Dear Friends, Folkies and Fellow musicians (once again),

    This is both a thank you note and an update on where things stand with the bridge building project for Magpie and Kim and Reggie Harris. It has been incredibly heartwarming to see so many people come together to help friends in need, and it has brought me to tears more than once. . The next time anybody complains to me about the lack of community in our society, I think I'll tell them about this bridge. It is truly amazing, and folks have been extremely generous.

    The new bridge will be a major project, and will probably need to be somewhat larger than originally estimated, with additional work shoring up the stream bank to restore them to a condition that will prevent further erosion. The ravine itself is 15 feet deep and over 25 feet wide, and until the bridge is built there is no way to get get vehicles, such as heating oil delivery trucks, up to the houses. The good news is that all of the help Kim, Reggie, Terry and Greg have received so far has enabled work to begin - the bridge abutments are already in place - and that there are more events planned, including some who are passing the hat at local coffeehouses and other events, as well as a benefit concert planned at the Folk Factory in Philadelphia on November 20. A similar concert in Takoma Park, Maryland helped the effort greatly, and we have high hopes for the November Bridge Building Concert.

    In the meantime, Terry Greg, Kim and Reggie are continuing to do what they have always done, with a full schedule including a benefit for the local library (which was also severely damaged in the storm), and a heavy schedule of school programs, underground railroad education sessions, and regular concerts.

    Thank you to all who have given and continue to give so generously, and who have sent their good wishes, support, offers of help and friendship through this very difficult season. Terry, Greg, Kim and Reggie are very much aware that as much as they lost in this storm, others have lost more, and they feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a large and generous community of support. They are both humbled and awed by the outpouring on their behalf.

    If you have not yet had the opportunity to send a donation to help with the bridge, and would like to, you can donate either by check or by PayPal, though checks are preferred. Please make checks out to "Terry Leonino" with "Bridge Gift" in the memo line (this is important), and mail to:
    Terry Leonino
    c/o Charlie and Cecily Pilzer
    7425 Buffalo Ave.
    Takoma Park, MD 20912-4144

For PayPal (thank you NERFA!) send your payments to Folkmom [AT] comcast [DOT] net and remember to note that it is for the bridge fund.

    You can also pass the hat at your local folk society or coffeehouse, or if you are able, organize your own benefit concert.

    One of the best ways I think we can all help as we move into the holiday season is to buy CDs directly from Kim and Reggie and Magpie. I've never heard a bad one from either couple. (I picked up four copies of Magpie's children's album Under One Sky earlier this month, and think I'll need to order some more to meet demand!) CDs by Kim and Reggie Harris are listed at http://www.kimandreggie.com/krorder.htm and can be ordered by writing to:
    Kim and Reggie Harris
    PO Box 18871
    Philadelphia, PA 19119

CDs from Magpie are listed at: http://www.magpiemusic.com/gtorder.htm, and can be ordered either at the address on the website or by writing to them in Takoma Park, again:
    Terry Leonino
    c/o Charlie and Cecily Pilzer
    7425 Buffalo Ave.
    Takoma Park, MD 20912-4144

    Updates, photographs of the damage, and news about progress and events can still be found on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/FolkieFloodRelief . As before, please feel free to pass this message on to anyone who would be interested, and thank you all for being the wonderful community you are.

Warmly,
Dan Schatz