Melanie Safka and Peter Schekeryk...Forever

Mike and Melanie

Dedicated to Peter Schekeryk

Husband, Father, Producer Ad Infinitum

   In the early summer of 1970 my grandparents, with whom I lived, were driving me to Detroit Michigan to stay a few weeks with my mother. As we approached Detroit on Interstate 94, I heard a rumble. My grandfather heard the same rumble. He pulled the car over to the shoulder and investigated. Flat tire, passenger, rear.

Add capClkw photo credit: http://rockradioscrapbook.ca/bigeight.html

So we opened the trunk and he proceeded to change the tire. Having my transistor radio with me, I tuned into CKLW, a Windsor Ontario station, to listen to the Rock tunes. It was at that time, along interstate 94, right alongside where the giant Uniroyal Tire stood, that I first heard “Lay Down” by Melanie.

Add capUniroyal tire credit: http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2015/05/20/uniroyal-tire-detroit/27677369/

   I was instantly a fan of Melanie. I loved the sentiment of the song. Yes, I had peace and love and brotherhood values. I was a wanna be hippy living a conventional life. But I could live that hippy life through Melanie!

    Upon reaching Detroit, I looked for the nearest rock record store. I found the perfect one. It was lighted by blue light. It was fragranced by incense. It had a one- page newsletter that dated itself according to “the revolution”. This date read “June, 2^nd year of the Revolution”. I assumed they counted from the 1968 Chicago march at the Democratic Convention (the whole world’s watching). Yes, the perfect place to ask about the new Melanie single “Lay Down”. Of course they had it. They specialized in hippy, peace and love culture.

   I continued being a Melanie fan. “Peace Will Come”, “The Good Book”, “Gather Me”, “Stoneground Words” and more. I always wanted to attend a Melanie concert but they were always out of reach.

   Until, Friday, September 16 at the Green Wood Coffee House in Ann Arbor Michigan. I find it interesting that the location of the Melanie concert I got to attend was so close to the Allen Park Michigan location where I first heard her on the radio.

    With her accomplished son, Beau, to her right, and a vase of flowers to her left, Melanie greeted the assembled multitude with “Wow, it feels like I was just here.” And she was just there about this time last year. The crowd, obvious regulars, clapped in affirmation.

    As if an homage to her fans and her place in their hearts and history, Melanie opened with “Beautiful People”, delivering a performance undiminished by time or age. Melanie made the song as crisply present as ever it originally was.

   There were about two and a half hours of amusing as well as informative story, song and interaction with the crowd. We enjoyed a career’s breadth of material.

“Jamming Alone”, “I tried to Die Young”, “Rock and Roll Heart”,”Do You Believe”, of course “Lay Down”, and many others including my favorite, the amusing, “Alexander Beetle”.

   As this post is dedicated to Peter Schekeryk, I would be negligent in my attempt to show proper respect if I not mention Beau, his son…

Folks, from what I heard last night, Beau, who accompanied Melanie, and performed a few instrumental numbers by himself, is as good as any legendary rock guitarist we have ever heard, Hendrix, Santana, Jimmy Page, and others not coming to mind. He plays flamenco style guitar with an entertaining skill worthy of much more attention than he receives. If you ever have a chance to attend a Melanie concert, expect much from Beau as well. Melanie referred to him as “my second mind”.

   And of course Beau’s sisters, Jeordie and Leilah, also have musical skills and careers worthy of checking out.

    Melanie presented much more than just an exercise in nostalgia. Melanie has managed to gently bring along whatever, and whoever she was in 1968, 1969, and all years to this very present. She reminds us that our past is truly not a static thing set in the irretrievable distance. Our past lives within us at this present moment and as we approach the future, we bring along with us more and more of who we are. Melanie invites the future to cooperate, participate in our celebrations of the moment.

   It was indeed a great performance. But also, for me, it satisfied a forty-six year old wish to hear Melanie perform live.

