CAROL SHETLER/The Luminary   Waiters Glen Hamilton (left)and Lloyd Mordan were part of a group of volunteers serving food to customers at Tivoli United Methodist Church on October 1st. Funds went for flood relief. Amount raised as of October 9th was $1,740.

TIVOLI – When Linda Danis began music lessons at age six, her instruments were the cello, viola and violin. “I didn’t like practicing then, but by high school age, I thought music was fun,” Linda said.

Music is a generational passion as Linda’s father, Leonard Fuller, conducted a symphony at Johnstown, PA. He also gave private lessons. Later, when Linda lived in the State College area, she was a member of the Nittany Symphony Orchestra.

In the early 1970’s, Linda began coaxing music from a handsaw. Though there are saws specifically made for musical purposes, she has the common kind like those available at hardware stores.

“I use this saw to cut down our Christmas tree and lap off the branches. It’s just an ordinary one,” the musician said.

Holding the saw with her left hand, Linda curves the blade with the pressure of her thumb. Resin is applied to the bow which is pulled over the saw where notes are found by placing the bow upward to the top for high notes, or downward for lower ones.

CAROL SHETLER/The Luminary   Linda Danis (left) and Tom Taylor entertain the crowd on Sunday afternoon, October 1st at the Tivoli United Methodist Church. Davis successfully coaxed music from a handsaw while Taylor accompanied on his violin.  

During some hymns on that first sunny Sunday afternoon in October, Linda was accompanied by violinist Tom Taylor. Taylor also plays multiple instruments including the bagpipe.

Since July, Linda came to the area with her husband William Danis who is the newly appointed pastor of the Picture Rocks Tivoli United Methodist Charge.

At Tivoli, the pavilion and lawn were filled with a multitude of folks enjoying various instrumental and vocal groups.

Inside, the crowd could partake of hot dogs, drinks, homemade pie, and if desired, topped with ice cream. According to Donna Sullivan, the group raised an excess of $1,700 which will be forwarded to the Methodist council where 100 percent goes to recent flood stricken areas.