North America Foundation News

Newyddion o Sefydliad Cymru Gogledd America Pages 19-21 From the President in a Season of Virtual Festivals This is the season of virtual Many more details about these expressed their gratitude for this festivals and performance on plans are given elsewhere in this material support. A priceless various social media outlets. It issue of Ninnau. bonus to this generosity was is a tribute to the commitment A highlight of the founda- their sense that someone cared and persistence of all involved tion’s annual activities is our for and admired them for how to lighten the burden and loneli- joint banquet with the Welsh they are dealing with adversity ness that the epidemic has North American Association on as they pursue their studies. caused many people. the Friday evening of NAFOW. Our director Gerri Baker This week, which brings July It is then that we present our Parry has undertaken an exten- to a close, several of us would most prestigious award the sive upgrade of our website. have packed our bags for depar- Heritage Medallion – y Among its many attributes will ture to the National Eisteddfod Medaliwn Treftadaeth – to indi- be that it allows single, easy in Tregaron, in the rolling hills viduals who have made major access to individual sections with their beautiful views of contributions to Welsh-North concerning activities in Wales Cardiganshire. They have American life. This presentation and North America while main- replaced the occasion with a is followed by a recital by the taining the unity of purpose and sustained series of virtual pre- recipient of the Osborne goals on both sides of the sentations available to all at Roberts Blue Riband presented Atlantic. Launch of the website [email protected] . to the champion soloist under is planned for the end of On our return, we would have the age of 25 at the previous August, and in the next issue of pointed ourselves towards year’s national eisteddfod. Ninnau, we will give details of Philadelphia for NAFOW over Edward Morus Jones was to how to access its content, anoth- the Labor Day weekend. receive the Heritage Medallion A reminder of how important our Welsh events our to us; the er way for us to remain in COVID-19 got in the way of in Philadelphia with music to be National Eisteddfod in Cardiff, 2018 touch, particularly since the our travel plans. But wait, this performed by Dafydd Jones. website will have a blog sec- did not deter the organizers led Both Edward and Dafydd live in good enough to provide greet- undaunted with their plans to tion. by Megan Williams and the Wales. While Edward is a fre- ings in words and song for continue and complete their I hope you will find it possi- local organizing committee quent visitor to Philadelphia to Philadelphia’s virtual NAFOW. studies in Wales. And each has ble to enjoy the virtual festivals from coming up with an ambi- be with his wife Mary, this was As we report elsewhere in this a compelling story to tell. online to tide us over until more tious plan for a virtual NAFOW to have been Dafydd’s first visit section of Ninnau, our founda- With gratitude, we thank a normal and less restrictive times that can be enjoyed by all, to North America. tion has completed a successful generous donor who donated a arrive. including those who would not Happily, both have indicated year of scholarship and grant substantial gift to be shared have been able to travel to their willingness to be with us at awards. We remain in touch among our scholars after read- Philip Davies Philadelphia – a slender silver NAFOW in Ottawa next year. with our 2019 scholarship recip- ing their stories in the last issue NAWF President lining to the COVID-19 cloud. As a prelude they have been ients as each of them continues of Ninnau. The students Original NWAF Director Wilfred O. Greenway, “Welsh Colossus” 1920–2008 By James Thomas 71), Wil had also been a found- Award for Outstanding ing director of the North Contributions to the Air Don’t the whisper the “pass- American Chamber of Transportation and Cargo word”; sing it out loud – Commerce, a vice president of Industry. “Croeso i Efrog Newydd. Cymru a’r Byd, and a vice pres- Wil was active to the end and Welcome to New York.” The ident of the Pendyrus Male always ready with a warm wel- first “Wales Week” in the city Voice Choir. come, help, and good advice. was celebrated in 1975 during He was also a founding direc- He attended Catrin Brace’s the North American Festival of tor (1975) and