IAT NEWSLETTERSeptember 2003
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Calendar of Events | Environmental News | For Sale | Fundraisers |
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Letter from the President | Letters | Newsletter News | Organization Information |
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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
(notmartha2@yahoo.com)
Co-Founder and Secretary -- Theresa Shea (Tree1A@aol.com)
Co-Founder/Webpage Designer-Sandy Clark (tybrenn@comcast.net)
*** CHANGED!!!
Co-Presidents -- Ann Schnitz (aerie01@comcast.net)
*** CHANGED!!! and
Mary Ledford (eagleshorses@yahoo.com)
Web Site -- -- http://home.comcast.net/~tybrenn/iat/
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Dear Friends,
Hard to believe, but it is almost time for the annual JD celebrations once again.
I hope that wherever you choose to remember John, you also remember that keeping
John's legacy alive is now entrusted to us. As we've said many times, it doesn't
have to be manifested in grand gestures. Simple things -- picking up a piece
of litter, reading a story to a child, planting a flower -- it's all good and it's
all valuable. Plus, it makes you feel great.
I want to remind you too about supporting Windstar. I know that many of you
were unhappy to find out that you must pay to attend this year's Sunday afternoon
event on the Windstar land, unless you are a member of the foundation. Over
the past five years of celebrations, Windstar has generously given us a day to spend
at a place John loved and of which he was very proud. Unfortunately, they can
no longer afford to keep doing this and have no choice but to charge for admission.
Therefore, I hope you will find it in your hearts to attend and consider joining
the organization.
There will be some new and varied events this year in Aspen but please take time
to get out of the town and enjoy the beauty of Colorado too. And if you're
planning on attending the Peace Cloth event on Thursday night, by all means come
over to me and introduce yourselves. Safe travels, and I look forward to meeting
you!
My heart to yours,
Ann
PS -- thanks to all who contributed to this month's newsletter -- AS
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
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As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a
light in the darkness of mere being.
~ Carl Jung
*thanks to Kelly Robison for this month's quote
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FUNDRAISER
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The deadline for submissions is now over; please stay tuned for information on how
to order this special cyberbook when it is complete.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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Please consider writing a review if you attend an event
and would like to share your experience -- AS
September 28 -- Birmingham's (AL) 7th Annual John Denver Memorial Concert at Caldwell
Park (corner of Highland Avenue and Niazuma Avenue) from 3 to 5 pm Featuring Jim
Aycock and the One of Us Band along with other special guests. Admission
is 2 canned good items that will go to the Greater Birmingham Ministries Food Drive.
For more information visit www.unitybham.com and www.jimaycock.com or call 205-251-3713
October 2 - November 29 -- Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver at the
Ricketson Theatre, Denver, Colorado - http://www.denvercenter.org
***CANCELLED*** -- October 3-5 -- PA Friends of John Denver Fall Retreat, Cassville,
PA The Bitter Goose Lodge; Email Pat Liddic at tigersnwolves@comcast.net
for more information and see Pat's letter below.
October 17 -- Hard Travelers with Bill Danoff, John Sommers and Chris Nole, Thalian
Hall, Wilmington, NC - http://www.musicunites.com
October 24 -- Music from the Mountains: A Tribute to John Denver, Maryland Hall Center
for the Performing Arts, Annapolis, MD $40 or VIP $100 http://www.musicunites.com
OCTOBER JOHN DENVER MEMORIAL EVENTS (courtesy of Emily Parris' Rocky Mountain High
newsletter)
**COLORADO**
October 4-5, 2003 * Salida, Colorado / Fifth Annual John Denver Celebration / http://www.johndenverlegacy.com Christine Smith 1-719-942-9620 (Christinesmith@amigo.net)
Seating limited to first 200 reservations.
