The Banjo Calamities
The Banjo Calamities is a volunteer group comprised mostly of banjo players (with a few guitar players and one fiddle player) who have played a crucial role not only in planning and executing the Weiser Banjo Contest. In addition, the Calamities for some years have been renovating guest and classrooms at Slocum Hall, the headquarters of the National Old Time Fiddle Contest, Inc., so they can be used for musical workshops and camps, lodging of students and instructors and other traditional arts related functions. Here a few photos that show some of the rooms before and after restoration and the Calamities at work restoring this historic building and returning it to its original educational purpose.
Updates from 2023
Slocum Hall Renovation Report
April 22, May 7, and May 13, 2023—Banjo Calamity Work Day
Calamities worked to complete some upgrades and to refurbish and decorate all rooms that will be used at upcoming music camp and fiddle week in June. Rental of guest rooms will gross $8,000—$10,000 of income for NOTF while providing much needed on-site lodging for musicians.
Here’s what happened:
The fifth cooling/heating unit was installed. (Dennis is working on getting the defective unit working).
Soft foam placed above newly installed units to prevent air flow from outside.
Stairs to basement (south side) were nearly completed with cleaning, sanding, rebuilding treads and rotten parts, painting, and installation of non-slip pads.
Lights installed at top of both stairs leading up from basement.
Last strip of new flooring, a towel rack, and shower mat installed in basement bathroom.
Headboard attached to bed, room 206.
Twenty-five to thirty pieces of art/mirrors hung in 2nd and 3rd floor rooms and downstairs kitchen.
Outdated Room Sponsor and Banjo Calamity lists removed for updating.
Union Pacific Room and kitchenette--decorated with paintings and “found” furniture---old rectangular table replaced with oak round top and pedestal (found in basement). Cleaned, swept, refreshed. Kitchenette cleaned and supplied with amenities! Cabinet doors under kitchen sink rearranged for nicer “presentation” until final piece installed.
“Watch Your Step” hazard signs placed in front of step-ups to bathrooms.
White, enamel-top table refinished and placed in 3rd floor bathroom by sink.
Numerous lamps, bedside tables, chairs, a coffee table, curtains, pillows, etc. (donated, found , or purchased from thrift shops) placed in rooms that needed a bit more spif!
Numerous unusable/deteriorated items found in closets or rooms hauled to the dump.
April 22, May 7, and May 13, 2023—Banjo Calamity Work Day
Calamities worked to complete some upgrades and to refurbish and decorate all rooms that will be used at upcoming music camp and fiddle week in June. Rental of guest rooms will gross $8,000—$10,000 of income for NOTF while providing much needed on-site lodging for musicians.
Here’s what happened:
The fifth cooling/heating unit was installed. (Dennis is working on getting the defective unit working).
Soft foam placed above newly installed units to prevent air flow from outside.
Stairs to basement (south side) were nearly completed with cleaning, sanding, rebuilding treads and rotten parts, painting, and installation of non-slip pads.
Lights installed at top of both stairs leading up from basement.
Last strip of new flooring, a towel rack, and shower mat installed in basement bathroom.
Headboard attached to bed, room 206.
Twenty-five to thirty pieces of art/mirrors hung in 2nd and 3rd floor rooms and downstairs kitchen.
Outdated Room Sponsor and Banjo Calamity lists removed for updating.
Union Pacific Room and kitchenette--decorated with paintings and “found” furniture---old rectangular table replaced with oak round top and pedestal (found in basement). Cleaned, swept, refreshed. Kitchenette cleaned and supplied with amenities! Cabinet doors under kitchen sink rearranged for nicer “presentation” until final piece installed.
“Watch Your Step” hazard signs placed in front of step-ups to bathrooms.
White, enamel-top table refinished and placed in 3rd floor bathroom by sink.
Numerous lamps, bedside tables, chairs, a coffee table, curtains, pillows, etc. (donated, found , or purchased from thrift shops) placed in rooms that needed a bit more spif!
Numerous unusable/deteriorated items found in closets or rooms hauled to the dump.
Some rooms after the restoration in 2019
The Banjo Calamities at work restoring this historic building.
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Copyright 2018 |
