IAT
NEWSLETTER
Spring 2007 – Happy Earth Day!
This issue is dedicated to those lost at Virginia Tech, and to the memory of Michael J. Auciello, the father of our founding secretary, Theresa (Tree) Shea. May they rest in peace.
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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,
It’s finally spring! Here in the northeast, we’ve had a rotten time of it these last few weeks, but the flowers are here at last (as are my allergies – ahchoo!) and I think the snows and cold rain are behind us now. Of course, it was almost 80 degrees today, which is not exactly my idea of spring weather but beggers can’t be choosers!
Thank you to everyone who shared their wonderful JD concert memories with us. They’re presented completely unedited here, so the writer’s voice can shine through. I know you’ll all enjoy reading them and reminiscing, as much as I did. I thought I’d share something that is not exactly a story, although I attended many many JD shows over the years, all of which were wonderful, but this is a little memory of mine that had to do with my concert rituals. It began when the tickets arrived in the mail – they would be put in a special place: hidden under a flower pot in our livingroom. I don’t know why this spot became designated as *the* official ticket hiding spot – it just was. And why did I hide them? Well, naturally, if our apartment was robbed, wouldn’t John Denver concert tickets be the very first thing a thief would take? ;) The day of the show, I would never eat. That was long before I ever learned that John didn’t eat dinner before he went onstage – it was just that I was so excited/nervous, etc., I didn’t trust my digestive system to come through for me at such an important time. Looking back on it, I’m sure I would’ve been just fine – but hey – you never know. I couldn’t take the chance of the evening being ruined, after all!
The attire for the event was also carefully chosen. Which t-shirt to wear? Did you ever buy a shirt at a concert and change into it in the bathroom? I think I may have done that once or twice too. It was important to present the right fan image. And I never ever bought souvenirs – t-shirt, program, etc. – after the show – it had to be before it started, even if I ran the risk of damaging them during the heat of the moment. What if they ran out by the time the show was over? There couldn’t be anything worse than the thought of going home empty handed. And did any of you write down the songs John sang, and in order? I did. It was a wonder I could even read it afterwards, since it was written in the dark! A good thing I developed an abbreviation system over the years – “Rocky Mountain High” was RMH, etc. I’m laughing even as I’m writing this, to think of how silly this all seems now. To tell the truth, I would give anything to be silly like that again....sigh...
By the way, I must recommend to you the book “The Atomic Chef” by Steven Casey. It is a collection of “true tales of design, technology and human error”, including John’s accident, which is told as the events unfolded over the day before and the day of, leading up to the crash. Interesting reading with some information we’ve not seen before, particularly from Roger, John’s checkout pilot and mechanic, with whom JD spent some of his last hours. Compelling and yet, very compassionate. Something we don’t see a lot of when it comes to John.
Anyhow, on with the show. Thanks again to those who contributed to this issue of the newsletter, and if you have any suggestions for “JD Share” for next time, please send them my way.
Happy Spring – see you next time in August.
