IAT NEWSLETTER
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Calendar of Events | Conscious Choices | Environmental News | For Sale | |
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Letter from the President | Letters & Poems | 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)
Co-Presidents -- Ann Schnitz (aerie01@comcast.net)
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,
I hope all of you had a pleasant summer!
First, a little business. In thinking back on the recent newsletters, it occurred to me that they were beginning to get a little thin in content. There just doesn't appear to be time enough to produce a lengthy newsletter every month, even though some of you guys send me such wonderful articles and poems. Thank you again to everyone who regularly contributes – it is much appreciated. So anyway, in light of that, I've decided to switch IAT's newsletter to a quarterly schedule, beginning with this one. You can expect to see the Winter edition in January 2007. In between, I'll send out an updated calendar monthly, and of course, pass on any noteworthy items as well. Please let me know your feelings about this – if you absolutely hate it, we can look at some other options to keep on producing a monthly newsletter. And do keep sending things for the newsletter and calendar – they will be distributed in a timely manner.
So now – on to the good stuff! The trip to Alaska was the trip of a lifetime. We landed in Anchorage, spent the weekend traveling about a bit (we took in a Glacier cruise in Whittier, about an hour south of Anchorage, and then spent Sunday at the Alaska Native Heritage Center) and then headed up to Little Mulchatna via two small planes on Monday. There, it was a relaxing week of fishing (well, I cleaned the fish!), walking and enjoying the view. Doesn't sound allthat exciting, but just being there was so wonderful. And it really was easy to see how inspiring a place it was to JD. I wish all of you could've been there with us, but to some extent, you were. I thought a lot about my commitment to taking care of this incredible legacy that John has left us. I thank each and every one of you for being with me on this journey.
My heart to yours,
Ann
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
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CITATION FOR THE AGES: "I am testifying as an emotional woman, and I would like to ask you, gentlemen, what's wrong with emotion? Beauty is a resource in and of itself. Alaska must be allowed to be Alaska; that is her greatest economy. I hope the United States of America is not so rich that she can afford to let these wildernesses pass by, or so poor she cannot afford to keep them."
--Mardy Murie, testifying before the US Congress in 1980 during the debate regarding the expansion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
(from Kathy Lill [denver@southwind.net])
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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October Highway Cleanup
Happy Fall Everyone,
Our October Highway cleanup will take place on Sunday, October 29th. We
will meet at Friendly Farm on NH Route 101 in Dublin at 1 p.m.
Afterward, we have been invited to what has become an annual soup and
salad supper, at the home of Kathy & Bill Engle in Dublin.
For directions or questions... please call or email.
Diane Nilsson
603-878-0967
October 8, 2006 / Pacific Grove, CA - 9th Annual John Denver Beach Clean Up and Memorial Tribute / John Denver Beach / The turnout on Ocean View Blvd. between Acropolis and Asilomar. Clean Up and picnic starting at 11:00am / John Denver Memorial Tribute 5:00pm / Dinner at Gianni's after the Tribute. Debra < PixieDmyr@aol.com >
October 11, 2006 - Aspen, CO - "Friends With You" Concert at the Aspen Community Church - Mark Cormican, Chris Collins and the Boulder Canyon Band 7:00pm * apokey1@aol.com
October 12, 2006 - Aspen, CO - Work detail at the John Denver Sanctuary 9:00am - Noon / Curtis.Griffy@guidant.com
October 12, 2006 - Aspen, CO - Meet and Greet - John Denver Sanctuary 3:00pm * aspeninoctober@wowway.com
October 12, 2006 - Aspen, CO - "Worship on the Mountain" John Denver Sanctuary 3:30pm Christian non-denominational service officiated by Pastor Keith Perry * aspeninoctober@wowway.com
October 12, 2006 - Aspen, CO - 9th Annual John Denver Campfire at Maroon Bells East Portal 6:00pm * skyking@cell1net.net
October 13, 2006 - Aspen, Co - Assisted Living Center Sing-along. Meet in Wagner Park at 9:00am / Singalong at noon * Shari Sullivan: apokey1@aol.com
October 13, 2006 - Aspen, CO - Peace Cloth Event 1:00pm Mountain Chalet * eve@johndenverpeacecloth.com
October 13-14, 2006 - Aspen, CO - 9th Annual "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" - Wheeler Opera House 7:00pm 320 E. Hyman Avenue / John Sommers, Mack Bailey, Chris Nole, Jim Salestrom, Bill Danoff, Mollie Weaver, Pete Huttlinger, Jim Horn, Richie Gajate-Garcia, Herb Pederson and Alan Deremo. Also Wendy Larson conducting "The Symphony In the Valley". Kathy Mattea will join the John Denver Band for the October 13th performance. The M.U.S.E. Foundation Tickets: $45, $75 and $125 VIP
