IAT NEWSLETTERDecember 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,
Some of you may remember that last December, I confessed that I was a huge fan of
The Lord of the Rings. Folks like me are variously called "Tolkienistas"
or "Ringers" or the ever popular "Geek" (LOL), but no matter
the name, we all share a love of this trilogy and all things Tolkien. So of
course, as you might imagine, there is big excitement going on in our fandom at the
moment with the release of Peter Jackson's third and final installment, The Return
of the King (and if you haven't seen it yet, by all means, go!).
Many of us have been fans since long before the idea became a reality to make these
movies. For, it is not simply the "sword and scorcery" appeal or
the heroic characters or the creatively realized world with its fabricated languages
that has brought us back to the tome itself time and time again. There are themes
in this book (and yes, it is actually just one book despite being carved, somewhat
artificially into three pieces) -- loyalty, sacrifice, friendship, etc. -- that resonate
with the human experience no matter where you come from or what era you live in or
the tenor of your politics or faith. Sound familiar? John understood
this concept very clearly, that while trends in popular entertainment may come and
go, at the core, there are aspects of art that celebrate and touch us in ways that
are universal. It's why twenty years from now, I am quite confident that John's
music will still have significance and meaning in the world. It's why fifty
years from now, you'll still see articles about Colorado captioned "Rocky Mountain
High". And it's why, in the right here and now, we have to do everything
we can to insure that this legacy goes forward. I've said this before, and
many others have as well, but every time we bend to pick up a piece of trash, John
is there. And every time we commit ourselves to bettering our world, in whatever
expression it takes, John is singing. So yes -- Frodo Lives! And so does
John Denver.
Therefore, take some time to reflect and reassess. And while you're at it --
say a prayer for the wind and the water and the wood...and those who live there too.
My best wishes go out to each and every one of you for a joyous, blessed New Year.
My heart to yours,
Ann
PS -- A special thanks to all who contributed to this month's newsletter --
AS
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
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The mark of your ignorance
is the depth of your belief in injustice
and tragedy.
What the caterpillar calls the end of the world,
the master calls a butterfly.
-Richard Bach
(thanks to Kelly Robison for this month's quote)
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FUNDRAISER
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Nothing to report this month
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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(Thank you to Emily Parris' Rocky Mountain High
newsletter for the 2004
calendar dates)
December 31 -- Scottsdale, AZ. Celebrate what would have been John's 60th birthday
at the Franciscan Renewal Center Benefit for the Hunger Project and the Andre House.
For more information, see www.chrisnole.com
December 31 -- Monterey, CA -- Jim and Anne Curry in concert; 6 pm at the Monterey
Conference Center, Ferrante Room, giving 3 short concerts. All are invited. For info,
go to www.FirstNightMonterey.org or email jtherrien@pacbell.net
January 17, 2004 - Largo, Florida - "Rocky Mountain Memories", A musical
tribute to John Denver performed by Ron Rich / Largo Cultural Center / 8:00pm (727)
587-6793 Tickets: $15 * Info: Larry Van Scoy <lvscoy@aol.com>
April 23-25, 2004 * Cassville, PA / Spring 2004 Retreat - PA Friends of John Denver.
Bitter Goose Lodge. $45.00 Pat Liddic <tigersnwolves@comcast.net>
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 at www.johndenverpeacecloth.com
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LETTERS
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First up, a couple of reports of October celebrations
that didn't arrive in time for the newsletter:
From Judy Therrien (jtherrien@pacbell.net):
About 70 people enjoyed a special time in the Monterey/Pacific Grove area
over the John Denver Tribute Weekend, as we all hosted a special guest from
the east coast, Christopher Westfall. Chris sang, moving people's emotions
in all beautiful and possible directions while singing at the Coffee Bear,
at Del Mesa Carmel, The Park Lane, Chez Therrien, Manzanita House, Lovers
Point and at the main concert "Keeping The Music Alive: Honoring John Denver
's Legacy". But somehow, we couldn't wear him out, and Chris kept making
good friends, while singing 7 performances in 6 days, the music touching
people's hearts. It was like people couldn't get enough of that voice,
that special way of reaching out and connecting through song, and catching
that spirit in John's songs over and over. At intermission in the concert,
"John Denver: the Legacy Continues." friends, raised $800 in their raffle
and auction to help the Friends of the Monarchs and the Cousteau Society to
help fix up "Calypso". Many people joined in the pick
up over 30 gallons
of trash from the area between John's Beach to Lovers Point. The sing-a-long
at Lovers Point on Sunday had a lot of local people smiling for a long time,
too, just hearing such awesome music sung and played by Dave Singletary,
David Tyler, George Schumer, Lisa Gygax, Hochima Treppa, and Chris Westfall
as the special guest from afar.
