I have written a great place where we have done dulcimer camps for years.

It is in a recreational camp for disabled people so it would be accessible for everyone. Everything is on one level.

There are several dormitory style cabins - long rows of beds in rooms. Bathrooms and showers. Can have different wings be male and female.

When we do the dulcimer camp we have lots of people and use all the cabins and other buildings to hold workshops.

So if we were to grow, we could still use this place.

They want to know:
1. when we would arrive and when we would leave
2.number of attendees we think we would have
3.time of year we would come.

The price is less in winter. I don't know the price yet. There are facilities for food. When we go for dulcimer, they come in and cook. We won't have that many people probably. There are microwaves in the cabins. I would have to ask about the kitchen facilities.

So, how many people are interested? Want to come on Friday leave on Sunday?
Would you be interested in coming during the winter? Probably next winter so I can get this organized and hopefully Rhomylly can help me.

I would do this as a poll, but I really want a narrative answer.

Thanks.

This camp is in Central Ohio about 30 miles north of Columbus. It is off a major interstate I 71. I know that workshop leaders have flown in, but I'm not sure where they fly into. Probably Columbus Ohio.

It looks like it would be about a 10-hour drive for me. The SESI would be 13. I'm considering both (actually, one or the other, not likely both).

Do I understand you correctly that we're talking about NEXT winter (i.e., 13 - 16 months from now)?

Do you have a logo? Is it as cute as the SESI's?

I would probably want to spend Thursday and Monday doing most of the driving, to and from either destination. Anyone in a position to share the ride should think about it and get in touch.

Easier than driving to Hawaii or Fiji, at least from here. ;-)

Yes David,

Depending on the amount of work necessary to organize it, I was thinking of the following winter, not the one coming up. However, if there is a lot of help and not a whole ton of work, we could possibly pull it off this winter.

Any interest?

Helen

Helen, if you speak about wintertime 2004 NOvember 04 - February 05, I might seriously consider to come.
Please keep ionformed.

Kind regards
Joachim

Aw Helen

I want the desert island with *full facilities*

En-suite bathroom/ 4 poster bed/ sea&mountain view/ balcony/ all inclusive drinks and meals/ and did I mention *room service*/ a porter for all my music cases and a shopping bag for my clothes.

Joking aside (well maybe joking) I don't think I could make it.

I do want all the gossip mind if it comes off


Sharron

I can help, definitely!

Now if we're restricted to Nov-Feb, we might want to think about MLK weekend in January which is a 3-day weekend for a lot of people. Or if October is considered off-season, then maybe Columbus Day for the same reason. Just some thoughts, mainly trying to avoid the Big Nov/Dec holiday craze...

Helen, do you know what they charge for the dulcimer, just as a reference point?

Two thoughts.

Scheduling in the winter is a gamble. If it snowed and half the reserved people couldn't make it, and you got no walk-ins, would you take a bath financially? Something like April or May might be nice in that you may be able to meet outside as well as inside, certainly one nice feature at some years of the NESI.

To be truly Midwestern, you might consider how to pull in the accordionists. A lot of them (in my experience) live in the Chicago-Milwaukee area up to the Twin Cities. Eventually, if not at first, a true Squeeze-In might aspire to encourage their participation. Not that I'm sure how to do this, mind you.

Another note. Whether you approve or not, liquid libation is a big factor at NESI. In my experience many camps (especially church camps) want nothing to do with such activity. Nevertheless, many people avail themselves of the bar at Bucksteep during the NESI. That, the scenic isolation, and the range of accomodation from camping to decent hotel rooms, is part of the appeal. Again, more of a long-term factor than for your first time, but you need to consider how this will be handled (complete ban? BYO? No-host? etc.)

Ken (still without my own I-net connection)

Rhomylly and Ken,

I was thinking of this camp because I knew that it would be or probably would be reasonably priced and right off a major highway. Anyone with any kind of walking restriction would not be bothered at all.

I don't know about the libation factor. Probably a no, but again I'm not sure.