October 9, 2003 * Work at the JD Sanctuary 9:30am * Info: Curtis Griffy <Curtis.Griffy@guidant.com>
October 9, 2003 * Meet and Greet at the John Denver Sanctuary 4:30pm Info: <sunnydeb@john-denver.org>
October 9, 2003 * John Denver Sanctuary 5:00pm Worship Service on the Mountain <sunnydeb@john-denver.org>
October 9, 2003 * The John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth Concert with Chris Collins,
Donna Lipman, Ron Rich, Ellen Stapenhorst and the Earthbeat Choir 7:00pm Info: Eve
<EEEEEKL@aol.com>
October 10-12, 2003 * 6th Annual "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" / Wheeler
Opera House 7:00pm Tickets: $75 Reserved Seating $40 Balcony $125 VIP http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com or call 970-920-5770
October 10, 2003 Assisted Living Songfest /Noon - Pitkin County Senior Center / Mel
Trondson & the World Family of John Denver Singers <Peacefuleagle@aol.com>
October 11, 2003 Special Music from the Mountains - Mack Bailey with Chris Nole and
other surprise guests. Mountain Chalet Ballroom / 1:00 - 2:30pm Tickets $20 include
light refreshments / Make check/m.o. payable to Mack Bailey (SASE) Mack Bailey Concert
/c/o Karen Tupek / 6300 Wynkoop Blvd / Bethesda, MD 20817 Karen <penguins51@aol.com>,
Mary <eagleshorses@yahoo.com>
October 11, 2003 * "You Fill Up My Senses: Exploring the Music, the Message
and the Magic of John Denver" 9:00am - Noon / Richard Hatch & J.P. McDaniel
/ Mountain Chalet's conference room. $20 in advance $25 at the door <Jequitap@aol.com> / J.P. McDaniel /9552 W. Capri Drive / Littleton, CO
80123 Include SASE
October 11, 2003 * Dinner at The Tower 4:00pm Tickets $26 / Vicki Wells / 420 SW
38th Street /Cape Coral, FL 33914 / Vicki <mailto:Vickibet@aol.comVickibet@aol.com>
October 12, 2003 * Campfire near Maroon Bells 6:00pm * Info: Harold Simpson <allans@advancenet.net>
October 13, 2003 * It's Goodbye Again 5:00pm Wagner Park on Durant Ave <sunnydeb@john-denver.org>
October 13, 2003 * Aspen, Colorado / John Adams & Friends; 4th annual concert
celebrating the life and music of John Denver. 7:00pm Wheeler Opera House $35.00
/ $20 Tickets: (970) 920-5770 or www.wheeleroperahouse.com
John Adams: http://www.johnadams-music.com
**PACIFIC GROVE, CA**
October 11 -- Chris Westfall, Saturday solo concert
7:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula, 490 Aguajito
Rd Carmel, CA. Church is in the woods near Monterey. $10 admission.
OCT 12 - Sunday beach cleanup noon, 1-4 PM Lover's Point, Pacific Grove Park singalong
tribute with Chris Westfall. JD tribute on John's Beach starts at 5 PM. The Legacy
Continues JD event.
See the web page for more details: http://www.geocities.com/donnapinto/ca.html or email Judy Therrien at jtherrien@pacbell.net
**ELSEWHERE**
October 10-12 -- The Higher Ground, the Australian
Friends of John Denver Annual Event, Arrabri Lodge, Warburton, Victoria, Australia.
Email Janette Frawley at janette_frawley@yahoo.com
or jfrawley@telstra.com for information.
October 11-12 -- "Forever John" celebration, Oruanui Rd, Taupo, New Zealand.
For details please contact Susan info@IJDMF.org.
REMINDER::: The John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth is available for all JD-related
events. Please email peaceclothinfo@yahoogroups.com for more information, or see
our website a www.johndenverpeacecloth.com
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LETTERS
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From Pat Liddic (tigersnwolves@comcast.net):
The PA Friends of John Denver fall retreat at The Bitter Goose Lodge had to be canceled.
We have rebooked the Lodge for April 23 -25, 2004 for our next retreat. This will
replace the retreat that was scheduled for April 30, May 1 -2 at Gretna Glen. The
Bitter Goose Lodge is located in Cassville, PA. The cost for the retreat is 45.00
per person for the weekend. Payment is due before March 20, 2004. Payment to: Pat
Liddic/ 533 Lexington Road/ Lancaster, PA 17603. Please contact me at tigersnwolves@comcast.net
with any questions.
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From: Judith Gabriel (judithgabriel@comcast.net)
Hi Everyone,
What a fabulous time we all had at the Music Extravaganza at The Inn at Reading-Clarion
on Friday 19 September 2003 despite Isabel and the small crowd we had due to people
being exhausted, worrying about what might happen with the storm.
Mack Bailey made it up from Silver Springs, Maryland, despite little sleep, listening
to those crackling branches overhead, only to find out the next day that his house
was the ONLY one on his block not hit by falling trees-lucky for him and us.
Duane Large and Jeremy Rosa, the two outstanding classical guitarist playing during
the cocktail hour and dinner, arrived a little late due to highway debris causing
traffic delays in Philadelphia; but everyone else, including the Travis Wetzel Trio,
the contingent from Norristown, Mechanicsburg near Harrisburg, and New Jersey along
with additional new faces, made it in tact and ready to have some fun.
