Santa Cruz River Band Newsletter
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September, 2008
Michael J. Ronstadt and Ted Ramirez
Hello Everyone! Jan Hedgecock, The Editor here!
The Newsletter for September 2008 has been inspirational! With ideas, reviews, articles, letters and commentaries pouring in from you, our Readers! These have also coincided with ideas from the SCRB Team, happening quite separately, or perhaps not! What about synchronicity? I like to believe that it is ALL MEANT TO BE…….! The theme to this month’s content, seems to be “The Link”- between the Americas and Americans, our experiences, and Wales and the Welsh. It all seemed to happen around us, each part joining with another part...naturally! Even to welcoming Francisco, who plays a HARP! The national instrument of Wales! (Though ours is BIGGER!! Seems it’s the only thing that’s bigger on this side of the Atlantic…for a change!)
So please, dive in and enjoy the Newsletter in its diversity, bringing us together; all you Folk from different walks of life, where we share a common interest….the SCRB.
We are so pleased that you have responded to our requests so that we can share with you all…..and learn about what YOU are too!
In this issue:
- Read of the latest Santa Cruz River Band news and adventures in Ted's
Tales From The Trail. - A link to modern-day Baboquivari, a Welsh canine conection, and a view of Tucson through North Welsh eyes, in Jan's
The Editor's Corner - Capture a beautiful "High Lonesome" moment, and learn of a highly new way to purchase SCRB music in
The Web Page - Read about a new musician to the Santa Cruz River Band in a Special Interest Spotlight
- all of this, plus:
See what's cooking in La Cocina,(and who is reciting poetry there, too?!?!??), learn more great Welsh folklore, check out the new music reviews, and read more great letters sent in by you, good friends!
Tales From The Trail
Ted Ramirez
Hello Good Friends,
Welcome to another edition of “Tales From The Trail”.
Many years ago, I formed a small band of local musicians to present the wonderful history, music and culture of the Southwest – as you all know, I named the band after the Santa Cruz River located near downtown Tucson.
From the very beginning it was very difficult finding musicians capable of playing the full scope of Southwestern folk music.
However; from the very beginning the band featured the greatest musicians from this region. Not all have been natives, but all extremely talented musicians. The late Arthur Miscione was one of the most loyal and unique. Arthur’s talents transcended both time and place. He made a place for himself within the framework of the Santa Cruz River Band and I will always appreciate the magic he brought to the band. Kris Ringley was another very special player who performed with me in duo and trio formats - in the very early days of the band. There have been many others: Cliff Vaughn, the great violinist, Billy Martinez, an outstanding percussionist, David Munoz, keyboard and double bass player extraordinaire, and Bobby Ronstadt, a great singer and keyboard player - to name just a few.
Gilbert Brown
Over the years I have learned that the most important part about saying goodbye to band members is to remain friends and to appreciate the contributions made by the departing band member. I thank Gilbert from the bottom of my heart for the incredible musical contributions he made to the Santa Cruz River Band.
I am very pleased our friendship is completely solid – this is not an easy feat to accomplish after 5 years of “Hard Road Traveling”.
As I look back on Gilbert’s role in the Santa Cruz River Band history book - I have only good things to say and I wish Gilbert the very best. Both Michael and I are hopeful we can perform with Gilbert again sometime down the line. We look forward to that day.
I know many of you are wondering - where the Santa Cruz River Band goes from here? I am very pleased to say that Mike and I are moving forward and at full steam.
We are currently in negotiations with a larger booking agency and the Santa Cruz River Band’s future is looking brighter than ever.
Musically we are expanding too. Mike and I will work in a duo format, occasionally – (something we have not done for five years), and we are very definitely maintaining our trio format with the addition of our good friend and celebrated multi-instrumentalist Francisco Gonzalez – he is the newest member of the Santa Cruz River Band lineup.
Francisco Gonzalez
Francisco, now living in Tucson, is a co-founder of the East L.A. band Los Lobos. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious music awards - presented to him for his wonderful work in theatre arts and the film industry.
Francisco will tour with us beginning September and we hope to work with him for a long time. SCRB will tour extensively again in 2009 and we are excited about all the new possibilities.
This year has been absolutely fantastic, musically speaking. There is so much to tell and only little time and space, but I will relate one very special tale.