   After the concert I waited in line to have Melanie autograph the 45 RPM which I purchased at the record store in 1970. And also to have my photo taken with her, evidence I suppose that “I was really there.”

my copy of "Lay Down", purchased in Detroit 1970, autographed by Melanie

   As I approached the table, I extended my hand to shake her hand, I made deliberate eye contact, and I confess that for a moment I thought “wow, I am shaking the hand of someone who performed at Woodstock!”. That moment was brief. As I stood at the table, having my photo taken, I asked Melanie…”when and where did you and Peter meet?” I am a romantic, and I was hoping to hear some romantic story about how she spilled tea on him at some coffee shop, or how she tripped and fell into his arms. But the answer I received was “we were in New York, he was a producer and I was his client”. Now, I am sure that there is a romantic version that the children know. But this account was meaningful enough to me, a fan. This account firmly focused on the music.  This account presented to me what was intended by Peter and Melanie all those years of making records, that they were a team, musically, ethically, respecting their fans. I was pleased to accept, as a gift, that which I was intended to enjoy and appreciate... the music which they created together.

    True, it wasn’t only Melanie that captured my musical interest along interstate 94 as the tire was being changed. I am a fan of production. I find as much satisfaction in paying attention to the mixing of stereo effect, vocals, instruments, background, and so I became a fan of producer Peter Schekeryk also. It turns out that they, Melanie and Peter, were a very well-matched couple, in music, and in life. I celebrate their lives together and I continue to remember Peter each time I hear a Melanie record played. Peter continues to live in the musical influence and effect which he brought to Melanie.

It’s a long time from being fifteen years of age in 1970 to a sixty-one-year-old in 2016. But, never did I forget. There is this quip about the 1960s that goes “if you can remember the 60s, you weren’t really there.” I always thought that to be much uninformed rhetoric. Melanie has a lyric that better brings the true point…

“To be there is to remember 
Lay it down again 
Lay down 
Lay down 
Lay it down again 
Men can live as brothers 
Candles in the rain..”

Melanie's guitar, post performance

Additional information regarding 1970: Melanie reaches number 10 on CKLW survey: Paul McCartney, Jackson 5, Carpenters, Elvis, Beatles…she’s in pretty lofty company!

CKLW, Detroit/Windsor,

Survey previewed Monday June 22, 1970

TW  TITLE                          ARTIST                  LW

 1. Ball of Confusion              Temptations              2

 2. Hitchin a Ride                 Vanity Fare              3

 3. Why Cant I Touch You           Ronnie Dyson            10

 4. Ooh Child                      5 Stairsteps             1

 5. Mama Told Me                   Three Dog Night          6

 6. The Love You Save              Jackson 5                5

 7. The Wonder of You              Elvis Presley            9

 8. That Same Old Feeling          Pickettywitch            4

 9. How Bout a Little Hand         Boys in the Band         8

10. Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) Melanie                 20

11. Vibrations                     Eric & The Vikings      19

12. Ride Captian Ride              Blues Image             17

13. Drop by my Place               Carl Carlton            16

14. You've Been My Inspiration     Main Ingredient         21

15. Save the Country               Fifth Dimension         18

16. Maybe I'm Amazed               Paul McCartney          15

17. Gimme Dat Ding                 Pipkins                 28

18. Love on a TWo Way Street       Moments                 12

19. Long & Winding Road            Beatles                  7

20. Signed Sealed Delivered        Stevie Wonder           --

21. Tighter Tighter                Alive & Kicking         26

22. Mississippi Queen              Mountain                13

23. Steal Away                     Johnny Taylor           --

24. The End of the Road            Marvin Gaye             27

25. Pearl                          Tommy Roe               29

26. Are You Ready                  Pacific Gas & Eletric   --

27. Cinnamon Girl                  Neil Young              30

28. Come on Down                   Savage Grace            --

29. Close to You                   Carpenters              --

30. Lay a Little Love on Me        Robin McNamara          --

HITBOUND:

   Spill the Wine - Eric Burdon & War

 ( info found at http://www.ct30.com/big30/1970/700622c.txt)

Princess Leia, 2016 Indiana PopCon, and Mike Being Mike

    This last June, my son, Eric, and I were in Indianapolis for an event at the Indiana Convention Center. Also taking place was the 2016 Indiana Popcon.