past president Wales Week in New York event Wales (aka the 44th Annual (1985–87) of the JFK Airport “Wales on Wall Street” and met Gymanfa Ganu). Celebrants Chamber of Commerce, a direc- with Welsh Assembly minister renamed the Regent Room of tor of the Queens [NYC!] Ieuan Wyn Jones, Welsh- the Hilton as the Welsh Inn, and Economic Development Canadian business man Sir 2,500 people attended. Corporation, and an active Terry Matthews, and NAWF Wilfred Greenway, chair of Freemason. He was master of Medallion recipient Sir Howard the local committee of the St. Britannia Lodge #1166 (three Stringer. David’s Society of New York, times) and District Deputy After his death on 7 March took charge (in his usual tactful Grand Master, Fourth District, 2008, he was remembered at his way) as, according to The New Manhattan, Grand Lodge of church, the Welsh Congregation York Times, the “enthusiastic New York. of New York. President David and knowledgeable dispenser of For the National Welsh- Morgan of the St. David’s Welsh lore, local and global.” American Foundation (NAWF), Society declared, “We will miss After five years of planning, he was a founding director in his wisdom and integrity.” As it had finally come to life. In the 1980, served as president in Dr. Philip Davies eulogized, tristate area, Will guessed, 1984 to 1985, and acted in Wil was” a colossus who “there are 5,000 Welsh people many different capacities after bestrode Welsh American life within 50 miles of the Empire that for the foundation until his for the 60 years that he lived in State Building, which is not death. As Editor Peter Williams Jean Ward Greenway and Wilfred O. Greenway at the 2006 the United States” and was “one exactly a St. Patrick’s Day said in The Eagle & the St. David's banquet in New York. of the great visionaries” to “pro- parade.” But he noted that, Dragon, the NWAF newsletter, mote Welsh-American history “people are glad to find there’s he “proudly served as our and contemporary life.” a Welsh organization in New NWAF roving ambassador.” often with the simple byline of With his wife Kay, he moved When his wife Kay suffered a York.” And the festival had He produced several presti- Ninnau Correspondent. That to New York in 1947 with the stroke in 1988, Wil provided “everything,” even two octets. gious NAWF events, including was a measure of his modesty. British Overseas Airways exemplary daily care for her “One of them is a 10-voice octet Heritage Medallion presenta- He just got the job done and Corporation to a distinguished until her death in 1997. He then …typically Welsh.” tions in 1999 in New York with didn’t worry about getting his career in the airline industry. He later met and, in 2003, married Years later in 2006, he was Paul Loveluck CBE and Will name up front. became Cargo Sales Manager Jean Ward, an international honored by NAWF with the Rhys; in 2000 in Washington Wilfred Owen Greenway was and later, Export Cargo business and cultural consultant, Order of American Ivorites at with Hywel Davies and Howard born in , Wales, on 12 Manager for BOAC (later who became his beloved second the annual dinner of the St. Patrick; and in 2001 in June 1920 but grew up in British Airways) in 1969 at wife as well as his business David’s Society for achieve- Philadelphia with Handel Abergavenny. He worked JFK. He visited over 40 coun- partner. She carries on his mem- ments on behalf of Welsh- Cromwell Evans and Lord briefly for , Midland, tries to assess their ory and his work. Americans. As Dr. Arturo Gordon Parry. And he helped in and Scottish Railway, as did his import/export systems, develop- Roberts of Ninnau emphasized combining the NAWF award father, before he joined the ing a global network of con- in his presentation, Wil was ceremonies with the yearly Royal Engineers during World tacts. committed to the principles of NAFOW banquet, starting in War II. After campaigns in After retirement in 1972, he the Order – Cyfeillgarwch, 2004 in Buffalo with Ellis North Africa and Italy, he set up as a consultant and final- Cariad a Gwirionedd – Jones. retired after the war as a major. ly, in 1984, his own company, a Friendship, Love and Truth. And for many years, Wil was He was presented with the Oak Airport Consulting. In 2000, he At that time, as well as a past also the advertising director of Leaf Cluster by King George received the airlines prestigious president of St. David’s (1969– Ninnau and wrote many articles, VI. Bishop Wright Man of the Year

