February 17, 2011 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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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