COUNTY LIFE
Making his own music: Skeeter Boyd handcrafts, and plays fiddles
BY DEBBIE DUNLAP
Bill “Skeeter” Boyd makes his own music. Literally.
The 79-year-old fourth-generation Forestburg native has not only taught himself how to play the fiddle, but also to hand-craft fiddles.
Born to a large family with a long legacy of musicians, Boyd has played the mandolin since the age of nine.
About four years ago he found a “really good deal” on a fiddle, so he bought it. Having never played a fiddle, he just let it sit for a couple of months until friends informed him they needed a fiddler to play in their band for an upcoming performance. His reply to them was that he knew some fiddlers he could ask.
“They said they didn’t want someone I knew,” he recalls. “They wanted me. Well, I didn’t know how to play a fiddle, so I went home and started working. I had eight days to learn it, and I spent a lot of hours practicing that week. But I did it.”
Read the full feature in your weekend Bowie News. Pictured, Skeeter Boyd plays the fiddle, that he also built himself. (Photo by Debbie Dunlap)
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Coming this weekend is “Ruin at the Renaissance Banquet” the annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater fundraiser brought to you by the MOCO Creative Arts Alliance (formally Bowie Alliance for Education and the Arts) is coming this weekend for two shows.
Join an evening for laughs, dramatic insults, and flare as we enjoy a feast for the senses with a catered meal, challenges, and fun. Who will be the ultimate champion?
The performances are 6:30 p.m. on May 29 and May 30 and noon on May 30. The $25 ticket cost includes the meal and show.
All funds raised will be part of the youth scholarship program. Tickets can be purchased at mococreativearts.com/.
The staff of the Nocona swimming pool are training lifeguards and preparing for the grand opening at noon on June 10.
Hours for the pool located next to the football stadium are noon to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Daily admission is $5 and free for those age three and under.
An individual pass is $100 and a family pass is $200 with each additional person $50.
The pool also is available for party rental.
The staff and volunteers at Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum are getting ready for the Summer History Mystery Camp June 8-12.
The mystery camp program is open to children ages 6-12 at $50. Lots of fun activities linking our past to the present day. Kids learn about history, the environment, farming and ranching, pioneer days, Native Americans, wildlife rescue, patriotism, art and lots more. For kids age 6-8 in the morning from 9 a.m. to 11a.m. Kids age 9-12 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cost is $50 per child, $45 for each additional child in same family). TNT members get 10% discount Call the museum to register 940-825-5330
Art camps will have two sessions at $85 each and includes supplies. The June 15-19 camp is 1:30 to 3 p.m. for ages 6-12. There are two sessions in July 6-10. Those ages 5-8 attend from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and those ages 9-13 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
All the camps will feature fun activities as youngsters settle into summer. To register call 940-825-5330.
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News