September-October 2020 NINNAU Page 19 ‘On Being Welsh’ – In 2013 Hefina Phillips Accepted the NAWF Heritage Medallion Editor’s Note: Material and Fate of the Language”) given by that everyone in North America memories that never made the Lewis in 1962. What role did can get to know about Welsh NWAF Eagle and Dragon will my generation play in the near activities among the Diaspora. I be printed occasionally. In demise of the Welsh language? love those emails from Arturo accepting her award in 2013 at Well, when I was a teenager, reminding me that the latest NAFOW, Hefina gave a highly it was “really cool” to speak deadline is looming, so could I personal and revealing account English. Even kids that spoke please get an article to Ninnau of the reasons for her passion in Welsh at home played in as soon as possible. Then comes being Welsh and her wishes to English on the street. My the next email: “Oes lluniau?” share it with as many people as friends and I would natter away (Are there photos?). What possible. Here is her speech: in English, but just as we turned would we do without a North Presidents of the NWAF the corner of our house, we American-Welsh newspaper? [NAWF] and WNAA, My Lord immediately switched to Welsh Diolch o galon, Arturo ac Olga. (Yr Arglwydd) Roger Roberts, – just in case my father was My latest passion is teaching ladies and gentlemen – boneddi- around. Woe betides us if he Welsh at the Celtic Studies gion a boneddigesau. heard us speaking English. Program at the University of Many of you here tonight Outside of our control was the Toronto. The students are so may not know me and are possi- fact that, regardless of our edu- brilliant and really keep me on bly wondering why I have been cation (and most of my friends my toes. They ask the most dif- given this very prestigious went on to post-secondary edu- ficult of questions and often my award. When asked “Tell me cation), we probably would reply is, “Hang on a minute. No about yourself,” my immediate have to go to England to find one has ever asked me that answer is, “I am Welsh.” On a work. before.” I absolutely adore my recent trip to Greece with my On Sunday at the gymanfa classes and describe my stu- 13-year-old granddaughter, I ganu of this festival, we will be dents as my “drug of choice.” overheard her tell fellow travel- singing the hymn “Penparc,” How lucky can one person get? ers “Oh my Mamgu is so written by J.T. Rees. Penparc It is not difficult to understand Welsh. She knows everyone in was the farm behind our house that I love everything that I am Wales!” Well, the second sen- in Cwmgiedd. Rees was born Hefina Phillips speaks at the 2013 NAWF Awards Banquet involved with and consider tence isn’t quite correct, but the and raised on the farm opposite myself to be the most fortunate first one is! us, Llwynbedw. One of my when he described Castell once a month. Was it surprising person alive. I am constantly There is a saying in Welsh close friends as I grew up was Carreg Cennen as a “splendid that every Sunday as we left the indebted to my guardian angels. “Mae natur y cyw yn y cawl” – the daughter of that farm, Betty. Welsh castle, Mamgu, none of morning service at Dewi Sant And now I am being reward- the nature of the chicken goes One day my mother overheard your Norman rubbish!” Can I that I would be in floods of tears ed for something that I just love into the broth. Probably the Betty’s mother, Catrina, speak- but hope that the apple really as we drove home? doing. Somehow that doesn’t closest English equivalent is ing to her in English. doesn’t fall far from the tree? I soon found out about the feel quite right. Diolch yn fawr that the apple doesn’t fall far As you can well imagine My father’s passion for the Ontario Welsh Festival and the doesn’t begin to express my from the tree. And if that is true, Catrina’s English was pretty language has certainly been North American Festival of gratitude to the NWAF it would explain why I am so ropey. “Pam ych chi’n siarad passed on to me. The best I can Wales, and it seemed no time at [NAWF] for this prestigious passionate about the country of Saesneg gyda Betty, Catrina,” do to honor his memory and the all before I got to know many award. I will wear the medallion my birth and, of course, my lan- my mother asked (“Why are work that he did for the survival (if not all) of the Welsh speak- with pride. But also please guage. you speaking English to Betty, of the language is to make sure ers in North America. Of understand that I am able to The “cyw” and the “tree” in Catrina?”). “Aiff Cymraeg ddim that I continue in this vein. course, I would be willing to work as hard as I do for the this respect was my father – a a hi dros y ffin,” (“Welsh will So why, well may you ask, run Welsh language classes! Of Welsh cause because of all the passionate Welsh nationalist at not take her over the border.”) are you here in Toronto then, course, I would be willing to support I receive from my fami- a time when it was illegal to was the reply. That will explain when you’re so passionate organize, participate in, and ly, friends and colleagues. The belong to such an organization the general attitude in Wales about Wales and the Welsh lan- adjudicate in eisteddfodau at people that one works with and and well before it was accepted when I was growing up. guage? Good question! As Dewi Sant. Helping out with the associates with make it all pos- and even fashionable to be a Thankfully, not in our house. many of you understand, life children of the Sunday school sible. Diolch i bob un ohonoch. nationalist. He was converted, if I am delighted to report that sometimes gets in the