Yes, I would love to have accordionists.

April or May would cost more, but I don't know how much more.

Once it gets warm, the camp is used as a camping facility and I don't know if we can get in.

I'll check on prices, but they were asking for a head count and time of year so I was trying to get that first.

Rhomylly, I did not go to the dulcimer camp for the first time this year. I forget the price. When I did the extended camp in the past (Wed. eve to Sun morn) I think it was about $185. For us, that included meals, bed in the dorm type cabin, workshops and concerts. We might have gotten a price break because we took over the entire camp - many many people. I forget how much for the weekend because for the last several years I did the extended camp. I know just for the day on Saturday was like $40 or $60 which I thought was too much for a day.

I was just trying to get something going. It doesn't have to be at this place.

And no Ken, I can't take a bath financially on this. I make very little money as I work at a nonprofit in social service. I couldn't afford the NESI this year. BUT I hoping to go next year. My stumbling block for the NESI was airfare and kennels.

Any help or suggestions gladly appreciated.

Helen

Ken: (Surprised that my last post actually appeared, as the school internet connection crashed as I was posting it!)

I've always suspected that getting a Squeeze-In started would take either a business with a bankroll or a very flexible venue. The NESI may have economies of scale. You might email Rich Morse and ask him what their experience is. I'm sure he'll tell you.

Thanks Ken,

I had moaned about wanting a Midwest SI and hoped someone would do one. Then Rhomylly said she would help me and I thought, oh, maybe I should get off my duff and help be the someone.

I will ask Rich about the NESI and I'll also ask the South guy, sorry remember your avatar but forgot your name.

I thought if I projected it ahead a while we could get a handle on how to do it.

Not only the site would have to be flexible, but also the atendees. This is not what Rhomylly and I do for a living.

It could be fun. It might be doable.

If there seems to be enough interest, we could certainly give it a shot.

Helen

Sounds interesting. I think close to Chicago would be a good idea---lots of musicians there.

Not at all. You only need to set your goals to match your resources.

Our first Scandinavian Squeeze-In was officially a 1-day (Saturday) affair, with 8 persons attending, including a couple from Russia and England. "We" -- Pontus, Louise, and myself -- are simply three concertina-playing friends who decided it would be a good thing to do. The venue was a community house in a rural community known to Pontus. We prepared our own food. (As an unexpected side effect, we did a lot of a capella singing while preparing dinner.) Staying overnight in that building was not an option, but we went late into the evening and most of us shared a cabin for the night (arranged in advance) and Sunday breakfast at a nearby camp. I forget what it all cost, but it was cheap! It cost me more to get there and back (1½ hrs each way, including the ferry from Denmark to Sweden) than for the rest put together.

Later that year some of us attended some music lessons held at a scout house in the same area, which we thought was an excellent site, and we've held the following three annual SSI's at Gamlegård and already have have it booked for next April. These days the main meals are provided by a caterer, but we provide and prepare the breakfasts and snacks. And we run from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. The cost was still under $80/person -- not counting transportation to and fro -- for the full weekend (in spite of the weakening dollar).

We've been growing gradually, and with only 28 beds we may actually have to turn people away in 2004. If that happens, it will be a new issue to deal with. But as you can see, a small beginning doesn't require major resources, and adjustments need only be considered as the need arises. Frankly, if I were running a B&B, I'd reserve it for a weekend (or more than one) just to have a small concertina gathering. And I recall a Morris gathering in Maine on a farm where the barn had been converted into numerous guest rooms. (The owner was rich, and only lived there part time. He let the caretaker -- a Morris dancer -- use it thusly when he was away.)

Don't ignore any possibilities, but be creative, and seize any opportunity.

I have some prospective costs.

In peak season which is the summer, $35. a night. I was told it would be considerably less in the winter. Winter is Dec. - Feb.

Breakfast is $5.25
Lunch is $5.75
Dinner is $7.00

and he hastened to tell me this was all you can eat.

