IAT NEWSLETTER
September 2001
This issue of the IAT newsletter is dedicated to all
those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, as a result of the atrocities committed
in New York City, Washington, DC and western Pennsylvania. The staff of It's About
Time sends out our most heartfelt condolences to their friends and loved ones in
this time of tragedy.
We also salute our superheroes -- the men and women in the fire and police departments
and the rescue squads, many of whom were also lost on that terrible day.
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"IT'S ABOUT TIME WE BEGIN IT,
TO TURN THE WORLD AROUND . . . "
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ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
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Co-Founder/Former President - Marcelle Orswell
Co-Founder and Secretary -- Theresa Shea (Tree1A@aol.com)
Co-Founder/Webpage Designer-Sandy Clark (tybrenn@mediaone.net)
Co-Presidents -- Ann Schnitz (aerie01@sprynet.com)
and
Mary Ledford (eagleshorses@yahoo.com)
Web Site -- -- http://people.ne.mediaone.net/tybrenn/iat/
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Dear Friends,
Tuesday, September 11, 2001 started out being a day like any other. It was a beautiful,
early fall morning. The sky a radiant blue. I got to work at 8, as I always do. I
read my email. Drank my coffee and ate breakfast. Nothing unusualÖ..until the news
began to spread around the office that something was going on. We gathered around
a radio as the broadcasts came in about the first plane that crashed into the north
tower of the World Trade Center. An accident? Had to beÖbut obviously wasnít when
the second jet crashed into the south tower. Suddenly, my phone began to ring and
emails arrived to inquire about my mother, who works in Manhattan. Luckily, she was
home sick that day, as was another friend who works not too far from WTC, downtown.
We found an old TV set and managed to get it working, and we assembled in the warehouse
to watch in horror as the other events of the day unfolded. The Pentagon. The crash
in western Pennsylvania. It seemed that it would never end. Where next? I half expected
to hear that the White House was bombedÖand the Statue of Liberty too. It was all
too much to comprehend. And then the great Towers fell, like so many dominos stacked
end to end. Gone in an instant.
My feet were leaden. I walked back to my office in shock and disbelief. For you see,
not only am I an American, who perceived a threat to myself and my family and my
country, but I am also a native New Yorker, despite the fact that my address is elsewhere
these days. The grief I felt for my home and the thousands of souls potentially lost
went beyond measure. What had they done to "my little town"?
I was 15 years old when those towers first rose into the sky. And to tell the truth,
in the beginning, we hated them. Many in New York felt they were ugly and out of
scale with the rest of the elegant skyline. There was no huge rush to inhabit them
ñ there was even a time that a good part of the buildings stood empty. But like most
things, though, we got used to their hulking presence. They became our Wonder of
the World, they were full of life, and business, and tourists would come and gaze
up in awe at them, hardly able to even see to the topÖ.
ÖGone in an instant. Gone too, our security and our nonchalance in living in the
US. But I would suggest to you, as we pick ourselves up and try to get on with our
lives, even as the rubble of these heinous acts remains clearly in our minds, that
we shouldnít indiscriminately hate or seek revenge. Justice is not the same thing
as retaliation. Yes, innocent people were killed. People whose only crime was to
come to work that day, or board a plane. Taking innocent lives as payback, spilling
yet more blood, isnít the answer.
I'm reminded of the words of a wise man: "Öif peace is our vision, let us begin,...
My heart to yours,
Ann
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A LETTER FROM MARY
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September 13, 2001
Dear Friends,
The events of the past few days have been traumatic for all of us ... the senseless
taking of innocent
lives by those who would do this with no remorse and with no value for human life.
We can all only
imagine the fear those who were on those aircraft were experiencing. Our hearts go
out to those who lost
loved ones in this tragedy.
Our Country is in a state of shock right now and I'm sure we're all feeling very
unsettled as we see Air
Force jet fighter planes patrolling our skies ...something that happens elsewhere
... not in the
United States.
But, terrorist attacks can happen anywhere and at any time. No country is immune
to these attacks ...but how do we stop them? How do we, as a nation, prevent these
kinds of things from happening? What preventive measures can be put into place? I'm
sure these are the very questions our leaders in Washington are trying to find answers
to ... and I know we all hope and pray they do.