The Santa Cruz River Band meets the Dixie Hummingbirds.
The Santa Cruz River Band has been blessed to perform with hundreds of great performers over the last 5 years – the list is truly incredible. When I look back, I feel a real sense of magic and joy.
There is nothing more special than performing with high level acts and having the opportunity to mingle with heroes, both old and new – this is a great blessing and something that I value very highly.
Meeting the Dixie Hummingbirds was just such an event. I was sitting in the Detroit airport with Mike and Gil waiting for an early morning flight to Marquette, Michigan. We were scheduled to perform at the Hiawatha Folk Festival that afternoon.
The night before had been rough - we missed our connecting flight due to mechanical problems and ended up having to stay in Detroit.
It was 5am when, with very little sleep, we made our way to the airport, passing through all the security, slowly making our way to the terminal where I quietly began reading a book written by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Very soon, a young man carrying a guitar case came and sat across from me. Soon another musician joined him and then two others. We were called to board the plane just about then and I ended up standing in line next to the senior member of the musical group. I recognized him as one of the original members of the Dixie Hummingbirds.
I asked if they were performing at the Hiawatha Festival and he smiled and said "yes that’s right – we’re the Dixie Hummingbirds”. I smiled back and said "yes – we are the Santa Cruz River Band from Tucson and we’re heading there too". Well, it felt like we had found long-lost friends. We hugged and happily introduced ourselves and everyone else in line around us seemed to join in the fun. It was a welcomed and nourishing energy especially after having a long sleepless night.
The next couple of days were incredible – we hung out with the Hummingbirds every chance we had and performed with them on the main stage and in workshops. It was a very special meeting - I love these guys for their great music, good-hearted manner and especially for their wonderful friendship and energy.
We are currently looking into bringing them to Tucson for a special concert – they are very excited about visiting Tucson – we will keep you posted on our progress.
Well good friends I can easily write thousands of words about the Hiawatha festival – not to mention all the other special people, concerts and events we have played for and with this year, but we will have to save that for the next edition of “Tales From The Trail”.
Until We Meet Again…Adios,
Teodoro.
Editor's Corner
Jan Hedgecock
We were delighted to hear from a Fan ! She is currently teaching at the Baboquivari School.
Here is her letter… as she is contemplating the song, (sung by the Santa Cruz River Band), Look to Baboquivari and her present experience in the school itself.
“I am going to teach this fall at Baboquivari Middle School on the Tohono O'odham Reservation.
I thought of your heartwrenching song when I visited the school last month. I am sure there is still much suffering because of the boarding school system. I will teach 7th grade Social Studies and will include the native culture in my lessons.
I skimmed your newsletter--incredible!! I am from the Midwest. I liked the Welsh story. I saved that to use in class--I don't know how but I like to collect stories like that. We are having big changes at KBRP—our station manager moved to Costa Rica. But my show goes on. I plan to keep a journal about my experiences on the reservation and read it on my show once a month--for the rest of the time I will use shows from the archives because I have to get the hang of teaching.
There is a newly-released film about the continuing influence of the board school experiences. It is "Older Than America" by Georgina Lightning, a Cree from Alberta, Canada.
olderthanamerica.com
Here is another site with the movie plot line:
cinematical.com/2008/03/16/sxsw-review-older-than-america
This site also tells of the Boarding School Healing Project:
boardingschoolhealingproject.org
Thanks for your music!
(Editors Comment: I too went to a boarding school here in Wales and I know all about the leaving home and family at a very young age…aged 7 until 18..and albeit for different reasons, the experience of the child particularly, IS heartrending, and a feeling that is not easy to communicate to others…perhaps the full effects do not surface until one is an adult, but when listening to the song sung by Ted the whole experience is remembered again and one feels such empathy with the Indian children and their families. The Baboquivari as the meeting point of their hearts at a set time is a poignant true fact wherever these boarding schools exist in the world. I myself looked out to the sea on the West Coast of North Wales, and also towards the Cambrian Mountains, towards my home. A cultural link is established between the Indian Peoples and the Welsh in my heart today and which now points to the other Link between the Indian and the Welsh in my Welsh Folk Tale in this Newsletter about Prince Madog. I hope you will feel drawn to this Link as I am. )
In response to our request in the June Newsletter for you, our readers, to inform us if you have any links with Wales? Here is Helen!
