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Everyone is Welcome

I read with delight in your Nov. 25 edition the story of the Ivoryton Illuminations [“Ivoryton Illuminations Returns for 12th Year on Dec. 1”] and the comments by Chris Shane, the president of the alliance that sponsors Illuminations. I participate in an adult fiddle play group led by Dana Takaki. Chris is a member of that group, too. I am writing to acknowledge Dana’s work with this group.

Every year we begin practicing Christmas carols in October. The gazebo at the Ivoryton Green is one place you can find us practicing. In December, we put our proficiency on display just after dark, on certain nights, mesmerizing visitors to the green’s lights with our string renditions. The combination of the lights and the string music is a community blessing well worth experiencing.

Dana is a whirlwind of local music. One day can see her leading Christmas carols at the Chester market, playing at an art gallery, sitting in at the High Nine brewery, and leading the group at the gazebo the very next day—barely time to take a breath. I invite everyone to come and enjoy this additional community blessing, complementing the light show on the green, inspiring young and old with free music. To see Dana’s support of children and youth that are interested in learning the violin is a gift.

I can not remember a more heartwarming experience in my life than playing with the adult fiddle group, especially around this time of year. Everyone is welcome to come learn the fiddle. Oh, and in January, we start working on Irish tunes for Saint Paddy’s day!

Michael Harris

Deep River