One thing that must happen, and has happened in some instances, is that we will ALL
have to make some serious lifestyle changes in this country. The new heightened security
policies at the airports must continue ... not just for this week, but forever. The
heightened security at all Federal Buildings must continue as well. One of my co-workers
was complaining about the long line of cars at the NIH Campus (National Institutes
of Health where I work). There are only 5 entrances open and NIH police are there
in force which of course causes delays. I said to him, "Well, would you rather
see a long line of cars or a long line of bodies?" He replied, "Oh, I never
thought of it that way." Well, we're going to have to think like that whether
we like it or not. So, in light of this recent obscenity, I would invite all of you
coming to Aspen and attending our auction on 10/13/01 at the Mountain Chalet ballroom,
to bring with you a business-size, stamped envelope and join with us in writing a
letter to your member of congress, your senator(s) and/or President Bush. Be thinking
about what you would like to say ...perhaps you have some potential answers to those
questions I listed above. We will supply the paper and I'll have a list of all representatives
of congress and the senate and their addresses. If necessary, we can have a little
discussion prior to writing the letters. This is certainly a time when we have to
all unite and stand together to find a peaceful solution ... one that will enhance
and safeguard our freedoms ... not take them away.
So, as John sang, "It's a possibility for many tomorrows; it's a possibility
of a world to be made for everyone; it's a possibility; no more suffering and no
more sorrow; it's a possibility; it's in everyone."
Peace my friends-Mary
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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Thanks to Emily Parris:
Sept 29-30, 2001 - Germany - "Music and Communication's" annual Denver
Weekend in Sinzig near Bonn.
http://www.johndenverclub.de <weekend@johndenverclub.de>
October 1-5, 2001 * Lyons, CO / Tom Crum's Aikiworks: "Journey to Center"
www.aikiworks.com <aikiworks@aol.com>
October 11, 2001 * Life Trip up the Mountain to the RMH Ski Run 8:30am - 4:00pm.
$50 Info <lvanscoy@walterind.com>
October 11, 2001 -- "It's About Time" -- A Musical Celebration of the Life
and Vision of John Denver, Aspen District Theatre Elementary School, write jdspirit@cox-internet.com
for more information. Tickets $50, $35 or $25 if bought before Sept 1, 2001 -- <info@rocketshipearth.org>
October 12, 2001 *Highway Cleanup of I-70, Aspen, CO. Write Carole Kenney at <ckenney194@aol.com> for more information.
October 12, 2001 * Aspen, CO / 1:00-5:00pm Concert at the Mtn. Chalet - Benefit for
the JD Memorial Peace Cloth / Mack Bailey, Ron Rich, John Adams, Jim Connor and Donna
Lipman, $15 <EEEEEKL@aol.com>
October 12, 2001 - Flagstaff, Arizona * Starwood Ranch /John Denver Memorial Celebration
602-728-0710
Info: Emily Aspen Hutcheson <Firstlight@qwest.net>
October 12-14, 2001 * Pacific Grove, CA * 4th Annual JD Memorial Beach Cleanup and
Tribute / Memorial Tribute 10/12, Concert 10/13, Beach Cleanup 10/14 <PixieDmyr@aol.com>
October 12-14, 2001 * Aspen, CO / Fourth Annual Musical Tribute to JD * Wheeler Opera
House <dyoung@winstarmail.com>
October 13, 2001 * Aspen, CO / "Let This Be A Voice" / $15.00 JD Auction/Lunch/Concert
* Mountain Chalet Ballroom /11:00am-3:00pm * Checks to: Pam Beasley / 721 Ravencroft
Drive / Garland, TX 75043 <Pamela.beasley@airmail.net>
October 13, 2001 * Aspen, CO "Dancing with the Mountains" 9:00pm - 1:00am
/ Keith & Deb Perry <aspeninoct@aol.com>
October 13, 2001 * Aspen, CO "Dinner at the Tower Restaurant" 4:00pm $26
Payment + SASE to: Vicki Wells / 420 SW 38th St. / Cape Coral, FL 33914 <vickibet@aol.com>
October 13-14, 2001 - Salida, CO / 2001 JD Celebration $35 Now taking reservations.
