Musicians Ruth Ann Hulthen and Olivia Walton presented an entertaining program on the mountain dulcimer at our April 22nd meeting. Ruth Hulthen has been playing the mountain dulcimer for ten years. She has taught beginner workshops for two years at Buckeye Dulcimer Festival. She has co-authored a dulcimer book and CD, “Bountiful Folk – Duets and Such” with Olivia Walton. Ruth belongs to Tri-County Dulcimer, Mixed-up Strings, and Black Squirrel dulcimer clubs. She and Olivia are co-leaders of the Black Squirrel club. Ruth also teaches dulcimer players of all ages and skills from her home. Playing for hospice and nursing home patients is a particular passion for her.

Olivia Walton started playing the guitar in the sixties while singing country and folk music at a variety of venues. In 2007 she tried a dulcimer while visiting Wildwood Music in Roscoe Village, Ohio. She has been playing and teaching ever since. Olivia is one of the founders of Black Squirrel dulcimer club and is a member in three other clubs. She is a co-founder of the performance group Bountiful Folk. Ruth and Olivia have a new up-coming CD titled “Bountiful Fok – Outstanding in Our Field”.