10/08/2026
This Saturday is the “I’ll Fly Away” Remembrance Concert for Deb Emerick. The concert features four string music groups covering folk, country, old-time, light rock, blues, bluegrass and gospel music: The Patchwork Band, The Outhouse Band, Dan Price and Tracey Veenstra and Playtime an old time music duo featuring professional fiddler Caleb Hofheinz who got his first guitar lessons from Deb when he was just a tyke. Caleb is just one of countless musicians taught by or inspired by Deb and her music making legacy. His older brother Thad will also be there making music with the Patchwork Band. Our beloved newspaper editor Rich Wheater will, of course, be leading The Outhouse Band.
The concert is in remembrance of local musician, performer and visual artist Deb Emerick who left us for her eternal rest in 2023. However, the concert is also for the remembrance of anyone else who has “flown away” from any of us as well.
The concert is also a benefit for the Newaygo County Compassion Home located in Fremont.
Executive Director Diane Rudholm shared that “The Compassion Home is a community-based, nonprofit social model hospice home providing compassionate end-of-life care in a peaceful, home-like setting at no cost to our guests or their families. Since welcoming our first guest in July 2018, we have had the privilege of serving more than 560 guests and their families.
At the heart of our mission is a simple belief: neighbors taking care of neighbors. The Compassion Home is truly a grassroots effort, made possible through the generosity of our community, donors, volunteers, staff, and local partners. Together, we provide a place where individuals can spend their final days surrounded by dignity, comfort, compassion, and care, and where families can simply focus on being family.”
The concert begins at 6:00pm at the Fremont Market Place Pavilion located in the north side parking lot behind the businesses on Main Street in downtown Fremont. A free will offering will be gratefully received at the concert on behalf of the Compassion Home. Attendees are also encouraged to bring a photograph or memento with the name of their loved one who has flown away to place on a display table so they can be “remembered” by all.
The “Two Hot Tamales” food truck will also be on site offering delicious Mexican cuisine.
Please bring a bag chair or lawn chair and join us for this special night of music, remembrance, and benefit to such a worthy service for Newaygo County.
For more information, please call Mat Emerick at 231-519-4933.