/ Christine Smith, 0478 CR 46, Howard, CO 81233 <dreamsoffreedom@yahoo.com>
http://john-denver.org/web/events/aspen2001/smith.html
October 14, 2001 - Open House at the Windstar Foundation /Snowmass, CO * http://www.wstar.org
October 15, 2001 - Aspen, CO - John Adams will perform at the Wheeler Opera
House 7:00pm <jdspirit@cox-internet.com>http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com $35 1-970-920-5770
October 19, 2001 - Austin, TX / "Musical Tribute to JD" - Pete Huttlinger,
Chris Nole, Machito Sanchez, etc.
Info: <musefdtn@winstarmail.com>
(see below for more information:)
November 3, 2001 -- Lancaster County Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup,
November 4, 2001 -- Berks County Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup, Reading, PA
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SEE DETAILS ON CALENDAR EVENTS (except the October celebrations) IN NEWSLETTER
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QUOTES OF THE MONTH
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The only way to bring peace to the earth
is to learn to make our own life peaceful.
-Buddha's Little Instruction Book
*****
And following along a similar theme:
John Denver, quoting from a wise Chinese man: "If there be righteousness in
the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there be beauty in the character,
there will be harmony in the home. If there be harmony in the home, there will be
order in the Nation. And if there be order in the Nation, there will be peace in
the world
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FUNDRAISERS
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CYBER IDEA COOKBOOK
They're here! Thanks to the terrific work of our friend Richard Holmes, the 2001
Cyber Idea Cookbook is now available. Each book is $5 and will be sent in the form
of an attached PDF file (or Word file, if you prefer). A printable form is available
at our website -- just click on the tab at the left marked "Fundraisers".
And as a special treat, our two previous cyber cookbooks are also available again
for those who never got one the first time or would like another one. These are also
$5 each. All proceeds go to The Hunger Project.
Send a check for $5 per book, made out to Ann Schnitz, to:
It's About Time c/o Ann Schnitz
P.O. Box 483
Lionville, PA 19353
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LETTERS
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So many of you responded to my request for your thoughts and feelings regarding the
events of Sept 11, 2001 -- thanks for sending your wonderful writing! Here are your
letters:
*****
From: Theresa Workman <Theresa948@webtv.net>
I am deeply touched at how other countries, such as Holland, Germany, Australia,
the UK, and some others, have showed their support and sympathies for and with us.
I've gotten e-mails from different people from all walks of life offering their condolences
in these troubling times. I'm outraged that so many innocent lives were taken; especially
some children. These monsters have no conscience, no feelings, no remorse for what
they've done. What have they accomplished? I'll tell you what they have accomplished!
They've awakened a nation to become stronger than it was before. They've given spirit
to those who have become heroes, such as rescue workers. They've opened up a lot
of
eyes to a terrible tragedy that we know we can survive and WILL survive, regardless
of their actions! But, most of all, they've taught us what our freedoms are about!
They will not and CANNOT take these freedoms away from us! We'll not stand by and
let them come in and destroy our freedoms and rights! We must face these evil wrong
doers, head on, face to face, and show them that they really didn't accomplish anything
except to make us a stronger and better nation!
Peace, Theresa
*****
From: Alex <pesch@myplace.net.au>,
Western Australia
Let tears of mine ease little pain
Let tears of millions do the same
To heal a wounded nation
From our hearts to yours,
The Pesch Family
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*****
From: Jeanne Macisco <JDFAN8189@aol.com>
Living here in the Northeast - in CT - just 40 miles from NYC we have been dealt
a devastating blow. The mood is solemn everywhere. But patriotism does abound.
The loss of people we know personally, is more than words can describe.
Having a son in law who is a NYC police officer and was in the city at the time,
brings this whole tragedy very close to home.
Driving over the bridge to NJ yesterday to visit relatives, we could see and still
smell the smoke from the WTC towers. The vision of the skyline without them overwhelmed
us to tears.
My prayer is that our country does not react with anger -- but with intelligent decisions
that will not take yet more innocent lives.
"IF PEACE IS OUR VISION-----LET IT BEGIN........."
