Musician kicks off Hoag’s summer reading by playing unconventional instruments – spoons, cow bones and jaw harp

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 July 2025 at 11:12 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Dave Ruch delivered an engaging concert this afternoon playing a variety of instruments in sharing about the Erie Canal’s history.

Ruch, a musician from Buffalo, played some well known canal tunes – “Low Bridge, Everybody Down” and “Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal.”

Ruch played familiar instruments such as the banjo and guitar, and then introduced the audience to instruments used by many canal workers and travelers in the mid-1850s – cow bones, spoons, a washboard and jaw harp.

Dave Ruch shows people a jaw harp, which he said was very popular as people tried to pass time on their journeys along the canal.

Ruch played the washboard with two thimbles on his fingers.

This group joined Ruch and acted out a canal song about a low bridge.

Sam Conde learns to hold the cow bones so he can make music with them.

Ruch shows how to hold two spoons so they bang together to make sounds. Ruch sang the folk song, “Old Dan Tucker,” while he played the spoons.

Today was the kick off of Hoag Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program with a theme “Color Our World.”

Reading logs and Nioga Library System passports are available at the library. With the Nioga Passport Program, participants can collect a stamp at each Nioga Library they visit. Once all stamps are collected, they’ll be entered into a system-wide raffle for prizes.

Other upcoming events include:

Super Amy Variety Show at 2 p.m. on July 10. Super Amy brings her passion and talents to life in this variety show with magic, comedy, feats of strength and amazing acrobatics
Fire Truck Visit from 1 to 3 p.m. on July 14. Learn about fire safety with volunteers from Orleans County Emergency Management.
Water Color Wars will be outdoors beginning at 2 p.m. on July 17. Wear old clothes or a bathing suit and get ready to get wet with different outdoor water games.
Gardening for Kids beginning at 2 p.m. on July 21. The Master Gardeners will teach a class on gardening for children and their families.
Brushstrokes Program at 2 p.m. on July 23. Melissa from Brushstrokes will lead a class on how to paint glazed pottery. Registration is required. Limit 15 registrants.
Rainbow Yoga with Mindful Traditions at 2 p.m. on July 29. Learn the basics of yoga and relaxation with yoga instructor Kaylin McCarthy.
Butterfly Wing Craft at 2 p.m. on Aug. 4. Make wearable butterfly wings out of cardboard.
Wildlife Rockstars Live Animal Show at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 18. Ambassadors from the Wildlife Rockstars will be here to show animals and teach about the different ecosystems and habitats.
Yohe Wagon Rides & Farm Animals at 2 p.m. on Aug. 20. Celebrate the end of summer reading with horses/wagon rides and other farm animals.

For full program details, visit www.hoaglibrary.org.