At the end of activities one day, Eric and I took time to have dinner at the local Steak N Shake. Many Popcon participants were also there having dinner. At one point I noticed, dressed in obvious character, Princess Leia at the counter to pay her bill.

   I immediately seized upon the opportunity to create a charming, if silly, moment.

    Having in my shirt pocket only a receipt from an earlier purchase, and an ink pen, I approached Princess Leia and requested her autograph. She maintained character as she signed “To Mike  Princess Leia” on the back of the receipt. And then, adding her own sense of charm and memorable moment, she pressed her lips to the paper; she smiled and handed it to me, saying “your welcome”, as I thanked her.

Princess Leia's autograph and pressed lips to right of autograph.

While I have never met Carrie Fisher, and surely she is wonderful as Princess Leia, I am convinced this moment at Steak N Shake would be superior to a moment meeting Carrie Fisher. Again, not discrediting Carrie in any way, but the charm of this moment, the creative initiative of this “Princess Leia” rests in my heart as one of those wonderful, small, instances of life of which poets write poetry and bloggers post blogs.

 

    I imagine life has many such opportunities for those who respond to an idea, take a chance of making a fool of oneself, and wish to see what surprising thing might happen,

LeBron James got nothin' on Elizabeth Mis!

Elizabeth Mis at Elkhart Jazz Festival

Cleveland Ohio has much to celebrate! Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland obviously has invested in music.

Cleveland is home to the Cavaliers who have just won an amazing come from behind victory. And of course Cleveland has LeBron James who makes each play seem smooth and classy.

Smooth and classy describes someone else from this proud city of Cleveland.

Elizabeth Mis (pronounced “miss”) also claims Cleveland as home.

Elizabeth is a very accomplished soprano saxophonist!

My wife, Sherry, and I had opportunity to hear her play at the Elkhart Jazz Festival this last weekend.

She describes her music as “a fresh sound for smooth jazz”. And I surely agree with that point though I find it a bit modest.

Elizabeth is superlative in talent, charisma, stage presence and smile. She delivers an unsurrendering optimism with a constant smile that invites the audience to smile along.

Many professionals will tell you that this saxophone is a truly challenging instrument to play.

Elizabeth makes it sound smooth and classy, like LeBron James “in the zone”. Elizabeth seems to cause this unwieldy instrument to reach beyond what it was designed for as she gracefully moves her fingers across the responsive keys. Each note seamlessly moves from high to lower giving the audience a sense of immediate presence. We anticipated some new musical discovery as each note was achieved. There were smiles all around. This is a crowd that is accustomed to very professional music and Elizabeth exceeded not only expectations but higher levels of talent that one would think possible. This is a crowd that is hard to impress yet we were much impressed!

A very pleasant experience! I describe her music and the atmosphere it generates as “elastic groove”.

This elastic groove feeling is best discovered in her song “Buggin’”.

Elizabeth enjoys driving a 1969 Volkswagen bug. I imagine her driving on a winding road by a blue lake on one side and rolling hills on the other as soprano saxophone music graces wispy clouds moved by a gentle breeze.

You can find out more about Elizabeth Mis at:

www.elizabethmis.com

And tell her Mike sent you!

A Great Place for some Great Ice Cream!

Nappanee Indiana hosts many interesting and attractive places to enjoy the day. It is well worth a visit. Nappanee has wonderful pizza, a great coffee shop, and a fun candy shop.

I know, most wonderful towns have all of those. But Nappanee has something that truly is exceptional in the most superlative sense.

   Nappanee has Rocket Science Ice Cream.

   Owned for a couple of years by Steven and Rochelle Slabaugh, Rocket Science Ice Cream is given full-time attention by this married couple. I asked Rochelle if she was having fun and she replied “I’m having a lot of fun!” And it looks like it!