In Reading we were barely hit by the storm, with electric outage the biggest problem,
so a feeling of calmness filled the room with the low lights and the soothing classical
guitar as we nibbled off the crudités platter while getting to know each other
and looking at the Peace Cloth. Artist David Hughes showed up with a beautiful picture
of a flying bald eagle in winter, donated for our raffle, to ooh's and ahh's from
the group. We continued to share our interest in John Denver, the environment and
other social issues, and music as we ate the superb food served by The Inn at Reading.
Our hats off to them for the ambience, the dance floor, the food, and the service.
Our hats off also to Tim from Illusion Sound who did a great job with the sound mixing
throughout the evening.
As we began the second course of our dinner, I got up to introduce the foundation
at its first fundraising activity, and played "On the Wings of an Eagle,"
by John Denver before Mack Bailey got up to begin the live vocal music for the evening.
As usual Mack serenaded us with a wonderful medley of John's music, his own, and
songs from the 40's. People who had not heard Mack sing before were impressed with
his vocal range and tonality. Then Travis Wetzel, who earns the title "The Mad
Fiddler" played everything from "Rocky Mt. High" and "Country
Roads" to Celtic, Bluegrass, Country, Jazz, Swing, and some beautiful Native
American songs--he, himself, being part Native American. I was glad he played "And
So It Goes," the song John sang with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. When
Mack and Travis's Trio played together, the sound was awesome, and we truly had a
music extravaganza.
So when the hooting and hollering quieted down, Richard Hines and his wife from Akron,
PA, who call for square and country line dancing, coaxed a few of us up to teach
us how to square dance. We did admirably, considering some gals were playing guys
and most of us had never done this before. What fun.
The evening was going so fast and we were all having so much fun, we didn't realize
how late it was, so Mack and Travis&Company got up and played and sang a bit,
and then Travis did the most amazing fiddling I'd ever heard live and then picked
up the mandolin and did the same. Faar Ouut! With the audience flying high,
Mack came back on stage to sing with Travis's group "Thank God I'm a Country
Boy." Then Mack sang a truly beautiful rendition of JD's/Henry's "On the
Wings that Fly Us Home," ending with everyone standing for JD's "Calypso."
What an evening!
We sold some of the little trees that the Arbor Day Foundation donated to us--giving
the rest away to people who promised to plant them the next day--collected money
for the raffle which you can still participate in ($5 a ticket, 4 for $15, prizes
listed on website w/addition-two rodeo tickets at Mt. Spring Resort Campground) and
will end on 1 December 2003, said our "thank you's" and goodbyes and ended
a very enjoyable evening. I have heard nothing but accolades for the performers
and wishes to have them return. I hope that you will visit our website www.judithgabriel.com/foundation.htm
and click on the musicians and let them know your thoughts, and on our sponsors,
letting them know that you enjoyed this type of event and would like to see it happen
again. And if you couldn't attend and would like to next year--same time, same
place, let them know as well. This will help to make things happen again for
us next year. Those of you who did attend, spread the word, and put the date on your
calendar. I'm going to reserve a room shortly for next year and will tell you an
exact date as soon as I get a 2004 calendar. The prices will be the same, patron
($50) and if you can spare it during the next year, consider being a friend ($75)
or individual sponsor ($100), or corporate sponsor. If you live far away, consider
getting
I'd like to thank our volunteers Ruth Williams,
Josh Williams, and Gail Grill for all the work they did before, during, and after
the event; as well as Carrie Fitzpatrick, director, for her help and for the beautiful
programs; the Peace Cloth board for letting us have a segment of this wonderful project;
The Windsor Press for donating the tickets; The Arbor Day Foundation for the trees;
our media sponsors WEEU and The Mountain Folk Show and Web Site; Dave Kline for his
wonderful, full-hour radio show highlighting John and the event; the Reading Eagle
for the wonderful article, making people aware of the foundation and the event;
our corporate sponsors, The Inn at Reading-Clarion, Integrational Bodyworks, and
Mountain Springs Resort Campgrounds; and of course, all the fine musicians that worked
to give us quality music and enjoyment. Folks just couldn't stop thanking us for
an outstanding evening. I also want to do an aside thank you to Susanne Bamberger,
art student at Kutztown University, for designing the foundation's logo.
We continue onward and upward to make things happen. The economy of the last
several years has slowed our progress, but we will persevere to play live music that
highlights the poetry and impact of John Denver, supports the environment, education,
humanity, and music and musicians in general. If anyone would like to serve on committees
for the foundation or as volunteers, please contact us. If anyone would like to be
a corporate sponsor or knows of a business who would like to sponsor us, let us know
as well. We could sure use the help. Thanks to everyone who came for your continued
support.
