Is this the 33rd or 34th annual festival?

I was recently asked to explain why 2009 is not the 34th annual festival instead of the 33rd. The first NIBGA festival was held Labor Day 1976 so Memorial the following year would be the end of year one. Also, there was no Labor Day festival in 1989 so how do you count? If you take those two dates out, then 2009 is the 33rd year.

This brings the question, what happened in 1989?

Don McFarland (Mac) NIBGA president in the 1980s, moved the Memorial weekend festival from Baughman's Campground near Paulding, Ohio in 1989 to Robert (Slim) Habern's (VP in the last part of the 1980s) back yard in Latty, Ohio. The back yard is a misnomer since it was several acres with some electric. (maybe 20 or so?) Baughmans had been sold and the new owner didn't want the festivals in 1989. The crowd at Baughmans was slowly building but it was a terrible campground for a festival. All the Michigan folks said it was "Northern Indiana Bluegrass" so what was it doing in Ohio?

Mac didn't know where to have the festival nor did I. We did take a trip to a couple of locations but nothing came of it. He kept trying to find a "campground" and none would have us so it was Slim's.

Memorial 1989 was a disaster! It rained several inches on Thursday and the back yard was flooded with 2-3 inches of water on Thursday night. It was still there Friday morning. The tent for the crowd collapsed. On Friday, pumps were rented to pump the water somewhere else. Fish worms died and the place smelled. The show came off Fri., Sat., Sun. but the crowd was very small. Since there was no defined gate, several didn't pay. The campers that were there had to be pulled out. The bands were paid and the club lost big time. The treasure was less than $7,500. A latter club t-shirt lists "Lake Latty" as a festival location.

Mac planed on having Labor Day at the same location and had hired the bands. In mid summer, Slim came to his senses and left town. The festival was canceled.

I became VP and Linda became secretary in the fall elections. Mac went to Florida that winter and called in January 1990 to say he was not having a festival in 1990 because of his ill health. As VP, I could put one together if I wanted.

Club memberships had sunk along with newsletter mailings to about 120 or so. It looked like the end of NIBGA. With the help of Donnie Voiles who became VP, I stepped up to president and moved the festival to Kendallville.

The rest is recent history.

Jim Winger - President

Jason Mowery to appear at Noble County fair

Jason married to Jessica Harp in 2008. She and Jason will appear July 22 as the opening act for the Eli Young band at the Noble County 4H fair.



Jason received two NIBGA scholarships while he attended Ball State University.

May 17 NIBGA Board meeting

May 17, 2009: Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association Meeting – Noble County Fairgrounds – Kendallville, IN.
Meeting called to order by Pres. Jim Winger Time: 2:00 PM
Officers present:
Pres.- Jim Winger, V. Pres.- Sandy Carnes, Secretary- Barbara Collins, Treasurer-Linda Winger
Board of Directors
T.J. Collins, Joe Wyandt, Pam Keiper, Paul Saurborn
Gate Captains: Al Ellis, Leslie Ellis, Patty Page
Club members: Charles Carnes, Jay Winger, Rachel Wyandt, Dave Keiper, George Page
Secretary's Report: Additions and corrections to workshop information and Kids Korner for new business. April minutes accepted. Joe Wyandt motioned to accept. Paul Saurborn second. All say yes. Motion carried.
Treasurer's Report: April Financial report.
Linda reported that the Suzuki Scholarship has one more year for 2010. This is the 5th year of 6 total Scholarship years from NIBGA.
Sandy Carnes motioned to accept. Paul Saurborn second. All say yes. Motion Carried.
Linda gave a Festival update. As of today she reports 55 camper units. 5 board, 1 band, 1 complimentary, some not paid yet.
INFORMATION ITEMS:

• Gypsy Moths were sprayed by airplane at the Noble Co. Fair grounds May 9th & 12th. This was done to control the infestation of moths which would destroy the trees. Hopefully this will destroy the moths and allow the trees to survive.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Tonia Bacon will continue to contact collages to determine circulation and advertising cost. She will seek possible collage newspapers where NIBGA can advertise festivals. Target advertising for Labor Day.
• Old Time Dance – pending for Fall 09. Chris Cooperrider – chairman.

STAGE: Wash and Wax crew – Target date for washing and waxing is Wednesday 5/20 (Done)

• Three Rivers Federal Credit Union awarded Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association a $200l grant which will be used for school programs or Nursing Home shows. James Creek Road is scheduled for Sacred Heart show in Avilla, IN on Friday May 22.
• Still need postings on Web sites and other bluegrass sites.
• Grandstand electric – will remove breaker(s) to prevent grandstand lights from coming on.

Summer Newsletter mailing schedule review.

• May 15 – Joe Wyandt
• June 21 – Barb & TJ Collins
• July 19 – Pam Keiper
• August 16 – Paul Saurborn
• September 20 – Joe Wyandt

Rest Room cleaning during festival. Cheri will have the use of a utility cart.
NEW BUSINESS:
T.J. Collins checked the Fire Extinguishers. All are showing green and are in the Merchants building alcove
Gate Captains: Pam Keiper, Paul Saurborn. Pam has made a schedule for gate captains.
Merchandise status: Barb Collins reports all new and vintage merchandise has been inventoried as of 5/16/09. Some ordered items had to be substituted when some colors were not available. A limited amount was ordered by Linda. Women's Visor hats are a new item. Dark blue with white letters – NIBGA.
Grounds status: T.J. Collins and Joe Wyandt: Going well so far. Later they had to work on several electric areas. 3 new 50 amp service connections were installed for bands. T.J. and Paul will put signs on them to reserve "For Bands Only". Discussion of Electric problems and solutions.
Covered schedule of Security for Spring 09'.
Dennis Hudecek from the fair board replaced 40 GFIs.
Known problem areas as of 5/17:
Men's rest room at the grandstand – light
Log Cabin rest room water heater – not working correctly
Woman's rest room in the Merchants building – lights and running toilet
Vendors: Sandy Carnes. All food vendors are back for this festival except Hot Dog man.
Frozen Meat Truck paying 10% or $150.00 – depending. Others will be coming in later.
Health Department not coming. Lady ill.
Review Announcers sheet. Any additions to announcements – give to Bill Merrill.
One showcase band for Thursday 5/21. Conley Schmidt & First Love.
Kids Korner: Linda Winger reporting for Julie Goldsmith. Children can purchase 1 white T-Shirt with a outline of the 09' train design on it for $1. They will be able to paint the design with colors of the child's choice. There will be chess and checker games and other activities. Time: 10:00 – 11:30
Golf Cart Taxis: Chris Cooperrider Manager. Chris will schedule drivers. 'Call a ride' phone number is on the band schedule. Have Linda call a cab driver with information on where to pick up a rider.
Food Drive: Boxes will be placed at the front end of the merchants building. Donations can be put in those boxes. The food will be presented to Kendallville Mayor Susan Handshoe on Saturday 5/23 on stage.
Al Ellis or Paul Saurborn will escort James Creek Road band to Sacred Heart Nursing Home in Avilla on Friday May 22. Show time is 2:00 p.m..
The ATM is in front of the Merchants building.

Paul Saurborn motioned to adjourn. Pam Keiper second. All say yes.
Pres. Jim Winger adjourns the meeting.
Adjourned: 3:00 p.m.
NIBGA Secretary – Barbara Collins