http://www.musicunites.com
http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com (970) 92-5770
October 14, 2006 - Aspen, CO - "Let This Be A Voice" / Mt. Chalet 10:30am - 3:30pm $25 for concert/lunch/auction; $15 for auction/concert. Send check/m.o. to Pam along with a SASE Pam Beasley / 721 Ravencroft Drive / Garland, TX 75043 * Pam's NEW email: firendsky@mac.com
October 14, 2006 - Windstar Land Conservancy, Snowmass, CO 1:30pm - 3:30pm Bring work gloves To be added to the volunteer list: curtis.griffy@guidant.com
October 15, 2006 - Snowmass, CO - Snowmass Chapel Service in Snowmass Village. Reception in the garden following the service. 9:00am
October 15, 2006 - Snowmass, CO - Windstar Celebration at the Windstar Land Conservancy 10:00am - 4:00pm $35 (Windstar Membership) * apokey1@aol.com
October 15, 2006 - Aspen, CO - A Special Concert with Mack Bailey, Chris Nole, and Pete Huttlinger / Mountain Chalet Ballroom / 333 East Durant Ave. 5:30pm (reception) 6:30pm Concert / Reception includes a wrap and drink. Tickets $25 * Send check to "Spa Creek Music / PO Box 201435 / Denver, CO 80220 * karen@mackbailey.com
http://www.mackbailey.com/schedule.htm#aspen
October 15, 2006 - Aspen, CO - John Adams Concert at the Wheeler Opera House: Rocky Mountain High 7:00pm with Guido Bos, Dave Harding, Diane Ireland, Tom Paxton, Rusty Speigle and Randy Utterback. (970) 920-5770 www.wheeleroperahouse.com $35 / Children & seniors $20
October 16, 2006 - Aspen, CO - John Denver Sanctuary Picnic and Jam/Sing-along. Bring your own picnic lunch. 11:00am / Jam at noon / Please bring your own instruments. Event will end in time for "It's Goodbye Again" / (Mt. Chalet in case of rain) / Dale: renegadetroutfitter@networld.com
October 16, 2006 - Aspen, CO - "It's Goodbye Again" 5:00pm Wagner Park on Durant Ave. (Ball field across from Mountain Chalet). Don't just leave! Come and bid farewell, reflect on the past few days, and look to the future. Bring kleenexes and cameras. Deb: aspeninoctober@wowway.com
October 21, 2006 / Pilot Mountain, NC - 8:00pm "An Evening With Christopher Westfall" - Sawbriar Acoustic Stage, a coffeehouse-styled venue. 111 East Main Street $10 http://chriswestfall.com * www.sawbriar.com
October 28, 2006 / Annapolis, MD - 6th Annual "Music From the Mountains" - a tribute to John Denver / The Hard Travelers and friends / Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts 8:00pm Tickets not yet on sale /
www.mdhallarts.org
http://www.musicunites.com
October 28, 2006 - UK - John Denver Tribute Charity Concert by Neil & Gill Sharman / The Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, near Birkenhead, Merseyside, England http://www.timberwolf-studios.com / neilandgill@timberwolf-studios.com
November 11, 2006 / Bristol, PA - "An Evening of John Denver and Chris Westfall Music" performed by Chris Westfall, 7:00 PM. Silver Lake Nature Center, 1306 Bath Road, Bristol, PA 19007. $10.00. Reservations are requested to approximate numbers. 215-785-1177.
www.silverlakenaturecenter.org Email bobh817@verizon.net for more information
November 11, 2006 - Vero Beach, FL - "Music From the Mountains" - A Tribute to John Denver Benefit Concert for Indian River Memorial Hospital / The Wax Lax Center at St. Edwards School / 1895 St. Edward's Drive Tickets: $150 & $250 include a reception, dinner, silent and live auctions (772) 567-4311 http://www.irhf.org Indian River Hospital Foundation *
http://www.musicunites.com/Schedule.htm
November 11, 2006 UK "Denver Day" - Coventry / Performances by Brad & Kathy Fitch / Info: president@fojd.org.uk http://www.fojd.org.uk
December 3-10, 2006 - Richard Hatch's Jammin' Jamaican Adventure Cruise / From Miami, FL to the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and back. * http://www.richardhatch.com
December 9, 2006 - UK - Neil & Gill Sharman's annual songs for Christmas Show. The Scout Hall, Chapeltown, Sheffield, South Yorkshire. http://www.timberwolf-studios.com 3:00pm neilandgill@timberwolf-studios.com
Weekends - Every Friday & Saturday - Branson, MO * "John Denver Lives" - Dinner 5:00pm & performance 5:30pm-6:30pm $24.95 Hillbilly Inn & Dinner Theatre / Hillbilly Inn Motel / 1166 West Highway 76 / Branson, MO 65616 info@hillbillyinn.com * 1-800-535-0739 www.johndenverlives.com * rodphil549@aol.com
(thanks to Emily Parris and the Rocky Mountain High newsletter for many of these dates; thanks too, to Karen Tupek for keeping us up to date with Mack Bailey’s schedule, Judy Therrien for information on Chris Westfall’s engagements, and Deb Sanderson for news of events in California)
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 & POEMS
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Epiphany in Verse
(by Carole Romanowski - whispjesse@aol.com)
Did you hear a hush in the cotton woods?
