May 2004

NEWS AND TIDBITS

MAY 2004

“Tribute to Thayle”

CNYBA'S LOSS – HEAVEN'S GAIN

Our beloved member, Thayle, lost her long, hard-fought battle of cancer on April 3 rd , at home with her family at her side. She is survived by three daughters, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren; and was pre-deceased by her mother, son and a daughter. Calling hours were held April 7 th from 4 to 6pm at Farrell's Funeral Home, 84 South St., Auburn, immediately followed by a beautiful memorial service with the Rev. Marsha King officiating. Interment will be at the family plot in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Port Byron. Thayle began her involvement with our association in the early 1980's at our booth at the Cayuga County Fair in Weedsport, and continued as a faithful worker, supporter, etc. until her illness forced her to give up as editor of our monthly newsletter in November 2003. Now that the circumstances that prevented us from having a benefit for her have been removed, the following undertaking was unanimously passed at our April 18 th meeting. CNYBA's share of the 50/50 Raffles taken at our festival will be given to Thayle's daughter, Roberta, to help with expenses that we all know will have to be met. There was also a mention of a Memorial Page to be put in the program with the names of members who wish to make a contribution to this fund. Our June newsletter will have more details as to where and whom to send your donations, and I urge all members who know they won't be able to attend our festival to plan on sending a donation. I already have one from our member Ellen Owen, who gave it to me at the “Tribute Benefit” for Ardy and Andy Pawlenko on April 25 th . (Thanks Ellen.) As I said at the beginning of this “Tribute”, it is our own Bluegrass Heaven's” gain – she is certainly with the “best”, and folks, we all must carry on in Thayle's memory .

MEMBERSHIP PICNIC MERCER PARK Sun., June 13 th – (Noon until 6 p.m.)

Bring a dish to pass (to serve 8), your table service, drink and lawn chair. (No alcohol please.) Ham will be furnished by CNYBA and prepared by a member. Your may drive up to the picnic area and unload your belongings, but you must return your car back to the parking area. There is a nice view of the river, shade trees to sit under, good restroom facilities, and a beautiful gazebo to sit in. Bring your instrument (if you have one); family and friends to enjoy the music, food and fellowship. For further information call: Peter Carr at 315 635-5800.

CARD OF THANKS - Dear Helen and Betty Jane: I'm finally winding down! I really want to thank you for all you did, Helen. You sure made a difference in the donations we received. Several of our CNYBA people came through. Plus the generous donation from the Association itself! I appreciated your help at the door. I knew once you and Betty Jane got there that was one area I wouldn't have to think about again. What beautiful friends we have!!! Thanks again for all your help and advertising and support from the Association. (From Mary Phillips)

“ GONE FISHIN' “

We are a 6-piece group with one member in Ontario, one in Penfield, and 4 from Webster. Band members are: DANNY BEH -banjo; MARK MANZONI -lead guitar/vocals; DON HAUZA -rhythm guitar; TONY CATALDI -bass; STEVE CATALDI -mandolin and lead vocals; and DICK CATALDI -fiddle/vocals. Yes, we're 3 brothers! We have been playing together for over 20 years, though only performing formally in the last 7 or 8. Several of us spent some college time in Potsdam and Canton and after graduation we started an annual fishing trip to the Raquette River area of the Adirondack's. From these trips (Sept. '04 will be our 24 th trip) we played mainly around camp, and eventually at some of the local establishments such as “Dumas Bar and Restaurant”, Ham's Inn, Cranberry Lake Inn, Newton Falls Hotel, and the campus of the forestry school at Wanakena. Recently we've played at a couple local coffee houses in Webster and Penfield, at the Webster Gazebo concert series, and for a couple private parties. We do not keep a performance schedule, however, we have a couple of gigs coming up. In June (date not confirmed) we'll be at Zamar's Café in Webster, and will also be playing and holding a workshop for the State Road Elementary School's 4 th grade “Colonial Days”. Only July 30 th we will play at the Webster Gazebo 7-9pm, and on August 30 th we'll be sharing the stage in the village of Naples with another bluegrass band still to be named for a community event.