My heart to yours,
Ann
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
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The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -- Eleanor Roosevelt
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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April 28, 2007 - Altadena, CA - "The Earth Day Concert 2007" featuring Phil Christie, Mike Valentine, Ellen & Steve Stapenhorst 7:00pm - The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake / Altadena, CA $15 (626) 398-7917 www.philchristie.com * www.coffeegallery.com
April 28, 2007 - Churchville, PA - "An Evening of John Denver and Chris Westfall Music" $10 requested donation Churchville Nature center / 501 Churchville Lane / Churchville, PA (215) 357-4005 http://www.churchvillenaturecenter.org
April 28, 2007 * UK * In Concert: "Nickels & Dimes" from Holland at Walton Village Hall, Walton on the Hill, Stafford 7:30pm Tickets: L10 (including light refreshments) For tickets please send a sae and a cheque made payable to R. Gwilt to 29 Oldcroft Road, Walton on the Hill, Stafford ST17 OLS * < info@nickels-and-dimes.com > http://www.nickels-and-dimes.com
May 2, 2007 - Pacific Grove, CA - Ellen Stapenhorst - House concert 7:30pm $12 * http://www.ellenstapenhorst.com Judy Therrien (831) 373-7780 or jht@spamarrest.com
May 4-5, 2007 * UK * Pete Huttlinger, Mack Bailey & Chris Nole in a 2-night special John Denver Tribute / Tickets: Check or cash to Jackie Freeman, Feet First, 53 High St., Stokesley, North Yorks, TS9 5AD include SAE Venue is Kirkby Church Hall, Kirkby in Cleveland, North Yorkshire (Near Stokesley) Info: 01642 713575 or 714061
May 12, 2007 - Atlanta, GA - The "Friends With You Band" has added a new concert to the tour. 7:30pm. Chris, Mark, Paul and Kevin will perform for the benefit of "Spirit of a Child Foundation." $20 UU Metro Atlanta North Church / 11420 Crabapple Road / Roswell, GA 30075 holliecwoodstock@aol.com or stephdubick@aol.com
May 25, 2007 - Londonderry, NH - "Friends With You: A John Denver Tribute" 8:00pm Chris Collins, Mark Cormican, Kevin Delmolino and Paul Swanton will perform many of Denver's tunes as well as their own compositions. $15 Tupelo Music Hall * http://www.tupelohall.com * 888-688-7356 Info: Richard info@nhfjd.org
August 18, 2007 * Estes Park, CO * Fourth Annual Estes Park John Denver Tribute Concert / Estes Park Fair Grounds / Fiddlin' Foresters 5:30pm / Brad and Kathy Fitch and the TropiCowboy Band 7:00pm $15 in advance $20 at the door Children 10 and under free http://www.cowboybrad.com
August 18, 2007 - Peterborough, NH * Annual New Hampshire Friends of John Denver barbecue / Cleanup at 1:00 pm followed by barbecue at McDowell Lake Richard info@nhjfd.org http://www.nhfjd.org
August 31, 2007 - Vancouver, WA * Jim Curry's "Alaska and Me Cruise - 2007" * Join Jim and his guests (original JD band members and tour managers) on Holland America Line's Volendam sailing August 31, 2007 from Vancouver north to Anchorage, Alaska. debbie@odonnelltravel.com (800) 274-2453 / http://www.odonnelltravel.com http://www.john-denver.org/default.asp?nc=35868&id=507
September 1, 2007 * Fort Collins, CO / Brad and Kathy Fitch and the TropiCowboy Band 7:00pm Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive near the intersection of Drake and Shields. $15 (970) 221-6645 http://www.cowboybrad.com
September 22, 2007 - Carmel, CO * Chris Collins and Mark Cormican will present a concert honoring John Denver through his music / UU Church of the Monterey Peninsula, 490 Aquajito Road 7:30pm $15 Send SASE to Tickets, JD Weekend Concert, Judy Therrien, 12 Dunecrest Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940
September 22, 2007 - UK - Concert by Neil & Gill Sharman plus Special Guest "10 Years On - Remembering John Denver" at the Wheatsheaf Co-Operative Theatre, Wyken, Coventry http://www.timnberwolf-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 and others 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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"I Am the Eagle.."
by Carole Romanowski - whispjesse@aol.com
Recently the Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining,NY and 12 other organizations sponsored the NY State Hudson River Eaglefest which I had been to a few years ago and wanted to visit again! Nearly 400 bald eagles, mostly from Canada, winter there in the Lower Hudson Valley.
My interest in this event developed from John Denver's autobiography, "Take Me Home", when John had his first experience holding an eagle. The eagle stared at him for 20 seconds - John felt the power in that look - as if the connection was "seeing into each other's spirit." When the eagle then closed his eyes - dismissing John! - John was humbled and learned to be "grounded by nature" from the experience. He subsequently wrote his song, "Eagle and the Hawk", and another eagle fan - me! - was born.
