Kansas Acoustic Arts Association

Those of us who have attended the Walnut Valley Festival for years know that there are many wonderful things that are carried with you long after you leave the grounds for home. Lifetime friendships are made, our children learn to appreciate all types of music-some even find they have a talent for making it! You take with you a bit of that sense of community, family, and diversity that prevails in those campgrounds! For some it seems you’re barely home before you are looking forward to next year.
The staff at the Walnut Valley Festival offices works year round to make the festival the best it can be. They also work countless hours during the festival. You can drop them and email thank you (let them know you appreciate them), they have a great website www.wvfest.com. Don Shorock has a hand in putting that together for them to keep us all informed with festival news.
Don also is administrator for a yahoo chat group geared for all folks and things WVF minded— winfield-l@yahoogroups.com. You can also get to this site by searching for Walnut Valley festival or Shorock. Once there you will find great photos, music/festival related information, downright orneriness and just plain fun!
Here is where you can find other folks who share your interests in music and WVF year round. I have met and made several new friends through this site that I may not have gotten to know otherwise.
Here also is where many great ideas are born. For instance- the Chick Pick came about after a conversation on the “L” with my friend Julia from Independence. This year we held our 2nd Annual Chick Pick and had about 50 gals in attendance. We shared some songs, some laughter and some tears. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Thank you Julia!
Another wonderful aspect of that sense of community and diversity I spoke of earlier is the Winfield Hearts project. This came about when a need arose for some members of our extended Winfield family. The husband/father of this family passed away suddenly leaving the mother and four kids to face an unknown future and a lonely holiday season. An idea to help was born, a list of needs and wishes was published on the “L” and folks answered the call. Thus was the inception of “Winfield Hearts”. This family received several wished for presents including violin strings and a mandolin and case, a nice chunk of cash and festival tickets for the family.
Winfield-L group member Tammy Bohn from Arcadia has done an excellent job as administrator of the Winfield Hearts. Last spring after the unexpected passing of another Winfield family member Dina Luecke another idea was formed and a small fund established for a memorial. KidJams- organized educational jams for kids, hosted by “L” members and held at their camps during the festival. If we don’t share music with our kids they may never gain the appreciation or knowledge we have for it!
After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina some folks received word of some Winfield family members who lost everything. The Hearts once again sprang into action—tickets were purchased, camping was paid for, camping supplies were donated. Folks who were suddenly homeless were able to once again come home to Winfield and experience that feeling of healing and togetherness that is just a part of the whole package.
So when you need a little taste of the family feeling of WVF check out the Winfield-L. You’ll make new friends, hear about new talent and new events, and even share a laugh or two.
Just another aspect of the variety of things going on ---
Behind the strings . . . .