After you make your choice of flavor the mixing begins. You get to watch as directly before your eyes a milky liquid substance turns into ice cream by application of liquid nitrogen as a freezing agent. Their business card promotes this ice cream as “fresh nitrogen blasted ice cream while you watch”.

You’ll experience a sense of anticipation as you watch your customized flavor being created.

    And it tastes great too!

I had chocolate. It sticks together pretty well. It does not easily “peel away” as does store bought ice cream. Thick on the spoon and smooth on your tongue I say.

My wife, Sherry, and I often enjoy this ice cream.

It’s worth a visit to Nappanee. And tell them Mike sent!

Rocket Science Ice Cream is located at

401 E Market ST. Nappanee, In 46550

You can email them at   rocketscienceicecream@gmail.com

You can call them at   574-773-7003

Rocket Science Ice Cream is open:

Monday                  1-8

Tuesday                 12-8

Wednesday            12-8:30

Thursday                12-8:30

Friday                    11:30-9:30

Saturday                11:30-9:30

Oh yes...you can purchase a t-shirt while you are to commemorate the experience!

Cathy Wesolek has a message!

   In preparation for the Conference in Indianapolis this last week, I had asked Cathy Wesolek to fill the pulpit for me at the church I serve. I had become friends with Cathy through the North District Lay Servant Academies. In fact she was a student in the Advanced Preaching class that I taught this last spring at Evangel Heights.

   Cathy demonstrates a firm understanding of Wesleyan Theology. She composes and delivers a message that is relevant, engaging, and inspiring.

I am thankful to Cathy for making my week a little more manageable last week. And I encourage my clergy friends who may plan a vacation, encounter an
unexpected event, to contact Cathy and invite her to fill the pulpit for you.

You may contact her at   cjwesolek@yahoo.com

                                   Or on Facebook.

Your congregation will be inspired!

Steuart and Michelle Pincombe: Music in Familiar Spaces

photo by Mathias Reed

Steuart and Michelle Pincombe move together musically much like a stream moves along its bed. The topography of the bed influences and inspires the movement and cadence of the water, the water shapes the bed. Without identifying which role Steuart and Michelle play, it is obvious that they achieve that relationship together.

I had the pleasure to audience a performance of theirs last night at the Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen.

Steuart plays a cello built in 1750 in Germany as Michelle sings with fullness and impulse that invites the soul to lay aside its concerns and be enveloped in vocal tone and note that causes the spirit to ascend toward its intended space of being.

That cello, played with precision, sounds like distant, yet comforting thunder as it vibrates out a resonance familiar with my inward space of being. I consider how many musicians have played that cello. I connect with those musicians over decades and centuries. Steuart, with his skill brings all of those musicians into my mind and heart. I feel privileged to be connected with those long gone musicians. Steuart has delivered much more than play of strings on an instrument. He has reminded me that I am more than this present moment. I am in concert in history with many others.

Your personal experience may be somewhat different. Nonetheless it will be satisfying.

I encourage you to visit  musicinfamiliarspaces.com and become familiar with Steuart and Michelle. Check out their tour information and become a part of a very rare musical experience.

   Oh yes, and tell them Mike sent you.

Darla McCammon and Diamond Bait

Darla McCammon loves to create. She paints, she writes, and she creatively cares for animals. It’s the three “a”s as she puts it. Art, Animals, and Authoring.

A long time writer, Darla won contests in high school and has been actively on the pen ever since.

She says that writing the first draft is easy…just getting the ideas, characters, and dialogue out is fun. The re-write is the challenge. But she gets up about five-thirty every morning to spend some time with Jesus, and then some time with characters in her book.

Her most recent publication “Diamond Bait” is quite a suspenseful thriller of a mystery. Yes, suspense, thrill and mystery, all entwined to present a page-turning luxury of reading.

This book is about betrayal, faith, heroism, and all things worthy of a Hollywood movie production. I suggest Felicity Jones as Mattie and Shia LaBeouf as Joel.