Jeane Macisco
Connecticut
*****
From: Theresa <TREE1A@aol.com>
Tuesday morning, I had just turned on Katie and Matt for the morning news and it
was 5 minutes later they had news that the WTC had they thought a plane hit it, they
went live and as they were talking and I watching, another plane
hit the twin tower. Watching that you think, was what I just saw real ? My husband
was actually driving to New York that day, so I called him, he made light of it I
guess because the first reaction is to still say this can't be happening. I called
my children and told them not to worry, but that if they felt uneasy to stay where
they were, to just come home, that it was okay. They all said they would be fine.
My husband had to come home, he got to New York and they wouldn't let him in, the
roads were closed. Later in the day my thoughts were with all my JD Friends, as we
are many all over this world. Then I have to say I put on my music because that is
what relaxes me. And then I thought "On the wings of a dream" we have always
known, John had such a way with his words, he had such intuition. My favorite parts
are these, but I think the whole song deserves
to heard again from time to time. Often I won't play the song, I just say the words
in my head.
My prayers are with those who lost loved ones, and dear friends.
How "the moment at hand is the only thing we really own"
And I lay in my bed and I wonder after has been said and is done for
Why is it thus "we are here and so soon we are gone."..
We are one anyway, anyway we are more than we seem
There are those who will lead us, protect us each step of the way
From beginning to end for each moment forever each day
Such a gift has been given it can never be taken away...........
My faith will proclaim it is so, we are never alone...
"Thought the singer is silent, there still is the truth of the song"
God Bless America and Everyone
Peace, Theresa
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*****
From: John Rowe <EdOlczyk@aol.com>
|
Flags of Freedom
By John Rowe
(c) September 12, 2001
|
|
It started out a lovely day
I basked in joyfulness
To greet the sun and clear blue sky
With glowing peacefulness
But my peace came to a sudden halt
As the TV gave forbode
Of an act of terror I couldn't fathom
When I saw a city explode
The horror shook me to the core
As flames were shooting high
A plane and then another plane
Swooped down from the sky
I remember when, not long ago
Another aviation tragedy
When a beloved singer lost his life
When he fell into the sea
Now sadness in that vain resurfaced
As I saw those flaming towers
While a nation bonded and together mourned
With memorials of flowers
More and more I saw the pictures
Of tumbling skyscrapers
And down below the people ran
All covered with floating paper
|
Heroic acts leave vivid scenes
With the world in captive awe
Watching scores of total strangers
Come to heed the call
The city has indeed crumbled
And the towers fall around us
But hope does spring eternal
As we look what lies beyond us
A willingness to embrace
A hark to: "come one, come all"
To rise up from the ashes
With America standing tall
Difficulties are inherent
This concept not hard to see
But we're a nation built on strength
From sea to shining sea
Now Flags of Freedom wave so proudly
That it's great to be American
And showing the entire world
That we'll be back again
|
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*****
From: John Atherton <johnatherton@cwctv.net>,
England
Hi Ann and all other Friends of John Denver,
I too was greatly shocked, stunned and angry when I first heard of the atrocity.
When I think of the carnage and disasters, I do get very angry. But I think that
a response that does NOT sink to the same level as these terrorists is what is called
for... The Taliban have threatened repercussions against other states and countries
who give any assistance to the USA. So realizing these terrorists' 'love' for the
'holy war' motive, perhaps the only way to avoid another 'Vietnam' is to educate
or re-educate these people out of their anti-American beliefs (which seems to be
a root cause) and even help them to help themselves to become more responsible World
Citizens - because surely it would be truly disastrous if another World War was the
result of any retaliation, and this could have significant effects on the lives of
all people on this 'One World'! And as John himself said and sang: "What are
we making weapons for, Why keep on feeding the War Machine...?" And surely some
revenge caused by anger is just what these inhumane terrorists want...
Peace to you all, and especially to all Americans who have been hurt or affected
by these atrocious attacks in any way,
Take Care, John A
*****
From: Joanne <SEA9JAY@aol.com>
Dear Ann,
I have to share with you that when I saw this terrible tragedy on TV and it finally
sunk it what had happened with the suicide planes, I immediately thought of John
and his love for flying but most of all his crusade for peace in our world. We need
to keep singing his songs for peace and love to help us through this terrible time.
Joanne
*****
From: Carole Romanowski <Whispjesse@aol.com>
The last time I shared my thoughts over a great human loss was when John Denver died.
Now, four years later, I share them again over another human tragedy. Living in Yonkers,
25 minutes from the WTC, I feel vulnerable residing on the perimeter of a war zone.