From my visit, I learned the American bald eagle has recovered greatly since the '70's - statewide, 442 individual bald eagles were recorded and last year 112 breeding pairs - a record year for these creatures - and the eagle is likely to be removed from the federal Endangered Species List by June 29th of this year. A large part of this is due to the banning of DDT in 19'72, a pesticide used by farmers and others which weakened eagle eggs to crack, lowering the number of the species being born.
I also learned the proximity of humans and their activities near the species is at the center of a controversy over eagles' removal from the endangered list. The US Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees most of the endangered species, is developing guidelines to allow people to properly use land where an eagle roosts, hunts or nests. This affects what developers can do in or near bald eagle habitats to prevent habitat loss. Eagles and their eggs, nests and feathers are fully protected, and taking, killing or possessing eagles is illegal.
A representative from a nearby Raptor Center held a beautiful bald eagle for all of us to get a closer look - what a magnificent creature with it's white head, golden beak, and dark torso! Eagle fans also went outdoors with binoculars to spot perching eagles who, when seen, flew away - obviously not people fans!
Thanks, John, for my interest in our nation's symbol. One of my dreams is to obtain a raptor glove and sport a bald eagle on my arm - and one day I will!
(see the article about the encouraging increase in bald eagle populations in Alabama, under the Environmental News header below – AS)
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*My Favorite JD Concert Memory*
Pam in Calif.:
I was lucky enough to see John perform in Thousand Oaks, CA in May of 1997. We had 3rd row, center seats. It was a fantastic concert and I fell in love with John all over again. At one point he sang Back Home Again, and invited the audience to sing along as he often did. I like to do the harmony part of that song and was doing it when I noticed John sort of cocking his head as though he was trying to hear where that was coming from. I quickly shut up, 'cause I sure didn't want to garner any attention. I don't think he ever knew it was me. I would have been embarressed to death if he'd of had to ask me to stop that caterwalling!
*****
Gail Denisoff:
It was May of 1969 and I was a freshman at Oneonta State College in upstate New York. A singer by the name of John Denver was scheduled to perform at the "Coffee House" located in the basement of the original campus building called "Old Main". One of my roommates was a volunteer worker at the coffee house and was always dragging a bunch of us freshman to various shows, just so there would be an audience. None of us had heard of John Denver but 4 of us trudged down the hill to that first show. The shows at the coffee house were always free and over the years we were treated to performers such as The Brooklyn Bridge, Melissa Manchester, Andy Robinson (a SUCO favorite) along with local and student performers.
In all, there were no more than 15 people in the audience that night. The stage was a small raised platform in a corner of the low ceilinged room. Tables, sofas and chairs were scattered around and the coffee house staff sold coffee, tea and soda. Having been to some shows that were real duds, we weren't expecting much. The first thing we heard was John's laugh as he walked into the room talking to the student association director (who was in charge of the coffee house). What we saw was a young, slender man with a mop of blond hair and granny glasses, wearing a plaid shirt, jeans, cowboy boots and carrying a guitar step onto the stage. Of course, we all immediately thought he was cute but as soon as he started to sing, we were hooked. For the next hour and a half, we were entranced by his songs, stories and warmth. I wish I remembered all the songs he sang that first show. I know we heard "Today", "Jet Plane", "Rhymes & Reasons", "Today Is the First Day" and "When I'm Sixty-Four" among others. We were in hysterics when he told the story about cracking Annie's rib and ending up in the Emergency Room after being a bit to amorous on their honeymoon and also a bit disappointed to learn he was married! The show ended much too soon but luckily, it was just the first of two that night so we, and everyone else there, stayed put and enjoyed the second show as much as the first. He was on campus for five more days, two shows a night, and we were there for most of the remaining shows. The word spread around campus and each night the crowd grew. By the last shows on Saturday night, the coffee house was packed. It also happened to be parent's weekend so lots of kids dragged Mom and Dad to the shows too - and they were as smitten with John as the rest of us. I am sure if the fire department had limits back then, they would have been appalled by the number of people jammed into that space.