Peace To All,
Judith Gabriel
PS -- PUT THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR. NEXT YEAR'S MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA IS SCHEDULED
AT THE INN AT READING ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2004, SAME TIMES 5:30-6:30 COCKTAIL
HOUR, 6:30 TO 7 DINNER, AND IT GOES ON UNTIL 10:30 WITH MUSIC THE WHOLE TIME!!! COST
WILL BE THE SAME ALSO $5O,PATRON; $75 FRIEND, AND $100 INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS WITH CORPORATE
TABLES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
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From Donna Pinto (donnapinto@yahoo.com):
Here's advance notice of an event for Thanksgiving: "Surrender to Thanksgiving
at Waterloo... An Evening of Music"
Mack Bailey and Christopher Westfall, two celebrated acoustic folk singers/songwriters,
will perform on November 22 2003 from 7:00 - 10 PM in the Meeting House at Waterloo
Village in Stanhope, NJ.
The event promises to be an evening that will be a great balance of folk tunes, original
songs and two voices that will help you connect with song in a deep and enduring
way.
A portion of these proceeds will benefit NORWESCAP and anyone that can attend is
asked to bring a donation of non-perishable food for the Food Bank.
Tickets are $30 for adults, seniors over 65 and children under 12 cost just $25.
To purchase tickets which will be mailed on or about 11/7-mail checks to Patricia
Hough 334 Willa Drive, Hockessin DE 19707-9137.
For more details, email Pat at pahough@aol.com or visit the web page at : http://www.geocities.com/markaypinto/waterloo.html
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WEBSITES OF INTEREST
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Windstar
http://www.wstar.org
National Wildlife Federation
http://www.nwf.org
Help the planet each day! It's free and easy:
http://www.Care2.com/dailyaction/
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FOR SALE
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Peace Cloth Items!
Don't forget to check out www.johndenverpeacecloth.com
(Peace Cloth Store) for exclusive John Denver items. All proceeds benefit The
John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth. Also -- if you shop online, please visit
our virtual mall: www.johndenverpeacecloth.onecause.com -- every sale at a store in the mall returns a donation to the Cloth.
The Peace Cloth now has eScrip -- please see our website for more information.
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For sale: JD tapes. Will ship worldwide. For list or more info, please contact amazonjd@aol.com.
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If you're looking for something special for a special someone, come check out what
Wildlife Creations (http://www.geocities.com/wldlifecreation) has
to offer!! We have many items relating to John Denver and other items that would
make fantastic gifts for people you know and love! Or gift someone who is hard
to buy for, something that they will talk about for years! From keychains, snowglobes,
t-shirts, potpourri jars and more!!! We're sure you'll find something!
And remember, whenever you purchase from Wildlife Creations, you're not only giving
a gift to someone you know, but to the Windstar Foundation and also the National
Wildlife Federation, in John's memory, for wolf education as all proceeds are given
to them. Wildlife Creations is now offering a feature product. Checkout the website
for this month's offering! For more information, you can email us at wldlifecreation@wildmail.com.
In this healing time...
Thank you for helping to make the world
a better place in which to live,
Diana and Susan
Wildlife Creations
http://www.geocities.com/wldlifecreation
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
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DENlines, 9/13/03
Congress Returns: A Potentially Dangerous Fall Session for Wildlife
Court Orders Navy to Limit Sonar Use to Protect Marine Mammals
Endangered Pygmy Owl Suffers Court Setback
Interior Department Intends to Lease Offshore Area Adjacent to Arctic Refuge
Wildlife Agencies and Defenders Team up to Protect Both Sheep and Grizzly Bears
Saving Wildlife in Autumn
Sign up for Defenders' Carnivore Conference 2004!
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1. Congress Returns: A Potentially Dangerous Fall Session for Wildlife
The fall session of Congress commenced this week, with several key environmental
items on the agenda that pose a risk to wildlife and wildlife habitat:
-- Thanks to the recent blackout, House and Senate conferees are under renewed pressure
to resolve their differences on the environmentally-damaging energy bill that passed
both chambers. As always, oil interests have seized on this opportunity to push drilling
in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Defenders believes both bills will ultimately
be damaging to the environment, but will continue to track to conference committee
negotiations to at least ensure that the Bush-backed drilling language doesn't make
it into the final version of the legislation. For more information on this issue,
please visit us on the web at http://www.savearcticrefuge.org/. Bad bill overall
-- The Department of Defense (DOD) authorization bill is also in conference committee,
and again the House and Senate versions differ on key wildlife provisions: the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). House lawmakers included
language in their bill that would exempt the military from critical provisions of
the ESA and MMPA covering tens of thousands of acres of military lands and waters
and broad areas of military activities. The Senate rejected DOD's proposal for a
blanket exemption from the Endangered Species Act, instead adopting a bipartisan
amendment allowing case-by-case ESA exemptions if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
determines that they are warranted. Check back with Defenders for updates on our
efforts to ensure the preferred Senate language remains in the final bill.
