Update—December 2006

It has been four years since the article from the newspaper was printed and we have kept busy since then with many harp programs and producing more harp recordings. Alex still teaches school part time and builds harps the rest of the time going full time during the summer months. Since the time of this article, Alex has developed his own line of Italian harps, and a new line of more affordable harps. A ten-string Davidic harp was also added to the variety of harps that are now available. A new book was just released this fall by Alex titled: “Morning Meditations” and is a real inspiration to Christian musicians.

Dena & Joanna are still at home busy teaching private music lessons and have enjoyed taking their harps on mission trips in the last few years (Belize, Grenada, & Haiti). They just completed their eighth recording this fall titled “This is the Day” and have lots more plans in mind for future CD’s. Joanna’s tendonitis in both hands (which started at the end of 2005), together with a house fire in February 2006 (which forced us to move out of our house for six months), slowed us down for most of 2006. Joanna’s condition improved, so we started our family harp programs again in December 2006.

The other children have grown in their music skills, and enjoy participating in family programs. We have combined a number of instruments with the harps to make for an enjoyable program. Sue continues to home school the four youngest children and enjoys being secretary for the harp business and program manager for the family.

The Marini Family—December, 2006
Left: Anthony (16), Emily (12), Joanna (21), Sue & Alex, Paul (14), Dena (23), Mark (10)

 

Update—December, 2007

Only a year has passed since the last update, but our family life is very different these days..... mainly due to a double wedding. Dena started a courtship with Nathan Hochstetler from Tennessee in January of 2007 and Joanna started a courtship with Stephen Dindinger from Colorado in April of 2007. By July both couples were ready to take the big step and decided to get married the same day. So on Saturday, September 15, 2007, the girls were married in the Chapel at Garden Spot Village (which was a nice facility close to our home). After the wedding Dena and Nathan spent a week in Virginia and then headed west for three weeks.... they are now living in the New Holland, PA, area.

Joanna and Stephen spent the first two weeks on Union Island in the Caribbean and then came to PA for a week to pack up her things and then headed for Colorado where they are now living.

We started up our family programs this month—losing one musician (Joanna) and gaining another member of the group (Nathan). Dena was able to reorganize our programs, and we have been busy ever since early December. We have also scheduled some time at the studio in mid-January so that when Joanna and Stephen come for a visit we can finish a “family CD” which we had started before the wedding. We hope to do some of our family’s favorites and polish it up before the spring conventions.

Anthony (17) is looking forward to graduating this spring, so that he can pursue other interests... like visiting his sister Joanna and working at a cattle ranch in Colorado, and perhaps making another trip to Tennessee. He continues to work part time farming, driving tractor and looks forward to fall harvest time. He enjoys playing the guitar in our programs and also plays the cello.

Paul (15) is quite skillful in many different areas, like music, painting, and juggling. He sings and plays a number of instruments in the programs like hammered dulcimer, flute, piccolo, pennywhistle, mandolin and guitar. He’s a sophomore in high school and looks forward to completing high school as well.

Emily (13) is in eighth grade and has developed her skills in harp playing and has been hired this year to play for special events. Besides harp, she helps in our programs with singing now (since Joanna is gone) and plays the pennywhistle.

Mark (11) has also progressed in his skills as a musician and enjoys entertaining people. He also plays harp in our programs, as well as the mandolin and pennywhistle. He is in sixth grade and does well in his schoolwork, but would rather be reading a good book on a cozy chair.

Sue continues enjoying her responsibilities as homemaker, home school mom, and secretary to the harp business. There were some adjustments to be made after the older girls were married, but life has returned to a normal routine now.

Alex still teaches at a Mennonite high school half time, and enjoys harp making in his free time.... trying to develop new styles of harps and does some writing any chance he gets. He also started learning the harp himself—after making harps for over ten years, he thought he’d try learning to play them. You’ll often find him quietly playing a tune in the late evening after the children have gone to bed. A sweet way to end the day!

 

Update: December—2008

Another year has swiftly passed by and we find more changes have come upon us... we are now grandparents! We are happy to announce that our second daughter, Joanna, and her husband Stephen had their first baby (Nicolas Stephen) on Wednesday, October 22nd weighing 6 lbs and 15 oz. Grandma and Aunt Emily arrived in Grand Junction, CO, the night before Nicolas was born and were glad to be a part of the welcoming committee.

