Volume 39; Number 3 Mawrth / March 2006. Dewi Sant Welsh United Church 33 Melrose Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. M5M 1Y6 Phone 416-485-7583 Fax 416-485-2978 Web www.dewisant.com Email [email protected] Message from the Minister…… Neges y Gweinidog. The arrangements for the 2007 celebrations are well under way at Dewi Sant, with many of the members eagerly working on various projects that will make the coming year a busy one as well as unforgettable for all the right reasons. One of the recent occurrences has been a steady flow of memorabilia from the history of the Church, not only in photographs but also in the increased number of people who love to relate stories about special events that have taken place here on Melrose Avenue and in Clinton Street. There is no doubt that the Church has had a lasting impression and influence upon generations of worshippers here in Toronto. As I listen to the stories I am constantly moved to ponder upon the influences that have shaped my personality. The obvious ones are clear to see, my family when I was a child, my wife in my adult years, the place where I lived and the people who have been friends and mentors on this journey of life. Not to mention my religion and my God. But there are so many other influences that I could mention. Here are one or two. Music has greatly influenced me. I was brought up on a diet of hymn singing, which gave me a taste for the simpler form of music which can be sung by everyone, whether they have an aptitude or not. All one needs to appreciate such music is a need to enjoy. I was then influenced, as a teenager, by the music of the ‘pop culture’ of the 60’s and 70’s. Groups such as the Beatles, The Beach Boys, then later ABBA, Elton John, Edward H, Dafydd Iwan and Rod Stewart became my regular intake of culture and influence. A far cry from the hymns, and not separated from each other as I was ‘into’ all the forms of rhythm, although they were so different in many ways. As I grow older (notice the term ‘oldER’) I learn to appreciate the classics more and more, especially as a way to relax. I have also been influenced by the words of songs. Some of the lyrics in modern songs seem to be repetitive and, on the whole, meaningless. Not so four decades ago, when lines of poetry ended in real rhyme, and what is more when their messages were profound. Let me give you one example – from a Beatles song. ‘Life is very short, and there’s no time for fussing and fighting, my friend.’ I wonder how many people would agree that those words are SO true, and speak directly to them. As the years pass we come to realize that time is so precious that we cannot and should not waste it in acts that separate and divide, as individuals or on community and national and international levels. How about letting those simple words from the Beatles’ song influence us to change our attitude to those we have refused to reconcile with, for reasons we cannot even remember. Yes, life is too short to let us waste it on hatred and division. Let us work together, because there is no second chance if we get it wrong the first time around. Bob bendith. Blessings, Deian. ********************************************** UCW--------------------------Merched yr Eglwys. Step into Spring with the UCW Spring Bazaar! The UCW is planning a Spring Bazaar on Saturday, May 27th. Please mark this date on your calendar. In the meantime, please help us in making this event a success by contributing what you can to the bazaar. We are looking for baking, crafts, knitting and sewing as well as treasures, gently used clothing, books and Welsh items. This year, due to space constraints, we are not planning a White Elephant table. Looking forward to seeing you there! Bazaar Coordinator Sheryl Clay. Penny Auction April 24th 7.30pm ****************************************** Ontario Welsh Festival, Stratford, April 28 - 30 If the number of emails we are receiving from its conductor are anything to judge by, then Cor Cymes Pontarddulais is more than ready for its first visit to Canada. Their excitement is palpable, even electronically! And, of course, Dewi Sant's own Sheryl Clay will be their guest soloist. We hope that you have already registered for the weekend and signed up for the various activities. Don't forget the seminar on Saturday afternoon at 2 PM when we will learn about Welsh characters in Shakespearian plays. Myfanwy Bajaj wants your participation in both the Noson Lawen on Friday evening and the poetry reading at 3 PM on Saturday. 