The night of the terrorist attack, standing on a neighboring sidewalk, I could see
the NYC sky line now devoid of the Towers, and the mushroom of black smoke rising
to my left. For days I smelled the acrid smoke, saw the white cumulus clouds now
colored brown, as I flew the American flag from my lamppost and swept the fine white
ash from the bombings off my sidewalk and cleaned it off my car. I can still see
the rubble smoldering.
I share what all Americans do - I am outraged, in shock, in mourning for those who
died, compassionate for those left behind, fiercely proud and thankful to the heroes
who now rescue and clean up the mess and who plan action for justice, and am yet
fearful of the future. I know I am not alone in feeling more secure our national
security is on high alert, yet I still hold my breath whenever a plane flies overhead.
I feel the terrorists' use of American planes staffed with American people and carrying
American passengers as weapons in their strikes against the WTC, Pentagon, and the
airborne Pennsylvania plane were acts of supreme cowardice due to lack of real inherent
power on their part. Then, to deny their actions, to run and hide further supports
their cowardice.
Although I am a pacifist, I feel the terrorists, a loosely run ununified sect of
madmen, are like termites which are small but can severely undermine a large structure
in time and so must be removed.
Also, in my opinion, it is foolhardy to rebuild the Twin Towers, either in original
form or, as recently suggested, in five new buildings of 50 floors each - still too
much power concentrated in a small area. The area should only be used as a memorial
park. I do not view this as cowardly on our part but as exercising prudent caution.
Instead, these businesses should be spread out over a larger area in NYC, NJ and
CT to assure if one concern falls, others are still safe and ongoing.
After all, if our national security was tracking eight of the terrorists here over
the last few years, how did those same perpetrators get away with boarding our planes
for recent attacks? Suppose we once again get complacent 5 - 10 years from now under
a new President with other priorities but defense? It is a known fact there have
been national defense budget cuts over more than the last few years. Dick Cheney
himself was a large proponent in defense cuts for Grumman Aerospace Corp. in L.I.
in the early '90's.
I know John Denver, who loved the freedom of the eagle, is proud of how nationally
and globally we became "one" in comforting, supporting and helping each
other during this tragedy, as we are proud of Operation Noble Eagle which, by making
us feel more secure, is resurrecting that measure of freedom that died in each one
of us Sept. llth. Stay safe, be hopeful, and God Bless America.
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EVENTS REVIEWS
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GIVE PEACE A CHANCE, FAYETTEVILLE, AR, AUGUST 5, 2001
From: Bonnie Beach <Nilla9241@aol.com>
I was asked to be a part of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki remembrance peace rally to be
held August 5th at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. I agreed and so it
began. I attended a few more Omni meetings and was thrilled when they asked me if
I could obtain part of the John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth (JDMPC) for the event.
I was able to borrow 150 feet of the JDMPC to display on August 5th. The cloth was
the backdrop for the stage at the event. A group of us set it up and the gathering
crowd began to scan each panel. Many questions were asked, and explanations were
given.
The rally went as scheduled. Ron Deutschendorf spoke proudly of the missions of Windstar
and JDMPC. He ended his speech by reciting the Peace Poem. The crowd enthusiastically
applauded. Other speakers talked of their interpretations of peace and change. Origami
paper cranes were handed out to the crowd in memory of the victims of the aftermath
of Hiroshima-Nagasaki. The program concluded as Mack Bailey sang John Lennonís "Imagine".
As the crowd thinned, many stopped at our information table to write messages on
pre cut fabric swatches that will be added to the cloth. Today, I find myself sewing
again. The Fayetteville panel that will be added to the rest of the cloth is about
50 feet long so far, and I keep getting swatches every now and again. I will have
this section ready to be incorporated into the JDMPC in Aspen.
P.S. A special thanks to Sarah Foglesong for all her help in putting this event together!
*****
WINDSTAR CALIFORNIA REPORT, AUGUST 26, 2001
From: Nancy Holloway <105067.3016@compuserve.com>
What a great weekend in California! Thanks to everyone who participated and also
to those who couldn't but were there in spirit. This will serve as a brief record
of what took place for those who are interested. Special thanks to Susan and Bill
Savas for hosting me for the long weekend, driving me around, etc...also to Ed and
Carolee Goldberg for hosting a small group at their home Sat. night, to Cindy Doe
for welcoming me with open arms to their event on Sunday, and to Sue and Lou Smith
for dinner Sunday and a host of other things.