Helen Snyder from Portal AZ, and her husband Noel, are celebrated Ornithologists and authors on North American Raptors. See this link.
They sent me some pictures of their Welsh terrier and said he was their link to Wales! After corresponding with Helen for some time she sent some lovely pictures of Marley. We decided that he ought to have a Welsh name too, so we decided on Marley Caradog Jones! Here he is!
Helping with Housework!
This is what I sleep in!
I was VERY small once!
I am older than my sister Lulu and so I'm resting with my Welsh Dragon to protect me.
Marley's latest accomplishment is to pass Rattlesnake Avoidance Training with flying colors (and tucked tail). He is loving the rainy season here when all the animal life renews itself, which for a Welsh Terrier means lots of toads to nudge and moths to chase. The mountain streams are full and he's teaching his baby sister to love the water.
Lady Floppy Ears has had some experience with rattlesnakes and here she is ready to pass her Rattlesnake Avoidance Training too!
Our next letter was sent in by Lynn Seiler from North Wales, who boarded a plane, (and another plane) which took she and her husband Mike, to Tucson, Az. What follows is her recount of her late spring holiday in sunny, dry Arizona, and the home of the SCRB!
Finally The Day Arrives
From Lynn and Mike Seiler
Finally the day arrives its 7th May 2007, our suitcases stuffed to busting with all manner of attire. I off load a few articles but still have enough changes to see us through a world cruise. More clothes off loaded now down to just two bags carry on hand luggage. We leave a very dark, damp depressing Manchester airport and fly into the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. Oh my goodness as we live in such a laid back part of North Wales I really wasn't sure how we were going to survive for 2 weeks. Soon my worries were over and we eventually arrived to a clean, dry and warm Tucson. We were met by Beth and will be indebted to her forever, for all she did in very kindly arranging our hotel accommodation. I could write forever on things we did, and places visited, but would need our own newsletter. So here is a resume of our itinerary.
Day 1 After a well needed sleep, we were collected by Ted, and after a very emotional greeting we were taken on a whirl wind drive around downtown Tucson, where the streets are lined with adobe houses painted in bright colours. Then we took a quick drive up the "A" mountain with commanding views of the city, and stunning views of the five mountain ranges which surround the valley. It was absolutely breathtaking!
Day 2 Short taxi ride to the state museum situated on campus of the University of Arizona. Here was an amazing display of ancient and contemporary Native American cultural exhibits.
Day 3 An early pick up by Beth, in the hope that we can catch a glimpse of the creatures at the Desert Museum. Sadly this didn't happen. The hot sun beating down sent them into hiding, although we did see many flowering cacti, and the majestic humming birds.
Day 4 Mother's day. We spend a very enjoyable lunch in the company of Beth, Maya and meet many members of Beth's family. Having difficulty reading the Mexican menu, I was very surprised that we managed to find our choices absolutely delicious.
Day 5 Had a quiet day strolling around the many acres of the EL CONQUISTADOR (our stay for the rest of our holiday) An amazing hotel complex set at the foot of the Catalina mountains - a haven for the sporty type. There are golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and a wonderful restaurant called "The Last Territory" This evening Ted, Lorraine and Gil joined us for dinner. I had spare ribs cooked on mesquite wood, an absolute delight. What flavour!!
Day 6 A jeep tour took us into the Saguaro National park. Home of the largest cactus species. They have a life span of up to 200 years with many reaching an awesome height of 50 feet. Our trip was made more memorable by the fact that we were stopped in our tracks by a four foot long rattle snake, basking in the late sunshine. "Only a youngster" said our guide, but to me he was a mighty specimen, with a loud rattle and a big mouth.
Day 7 A visit to Old Town Artisans. The 150 year old Adobe building was home to several art and craft shops. Some still with their original ceilings made of saguaro cactus ribs and remnants left of imported wallpaper and gold leaf mouldings. This day proved to be the icing on our holiday cake. We were honoured to be invited as guests "from Wales" to a concert given by the SCRB. To have had the opportunity to see them perform live on stage on their home ground just left us speechless. Their rendition of Ar Lan Y Mor left us in floods of tears. It was just fantastic. We had the privilege of meeting Kristy and Rod and their super family, along with many friends and family of the band. A perfect setting for a perfect gathering.