Filled with phrases that will color the paragraph for you…“The report from the gun deafened me while the roar reverberated and echoed through the hospital halls”..this book is worthy of your attention.

And, thank you Mrs. Dewey (high school teacher) for inspiring and setting forth Darla as an artist of the written word.

You can find out more about Darla at darlamc.com

Oh yes, and tell her Mike sent you.

The Zombies, Sterling Watkins, and Pastor Appreciation

  

The Stage before the concert

 October is Pastor Appreciation month. Most church congregants don’t even realize there is such a designated month. While I appreciate any gesture shown me by my congregation, every now and then someone exceeds the usual effort and expectation.

   Sterling Watkins of the Claypool United Methodist Church knows how to show appreciation.

Sterling having a good time!

   Many of my sermons or messages make references to 1960s rock bands and musical phenomena. Sterling, being my age, shares similar interests and tastes in rock music and must have been listening to my sermons.

    As a gesture of pastor appreciation, Sterling acquired tickets to see the Zombies at the Star Plaza October 16.

   Having gained popularity and success in 1964 and throughout the sixties and seventies, one would think of the Zombies as an “exercise in 1960s nostalgia” type of group. Contrary to that notion, I submit that they are fully a contemporary band with a timeless sound as relevant to today’s rock environment as during the 1960s.

 

Melissa and friend at the sales table.

   Colin Blunstone’s vocals are inspiring and unencumbered by age. Rod Argent’s talent on keyboard is superb and perhaps his musician-ego is on display as he gymnastically moves his fingers along the keys quicker and with more precision ever before in his career.

While not in the foreground of performance, Jim and Steve Rodford delivered accomplished and stirring effect on bass and drums. And Tom Toomey gives us a guitar sound that prompts one to accompany him with “air guitar” gesture, as many in the audience did.

   They had a two hour show. The first hour revisited their hits of the 1960s and also introduced a couple of tunes from their freshly released new cd “Still Got That Hunger”, more about that later.

   The second hour was a stage performance of their monumental studio album “Odyssey and Oracle” released in the late 60s. “Odyssey and Oracle” is considered their most accomplished and successful album, much like Sgt. Pepper is for the Beatles. The Zombies performed every song on “Odyssey” from beginning to end.

   But as I mentioned earlier, they are not just a 1960s nostalgia band. They are contemporary and current. Six days ago they released their newest CD “Still Got That Hunger” which has a sound that compels one to follow from track to track like reading a “page-turner” mystery.

It was a great show. The musicians were obviously having fun. Their sense of fun and enjoyment of the moment carried into the audience. It was one of the finest concert experiences I can remember.

Thanks to Sterling Watkins who knows how to show appreciation to a pastor.

   My next concert will be, by invitation of my son, Eric, Black Sabbath sometime in February. I’m sure that general audience will be of a noticeably different composition suitable to match the compositions performed.

Ally Ferber and Evan Watkins Jump the Broom

On Saturday, October 10, 2015, Evan Watkins and Ally Ferber began a new chapter in their lives together. In fact, they began a whole new book. Having met in high school and dated quite exclusively for a number of years, the couple decided to add yet more suspense to their romantic plot by tying the knot, jumping the broom, or otherwise accommodating ceremony, tradition, and ritual by declaring intent, exchanging vows and giving and receiving rings.

   Ally, being an English major and lover of novels, theater, and all things English, British and American, set the stage of the ceremony with a novel theme.

With Evan’s help, and much work, the tables at which the family and friends sat were decorated with a novel and props to enhance the literary nature of the wedding.

   If you look closely, you will see small circles lying upon the tables. Those are circular cut-outs from old novels pasted to designs. It must have taken hours upon hours to decide upon the books, find the props, and do the work of cutting, pasting, and organizing such a wonderfully themed wedding.

Congratulations to Evan and Ally as they begin this sequel to their previous novel of dating and getting to know each other and each other’s family. I suspect that in this sequel they will eventually make the plot a bit richer by introducing children and perhaps, after a full development of that theme, they will write a concluding sequel in which grandchildren and retirement will deliver a “happily ever after” sentiment and exclamation mark upon their fulfilling journey through marriage and life together.