*****
From Judith Gabriel (judithgabriel@comcast.net):
Hi!
I was so grateful that I had an opportunity to go to Aspen this year. Just
when I thought I'd met just about everyone, I met a whole bunch of new
people with different stories and experiences of John and his music. I say
different and yet they are the same.
My trip actually began in Las Vegas with a helicopter trip to the Grand
Canyon. It was one of those experiences that was a little disappointing,
since I had camped at the Grand Canyon in '96 and took a float trip down the
Colorado and a jeep trip around the area in '74, but I was glad I did it. It
was my second helicopter ride and it was very cool.
What I did love was something I thought WOULD be tedious and that is the 11
hour ride to Aspen. Instead it was glorious through all those red mountains
in Utah, and the funny thing is that I couldn't keep a radio station that I
liked tuned in so I kept turning it on and off throughout the day, and
(cross my heart) I turned it on just before getting to Grand Junction and
right as I got over the Colorado border, fiddling around with the channels,
I tuned in to John singing Calypso. I had to laugh out loud and start
singing.
It must have snowed and in the moonlight the mountains on either side of the
road glistened, and I felt so happy with the full moon and all. It was Sat.
morning.
The Wheeler concerts were grand and Mack gets better and better each year.
What is your secret, Mack! And Jim Salestrom also! I loved the rendition of
Afternoon Delight. Of course everyone was great and the comedian really
cracked me up. I always love to see Jim Horn and Bill Danoff. I enjoyed
hearing John Adams also. Great band as well.
I was so very happy to see Tom Crum win the award for representing and
living John's vision and beliefs. As I told one lady and would love to tell
Tom, I vividly remember that every day, during a class I took with Tom in
'85, he would tell a story about John--not to bring in the "famous" person
but to illustrate something he was teaching. And the look on his face, I
always noticed, was like it was far away, like he was experiencing the
incident, and we could tell so much love was there. I can't think of any
non-family member more deserving than he.
As always it was great to visit Windstar. The statue of John is marvelous,
and I finally met Doug and Marge MacDonald. They are so nice and so
dedicated to Windstar. They introduced me to Erma's sister, John's aunt, who
brought tears to my eyes. At one point she looked away and said she wished
John had known how much he was loved. Me too--but he knows it now, I
somehow feel sure of that, and I'm glad that the love is a positive
expression by so many people in so many different places and ways across the
earth.
It was also nice to see Eileen Stein who has formed a Windstar Connection in
PA. Good luck to them also. And of course the Peace Cloth folks and
everyone at Windstar did a wonderful job. I finally met Harlean with whom
I've spoken via email and phone but never met personally.
Visiting Maroon Bells is always special to me, and I didn't have the
opportunity to spend as much time in the mountains as I like, but I did meet
some fascinating local people. One was Nancy Van Domelen who wrote a book
called "Dreaming a New World." We connected at her book signing at
the book
store on main street. We talked and it appears she taught school in Aspen.
She asked me if I ever met John and I said no, but I felt that he had a very
strong presence that came through even on TV and especially in concert, and
she said the same thing. Of course, she HAD met him when he came for
parent's night, to sing for the children, and around town, and she commented
on the same thing. She even emphasized the STRONG presence he had. What a
nice connection.