Day 8 A quiet day spent investigating the nooks and crannies of the El Conquistador, and later just lazing by the pool quenching our thirst with the most deliciously tasting, freshly squeezed lemonade. Marvelling at the sight of the varying red rock formation of the mountains. Late afternoon we make our way down to the Walking Winds Stable to prepare ourselves and horses for what turned out to be an absolute magical 2 hour horseback ride. The sun is setting as we climb higher. Saguaros that seem to reach up to the sky. The secluded trails leaving us to believe that we really were the only "Cowboys" in the land. Once again breathtaking views as we make our way on up, every confidence in our sure footed steeds as they negotiate the narrowest of winding paths. We stop, look ahead, the sun had disappeared. We turn, look back, the moon is rising. We feel that we are riding on top of the world!
Day 9 Today we are collected by Ted, Loraine and grandson Andrew, and taken on a drive out to the Mission San Xavier. This is a most amazingly brilliant white structure, standing proudly in the blazing midday sun. A most superb example of Mission Architecture in the country. As we enter the church we stop, and marvel at the sight before us of the many golden statues. Above us the gloriously painted domed ceiling, and the hand painted frescos on the walls. Absolutely spectacular. Just beautiful! The mission is surrounded by the Tohono O'odham community of Native Americans who were very happy to see us, and eager to sell us their wares, most famously their fine basketwork products. We drive back through their land, strewn with discarded beer cans, wine and whisky bottles. Sadly as the Europeans introduced them to hard liquor and rich foods, they also introduced diabetes, which has become a huge problem in the community.
The drive back takes us to the El Presidio area. Here we view a bronze statue of TEODORO S. RAMIREZ who is the great, great, great grandfather of "OUR TED" This sculpture aptly named "Exchange at the Presidio" depicts events that occurred in 1846 in Tucson.
Day 10 Michael and Deborah take us to a shooting gallery. Having collected the necessary ammunition, given safety spectacles and ear defenders to wear, we seem to spend more time trying to communicate in sign language than we do shooting. But what fun. After the shoot we called into a Mexican eating house for a quick bite to eat. Here we were joined by Petey who helped us to devour the largest tortilla I'm sure ever baked, and the most deliciously stuffed chicken enchiladas.
Our last evening. Our last meal eaten at the El Conquistador. Beth is with us. There is laughter, there are tears. The goodbyes and the promises to hopefully meet again. All to soon our holiday is over, and to sum up:-It was amazing, breathtakingly awesome!
The wonderful experience of meeting new faces. The warmth and the love given by our good friends.
Sincere thanks to you all for sharing your time with us - the memories will stay in our hearts forever.
Adios Love Lynn and Mike Seiler
The Poetry Corner
We have a corner for poets in this September edition of the newsletter!
We will gladly carve out this corner and gather 'round for your poetry in later newsletter editions if you would like to submit some to our poetry-loving editor, Jan! Please obtain permission to print any poetry you would like to share with the readers of the SCRB newsletter. We look forward reading your submissions!
This month, we have two poems to share with you. First, Michael steps up to the center spot with his poem entitled, "Off to Battle Some to Die". Then Diane from North Wales shares a Pax Christi prayer.
Off to Battle Some to Die
In the cool dim morning hours
I can hear the green grass sigh
It remembers the young feet marching
Off to battle some to die
Then the sun comes shining softly
As if to dry a teary eye
In the stillness of the morning
I can feel those times gone bye
The streets are filled with cars now
Instead of wagons off to war
And I wonder about the feelings
Of the people in the store
They go about their day
As if nothing ever was
In the stillness of my feelings
I see the Hawk and hear the Dove
To some it seems like yesterday
To others a far off dream
In the stillness of the morning
I hear the laughter of a stream
I woke up late this morning
There is a weariness in my bones
And the silence of the cannon
Makes me feel so all alone
Then I hear a songbird singing
He sings a song of love each day
How I wish we all would listen
To what it is he has to say
He's telling us a story
Of how he thinks it ought to be
We should listen to the wisdom
That he has for you and me
In the cool dim morning hours
I can hear the green grass sigh
Once again there's young feet marching
Off to battle some to die.
~ Michael J. Ronstadt
And here is a poem/prayer offered by Diane from North Wales:
Give me a heart of poverty,
able to love and open up and
give myself to others.