Saturday, 15 people interested in involvement with Windstar Connections met on the
beach in Santa Barbara. Thanks to everyone for indulging my desire to spend some
time by the ocean while I was there. There were anotherroughly 15 who had wanted
to be there, but couldn't due to personal obligations. We discussed the current state
of connection activity in CA and the new connection charter that will serve as the
guiding light for the connection program. The group decided that they will re-apply
to the Windstar Foundation as the Windstar California Connection, will let go of
their 501c3, and will develop into multiple regional groups as participation grows.
Sue Smith, with help from Mary Hartland and others in the group, will organize a
meeting targeted for late Sept. or early Oct., to start the re-planning and re-organization
process. After the meeting, we went to a nearby restaurant and sat outside on a deck
on the beach for a casual lunch and got to know each other better. Later in the afternoon,most
of the group went to Ed and Carolee Goldberg's in Camarillo for social time and were
together until after dark. Great day!
On Sunday, California Friends of John Denver, led by Cindy Doe, had a JD memorial
tree planting in a park in Huntington Beach. It was another beautiful day with a
ceremony and location to match. Ron and Terri Deutschendorf were there for the tree
planting, as were many of the Friends group and some from the Sat. Windstar meeting
group. Afterward there was a potluck, some music, and more get acquainted time. Ron
inspired the Friends group as he talked to them about the future of Windstar, and
we distributed Windstar brochures so others could join the Foundation. There was
much discussion about the two groups working together and the CA Friends of JD are
going to consider merging into the Windstar connections in California and some of
them are already Windstar members. Toward the end of the day both groups were sitting
together talking and sharing ideas and I was in awe of the positive energy and spirit
that developed over the course of the two days. Ron and I both hope that the two
groups inCalifornia will move forward together, pool resources, and do many great
things in support of the original vision of John Denver and Tom Crum.
As if that wasn't enough, early Monday morning Susan Savas arranged for me to have
an impromptu meeting with Barbara LaPiana at Ocean Futures in Santa Barbara later
the same day. Barbara is Executive Assistant to Jean-MichelCousteau and is a delightful
lady. Please check them out at www.oceanfutures.com.
We discussed both organizations, but spent most of the time talking about Windstar
and some opportunities for the two groups to work together. We will keep in touch
with them and they with us as both organizations develop. Thanks to Ron for his support
in helping me prepare for the meeting and to Susan for sticking her foot in that
door.
I'm really excited to see so many people doing so many great things and it's wonderful
to see new growth and potential in California. Please feel free to pass this on to
everyone you think might be interested. If you
read this, are interested in being part of Windstar Connection activity in California
and haven't yet contacted me, please do so, so I can hook you up. Again, big thanks
to everyone!
Nancy Holloway
Co-coordinator, Windstar Connection Program
105067.3016@compuserve.com
President, Heart of Ohio Windstar Connection
president@howc.org
*****
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NEW HAMPSHIRE FRIENDS OF JOHN DENVER BBQ, SEPT 1, 2001
From: Richard H <gerrich@crosswinds.net>
Howdy folks!
Just wanted to say what a great time we had Saturday at the NH BBQ. A small but spirited
crowd braced the chilly winds whipping up the lake to enjoy the music of Paul Swanton
and company. Many thanks to Paul for the splendid job, as usual (including the highway
cleanup!). Tina Waldron, with new baby in tow, did a marvelous job in her set, as
well as backing up Paul on the vocals. Denise Spina also joined in on several songs
to add background
accompaniment. And the lone stranger from New York simply known as Anthony made his
singing debut on Sleepin' Alone and several other songs. What a great voice this
guy has! I'm always amazed at the wealth of talent we have
here in the JD family. Though the singer is silent, the songs were the music of the
messenger, meant to be sung. And these folks did a tremendous job! I'm thankful to
all of them for giving us their time and talent.
Thanks goes out to some other folks as well. Diane Nilsson and all the highway cleanup
volunteers. I also thank her for her support with the BBQ. Thanks also goes to Glen
Connell my right hand burger flipper. And Karan
MacEachern as 'greeter'.