Glimpse a shadow hike the mountain ridge?
Feel a frisson of wonder at a butterfly?
Hear streams babble 'neath a covered bridge?
These were my "Autographs" scripted for nine years
".....for the soul is a free flying thing."
My spirit spoke without mortal resonance
...A courier's message with a familiar ring.
I was your conscience during personal struggle
Your inspiration to reprove a social wrong.
Your reason to love nature, respect mankind
Your desire to live "the truth of the song."
From temporal to never really far away
Through a "smile...or a prayer" I abound
So journey in the footprints I left behind
I'll walk beside you...just on "Higher Ground."
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Hi IAT,
As you know, Earth Song Environmental Foundation, Inspired by the Music & Vision of John Denver (the bank loved that name), formerly The John Denver Memorial Foundation is no more. We have some memorabilia that was donated to us along the way. We want to make it available to others, hoping to increase our final gift at the end of September to the Berks County Conservancy. Attached is the list of items [Please email me if interested and I'll pass on the list – AS]. It does not include shipping which the person would have to pay as well. People can email me to ask questions or get the price with shipping. If someone wants to make an offer for all of it, that is great as well. I've also attached Sharon's picture so you can see it. Finally, if interested in any of the items, make your checks to the Berks County Conservancy, and we will include them with our final gift.
The foundation's goal never included simply having small concerts but was to raise substantial money, using John's music and that of other like-minded musicians, for environmental issues, first in PA, and then we hoped, as we grew, to other areas as well. Our basic need was to find a few large businesses to fund a concert with name artists with a folk concert of all John's music the next day. This way, we would only have to ask for funding from businesses the first few years, and then we could go on our own from the proceeds of the concerts. We gave ourselves three years after our incorporation to get that funding. We figured if we couldn't get at least one big business in that time, it was not going to happen. We didn't get that support. Consequently, we are in the process of folding up the tent and moving on, still always listening to John's music and sharing his message whenever we can, supporting environmental causes in our own individual way. We will continue to clean a stretch of road as long as I can get people to help me. We are the PA Friends of John Denver--Berks Co. branch.
As President, my biggest need was in personnel to help me solicit funds, and I couldn't get anyone to devote 10-15 hours a week for free to help me do the fundraising. I had lots of folks who thought they wanted to be involved until they saw the amount of work it took. I can't blame them. Everyone's life is hectic as it is; however, the work became too much for me; I became ill in 2004-5 and had to re-evaluate where my time and energy had to go. I devoted nine years to fundraising--alone and with the foundation--and we gave away about $8,000. Not a large amount considering the work we put into producing the concerts, but we also gave a lot of enjoyment with John's music performed by some great musicians. We still have benches at Hawk Mt., and we planted a tree in John's name on the conservancy lands. The past board members are still going to put a plaque there. The conservancy said they will take good care of our tree.
It is with great sadness that I end this project but with great hope that those who were touched by John's life and music will continue in whatever way they can to support Mother Earth and all who live there and the beautiful music she inspired in John and through him to everyone.
Peace,
Judith Gabriel
Judith Gabriel Integrational Bodyworks
2271 Hampden Blvd. G5
Reading, PA 19604
phone: 610-371-9122
www.judithgabriel.com
fax:610-685-5680
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"There's A Man Who Is My Brother....)
(by Carole Romanowski - whispjesse@aol.com)
I read an article recently in my daily newspaper with some shocking statistics that do not include the Katrina disaster victims in Louisiana - the number of hungry in
America went up 37% from 1997-2005 and 9% from 2001-2005! Imagine! And in a country that's the global leader of the world! What are the hunger statistics in other less affluent countries??
The hunger population in our country rose the most in urban areas and in families with one paycheck coming in. Obviously there is a growing inequity between the paycheck and rising costs. What does this say about the plight of the homeless? In addition, the fastest growing ethnic group suffering from hunger is the white race.