Give me a heart of patience,
able to love and live in hope.
Give me a heart of peacefulness,
able to love and sow peace in the world.
Give me a heart of justice,
able to love and measure myself by
the standard of justice.
Give me a heart of mercifulness
able to love and understand and
forgive others.
Give me a heart of sensitivity,
able to love and weep without
being discouraged.
Give me a heart of purity,
able to love and see God in everyone.
Give me a heart of strength,
able to love and be faithful unto death.
Give me a heart touched by the Gospel,
able to love.
The Web Page
Michael J. Ronstadt
A Midsummer Tour's Garden Dream
It's a North American Garden! As the Band traveled from San Jose, California, to Casno, Nova Scotia this summer (and everywhere in between!) Michael was busy with his camera. For those of you new to Mike's photographic talents, you will be delighted to know that he has an especially artistic eye for flowers. Please take a few minutes now to drink in the father and son combo of Michael J. Ronstadt's Midsummer flowers, in concert with the magical music of Michael G. Ronstadt on cello, performing his arrangement of "Song Of The Birds" (Pablo Casals).
*If you would like to view the flower slideshow in the crystal clarity and smoothless of high definition video (and if you have a high speed connection!) Please click here to download the video into your computer's media player.
A New Online Store
SCRB cds available for purchase anytime!
We proudly invite you to our newly designed online store on the SCRB website! The new store features Volumes One through Four by the Santa Cruz River Band. You can now view the song lists for each cd in the store, so that you can pick your favorites.
Come on over and complete your collection, or introduce a friend to the SCRB music you love!
A Special Interest Spotlight
Kristy Hom
website design
Welcome, Francisco!
Hello Everyone, Kristy here!
By now, you have read a little about the new edition to the SCRB family, Francisco Gonzalez. It is my honor to be able to introduce him in a little more in depth in this edition of the newsletter.
Francisco fits right in with the SCRB persona when you see him on stage- his straw cowboy hat, black attire, and case after case containing many beautiful musical instruments make it so! You'll enjoy his style of playing the mandolin, requinto, and especially his Veracruz harp- and you will especially enjoy how he weaves his unique musical style into your already well-loved Santa Cruz River Band repertoire.
If you have a familiarity with Chicano/Mexican music, you know Francisco from his musical and theatrical work. He has performed around the world as a string musician, and he specializes in the Veracruz harp. He was an original founder of the the very popular musical group, Los Lobos, in the 1970s. He has composed musical scores for films, has led lecture demonstrations, and has been the musical director in theatrical performances. He writes and records music of his own. Francisco enjoys a loving connection with his community of fans at locations where he performs regularly. Farmer's markets in particular, draw a fascination for his harp and beautiful music, especially from young children and their families.
Francisco has been living in Tucson, Az for several years now, and over that course of time,
has been playing music informally with the SCRB. Pizza and music go good together (ok, maybe the eating and playing need to alternate!) and Francisco has told me of Sundays of playing music with Ted, Michael and Gil (and other musicians) over good food and good times. Musicians just love to share and collaborate together! Thank goodness for that, as we all get to enjoy their collaborations, too!
Francisco closes this little feature with this story from his earlier days:
"I've been playing music all my life or have been in a music related position. I worked in a
broom factory for a week once and broke all the machines because I kept making up melodies to the rhythm they made and forgot to pull the finished brushes out. That Friday the foreman took me aside and said,"I'm not going to fire you, but I've heard you play music... what are you doing here? I took his advice........."
~ f.g.
New Articles and Reviews
We have two new reviews for you in this newsletter edition! The first is the first ever review with Francisco as part of the SCRB configuration, written by SCRB friend, Lori Bonati.
The second review features the SCRB's participation in Common Ground On The Hill's annual Summertime music workshops.
Rhythms change, Seasons change: A first performance with Francisco
August 23, 2008
After a recent Santa Cruz River Band concert, I got to thinking about rhythm, seasons, and change.
Francisco Gonzalez, Michael J. Ronstadt, and Ted Ramirez
Rhythm is reassuring. It is nourishing. We cannot survive without it. Here in southwest Arizona, for example, we depend on the rhythm of the monsoon – the rainy season that comes and goes two times every year and that nourishes the desert. We know the rhythm, we wait for it, and we watch the desert change from brown to green.
