A HAPPY, HEALTHY, BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU from the Officers and Board of Directors from CNYBA!
Our Monthly Jamboree will be held from 2-6PM on January 28, 2001 at Raphael's Restaurant, 930 State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse, NY. It will be an "OPEN MIC" for all people, experienced and/or inexperienced who enjoy playing bluegrass and old-time country music. All are welcome. There is no admission fee, but a "Hat" will be passed. Food and beverages available. Come join the fun!! For information and sign-up call Neil Shortslef at 315-947-5545 or Peter Carr at 315-635-5800.
Our two new band chairmen, Neil Shortslef and Pete Carr are now in charge of contacting bands for our monthly Jamborees. Both of these men are bluegrass music lovers (Neil sings and plays with Andy Pawlenko and the Smokey Hollow Boys and Pete plays his mandolyn whenever he gets the chance. Both men have much knowledge of bluegrass and old-time country music and will surely be an asset to our organization.
Via several fellow bluegrass members it was stated that our Christmas Party held on December 10 at Raphael's was a big success with 93 people attending. Thunder Mountain Bluegrass Band from Mass. did a superior job entertaining as well as Andy Pawlenko and the Smokey Hollow Boys. Everyone had a great time and the food was delicious too. Marion LaMont and Sam Murphy made and donated the centerpieces which were later won by our members. Cindy, daughter of Helen Weldon made all the favors. Thanks to all who made the party a success. Also, anyone who took pictures at the Christmas Party--would you please donate a copy (or negative) to Thayle for our album/scrap book? Thanks.
Joni Russell would like to have instructions on playing an upright bass. Anyone who would be willing to help her may contact her at 2521 E Maple Terrace, Marcellus, NY 13108 at 315-673-1021 or e-mail: sparechangeter21@aol.com
Our Vice-President/Membership/Sunshine chairlady now has an e-mail address: helwel80@hotmail.com. Now you can send her a note via e-mail. She likes jokes too.
Welcome new members: Mr and Mrs. Brindsley McCann, Fulton, NY: Howard and Charlotte Morgan, Preble, NY: and Lester Worrell, Dillwyn, VA. A Great Big Welcome to you all from CNYBA.
WHAT'S HAPPENING: January 21--a Bluegrass Extravaganza held at Quality Inn (Buckly Rd and I-90) at 2:00PM. Admission $15 per person. A buffet available from 11AM to 1PM. Starring: Don Rigsby (Lonesome River Band), James King (James King Band), Ronnie Stewart (Lynn Morris Band), Sammy Shelor (Lonesome River Band) and Gene Libbea (Nashville Bluegrass Band). Jamming before and after the show. Info: Andy and Susan Alexander at (607)582-6363.
Lonesome Road Ramblers appearing at the Town Hall Opry, Bainbridge, NY 8-11PM.
Info: Brenda Tryon at 607-753-1615.Ramblin' with Helen- - by Helen Weldon
Well folks, I can assure you many are going to have a "White Christmas" this year. I'm writing this on the 21st and yesterday we got "socked" with over a foot of that fluffy white stuff--and you all know I like it.....wrong, I can assure you! Hope everyone had a happy, healthy Holiday season, spent with loved ones.
I was so sorry to miss our Annual Christmas Party, but not trusting the weather wouldn't have anyone make a special trip out of their way for me (thanks for the offer Pete and Mary). Others who missed it were our secretary Thayle, Peter Hoysic and all his family and Joy Crouch. Thayle's leg decided to "act up", and she spent the day of our party in the hospital. She is now home and after being "grounded for four days" is out and about some. Peter's son Luke, 37 years old, was hospitalized with a ruptured anurism in his brain. He had extensive surgery, was "touch and go" for several days, but am so thankful to report he is gaining and going to be OK.
I just got off the phone with Joy Crouch--she was scheduled to go home today, but had a "set-back" and couldn't do so. However, she is still planning on being home for Christmas, but after a couple of weeks will have to return for more chemo. She said to say thanks for all the cards and calls, but folks please keep them going to her and Ray--they help--2105 Co. Rt 45, Fulton, NY 13069.
I sent 22 Christmas cards to members who had been "Under-the-weather" during the year, and those who are in the "sunny, but cool south". I've had cards and notes from many thanking me for remembering them. George Hall wrote that Betty has her "ups and downs". He is good, and they go to friends for jam sessions a couple of times a week. Their daughter Pat and her family are going down for Christmas. Ruth Holden wrote that she had been sick, but better and sent a picture taken years ago at Lamb's Turkey Farm, that has Bill Holden, Pete Carr and another fellow I don't know "jammin' up a storm". I'll bring it to the Jan. meeting so all can see Pete in his "younger days". Bibiane Bouthillette wrote regarding how much she appreciated being remembered and caring so much for her and Lucien. She is in the process of entering Lucien into a nursing home in Cornwall, Canada where her family lives. The decision is a hard one, but she has to face the fact she can't give him the care he needs, and the cost is much less in Canada. She will spend one week a month with him and stay with her sister. Please keep them in your prayers that this will work our for them.
Olive Loucks called me regarding an auto accident our new member Evelyn Downs was in on December 12th. She is now home, but know a cheerful card or note would help to "lift her spirits"--lets show her how much we all care about our "bluegrass family" members--send a card now to 3162 Whitelaw Rd, Canastota, NY 13032. I'm counting on you to do this. The "Doodle-de-doo" fiddler, Peter Hoysic his renewal and asked me to thank everyone for all the cards he's received this year--they do help "lift ones spirits".
I had a nice note from Kathy Kinney and here is her message to you all: "Please express to ALL our bluegrass friends how much we thank them all for the letters, money, and support they have given us. There just aren't words to tell you how up-lifting it has been to know how many lives Mom touched and how much she was loved. I, personally, received over 400 cards. Thanks again, and believe me I'll be seeing you all this summer. Love, Kathy and the Sweet family".
Earlier this evening, while talking with Thayle, she told me about receiving some news regarding the following from John Wilmot: Pat Parsnow was in the hospital for 15 days in November, and his son Luke broke his arm Thanksgiving AM. Also one of Bob and Marilyn Treat's grandchild being ill. I called Pat and had a nice visit with him. He assured me his is doing fine and he sounded as though he was. He had 3 more "stints" put into his heart to join the two he previously had put in! (Don't understand what this means but as long as he is OK that's all that counts). Luke is sporting a cast on his arm, which he broke falling out of his bunk bed Thanksgiving morning at 4:30AM. He also told me he had attended the funeral service the day before for the 24 year old son of Jim Bycke, a fellow from Sodus who has attended some of our meetings and goes regularly to Pats to "jam". Jim's son, Jason, was in the service and was one of the 4 boys who were killed in an airplane crash.
I wish I had as many "good news" and I have "bad", but that's not the case. However, it is nice to know over 90 enjoyed our Christmas Party--the centerpieces were beautiful, the favors (all made by my daughter Cindy) were enjoyed by all. The beautiful tablecloth (which was made and donated by Marion LaMont) was raffled off and the money enriched our treasury, and the music fantastic.
My sincere thanks to all of you who remembered me with cards, and for the notes received--it all makes this endeavor less of a labor and more of a pleasure. Please call me if you know of someone who needs a card or note.
A Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year to each of you , and may 2001 be a good one for each of you and our Association also. See you in Cato on January 14th. Until next time remember---Families are like fudge.....mostly sweet with a few nuts. (Sounds like our Bluegrass Family.....)
Helen
Written by Thayle Phair,Secretary/Editor CNYBA
