Though I knew Gary was ill, the news of his death still came to me as a bit of a shock. It was a long-ago visit to Gary & Toni's shop which got me thinking about taking up mountain dulcimer-- and as it happened, Gary & Toni weren't even there that day yet the instruments were and someone else was minding the store. Gary was a great guy, a wonderful luthier, and a really good musician. My heart is with Toni and the Sager family.
@nate Ashley Ernst has indicated there will still be an online presence of some kind for DPN even after the print editions cease.
Oh, @silverstrings , I just love this story and am so glad you pursued learning how Blue Lion Instruments came by their name! Mark and I just finished playing together just a bit ago and I was playing a Blue Lion. <3
@hugssandi I'll be looking for a video from you on International Appalachian Dulcimer Day! 
@folkfan Keigh, my heart is with you and your dear ones. Dave was, truly, a good guy! I was fortunate to have had our paths cross a couple times. Your brother's beautiful instruments sing now for so many and will sing for years to come! Rest in peace, Harpmaker.
It seems John Henry has stabilized and may get to go home before the week's over. 
Mark & I love John and our hearts are with him and all of his dear ones.
@alegre1 I enjoyed your "Why Play the Dulcimer" very much! I imagine it will help attract new people to mountain dulcimer because of the joys of doing so expressed by the folks in the video.
It will be a delight to see how you all celebrate the day! @dusty-turtle will be with a group and, perhaps, other friends will be, too. I'll be at my usual playing location (home) with my usual playing partner (Mark). 
I cannot take credit for International Appalachian Dulcimer day-- it sprang out of a discussion of which I was just one of the voices here at FOTMD. 
The last Saturday of this month!
I was shocked and saddened to see this news. My heart is with all of Tom's dear ones.
Ashley is a wonderful person and I wish her all the best as finishes out her tenure at the helm of DPN!
Oh, it'd be cool if the kid who stole the dulcimer came forward.
Thanks, Bob!
Wow, thanks for sharing the video from Liliya, Dwain! I enjoyed that lots.
Yes, in the realm of art. And Dwain posts photos of his processes in building Bear Meadow instruments. It's neat to see them!
Sunhearth instruments are fantastic! I had one and passed it along to a young person-- I was the caretaker for awhile and it was a privilege to have the instrument. Enjoy your Sunhearth!
I've heard many old hymns (my mom was a church pianist for many years) yet this one is unfamiliar to me-- I look forward to hearing you play and sing it, John.
Yes, the 'official' International Appalachian Dulcimer Day in 2023 is Saturday 25 March. In a thread here at FOTMD, we landed on choosing the last Saturday in March as the day.
@ken-longfield & @leo-kretzner I just checked my calendar and the last Saturday in March in 2023 is the 25th.
@ken-longfield I'm happy you gave this thread a bump! I need to plan a tune to celebrate. 
So nice of you to pay tribute to Gwen, Lisa.
@ariane I am hoping the coming new year holds better things for you, my friend! Hugs!
@homer-ross We've enjoyed the Advent Calendars which @ariane has organized in past years! This year, though, there is no Advent Calendar.
Wishing all a meaningful holiday season!
I'm happy y'all enjoyed the video! It's curious to me that Dave Garroway says and repeats the Ritchie family was in South Carolina. Perhaps they all did gather there at a relative's home yet I can't help but mentally think they must be in Viper KY.
It seems George Pickow's channel at YouTube has been taken down. There were some wonderful videos-- Wintergrace , Black Waters , Blue Diamond Mines and others) done by George and Jean and I am very sorry to see them gone.
Celebrating Jean's birth and the gifts she gave the world! 
This morning, I searched YouTube for Jean's Wintergrace (which I believe was on George Pickow's channel) and was unable to find George's channel.
I'm grateful for all Jean Ritchie shared with the world! She was born 8 December 1922 in Viper, Perry County KY.
The mountain dulcimer makes an appearance about 1-hour 15-minutes and the album which featured mountain dulcimer, Rehab Reunion, about 1-hour 22-minutes.
Lisa, I have owned a Mize and own two Blue Lions. (I only sold the Mize because the tuning pegs were wooden and my aging hands couldn't manage them very well.) To my knowledge, a Mize and a Blue Lion can be strung with 3 equidistant strings and it is a good way to begin learning to play mountain dulcimer.
P.S.- Though it is rare to find an inexpensive Blue Lion, my first Blue Lion was bought used (yet in new condition) for far less than a new one cost.
I love Hazel Dickens; she was more of a hollering type singer. So, this version doesn't seem like a pale imitation but, rather, a fresh new version from two young people.
Friends, Sarah Kate Morgan is joined by Megan Gregory on fiddle to play and sing a Hazel Dickens song. I first saw it last evening and enjoyed it so. So, I'm sharing it here:
I enjoy seeing the critters!
@salt-springs I'm sorry about Fritz.
I second the idea of contacting Elderly for guidance.
Thanks, Ken. I appreciate your sharing this information.
@don-grundy I'd be interested in learning what has become of the program there, too.
@ken-hulme Your trip sounds incredible! I'm especially happy you survived hurricane Ian!
I'm glad Ken is fine and am sorry for the many who have fared badly. Thank you for posting here, @richard-streib !
Ken H, when you get a chance, please let us know how you are doing since hurricane Ian.
@ken-hulme I'm glad to learn you have arrived home all in one piece! Y'all batten down the hatches and stay safe!
