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Letters from the Director

October was a busy and good month here at Headwaters. Our art clubs pre-school music class, and Monday pottery sessions kicked off for the fall. We had another successful CoffeeHouse and Open-Mic followed a week later by a music show with Sawyer Corcoran and friends.We received funding through Beltrami Electric's Round up Grant to replace the downright ratty carpeting in an upstairs studio, resource library and hallway. And it is not a super big deal, but we have installed a monitor on a wall in our lobby to highlight upcoming events and reminders. We are actually quite tickled by this communication upgrade - its been in the works for a long time. I should also mention that Headwaters invested in a wifi and internet upgrade and computers for admin staff, all steps long overdue. Our highlight for the month, though, was guest musician Carrie Dlutkowski.

Thanks to the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund we were able to host folk musician Carrie Dlutkowski last week for a series of performances and workshops. Born and raised in Michigan's UP, Carrie is a talented classical and folk musician who during her visit shared her love of Scottish, French-Canadian and Metis (Native/French/Scottish) fiddle styles in the 18th century. Carrie was able to visit Cass Lake and Red Lake Schools and JW Smith Elementary in Bemidji. She led several fiddle camp workshops along with an Ottawa Valley Step Dance class, and was the musical guest at Headwaters Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. She stopped in for a chat and to play a song for KAXE's Katie Carter. She performed with Brian Miller and Norah Rendell  for an evening concert here at Headwaters. Carrie's mom and sister, also talented musicians, joined in for the final song of the night.

It is a perk of my job that I get a chance to spend time with people like Carrie, and to witness our community's response to her. A third grade student said she wished Carrie was her sister. Another girl shyly asked for her autograph. A Cass Lake High School boy broke out into a traditional dance during one of Carrie's songs. Carrie received a heartfelt standing ovation at the conclusion of the Saturday evening concert; Louise Jackson commented that her fiddle playing crisp, precise, simply lovely.

We enter November with gratitude for all we are able to offer our community, and appreciation for the support we receive that allows us to fulfill our mission.

Tricia Andrews
Executive Director