Of special interest was the Peace Cloth panel that we created. Many of us signed
with our hand print and name. When finished it will be add to the JD Peace Cloth.
Thanks goes out to Sandra Clark for providing the supplies and
the idea.
Although a smaller crowd than in the past, enough money was raised to adopt 3 acres
of rain forest through the Nature Conservancy's Adopt-An-Acre of Rain Forest Program.
If anyone is interested, for $40.00 you can adopt an
acre on an individual basis as well. I mentioned the stranger above but in truth
there are no strangers only
friends we haven't met. It's always a pleasure to meet new friends and see many of
the old ones. It's the smiles and the happy faces, that makes organizing these gatherings
such a joy. And for that...I am thankful.
Peace my friends,
Richard
*****
NINTH ANNUAL PRAYER VIGIL FOR THE EARTH, SEPT 22-23
A more incongruous sight would not have been possible. Imagine, if you will, the
sharp profile of the Washington Monument, rising fearlessly out of the green earth
and into the sky. Got it? Ok, now imagine a village of Native American teepees, sounds
of chanting, the smoke of a sacred fire curling towards heaven, the scent of sage
being smudged. Put them all together and you have the scene at the National Mall
in Washington, DC during the penultimate weekend in September. The John Denver Memorial
Peace Cloth was invited to be a part of this special gathering and it was a most
exciting and rewarding experience.
We arrived very early on Friday morning and attended the ground blessing beneath
the monument. All the participants -- both Native and otherwise -- stood in a circle
and shared peace pipes. We were given a small handful of tobacco and told to hold
it in our left hand and pray for peace. This was then collected into a basket, placed
in the pipes and smoked -- I wish I had words to describe how inspiring this was.
Then it was time to get to work. Teepees had to be erected and the site prepared
for our weekend visitors. The Peace Cloth was strung on a line suspended by sections
of "rebar" planted into the ground. The Cloth is now so large that it almost
ringed the entire Sacred Circle (about 1000 feet) -- we only missed completing it
by a few sections -- something to work towards for next year if we're invited back!
But the Cloth looked awesome displayed this way! It fluttered gently in the breeze
(which was MUCH appreciated since it was quite hot both days) and faced out of the
Circle so that anyone passing by could see it's colorfulness and beauty. We received
a number of very nice compliments, and those of you who have both contributed to
it and sewed on it should feel very proud. We had squares of Cloth prepared for people
to send their messages of peace and hope to the world, and most seemed to really
enjoy participating in this way -- therefore, we will soon have a new panel made
up from these contributions.
Often, we were asked what the connection was between John Denver and this event,
so it was a great opportunity to talk about John's legacy, much of which is still
so unknown to the general public. We also met people who were deeply affected by
John and his music, and they shared their special remembrances of him with us. It
is my hope that these folks will be friends of the Peace Cloth for a long time to
come. Special thanks go out to our friend Jim Connor, for making the trip up from
Richmond, VA, to entertain at the Children's Tent. He was his usual, wonderful self,
and the kids just loved "Grandma's Feather Bed" and the other songs he
performed for them.
The other Prayer Vigil participants could be considered a "United Nations"
of different faiths and cultures. Here's a small sampling: There were Native dances,
chants and ceremonies, as well as traditional (and not so traditional) Christian
offerings, a cantor (which, in the Jewish faith, is a rabbi who delivers the songs
for the congregation), instruments from all over the planet like the digeridoo, dulcimer,
flutes, etc., and a sensational team of Japanese taicho drummers who utterly captivated
us. All in all, it was a gathering something like Woodstock, with those same feelings
of hope and optimism floating in the air. Huddled beneath that immense symbol of
our country, particularly in this time of uncertainty, it made us feel very unified
in our desire for a more peaceful, understanding world.
[Pictures of this event will be on our website shortly -- http://home.sprynet.com/~aerie01
-- under the Photo Gallery tab -- AS]
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COMING EVENTS
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ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY CLEANUPS
From: Pat Liddic <liddic@lancnews.infi.net>
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3: Trash clean up of PA Friends, Lancaster highway. Again, we
would be starting at 2:00 and heading somewhere to eat and chat afterwards. Please
email me so that I can add your name to the list of willing helpers!
