FFS Board of Directors

Volume 50 Edition 1 January 2021 Submit articles to: [email protected] By the 15th of each month FFS Board Of Directors

President Ron Bohigian [email protected] A Non-Profit Corporation for Traditional Arts

Vice President Notes from Board President, Ron Bohigian Ann Lamb [email protected] My, my, how people are so down on 2020. Was it something

Secretary about the number? COVID-19 was the biggest disruptor. Our Sue Wirt family has largely been spared the pain and misery caused by [email protected] the economic shutdown, but we know people who haven’t Treasurer Jim Ross been as fortunate and there are millions more. Megan and I [email protected] were able to complain about why the refrigerator door doesn’t Concert Master Pat Wolk close without being pushed shut. Or our dog Juno barks for [email protected] reasons we don’t understand. A friend recently sent me a short video portraying Membership the events during the life of a person born in 1900: World War I (22 million dead), Lifetime Member Alan Hubbart Spanish Flu (50 million dead), the Great Depression, the rise of Hitler, World War II (60 million dead), Korean War, Vietnam War, basically the huge sacrifice and Members At Large

Bill Lehr loss as compared to what’s being expected of each of us today: wear a mask, stay [email protected] away from groups of people. And as you can see, so many people in our country Sal Sciandra [email protected] are having trouble going along with these simple measures. My grandparents and

Larry Cusick father told me about how during WWII gasoline was rationed, they saved rubber bands, aluminum foil and scrap metal and grew victory gardens. When COVID is Susana Peckinpah finally under control, I wonder what kind of collective grade we’re going to get

Bill Johnson and if we will have learned anything that will be useful when the next pandemic [email protected] comes along. Kerry Walter [email protected] Somehow I need to connect my above commentary with music. Megan got me a fiddle for my birthday! It was probably built in the 1920s in Germany (post World Flyer Editor Bill Johnson War I?) and was refurbished by luthier Barry Shultz. It’s apparently better than [email protected] the one I’ve been playing (and loving) these past nine years. Of course, I’ll need to Calendar Editor up my practice because having a better fiddle is like a bicyclist going out and Maria Glover Hm 559-322-8677 buying a $5000 road bike because it’s two pounds lighter, ignoring the extra Cell 559-281-8278 [email protected] twenty pounds around his waist.

Logo Design by Tom Walzem at Otto Creative

Banjo Frog Art by Jon Adams 1

I’m ready for the vaccine. I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to be jamming in large groups by maybe late summer? As far as the Kings River Jamcamp on the Kings River at Kirch Flat in May, we’re keeping our options open. Congratulations to our new FFS Boardmembers, Larry Cusick and Susana Peckinpah! They’ll be in on our January 12 board meeting, which will be held via Zoom. Finally, I read about a stretch of highway near the Salton Sea, the surface of which is designed to play the William Tell Overture as you drive on it. The general concept has great possibilities for our roads here in the Valley. North Sanger Blues? (Ed. Note Listen to it here)>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYdixi6Su_8 Stay healthy. Pay your dues. Play, sing, and dance.

Fresno Folkie Far From Home

It's a long ways from Fresno to Minneapolis. The move can teach you things you didn't realize you needed to learn. Some you may have been vaguely aware of, others are totally new. The country is vast. There is beauty to behold in driving through Zion National Park, but Nebraska, with less visual interest, feels just as essential. Downsizing is liberating. While you know the saying “you can't take it with you,” for now at least you can pay by the pound to move it. Space, or lack thereof, however, awaits you on the other end. Both factors force you to look at “stuff” differently. There is nothing I have rid myself of that I regret. Friendship is subtle. It develops over time while you’re just minding your own business. You don't consciously say, “I want this person to be my friend.” When you part, however, something stirs deep within you. The Fresno Folklore Society (FFS) is ever so special. While I wait for the pandemic to be over before I meet new kindred spirits, I am ever mindful of the gift I was given when I stumbled into the FFS. It was a delight to serve on the Board. Thank you for that privilege. (Karen Starcevich)

Ed Note: This article is the second in a monthly series highlighting a member of the Fresno Folklore Society Board