The Banjo Cruise – 5-String Banjo Cruise to the Caribbean – Jan. 27-31, 2005. Come alone, or bring your spouse and family. It's going to be fun! Bluegrass with Tony Trischka, Rose Nickerson, Steve Huber, Janet Davis. Old Time with Bob Carlin, Dan and Jennifer Levenson, with more to TBA as enrollment grows. Presented by BanjoTeacher.com and ETA travel, the same fine folks who host the annual Bluegrass Cruise. Visit www.banjoteacher.com for details or call 1-866-258-7159 or ETA 1-888-711-7447.

CONGRATULATIONS to the newly elected Officers and Board of Directors who will assume leadership of CNYBA in September: Ed Campbell, President; Sam Murphy, Vice President; Peter Carr, Treasurer; William Light, Secretary; Board members Ray Crouch, Marion Lamont three years; and Jerry Miller, one year will join Neil Shortsleff, Robert Simmons, and Jacqueline McCarthy, who still have unexpired terms.

“FLYING FINGERS BLUEGRASS JAM” – May 28-31, 2004. For Old Time Music and Bluegrass pickin' Saturday night, bring a dish to pass. Free rough camping. Info: 315 637-4180. Hosted by Ed and Cathy Campbell. Come join the fun at the LaFayette Apple Festival Grounds.

 

Ramblin' with Helen

by Helen Weldon

 

It just doesn't seem possible it is time for another “visit,” but the calendar tells me it is! FIRST , a big THANK-YOU to RAY and JOY CROUCH for coming this way to take me with them to the calling hours and beautiful memorial service for Thayle. It was nice to see several of our members there, and had such a nice visit with PETER HOYSIC , his son TED and daughter MARY . Each of us left with such wonderful and beautiful thoughts of Thayle through the very personal tribute given by Rev. Marsha King. Also, another THANK-YOU to PETER CARR for coming my way so that I could attend the Bob Paisley Show. It was an evening of wonderful music, spoiled only by the small attendance and poor sound. Expressions of sympathy were sent to SHARON FOULTZ on the passing of her father, William Finch on March 30 th . Please keep Sharon and her family in your thoughts and prayers as her mother has been diagnosed with progressing Alzheimer's. HELEN WELLS , I really did enjoy your nice letter included with your renewal, and know all are so glad SPRING is slowly trying to get here. DENNIS CRAWFORD sent a generous donation along with his renewal, and DAVE and NANCY POWDERLY are now a family membership. WELCOME NANCY ; and THANK-YOU DENNIS ! Received a nice newsy letter from BERT and ALICE MEHLENBACHER , saying they are leaving for home on April 27 th and hope to see us at the May meeting. Bert plays golf two times a week, is trying to keep his weight down, but thinks he's losing ground on that one! Alice had a good winter and BOTH said HELLO to ALL . We have the following NEW MEMBERS – DICK CATALDI (a band membership for “ GONE FISHIN' ”); CHARLES SPENCER , and AMY GERMAIN . (If there is room, will have a “write-up” on the “Gone Fishin'” band elsewhere in the newsletter, and if not will be in the June issue.) WELCOME TO YOU ALL . I called CORA STURGE about MARILYN SCHAP, who joined last month, and Cora has taken Marilyn to Marcellus, and reports she is having a wonderful time playing and singing. At our April 18 th meeting it was announced that through contacting all the officers and board members, it was decided to increase our DONATION to $500 to the “ TRIBUTE BENEFIT ” for ARDY/ANDY PAWLENKO , and $100 was sent to a tree removal company to pay off an obligation of THAYLE's . It was wonderful, while working the door with my daughter, to see SO MANY of our MEMBERS come to the “ TRIBUTE BENEFIT ”, which was “standing room” only by shortly after the 1:00 starting time! I hope in the June issue to give you some kind of a report on totals raised – so richly deserved to a wonderful couple. MARY PHILLIPS , you are a “ WONDER ”, and to be congratulated on a JOB WELL DONE . I know you had lots of help, but your coordination efforts were the back-bone to the whole event! Lastly, a BIG THANK-YOU to each one who accepted an office for the coming year; and to those who will be retiring from one. TOGETHER , I'm sure C.N.Y.B.A. will continue to GROW and SURVIVE . Hope to SEE YOU in Cato for our MAY 9 th MEETING , and until our next visit, remember – the person who gets ahead is the one who does more than what is necessary; and keeps on doing it – exactly what our dear Thayle always did. (Helen)