way was especially rewarding, as And now an important piece that’s the correct word, by a things have changed quite dra- despite the best laid plans, and they soaked up the traditions of of information. When God man who later became one of matically, thanks in large part to as a family, we moved here in Wales, performing, singing, and decided to create what is now my heroes, namely, Saunders Saunders Lewis’s lecture. early 1980. Little did I realize reciting, much of it in Welsh. the , he first Lewis. I would ascertain that Today when I go back to Wales, before this hugely emotional Early on I was introduced to made England, then Scotland, Saunders Lewis has had an I speak Welsh 99 percent of the move that living in Toronto Cymdeithas Madog, the and Ireland. He stood back and influence on my life even before time. In fact when I took my 12 would make it relatively easy to Institute for Welsh Studies, in observed the three countries and I was born! year old grandson Rhys to keep up my Welsh and promote North America, and have taught said to Himself “Hmm I’ve The English language was Wales in March of this year, he it. on more of their annual Welsh made a lot of mistakes here. completely forbidden in our asked me in a rather perturbed The first incredible news was immersion courses than I care to There’s an awful lot wrong with house. It was my generation that tone of voice, “Can your friends that there was a Welsh church enumerate. them. OK, I’ve learned from almost cost Wales its language speak English, Mamgu?” My in Toronto with a Welsh speak- I would like to take this those mistakes and now I know and that gave rise to the emo- answer: “I’m sure they can – ing minister – the Rev. Cerwyn opportunity to publicly thank how to do it right.” And then He tional, unforgettable radio lec- I’ve just never heard them.” I Davies, and many Welsh speak- Arturo and Olga Roberts for all created Wales. ture “Tynged yr Iaith” (“The was especially proud of Rhys ers. There was a Welsh service that they have done to ensure Our Immediate Past President – Stacy Evans Rev. Dr. Stacy Evans, now Protestants on John Wesley Advisory Board for the Center. the immediate past president of while he was a missionary in He attended the 2006 the North America Wales the English colony of Georgia Swansea National Eisteddfod Foundation, served two success- earned the accolade of distinc- and the 2009 Cymdeithas ful terms as president. During tion. Madog week for Welsh study in his tenure, several committees After seminary, Stacy studied Alberta, Canada. were activated and through the at Lincoln College, Oxford, In 2008, Stacy successfully scholarship activities of the England. From this time, his applied for the position of NAWF, new recipients were various Christian experiences Executive Director of the Welsh placed in universities in Wales. visiting theological colleges and National Gymanfa Ganu Stacy, who grew up on a farm religious communities have had Association (now the Welsh in southeast Ohio near the his- an ongoing influence on his life North American Association), toric town of Marietta, has been and ministry. After Lincoln, he guiding WNGGA through three a scholar all his life. As his high returned to his native Ohio, North American Festivals of school salutatorian, he went first beginning his career in pastoral Wales (Pittsburgh, Portland, and to Marietta College, then ministry and serving several Cleveland). He stepped down in Kenyon College, where he was churches over the course of 37 2012 andwas followed by Dr. initiated into Phi Beta Kappa years. Megan Williams, the current the and graduated manga cum After formal retirement, he executive secretary. laude. During his senior year served as pastor of two churches Dr. Stacy Evans presents the Heritage Medallion to Catrin Throughout his life, Stacy has (political science major), he was in his hometown and two more Brace at the 2017 North American Festival of Wales in maintained an active interest in the special assistant to the in the county in which he now Rochester, New York. Welsh music and affairs. He majority leader of the Ohio resides. After that, he served believes that his Welsh heritage House of Representatives. interim pastorates in four is probably from North Wales. After Kenyon, he went on to churches (so far). He also gave dence near Granville, Ohio, a which all five of his children Anecdotally, after meeting a New York’s Union Theological the St. David’s Day sermon for town that has many Welsh con- had to play two instruments. An young man from Flinstshire and Seminary, where he studied the Welsh Congregation of New nections. uncle became a music teacher telling him that his father’s with a number of theologians, York in 2015. Since his 30s, Stacy has been and composer. name was Richard Evans, the the best known of whom was Stacy and his wife Cheryl are interested in his Welsh heritage He became associated with man said that he knew many Daniel Day Williams. He also the parents of four grown chil- and the language. His family the Madog Center for Welsh Richard Evanses. Stacy loves studied church history with dren. One of his sons is now had a major interest in music; in Studies at the University of Rio the Welsh and feels that he is an Robert Handy and David Lotz. working as a career diplomat for fact, his grandfather Evans (who Grande where he first studied integral part of this worldwide His honors thesis on the influ- the US State Department. They was a coal miner) had a family the Welsh language. For a num- fellowship. ence of the Salzburger maintain their retirement resi- band which he directed and in ber of years, he has been on the

