At a membership meeting held on September 9, 2001, a motion was made and passed that we would start holding semi-monthly jamborees. Our first one will be held at the Canastota VFW Bingo Hall in Canastota from 2-5PM on October 28, 2001. Same low cost of $5--children 16 and under free--food and beverages available. Handicap-accessible and smoke free. Entertaining will be: JOE La MAY and SHERRI REESE with GENESEE ROSE and also CROOKED BROOK (see calendar for more details).

Jack Burns senda a huge "THANK YOU" TO ALL who participated in and made possible a very successful "Wings, Strings and Musical Things". All your efforts areappreciated and all consideration made from this venture will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Karl Paisley forwarded a couple of links that hold information of interest to all bluegrass lovers. One is for fans of Bill Monroe at - http://www.mandolincafe.com/monroe/intex.html and another source for bluegrass lyrics - http://www.bluegrasslyrics.com./. Thanks Karl.

We still have our 25th Silver Anniversary CD available for all who are interested--contains 22 fantastic productions of past and present bluegrass bands of CNYBA. See info elsewhere in website.

YES, we will be having a 4th Annual CNYBA Bluegrass Festival, August 1-4, 2002 at the Apple Festival Grounds, LaFayette, NY. Please mark your calendar for 2002. Thefollowing people will chair these areas: John Van Dusen, festival Chairman; Ed
Campbell, co-chairman and in charge of electric; Gate Jack Burns and Neil Shortslef;
Program book, Carl Stump; parking and booking of electric, Jack Burna; Grounds, Sam
Murphy; Bands, Carl Stump and Neil Shortslef; Food Ed Campbell and John Van Dusen;
Vendors, Marion LaMont; Publicity and Advance tickets, Thayle Phair. Anyone with suggestions and/or offers to help may contact these people.

On a suggestion from Peggy Miller and followed through by Sue Hayden, all CNYBA members, who are interested, may get a quilt block from Sue to decorate and return by February 2002 for the purpose of creating a beautiful quilt to raffle off at our 2002festival.

Welcome, new member: Roy D Murphy, Syracuse.

RAMBLIN WITH HELEN - by Helen Weldon

With the tragic, devastating news of the past two weeks, and today's dark, dreary sky and pouring rain, it seem almost impossible to make myself write my "visit" with you. However, life must and will go on, so here I am.

First, a big thank-you to my dear friend Thayle for stopping in after the September meeting to see how I was doing, and was so glad to hear that CNYBA is in good hands with the new slate of officers. Thanks also for those who sent cards, e-mails and calls during and after my "entertaining" some kind of a virus. Folks, when I had to cancel going out for breakfast, a coffee hour and 4 dinner/meetings for O.E.S., you know I had to be sick; but am now back in circulation.

Once again, I'd like to remind you that when you send in your renewal you DO NOT have to cut out the application blank to send along. Just send your check, and any change of address, etc. on a slip of paper, as I have all the information needed in my card file.

Speaking of renewals--Thanks go out to Stuart Johnson for the most generous donation he sent with his renewal; and to the several who always include a SASE to return their card and receipt to them. As I've said many times every "little bit"helps.

Each year when our long-time member Socrates Nellis renews he includes a "newsy" letter that I always look forward to receiving. Due to his age, and living in Sidney, NY he is no longer able to attend our meetings or events, but says he listens to old-time country and bluegrass music all the time. He is a WWII veteran and during the winter of 1999 he wrote up some of his memories which I think would be very interesting to share with you off and on during the year in my "Ramblin". How about it Socrates? In his letter he spoke of sending them to James Kinbrough (the great old-time country singer who shared his talent with us several years ago) and getting them back from him. Your love for and playing of "our music" makes you a special member of our association, Socrates.

I've always said that bluegrass fans are the greatest, and the following are two good examples of my belief. Harold Ferguson, who had open-heart surgery last year, writes that his recovery is slow but steady, and each month he and his wife MaryAnn takes Bruce Cutler (another member) to get his groceries.

I had an e-mail message telling me that all the proceeds from the Sept. 15th Old Time country and Bluegrass Festival --"Wings, Strings and Musical Things", held at the Marcellus Airport was donated to the Red Cross due to the tragic happenings of 9/11. This event was originally intended to raise funds for the Young Eagles Aviation Group. (Perhaps our association should consider taking up a collection atour October meeting to be donated to the cause also.)

If I've neglected to send someone a card, it is because I haven't heard of anyone being in need of one.

My dear friend, Olive Loucks, thank you so much for your donation of cards, and I assure you I will put them to good use.

I had a long letter and more recently a card from the mother of Uncle Dave Macon's greatgrandson Duke, telling me that his tumor is gone, he is getting his strength back, is able to mow his yard for a short time, changed the oil in his truck, and is able to eat a little more as time passes. As she said "Prayers are answered" and she asked me to express the family's thanks for all of our prayers, cards and concern.

I've tried a couple of times to call and see how Betty Hall is doing, but get no answer, so can only assume she is out and about.

I'm so glad to report that Mary Carr has been able to go to festivals this year, and we pray you will continue to be able to go, Mary.

As things look now, I won't be seeing any of you until our November 11th meeting as I will be coming home from Lake Placid that day. I can assure you that my daughter and I won't be up early enough to get to Cato for the meeting! "HAPPY HALLOWEEN" to each of you and hope you all get more treats than you do tricks. Please let me knbow if you hear of anyone who needs a card for any reason; just call 626-2603 (I have my answering service fixed), or e-mail to helwel80@hotmail.com.

Until next time, remember; After age 50 you get the furniture disease -that'swhen your chest falls into your drawers"! - Helen

Submitted by Thayle Phair, Editor/CNYBA.

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CNYBA
PO Box 491
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
www.cnyba.com
Copyright 2002
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