Nicolas Stephen Dindinger Born: October 22, 2008 -- 6 pounds, 15 oz.	Joanna, Stephen & baby Nicolas December, 2008

We are also happy to announce that our oldest daughter, Dena, and her husband, Nathan, are expecting their first baby (a boy!) the end of February. They just live 15 minutes from us and have continued to help us in our music ministry. We averaged about 4 to 5 programs a month this past year—but this month alone we had 12 programs; which kept us “harping” around a lot. We’re not sure what our music ministry will be like in 2009, but we plan to continue with whoever is available. Paul and Emily are really progressing in their music abilities and have recently been hired to play at weddings and special events as a harp & flute duet, so there is a lot of potential with them. Mark is also progressing in his music abilities and people who have come to our programs through the years have noticed a big change in his skill level lately.

Anthony (18) is at the end of his high school studies, and looks forward to working some for his brother-in-law, Nathan, in construction and also making harps with his father at the shop. He also has done some farming this past fall, but his most recent adventure was herding cattle in the mountains of Colorado the old fashioned way on horseback. He just loved the wide open lands and the beauty of the mountains. We really appreciate Anthony’s contribution to our harp programs... he plays cello and guitar which adds a special touch to the songs.

Paul (16) just got his driving permit and is looking forward to working this summer for his brother-in-law, Nathan, in construction and then graduating from his high school program here at home in the summer of 2010. He juggles many instruments in our programs.... you’ll see him go from the hammered dulcimer to the mandolin, to a penny whistle, guitar, flute... and then sing. He really enjoys recording music on his computer and putting together home videos.

Emily (14) is now a 9th grader and has really put her heart into her music lately. She continues with harp, but also plays flute, penny whistle, bowed psaltery, and sings with Dena in the programs.

Mark (12) is usually the champion at ping pong here at home, as well as many other games. He impresses people at the programs with his ability to play not only the harp, but the mandolin, penny whistle, and the bowed psaltery. Mark is an active guy, and flies through his 8th grade school work, so he can go outside or play a game.

Alex took on a full time teaching schedule this fall which has been a challenge as harp orders have increased. Recently his ten-string Davidic harp became popular with those using harps for ministry to hospitals, and orders came in for his Roma Rosa harp as well. So this year he has been stretched a bit more, but seems to be on top of it. He looks forward to taking the seniors from his school on another trip to the island of Grenada this spring, and was given the responsibility of organizing the whole event. Sue continues as usual at home giving her energies to home schooling, home making, and the home business. She enjoyed her first trip out west to Colorado to meet her first grandchild, and to spend time with Joanna and Stephen. We are truly grateful to the Lord for good health and strength to continue in the work that God has put before us.... until He comes.

Marini Family—December 23, 2008

From left: Anthony, Emily, Alex, Mark, Sue, and Paul

 

Update: June—2009

On Sunday, March 1, 2009, at 4:59 p.m. Craig Alexander was born to Nathan & Dena Hochstetler. Dena was hoping to have a home birth, but needed to be transferred to the Reading Hospital, and after 41 hours of labor had the baby C-section. Craig weighed in at 8 pounds and 12 ounces and was 21 inches long. Both mommy and baby are doing fine.

Craig Alexander (1 month old)	The Hochstetler's—March, 2009

At the end of May, we enjoyed a family reunion when Joanna, Stephen, and baby Nicolas came from Colorado for a two-week visit to PA. We took four of those days while they were here, and all of us (including Dena, Nate, and baby Craig) piled into our large 15-passenger van and headed to the Marini reunion in Massachusetts where Great Grandpa Marini got to hold his two new great-grandsons for the first time. It was a special occasion to be at the home where Alex grew up in East Bridgewater and to meet with all the relatives again. While in MA, we enjoyed the ocean and toured Plymouth Plantation and went aboard the Mayflower II before returning back to PA. It was a blessing to be all together again and watch the two cousins interact with each other.

