Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Jeri
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 09:52 PM

I guess the "thumbs up" html code doesn't work for everyone.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 10:06 PM

thankyou for all the lovely stories & memories.

I'm not on facebook & was able to look at all the photos, but I would love to know who is who - Joe is the only Mudcatter I recognise!

Have any recordings been posted yet?

sandra

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Janie
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 10:31 PM

*sniff* Joe and Dani pulled out of the driveway just a little while ago. Lovely evening visiting and remembering together. Getaway 2014 really is over, I guess.

How many days until the first weekend of October, 2015?

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: MMario
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 11:01 PM

369

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Janie
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 11:17 PM

Damn! Hope we all live that long.

I managed one good video in the Peace cabin. It is of David Williams aka One String Willy which I would like to post to the Mudcat facebook page but don't want to do so without his permission. Have messaged him on his website but not had a response. If some one knows him or how to contact him more directly and can ask him to contact me to let me know if it is ok to post it, would appreciate it. endresgardenataoldotcom.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: My guru always said
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 03:07 AM

Sounds like you all had a wonderful time, so very glad. It's just lovely to read everything here & see your photos on Facebook, we have great memories of the time we were able to come!! Stay safe & keep singing! Maybe next year....

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 10:24 AM

Kendall, maybe it ain't the jacket but I'd like to borrow it next year anyway.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: ranger1
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 10:26 AM

Going through Getaway withdrawal this morning. At least my coffee's better than what gets served in the camp cafeteria...

MGAS - I'd love to attend a Getaway at the same time as you!

Sandra - try hovering over the photos, most of them are "tagged" with the person's name.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Carly
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 11:36 AM

The Getaway is always a special time for me; friends old and new, amazing music, laughter and tears. This year was......magical. After a hard summer all of you there gave me beauty and love and silliness, just what I needed. I would like to share one moment that will stay with me the rest of my days. I was walking to my cabin at some early hour before the dawn, when a voice from Peace cabin soared out into the night air and stopped me in my tracks. The beautiful clear voice of a young singer new to the Getaway, Sarah White, sang out the same version (and possibly in the same key!) of "Over The Water To Charlie" that Merle and I had sung at our first Getaway in ( good lord!) 1971. I felt such joy, and certainty that this music that we all cherish will go on long after I am gone, and wistfulness that Merle was six states away, and satisfaction in the knowledge that all the stuff that happens to make the Getaway happen is well worth it, and awe at all the wonderful people who have come into my life through this music (many of whom I met at a Getaway.) All this from one song! Magic, indeed!

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 11:54 AM

Carly - how fortunate you are to have that experience.

Tami, thanks for your advice

sandra (looking forward to more stories & memories)

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Amos
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 12:03 PM

The spirit of the Getaway, also heard echoing in the forests of retreat after the magic images have drifted over the horizon. (Somos el barco).


A

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 01:26 PM

I mentioned the ROMA Italian restaurant that we found in Port Jervis. One of the waitresses came to our table and we told her that we were at the end of a very long drive from Maine, and she said, "You are probably hungry enough to eat me".
I did not reply. believe it or not I did not reply. I want to live, you see.
I have many unspoken thoughts.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Nancy King
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 04:03 PM

Yes, Kendall -- discretion is often the best policy.

I'm having a slow recovery time. Worth it, though!

Thanks to all who came to the 2014 FSGW Getaway! It really is the people who make it what it is. What a terrific bunch of folks! I was particularly happy to see Max -- it's been a while!

I was struck by the number of parent/child units we had this year: Sara Grey/Kieron Means, Rose Sheehan/Colin de la Barre, Ann Muir/Christina Muir (briefly), Bill Day & Rita Ferrara/Darriel Day, Pete & Grace Kraemer/Will Kraemer, Annie Storr/Jesse Greer, Janice Cole/Eric Cole, Glenn Lehman & Alice Van Buren/Nathaniel & Bea Lehman, and -- of course -- me/Dan Schatz and HIS son Kiran Schatz. I think this means we are doing something right!

Several people have mentioned Sarah White, who absolutely electrified everybody with her beautiful voice and excellent presentation. She's about 20 years old, never been to the Getaway before, but saw the publicity for it (FSGW Newsletter?) and decided to come by herself. I sure hope we'll see more of her -- she's a real treasure.

Love you all!
Nancy

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 05:22 PM

Oh, wow. wow. wow.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 06:08 PM

I asked Sarah... she said she saw a post about us on The Ballad List. (Abby may have put it there)

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Abby Sale
Date: 02 Oct 14 - 07:55 PM

Hello, friends.

Well, that was pretty good. Yeah, pretty good.
My 5th year and somehow it's always better. Maybe some people have learned to run away when they see me coming so they don't actually throw anything at me. No one did this year, anyway.

