"Can you believe it?! It has been twenty-five years since Pat Wiley met John Wilson at the old Gilmour Brothers Music Store and hatched an idea to gather local folk enthusiasts together for the purpose of playing and enjoying our kind of music. It was a slow and not always smooth start (the road still gets a little rocky sometimes), but through all these years we have kept it going.

"To carry on with the milestone celebration of this year, the Hoot on October 13 (Bubolz, 7:30 pm) will feature the five recipients of the Green Apple Service Award and a collection of their friends. So many of the friendships the musicians have formed are the direct result of having joined Green Apple that it seems fitting to include them on stage. Plus, most of us are still scared silly at being up there all alone. In chronological order of receiving the award, here are the performers:

"Peter Bartman along with Gary Arndt, Jay Smudde, Terry Dawson, Keith Krisher, Steve NeSmith, Chris Murray, Barb Hoffman, Tom and Theresa Hannah.

"Dean Sauers along with Mary Swifka, Todd Bossert, Dan Peterson and The Blues Toads.

"Barbara Hoffman along with Celine Finch, Chris Murray, Tom and Theresa Hannah and Michael Roy.

"Doug Wheeler along with Terry Dawson and the Blues Toads.

"Dan Geddes with Gary Baum, Mike Heath and Kari Sternkopf.

"As you can see, there are a lot of 'historical figures' in the line-up. This should prove to be a night of great fun, music and a few stories of the 'old days' thrown into the mix. Come on out and join in to celebrate who we are, where we've been and where we are going in this journey of friendship and music."                         --Peter Bartman

COME AND CELEBRATE WITH US IF:

--You have ever been a member of Green Apple Friends of Folk/Green Apple Folk Music Society.

--You have ever played on our stage.

--You have ever attended one of our events or heard our musicians play locally.

--You have a family member or good friend who has been a part of Green Apple.

--You have wanted to get more involved with acoustic music.

--You live elsewhere but you recognize the importance of folk music in Northeastern Wisconsin.        

--You are intrigued and want to see what it's all about.

--All, any or none of the above!

It's my privilege and pleasure to be here for this anniversary year. Thanks to all for making Green Apple such a wonderful and friendly group of people!

                                            --Claire Knudsen (Green Apple president)