For Immediate Release

LEWIS COUNTY INSTRUMENTALIST WINS STATE GRANGE TALENT FINALS

Issued: June 19, 2004

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Pullman, Wash. -- A fiddle player from Lewis County was selected from a strong field of contestants to win the Washington State Grange talent contest and represent the state at the National Grange Talent Festival to be held this November in Rochester, New York.

Callie Carpenter, 16, was chosen by judges as first place winner in the instrumental division and best of show for the state talent contest held at the 115th annual State Grange convention in Pullman, Friday evening, June 18. She competed against 13 others for the right to attend the national festival. Each contestant earned a spot at the state event by being selected best of show winner in regional competition held at Grange halls across Washington in April. Carpenter won $500, a trophy, lodging and travel expenses to attend the November festival.

Carpenter won the contest with a complex fiddle piece, the popular Wabash Cannonball, accompanied by her brother on the guitar. She is a member of Baw Faw Grange near Chehalis in Lewis County. Carpenter has only been playing the fiddle for 2 ½ years, but the performance she delivered was accomplished and polished, complete with rapid-fire scales and touch of confidence. Carpenter credits her abilities to the instruction of her teacher, Margaret Brank.

“She really inspires me,” said Carpenter, “and I think she’s the best teacher there is.”

Carpenter indicated that music is one of her primary passions, and that she would like to continue to pursue music in the future if that is what is meant to be. “It’s basically however God leads me,” she said.

Runner-up winner in the State Grange talent competition was vocalist Jasmine Coates of Waller Road Grange in Pierce County, who sang the country tune “Blue.” She lives in University Place. Coates won first place in her the vocal division of the contest.

In the variety division, Sue Lewis of Alfalfa Grange in Yakima County won first place with a what she called a “service dance.” She dedicated her Middle Eastern dance performance to the U.S. troops currently serving in Iraq.

Contest prizes were sponsored by the Grange Insurance Association, Seattle. State Grange Master Terry Hunt was present to hand out the cash awards, trophies and plaques. A collection was taken at the event to assist the best of show winner to attend the national festival.

Nearly 400 people attended the program which was held at the Beasley Coliseum at Washington State University. It was under the direction of State Grange Lecturer Tom Gwin.

In addition to the talent and public speaking contests, a competition in the Grange’s unique Sign-a-Song contest was won by Jennifer Scholz and Kate Foley of North and South Palouse Grange in Whitman County. This contest features performers interpreting a musical selection by use of American Sign Language.

In the public speaking contests, Allan Fackenthall received top honors in his age division, and Marissa Wilkie received top honors in her age division

Presentation of the flag was conducted by members of the Washington State Grange Junior Grange.

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For more information contact David Burr, Communications Director, (360) 943-9911, grangenews@wa-grange.org