Somehow the singing gets better and it's easy;
Somehow I keep making new friends though I still miss the absent ones;
Somehow I failed to sit with good friends and potential friends and
   some very interesting folk I'd really wanted to sit with;
Somehow I missed saying "'Till next year, my friend" to many;
Somehow I already can't wait 'till next year.

Thank you, people.
Thank you very much.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Janie
Date: 03 Oct 14 - 12:14 AM

Was expecting (hoping) to see Bruce Gerwirz also. He was registered but if he put in a brief appearance, I missed it. Hope all is well, Bruce.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: ranger1
Date: 03 Oct 14 - 07:32 AM

Bruce and Carly's mother has lymphoma. I think Bruce was staying with her over the weekend so that Carly could attend.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 03 Oct 14 - 04:15 PM

Thank you all for the best wishes. And thanks for all the Getaway stories. It made me sad to miss it, but it felt so good to know it is still going on. Here's to next year.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 04 Oct 14 - 01:33 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUKndahYEis

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Janie
Date: 04 Oct 14 - 01:52 PM

clicky for Kendall's link.

The Skipper himself singing Ashes On the Sea

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 04 Oct 14 - 05:20 PM

Just now unpacking the memories, polishing them to hold onto for a long, long time. More later as I think of it. i"t came and went like a meteor over the Chesapeake" ~ perfect, Ernie.

Roger, you were sorely missed, glad you're taking good care of yourself.

And Jim, where the #$(@ were YOU?! My poor old kazoo couldn't carry the weight alone.

Will post more when I have a few minutes, but did make time to type up 'the song'. Nothing could be more delightful than singing with you all, thank you for belting out the chorus : ) This came to me on Saturday, while thinking of the fun we had getting there.


(To the tune of "Say, Brothers", "John Brown's Body", "Battle Hymn", you get the idea)

Siri, Siri that's the wrong way
Siri, Siri that's the long way
Siri, Siri that's the wrong way
As we go rolling on

With the Getaway awaiting and a side trip to DC
Where the Library of Congress waited for Abby, Joe, Amos and me
There were four of us in one van and good navigators three
As we go rolling on
CHO

Brother Amos riding shotgun had a weapon in his hand
With a little voice to tell us right and left across the land
But she missed 495 and so we scoffed at her commands
As we go rolling on
CHO

As we traveled down the by-ways of our nation's Capitol
There arose a fearsome battle between map and digital
There is one way to McDonald's but there's three ways to the Mall
As we go rolling on
CHO

Brother Abby left his cheeseballs in the hallway by the door
He was searching for a Sam's Club where a man said he could score
But Siri made him settle for a simple country store
As we go rolling on
CHO

Brother Offer held a map up as he piped up from the back
"If we go that way it's farther and my forehead I will smack
If you want to get there faster you will learn what Siri lacks"
As we go rolling on
CHO

When the wrong way is the long way and a bathroom can't be found
Siri searches and re-searches 'til the bow is brought around
She will keep you in the lane until your ship has run aground
As we go rolling on
CHO (lustily, now, all!)

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 04 Oct 14 - 05:27 PM

I also just want to express my deep, deep gratitude to all who make this weekend possible. You (you know who you are) work so hard all year to make it seem easy, and your hospitality is so very gracious.

From the day so long ago when you first invited mudcatters to join in the fun, you have seamlessly woven and re-woven a community that those of us who drop in just sink into when we arrive, like a warm bath of fun and affection. Thank you.

The ripples continue to spread, as you encourage, invite, cajole singers and scholars alike. It's good work.

Dani

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Nancy King
Date: 04 Oct 14 - 10:30 PM

Well, as I said before, it's the people who come together for this weekend who really make it what it is. We just handle the logistics. But then, we don't have to drive so far. It all works out. Haven't made my count yet this year, but for the last couple of Getaways our attendees have been about 50% local and 50% from away. Makes for a real good mix.

Dani, thank you so much for posting your song! Now I can catch all the little nuances I missed before. I think maybe one of these years we should have a workshop on songs people have written about the Getaway. We would probably have more than we'd have time for, considering all the laughing we'd have to fit in.

Roger -- I meant to say before -- So very glad your procedure went well, and trust you're feeling pretty good by now. We definitely missed you (I heard "Mama Fried" in connection with your name more than once), so make sure you get here next time around.

Bill, you really do need to get going on that cloning workshop. Reading all the memories here and seeing all the pictures here and on FB have made me realize how much I missed! Well, we work on the better-too-much-than-too-little model, and sometimes it makes for some hard choices.

If I may be allowed just a moment for business: Please, if you haven't filled out your evaluation form (it was in your packet), and you still have it, please do fill it out and send it in. We really do read them and consider every suggestion. We can't promise to implement every one -- they are sometimes contradictory -- but we do consider them. OK, business over.

Thanks again for coming!