John stayed in a guest room on campus, ate in the dining hall, interacted with students and was just as genuine off stage as on. He got his RCA contract that week and was so excited as he told us about it. We immediately put our name on a list at the local record shop to get "Rhymes and Reasons" the minute it came out the following fall. John returned to campus twice more for two large concerts (one with Mary Travers) during my years there. By then he had a couple of hit albums and filled the gym with most of the student body. In August of 1997, I saw him for the last time in Saratoga, NY. I went with one of those same roommates who was there for that first show in 1969. We recalled many memories of John and were thrilled that the wonderful concert was once again just John and his guitar. I was lucky to see John many times in concert over the years, but that first one will always be special to me.
*****
Sandy Fuller:
I've always said that there was truly NOTHING like sitting at Red Rocks with a warm breeze underneath the moon and stars and hearing John sing ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH. And it was especially special the year I brought my daughter and son, at that time ages 6 and 8. Far out.
*****
Mary Ledford:
Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh, PA - February 1997:
John appeared there for 2 nights ... Friday and Saturday and I went to the Saturday show. John was accompanied by the Pittsburgh Symphony which was conducted (John's portion) by the master himself, Lee Holdridge which meant, of course, a majority of the arrangements were his. I guess it was because it happened to be Valentine's day John was feeling like more of, as he would say, a "romantic old fart"! He started to explain the writing of "Shanghai Breezes" focusing on the "same moon and same stars" part of the story and as he got to that part, before he could say another word, the entire string section of the symphony, in perfect unison, replied to his question ... was it the same moon and the same stars, "probably!" Well, John lost it and spent the next few minutes laughing hysterically! It was a great moment.
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Connie:
I went to so many JD concerts in Southern CA, but my favorite was the last time I saw him (two nights in a row) in San Diego, CA (1996). The older John was relaxed, having a good time with the crowd, and it was the first time I saw him sing "For You" (sooo beautiful).
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Kathy Lill:
My favorite concert memory: Sept. 27, 1997 in Houston, Tx. John performed three nights with the Houston Symphony. My daughter made the trip to Houston with me. It would be her first JD concert. We got tickets for two of the three concerts.
We arrived at Jones Hall in downtown Houston for the 9-27 concert. Made our way to our seats. What a surprise to discover I was seated next to Pam Beasley. Pam had made it possible for me to go backstage and meet John at his concert in Dallas, Tx. In Sept. of 1996. We had a nice visit before John made his way to the stage.
He was in a great mood and his music was even more beautiful with the accompaniment of a symphony orchestra. The two songs that I was thrilled to hear John sing with the symphony were, “Foxfire Suite” and “Flying For Me” He sang “For You” with absolute perfection and of course brought the house down when he held ‘that note’ for the longest time and received a standing ovation. Following the song, my daughter, who was not a JD fan, leaned over and said to me, “he has the most beautiful, clear voice.”
The highlight of the evening was when John introduced a new song that he said he was still working on and told us we would be the first audience to hear it. He then began singing “Yellowstone, Coming Home”
After the concert, Pam suggested we wait around at the backstage door for John to come out and hopefully greet the small group that had gathered there. We waited for about 30 min. and were thrilled when the door opened and he made his way to the group.
During the wait, I had visited with a woman next to me. She had worn her retro knee socks that she’d had since the 70’s. They were pink and green with a caricature drawing of John with this huge smile.
As John made his way down the line of our group, he politely shook our hands and greeted each one of us. His “All Aboard” cd had just come out and I told him how much I was enjoying it. He said, “oh, thank you!”
Then, he greeted the woman next to me and she told him she wanted to show him something. She pulled up her pant leg to show him the socks. John bent down to get a better look and said “holy cow, where did you get those?!” We got to hear that adorable little laugh of his.