905 737 4399 Would you like to bring your young children or grandchildren with you? There will be an hour of children's activities on Saturday morning and they may also participate in the Noson Lawen. The banquet menu offers a choice of turkey or salmon. You will barely have time to then get ready for the concert at Parkview United church - just a stone's throw from the Arden Park Hotel. Sunday will be the pinnacle of the weekend with two Cymanfa sessions, conducted by Ifor Miles, Pontarddulais. For more details about the weekend check our website at Ontariowelshfestival.ca or call Mable Hastings at 416-730-8658 Hefina Phillips These verses were found by Gwen Evans in an old autograph book that she had years ago. To be born Welsh Is to be born privileged. Not with a silver spoon In your mouth, But music in your blood And poetry in your soul. Build for yourself a strong box, Fashion each part with care, Fit it with a chain and padlock, Hide all your worries there. Put all your failures within it As each little cup you quaff, Pack all your troubles in it, Then sit on the lid and laugh. - January 1951 Ysgrifennu mae'ch cyfeillion Yn eich albwm waith eu llaw. Edrych drwyddo ddwg atgofion Ichwi mhen blynyddoedd ddaw. Troi dalennau, gweld eu henwau, Yn y llyfr ar gael o hyd, Prin y gallech pe dymunech Eu galw heddiw oll ynghyd. - How true! Pob hwyl, Gwen Evans. ********************************************** Kitchen Corner-----------------------Cornel Fach Y Gegin. Lamb Shanks Braised in Guinness. 6 lamb shanks (trim fat off) salt & pepper to taste (approx 1 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp pepper) , ¼ cup flour, olive oil ( 2-4 tablespoons, to fry shanks, I add a bit of butter as well) ¾ onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped, 1 tsp dried thyme leaves,2 tbsp tomato paste,½ cup beef stock Can of Guinness, or other dark stout/beer/wine (approx 1½ cups) Method. Combine flour, salt & pepper. Lightly coat shanks, and brown in frying pan. Transfer to slow cooker or casserole. Add onions to pan, cook until softened, add garlic, thyme, and any remaining flour. Cook for one minute. Add stock and Guinness, cook and stir until mixture thickens. Pour over shanks. Cook in slow cooker, or in slow oven (200), all day (well, between 6 to 10 hours, as shanks do vary in size) Note: As there may be a fair bit of fat , even after trimming, I often cook them the day before, leave in the fridge overnight, then scrape the fat off the top the next day, and re-heat. Mairwen Thornley. The Rich Coast.--- Part One. It was the middle of the night after choir practice that the bus came to take us to the airport, destination - San Jose, Costa Rica, via Miami. With the 1 hour time difference, it was mid afternoon when we arrived. So far-----so good. Only a minor hitch at U S customs. I had taken an apple with me to eat on board for breakfast, but I was pulled aside for trying to import foodstuff into the USA. I offered to eat it there and then, but was told gruffly that I wasn’t in a restaurant, and was made to throw it away. I could have bought the same apple in a food court further in the airport! Costa Rica means “rich coast”. Christopher Columbus found sanctuary here following a storm, on his 4th and final journey in 1502. It is said that he encountered natives wearing gold discs and spoke of abundant gold, hence the term Costa Rica. Others believe the name refers to the lush greenery of the land itself. It has a population of 4 million, and an area of 52000 square km. (twice the size of Wales – 21000 sq km). It has no standing army, the military was abolished in 1949. Tourism earns more foreign exchange than bananas and coffee combined! The only thing, other than the flight, that I had arranged in advance, was a rental car, which was waiting for me at the airport. It was, according to the car rental official, a straight forward 10 Km. drive to Ciudad Colon, the town where our daughter Lauren was living. ”First right at the lights, and follow the signs.” My first insight into Costa Rica! How I ever found Ciudad Colon, with only once taking a wrong turn, is a miracle! Addresses in C.R. are a little different too. Lauren’s is, in Spanish, “the yellow house across the road from the swimming pool”! I had to ask directions. However, I had learnt some Spanish quickly, on the way into Ciudad Colon – “No Hay Pasa” means “No entry, one way street!” The rest of the day was spent on a guided tour of the University for Peace, where Lauren was pursuing her post graduate studies.