Callie Ann: Photographic Witness to Life

   Purpose…its one of those evasive pursuits that teases us and taunts us toward all kinds of actions, investments, and never-ending searches on Google, college degree lists, and discussions with friends. We seek to find what it is in life we were meant to do. We try tangible work, service, chasing money, achieving a professional dream. Most often people settle into a less than fulfilled line of work to pay bills, knowing that they have compromised their happiness.

   Not so with Callie.

    Callie studied Fine Arts at Indiana State University. But that is not where she found her passion. Callie happened upon passion; she discovered her purpose while in search of a relatively useful camera at Best Buy about four years ago. While there, looking for a practical camera to begin a business in photography, Callie discovered her dream, her purpose, and made the investment in a rather more professional version of a camera. Turns out it was a wise choice.

   Callie has developed from a hobbyist at photography into a talented and accomplished professional.

   While she can be engaged to photograph many things from antique cars to birthday parties, and the usual events that one would wish to record for posterity, Callie makes it clear that her favorite subject is life. It is the celebration of life. Callie is a witness to the blossoming of life into unbounded purpose and potential.

   We begin with maternity photography: Life becomes not only obvious but expectant as pregnant women approach delivery date. This quality of expectancy becomes a precious moment to capture. Callie loves to pose and capture such moments, not only as a memory or a record of a moment; Callie brings witness to the potential of life as she focuses and snaps. This moment becomes more than a memory. This moment becomes a living impression of love to be framed and cherished upon walls and desktops and tables.

    Callie loves taking newborn pictures. I am a sucker for babies. Each baby is uniquely beautiful and inspiring in their small movements, their small voices and their very large impressions they make on us. With a newborn, it soon becomes obvious, they don’t belong to us, we belong to them. Callie captures that belonging. She brings position and light to bear upon that newborn in a flattering and

  compelling vision and snaps that vision into a heart-warming sigh every time you revisit that picture.

    And of course, Callie loves photographing children. The continuity of life. From pregnancy to newborn to children running and playing. Callie is witness to the full potential that life brings forth. She captures the giggles, the jumps, the ever active moment of childhood.

   Yes, our children are children for such a short period. They laugh and play briefly and then run on to other things in life.

   It is fortunate for you that Callie discovered her purpose, her passion at a Best Buy store while looking for a camera.

    Callie has a “clients first” philosophy toward her art and work. She wants to make sure you are happy with your purchase.

Callie offers witness to life to be framed and cherished upon your walls for years to come.

   If you would like Callie to witness to your life, more information can be found at:

Phtographybycallie.com

www.facebook.com/Cameracallie91?pnref=lhc

Etsy (search for cameracallie)

Julia Baird, The Mersey Beatles, and that Liverpudlian Accent!

    On Thursday, April 23, 2015 on NPR's "Here and Now", Douglas Druick, President of the Art Institute of Chicago, was interviewed regarding a recent $500 million donation. On that program, Mr. Druick affirmed that with a greater number of pieces of art "we can tell a story with much greater nuance and complexity."
   This is how I feel about "tribute" bands. Whether they cover the Rolling Stones, Monkees, Led Zeppelin or the Beatles, I have discovered that I may indeed enjoy these tribute bands more than the "real thing" that they cover.
   These tribute bands have the benefit of looking back on the history of their claimed band and can, in Druick's words, "tell a story with much greater nuance and complexity" than those ephemeral moments which were distracted by poor seating, poor views, less than optimum audio, and any number of unanticipated problems which detracted from what was expected of the originals.
   A tribute band can, with a retrospective view, gather the best of the history, compose a story or a theme and present that to a contemporary audience such that it reminds them of their initial anticipations regarding their band, and brings them along in a magical mystery tour of "how it all unfolded" while affirming the audience's  "almost like being there" sentiment.
   The Mersey Beatles are one such tribute band.