In other parts of the world there are other rhythms. Take, for example, the ocean tides of Wales. The regular coming and going of the waves (“las olas del mar”) is as dependable as it is mysterious. Anyone who has ever gone tide pooling knows what interesting life forms are revealed just below the surface when the tide goes out, and what new surprises and changes the incoming tide can bring.
The Santa Cruz River Band has been through some unexpected rhythms. Originally four men, they lost Arthur to cancer. In their most recent incarnation, they are three men in black (with straw hats), but instead of Gil we now have Francisco. And although Arthur and Gil can never be replaced, what we now have is a new season. Or a new seasoning, if you will.
17th Street Guitars and World Music Tucson, Az
Perhaps I am thinking about seasonings because of the setting of the concert, the flavorful and international 17th Street Market in Tucson, Arizona. What a perfect setting for an SCRB concert! Because, of course, SCRB celebrates not only cultural diversity, but also cultural commonalities. As the band musically demonstrated, we all have the same hearts and minds and histories, no matter which side of the ocean we are on. And they proceeded to serenade us with a profusion of spicy dishes that expressed their emotions about family, country, sweethearts, and even windmills!
Francisco plays a beautiful Veracruz harp
While the music was fantastic, the explanations in between the songs were equally enlightening. While Francisco tuned his harp (a new and wonderful “seasoning”), the audience was treated with appetizing tidbits of information, including: the eclectic nature of American southwest music, the similarities between Mexican and Welsh history, and how Bob Dylan came to write the song, “Forever Young.” And Ted and Michael shared family vignettes with the audience as if we were all sitting around the kitchen table eating tortillas together.
As always, I came away from the concert with a refreshed appreciation for the art, music, and poetry of Mexico and the American southwest, and with faith in the strength of this band. The music of the Santa Cruz River Band truly is food for the soul.
Lori Bonati
A note from the author:
"I'm a school psychologist for Tucson Unified School District. I come from a very musical family and I play a little guitar. I love to sing!"
In July, 2008, The Band participated in Common Ground On The Hill's annual "Tradition Weeks" seminars for musicians and other artists. They led a special week-long singing, songwriting, and playing workshop entitled, "Troubadour Music Style of the American Southwest".This following review by the Carroll County Times gives us a glimpse of the workshop.
Band gives taste of the Southwest
By Rachel Hare, Times Correspondent
Friday, July 18, 2008
Michael Ronstadt, Ted Ramirez, and Gilbert Brown leading a workshop at CGOTH
Three cowboy boots rocked back and forth on the floor, keeping steady time with the tune.
Ted Ramirez began singing the melody, his cowboy hat bobbing gently as he plucked his guitar.
Michael Ronstadt and Gilbert Brown joined in with the harmony, casually picking the notes and singing along.
Ramirez, Ronstadt and Brown form the Santa Cruz River Band, a group that plays and shares traditional folk music, mainly from the American Southwest. The group is conducting the Troubadour Music Style of the American Southwest workshop this week at Common Ground on the Hill.
The three musicians try to incorporate a history of the music and culture of the Southwest into their class, in addition to teaching traditional Southwestern music.
"They're great; they're good teachers", said Jeanne Crowley, a student in the workshop.
Crowley said she is deeply interested in Southwestern music and is thoroughly enjoying the class.
"I'm really attracted to Latin folk songs", she said. "It's just fun".
Reach correspondent Rachel Hare at 410-751-5909 or rhare3@gmail.com.
Ramirez, Ronstadt and Brown hope to shed positive light on the American Southwest through their class, which is also their collective goal as a band.
"The focus was to try to bring a positive, clear representation of the music, language, culture, [and] people of the Southwest," Ramirez said. "We do it in a positive way. We're not passing judgment."
The band does not limit itself to one style.
"We have a lot of different mixtures and textures of music that can combine," Ronstadt said. "Basically, if a song touches us, then we'll do it."
Student Tina Chisena said she has gained a greater appreciation for the music of the Southwest through the workshop. "I knew nothing about Southwestern music," she said. "I definitely want to do more of it and know more."
As the tune ended, there was a smattering of applause from the circle of listening students. Ramirez, Ronstadt and Brown gently plucked the final notes, the three boots slowly keeping time to the last measure.
