Dedicated to a Peaceful and Sustainable FutureVisionVisionSummer/Fall1997 The Passing of a Poet The sunshine has left our shoulders for a time. John Denver died. He was killed doing what he loved and I guess that’s the way it ought to be. When you finish your work, you are called home and your earthly work is then left for others to continue for great souls exist to educate and inspire. John was a poet, a singer of songs, a friend to many, an idol of millions the world over. Through the sadness and the emptiness of our hearts, we honor our friend with personal memories of his laughter and his profound intellect. We remember his public gifts of song and self, his harmonies of love and nature, his vision for a sustain- able future and all of the joys of life he shared through an extraordinary ability to entertain. His songs would take us to places where troubles couldn’t reach, at least for a while. His lyrics encouraged us to seek a higher ground. His hugs were special for they were given without condition and his smile personified his spirit and his love of life. In time, we will celebrate his life without the salty sadness of tears. And that’s right. We all come into this John Denver world, make choices, make sacrifices, laugh a little, love a little, cry a little and learn through experience that the true 1943–1997 importance of life is to share our gifts, to be true to ourselves and to make the world a little better place to President and Founder live. The Windstar Foundation When we acknowledge, with action, the resonate truths within us, as John Denver did, then we honor all life and a piece of us lives forever, for only the body dies. --Rolland G. Smith Newscaster, Poet Friend to Windstar and John Denver Ed. Note: With the exception of pages 1 and 2, this issue of the Windstar Vision was written before John Denver’s death in a plane crash on October 12, 1997. More information about John’s legacy and achievements will be published in the future, along with news about the continuing work of the Windstar Foundation. Message from the Board by Cheryl Charles, Ph.D. Dear Members and Friends of conviction and commitment. He tion, we send you our fond best wishes Windstar, cared about being a voice for the wild for your good health and continued As we cope with the loss of our places. His most recent song speaks to contributions to a peaceful, healthy friend, John Denver, our hearts a longing to belong, to connect with and sustainable environment where extend to you and all the Windstar all of life’s communities, beginning children are safe and wild places members and friends who contribute within ourselves and with our flourish for generations to come. to making the world a better place. relationships to others, and extending, You, through your own life and work, as ever, to the Earth itself. With Windstar love, live the Windstar vision. As the days and years unfold, we People throughout the world are will continue to urge people to get asking what they can do. We answer, involved. We will continue to tell do something. Make conscious choices others of personal good works. While to take responsible action in support John was committed to the work of Cheryl Charles of healthy environments and a those organizations that he founded, Chair, Windstar Foundation Board peaceful future. John cared deeply such as the Windstar Foundation, the of Trustees about children, nature and a world at Windstar Land Conservancy, The President, Windstar Land peace. He inspired us all to live our Hunger Project and Plant-It 2000, he Conservancy lives from heart to heart with saw the value of the many ways people choose to be involved in making a positive difference. He held you and your work in great regard. As we think about his life work and how much we will miss him, we think also about the work which remains for all of us to share. In the spirit of his loving inspira- photo by Jeanie Tomlinson Founded in 1976 by John Denver and Tom Crum, the mission of the Windstar Foundation is “To inspire individuals to make responsible choices and take direct personal actions to achieve a peaceful and environmentally-sustainable future.” The Windstar Foundation is a non-profit research and education foundation funded through membership, grants, individual and corporate donations. Based on 1,000 acres in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Windstar offers individuals and organizations an opportunity to participate in the creation of a sustainable future through its Windstar Connection program; Windstar programs and projects; and the Windstar Vision Newsletter. Contributions to the Windstar Foundation are tax- deductible. For additional information about membership and the work of the Windstar Foundation, call or write: WINDSTAR FOUNDATION • 2317 Snowmass Creek Road • Snowmass, CO 81654-9198 • 970/927-4777 (phone) • 970/927-4779 (fax) http://www.wstar.org Windstar Board of Trustees: John Denver, President Emeritus • Cheryl Charles, Ph.D., Chair • Beth Miller, Trustee The Windstar Vision newsletter is a seasonal publication of the Windstar Foundation. Your submissions are always welcome and should be mailed to the Windstar Foundation. You are encouraged to contact the editor with your ideas as we assume no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Submissions may be edited down for space or clarity. Sherryl R. Stalinski, Editor ©1997 The Windstar Foundation. All rights reserved; no material may be reproduced without prior written permission from The Windstar Foundation. 