Page 20 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® September-October 2020 Scholarship Committee Report, July 2020 By Hefina Phillips own rights, but I must give spe- Brooke and Andrew have cial mention to Brooke Martin, received scholarships again. We This has been a very unusual who is completing the first year are able to do so, thank good- year. In a way it has been easier of her PhD. Please read her arti- ness, as it would be a tragedy if to award scholarships and cle on her dissertation research both/either had to drop out grants, but it has also been a on Welsh opera in this issue of before graduating, due to lack year when, as a committee, we Ninnau. The letters of recom- of funds. have been more concerned mendation from her head of A grant was given to the about our students than the department and her supervising Peniel Welsh Chapel norm. prof are beyond amazing. She is Association in Wisconsin to Thanks to Covid-19, the acad- also a fluent Welsh speaker and help in their Exterior emic year has not gone smooth- much of her research is being Renovation Project of this his- ly for last year’s winners. done through the language. She torically important building to Kelsey Weber, studying ceram- is outstanding. the North American-Welsh ics at Cardiff, had to return to Hope Kohtala and Rebecca . Maine due to her student visa Blok, both halfway through NAWF will also award Dr. expiring. Andrew Edwards their masters’ degrees, have Mari Morgan a grant towards returned to Michigan. Rebecca decided to remain in Bangor the cost of publishing her PhD Blok, Hope Kohtala, and and Rebecca is currently house- dissertation, based on two Brooke Martin stayed in sitting on Anglesey for a friend. Welsh-American composers, Bangor. Quite a special group. Andrew Daniel Prothero and Joseph As a committee, we were Edwards has thrown himself Parry. We look forward to see- very concerned about the stu- into the deep end, so to speak, ing it in print. dents’ financial upheavals and not only to his studies at Bangor An unusual year but with luck despite the market situation, we University but also to local cul- (and vaccines!) we will be back were able to award them an ture and pastimes. He is an to normal by 2021. Keep well, extra $1,000 each to help them enthusiastic Welshman, waiting wear your masks, and keep overcome their immediate to return. social distancing. Brooke Martin at Bangor University financial problems. To report For 2021, there were just two applications for scholarships Gwyn eu byd -- ond pa hyd? that they were grateful would be had been grueling as I remem- can mean “white” but here a huge understatement. and two for grants. Although it Editor’s Note: Along with her is not the norm to repeat, this scholarship report, Hefina ber and of course not everyone means “Blessed” from the As a reminder, last year’s actually reached Base Camp Beatitudes. So it can be trans- winners are total stars in their year is so unusual that both added this email after reading the article “The Welsh Names due to breathing problems. lated as “Blessed/White is our of Everest” in the preceding En route they were invited world- but for how long?” It issue. into the home of their Sherpa, transpired that the Sherpa had North America Wales Foundation I suddenly remembered an and Bill was astonished to see trained in Wales and had obvi- interesting story about my ex- on the wall a poster of a field ously made a strong connection. 2020 husband Bill Phillips who filled with white flowers. The climbed as far as Base Camp wording was as follows: Gwyn back in 2001. The preparations eu byd – ond pa hyd? Gwyn Officers