*****
From: Judith Gabriel <judithgabriel@msn.com>
Our next Berks County, PA cleanup will be SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4. All those interested
should email me.
Also, is there anyone interested in helping on Sunday, Dec. 30? I thought it would
be nice if anyone is interested to go up to Hawk Mt. and walk around and sit on John's
benches, sing a little, meditate a little or just walk and then go have dinner at
the Roman Delight and I'll order a cake for John's birthday and we can celebrate
that and the birth of a new year also. If you are interested, maybe you could put
it on your calendar early and let me know ASAP so I can tell the highway people we
intend to honor our four times a year contract and look forward to being with each
other, Hawk Mt., and John's spirit.
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FOR SALE
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Reminder -- Arctic Dance: The Mardy Murie Story is still available!
Arctic Dance is now available for purchase as a 75 minute VHS home video! To order,
call 1-800-345-9556.
To order from outside the U.S., call 1-804-649-8611. The purchase price is $29.00
plus $6.25 for shipping
and handling. Please note that Arctic Dance videos are for private, home use only.
For information on public
screenings, library copies, or special showings with the producers, contact C.E.R.I.
at
boxonemoose@onewest.net.
**********
Videos are available from the April 21 2001 Earth Day event, held at the Ram's Head
Tavern in Annapolis, MD. Contact Mary Ledford (eagleshorses@yahoo.com)
for more information.
**********
Wildlife Creations would like to express our deepest condolences to all who have
lost loved ones in the carnage of Tuesday attack by terrorists on the WTC, The Pentagon
and also the plane that crashed in Pa. Our hearts go out to everyone effected, which
is most of the world, not just the United States.
In an effort to help the American Red Cross, Wildlife Creations for a limited time
will donate 100% of it's proceeds from the sale of items will be donated to American
Red Cross, in John's memory, to help with the disaster relief efforts. Come visit
us at http://www.geocities.com/yswolf/WildlifeCreations.html.
For more information email WldlifeCreation@wildmail.com.
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
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Last month, we reported the unfortunate demise of the Hunger Site. Well....
The Hunger Site is back! Point your Web browser to
http://www.thehungersite.com
and click on the yellow "Give Free Food" button to donate one cup
of staple food to those in need. This is the same Hunger Site that we all know and
love, only with new owners.
You will remember that The Hunger Site was created by John Breen, a computer programmer
from Bloomington, Indiana. Breen sold The Hunger Site in February to GreaterGood.com,
a Seattle-based, for-profit philanthropy and Internet shopping portal that went belly
up on July 18th. Tim Kunin and Greg Hesterberg, co-owners of
EcologyFund.com, purchased GreaterGood.com in a foreclosure sale in mid-August.
Kunin and Hesterberg revived both The Hunger Site and The Breast Cancer Site [http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/
], although The Rainforest Site [ http://www.therainforestsite.com/
] is not up yet. Still, it is great to see The Hunger Site back, and I join Robert
Forney, Chief Executive Officer of America's Second Harvest, in hoping that the number
of daily visitors to The Hunger Site will quickly rebound.
*****
And here are some more charity sites that may be of interest:
http://www.care2.com/
http://bigcats.care2.com/
http://www.saverainforest.net/
http://www.quickdonations.com/
http://www.donationjunction.com/
http://www.webreleaf.com/
http://www.guidestar.org/
http://www.webhands.org/
http://www.charityfocus.org/
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NEWSLETTER NEWS
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If you would like to submit articles, news items, stories, poetry, or any other pertinent
information to IT'S ABOUT TIME, please e-mail any of the IAT staff. The submission
deadline for the October edition is October 25, 2001. Please be sure to include any
contact information so that members can e-mail or snail-mail for further details.
If you attend a gathering in October that you'd like us to know about, please send
your event review to one of IAT's staff. SEE YOU IN ASPEN!!!
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The content of this newsletter is entirely at the discretion of the "It's About
Time" staff. Contributions, as always, are welcomed, although inclusion is not
guaranteed.
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". . . IT'S ABOUT TIME WE START TO LIVE IT,
THE FAMILY OF MAN,
IT'S ABOUT TIME
AND IT'S ABOUT CHANGES . . .
AND IT'S ABOUT TIME."
*********************************************************************
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