After the greetings, he headed across the street to a restaurant. My daughter was really impressed with the way John had taken the time to visit with each of us. To this day, she respects him for that.
This would be the last time we spoke with John. Two weeks later, we lost him.
Something drew me to Houston that weekend. I knew I had to be there for these concerts. Now, the reason is quite clear!
Thanks for the wonderful memories, John!
*****
Susan Leaver (New Zealand):
The first time I saw JD in concert (1975) was an earth shattering moment. What I considered to be important in life changed after that.
Anyway, back to the concert. It was held in a motor cycle stadium with 20,000 people attending. I was close to the stage with my good friend Mary.
I was mesmerised by JD himself but also by what he was singing about. To this day the song Summer describes what I consider to be of the utmost importance in life. After that concert I longed to blend in with the trees, the ocean.
Through that concert my values changed. I used to believe that to achieve jetsetting and sophisticated living were the signs of success but I changed to believe that compassionate connection with people and the earth were of ultimate value.
*****
Liz Seeger:
It was September 5th 1995 at Shea's Theatre in Buffalo NY. My friend Desa and I went to see John. Jim Horne was selling stuff in the lobby and I was teasing him that he'd be smarter to sell the stuff in canadian dollars because at that time Canadian money was 1.40 to the American dollar, John would have made more money. He thought we were teasing him til one of the theatre security people said she's not kidding and he said I'll have to tell John.
The concert is pretty much similar to the Harbor Lights concert in Boston two days later, except on that day the Bills were playing the Bronchos and the Bills lost so John was pretty elated. He's giggling and making nasty remarks about the Bills til either Pete or Chris leans over and says you DO remember you're in Buffalo right LOL.
He goes oh I'm so sorry my mother taught me to be more gracious than that but WE WON and YOU LOST and the audience cracked up.
The concert went on well til just near the end when this little teeny bopper yells out " I Love you , John". He looks up and I being close enough say loudly I've loved you longer than she's been alive .
And his head swivels over to where we are , 12th row on the right side and this grin comes over his face and he starts to laugh, when from three rows back of me I hear,in a chorus of voices I recognize, she's not kidding John we went to HS with her. Desa is now pretending she doesn't know me and at that John says to the band , I've still got it they're fighting over me. At that point they all crack up.
John barely gets through Calypso, he keeps looking over where Desa and I are sitting and every time he does he starts to giggle all over again. He finishes says good night and off they go to stage left.
Probably runs and touches the wall when an older gentleman taps me on the shoulder and says look. Out from the curtain you see five heads looking in Desa's and my directions she waves, they come out John, does this old guitar but so he won't crack up he won't look over at us , until he finishes . Then he looks over at us bursts out laughing again and leaves the stage.
As we're walking out and the guys and their wives from hs come after us they're saying oh Liz we're sorry, we embarassed you and I said no you didn't . They're egging us on to go back stage but Desa won't go, she has to work the next day. I have a feeling we could have had a really interesting after show experience out of that one.
And here's the kicker , Desa always says to me WE should have gone back stage !!!!!! I said you wouldn't go you turkey!
Last time I ever saw John. I think I might have made him laugh all the way to the next gig.
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Lynn Buhlig:
My favorite concert memory is from a concert in Snowmass in 1986. I had been volunteering at Windstar for about 4 months, and had never run into John the whole time. He put on this concert in a relatively small venue in Snowmass (can't remember what it was! Snowmass Convention Center?). I sat in the second or third row in the middle, which was heaven. At one point during Calypso, he forgot the words and looked to the audience for help. I yelled out "to sail on a dream, on a crystal clear ocean", and he looked thankfully at me, and resumed the song.
It was during that concert that I REALLY felt a strong connection to him, and felt like I needed to meet him (I never was one to try to go backstage). I was just blown away by his presence, his energy, and the love he shared. I never did meet him at that concert, but I did meet the person I sat next to, Karen Larsen.
She and I became very good JD friends, and is the first person I met in my life who loved John Denver as much as I did.
