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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
February 17, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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February 17, 2011
 
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The Voetberg Family Band pc00l forms Not many families have 10 chil- dren. Fewer still have children who are all accomplished musicians. And it's all but unheard of to find a full, happy family that enjoys performing, playing, and living under the same roof. Joe and Lisa Voetberg, of Cheha- lis, Wash., loved children and knew that they wanted a big family. When they acquired property outside of Chehalis, they decided to fill it with children. Music was important to Lisa Voet- berg, a vocalist, and she wanted her children to enjoy it. Singing Chris- tian hymns together was a daily part of their home-school schedule. She wanted her children to take piano lessons as part of their school curric- ulum beginning around age eight or nine, and continue their study of pi- ano through age 18. Her third child, Liddy, borrowed a violin to try it out at age 10. She loved it. The family tried putting together a chamber quartet, with their four oldest: Joby on cello, Brice on viola, and Elisha and Liddy on violin. The family also participated for a short time in the Olympia Orchestra. After a few years of classical study, in 2001 the Voetbergs discovered fid- dle music through a music teacher. That same year the Voetberg chil- dren entered their first fiddle compe- tition, where Annie, age 8, won State Champion in the Small-Fry Division. It was their first exposure to the rid- dling culture, and they promptly fell in love with the genre and the people associated with it. "Fiddle music is multi-generational," Lisa Voetberg said. "I loved seeing an old man bend- ing over a young child to help him learn a song, or a teen-age guitarist backing up a small child and looking as though he really enjoyed it. That, as much as anything, hooked us. Fid- dling was relational, and it was hap- py music." That same year, the" Voetbergs at- tended a Booher Family Music Camp, which honed their skills and intro- duced them to professionals who en- couraged musical excellence. Wash- ington Old Time Fiddlers, though jam sessions and contests, helped the family learn how to jam together. Their first performance as a fam- ily was in 1999. At the time, they per- formed for a senior group. "We had a tape deck playing so we could sing with it," Lisa said, laughing. "It was a while before we got good enough to back ourselve up." Despite her musical background, motivating all her children to prac- tice and to achieve excellence was a challenge, Lisa said. "In fact, it was Joe, my peace-maker husband, who doesn't sing or play an instrument, who made it work. He was relational, and he knew how to organize the kids to work together. He was instrumen- tal in making this work." "Many parents feel guilty insist- ing that their children practice," she continued. 'rhey give up too soon, because the kids don't like that daily discipline. But I feel like by requiring them to practice every day, I'm giving them something invaluable. Through daily practice, you can measure the character of the kids. You find out so many subtle things about them." 'TCe've spent a lot of money on music camps, lessons, instruments," Joe Voetberg said. "A lot of things in life will disappear, but investing generously into our children's lives is definitely one of the best things we've done. I don't have a retirement account, but I know I have a much fuller life because of my investment in my children." "We've always prioritized working together as a family," he said. "Ev- erybody works together...bringing in firewood, gardening, and work- ing in our coffee shop." The family also owns and operates Cup O' Joe, a drive-through coffee shop in Che- halls. Liddy, 22, grew up loving music, and jammed a lot with her siblings, especially her younger brother Eli- sha, 20. "Doing music as a family was so natural," she said "It was easy. We were all together, and the commu- nication between us was already in place." The Voetbergs are also avid run- ners and basketball players. Lisa Voetberg just celebrated her 50th birthday by running the Portland Marathon. Five of her kids jumped into the race at various points and ran a mile or two with her to encour- age her. "Competition and fitness are healthy," Lisa said. "We've always tried to emphasize that." "We didn't want any wimpy kids," Joe added jokingly. Many of their kids enjoy basketball. '¢Ve provide a really big cheering section for what- ever team the kids play on!" Lisa, the oldest of six children, taught sixth grade for one year before deciding to stay home with her chil- dren. Her parentsl both public educa- tors, encouraged her to home-school, explaining that it was difficult to reach your most gifted or your most needy in a classroom setting. "So I did it, so I could gauge my children's readiness for academic subjects and to personalize their edu- cation," Lisa said. "It has been a chal- lenge, but anything worthwhile is." Joe is a logger. He was born and raised in the timber industry. His fa- ther taught him to log, beginning at age 12. This family of twelve, whose eight at-home kids (two are now married) all share a bathroom, have other tips on how to make family relations work. "One minute in the mirror is a 'fun' rule," Joe said. The Voetberg Family Band will be performing in Shelton on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 3 p.m., at the Shelton Performing Arts Center (SHS Audi- torium). Tickets are $5 at the door. Those interested in hearing more about this remarkable family are in- vited to participate after the concert in a mini-family conference led by the Voetbergs and their kids. They will share tips on getting along as siblings, parenting, integrating faith into family life and the eternal value of family relationships. Sessions at 5 and 6 p.m.; light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by Mt. Olive Lu- theran Church. An na's Bay C enter for Music presents lively chamber performance The center has put together a lively program of beloved chamber music that will be performed in front of a roaring fire in the spectacular setting of the Nordstrom Great Hall. All you have to do is pick an evening with your sweetheart and order tickets for