Virgie's Bluegrass

All things come to an end. This Friday, August 26, will be the last Bluegrass at the Raccoon Hunter’s Club.
Each and everyone of you will be sorely missed!
With that, the preparing, the running, and most of all, hearing some of the most beautiful music on earth, each Friday – how does a simple, ‘Going to miss..’ even begin to describe the emotions running through us? We cannot, I cannot.
I hope, all of you, can make it out Friday – helping to make it memorable for Mother – whose ‘dream’ made this all possible, all of these years.
I pray for Blessings and Health to each of you – and a little reminder – if you have a dream, go ahead, dare to make it a reality! You can do it! (That’s what makes this crazy life so wonderful!)
Until next time – Ida & Virgie

Saturday is tomorrow! Wow! Time has flown – doesn’t seem that long ago we were preparing for last year’s festival. Mother thought that was going to be her last – then she had a change of heart – as so many folks were asking to be booked this year.

I hope all of you make it out – the weather is supposed to be beautiful – I know the music is going to be good – Put that with good people – good food, it’s a win/win!
We are going to have horseshoes set up – if you feel like pitching a few. Bringing plenty of photos to look through – I am sure you will find some fond memories in them and if you have any you would like to share, please, feel free to bring them out.
Everything is going to be a little Patriotic, think of it as Independence week! We are going to have copies of the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, The Mayflower Compact, and Patrick Henry’s “Give me Liberty or give me Death” speech on display – so if you want to read what they ‘really’ said – you will have the chance. I was going over Patrick Henry’s speech last night – my goodness, the history books Really cut it up! And All of it is good! (Are there really any men out there who still think and talk like that?) Passion-conviction-honor and action – America has been Blessed with her heroes!
Now, the good stuff:) Mother is fixing Pintos & Cornbread – Chicken & Dumplings – Penny is making Sloppy Joes & baking a cake for us. There will be $1 hotdogs – french fries, and home made lemonade. Sodas, waters & ice teas will be available too!
I hope I see all of you there – stay safe & Blessings to all!

Contrary to what you may have heard – the Wayne County Raccoon Hunter’s Club is open every Friday night! Tonight is Tony and Friends – the kitchen will be serving Chicken & Dumplings (Yummy!:) Next week is Fulton County, we all know, along with Dale and Jessie – Jimmy Thompson will be there. Love hearing ‘Ruby’ done by him!
I ask that you don’t forget about our ‘Day of Bluegrass’, July 9th – Bring the family – it is going to be fun!
Hopefully see you soon! Best Blessings to all!

Osama is gone!
Yes, I am happy the evil has been dealt with – at the same time, I get this strange feeling, deep in my gut-War has, somehow, just become worse. Can’t quite put my ‘finger on the reason’-just a gnawwing inside……like when you were a kid and just couldn’t connect all the dots….somethings missing! Oh well, I am quite sure – we will find out. Could be a good thing! Just me……..
MUSIC
What this is all about:) Out at the Raccoon Hunter’s Club we have had a few changes-the Club itself, has a new President. I believe we were all alittle tense, not knowing if he would want our Bluegrass to continue or ‘put us out’ so to speak. Yes-we are wanted & things have worked out nicely! (Whew!)
Mother is doing pretty well. Her legs are bothering her more than normal-took her for an MRI-hoping that shows the problem.
With her legs-2 of her helpers moving on-Grandson Arthur has joined a band & is recording these next 2 weeks! Not Bluegrass, but not rock & roll-just beautiful Gospel, worship & praise music.
Sarah is now a full time student & mother! We are all coming together, as a team & family, to have Mother one last little festival.
I am asking for ideas-I want this festival to show appreciation to Mom – who has donated so very much of her life -to Bluegrass music and the people who love it.
Ideas-recipes-decorating-anything!
I must add – Yes-gas is high. It is more difficult to do all that we are used to doing – please know – it is just as hard for the bands to load up and travel – to entertain everyone! Times are hard – it is ‘these times’ when we Must Show our support for those things we love – that make life itself – a little kinder.
Blessings Always

Coaltown just called to confirm this Friday’s date. Do come out and enjoy the music these folks offer – good times!
Isn’t it wonderful to feel the first of Spring’s sweet breath? Saying goodbye to winter, this year-is a Blessed event! Hoping to see all of you this Friday – Happy Spring to all!

