Happy Father's Day and congratulations to all graduates!
On a suggestion from Neil Shortslef, Carl Stump and associates are designing a 25TH ANNIVERSARY CD consisting of a combination of musical presentations of various past and present bands affiliated with CNYBA. Order yours NOW! Only $12. They will be available at our festival. Info: Carl Stump, PO Box 14, Hinckley, NY 13352 or call 315-896-3980
Welcome new members: Rod Macomber, Wiltsie Simmons and Allan Van Auken.
Our May 20th Jamboree at Raphael's Restaurant was very enjoyable: Bill and Maggie Anderson our festured duo--Maggie on sweet dobro and vocals and Bill on guitar and vocals presented us with two big sets of inspiring music. Our first fill-in group "George and the Pretenders" consisting of George Hall on fiddle and vocals, Babiane Bouthilette on fiddle, Ray Crouch on bass and vocals and Rod Macomber on guitar and vocals played a varietyof stimulating tunes. Our second group with Suzanne Privett on bass and vocals, Carl Stump on guitar and vocals and Rod Macomber on guitar and vocals and Jim Hackett on washtub bass provided us with memorable tunes. Thank you to all who made this day enjoyable, and Thank you to all who attended.
Don't forget to attend our 3rd Annual CNYBA Bluegrass Festival on August 2-5, 2001 at the LaFayette, NY Apple Festival Grounds. Plan on having a wonderful time. See Festivals
Ramblin' With Helen - Helen Weldon
Boy, that was a short spring...our warm sunny days are now dark, dreary, cool, but we are getting the much needed rain, so should be thankful for that. Hope it clears for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, and that each of you who had special plans were able to enjoy them. I was so very disappointed not to be able to accept the kind invitation of our president and his wife Cathy to join them at their "PICKIN" weekend, but felt I'd better not chance it. I've had my second epedoral block in my back, and have another scheduled for June 4th. Hopefully that will help to lessen the pain and allow me to be more mobile when walking and standing. As many others of you know, these "Golden Years" sometimes seem to lack the Gold! Just ask our secretary, Thayle.
It was announced at our May 13 meeting that Betty Hall had fallen and broke her hip. She has had a replacement done, and is a patient at Auburn Memorial Hospital, 17 Lansing St., Auburn, NY 13021. I talked to George and he says she will be there for awhile, as has to have therapy--so please send cards to the hospital for now. Later on,
I know cards and phone calls would be appreciated at : 2240 Ira Station Rd. East, Cato, NY 13033 - Ph: 626-2594. We all wish you a speedy recovery, Betty.
I had a nice visit with Sharon Volles on Mon. evening, May 21st, and she says Norm is being a "bad boy" - not wearing his hard collar while working, and doing much more than the doctors want him to be doing. As she says, when you're self-employed you do what you have to do - but Norm, PLEASE don't do anything to undo the progress you've made. I understand you have a "shadow" - your grandson, so if for no other reason, behave for him and the future!
I had an e-mail from Joyce Rafferty giving me a change of address for herself and Dusty Bevins, and in it she said Dusty has started up his band again. HOW WONDERFUL...it is still called the Chilson Hill Gang, and compsed of Dusty and his two youngest sons, who will be playing at his grandson's wedding later this summer. I know many of you remember Dusty, his late wife Carrie and their band; it would be nice to send a note to him and let him know we're so glad he's active again - Clarence (Dusty) Bevins, 2805 Rt 74, Ticonderoga, NY 12883. I did.
Marianne Hauer and I have been corresponding via e-mail, and she said Charles is again doing better and was able to sit outside the other day and enjoyed watching the birds. It's been a long, hard winter and spring, so know any mail sent their way would be appreciated - 168 County Route 2A, Pulaski, NY 13142-9804 or e-mail:woodsplitterpal@aol.com.
We were all saddened to hear of the passing on 5/9/01 of Macel J. Halstead, a longtime former member and also a member of the Shades of Bluegrass Band.
A very nice thank-you and well-deserved tribute appeared in the Post Standard on 5/13/01 to Nadine Macomber, wife of our member Rod. She retired from PEACE Inc., County West Family Resource Center in Baldwinsville. I spoke to Rod at our Jamboree about the article and he said she is still as active as ever - congratulations Nadine, and may you enjoy your retirement.
Ellis Bradford, a long-time member sent h9is renewal and asked me to do a bit of "sunshine" work for a good cause. He enclosed a petition regarding the effort to extablish a "Carl Story Day" in Lenoir, NC to coinside with their already established "Bluegrass Day" held sometime in August. He knows we hear some of Carl's famous Gospel Music up here on the Bluegrass Ramble Radio Show, so thought it might help. Twenty-five people signed it at our May 13 meeting, and I sent it, along with a note, to his widow, Helen A Story, PO Box 1094, Greer, SC 29659-1094. I'm sure if any of you would also like o help, a note to her stating that would be appreciated.
When Joe Marshall sent their family renewal, he wrote that they spent the winter in Zephyrhills, FL and saw Don Dear at Live Oak on their way home. When he wrote, Gladys was visiting their daughter in Winchester, VA and Joe and was home "cat sitting"! It's always so nice to get these personal notes with your renewals - please keep them coming.
Thanks Bill Heizerling for your kind words enclosed with your renewal; and as long as I keep getting news, I'll keep writing...
Joanne Baxter sent her renewal, and the envelope was decorated with musical notes. I inquired as to where she got them when I sent her dues card, and received 3 pkgs. by return mail as a donation - thanks Joanne; and you folks that send your renewals will get
to enjoy them too! She is still active, and hopes to get to one of our Jamborees soon.Speaking of Jamboree, we sang Happy Birthday to one of our dearest, sweetest lady members - Olive Louck, who will be 83 years young .. may you celebrate many more, my dear friend.
It was wonderful to have Mary Carr to be able to join us at our meeting, and hear she has been to a couple of the Fri. nite jam sessions at Marcellus. We all pray you will continue to be able to be with us often.
Joy Crouch, our "up & coming assistant MC" is doing fine and so glad.
Mike Bonczek, who filled in for Bill Knowlton on his 5/20 Sun. nite show, made a trip to Constantia and brought Wiltsie Simmons to our May meeting. It was goot to see them both and know it's lonesome for you Wiltsie - we're thinking of you.
Don't forget our PICNIC on SUN. , JUNE 10th at Mercer Park in Baldwinsville; and get your ADVANCE FESTIVAL TICKETS NOW. Plans are falling in place, and just know it's going to be the best one yet!
Have a wonderful summer, and until next time, remember: "Life isuncertain, start with dessert"!
Helen
