Joe Val Festival

Update: The Joe Val Festival was a huge success thanks to everyone who worked to make it happen.

It's on now at the Sheraton Framingham in Massachusetts. This is one you don't want to miss!

Sad News from BBU

The Boston Bluegrass Union is saddened to report the passing of our dear colleague Stan Zdonik on 02/04/26. He was 79 and died due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Stan’s passion for bluegrass music was matched only by his generosity and vision. As a founder and the first President of the BBU, he dedicated fifty years to nurturing bluegrass in the Northeast and beyond, helping countless musicians and fans find a home in this music. Our deep condolences go out to his wife, Gail Mitchell, his sons David and Jim, and the entire Zdonik family. Stan’s contributions to the bluegrass community are enormously significant, and he will be sorely missed. I'll pass along further details as I have them. Gerry Katz

Sky Diving

Danielson Airport, a group of friends sky dive together. Wish I had the guts to do this.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Saw this event when stopping for a coffee in Pomfret, CT. The family enjoyed the lift off and ride as they were screaming in a mix of fear and joy.

No Kings Protest Dayville, CT.

A peaceful protest held at Killingly Commons in Dayville, CT. draws hundreds of people which is surprising for a mainly Republican town.

Jenny Brook Festival

Start packing. It's Jenny Brook Bluegrass week. June 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29 at the Tunbridge, Vermont Fairgrounds. Great lineup with top Bluegrass talent performing, jamming night and day, food trucks, maple sugar house, kids programs and a location that's as picture perfect as you'll ever see.

Gibson Brothers, Dailey and Vincent, Rhonda Vincent, Malpass Brothers, Danny Paisley and so many more. Jenny Brook has every thing a great festival needs!

2025 Memorial Day Parade East Killingly, Ct

A small village in the town of Killingly CT. puts on a great memorial day parade that is well organized and attended followed by a respectful remembrance of loved ones at two cemeteries.

Butterfly Cornhole at Jenny Brook

INTRODUCING BUTTERFLY CORNHOLE Join us at the Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival for the Bluegrass Butterfly Cornhole Charity Toss — a fun and heartfelt event held in memory of our mom, Brenda Mathews, the Bluegrass Butterfly. Organized by her family and close friends, this special tournament is our way of honoring her legacy and giving back to a cause that she cared about. Help us keep her spirit alive. SPACE IS LIMITED-ONLY 20 TEAMS! Reserve your spot early! Entry Fee: $50 Per Team. From the Jenny Brook Insider newsletter.

Sons of the American Revolution tree planting

Go Fly A Kite

Here's a grown man having a ball all alone in a hayfield aside the road home. You can always behave like a kid when you think no one is watching. Go for it Man!

Bluegrass Show at the Killingly Grange

Should be a good time for all that show up on Saturday the 22nd. of March. The grange is located at 801 Hartford Pike (route 101) in Killingly, CT. Nick Anderson and Shady Creek as well as the Hosmer Mountain Boys. Plenty of good food available from the grange members. Always a great time. Doors open at 6:00 pm show at 7:00.

2025 Fire and Ice Putnam

Putnam,Ct.'s Fire and Ice a day to celebrate artists ice carving talents, music, food, cornhole, axe throwing and beer drinking. Take a look.

Poor House

If the trend continues, middle income and low income americans are going to end up in the poor house. These recent statistics from the federal government are of concern. America's middle class holds only 8% of all wealth, approximately 12.5 trillion, while the top 1% holds 38.7 trillion. Back before the Reagan administration the american middle class owned 61% of the wealth. The new administration wants to cut taxes on the wealthy by 1 trillion partially paid for by 490 billion in cuts to social security and medicare. Presently the richest 1% of americans hold 31% of the nations wealth. The bottom 50% hold just 2.4% of total wealth. The net worth of fully half of the U.S. population is just a tiny fraction of the net worth of the top 1%. Check out my YouTube channel for video's of varied subjects. "JohnHolland@bluegrassers"

Aunt Orelean's Cabin

The photo's below show the homeplace of an amazing woman, Orelean Puckett, who accomplished great acts of kindness and skill in very difficult times delivering more than 1000 babies in her time as a midwife in the rugged Virginia mountains. Located at mile marker 189.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Canterbury Old Home Days

The town held it's Old Home Days which had a little bit of old time reenactments as well as craft and food vendors and antique vehicle rides. Take a look.

Largest Pumpkin I've ever seen

Check out my You Tube channel JohnHolland@bluegrassers

Cattle Barns Lebanon Fairgrounds

I went to the Lebanon Country Fair for the farm tractor pull but could not resist visiting the animals

Five Guys and Starbucks

Several Dayville Connecticut homes have been sold to developers and are being demolished to make way for a Starbucks, Five Guys and Jersey Mikes restaurants and other retail stores. Some folks say it will bring unwanted congestion to the area of historic homes, others are happy to see the new food choices. The property borders Owen Bell Park a heavily used recreation park as well as Killingly Commons a busy shopping center. We can only hope it all turns out well.

Invasion of Jeeps

Music, food trucks, and dozens of super shiny and personalized jeeps lined up around Davis Park in Danielson, CT provided a fun night for hundreds of residents and out of towners on a warm summers night.

Peace at Roseland

when you need to unwind and let your mind delete all the nonsense that's accumulated there and to exhale the anxiety built up in your chest I know of a perfect spot to make it happen. Roseland Park in Woodstock, Ct.