I also spent a day with a lady whose email address passed by me for several
years and then disappeared only to reappear as a real person now living in
Aspen. She was inspired to write books highlighting the plight of the polar
bears in Alaska. To hear how John and his music affected her and other
people is amazing and is a true testament to John's artistry, his presence,
and his vision as well as to art of all kinds in general. We many times
forget that the expression of the inner into the outer world is so necessary
for our health and well-being and our connection to one another. Bless those
artists that serve that connection.
So that ended another wonderful trip to Aspen, and I brought home two
wonderful and meaningful treats. One, a Native American rattle made from a
gourd with Kokopelli on it from my Grand Canyon trip about which I haggled a
bit with the salesman who finally gave it to me at a discount. I've never
been billed for it. The other was, after the third time in the shop at the
Aspen Airport, this book that finally jumped out at me. It's called "The
Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. I had been wanting to read it ever since it
came out. It took three times staring at the books, though, before I saw
it. I sat in the airport and opened it and there was a revue by Jerry
Jampolsky. It is a book about finding, being, and doing our purpose--the
kind of book John would have loved I think. I never was billed for it and
the high mt. honey I bought either(Maybe next month?!)So my journey this
time was about people and songs as usual but also about books, writing,
honey, and rattles, too--perhaps I need to be rattled, to be sweetened and
awakened to something new. Who knows! The song that each of us IS
continues....
Peace,
Judith Gabriel
*****
Tributes in honor of John's 60th birthday:
From Theresa Workman (Theresa948@webtv.net):
Dear IAT:
It's hard to believe that John will be 60 on Dec. 31. If only John could still be
here to help oversee Windstar, to make music richer than ever, and to see how well
his children are doing. Too many of our celebrities are gone but not forgotten, although,
John was more of a celebrity for his work thru Windstar. Sure, he was a talented
songwriter and musician, but his legacy doesn't end there. His involvement in the
environmental movement is what he's know for. And as long as there are John Denver
fans, there will also be involvement on their part to see that the job that he left
unfinished will oneday be finished.
Sincerely,
Theresa
*****
From Sandy Clark (tybrenn@comcast.net):
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and Happy Holidays to all my IAT friends! I can't
believe we've been 'together' this long. Thank you for being there
for each other (and for me) during those times when we just need a friend who understands.
Thank you for all you do for your family, for your community and for the world -
something as simple as picking up a piece of trash or as involved as saving a forest
- it helps all of us. John would be very proud. And
keep spreading John's wonderful words. They are certainly words
we should all live by!
"Peace, my friends."
Sandy Clark
tybrenn@comcast.net
Co-founder of IAT
*****
From Theresa Shea (Tree1a@aol.com):
Greetings, well another year has almost passed. I would like to make two points
in this letter. First I would like to make a acknowledgement. Most of you are
aware a book was published by Dawn Publications "Sunshine On My Shoulders"
and if you have not yet purchased one, after reading it myself, I will tell you,
that you or any child would not be disappointed. I had the pleasure of speaking with
Richard last week and he generously donated three of the books for a very good reason
- So that they may be passed along. I have seen that each book went to a person
who in turn will donate the book to a school or Library so that more people can enjoy
this wonderful book. More importantly, that John's Music be heard and his words be
spread into many areas. So, I would like to thank Dawn Publications for the donation
and the thoughtful deed.
Now that brings me to my second thing. I have read and heard a lot about how
it's been six years since John has passed and that this month will be John's 60th
birthday. There has been a lot of discussion of what will I do?
Well, if you were to ask me what I were doing, I am telling you here and now, nothing
but something and what does that mean? John would have been 60, I just turned
50. If John were to ask me what's it going to mean turning 60, I would say
the same as it was for me to turn 50 and the next person who turned 40, etc.
It is like when your car hits 3,000 miles and you know, it's time for an oil change.
It's like when winter leaves with its beauty and spring pops up and we see the bulbs
we planted emerge from the ground. It's all just a time when we stop, think,
pause and reassess where we are. And it is things that are going on in our life that
have some influence on us as to the decisions we do make and the goals we set for
our future.