Beverage bar throughout the day.

The price for lodging goes down with a higher volume.

This is an alcohol free environment because of its mission to people with disabilities.

They don't believe in being snowed out. He just mentioned we might not want to walk around the lake. They are expecting 200 people on Jan. 5, 2004.

A lot of the time when I went to the Dulcimer camp in March we had snow.

I like this venue if at all possible because they really really worked with us dulcimer people and wanted to help us. As our camp kept growing we were able to be accommodated. We used the cabins and other buildings to hold workshops. It is off a major highway and not too far from an airport.

Let me know how people feel. I was getting a bit discouraged, but must say that Jim has renewed my enthusiasm.

Thanks Jim.

Help, Rhomylly, what do you think?

And if we block off the small outer room and put up posters, we could convince Sharron that she is in a tropical Island.

About 5 hours from my house, I'd be interested. I travel to Dayton all the time on business and could probably coordinate a trip.

My personal preference would be for early summer.

For one thing (and admittedly, this may just be my case), the travel costs for the midwest and the travel costs for Hawaii are almost identical if you are going to use frequent flier miles. And having been to both the midwest AND Hawaii, one of them is more fun as a trip.

If it the MWSI were in late June, then it would give a nice 4 season spacing.

--Dave

I'm just an occasional lurker, but I might come if this were in the Columbus area--I'm near Chicago and it isn't too far. Winter is a bit of a problem, though. The people who run the camp may not believe in being snowed out, but anyone who is travelling would have to consider whether to invest in a weekend when weather might well make driving/flying impossible. I'd suggest April, even at somewhat higher prices. Cheap doesn't help if you can't get there or end up unable to get home afterwards.

Yes,

I am leaning towards April myself.

I am interested, but, of course, will need more details. I wouldn't want to commit to a time when there is a fairly high risk of snowy roads, especially since it would be a 250 mile drive from southwestern Michigan for us.

Good luck!
Nancy Wells

Hi Nancy,

How would you feel about an April date?

I have asked for more details.

Helen

Hi Helen,
April has pretty good potential (the later the better), I suspect.
All the best,
Nancy

April can be a beautiful time in Ohio. Go for it! Set a date and I'll reserve the time. Good idea, Helen! Greg

Sorry, Helen, the dog sprained my finger and I can't type, so I haven't been forum-ing (or playing, for that matter) lately.

I think those prices you quoted are super-reasonable. How good is the food?

Hi Rhomylly,

Forgive me if I sound incoherent. I am home on medical leave, some very nasty virus that I can't get rid of.

The food is good and is all that you can eat. The people are very nice and want you to enjoy your meals.

Coffee, tea, cocoa and those punch or lemonade type thingies are out all day.

Helen

Helen, Rhomylly,
If you two keep this up you could just as well call it "Concertina Camp Club Med"!
Get better fast; stay well! Greg

Aw thanks Greg,

Nice to hear a good word. I'm too sick to play my concertina or even to read.

The camp is very friendly and helpful. The accommodations are sorta like a barracks, long room with lots of beds, then a smaller room with some more beds. There are different wings so we can house men and women in the same cabin. There is a lounge where people can do workshops. Depending on how many people we get, we could see about using some of their other buildings, but that might cost more. If so we could use the rooms with the beds for workshops too. If it is warm there is a pavillion outside.

In fact, if it is warm we could do some workshops outside.

We won't be in the lap of luxury, but the price is very good and the people are very nice. When we have the dulcimer camp, we have a raffle of donated prizes that everyone brings and we donate the money to camp for the disabled kids. Sort of a win win deal. We wouldn't have to do that, but it would be a nice gesture.

I'm waiting to hear back from them on some questions. They do want to know how many people and there is a cost for attrition which probably means we need to have the people we say we are going to have.

I'm hoping we can pull this off and have tons of fun.

If we grow, we can keep using this facility because it is quite large. That is, if we like it.

Thanks everyone for your interest.