Philip Davies Scotch Plains, New Jersey A note of thanks from Andrew Edwards and friends

President Jon Roper Swansea, Wales Vice President Wales Stacy Evans Granville, Ohio Immediate Past President

Christine Penn Danielsville, Pennsylvania Secretary Warren Watkins Clarks Summit, Penn. Treasurer Carole Kirby-Trojahn Somerville, New Jersey Chairman of the Board

Dave Matthews, WNNA Calgary, Alberta Honorary Vice President

Directors- North America Annwyl Phil,

Lorena Bennett Benton, Pennsylvania Fysa chi’n fodlon rhannu’r neges hon efo pawb yn NAWF, os gwelwch yn dda? Dyma hi: James Cassarino Asheville, North Carolina Jeanne Jones Jindra Gallipolis, Ohio Annwyl gyfeillion, Stephen Jones Boulder, Colorado AdaMae Lewis Ames, Iowa Dwi mor ffodus i gyfrif fy hun ymysg y myfyrwyr sy wedi profi eich haelioni, dwi’n hynod ddi- olchgar a balch iawn i wedi cael fy nerbyn fel aelod o deulu NAWF am y tair blynedd dwytha. Gerry Baker Parry Sherwood, Oregon Gobeithio eich bod chi’n cadw’n ddiogel ac yn iach yn ystod y cyfnod rhyfedd yma a gobeithio Hefina Phillips Oakville, Ontario bydda i’n cael cyfarfod bob un ohonoch yn y dyfodol. (hwyrach erbyn y ‘Steddfod flwyddyn nesa) Dwi’n atodi llun o lond dwrn o ffrindia hyfryd dwi ‘di cael y fraint i’w dod i nabod yn ystod fy Donald Prytherch Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania mlynyddoedd yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys aelod arall teulu NAWF, sef Rebecca Fox Blok. Yn anf- Arturo Roberts Basking Ridge, New Jersey fodus, torrodd y pandemig ar draws ein hamser ni a’n cynlluniau gwanwynol, ond roedd hi’n hynod werthfawr cael eich cefnogaeth yn ystod y misoedd llawn ofn. James Thomas New York, New York Diolch yn fawr unwaith eto am yr ysgoloriaeth (olaf!), fydd yn help mawr imi drwy gydol fy Torry Watkins Hightstown, New Jersey mlwyddyn olaf ar y cwrs, gan nad oeddwn i’n gallu gweithio’n ôl yn y sba dros yr haf ‘ma. Wir ichi, mae’n fendith a fydd yn sicrhau bydda i’n gallu cwblhau fy mlwyddyn olaf. David Williams Gibsonia, Pennsylvania Diolch o waelod calon! I’m so thankful to count myself a member of the NAWF family, as I truly have been made to feel Newsletter Editor: James Thomas, New York, New York as such over the scary and uncertain initial months of the Covid-pandemic, when I was far away from my home and family. I can’t express my gratitude for your continued support and humbling generosity. Directors- Wales I hope you’re all staying well and safe during these uncertain times and hopefully I’ll be able to see all of you sometime in the future – perhaps next year’s Eisteddfod! I’ve attached a picture of some of my lovely friends who I’ve been privileged to get to know and love during my stay in Wales, including another member of the NAWF family, Rebecca Fox Blok. Catrin Brace Alas, the pandemic cut short our time together and plans for the spring, but it was incredibly appre- Jenny Hubbard ciated having your support during the fearful months. Thanks so much for the scholarship (final!), it will be such a help to me as I wasn’t able to go Joanna Masters, Secretary back to work at the spa this summer like usual; truly it is a blessing as it allows me to go back to Jenny Mathers, Treasurer complete my final year.

David Melding, CBE Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Shelia O’Neal Cofion cynnes, Abbie Wightwick Kindest regards,

Andrew

September-October 2020 NINNAU Page 21