Pat Wolk I've been active, off and on as president and off and on as concertmaster, since 1990. I’m not a musician but appreciate all you musicians who have dedicated so many hours and years to learning your craft. My husband Richard was the musician in the family. Following his retirement in 2000, he wrote 500 pieces of music before he died in 2016. Aside from an early interest in Seeger and Guthrie, my musical background is international music and dance. In the early 50s I danced with the Croatians in Seattle, then a Polish group. After high Dick & Pat Wolk—50th Anniversary school, I moved to San Francisco and performed with Anatol Joukowsky’s Le Petit Ensemble. Greek, Czech, Croatian, Serbian, and Bulgarian music and dance were my favorites. At age 25, marriage and family became my focus, but I never lost my love for music and dance. The Wolk family moved to Fresno in 1973. We knew no one. With our daughters in school and my husband as a full time oncologist, I returned to college for my degrees. There I saw a flyer announcing Mike Seeger to teach some classes at CSU Fresno, courtesy of Gene Bluestein and the English Department. Interested, I attended the evening lectures. As a result, I met the Bluestein family. Ellie became my best friend, and I fell in love with the music of Les Bluesteins and Evo and Jemmy and thus was introduced to the Fresno Folklore Society. I attended the twice-monthly concerts at the Tower District’s Wild Blue Yonder, camped out at Finegold and created a space in our home and acre garden for live music. I earned my degrees and was invited to Pat & partner Larry Byrne 1954 in Czech costume. Performing The Czech Polka and Furiant to Smetana’s Bartered Bride. teach at CSU Fresno in the English Department. I did so part-time for ten years. And then I was forced into retirement. 3

You know that lost feeling you get when something you love doing is no longer possible? That’s how I felt in 1990 when I retired. I loved teaching. All that energy that went into teaching—and correcting papers— was in need of a new direction. Pulling weeds was unexciting. Then out of the blue I received a phone call from Kevin Hall. “Pat, the Folk Society board has just met and we’ve elected you president!” “But but but … I haven’t even been a secretary…” “Yes. We know. You’ve been hanging around long enough. Time to pay your dues and get on board…the BOARD.” Reluctantly, I said yes and thus began my second (third or fourth) career. The Fresno Folklore Society has been around since the 60s, so I was a latecomer; but the group was in need of new energy, and I had energy to give.

...And I gave. Pat and Ellie Bluestein But in 30 years I’ve received much more in return: music and joy and love and friendship and more hugs than anyone can imagine. P.S. I’m ready as soon as we have this pandemic under control to begin booking concerts again. My soul and my garden are crying for live music and the company of my folk friends

RESOLUTIONS FOR 2021

It is January of a shiny new year. Resolutions for this year are: wear your masks; social distance; wash your hands; GET YOUR VACCINATIONS. You know what to do. (Sue Wirt)

WHIMSEY

Press any key to start. Where is the “any” key?

Question: Why is it that windshield wipers always nearly go back and forth in time to the music, but never quite? (This is from No, I Don't Want To Join A Book Club: Diary of a 60th Year by Virginia Ironside)

BILLBOARD CHARTING ARTIST, can I just speak it one more time?!?! - I feel like @cubagoodingjr when he won his Oscar. I’m so happy I just wanna shout it - I don’t know what the appropriate length of time enjoying this is - and I don’t wanna come off as boasting (PLEASE let me know if I am). It’s just been such a long journey to this point - way too much to write in a single post. If I can leave you on just this one thing — DONT. GIVE. UP. I don’t know who needs to hear that but I mean it with all my heart. (Patrick Contreras)

RESILIENCE is the operative word for 2020. We’ve almost made it through this annus horribilis, recognizing how fortunate we are to have the technology to help us through. Imagine what it was like for the folks in 1919! In addition to Email, we have Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, Texting, Facetime, Facebook—many ways to keep in touch, without having to remember phone numbers. And my iWatch helps me find my phone.

I ZOOM with my book club, my Raging Grannies group and a small connecting group from the church. Some of these conversations have brought us closer together as a community. We LISTEN to each other before responding.

My daughter Abby is visiting with me through December. She’s been working her 9-5 union job…Onward to a kinder gentler & healthier 2021 from the back bedroom. I’m enjoying hearing her laughter and listening to her speak Spanish. We have breakfast, lunch and dinner together, then watch old films that make us laugh in the evening i.e.: Branaugh’s Much Ado About Nothing, and some Indiana Jones.

I’m missing our garden concerts but am loving my garden, especially now with the autumn foliage and the few rains that have cleansed the air from the Creek Fire that blasted through our foothills, including our summer music camp. Friends have lost homes and cabins, all their possessions— but not their “can- do” survival skills. Word is that the Redwoods, many 2000 years old, have survived. May we have the same resilience as the Redwoods.

