When I was a little girl, my grandpa used to play all sorts of instruments for us grandkids: the piano, the banjo, the accordion and more. We’d gather around him every time we went to Big Lake, Minn., for a visit, and would sing along as he entertained us with song after song. It was a simple joy; it was tradition; and it became a soundtrack, of sorts, for my childhood.
Long after Grandpa’s voice was silenced, the music remains intimately connected with him in my memory. And even though I don’t play any instruments, and I only sing from the front seat of my car (at the top of my lungs), music is a common thread between our generations.
In this issue of Coulee Region Women, we bow to those who bring music to our lives: the singers, the songwriters, the musicians and even the disc jockeys. We feature several local women who are making their way in the music world both on a regional scale and on a worldwide stage. Amy Lauren talks about the creation of her latest CD, while Amy Mills fills us in on her experience with La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. We’ll talk with local performers Mlada Khudoley, Rae Scheck, Linda Zoerb and the Apple Annies. We’ll drop in to some local music stores and meet the women working to bring music to the masses. And, we’ll learn about the tradition of Korean drumming from Soojin Kim Ritterling. We’ll also check out a therapeutic practice which uses musical tones for relaxation.
To round out the musical selection, we go to Cass Street in La Crosse to check out a home remodel which restores a classic to its former beauty. In addition, we’ll hop a flight to Southeast Asia to sample the street food of Thailand, in our Food section.
On a sad note, we say goodbye to a Coulee Region woman who recently graced our cover. Mary McCollum, who sailed the Pacific Ocean alone at the age of 60, passed away August 19. It was a privilege to know her and to be inspired by her stories. Forever unsinkable, through her independence, bravery and enthusiasm for life, she has taught us all the importance of living every moment richly.
Charish