This Friday I will be bringing a cake for Mother-she will be 86!
I ask that you come on out to the Club,(please, no gifts and there will be a card to sign at the door) just to show appreciation for this wonderful woman, her love for music, her love for people and the enjoyment she gets from seeing others happy. I am so truly Blessed to be able to say, “Virgie? She is my mother.”

Dinner was wonderful! I tried to sample abit of everything:) We have some wonderful cooks among us-my thanks to all!
As music went, our scheduled band was unable to be there-a case of bronchitis, flu type swollen painful throat. I say a ‘thank you’ for not sharing that-though you were horribly missed. We did have musicians in the crowd that didn’t mind entertaining those of us who can’t play & a few others, to full to play:)
America is truly a wonderful country. I wanted to display the first Thanksgiving holiday speech as it was given by President Washington – alas, my arthritis had other thoughts! If you would like to read it-it is available on wallbuilders.com – a good, refreshing read.
This week, Friday-December 3 we will have the Eddie Adkins band, The Southerners playing. A good mix of Country & Country Bluegrass sound. Always a good show!
The week following, December 10-Draggin’ Wagon will be appearing. This will be their first time at the Raccoon Club – all of you please come out and help to give them a true ‘bluegrass country welcome’!
Friday, December 17 – New County Grass will be playing our Christmas Party!
This will be a Pot Luck dinner-bring a dish to enjoy a feast! (I am telling you-these folks can cook!:)
New County Grass put on a fantastic show-good, clean sounding bluegrass with wonderful vocals. Come on out – enjoy the ‘everyone’s family’ surroundings with fantastic food and wonderful music – to bring in this very special holiday season.

This Friday, the 19th, we are looking forward to hearing Hand Hewn. Wonderfully good band-wonderful folks-know you will enjoy their unique, fresh, Bluegrass music.
Next Friday, the 26th, will be our Thanksgiving dinner! Bring a dish-enjoy dinner and listening to music by Lonesome County. Good pickin’! Looking forward to seeing all of you.

What to do-what to do!? Although our sound man had to go out of state & our band had unforeseen difiiculties-we ARE going on with the Club. Ben-my son-Ingo will be there-there will be music-even if everyone is sitting in a circle on the stage or dance floor!

Things happen. But Music?!? That’s forever!

Sorry it has been so long since I have written anything-I had a ’bout of illness that finally seems to have run it’s course. With the change of seasons and the shortening of day-’time’ seems to be running out before I am done with anything!
Before I forget-anything I write can be used-if-someday I write something that cannot-I will state that fact first. I am just learning my way around the computer and that will save alot of headache of figuring out how to let you know-and send everything to you.
Now, I know many of you have been wondering about our schedule and our site….One of Bluegrasses’ modern heroes takes care of the site. This lady takes care of MANY sites-writes for magazines-prints shirts, fliers, and cards for bands-takes care of bookings-has her own blog site (The Mobile Home Woman) which I might add, she just won first place for her wonderful work-she gardens, harvests and perserves her harvest, takes care of home and hearth, takes care of kith and kin and somehow manages to find time to be a musician! Time – sometimes – is short.
Until she has a chance to catch up on a few little things (harvest cannot be put on hold!) I can let you know who’s playing – this week – Friday, September 17 is Fulton County Bluegrass. I believe Mother is fixing pulled pork for dinner. I am sure she will have an alternative with mashed potatoes & gravy:) This Friday we will be having a Birthday cake for Sarah and Penny. (My daughter & grandaughter) This is Sarah’s big 21st! Wow-time does fly-she was 13 when Mother started having music….of course my daughter is still 29!:) Come on out, relax, enjoy some good music and friendship.