Lisa,

This is how it starts here at Mudcat sometimes. You, Jerry, Nigel, Randy, Ed, and others dropping in to share memories of Stan, and poking around to see what else is going on at Mudcat. And getting hooked.

My father was a great friend of Stan's, by the name of John Dwyer. They were both active in the Seattle Folklore Society, Song Circle, and many performances and events around the Pacific Northwest. When my father died in 1997 Mudcat was a glimmer of a site, but it didn't take too long before it grew, and a year or two later Bob Nelson and Don Firth both contacted me to tell me about this place called "Mudcat" where people were sharing stories about my dad. And here I am still all these years later!

It's a sad way to enter into this community, and like most families, it has it's moments, but at times like this it is one of the most nurturing and welcoming sites in all of the Internet (I do declare!)

I have a few photos that I'll reduce for web use and see if I can't post at Photobucket as PNG files (they're larger than JPG but you can save them and not lose the clarity and detail). Otherwise, I'll save JPGs and you can contact me through PM here if you want a larger version. I wish I had more photos, but I only find three so far. I do have boxes of Dad's photos from over the years that I haven't looked at recently, so I may find something more.

As to recordings, there are some of us who have what might politely be termed an "embarrassment of riches." Shelves and shelves of cassettes from many years of Song Circle, in particular. I'll see what I can come across.

As to memories of Stan, a strong one that occurs to me at this time was his incredible kindness when our father died. We spoke for a little while down at the song circle that Jean Smith set up a couple of months after Dad died. I was living in Texas, and Jean knew (pardon the pun) where all of the bodies were buried. She and other Song Circle folks got the word out and we had quite a crowd there to celebrate Dad's life. Stan told me that over the years there had been some schisms in the folk community, for the various organic reasons that large groups experience. Some of these people hadn't been together to sing for many years, and he was so pleased to see them all set aside old issues and come together for that event.

For me, and I'm sure, for my siblings, it was like a blast from the past, the pleasure of seeing old friends and a chance to share the laughter and tears at the mix of sweet and bawdy songs that he and his friends loved. And Stan, he let-er rip--after first singing a request (I loved his mermaid song and he treated my request as a command performance--so kind!) he sang a very funny bawdy song, as I recall (though I can't remember what it was now--I have a tape and I'll have to go back and give it a listen).

My Dad was not one to mince words or sentiments, and those friends who knew him well knew that they could (and should!) sing all of his old favorite songs, regardless of the content. And I think Stan would have the same expectations. Make it a good, rip-roaring sendoff. And give plenty of advance notice for those who have to travel to attend.

There's time to sort out the kinds of folk-community activities to honor an old friend, and there are plenty of people, many who have posted here already, who can advise and assist when the time is right.

My best to you all. I'll keep an eye on this thread and any new ones that come up, and when I come across any of Stan's recordings, I'll let you know. Sorting Dad's tapes is not something I've been doing as a regular pursuit, but this is one more reminder why I should step up the pace. Memento Mori.

Maggie Dwyer (Stilly River Sage)

Stewart, you can use any or all of this in your article if you want.