I keep my computer humming as I write the Family Memoirs. Research is satisfying and productive: ask a question and up pops the answer with details that keep me wanting more. No longer do we need to visit the library, search the card catalog, visit the stacks and find the book missing from the shelf. Do our young ones realize what a gift science and technology has afforded them? On the other hand, so much more is expected of them. And they are missing out on the interaction of studying with friends in the library.

These months of writing have brought my parents closer in this time of isolation. They talk through me onto the paper—very comforting.

WISHING YOU ALL A KINDER & GENTLER 2021. We can all make it if we’re considerate of one another by wearing a mask and keeping our distance. Pat Wolk

News items regarding the Kenny Hall Zoom session with Terry and Evo. 1. We have moved. The new schedule is Sundays from 4-5:30 pm PST. We share music notation on screen, or lyrics, at least. We play a little slower than normal for easier learning. The session is recorded and posted on YouTube and people are really using it later. Participants contribute on a sliding scale basis, $5-$20, or higher. PayPal or Venmo ([email protected]). 2. The FFS board is funding three sessions so more people can participate–the first Sunday of each month. The first free session is Sunday, January 3rd. Please join us! Of course, if you insist on paying a tip, we probably won't refuse. We "share screen" so you can see the music we are playing, but if you have Kenny's book you can use it, if you prefer. We use a lot of Kenny's book (scans) and notation I have generated, but just as the Basque jam repertoire expanded after Kenny's demise, our sessions are a broad repertoire of fun music. You can play whatever instrument you wish or just listen. You will be on mute when we play so no one can hear how great you are, unfortunately. See your friends, just like at the Basque. Karen Starcevich joined in from Minnesota. Also joining our regulars we welcome Sal Sciandra.

Comments from Satisfied Customers I want to be there! Most exciting thing I have seen on Facebook in a long time. –Chris Simon

Playing through the YouTube video, it’s great, I can stop and go over the tune and then play. –Agnes Dahl

Contact EVO to get on the list to receive the Zoom invite. [email protected]

Virtual Santa Fe Basque Jam on Zoom, Sundays. $5-20 per person, with Evo Bluestein Missing those tunes? Missing those friends? We can't meet at the usual Wednesday, Fresno Folklore Society jam, honoring Kenny Hall, but we can Zoom! Perhaps you have a student or friend who would enjoy this. Below are some of the regularly requested tunes at those sessions. Kenny sang Carter Family, Charlie Poole and a broad range of great old time songs and tunes. He also played songs from many other countries. We use Vykki Mende Gray's great book of Kenny Hall music as well as other song sheets I have written out of Kenny's Music. Try out our Zoom music jam using tunes and songs from the repertoire of the late Kenny Hall. If you have Kenny’s book, get it out. I will ‘screen share’ too. Don’t have it? Get it on Amazon or ebook version on MelBay below” https://www.amazon.com/Kenny-Halls-Music-Book-Old-Time/dp/0786632593 https://www.melbay.com/Products/96752EB/kenny-halls-music-book-old-time-music--fiddle--mandolin.aspx

Sliding scale: $5-$20 per person Venmo (user: [email protected]). Send me your email for the Zoom invite. http://www.evobluestein.com/contact/ 7

OUR FOOTPRINTS In the Winter 2020-2021 issue of American Archaeology, there is an article about footprints found at White Sands National Park in New Mexico that are believed to be about 12,000 years old. They belong to a small woman or young girl who was carrying a toddler. About one mile of that journey is preserved in the ancient mud below the sands, and indicate a round trip. Every so often, on the way to the destination, she put the toddler down for a rest. Her return trip over the same space shows that she was alone. Between her journey out and back, a giant ground sloth and a mammoth crossed her tracks and left their own. While she made this trip she was not aware that she would leave footprints that would tell us where she had been many thousands of years ago. The question I have is not that we will leave actual footprints that someone will find in the future, but what kind of “footprints” would we like to leave in peoples’ minds, if only for a generation or so? You could write a book (Pat Wolk is doing that), compose music (Glen Delpit, Bruce Honeyman, Steve Ono, Barry Shultz), write poems (Megan Bohigian), and/or be the person that you would like to remember. This little article isn't meant to be morbid, just some thoughts that went beyond the article that I had been reading. (Sue Wirt)