Folklore - Myth - History - Truth
Jan Hedgecock
Editor
by Jan Hedgecock, Editor
Special note: Myth plays a big role in European and American folklore. The story below reflects this, and with an unusual connection to Wales. It is important to note that credible historical documentation supporting this tale does not seem to exist. So, our plan is to contact the Mandan Indian Tribe and get their point of view. We will share what we learn in our next newsletter.
Our Links between Wales and North America.
According to Welsh legend, a North Wales man, Prince Madog ab Owain Gwynedd sailed away in 10 ships and landed in America around 1100.
Owain Gwynedd, king of Gwynedd in the 12th century, had nineteen children, only six of whom were legitimate. Madog (Madoc), one of the bastard sons, was born at Dolwyddelan Castle in the Lledr valley between Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
On the death of the King in December 1169, the brothers fought amongst themselves for the right to rule Gwynedd. Madog, although brave and adventurous, was also a man of peace. In 1170 he and his brother, Riryd, sailed from Aber-Kerrik-Gwynan on the North Wales Coast (now Rhos-on-Sea) in two ships, the Gorn Gwynant and the Pedr Sant. They sailed west and landed in what is now Alabama in the USA.
Prince Madog then returned to Wales with great tales of his adventures and persuaded others to return to America with him. They sailed from Lundy Island in 1171 and were never heard of again.
Mandan Bull Boats and Lodges
They are believed to have landed at Mobile Bay, Alabama and then travelled up the Alabama river along which there are several stone forts, said by the local Cherokee Indians to have been constructed by "White People". These are of a similar design to Dolwyddelan Castle in North Wales. Were they built by Madog and his fellow settlers?
Early explorers found evidence of Welsh integration among the tribes of Indians along the Tennessee and Missouri Rivers. In the 18th century an Indian tribe was discovered that seemed different to all the others that had been encountered before. Called the Mandans this tribe were described as white men with forts, towns and permanent villages laid out in streets and squares. They claimed ancestry with the Welsh and spoke a language remarkably similar to it. They fished with coracles, a type of boat still used in Wales today. It was also observed that unlike members of other tribes, these people grew white-haired with age. In addition, in 1799 Governor John Sevier of Tennessee wrote a report in which he mentioned the discovery of six skeletons encased in brass armour bearing the Welsh coat of arms.
Mandan Indian Village
The first link below tells of the Mandan Native American Tribe and how they formed settlements and were not nomadic like other groups. It tells of their history and their lives and is very descriptive and informative. It adds substance to the basic Legend of Prince Madog settling and integrating amongst them, in our article above.
The second link below focuses on the Celtic Alabama connection and tells of the integration by the Welsh with Mandan Native Americans in another way. This too is fascinating and we would like our readers to explore these two sites if they are drawn to discover this History/legend…..as we are!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandan
www.celticalabama.net/ACAWelsh.html
La Cocina Con Poemas
We have decided to have a slight re focus on our recipe article in the newsletter! We are asking you to send in a recipe/poem from your Country or State and unless you can get yours to us first, Lady Floppy Ears will write a poem about it… Have you an anecdote about the Santa Cruz River Band? We will be delighted to hear it!
In La Cocina this month Lady floppy Ears has been busy!
A recipe from a lady in Scotland.. this was sent in by Dilys from Wales.
But first, a little food history to accompany our work in La Cocina:
Mrs Janet Keiller made marmalade for the first time in Dundee in 1797 when her husband bought a cargo of oranges that were going cheap, after a Spanish ship had been forced into the harbour in a storm. So it is not surprising that marmalade features in a number of Scottish recipes. Here is one for a marmalade cake.
Marmalade Cake
Ingredients (with US conversions in brackets):
8 oz self-raising flour (One cup all-purpose flour with baking powder)
2 beaten eggs
3 oz caster sugar (Three rounded tablespoons granulated sugar)
4 oz margarine (4 rounded tablespoons)
1 drop vanilla essence (vanilla extract)
2 tablespoons orange marmalade
1 teaspoon orange rind, finely grated
2 tablespoons milk
Pinch of salt
Method:
Sift the flour and salt into a bowl and rub in the margarine until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, half the orange rind and then add the eggs, marmalade, milk and vanilla. Mix well to achieve the consistency of thick batter. Grease a 6 inch round cake tin and bake in the centre of a pre-heated oven at 350F/175C/Gas Mark 4 for around one hour and twenty minutes until golden brown. If you have one, you can check with a skewer until it comes out clean. Sprinkle the rest of the orange rind on top and allow to cool for a few minutes before you turn out on a wire rack to cool.