*****
Becky Barnes Elbert:
Like many of you, the problem is probably which concert memory to choose. I guess I'd have to go with Houston, Texas, 1974. I was a young teenager and my dad went with me. There I was in bluejeans rolled up to the knees, striped toe socks, and buffalo sandals. We took a shortcut from our parked car to the Music Hall through the Alley Theatre. All of the theater goers were dressed in tuxes, long gowns and finery. We marched on through the crowd of stares and out the other side. I remember abandoning our seats so that I could go sit on the concrete steps just as close as I could get. Dad never complained, and we enjoyed the fabulous concert complete with slide pictures of wheat fields, Rocky Mountains, etc. One of my most treasured memories.
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Terry:
Unfortunately, the only time I saw John in concert here in New Orleans was in 1985! As always, it was a magical evening. It was just John, all by his little lonesome, guitars and piano. He held the audience in the palm of his hand the whole evening. He looked great. Could tell he was "in love" again. May have been just before he and Cassandra married; I'm not sure. Just sorry it was the only opportunity for us to see him here in New Orleans that I knew of.
*****
Ruth Finkel (England):
For me the best concert I ever went to was the first one. It was at the London Palladium Theatre in the centre of London in 1976.
I saw the ad in the paper and asked a couple of friends if they wanted to go with me. I was 17 at the time and doing exams so when I finished school at 3.20pm, I set off for the theatre to get 4 tickets for the first night of 7.
I got to the theatre around 4pm to find a queue stretching round the building. I joined it never imagining that I would still be there 3 and a half hours later! Of course, there were no cell phones in those days and I didn’t want to leave the queue to find a public phone box to let my mum know the length of the queue and lose my place so there I stayed moving forward very slowly. Eventually, I got to the front and bought my 4 tickets for the top row of the whole theatre at the extreme right hand end of the row, not great but hey I had them.
I went home on the bus to find that my dad was out searching for me and was going to call the police and report me missing if I hadn’t turned out that minute! I had said I would be an hour later than normal after school but hadn’t had the chance to call home and explain my delay.
The day of the concert arrived and I was so excited. We got to our seats and found that we were on a level higher than the ceiling of the stage. The orchestra came on, then John’s band and then finally “Ladies and gentlemen… Mr John Denver!” The orchestra started to play “Welcome to my Morning” and I was hooked from that moment. It didn’t matter that I couldn’t see the top half of the videos, that voice was enough. I spent the whole concert in a dream which lasted for about a week. It took me that long to come down to earth. I have never forgotten that night especially “The Eagle and the Hawk”; his voice seemed to soar with the birds in the video and fill the whole theatre with its resonance. I can still picture that video in my mind’s eye and I think of it every time I hear the song.
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CONSCIOUS CHOICES – TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SAVING $, TIME AND THE ENVIRONMENT
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Did you know that chargers such as those for your iPod or cellphone are always drawing electricity, even when they’re not in use? Pull out their plugs unless you’re charging your electronic equipment to save money and energy.
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This’ not exactly a tip or trick, but a list of interesting children’s books about peace, which can be a difficult subject to teach young people. Thanks to Kelly Robison for sending this!
Books are a wonderful way to bond interpersonally when shared together and to explore concepts of peacemaking that aren’t readily available in everyday life. The following books have been helpful in illustrating the abstract concepts of peace within the context of Peace for Me, Peace for Us, Peace for Everyone, and Peace for the Planet.
The Big Book for Peace
A collection of stories and poems about peace. By Many Authors
ISBN 0-525-44605-2
Black Elk Speaks
A biographical account of the heritage and spirituality of an Oglala Sioux Holy Man. By John Neihardt
ISBN 0-8032-8359-8
The Butter Battle Book
The "Yooks and Zooks" fight over which side to butter bread. Wonderful to stimulate discussion on sophisticated weaponry and causes and remedies to war. By Dr. Seuss
ISBN 0394865804
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter
A remarkable, honest, and personal account of a woman’s journey through a new consciousness, very helpful to others in similar awakening circumstances. By Sue Monk Kidd
ISBN 0-06-064588-1
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf
An amazing story with beautiful photographs which conveys the understanding of the purpose of life and reveals death as a part of the larger life process. By Leo Buscaglia, Ph.D.
