It's my anniversary!

Subject: It's my anniversary!
From: Hollowfox
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 02:17 PM

On Saturday, November 14, 1970, I set out to hitchhike 250 miles to a folklore workshop at the home of some folks I didn't know named George and Vaughn Ward, and then take in an evening at the Caffe Lena, where Gordon Bok was performing. I had never hitched more than ten miles, I didn't know where the Wards lived, I had no reservation at the Caffe, and no place to stay the night. I guess God really does look after idiots, folkies, and old vaudevillians. On the way there, I got a traffic ticket, and nearly froze. I got to the point where the next acceptable ride would decide where I went, back to college or on to the Caffe (it was long past time to make the workshop). That next ride took me to the Caffe, about 2 1/2 hours before showtime. In an uncommon spark of common sense, I thought about sitting on the steps outside the door, and rejecting the idea. Not because it was November, after dark, etc., but because I thought that if anybody came out of the door, they'd think I was pretty wierd to be sitting there. So I tried the door, and it was open. I went up, and said to Lena (who didn't know me), "Lena, I know it's early, but I'm frozen. Can I come in?" I ended up having supper with Lena and Gordon, staying overnight at Lena's apartment, and almost being convinced to stay another day and skip my Monday classes. I also met George and Vaughn. ("How will I know them?" "They're tall." "I'm 5'4"; everybody's tall to me!") This was the day that I stopped being part of the audience and became part of the community. In my book, it's a major turning point in my life.I think of the turning point as when I gathered up my courage and opened the door to come in and get warm.
Thanks for being here, folks.

Subject: RE: It's my anniversary!
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 02:19 PM

Thanks for such an enjoyable story.

Subject: RE: It's my anniversary!
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 03:08 PM

Cafe Lena, during Lena's years was always a welcoming place... and George and Vaughn were equally welcoming. I did a half hour program for public television many years ago, and George and Vaughn offered to put me up, even though I'd never met them. I too had no idea what they look like and "tall" wasn't a lot of help, because I am "tall," too. As the taping was wrapping up on the performer before me, I was getting a little nervous, because Georg and Vaughn had not irrived, and I wasn't sure if they were going to show up. But they did, ad were very gracious guests. The whole folk "business" could not survive without the generosity of all the people who put perfromers up and feed them... I'm proud to be a part of the community..

Jerry

Subject: RE: It's my anniversary!
From:
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 11:18 PM

Wonderful!