-- Funding in the Transportation appropriations
bill that had been set aside for infrastructure improvements designed to benefit
wildlife has been zeroed out. Wisconsin Rep. Tom Petri (R-06) will offer an amendment
to restore the funding, which also provides for bicycle and pedestrian paths, but
the amendment faces an uphill fight.
And finally, it is possible that either chamber could see movement on forest fire
legislation that mirrors the forest management regulations put forth by the Bush
Administration. Those regulations would dismantle decades of forest protection at
the behest of the timber industry.
For more information on these and other challenges on Capitol Hill, please visit
us on the web at http://www.defenders.org/action/
2. Court Orders Navy to Limit Sonar Use to Protect
Marine Mammals
A California federal judge ruled last week that a powerful new Navy sonar system
could not be deployed because the Navy did not follow federal laws to determine the
system's impact on whales and other marine life. Tests of the new system, which acoustic
experts liken to standing near the space shuttle at liftoff, have been associated
with the deaths of dolphins, whales, and other marine mammals. But while the judge
halted deployment of the sonar, she stopped short of imposing a full peacetime ban
on the system sought by environmental groups. At the judges instruction, the Navy
and environmental groups must now negotiate a plan for use of the sonar, taking into
account the need to protect marine life.
3. Endangered Pygmy Owl Suffers Court Setback
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court ruled last week that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
acted improperly in listing the Pygmy Owl in Southern Arizona as an endangered species.
The ruling came in response to a suit by the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association,
which is seeking to develop land currently protected as owl habitat. The ruling,
while hailed as a victory by the Homebuilders, was essentially a judgment on the
technical merit of the listing and does not question the Pygmy Owls' endangered status
or remove the owl from the federal endangered species list. However, it remains to
be seen how hard the Bush Administration's Fish and Wildlife Service will work to
correct the error and protect the owls' habitat.
4. Interior Department Intends to Lease Offshore
Area Adjacent to Arctic Refuge
The Bush Administration's Department of the Interior has announced its intent to
lease nine million acres in Alaska's Beaufort Sea, just off the coast of the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge, for oil drilling. The Beaufort Sea is a rich and fragile
ecosystem, and home to a multitude of species. It provides unique habitat for twenty-five
fish species, and Bowhead whales (protected under both the Endangered Species Act
and the Marine Mammal Protection Act) migrate to and through the area during the
spring and summer on their way to important summer feeding grounds. Beyond the havoc
oil and gas exploration can wreak on such an area, environmental groups are concerned
that the ability to clean up oil spills or other damage in the broken and solid ice
conditions that are characteristic of the Beaufort Sea would be extremely limited,
making such exploration all the more dangerous to the local ecosystem.
5. Wildlife Agencies and Defenders Team up to Protect
Both Sheep and Grizzly Bears
Defenders of Wildlife recently announced a unique partnership to help keep sheep
safe from grizzly bears near Choteau, Montana. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Wildlife Services, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Defenders together funded
electric fencing around a 68 acre sheep pasture where grizzly bears had killed sixteen
sheep in a one month period.
The fence cost more than $8,000, of which Defenders contributed $4,200, and the three
agencies covered the balance. Two grizzly bear were also trapped and removed from
the area. Defenders also paid sheep grower Norris Richins full market value, $2,480,
for all the sheep verified killed. "Electric fencing has proven extremely successful
in preventing bears and other predators from killing livestock," noted Minette
Johnson, Northern Rockies Regional Representative for Defenders of Wildlife. "We
were happy to help Norris protect his sheep."
6. Sign up for Defenders Carnivore Conference 2004!
Defenders is pleased to announce Carnivores 2004: Expanding Partnerships in Carnivore
Conservation. The conference will be held November 14-17, 2004 in beautiful historic
Santa Fe, New Mexico. This will be our fifth biennial carnivore conservation conference
and promises to build on our track record of bringing together academics, activists,
and wildlife professionals to discuss a wide array of issues involved in carnivore
conservation. For more information, or to register for the conference, please visit
us on the web at http://www.carnivoreconference.org
Defenders of Wildlife
1130 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Copyright Defenders of Wildlife 2003
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POETRY
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None this month
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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 next edition is October 19, 2003. Please be sure to include
any contact information so that members can e-mail or snail-mail for further details.
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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. All contributed material may be subject to editing for content
and length.
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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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