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 05 Oct 14 - 09:54 PM

Another fine Getaway! Lots of fun singing a few old favorites (my own "Donuts Donuts" in the Retrospective and "Through a Child's Eyes" in Jewish Songs; Frank Hayes' "When I Was a Boy" in Humorous Songs) and a couple of new things (like "Highway 66 Blues" in Peace Cabin on Saturday night).

Great to see the Getaway Gang again. Especially great to have Big Mick and Alaska Mike back raising the West River rafters.

My offering for the concert was
Heather Dale and Ben Deschamps' "Fille du Roy". Anyone interested in hearing it from the source http://heatherdale.com/product/fille-du-roy/.

BTW, if anyone got a recording (audio or video) of my cover, I'd be interested in getting a copy, which I'll probably share with Heather and Ben. I know they'll be flattered.

-- Gary

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Janie
Date: 06 Oct 14 - 07:48 PM

There are so many good singers and musicians, some quite renown, and some not at all at the Getaway. I hesitate to mention any one person. However, over the past few years I have fallen in love with the versatility of Rose Sheehan, not to mention her warmth. She alone, or with her son, sing beautiful trad ballads, and she can also belt out a blues, roots or swing tune in the finest manner! And she has found the perfect partner for some of those gutsy tunes in John Hicks.

Own aspect of the Getaway I appreciate beyond measure is so many people who are fine, accomplished musicians and vocalists appreciate being in the middle of a bunch of people there for the love of the music, and listen and encourage anyone else. Tain't about performing. Tis about joining together.

I found my voice again at the Getaway, starting 14 years ago, and while never was or would have been a great singer or musician, my voice developed, and I was motivated to develop it beyond what I knew or had the confidence was possible. I have since lost it again for unclear medical reasons and can barely croak out a song, and then only occasionally. But the magic of the space goes beyond any one voice or any one person's musicality. Even mouthing the words on a chorus in a whispered voice fills the heart and soul with gladness and a sense of belonging and sharing in our common humanity. Because I have been going so long, I think, I also occasionally will croak out something I know is hard to listen to, and feel respected for making the effort, and validated when people join in the chorus (if they can manage the basement key.)

The Getaway (meaning the collective presence of close to a couple of hundred people with common purpose to simply be joyfully together in celebration of what folk music brings to each of our lives empowers the music in every person's soul to be released and revealed. That is true magic.

Don't mean to be smarmy, but thank you to each and every person who shows up.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Janie
Date: 06 Oct 14 - 07:50 PM

REally should proof read before hitting submit. But you get my drift:>)

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Oct 14 - 08:00 PM

Got it... warming myself in the feeling.

Because local membership is below what it used to be because of age, people moving...etc., we truly appreciate having found so many from far & near to help us maintain this tradition. It IS a special place, and we love hearing that it means a lot to so many newish friends.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: artbrooks
Date: 06 Oct 14 - 08:10 PM

We got home Friday afternoon, after a long and (mostly) pleasant drive home, just in time to see a few hundred hot air balloons go up Saturday morning. I'm now dealing with a dose of (I think) poison ivy I picked up somewhere. Enjoyed our time there and seeing everyone again.

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Nancy King
Date: 06 Oct 14 - 10:06 PM

"T'aint about performing. 'Tis about joining together." Perfect, Janie! That's EXACTLY the atmosphere we've tried to achieve!

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Janie
Date: 06 Oct 14 - 10:46 PM

Y'all haven't just tried, Nancy. You have!

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: Amos
Date: 06 Oct 14 - 11:20 PM

I have to second my profound thanks to Nancy, Dean, CHarlie JudyO, and the others who moil and toil in the long months leading up to the Getaway, and all through the long days and nights to keep the flows rolling smoothly. It is amazingly successful, year after year, and done harmoniously, with remarkably little discord considering the numbers of people descending on our little campground. Continued applause to all of you for making it possible. It is always worth the travel and trouble to return to Brigadoon.

Thank you.


Amos

Subject: RE: Getaway 2014: memories and stories after the event
From: jacqui.c
Date: 07 Oct 14 - 07:46 PM

Coming in late to this thread. The best Getaway ever, IMHO. So many great workshops and not enough time! Some I wanted to get to but ended up taking a nap and missing out - got to do something about warding off sleep until the weekend is over. Catching up, even for only a short time, with all my Getaway friends and hearing so much good music makes the journey down from Maine really worthwhile.

A special thanks to the Mummers Play performers. That was such fun! You all did amazingly well and I think everyone on the stage had as much, or even more fun, as the audience.

Courtesy of iPad I was able to let Claire join in on part of the proceedings and having KT there via Skype was wonderful. Technology, used in the right way, can do great things.

This was my 11th Getaway, the first being, effectively, our honeymoon and so this gathering has an extra special meaning for me. I will always remember how welcome I was made back then and what an experience it was to be part of such an event.

I must add my thanks to the Getaway committee who work so hard to get this all up and running. I guess, sometimes, it must feel a bit like herding cats, but the end result is a blissful weekend in a beautiful location.

Looking forward to next year already............