@dulcimerplayersnewseditor Fiona, so happy to have you here! Though I don't read tablature nor SMN to play music, I am a supporter/subscriber of Dulcimer Players News because it is a valuable resource.
I only play with a noter and it is challenging to me to get the exact sound I want when sliding to a lower fret. It is a balance of noter pressure with speed (I'm talking getting a nice "falling away" sound on a slower tune) to get the sound I want. I don't do it well consistently-- it's hit and miss for me.
It appears Sally Ann is interested in what's in that cool mug.
@nate, I think your observation is correct, reflecting current reality..
I wish DPN all the best and will continue to support. When the 55 and older crowd is no longer around to purchase, the publication may evolve further and thrive-- I hope so!
This is the breaking news from Ashley Ernst on Facebook (a posting which included a photo of Fiona Potts and Fiona's father) regarding DPN:
I have been busting with excitement to share this news! Dulcimer Players News is under new stewardship! Meet Fiona Potts publisher/editor of DPN and her father, Bill Wake, tech guru. Subscriptions for the print magazine are again open, so visit dpnews.com to subscribe or renew today!!
Sarah Kate has a new record dropping on the internet soon! There will be a limited number of cd's available, too. I'm looking forward to getting a cd. 
@ken-longfield I had no idea about your wife's serious surgery and am sorry the recovery has been a difficult one. I will be praying for you both.
I believe this year's fest is online only except for those who can travel locally. Much work is being done in Hindman following last year's destructive flooding of Troublesome Creek.
@anne-maguire It's wonderful you have given Biddie a safe home!
There were several folks who participated in International Appalachian Dulcimer Day on Facebook. 
@dusty What a great online gathering y'all had on IADD! And your play of "La Promeneuse" is wonderful!
@nate The strums you gave on that conceptual instrument sure sounded good-- lots of punch. I'm guessing with your dowels, footed bridge, and false bottom the instrument will project nicely on whatever tune you choose to put up to demonstrate its sound.
Happy IADD, y'all!
@lisa-c I love your photo! As you wrote, we celebrate the sweet music and the community of caring players-- truly, a wonderful community.
@ariane Your music & your friendship bring joy to us! I'll keep my eyes open for postings from around the world for IADD!
A friend of mine recently had nice ukulele geared tuners put on a Jeffreys instrument and was happy with the result.
Robin, that was a sweet box dulcimer!
It's a great instrument-- Gary made fantastic instruments.
Gary made wonderful box dulcimers and called them Prussia Valley Music Boxes because they weren't reproductions of Tennessee Music Boxes yet paid homage to box dulcimers. All of Gary's instruments were well built and my PVMB sounded great! Though I no longer have this box dulcimer-- a young music friend of mine has it-- here is a photo of it:
This Saturday-- the last one in March-- is International Appalachian Dulcimer Day for 2023!
Mark & I have a video uploaded to YouTube (it took hours!!!) and it will publish at 12:00AM, 25 March in celebration of #internationalappalachiandulcimerday .
I look forward to seeing how you all mark the day to celebrate the mountain dulcimer and its spread around the world!
@marg Gary was a great builder and player! You're fortunate to have acquired one of his mountain dulcimers.
You ain't getting counted! : )
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!