ARTE AMERICAS REQUEST

Hi all. Have you ever been to a Friday night summer event in the plaza at Arte Americas? Have you ever been to one of their exhibitions, such as their annual Dia de los Muertos? I picked up the mail from our post office box for FFS and found a letter from Arte Americas in the batch. It outlines the programs they are doing virtually for our community which include art and cultural activities such as cooking, poetry, musical performances, a bilingual reading program and art projects for families, a fitness program, etc. While they are continuing to bring Latino culture and arts to the San Joaquin Valley, they are in need of a new HVAC system and roof repairs. They have a matching grant and are soliciting donations (that are tax deductible) to help fix the building's physical needs. If you wish to donate to this worthy cause, you may send a check to Arte Americas at: 1630 Van Ness, Fresno, CA., 93721, or go online at arteamericas.org and press the donate button. You can also access their programming mentioned above. There is a recent (Dec 10) performance of Miel de Agave, a female trio of musicians and singers, that is available for viewing on the Arte Americas Facebook page. Check out what is going on at this wonderful institution and donate whatever you can. They are certainly worth it. (Sue Wirt) 8

John McCutcheon’s Virtual Left Coast Tour January 16, 2021 Part 2

JOHN McCUTCHEON! Where is he? Will he come to Fresno in January? YES…but in a new and different way. He has created a top quality complete performance that will be livestreamed through Mandolin.org. For ticket information and the Mandolin link, go to FFS website www.fresnofolklore.org Fresno has a dedicated ticket booth so 30% of Fresno sales will come to us. This January 16 you can watch John from the comfort of your own couch in your pajamas or your fanciest concert attire— or not.

Your household can watch for one price. John does not want anyone left out so there is a price range: General $20; Family or Household $30; Student $10; Unemployed or laid off $5. Once you buy your ticket, you will need to set up your own account with Mandolin (the livestream platform that is hosting the concert). Please set up that account as soon as you receive your electronic ticket. That will make it easy for you to log into the concert on the day of the show.

Every January since the early 90s, John has come to Fresno bringing his many instruments, his gifted music and lyrics, his ironic take on our national politics. McCutcheon in January has often coincided with my January 15th birthday. For thirty years I have enjoyed promoting John’s concerts, then sitting in the front row celebrating my birthday among friends, being entertained by one of the best singer/songwriter/ musicians alive today. What a gift! During this pandemic we’ve all been on a steep learning curve. I can now Facetime, WhatsAp, Alexa and Zoom! Zoom has a new meaning for all of us—no longer is it just the noise of our Hot Wheels on the linoleum. Remember Hot Wheels? Musicians whose income has been dependent on live concerts and touring have had to reinvent themselves. It’s a big new world with creative minds developing ways to help us reach out and communicate and maintain our friendships. And for musicians to survive in this difficult time! John vows to see us in person in 2022. Not tech savvy? Ask a teenager (or a five year old). That’s what I did. (Pat Wolk)

DUES DUES DUES ARE OVERDUE January is here and that means the yearly dues for Fresno Folklore Society memberships are overdue. The funds go to insurance for events, publicity, newsletters, etc. The dues are still $20 for an individual and $30 for a family. Membership entitles you to a monthly newsletter, discounts at many of our concerts, and the satisfaction of encouraging the continuation of music and dance from our many roots. We are always grateful for any extras that anyone wants to send as well. If you receive the newsletter by postal mail, we would encourage you to donate a little extra as our costs of printing and mailing have risen. We had to cancel our shows this year into next due to the shut down, and do not know if or when our next event will be, but we don't intend to stop giving you the best that we can. The Sue Beevers Scholarships are continuing, encouraging young people to get into old time stringed instruments (fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, autoharp, mountain dulcimer and hammered dulcimer) as well as learning dance calls and accompaniment. Check out the FFS website, very ably managed by Kerry Walter, for other content and links. Play your CDs that you have bought at prior events and dream about the future ones. You may pay your dues through PayPal at fresnofolklore.org or by mail to: Fresno Folklore Society, P.O. Box 4617, Fresno CA. 93744. If you can send the application with your check, that would be helpful so we can keep up with changes of address and phone numbers and email addresses. (Sue Wirt)

Hello friends o' folklore New Website Promotion of Streamed Concerts Since streamed events are the closest we currently get to seeing concerts, I created a Streamed Concerts page, with links from the Homepage. Here I offer current access and info for each artist participating.