Many of the hungry rely on soup kitchens and other charities to be fed. I know St. John's Episcopal Church, like many others in my area, organizes food drives around holidays - the public brings in nonperishables like boxed food (cereal,rice,etc.) and canned goods to donate to needy families. Plus many supermarkets, like the A&P and Shopright, provide "free" turkeys and hams to customers who have spent a certain amount of money on their groceries. These"free" foods can be donated to feed the hungry - at virtually no cost to you! I've done it for years now and many of you have probably too. Please continue to do so to provide a meal for those in need in your area
Also, my local post office runs a one- day food drive for non-spoilable foods for the needy put in paper bags to be picked up by our mailman during mail delivery. This event is usually around May in my area and always on a Saturday when most people are home. If you do not have such a program in your area, perhaps you can contact your local post office or organize a petition in your section of the city to initiate one in your neighborhood.
We have a moral responsibility to help and to feed our brother and, in doing so, have an opportunity to recall and act upon the lyrics in John's song "It's About Time".....and it hurts me when he's (my brother's) hungry... . Let us honor John Denver's message and legacy and support his World Hunger Project, not only globally but within our own environment.
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A review of John Denver Tribute nights with original band members from the USA. Pete Huttlinger, Chris Nole and Mack Bailey. Plus support act from UK, Neil & Gill Sherman. At Kirkby Church Hall, Station Road. Kirkby In Cleveland.
Hi all!
I was very impressed with the excellent quality of the musicians at Kirkby. I am very pleased that Ray Freeman (he is a local promoter in the Teeside area of NE Yorkshire) paid their airfare, etc... I read on Pet Huttlinger's website that a few times, he had tried to take a guitar onboard a flight, but apparently guitars are the Only musical instrument that are refused - as the guitar wires/strings could be used offensively. Then after coming out of the hold, they are nothing but matchsticks and wires. Quite a few have been lost, along with lots of baggage containing important stuff! So I guess that was why at the end, they thanked Neil for being able to use his guitars and sound equipment!
The concert started with Neil & Gill Sharman (who do Tribute shows with John's songs (Neil does a Great 'Bells of Rhymney'!!!)) and other material inc some of their own, and thereby raise funds for many deserving charities). Then after a few songs, Pete and Chris played some songs. Pete's guitar sounded like a 'virtuoso' and when playing with another guitar, it sounded like an orchestra was playing! And Chris's piano was excellent! and the two of them 'jamming' was absolute ecstasy!!! WOW!!! Then Mack Bailey sang some songs - mostly Johns. There was lots of interplay. The village hall got very hot - as England was having a v unusual heatwave for several weeks over summer. There was no air conditioning, so we opened the fire doors during the break for some relief! I was/We were quite hot and sun-tanned from the 4 hour drive up to North Yorkshire on the Saturday!
On the Sunday we took a wrong turning and headed north for 20 miles when we should have been heading south, but luckily we managed to go over the awesome hills and magnificent forests that are on the N Yorkshire Moors in all that amazing sunshine which is so rare in England! Sorry I didn't record what songs they played, but that would have spoilt my enjoyment which was immense. Also I was pretty tired from the journey and I am recovering from some Spinal Fusion on my neck in April this year! There was some video recording of the concerts, but I am not sure how these will be available. If you could get a copy, I would heartily recommend you did get one, because the entire night was fabulous!!!
Cheers
John Atherton [john.ath@ntlworld.com]
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"It is Simply an Idea..."
(by Carole Romanowski - whispjesse@aol.com)
Please let me share with you a beautiful and true account about fostering needy children in foreign lands. The last few years my sister, Marie,has sponsored two children - a 4-year-old boy in India through World Vision (WorldVision.org) and a 7-year-old boy in the Phillipines through Christian Children's Fund (christianchildrensfund.org). Both charities have been researched and are legitimate and have brought so much joy to not only these 2 children but also to Marie! She mails them packages three to four times a year, containing socks, shirts, cards, books, age appropriate toys,etc., and the feedback from their families is with heartfelt gratitude and love!
In these remote and poor areas of the world, a small sum of money goes weeks farther than if spent here in America. I have often wondered in today's world how John would feel and what he would be doing with all the global unrest and natural disasters currently underway and their affect on the children. The answer is simple - he would be helping the small ones!
Perhaps those of us who are emotionally open, like my sister, can consider making a difference by "...standing on the threshold of a dream..." and sponsoring a child - for now more than ever - "I know it's time has come."
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CONSCIOUS CHOICES – TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SAVING $, TIME AND THE ENVIRONMENT
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Here's a few interesting websites:
Know Your Trees - teaches you about the numerous uses for different types of trees http://www.knowyourtrees.org/
Abundant Forests Alliance
http://www.abundantforests.org/
Global Warming: Calculate Your Impact - AOL Research & Learn http://reference.aol.com/nowyouknow/globalwarming/calculator
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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. We now have a shopping cart to make your purchases easier!
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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Defenders Wildlife eNews:
please click here
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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 December 19, 2006. 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 contents of this newsletter are 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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