It has been a long time since the Lake Fannin Wilderness Park has seen an exciting Saturday like the one planned for September 5.  Family-friendly activities include a ride along a challenging mountain bike trail, nature tours, history tours, volleyball, horseshoes, dominoes and a wide variety of local musicians that will provide a living soundtrack to the afternoon's events.

Local musical artists are donating their time and talents all afternoon at CORE's FUNdraiser at historic Lake Fannin Park on Saturday, September 5, '09.  There will be various events throughout the entire day and into the evening. 

The National Forest Service has been kind enough to waive its restriction on CORE being able to sell things inside the Lake Fannin Park.  We will have a Concession Stand with Blue Sky sodas (all flavors), PURE energy bars, event t-shirts, and raffle tickets for a 2-night stay at the Ranch House Bed & Breakfast ($450 value), donated by Craig Buford, owner & operator.  We also may be able to sell a few tickets to the Prairie Dinner at the event itself, depending upon how many folks show up who received complimentary tickets.  This just means that if someone comes to the Afternoon at the Park events, is having fun, and then decides they want to stay for the dinner.....there may be tickets available, but not guarantee (as those with tickets will have to be served first).

Go to CORE's website, www.texomaCORE.org, and open the "Hit the Trail: Focus on Fannin" page to find out the entire schedule of events; packages available & costs; registration form online (PayPal available) or to be printed and mailed with a check; sponsorship levels; photography contests;etc....the "whole deal" is there for you to peruse!

Mountain bikers will sign in at 10:30 a.m. and hit the trail at 11:00 a.m.

A scavenger hunt list will be available on the Lodge porch (no-harm to the Lake Fannin site) and a table on the porch will be set aside for "amazing finds." 

Lawn and table games (volleyball, horseshoes, dominoes, cards) start at 2:00 p.m. either on the Lodge porches or near the Lodge.

Lake Fannin History Tours, led by Friends of Lake Fannin Volunteers, and Nature Tours of Native Flora and Fauna, led by Professor George Diggs of Austin College wull be held at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Tom Mac Holmes

Rita Fulmer

Fallon Hilliard

About 3 pm, Fallon Hilliard, one of Fannin County's "budding artists," will perform her two songs recently sung at the Heritage Day Colgate Music Competition.   

Beverly Dubois, flute

Mary Anne Thurman and Diane Wilson, clarinet

Myra Rodgers, alto sax

Sharon Banister, bassoon

Steve Englehardt, trumpet and conductor

Paul Cardwell, trombone

The band played last summer in most towns across the county with a pavillion, totally unannounced, and gave more formal presentations for several years at area nursing homes, and civic events at Rayburn House, the Arts center, and various parades and interdenominational church services (fifth Sunday evenings in Honey Grove).

The Fannin County Band's music comes from standard band arrangements, and special arrangements done by Dave Barton when he was tuba/conductor before Steve.

 

Following the Fannin County Band will be Caleb Coonrod.  Caleb is a 20-year-old, self-taught musician, who plays acoustic guitar and likes to sing mostly country music with some older rock tunes sprinkled in for added flavor.  He describes himself as a “red-headed guy with curly hair, who loves to sing and play for just about anyone!” 

 

Caleb has grown up in Bonham and was graduated from Bonham High School.  Currently, he is working at the Bear Creek Country Store in Leonard, TX, and he is often seen helping out a farmer or two as they unload at the Leonard Farmers’ Market, located behind the Country Store. 

 

Caleb always has a smile on his face and a friendly word for customers.  His main aspiration in life at this point is to be a singer.  He may be contacted at 903/227-3035 to schedule appearances.  Caleb is willing to sing for paid events, such as parties, or to donate his talents to charitable organizations.

 

Up next, and appropriately enough playing just up the bluff from his beloved Red River, will be Wildwood Dean playing the bones.

 

Wildwood Dean playing the bones with the Too Long in the Saddle Band

 

Wildwood Dean’s first exposure to the bones was at the Arkansas Folk Festival a few years back. The fellow playing them showed Dean how to hold them and soon he was able to play a little, much to his astonishment. The fellow had made his bones from rock maple.

 

When Wildwood Dean got home, he made a pair from an old bois d’arc fence post and began playing them.  Soon he had his wife playing a pair he made for her.

 

“Playing bones is infectious,” Dean says. 

 

Two years ago he joined the National Rhythm Bones Society based in Tennessee and began researching the history of folk music, especially bones.  

 

He continued to improve his skills and develop a pair of bones that he calls “center pivoting bones.”  Most bones are held near one end which gives single clicks whereas center pivoting bones give double clicks.

 

Wildwood Dean plays the bones with the “Too Long in the Saddle” band out of Meade, Oklahoma. They perform every Friday and Saturday night at “That Country Music Place,” in Meade.

 

Full-time media mogul (in his dreams!) and part-time songwriter Allen Rich will be concluding the afternoon talent show with a few original tunes, some he says he's even practiced as often as twice, about 4 pm.

 

"I am absolutely honored to participate in the first annual 'Hit the Trail' event and this should be second nature to me by now," Rich remarks, "because people have been telling me to hit the trail for years."

 

Allen Rich

 

It is especially exciting, Rich adds, to play in a beautiful place like Lake Fannin and join in with musicians such as Tom, Rita, Fallon, Fannin County Band, Caleb and Wildwood....people happy to donate their time and talent for a worthy cause.

 

"Jim will make the perfect MC for this event and you don't know what a treat it is for me to follow Wildwood," Rich says with gratitude.  "Not many people understand how important a role Wildwood played in helping me stake a claim with North Texas e-News back in 2002.

 

The Prairie Dinner prepared by Cappy's Cafe from locally grown and donated ingredients will begin at 5 pm inside The Lodge. 

 

For your dining enjoyment, Donna Henard, one of Bonham's transplants from the metroplex who enjoys volunteering and also sharing her singing talents, will be performing from 5:30-6:15 pm, onstage inside The Lodge. 

 

Donna Henard

 

Her music includes some old favorites from the 40's, 50's, and 60's and is "easy listening" music....good for the digestion! 

 

Singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist, John Boyer, from Sherman will be concluding the dinner entertainment with his set from 6:15-7:00 pm.......then, he'll be leading all those who want to continue with a Song Circle and some jammin' onto the porches surrounding the Lodge after dinner!  

 

John Boyer

 

The schedule of the Day's Events:  

10:30 — Mountain Biker's "Sign-in" (at Trailhead near boat launch) 

11:00 — Mountain Bike Riding (trail available till dusk) 

12:00 -1:00+ — Box lunch for bike riders 

2:30 and 3:30 — Lake Fannin History Tours, led by Friends of Lake Fannin Volunteers, and Nature Tours of Native Flora and Fauna, led by Professor George Diggs of Austin College 

From 2 pm ‘til 4:30 pm — Lawn and table games (volleyball, horseshoes, dominoes, cards) either on the Lodge porches or near the Lodge. 

Under the shade trees near the Lodge, at intervals during the afternoon, there will be live musical entertainment by local artists.