Juhls to host music fest benefiting prison ministry

(Photo contributed) Terry Smith (left) and Lee Muller perform on the stage at the 2008 Country & Gospel Musicfest at the Juhl farm near Remsen. Set in a grove of trees, the second annual fest will offer music from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. this Saturday. [Click to enlarge]

Get ready to tap your toes at The Second Annual Country & Gospel Musicfest this Saturday at the Mark and Cheryl Juhl farm grove stage at 11584 Polk Avenue, rural Remsen.

The day-long event is a fundraiser for The Church of the Damascus Road, a prison congregation in Fort Dodge and Rockwell City.

"We first learned about The Church of the Damascus Road at an ELCA synod event," said Cheryl Juhl.

The Western Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the sponsor for the prison ministry congregation.

"Mark really got fired up about it, and we learned more about it," Cheryl continued.

The couple has occasionally attended services there as visitors to the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility in Fort Dodge and the North Central Correctional Facility in Rockwell City.

The congregation is made up of prison inmates.

A crucial part of the ministry of Church of the Damascus Road is that people from the outside attend worship services and activities on the inside. That shows the inmates that people care about them in the communities to which they will be released.

Cheryl points out an after-care program in which a group of volunteers takes the released inmate under their wing in an area where the released offender will locate.

"The volunteers help them find jobs and housing, help with resumés, all the things they need to get established and back into the community," Cheryl said.

"They have a very high success rate," she added.

It's that volunteer help program that money raised at Saturday's music fest will go to.

The Juhls have reached out to their friends in the country and gospel music arena to put on Saturday's program.

Songwriter Terry Smith from Nashville, Tenn., known as "A Songwriter with a Different Touch," returns for a second year. His music compositions have been recorded by a number of top country singers and groups.

"We're thrilled with Terry coming to perform, with his talent and songwriting abilities," said Cheryl.

Tom Mullally, of Le Mars, will be on stage performing country and patriotic songs.

Wayne Longtin Sr., of Le Mars and formerly of Litchfield, Minn., will perform country classics as well as his original songs.

Lee Muller, of Americus, Kan., is described as a master musician, vocalist and songwriter. He is proficient on the five-string banjo and guitar and has accompanied many big name artists.

Elaine Peacock, of Elk Point, S.D., will also perform music that shows her love for God, family and this country.

Ervin Pickhinke, known as "The Singing Farmer," comes from Sioux City. One of his songs, "The John Deere Tractor Song" is a must to hear, according to the Juhls.

New this year, but not to the area, are Bob and Sheila Everhart of Anita.

The Everharts have dedicated their lives to the preservation of America's musical heritage and perform old time authentic traditional country, folk and bluegrass music.

They are the organizers of he National Old Time Country and Bluegrass Music Festival which will be held in August in Le Mars at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds.

"The Everharts held a small festival in Le Mars several years ago and we got interested in the music," Cheryl said. "We started following them and the festival shows, and got to know these people. They've all become good friends."

The festival is held in the grove at the Juhl farm.

"We just gather in the grove, bring lawn chairs and listen to the good music on the stage," said Cheryl.

A nearby building has been converted from farm use to a place to serve food. It's both air-conditioned and heated. The couple has also purchased new sound equipment for the performers.

"We're trying to make it grow," she added.

The Juhls have gathered sponsorships for the fest from businesses in Le Mars, Remsen, Maurice, Orange City, Oyens, Hinton and Akron.

"Through those sponsorships all the entertainment and food is paid for," Cheryl said. "Every penny coming in Saturday goes directly to the Damascus Road program.

Admission for the day's entertainment is $12 for adults and $5 for those ages 13-17. Ages 12 and under are free.

For information, contact the Juhls at 71-756-8851. For information on The Church of the Damascus Road, call 515-955-3579.

The Juhl farm is northeast of Le Mars or northwest of Remsen.

"Bring your lawn chairs and treat your ears while supporting a great ministry," Cheryl said.