either Friday, February 18 or Saturday, February 19. Titled "Boulevard of Baroquen Dreams," our own South Shore Chamber Orchestra will perform Vivaldi's 'Winter' from the "Four Seasons" and Bach's third Brandenburg Concerto. Our new chamber choir, the Union City Singers, will also join the orchestra to perform highlights from the Vivaldi "Gloria" as well as Bach's Cantata 147 (the "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desir- ing" cantata). Tickets are available now at the Anna's Bay web site, www. annasbay.org and seating is limited. SA' HEH' WA' MISH' Days On February 19 and 20 the Squaxin Island Tribe will host SA' HEH' WA' MISH days at the Skookum Creek Event Center in Shelton. This two-day event will showcase native drummers and dancers from throughout North America. Dance and Drum competitions have long been the focus of traditional pew-wows and this year's event will be no excep- tion. There will be over $20,000 in cash prizes awarded to the competitors by the time the weekend is over. This year's Master of Ceremonies will be Ray Fryberg of the Tulalip Tribe. Nationally acclaimed and Grammy nomi- nees The Boyz from St. Paul will be this year's host drum. Featured dancers will include Buck Wallahee of the Yakima Tribe and Leah McGurk-Brown, of the Navahos. The Pew-Wow will also feature art, crafts and traditional food prepared by local tribal members. The world-class Coast Salish art from the Pacific Northwest stands apart from other naive art and this will be an opportunity to meet some of the local artists. This family friendly event is free and open to the public. The pageantry begins each day with a Grand Entry Cere- mony in which all participants honor the traditional ways. There will be two grand entries on Saturday with the first scheduled for 1 p.m. and then again at 7 p.m. before the eve- ning events begin. There will be another chance to experience the Grand Entry on Sunday, the final day, with the ceremony starting at 12 noon. "We are honored to have Ray Fryberg (Tulalip) as our Mas- ter of Ceremonies this year and we are please to invite ev- eryone to experience native culture in this special way," says Leslie Johnson, Squaxin Island Tourism Director. "We know that. people of all ages will share in the excitement of this in- tertribal pew-wow and be enriched by the event." "We know that people of all ages will share in the excite- ment of this intertribal pew-wow and be enriched by the event." All proceeds from the event will go to benefit the Squaxin Island Museum Library and Research Center. For more information contact Leslie Johnson at 360-432- 3838. Event information is available at www.squaxinisland- museum.org. Thursday 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Ma- son Conservation Districts meeting will in Shelton at the District office at 450 W Business Park Road (Sand- erson Field). Additional in- formation can be obtained by contacting John Bolender by phone at (360) 427-9436, extension 21 or email at jbo- lender@masoncd.org. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Team meeting for Shelton Relay for Life. Anyone interested in starting a relay team and all current team captains and participants please attend. Plan on getting informa- tion about this year's Relay for Life, online registration, fundraising ideas and much more. For more information go to www.relayforlifeofshel- tonwa.org. Saturday 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Fundraising forum for Re- lay for Life. Don't miss this forum at the Mason County Public Works Facility. It is designed to help you in your efforts with fundraising ideas, tips and tactics to help , teams raise funds for the upcoming Shelton Relay for Life, June 24 and 25. RSVP for this event through Dave or Toni Hauge, or go to www. relayforlifeofsheltonwa.org. Sunday 11:30 a.m. the American Association of University Women will meet for a no- host luncheon at E1 Nepal $ ! ii! SPEAK] 360-426-2505 1180 E. Picketing Road Spencer Lake -- more than a tavern Bar & Grill OPEN 7am-2am DALLY I Cash Games! $10 Buy-ln ......... Each Saturday, 2:00 p.m. Mexican Restaurant, 3002 Harrison Blvd, Olympia. Mart Braun will tell us about the non-profit organiza- tion compassion which was founded during the Korean War to save street children orphaned during the war. It now saves children more than a million orphaned in many countries. 3 p.m. Shelton Perform- ing Arts Center presents the Voetberg family band in concert. Tickets are $5 at the Come See Our 1st-Run MOVIES. I SII[LI{)00 €INDtA$ 24-HOUR MOVIE INFO 426-1000 www,$HELTONClNEMA$,com Comer of 5th & Franklin [ Just Go With It Dally 7:00pm Additional Shows Sat-Sun 2:15pm I [] True Grit Daily 4:40pro Additional Shows FrI-Sat 9:15pm ! Unknown Dally 4:35, 6:55pm Additional Shows Sat-Sun 2:20pm ] Frl-Sat 9:lOpm i -- NOW OPEN -- Servln all organic, fair trade espresso drinks * ALWAYS FBNER THAN 8 MIN. OF PREVIEWS door. Monday All Timberland Libraries will be closed for the Presi- dents' Dy holiday. Tuesday 5:30 p.m. The regular meeting of the mason Coun- ty Transportation Advisory Board is scheduled at the Mason Transit Business Of- rice, 790 E. John's Prairie Rd, Shelton. 3 p.m. The Olympic Col- lege Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting at Olympic College Bremerton campus, humanities and Student Services Building, Room 119/121. Wednesday 1 to 3 p.m., regular meet- ing for chronic pain and other "invisible" disabilities will meet. This support group meets twice monthly in the conference room in the Shel- ton Public Library on the corner of Seventh and Alder downtown Shelton. For additional informa- tion please call 360-426-0900 7 p.m. Timberland Region- al Library Board of Trustees will have a public meeting at the Timberland Regional Li- brary Administrative Service Center, 415 Tumwater blvd., SW, Tumwater. The public is encouraged to attend. For more information call 1-877- 284-6237. have fishing supplies! Skokomish Indian Tribal Enterprises (S.I.T.E.) @ 19390 North U.S. Hwy. I01 Skokomish Nation, WA 98584 At the intersection of Hwy. I01 & Hwy. 106 minutes north of Shelton on the Skokomish Indian Reservation Located next to the Lucky Dog Casino • 427-9099 Busch & 3-piece Busch Chicken S1299 &Jo ,, . ,, o,. c,, 82.95 Winston SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Cigarette Smoke Contains Carbon Monoxide. Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011 - Page B-3