____________________
Name: __________________________________
Address: __________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
Make checks payable to: WMBMA
CAMING FEE IS PAID
WHEN YOU ENTER THE
FAIRGROUNDS.
AVAILABILITY IS ON A
FIRST COME
FIRST SERVE BASIS.
YOU WILL BE CHARGED
FOR EACH NIGHT
YOUR CAMPER IS ON
SITE.
and send to:
Ruth Lakatos
WMBMA Secretary
11926 Reed Street
Grand Haven, MI 49417
DEADLINE FOR
ADVANCED TICKET SALES
IS
SEPTEMBER 13TH.
9650 Prairie Ct
Alto, MI 49302
VOTERS MEETING/JAM
OCTOBER 18, 2014
IN THE KING BUILDING
1:00pm - 6:00pm