Shortly after all this talk started, my son called from college in Rhode Island.
He said mom, get some food ready. I have to put together food for the local
food pantry. That reminded me to do the same for my local food pantry, so I
sent down 6 bags and a check. I sent out another check to another food pantry.
Then my son was asked to donate to a local Make a Wish foundation, I read his letter
and decided to send a check of my own, here is a bit of the letter: Picture a child
on Santa's lap, and the smile upon his face, and we all wish that each and every
child would always be that happy and that healthy. It is a time for us to all come
together, to share in the joy, of Christmas. More importantly, it is time to remember
the extra special children who depend on a foundation like yours not just at Christmas
time, but all the year through. To sum it up here, I want to say this.
It was a generous thing that we got the books and could donate them so that children
may have the pleasure of reading John's words. It is a generous thing to have
a son who cares to collect food or donate to a foundation. All of this I feel in
the end was started by one person, John Denver. John put that message in the
music he wrote and sang and he conveyed to us how he felt he wanted to live his life
and that he hope a little of it passed on to us, I hope I passed some on to my son.
So on this 2003 Christmas and John's 60th birthday I tell you this. The nothing
I will be doing is nothing new. I hope to still listen and do what my heart tells
me and go where it leads me. That comes from listening to John's Music for
many years. So that's why I call it nothing, because I feel it's nothing new
for me it's been so long. But the something, is that I hope to continue to
do these things.
Six years ago, a group was started called "It's About Time" by Marcelle,
Sandy and Me. The reason we got together was to head in the direction of doing things
just like this. We wanted to continue John's work, to make a difference in
the world and in people's lives, people of all ages. It is six years later
and we continue to share this common goal - to keep the memory of John Denver alive
through the work and the causes he believed in. I remember Marcelle asked me, what
do you want to call us? I said "It's About Time", because its like the
song, "It's about you and me together". And I say that for 2003 and for
John's Birthday, what I am doing is confirming again that this started out as our
goal and to remind myself of that goal. With everyone's help - and we number many
now - we all must continue all the good things.
With all that has happened in six years I realize now that I don't have to do anything,
but I must continue to do something, the something that we have all been doing, what
ever that thing has been, it has made a difference. We have all made a difference.
So for John's birthday I am not doing a special thing, but I am doing small things
but keeping involved, sharing what I have and what I know and what I have learned
and most of it, from John's Music and being involved with all JD Friends. On
John's birthday I will think of one thing and it often gets me through the day "
How sweet it is to love someone, how right it is to care". I will end with a
quote from John, and tell you my friends, 60 years old, 50 years old, say these words
everyday and life is what we make it, and living by these words, it's a happy one,
Happy Birthday John!
"Get involved and make a difference. I remind people that you don't have to
do it all.....but there is something that you can do and it can be easy. It
doesn't have to be a great sacrifice, if it comes out of your own heart and spirit......."
John Denver.
HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY JOHN, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY GOD BLESS AMERICA
To my JD Friends, Happy Holidays to you and your family and Peace to you all.
THERESA SHEA / "It's About Time" / Co-founder and Secretary
*****
From Carole Romanowski (whispjesse@aol.com):
Poems, Praise, and Prophecies
New Year's Eve in '43
Ushered in the being of John.
He grew and sang a prophecy
To pattern man's existence on.
But as with other prophets
He was ignored, misunderstood.
For any change in status quo
Is viewed as radical, not good.
But those of us who followed
John's example, heard his songs,
Shed the mantle of complacency,
Endeavored to right universal wrongs.
Oh pity me if I should turn
My back on those in need,
Or ravage our dear Mother Earth,
Surrendering to corporate greed.
Please always let me act with love
For a common brotherhood
With all men and creatures seen as one -
Let the prophet be understood.
And so on New Year's Eve this year
Find a star to gaze upon.
And in concert, love and honor
Sing out a "Happy Birthday, John!"
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WEBSITES OF INTEREST
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None this month
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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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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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None this month
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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 January 19, 2004. 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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