The first regular concert I have is Slaid Cleaves, who streams a concert on Sundays once per month. I have received emails at [email protected] from folks like Laurie Lewis and the Gilly Girls who were streaming concerts. This is a call for suggestions for artists that some of you may be listening to. I will have a link for other artist suggestions on the Streamed Concerts page. (Kerry Walter)

Grateful for Your Support of Our Fresno Folklore Society A HUGE THANK YOU to all of our paid members below. Your dues promote music in our community. Folklore Society membership runs from July 1 to the end of June. You can mail us a check or pay through PayPal on our website at fresnofolklore.org. When you do your dues, you’ll be at least as famous as these people shown below. Alan Hubbart John & Debi Alden Allen & Debra Church John & Maureen Hayes Allen Lintvedt John LaLonde & Joyce Burel Ann Lamb John Crawford & Carole Bailey Ann Lewis Joliene Mason Ann & Bill Flayer Judi Redmond Anne Betancourt Judy Bezzerides Anne Merrill & Mike Stepanyan Kathryn Long-Pence Anne Mosgrove & Kevin Hall Kathy Wosika & David Fox Anne Whitehurst Kelly & Anastasia O'Neill Barbara Boynton & Kelli Dackawich Kent & Susan Kinney Barbara Hollinger & Jim Reblan Kevin Campbell Bea Berratinni LaDonna Rowe Becky Richardson Larry Cusick Susan Heidebrecht Betsy Hill Laura Silberman Bill & Ceci Johnson Lee Liddle Bill Lulay Linda Guerrero & Bill Lehr Bonnie Douglas & Tom Kramer Bruce Honeyman Linda & George Sward Lorenzo Bassman Carl & Kathryn Johnsen Lou & Christi Paradise Christoph Bahne Lynda Emanuels Christy Bardon Lynette Bassman & John Reed Craig & Lisa Poole Margaret Tynan David & Katzi Engel Maria Glover & Billie Harris David Kuehl & D.J. Peters Mark Eaton Debbie Jo Wagner Mike Newton Dennis & Harriett Pollock Mike Reilly Diane Hanson-Barnes Nancy Hatcher Dick Estel Pam & Paul Schramm Dolores Torres Pat Wolk Don Loweburg Paul & Karen Starcevich Elaine Fetterman Penny Critchlow & Mark Olson Elecia Johansson Penny Smith Finegold Trust Randy & Anita Morris Fran Sainders & Paul Indman Renata Ley Frank Gibson Richard Calderwood & Karen Hale Fresno Music Academy & Arts Ron & Megan Bohigian Gary Morrison Sal & Denise Sciandra George & Linda Sward Sandi Downs Greg & Bette Merrill Sayre Miller Howard Ono Shelley Fetterman Heather Taylor Sherron Brown Hugh & Jennifer Williamson Stan Allen Janet Horder Stephen Fretz & Lynn Moss Jeff Adolph Sue Wirt Jeff Hallock & Deb Symes Susan Coberly Jim & Elaine Salvatore Susan Tellier Jim & Lynn Ross Susana Peckinpah Joel Patrick Thomas Zimoski John & Amelia Ryan Tim & Janet Johnson John & Andrea McDaniel Toni Eames & James van Eseltine John & Barbara Chookasian Vicki Cheney 11

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Would you like to become a member of the Fresno Folklore Society?

The Fresno Folklore Society (FFS) is a non-profit community-based organization. It sponsors traditional music, dancing, and other traditional art forms. FFS hosts potlucks and jam sessions; it encourages and promotes new musicians through classes, recording opportunities and other support. FFS members share visions and concerns for a peaceful and just world and actively support efforts to create an eco-friendly environment.

Membership Levels: $20.00 individual; $30.00 family; $50.00 corporate sponsor Membership information: 559-225-9511 NEW MEMBER? Yes No  RENEWING? Yes No RENEWING AFTER LAPSE? Yes No

Number of family Members: ____ The monthly copy of the Society Flyer is delivered only by email to the address below.

Current e-mail: ______Phone:______Name(s): ______Street Address: ______City: ______State:______Zip:______Individual: ______Family: ______Corporate Sponsor: ______Affiliated member:______

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______For more information visit our website at www.fresnofolklore.org

Membership payments and donations can be mailed to: FFS P.O. Box 4617 Fresno, CA 93744