Eric, my son, and I frame a Mersey Beatles poster(also a "Here Come the Mummies" poster) as we sport our VIP credentials

Eric and Sherry, my wife, before the concert

    But before we further discuss the Four Lads from Liverpool, let us give some attention to another making the trip from Liverpool to Elkhart. Let's focus on Julia Baird for a moment. Julia is John Lennon's sister. And though my initial intent was to focus an interview on her, rather than John, it became clear that her focus is indeed John, the Beatles, Liverpool, and the Cavern club of which she is a board member.
    Julia, wearing a "Cavern Club t-shirt, greeted folk with a welcoming smile and a down-to-Earth interpersonal style that made folk feel immediately befriended.
   She was with the band to help promote their tour, to gain attention for Liverpool and the Cavern, and also to sell her book "Imagine This...Growing Up with My brother John Lennon".
    I was with a group of fans waiting to meet her and gain her autograph on a copy of the book.

We were at the beautiful Lerner Theater in Elkhart. And while I don't like waiting in lines, this one seemed quick, and comfortable.
It was a lot like waiting to go backstage to see a rock star. Close enough for me.

Part of the band's entourage backstage

   As I don't like elevators, once we got through the "backstage area", my wife, Sherry, my son, Eric, and myself were escorted down stairs and through a maze of tunnels. It felt very much like back stage living. I overheard Julia telling another fan and autograph seeker that this was her first time in Indiana and that she was very pleased. Julia also commented that the acoustics at the Lerner are great,
   But after I had opportunity to have my copy of the book signed, and I gained a picture with Julia, we left for the concert featuring The Mersey Beatles.

These fellows are a great tribute band. I've heard a couple of other Beatles tribute bands, and I think these guys are the best. The way they position themselves on stage, their gestures and movements, and their sound contribute to an experience that runs almost up to the real thing. The phrase "suspension of disbelief", while applied to a movie-going experience, seems easily acquired here in this concert with these accomplished performers. They sound so close to the originals that if you allow, you can be mentally and emotionally "placed" in the original time period, at least for a couple of hours.

    Yes, it was a good sound. They seemed particularly authentic. And I pondered, as I listened to their expertise, why I felt this band was better than others. Yes, they are technically accomplished. Yes, they have practiced. But there was some other quality which seemed beyond practice and acquisition. It was my wife, Sherry, that identified the quality. It was that Liverpudlian accent.
   And not only that accent, which very naturally made them sound like the Beatles, but all other experiences growing up in Liverpool. These fellows grew up in the same city. They had the same cultural and local customs to mold and shape their language, pronunciations, gestures, and behaviors in general. Of course they so very closely resemble the Beatles, they almost are!

Mike with Julia

   Anyway, it was a great concert. And I encourage you to attend when they play at another venue.
You can find out more about the Mersey Beatles at
http://themerseybeatles.com/
   You can find out more about Julia Baird at
http://juliabaird.eu/

The audience waving lights during "All You Need is Love"

Miranda Means Business

I experienced my first rugby game today. No, not as a participant. That would require a certain amount of discipline and sports ability which I have not had since seventh grade. I was an observer. I was at the Rugby fields in Elkhart at the Moose Family Center. I was there to support Miranda Stage of Warsaw Community High School, and of Claypool United Methodist Church.

Rugby seems to be a fun sport. But it is a sport for the very dedicated.

The weather was uncooperative. Oppressively overcast sky, cold and rainy. But the grass was a lush green with freshly drawn white chalk lines.

Multi-colored umbrellas helped to keep the rain and wind off the heads of observers.

   The whistle blew, the game began. Much like a cross between soccer and football, rugby moves up and down a field being played by fifteen players on each side. The ball, a fuller version of a football, takes a bit of practice to hang on to in these cold, wet, days.

It was my first experience at a “scrum”. A scrum looks like a huddle of the two opposing teams with the intent to “hook” the ball to a player on your side that can then advance the ball toward the goal.