ISBN 0-8050-1064-5
The First Forest
A beautiful fable which explores the relationship of the creator with the creation. Choices based on gratitude and respect are contrasted with those made from greed and selfishness. By John Gile
ISBN 0-910941-01-7
For Every Child, A Better World
A gentle and beautiful rendition of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. By Kermit the Frog
ISBN 0-307-15628-1
The Hating Book
A story of two friends, how a misunderstanding nearly destroyed their relationship, and how the simple act of talking together healed the hurt. By Charlotte Zolotow
ISBN 0-06-443197-5
I Have a Dream
The inspired message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. beautifully illustrated by award winning artists. By King
ISBN 0-590-20516-1
I’m in Charge of Celebrations
A delightful tale of a young Native American girl, her relationship with the land and its animals, and the choices she makes to view each day as a wonder to celebrate. By Byrd Baylor
ISBN 0-84-18579-2
Just for You
An enchanting story about a "Little Critter" who tries and tries to do something nice for people he loves. (This entire series is absolutely precious.) By Mercer Mayer
ISBN 0-307-11838-0
Kara, The Lonely Falcon
A wonderful tale of a falcon who chooses a life of non-violence and self-sacrifice. By Joseph Girzone
ISBN 0-02-019903-1
Leo the Lop
A charming tale about a rabbit whose ears go down rather than up and his discovery of "normal is whatever you are." (This is part of the Serendipity series which are all wonderful books.) By Stephen Cosgrove
ISBN 0843138203
The Lorax
The "Once-ler" describes the results of pollution. By Dr. Seuss
ISBN 0394823370
Love You Forever
A touching story of life and the power of love in relationships.
ISBN 0-920668-37-2
The Missing Piece
A picture book with adult appeal which explores self-discovery and contentment. By Shel Silverstein
ISBN 0-06-025671-0
Miss Rumphius
A charming book about a woman as she encounters life as an adventure and honors the responsibility to make the world a more beautiful place. By Barbara Cooney
ISBN 0-14-050539-3
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
An amazing story of rhyme and pictures perfect for important life junctures (such as graduation) which empowers individuals to look at life as an adventure. By Dr. Seuss
ISBN 0-679-805-27-3
On the Day You Were Born
A phenomenal story which uses the marvel of creation to celebrate the preciousness of each life. By Debra Frasier
ISBN 0-15-257995-8
Ordinary People as Monks and Mystics
Finding the spiritual way is examined through case studies in this interesting text. By Marsha Sinetar
ISBN 0-8091-2773-3
Peace Begins with You
Expresses the different definitions and dimensions of peace culminating with the responsibility of each individual to make the choice to be a peacemaker. By Katherine Scholes
ISBN 0-316-77436-7
Peace Flower
An imaginative tale of children who venture to space to bring peace to Earth. By Ada Aharoni
ISBN 9659013914
Peace Pilgrim: Her life and work in her own words
Simple and powerful truths which have the potential to change life dramatically. By Peace Pilgrim
ISBN 0943734207
The Peace Seekers
A brief description and pictorial lesson on nine Nobel Peace Prize recipients. By Nathan Aaseng
ISBN 0-8225-9604-0
People
A picture book for all ages which celebrates the differences and individuality of humankind. By Spier
ISBN 0-385-24469
The Power of Myth
An insightful conversation made for PBS between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell. A truly remarkable and profound journey into the idea of mythology as "the song of the universe, the music of the spheres." By Joseph Campbell
ISBN 0-385-41886-8
Quiet Strength
A personal account of the American civil rights movement and the hope and courage it took to create change. By Rosa Parks
ISBN 0-310-50150-4
Sadako
The classic tale of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who developed leukemia after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. She believed in the legend which stated anyone who folded one thousand paper cranes would receive their wish. Her story continues to inspire the world's people to work for peace. By Eleanor Coerr
ISBN 0-399-21771-1
Small Wonder
Thought provoking essays on current issues. By Barbara Kingsolver
ISBN 0-06-050407-2
Sofia and the Heartmender