Dena (with Craig), and Joanna (with Nicolas) June 5, 2009	Craig (3 months) with cousin Nicolas (7 months) June 7, 2009

The Marini Family (left), Dindinger Family (center), and Hochstetler Family (right) Photo taken: Sunday, June 7, 2009

 

Update: December—2009

The month of December is always a busy one for our family with all the music programs that we do, although this year we did not do as many as other years (only 8 events compared to 15 some years). Many of them are company dinners, and we still have a couple more programs next week to wrap up our Christmas season. Then we will be putting our focus on the next event…. we’ve been asked to provide music for the “We Care Prison Ministry” in Alabama during the last week of January which will be something new for us.

Alex continues to make harps in between teaching classes at Faith High School, and this year he was asked to take on the administrative position as principal. So far it has been going well and God has given him the extra grace and wisdom needed for that job. He’s working on a new harp design this month that already seems to show potential (a 38-string Regency style with a Roma Rosa sound chamber) and has a number of customers waiting for it. His waiting list for harps keeps growing… which keeps him and the boys on their toes.

Since Anthony graduated high school, he has been busy with farming, and helping his brother-in-law, Nate, with roofing in between his trips to Tennessee and Colorado. The other children continue on with their home schooling, and Paul will be graduating this coming spring…. which will leave us with two students for next year. When Paul’s not doing school work, you’ll find him at his computer editing photos or creating a new advertisement for someone. He has great interests in photography lately, and enjoys going with a couple friends on “photo shoots.” You can see some of his creativity on face book. He continues to enjoy music and developing his skills on the guitar, flute & dulcimer. Both Anthony & Paul have been active with our church youth in helping with “Clubs” on Wednesdays twice a month, which is an outreach to city children in a local town, and they also go weekly to the city of Reading with another group on Thursdays to help with a youth outreach to city teens.

Emily has enjoyed the opportunities she’s had to volunteer at a local private elementary school where she assists a second grade teacher once a week, and she also has been giving private harp lessons in the home here. She amazes us with her harp & flute skills….after Dena & Joanna got married, she rose to the challenge and filled the needed position. She recently bought herself a piano, and you’ll find her often playing it. Mark has been creative at making his own flies for fishing… now he just has to find a market for them. Mark goes with his other two brothers to the shop on occasion to help his father build harps…. but he’d rather be fishing! He continues to develop his harp playing, and many people who have seen us through the years marvel at his abilities. He has also picked up guitar and enjoys playing some new tunes with his brothers. All the children (including Dena & Joanna) have been working on a new family CD for some time now… and we hope to get it finished soon.

Mom keeps busy behind the scenes juggling her many roles as home maker and secretary to the harp business. It’s a challenge sometimes to teach school, invite customers into the living room to try out harps, and keep the laundry going and meals on the table – but it’s a fulfilling job that I wouldn’t trade for anything. This year I have found great joy in being a grandma and look forward to watching my little grandsons grow. I am inspired as I read in the Bible of Timothy’s grandmother, who transferred her faith to her grandson who lived a life that honored God.

As we look to the beginning of a new year, we wonder what this coming year will bring…. happy times or sad times, financial gain or loss, health or sickness – all we can do is trust in the God who is in control of it all and who gives us the grace and strength to face whatever comes our way. One of my favorite verses from the Bible is: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

The Hochstetler Family—December, 2009	The Dindinger Family—December, 2009

The Marini Family 2009

 

Update: Summer—2010

Since the last update, we’ve had lots of opportunities as a family to minister with music. In January, we took a trip (with Dena, Nate & baby Craig) in an RV to Alabama to participate in the “We Care Prison Ministry” for a week. It was a wonderful experience for the whole family.

We provided a harp program in four different prisons… they made for some of the best audiences we’ve ever played for (very responsive and appreciative).

This spring we were back to the studio working on a family CD which we hope to be finished by the end of this year.

This CD will be special, as it will have many of our family favorites and will include all the children.

One special event that took place this June was when our family took a trip to Colorado (with Dena, Nate & baby Craig) to see our other daughter Joanna, her husband Stephen and baby Nicolas. We had the privilege to do a harp program for Joanna’s church in Grand Junction, CO, where all the children were together again playing instruments and singing.

Presently this summer, Alex is busy catching up on harp orders and the boys have been regularly coming to the shop to help. Alex continues to make harps at the wood shop at the school where he teaches, but we are looking into starting a new shop location in the town of Blue Ball so that the boys can work full time on harps this fall and winter. Pray for us.