Honoring the Journey, Shaping the Future
Over 15 years of leadership, music, and community culminated on September 12 at The Studio at Bridgewater Retirement Center, where the Blue Ridge Mountain Dulcimer Club gathered for a festive picnic and jam to honor Dinah Ansley, Club Coordinator and Grand Poobah, alongside outgoing officers.
The morning’s gathering quickly transformed into a heartfelt celebration. Members paid tribute to Dinah’s nearly ten years of guidance as a mentor, musician, and leader with a lively, song-filled storytelling session crafted by Patsy Kislek, Lori Lineweaver, and Becky Chalam. Their performance wove her comedic adventures in “Dulcimerland” through a medley of 43 familiar dulcimer tunes.
Highlighting Dinah’s memorable escapades, Patsy recounted her story with warmth and humor before the entire room joined in a moving group performance of “I Will Always Love You” to send off their longtime leader with deep gratitude and applause.
Five Area Groups Share Their Music
After the tribute, coordinators from five area groups across Central Virginia stepped forward to share updates and performances, highlighting the reach and fellowship of the regional dulcimer community.
Heartstrings (Woodstock)
Vicky Germroth reported that her group remained active in the local community, performing Revolutionary War tunes for local churches, Music on the Porch, and the Ruritans. The group performed two songs, including “Annie Laurie.”
Dulci-Cats (Charlottesville)
Penny Reighart shared that the Charlottesville group is already preparing for the holidays, rehearsing multiple arrangements of “A Cherry Tree Carol” tabbed by Jim Alberts at Dinah’s request. Then they performed “Skye Boat Song.”
River City Strummers (Waynesboro)
Scott Berg and Patsy demonstrated their recent experiments with new styles and instrumentation. Scott brought a jazz-inspired twist to “Wayfarin’ Stranger,” accompanied by Patsy playing a Native American–style flute crafted by Brian.
Joyful Noise (Bridgewater) & Merrifield Music Makers (Ruckersville) combined forces under Dinah’s direction for a joint performance of “The Water is Wide.”
Pride of the Blue Ridge closed out the regional ensemble showcases with a rendition of “Precious Memories,” popularized by Patsy Cline.
Solo Performances: Sylvia Reece: Visiting from Pennsylvania, Sylvia shared a lovely solo medley on the bass dulcimer.
Old and New Officers Strum Together
Marking the transition in leadership, outgoing and incoming officers shared the stage:
- Retiring treasurer Patsy played “Go Tell Aunt Rhody” on the baritone bowed psaltery alongside the incoming treasurers on dulcimer.
- Lori Lineweaver and Sharon Baiocco, webmistresses, performed the “Rose of Sharon Waltz” as a duet.
- Incoming Club Coordinator Lynne Schwar joined Dinah for a duo rendition of “Ashokan Farewell.”
Looking ahead to the winter season, Scott previewed his three-part arrangement of “O Tannenbaum,” which the group will perform at their community holiday concert on December 12 at the Massanutten Regional Library in Harrisonburg. Dinah is also readying a special arrangement of “Good King Wenceslas” for the upcoming event.