Kathie Fink
A Legacy Remembered
West Coast Tour (Spring '07) East Coast Tour (Fall '07) Midwest Tour (Fall '08) Germany Tour (Winter '08) December Tour 2009
West Coast Tour 2010
Sunday, March 7
by Kathie
Warm Beach, Stanwood, Washington
Always one of my favorite venues - because my parents lived at this retirement home. My 93 year old aunt still resides there. We surprised Aunt Lula with a belated birthday cake to share with all her friends after the Vespers. I think she enjoyed the attention.
Aunt Lu has been calling me several times this week to tell me of all the compliments she has received on the program...And one complaint. Linda always warns the audience that I ring “Let It snow” NOT as a weather prediction, and to please not think ill of us, should snow happen in their area more than the usual amount. Would you believe it? The VERY next day, it snowed! Aunt Lu said several of her neighbors kept pointing this out to her!
The crowd of 125 were very attentive and warm, and of course, scooped up the Fink Family Limited Edition CDs because they remembered the folks.
Linda and I enjoy going out to dinner with my college friends after. Always a treat - even if we do have to go to the Casino in order to find a restaurant open late on a Sunday night! We missed my sister and Sandy Schmude Edwards joining us this time, but we have already scheduled an October gathering for the “girls” to reunite.
Warm Beach, Stanwood, Washington
Always one of my favorite venues - because my parents lived at this retirement home. My 93 year old aunt still resides there. We surprised Aunt Lula with a belated birthday cake to share with all her friends after the Vespers. I think she enjoyed the attention.
Aunt Lu has been calling me several times this week to tell me of all the compliments she has received on the program...And one complaint. Linda always warns the audience that I ring “Let It snow” NOT as a weather prediction, and to please not think ill of us, should snow happen in their area more than the usual amount. Would you believe it? The VERY next day, it snowed! Aunt Lu said several of her neighbors kept pointing this out to her!
The crowd of 125 were very attentive and warm, and of course, scooped up the Fink Family Limited Edition CDs because they remembered the folks.
Linda and I enjoy going out to dinner with my college friends after. Always a treat - even if we do have to go to the Casino in order to find a restaurant open late on a Sunday night! We missed my sister and Sandy Schmude Edwards joining us this time, but we have already scheduled an October gathering for the “girls” to reunite.
Saturday, March 6
by Kathie
Seattle, Washington
What wonderful new friends we have met in Mark and Lynn Andersen. The Daniels recital hall lived up to our expectations for recording. It was a beautiful setting.
The only complaint was trying to pull energy from the crowd.- who was so nervous about not coughing or moving, that it was difficult to get feedback from them.
Of course, I was nervous, and did not play my best. Fortunately, Lynn allowed me to retape several spots. Now we watch him do his “magic”: to make a wonderful DVD!...especially if he can make me look skinny!
Linda and I went to out favorite late night dinner spot in Seattle – 13 Coins Restaurant! We felt we earned that celebration!
Seattle, Washington
What wonderful new friends we have met in Mark and Lynn Andersen. The Daniels recital hall lived up to our expectations for recording. It was a beautiful setting.
The only complaint was trying to pull energy from the crowd.- who was so nervous about not coughing or moving, that it was difficult to get feedback from them.
Of course, I was nervous, and did not play my best. Fortunately, Lynn allowed me to retape several spots. Now we watch him do his “magic”: to make a wonderful DVD!...especially if he can make me look skinny!
Linda and I went to out favorite late night dinner spot in Seattle – 13 Coins Restaurant! We felt we earned that celebration!
Friday, March 5
by Kathie
Vancouver, Washington
It's getting colder as we head north to Seattle. I am trying to convince myself to go jogging today. Should take advantage of NO rain in Oregon I suppose.
I love this tour, where I don't have to drive very long each day between venues,a nd where I can sleep in late in the morning.