Lady Floppy Ears has composed a poem for her favorite treat, marmalade!
Marmalade Is Sticky
Marmalade is sticky,
When you get it in your hair!
But its not as sticky for you
As it is for your Teddy bear.
So eat your marmalade carefully,
Dont spread it all around,
Cos if you get it under your feet,
Youre gonna get stuck to the ground!
Marmalade on my fingers,
Marmalade on my toes
Ill be eating marmalade,
No matter where it goes...
~Lady Floppy Ears
And now a Plum Bread recipe from Diane, from Calcoed, Pantasaph North Wales. Another Fan of the Band together with her husband Patrick!
(This is to die for!)
Bring to the boil together:
1 lb Dried Mixed Fruit
4 oz Margarine
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Water
When its cooled a bit add:
1 lb SR Flour and 2 beaten eggs.
Put into 2lb loaf tin
Bake in oven at 150 C for 1½ - 2 hours
The SCRB Pony Express
Make way for the mail train! We've received many wonderful emails and guestbook entries this summer!
August 22, 2008
Welcome to Sisters (Sister's Folk Festival, Oregon)in September .... We look forward to hearing your music. My family in Hillsboro, NM told me you were coming to this area and highly recommended that we try to see your show. Thank you for sharing with us, we look forward to your visit.
Sharon
July 3, 2008
Hello, I saw you guys at Rio Rico in mid June, both my mom and I just loved your music, stories and the fun that you share with your audience. She went home fascinated.
I got the job in Bishop, sooo, si diós quiere,y la virgen...I'll see you at Mill Pond. And, I will be able to get the resident discount!!!
My mother said that she would NEVER visit me in Bishop, "No he perdido nada en ese rancho." So why go? BUT, if she knows that your band will be playing, she might be willing to visit. I am going to use you guys as a come on. She might go. Although, it gets pretty cold at night and she is a desert rat. I'm still gonna try.
Your fan,
Norma Booth (from Nogales)
June 23, 2008
We saw you at Arizona Folklore Preserve on Saturday and loved your show. We bought Volume 3 "The Mexican Album" and wonder if it's possible to see the printed words to the songs. I've been trying to teach myself Spanish for years and find singing along is helpful. We'll definitely come see you when you return to the AFP. Also was excited to see that you're going to be in Westminster, MD, in July as that is near where we grew up and also raised our family.
note from the webmaster: You can find the lyrics to most SCRB songs here on the website under the "music" tab, or click here for lyrics. Enjoy your Spanish studies!
June 19, 2008
Dear Santa Cruz River Band:
One of your fans (who is also an Arizona Historical Society member) suggested I let you know that there is a photo of William "Billy" Stiles on page 9 of the Arizona Historical Society's spring 2008 edition of The Journal of Arizona History. Billy Stiles is one of the individuals written about in the Journal's article "Scott White: Arizona Lawman."
The gentleman who suggested I write to you told me that he loves your song "Billy Stiles," but he always thought it was just a fictitious name and story you made up for the song until he read our article.
Cheers!
Roy Goodman
Membership Services Coordinator
Arizona Historical Society
"So, until we meet again......."
Thank you Everyone, for spending a little time with us here in the September,2008 issue of the newsletter! We want this place to be one of sharing experiences among us: our ever-growing family all around the world! So if you have stories, anecdotes, recipes, photos, or experiences to share, please contact us! (see the contact section immediately below) We would love to include them in a future issue of the newsletter.
~High Lonesome Thoughts~
We would like to sign off with a few ordinary words which convey extraordinary meaning...
"Even after all this time,
the sun never says to the earth,
"You owe me."
Look what happens with a love like that.
It lights the whole sky."
~Hafiz
When we live in awareness,
it is easy to see
miracles everywhere.
~Thich Nhat Hanh
"Many Paws Make Light Work"
~Lady Floppy Ears (of course!)
"It is better not to walk at all than to step in to a Foxies Lair!
So from all of us here at the SCRB Newsletter: Ted, Michael, Jan, Kristy, and Lady Floppy Ears.....
Adios!
