Andy Mackie: Leaving town

If you've lived in Jefferson County for any length of time, then you know the story. Mackie was ill 20 years ago, but thought it would do him and children in Quilcene good to make a little music in the time he had left.

"I thought it was the last thing I'd ever do," he said.

Mackie recalls using money earmarked for medicine to instead buy harmonicas.

That started Mackie on his mission to bring instruments into virtually every school in this county, and many in surrounding counties as well.

When he goes back to Concord, Mich., to live with his 42-year-old daughter, Lauri Wolford, this fall, he'll be tending to his grandchildren's classes, showing them how to build simple instruments and guitars, whatever a child wants to play.

He figures he's reached out to thousands of children -- not just in Jefferson County but around the world. Instruments he's been instrumental in making are in the hands of children in some 24 countries, he figures.

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[laswan5]

There are still some of his handmade reindeer hanging around in the county and beyond. So very sorry to see him go , fist leaving here and later leaving this dimension. I'm glad he got some time in with his daughter. He used to tell me about her many years ago. About as many as he was here. I would love to see you again someday Andy. You can teach me how to play a mouth organ! Till then my friend. Thanks to the Leader for the video.

[azequine]

Too bad the traffic noise drounds out his voice so much. Too bad they couldn't have found a better location.