Spring in Vermont

5/27/2011

Spring in Vermont

This year, spring in Burlington has been marked by the inexorable rise of Lake Champlain, and associated flooding in tributary rivers. From my vantage point in the Wing Building, I watched as the water rose up to flood the lowest areas that are usually dry. The ferry dock has been underwater for over a month, and the shipyard and parts of the bike path are also covered. On May 7th, the water level peaked at around 103 feet elevation. Campanella Strings, luckily, is a full 3 feet above this level, and I feel secure that it won't come much closer. At over a hundred miles in length, every inch of depth of Lake Champlain represents an immense amount of water. So much driftwood covers the shoreline that I'm (naturally) considering making a "flood violin", if I can find or locate appropriate drift-tone-wood :)

As the seasons changed, and the snowmelt turned into rain, I've stayed very busy in the shop, building, repairing and setting up many instruments. Mandolins continue to dominate, though my study, as usual, turns toward violins. I've also been honing my French language, beginning a couple of years ago to brush up on my earlier education for our trip to L'Hexagone (La France). Continued contact with old friends and new mentors has kept me on my toes, and inspired to continue to bring the best of the 18th and 21st centuries together in my instruments.

I've been delving further into my Dué model mandolin family, building several octave mandolins, with others planned. I've also got a piccolo mandolin coming up and the usual assortment of F's, A's and Dué mandolins.

Recently, I had an opportunity to finally get some professional pictures of my mandolins and violins. Adam Frehm, award-winning dobroist and the lensman behind Photography Vermont, set up in the workshop and made the photos below. As I update the instrument pages, keep an eye out for his work.

Joe