Hello again to my dulcimer family,

I know it is over a week now, but this is the first time since the end of the festival that I have felt emotionally ready to share my thoughts with you all. As you see in my salutation, I see all of you as more than annual acquaintances, more than just friends, but a group of people that I can count on in ways that you count on family. I'm not the loud, outgoing brother that you can't avoid noticing, but I feel I am the more quiet, reserved type. Sure, I don't mind putting myself in front of large crowds of people, but at those moments, I am more sharing a personal relationship with my music. Sometimes the shields we put around us fall a bit and it is family that notices and helps you through those times. This email, to all of you, even the ones I have never met but still feel our commonness in Evart, is an email of supreme gratitude. Gratitude for the renewal of spirit that sharing our time and music at Evart brings to me. Gratitude for the honest care and concern that we all share and feel for each other and show in our own ways. My mind spins full of moments in peoples lives where this group of people have reached out and cared in immeasurable ways, just ask Judy, Regina, Dotty, Gail, Chuck...shoot, the list can go on forever and I wouldn't be surprised if each of us has felt that in some way. When people ask me what I like most about Evart and my "vacation" there, I smile deep inside, knowing that I can't fully describe the experience, but hope that they can see it in my eyes that it is far more than a music festival, far more than a teaching and learning experience, and far more than once a year friendships renewed. As I look back at each of the now 9 festivals, I have seen something wonderful, exciting, and different with each one.

My children also cherish their times at Evart and have grown up with this one week as the highlight of their summers. I don't worry about them at all when they are there. There is something about the environment, the feelings of caring and respect, that not only my children, but all the children I have come in contact with there (and I have met quite a few), that even the children see, feel, and respect in return. It is truly a family festival, where kids can still be kids, parents and adults can be adults (ok, some adults can be kids too) and everyone is sharing in something very special. I have a theory about this phenomenon and it all ties back to the hammered dulcimer. First, there is something about the instrument and the music it makes, that can deeply calm the soul, lift the spirits, and bring out the best in people, playing or listening. Secondly, there is something about the people that chose to play such an instrument or even those who chose to play in a combo with such an instrument. There is something very special about the people that attend Evart, that play or play with hammered dulcimers, and it is that wonderful feeling that permeates the festival grounds.

Thank you all again for the love and care you have shown me and my family, for the renewal of spirit that we all feel as we leave, for the extended family that you have become for me. Thank you for introducing me to the hidden powers that the hammered dulcimer brings and I hope that we all continue to be ambassadors of that spirit throughout the year until we meet again next July. If we are fortunate to cross paths before then, all the better.

Lastly, I do want to thank Russ (cello) and Rick (12 string guitar) for at the last minute, agreeing to join me on stage Saturday night and adding real life to my tunes. Something special happened that day and on stage and it will remain as one of my fondest Evart memories.