Linda and I have changed our watering hole. We used to go to Panera Bread or Starbucks to get on the computer. Now with our tethering and 3G access, we can go to a restaurant for lunch and just hang out to do computer work. Do you think staying at the Standing Stone Brewing Company in Ashland, OR or Hop Valley Restaurant and Brewing Company in Eugene, OR is suspicious??
Off to Vancouver, WASHINGTON.. Linda originally thought we were headed toward Canada, and then returning to Seattle. She was relieved to learn that Vancouver WA is very close to Portland.
And what a great warm up concert for the recording the next evening. A very new handbell group that has enthusiasm oozing out its pores. They couldn't do enough for us. Reception following concert, potluck before, roadies to help pack and load, and greeters to make us feel welcome. What a great church. I think every handbell ringer bought a Christmas Treasures CD!!
Vancouver, Washington
It's getting colder as we head north to Seattle. I am trying to convince myself to go jogging today. Should take advantage of NO rain in Oregon I suppose.
I love this tour, where I don't have to drive very long each day between venues,a nd where I can sleep in late in the morning.
Linda and I have changed our watering hole. We used to go to Panera Bread or Starbucks to get on the computer. Now with our tethering and 3G access, we can go to a restaurant for lunch and just hang out to do computer work. Do you think staying at the Standing Stone Brewing Company in Ashland, OR or Hop Valley Restaurant and Brewing Company in Eugene, OR is suspicious??
Off to Vancouver, WASHINGTON.. Linda originally thought we were headed toward Canada, and then returning to Seattle. She was relieved to learn that Vancouver WA is very close to Portland.
And what a great warm up concert for the recording the next evening. A very new handbell group that has enthusiasm oozing out its pores. They couldn't do enough for us. Reception following concert, potluck before, roadies to help pack and load, and greeters to make us feel welcome. What a great church. I think every handbell ringer bought a Christmas Treasures CD!!
Thursday, March 4
by Kathie
Eugene, Oregon
Made a new friend in Shira Fadeley. Although a concert wasn't possible, I was able to spend some time with their handbell choir at their rehearsal. What a great bunch of ladies, who truly adore their director!. Shira said I was pretty hard on them, but they rose to meet all my “demands” (I prefer the word expectations!)
Then off to a very organic cafe called Cafe Yumm to share fun time with the ringers. Cafe Yumm lives up to its name! It was nice to have one down day where we didn't need to unpack and reload the vehicle!
Eugene, Oregon
Made a new friend in Shira Fadeley. Although a concert wasn't possible, I was able to spend some time with their handbell choir at their rehearsal. What a great bunch of ladies, who truly adore their director!. Shira said I was pretty hard on them, but they rose to meet all my “demands” (I prefer the word expectations!)
Then off to a very organic cafe called Cafe Yumm to share fun time with the ringers. Cafe Yumm lives up to its name! It was nice to have one down day where we didn't need to unpack and reload the vehicle!
Wednesday, March 3
by Kathie
Roseburg, Oregon
Wanda Eddy, who I used to think was quiet, reserved, and shy has become quite a talkative friend around me. She's bailed me out so many times for venues, I feel like she is family.
Linda even subbed in her bell rehearsal, so now we are family!
Beautiful newly remodeled sanctuary, with a RAMP to the built in handbell tables in the front of the sanctuary. Sweet deal!
Great acoustics for a wonderful concert. And a sound tech man that allowed Linda to practice for the DVD setting in Seattle because she did not need to run the computer. Still had to play the piano, ring the chimes, and tell stories however.
Roseburg, Oregon
Wanda Eddy, who I used to think was quiet, reserved, and shy has become quite a talkative friend around me. She's bailed me out so many times for venues, I feel like she is family.
Linda even subbed in her bell rehearsal, so now we are family!
Beautiful newly remodeled sanctuary, with a RAMP to the built in handbell tables in the front of the sanctuary. Sweet deal!