A story of a little girl who confronts her fears and finds comfort through the help of a heartmender. By Marie Olofsdotter
ISBN 0-915793-50-4
A Song Flung Up to Heaven
An autobiographical account of the United States’ civil rights movement and how one woman interpreted the times and the nation’s reactions. By Maya Angelou
ISBN0-375-50747-7
Stranger in the Woods
An amazing "photographic fantasy" about a snowman and the animals’ reaction to its presence. By Carl Sams II & Jean Stoick
ISBN 0-9671748-0-5
We Got Here Together
A story of creation told very simply and illustrated through a unique process using patterned paper. By Kim Stafford
ISBN 0-15-294891-0
Works of Love are Works of Peace
Story and pictures of a ministry designed to the the hands of Jesus. By Mother Teresa & the Missionaries of Charity
ISBN 0-89870-561-4
You and I Can Change the World
Poems of hope, vision, and peace. By Ada Aharoni
ISBN 965901399X
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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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Recycle HP Products – find out more here:
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/recycle/index.html?jumpid=ex_R602_info/hho-ng-1209-productRecycling
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Alabama’s Bald Eagle Population Booming
by the Associated Press
February 12, 2007
After 15 years of checking bald eagle nests from small planes, there are now an estimated 100 nesting pairs, up from 77 the previous year and 10 times the state's recovery goal under the Endangered Species Act. With the nest-to-nest status check by plane ending last year, the state now will start watching over a few dozen nests to monitor the eagles' health.
''It's getting to be a little costly for airplane time,'' said Keith Hudson, the state biologist chiefly responsible for tracking the eagle's progress in Alabama.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to remove the bird from the Endangered Species List in June, saying the eagle only needs monitoring now that it has successfully repopulated the lower 48 states. The population increased from 417 nesting pairs in 1963 to more than 8,500.
''Although we've had regulatory issues in getting the final rules resolved, the bald eagle itself has performed splendidly and has increased in population,'' Jody Millar, Fish and Wildlife's bald eagle recovery coordinator, told The Birmingham News in a story Sunday.
Removal from the list has partly been delayed by debate over whether other laws protecting the bird would be more burdensome for landowners than the Endangered Species Act.
Bald eagles will continue to be protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, two laws older than the Endangered Species Act that prohibit killing, selling or otherwise harming bald eagles, their nests or eggs.
The bald eagle, one of the nation's most popular birds, draws watchers by the dozen to Lake Guntersville, where the birders wait in the cold at dawn or dusk to see an eagle fly or glide to its nest.
''People come from all over wanting to see those eagles,'' said Mark Jackson, chief ranger at Lake Guntersville State Park. ''Even during the week they come in, four or five a day.''
The traditional weekend-long programs have not been held while the park was under renovation the past two years. But about 200 people still visit each weekend in January to be guided to the best eagle-viewing spots.
''You know it's January and February when you see people in town with binoculars,'' Lisa Socha, executive director of the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the News. ''It's really been great for the area, being tied with the eagle awareness.''
Under the Endangered Species Act, the Fish and Wildlife Service has led states in such projects as stealing eggs from eagles in heavily populated areas so they would lay a second set The eggs would then be incubated and the eaglets brought to such states as Alabama, which had no eagles by the 1960s. Every contiguous state now has eagle populations.
''It's a success story, something a lot of people have worked a long time to get to,'' Hudson said. ''We didn't know what would happen or if they would ever recover at all.''
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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 August 19, 2007. 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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