Hope you're feeling better, Helen.

My finger is some better, but I'm still not practicing much.

I dunno about this younger generation. Soft, if you ask me! When I was at college I "sprained" my middle finger (actually, it got bent back from the second joint flat against the back of my hand) playing football on the lawn. Did I let that stop me? I typed my entire term paper with a splint on my finger.

Actually, this may have helped me in my later, concertina-playing years by demonstrating the feasibility (in that case, necessity) of alternate fingerings and flexible hand position.

Get well, soon.

.......Isn't it supposed to be cheaper in Canada?

Hi Rhomylly,

I once spent 6 weeks playing one handed with the other end strapped to my leg!
(What?.....my concertina, of course ! )

Where's your fighting spirit.....You have got two hands havn't you ??

I have to admit you would need to exercise more than a little imagination 'filling in' the missing notes in your mind if you happen to play the English Concertina.

Get well soon
Regards

Dave

I knew a fellow with only one arm who played the anglo that way.

And wasn't there a thread a while back (old Forum, I'm sure) about a Wheatstone specially made to be played that way? Maybe we could get one specially made for Rhomylly with the buttons that would normally be under her sprained finger moved to other locations?

Hi Jim,

Vague recollections of the thread you mentioned.
Didn't one such concertina come up on ebay a couple of years ago?

Jim
<......with the buttons that would normally be under her sprained finger moved to other locations? >

That's a really helpful idea Jim.

I've heard there is a temporary shortage shortage of Bb s in Anchorage and E s in Boston......Perhaps she could help ?

Regards

Dave

(much laughing at the end of a long day at work...which is good)

thanks for the suggestions, everyone, but I am feeling much better, really.

The dog in question didn't so much as bend it back as slam the base joint and first joint too far into my palm. I'm still sore, but am coping....and grateful I play Anglo

Hope Helen is as well!

Thanks Rhomylly

Still pretty sick. Well actually very sick. Can't even pick up my concertina. Abandoned everything for a while. Hope to leap back into the wellness group soon.

Have fun all.

Helen

I hope you're better soon, Helen, and I also hope Rhomylly's finger is fine again!

Here's a 'get well flower' for you both:

Hiya Wendy,

Wow what a gorgeous flower. Thanks. I'm home with asthmatic bronchitis and astonished at how sick that can make you. However I have decided that if everyone shakes their bellows they will scare the germs or whatevers away and I will be well. This will be an all purpose bellows shake, so it will also cure Rhomylly's finger.

We midwest people need to be well. (winter is coming).

Thanks again for the flower.

It made my day.

Helen

Mine too, Wendy

Yeah, shake them bellows, I have an appointment with a hand specialist today. 30 miles away. And it's snowing.

So, how's the Midwest Squeeze-In coming along? Is it really happening? Should I get it listed on the ICA Events Calendar?

It will happen, but perhaps not soon. I said when I started this thread that I was projecting for next year. Okay, so now it is next year.

I have contacted the woman who represents the Noell Hill Midwest thingy and asked if we can do a weekend squeeze in before or after it. I thought that happened at the Northeast SI. She was interested. However, they do not have the dates for the Midwest Noell Hill yet. Also she has not given me the name of the person to contact. Anyway, she is contacting me when they get the dates nailed down. The nice thing about putting it in the summer is that it is at a different season than the others.

That would put the Midwest SI at the end of July or in August depending on Noell's schedule.

The reason for attaching it was to have a place where hopefully people make their own reservations and payment. I think that is what helped the Southern SI to make a go of it. Everyone made their own reservations and no one was financially responsible for the group. Or at least that was my understanding.

I sent several questions to the other camp I was interested in, but have not heard back from them which is unusual. I ought to contact them again. I email Sharron and she does not get my emails, so perhaps the camp also did not get my emails.

When I get more info on the cost of the place where the Noell Hill camp is, I will post it. I have a feeling it might be more than the other camp, but perhaps not. If people really want a spring and a summer SI in the Midwest, we could do the summer one at the Noell Hill place and the spring one at the other camp. I am not sure how much interest there will be. The spring one would be next year. The summer one this year.