Great acoustics for a wonderful concert. And a sound tech man that allowed Linda to practice for the DVD setting in Seattle because she did not need to run the computer. Still had to play the piano, ring the chimes, and tell stories however.
Tuesday, March 2
by Kathie
Medford, Oregon
This day started out with concern, when we heard of snow over the pass to Ashland that required chains. When we started over the pass around noon, the roads were perfectly clear. Whew.
Had a wonderful “Behind the Scenes” workshop time spent with Cyndy Paterson and the Rogue Valley Ringers. Anne's bright disposition and big smile, and Cyndy's helpful spirit never ceases to amaze me. One of the ringers kept saying (after seeing the concert) that the only word that came to mind was “insane”. She kept saying my ringing was insane...at least I THINK she was talking about my ringing, and not my lifestyle or personality!!
I forgot how beautiful, peaceful and GREEN Oregon is..and I mean GREEN in the PC way. We spent the night in a geodeisic dome home. My room on the third floor did not have one straight wall. The couple's adult son had a company that “solar roasted” coffee. I have to admit the coffee was to DIE for! Her husband had an full recording studio with 3 sound booths on the bottom level. He truly has a passion for recording. He was very pleased with the way my Cd was produced (go Kevin Holsinger!)
Medford, Oregon
This day started out with concern, when we heard of snow over the pass to Ashland that required chains. When we started over the pass around noon, the roads were perfectly clear. Whew.
Had a wonderful “Behind the Scenes” workshop time spent with Cyndy Paterson and the Rogue Valley Ringers. Anne's bright disposition and big smile, and Cyndy's helpful spirit never ceases to amaze me. One of the ringers kept saying (after seeing the concert) that the only word that came to mind was “insane”. She kept saying my ringing was insane...at least I THINK she was talking about my ringing, and not my lifestyle or personality!!
I forgot how beautiful, peaceful and GREEN Oregon is..and I mean GREEN in the PC way. We spent the night in a geodeisic dome home. My room on the third floor did not have one straight wall. The couple's adult son had a company that “solar roasted” coffee. I have to admit the coffee was to DIE for! Her husband had an full recording studio with 3 sound booths on the bottom level. He truly has a passion for recording. He was very pleased with the way my Cd was produced (go Kevin Holsinger!)
Monday, March 1
by Kathie
Off to Redding. Nancy Schmitt, Area XII northern Ca coordinator, arranged for me to work with the Simpson University group(Lois Nichols director) before the concert. What a fun experience.
Then we learned that our hostess was sick and couldn't house us. A married man whose wife was out of town volunteered. It's not quite as exciting as it sounds. The wife gave permission for us to stay at their home. He had a whole “east wing” that was no longer used since their adult children were gone. Linda enjoyed talking shop with Glen. And I mean “shop” as in wood shop. Glen built a 1200 ft addition to his home for his projects. I didn't realize Linda knew so much about woodworking.
The thing I loved best about this home was the plaque in the bathroom. It read “I understand the concept of housecleaning. I just don't see how it applies to me.”
Off to Redding. Nancy Schmitt, Area XII northern Ca coordinator, arranged for me to work with the Simpson University group(Lois Nichols director) before the concert. What a fun experience.
Then we learned that our hostess was sick and couldn't house us. A married man whose wife was out of town volunteered. It's not quite as exciting as it sounds. The wife gave permission for us to stay at their home. He had a whole “east wing” that was no longer used since their adult children were gone. Linda enjoyed talking shop with Glen. And I mean “shop” as in wood shop. Glen built a 1200 ft addition to his home for his projects. I didn't realize Linda knew so much about woodworking.
The thing I loved best about this home was the plaque in the bathroom. It read “I understand the concept of housecleaning. I just don't see how it applies to me.”
