3/3/2011
MULLENS, W.Va. – March at Twin Falls Resort State Park include special weekends on scrapbooking and guitar playing. “Two very popular interests, scrapbooking and guitar playing, each have a full weekend of planned activities, instruction, accommodation, and some meals,” said Ken Vance, event coordinator. Twin Falls State Park in Wyoming County features a 47-room lodge, restaurant, vacation cabins, campground, golf, and expansive hiking and mountain biking trails. “The park concentrates on development top-notch special interest weekends in early spring,” according to Vance.
Scrapbooking Weekend / Workshop – March 18 – 20, 2011
Blenda Stewart returns as instructor for the Twin Falls annual scrapbooking weekend. ‘It’s a great weekend to work on creating and retaining experiences through scrapbooks,” said Rita McAllister, front desk supervisor at the park’s newly expanded lodge. “Workshop attendees bring photographs, news clippings, or mementos from vacations and work on projects.”
The weekend is complete with ideas and instruction to help individuals new to the hobby as well as new trends and ideas. “We welcome our past attendees and those folks make welcome the new folks that come to this memory-maker weekend,” McAllister said.
Workshop registration includes overnight accommodations for two nights, scrapbook album, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, and instruction. Packages are available for single or double occupancy in lodge or cabin, and for day-only attendance. The two-night lodge package including workshop is $220 total for two people.
Guitar Workshop Weekend – March 25 – 27, 2011
Robin Kessinger, Robert Shafer and Jim Ritchey are instructors for Guitar Workshop Weekend at Twin Falls State Park. “Where else will you find three musicians with this level skill and talent and experience,” asked Scott Durham, park superintendent. “The workshop concentration is on development of guitar playing at pretty much any level of interest. The mini-concert as the jam sessions are great.” Durham also notes that the individual attention each of the instructors gives attendees is exceptional. “Each are true teachers of guitar playing; an incredible gathering of talent and devotion to music.”
Separate instructional time is devoted to guitar electronics and sound, chords, flat-picking, and licks. Combined sessions with all attendees and instructors include jam etiquette, stories, questions and answers and discussion. A jam session Saturday evening promises both freewheeling and structured elements.
The workshop registration includes overnight stay at Twin Falls Lodge, two lunches, break refreshments, workshop activities and instruction.
Package prices vary depending upon single or double occupancy. Attendees staying in the Cardinal Wing, the new addition at Twin Falls Lodge, rate is $242 for two people and includes all workshop components.
Workshop agendas and all special weekends at Twin Falls are posted to
www.twinfallsresort.com under “Event.” For additional information or registration, contact Twin Falls State Park at 304 294-4000.
About the guitar workshop instructors
Robin Kessinger - Flat-picking, St. Albans, WV
Robin Kessinger is one of the country's leading flatpick guitarists. He has won the National Flatpicking Championship, in Winfield Kansas, but few know of all the State Flatpicking Championships he’s walked away with; most of them multiple times. He holds titles in Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, West Virginia, Best of Tri State (OH, KY & WV) and other contests too numerous to mention. A writer for the Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine wrote: “When Robin Kessinger performs, you can hear the ghosts of generations past joining in to help blend the notes from his guitar into the familiar strains of old-time-tunes.” Robin grew up with a rich Appalachian heritage surrounded by generations of musicians. His Father, Bob Kessinger was an accomplished mandolin player who taught Robin many tunes. World-renowned fiddler and recording artist, Clark Kessinger, (his uncle) and family friend Robert Rutland (Georgia Slim) both contributed to Robin's formative years as a musician. But it has always been the music of Appalachia itself that Robin found irresistible. So much so, that he has dedicated much of his life to passing on his heritage to others and preserving the music that is so much a part of our American history. He has been featured on PBS and BBC television specials and NPR radio shows. In addition to his performance schedule, Robin is on staff events that include Steve Kaufman's Flatpicking Camp, Augusta Heritage Workshops in Elkins, and at the Allegheny Echoes Workshop near Marlinton, WV.
Robert Shafer, Flat-picking, Charleston, WV
Robert Shafer has played guitar professionally since graduating high school in 1981. He is a two-time winner of the National Flatpicking Championship, held annually at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. Robert has also held state guitar championships in Kentucky (three times), Tennessee (twice), Ohio (twice) and Alabama. Shafer has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, Mountain Stage, and BBC, and has worked with Mark O’Connor, Mike Snide, Kenny Baker, Gosh Graves and many others. He is also an electric guitarist and has received rave reviews for his guitar playing form Guitar Play Magazine, The Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Vintage Guitar Magazine and other publications.
Jim Ritchey, Chords and Licks, Greensboro, NC
Jim Ritchey is an experienced guitar teacher, a recording engineer, a published songwriter and was a touring musician for more than 20 years. His songs have been recorded and performed by numerous artists including Kenny Rogers, BeJae Fleming, Mickey Jones, Kelley Hunt, Jim Messina, and B.W. Stevenson. Jim honed his writing and performing skills in the clubs of Austin and Dallas, Texas. A long time lover of the blues, Ritchey has worked Mance Lipscomb.
Contact Information
Ken Vance
304-294-4000
twinfallsinfo@wv.gov