By Paula Scott

Monday night at the library in Bluffton is quite different from other nights. There certainly is no shushing going on. When the Icon stopped by on January 30, the event now billed as “Hummin’ and Strummin’” drew in a group of regulars with guitars, a ukelele and a banjo, as well as a broad repertoire of songs. An equal number came to hum, sing and listen.

Hummin’ and Strummin’ is now a weekly activity from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Mondays at the Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St. Formerly known as the library jam sessions, the activity has been renamed to reflect that you don’t have to be a performer to join in. The schedule has been expanded to every Monday night the library is open.

Between songs there is plenty of getting to know each other, consultations on chords, capo settings and tuners, and remarks on concerts attended.

On this evening, song inspirations ranged from Johnny Cash to Brandi Carlile, and from cowboy songs to prog rock. Note takers were jotting down titles and composers that were new to them, so that they could check out lyrics and notes between events.

A first time guest discovered that he went to high school with one of the guitar players–in a town outside Cleveland. He proved to know the lyrics of most of the songs and complimented the group on an experience that was so much more he expected.

Participants can also join an informal email group for reminders and sharing song information.

For more information, visit https://blufftonpubliclibrary.org/ or call (419) 358-5016.