Sunday, February 28
by Kathie
Pleasant Hill and Sacramento, CA
Patti Tenbrook's church in Pleasant Hill with it's stone floors allowed me to add percussion with my high heels through out the concert! Patti graciously agreed to ring the chimes AND to accompany me on the cello for Panis Angelicus. That allowed Linda to play Panis on the organ. What a glorious sound. The only interruption was my best friend's grandchild screaming in the middle of the concert because her grandma said they had to leave cuz she was not being good! Addison Grace has quite a pair of lungs on her!
On to Sacramento. Ken Collins video taped me and did a live streaming during the concert as well. A big screen behind me enabled the audience to see me “up close and personal”...often without a head!. I guess I should say without a head shot included.
Linda and I really enjoyed the homegrown oranges from Mary Balkow's tree. To die for. We had more fun that night reminiscing about the first time we were on the Area XII board together. We slept on the floor at Patty Marquart's home in southern California. Board meetings today have a lot more amenities!
Pleasant Hill and Sacramento, CA
Patti Tenbrook's church in Pleasant Hill with it's stone floors allowed me to add percussion with my high heels through out the concert! Patti graciously agreed to ring the chimes AND to accompany me on the cello for Panis Angelicus. That allowed Linda to play Panis on the organ. What a glorious sound. The only interruption was my best friend's grandchild screaming in the middle of the concert because her grandma said they had to leave cuz she was not being good! Addison Grace has quite a pair of lungs on her!
On to Sacramento. Ken Collins video taped me and did a live streaming during the concert as well. A big screen behind me enabled the audience to see me “up close and personal”...often without a head!. I guess I should say without a head shot included.
Linda and I really enjoyed the homegrown oranges from Mary Balkow's tree. To die for. We had more fun that night reminiscing about the first time we were on the Area XII board together. We slept on the floor at Patty Marquart's home in southern California. Board meetings today have a lot more amenities!
Saturday, February 27
by Kathie
Los Altos, CA
Off to Will Mandac's in Los Altos. The excitement for today is Will is a first time father, of a beautiful baby boy, Jordan. Of course pictures had to be shared all around.
We arrived at 1 PM , so we could practice and review the concert again. I had left my bells here in the trunk of my car for the past 3 weeks, while I was in Kentucky. I practiced in Kentucky on the church bells. My bells were NOT happy they had been abandoned. Took several concerts for me to understand them again.
This tour the Fink Family Limited Edition CD set is flying off the shelves. Guess that makes sense. More people on the West coast were aware of my family.
Incredible potluck with homemade soup made by Elaine Hanson. Nice turn out from the South Bay. Thanks for a wonderful beginning.
Los Altos, CA
Off to Will Mandac's in Los Altos. The excitement for today is Will is a first time father, of a beautiful baby boy, Jordan. Of course pictures had to be shared all around.
We arrived at 1 PM , so we could practice and review the concert again. I had left my bells here in the trunk of my car for the past 3 weeks, while I was in Kentucky. I practiced in Kentucky on the church bells. My bells were NOT happy they had been abandoned. Took several concerts for me to understand them again.
This tour the Fink Family Limited Edition CD set is flying off the shelves. Guess that makes sense. More people on the West coast were aware of my family.
Incredible potluck with homemade soup made by Elaine Hanson. Nice turn out from the South Bay. Thanks for a wonderful beginning.
Friday, February 26
Oakland, CA
by Kathie
What a fiasco. My phone screen is dying, and Linda's phone is not receiving calls. She can only text and I can't read the screen to see her text. I can only call, and she can't hear what I am saying.
So trying to connect at the Oakland Airport took about 5 “drive bys” in my vehicle, until “by accident” we finally saw each other.
Linda had several delays on the airlines, so she was starving, and this did not help to brighten her mood.
We decided to have dinner at the the Cheesecake Factory; When I came out, I had received a parking ticket. When I first parked I put in two quarters, but the meter did not register them. Are Kentucky quarters different than California quarters??
It's so good to be back in California. - I've already been honked at 5 times. (No one EVER honks in Kentucky – you might get shot!!)
Friday, 2/26
by Kathie