So. Looks good for the summer if people are interested.


Helen

That's funny, I got an email a week ago from the NHICS registrar that the midwest dates are Aug 15-20. I sent my deposit in yesterday... Mann, someone Mann, is who I'm emailing.

Thanks Rhomylly,

I emailed her way before Christmas and she said she'd email when they had the dates. Don't have enough for the deposit yet.

Helen

I only managed thanks to a Christmas bonus...

If my level of enjoyment at last year's Noel Hill school is any indiction, you are going to love how you spent your bonus money!

I'm following the proposals to have the summer squeeze in at the same locale as Noel's camp with interest. Wouldn't it be neat to overlap the squeeze in with Noel's camp by a day and perhaps arrange for Master Hill and a few other concertina luminaries to welcome the campers and send off the squeezers with a concert?

Boggles the mind and warms the bellows!

Keep planning!

Greg

Okeydokey.

Noell Hill's camp has my deposit. Soooo, I asked who I talk to about setting up the Squeeze In. Hope to hear shortly and will post. The Noell Hill camp will be in Kentucky, but very close to Cincinnati's airport (which is Ohio). Okay, that is the extent of my geographic knowledge. I will bug them until I get info.

Yippee.

Helen

WOOOOTTT!!!!! Helen's going to Noel Hill Midwest too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The 24 button Edgley contingent will be there in force!!!!!

Helen, I truly cannot wait to meet you in person.

Psst, when you get your Edgley, I'm tempted to ask you to call me and play it over the phone so I know how mine is likely to sound.....

Something to add to your geographic knowledge:

The Cincinnati airport (actually, the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport) is actually across the river from Cincinnati in Covington, Kentucky.

Yeeeeeeeeessssssssssss Rhomylly,

I am finally going to meet you. I wanted to go the Noell Hill camp, but knowing you were going was the incentive to push me to make it this year.

24 button Edgleys rock.

Of course I will play mine over the phone to you when I get it.

Not sure about the Midwest SI. This time the person organizing N.H. camp was not very positive. Worried about insurance. Understandable. I asked that she email me and tell me if that was a no. (Originally she was for it. Must have thought about it. Someone mentioned to her the worry about insurance. I can sure understand her concern. I think they don't want to jeopardize the N.H. camp by asking for something else.)

Someone has emailed me about camping at their place which is a very nice and generous offer. I am not sure where they are located. Will post when I find out. She suggested June because of camping.

Helen

Helen, I'm flattered and looking forward to the phone call maybe almost as much as you're looking forward to the delivery of your Edgley!

Hmmm, insurance. Yeah, that's a consideration. Wonder how much Marydale charges for an event, and if maybe they could get us on the schedule for the MWSI some other time that isn't immediately after NHICS.

Haven't been able to find a website just for Marydale, so unsure who to talk to there. Maybe we could move MWSI to 2005 and use the 2004 NHICH to, among other things, scope out Marydale as a possible site.

Rhomylly and all,

Well, the spokesperson for the NH camp has emailed me back and said to go ahead and try for the squeeze in. The camp is at Marydale this year because the previous site, Milford perhaps, couldn't do the last week in July or the third week in August. She suggested that we try both places. I have asked for the email address for both places.

We could certainly talk to people while we are there and set it up for 2005. Take the stress out of it and make it more fun.

I have had a few emails from someone willing to let us meet on their property and do primitive camping or stay at motels. This would be in Minnesota if we would like to do this. Perhaps we could think about this for next year also. It would need to be in warmer weather, I would think.

Thoughts?

Helen

Sorry, forgot to add that the N.H. person said that perhaps Noell Hill would make a paid appearance at the squeeze in. I'm not sure of the cost and whether people would be interested. A nice thought though.

Helen

Minnesota.
Summer.
Camping.
Mosquitos.

'nuff said.