2 Windstar Vision • Summer/Fall 1997 Living the Vision Friends Warming Globally Top of the World Expedition On April 20th, six of the ten- At midnight on July 10th, 1996, Windstar’s active Internet- member 1996 American Top of the the team who had dreamed of this based e-mail discussion list World Expedition team joined forces adventure for some 17 years reached continues to serve as an inspira- with the EarthBeat Children’s Choir Oodaaq Island. On July 17th, seven tional place to gather with to top off Windstar’s celebration of members achieved the first ever friends worldwide to share ideas Earth Day with a program at the ascent of the Moore Glacier in the and discuss environmental and Aspen Elementary School Theater. unexplored H.H. Benedict Range, other issues with a positive Among the team visiting from one of the two northern-most perspective. Visitors and Colorado: Ken Zerbst of Littleton mountain ranges on earth. members have joined the and John Jancik and his wife, Dr. The historic expedition was discussion from the US, Canada, Terri Baker of Morrison. “Doc” Terri featured in a colorful 6-page article in Great Britain, Spain, Singapore was the first woman ever to have the April 18, 1997 issue of Life and Australia, making us all successfully reached this small 25 x 25 Magazine. The expedition video will more globally-focused. The meter piece of land. And from also be featured in surround cinema Windstar Web site, which Montana: Steve Gardiner of Billings format at the IMAX theater in provides information about the and Joe Sears, Ph.D. of Bozeman Denver this November. Foundation, its vision and goals were also in attendance. Windstar wishes to thank the has been visited by Internet The joyous sounds of the members of the Top of the World surfers from more than seven- EarthBeat Children’s Choir opened Expedition team for sharing their teen countries! The Windstar the evening with melodies familiar to adventure with us—their joy and love Palace, developed and main- all, followed by a multi-media of the environment and their high tained by member Sue DiCicco, presentation by team member and environmental ethics were clearly has created a cartoon “virtual” author Steve Gardiner, sharing the evident in the manner in which they Windstar — the ranch building, expedition team’s extraordinary conducted their exploration of this Aiki Tent and Bucky’s Dome, adventure across the Arctic Sea to the fragile ecosystem of the Arctic. classrooms, a campfire and more summit of Star Spangled Banner provide a fun gathering place for Peak. members to chat in “real time.” In July, 1996, the Denver-based Educators are still needed to American Top of the World Expedi- help develop the content for the tion team had the chance to follow in Windstar Kid’s Web site, and the footsteps of American explorer computer-literate volunteers Robert E. Peary—the first person to who are willing to learn about see much of northern Greenland. the Palace “wizard” duties are Their ten-person team, a diverse needed to “host” the Palace one group of modern-day explorers hour per week during school representing five states, set out to hours. E-mail Sherryl Stalinski North Peary Land, Greenland with at [email protected] for details and two clear goals; One: Trek across the information. frozen Arctic Ocean to reach Oodaaq Island, surveyed in 1978 as the Members are encouraged to northernmost point of land on earth join in the Windstar discussion (no American had ever been there); list to stay abreast of Foundation two: return to the mainland, enter the news and connect with friends. unexplored H.H. Benedict Moun- E-mail Corinne Smith at tains, and become the first to climb [email protected] with your Star Spangled Banner Peak, the request to subscribe to the highest peak in the range. discussion list. Windstar Vision • Summer/Fall 1997 3 From the Windstar Office Seasonal Success by Jeanie Tomlinson Windstar has had busy recent joined JP McDaniel at the Peace Pole Flaherty and Gene Weinbeck for seasons! We kicked off the spring for a special commemoration of the their patient tech support and to the with an Earth Day Birthday Party.