Another notable observation about the game…when the ball goes out of bounds, the pass back into the field is toward two players, of both sides, being lifted high so as to gain better position to catch the ball.

A fun sport indeed!

    No wonder why Miranda seems to enjoy playing this sport. Miranda seems to enjoy a challenge. She has been playing rugby for about three years now. She likes being outside and she likes the aggressiveness of the game. This is a full contact sport with tackling your opponent a common experience. No safety gear, no pads, no helmet, these are pretty intense girls that play this game. And Miranda is pretty intense. Not only does she show up for the game, there is the week day practice.

Dedicated and disciplined, Miranda means business.

And it’s not as if she will take a break during the off season, next week Miranda will be with her high school band in competition.

Yes, Miranda also plays an instrument. She plays clarinet.

Miranda is one of those young folk that reach as far to the physical, sports side of interests as she does toward the cognitive, musical side of interests.

Good going, Miranda! Continue to inspire us all!

Cemetery of Convenience

    “Cemetery of convenience”, now that is a phrase I never heard before last night at the Elkhart County Historical Museum.

    Jeannie Regan-Dinius, Director of Special Initiatives for the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, presented a very informative lecture on cemeteries, graves, the histories of such and some legal does and don’ts.

   It was obvious that most of the folk in attendance were either cemetery historians or genealogical hobbyists. I am neither. I like history in general. And Jeannie did an excellent job of presenting her information such that a person of casual interest could understand and have their interests and musings stirred.

   And stirred mine were.

    A “cemetery of convenience” would hardly happen today. They happened during early days of exploration, railroad laying, or other large work efforts where people were far from civilization yet had to provide for a decent burial of someone deceased. In other words, they got buried where they died.

   Nineteen people showed up for this meeting. Jeannie discussed history, preservation attempts, and legal matters regarding cemeteries. When asked questions, she immediately had a relevant and well informed answer. Of course she should, she has been doing this since 2002.

   Always articulate in her language and descriptions, she held everyone’s attention for a little more than an hour. I am a preacher, and after fifteen minutes, I can see that I’ve lost people.

Jeannie did an excellent job.

You can find out more about cemeteries at    http://in.gov/dnr/historic/

Meet Keith Priser

    Meet Keth Priser!
   Keith is a very energetic and lively fellow. He is the leader for the praise team at Claypool United Methodist Church in the dynamic and bustling town of Claypool. His uplifting sense of music contributes to a worship service that makes one feel present and eager to participate.
    He has a long and successful career as a musician. He has shared with me the many bands and concerts he has played. From Warsaw Indiana to other states and back, Keith has put in many hours and days of playing guitar.
    And that experience can be of benefit to you!
Keith gives guitar lessons!
    Have you ever wanted to realize your dream of becoming a rock star, a folk hero, a worship leader?
    Keith can help you along your way.
You can find Keith on Facebook!

Richardsonian Romanesque Design and a Potawatomi Warrior

As a member of the Leadership Team for the North District of the Indiana United Methodist Church, I had reason to travel to Laporte this morning for a team meeting.
    Laporte is the county seat of Laporte County. As I am a fan of county courthouses, I took time to walk around the Laporte County Courthouse and enjoy its architecture.
    The building was constructed of red sandstone in 1872. It has very articulated triangular peaks. The tower rises very high above the top story of the building. One can see the tower for miles away.
    It is a beautiful building. The rectangular windows are topped with semi-circular panes with attractive design embedded into them.
    The historic identifier in front of the building states that the architecture is of Richardsonian Romanesque design. Not being a student of architecture, I visited Wikipedia for a description...
Richardsonian Romanesque is a style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson.
      On the one side of the building, I believe north, there stands a sculpture of a Potawatomi warrior with a broken spear. The broken spear communicates "peace". This sculpture by Howard A. Demyer, was set in 1976 as part of our country"s bicentennial celebration. 
    If you travel through Laporte and are a fan of history, take a few minutes to enjoy this courthouse. I may have to go back someday when it is open for business to see the inside.
   Oh yes, the meeting was productive also.
   

Of Magic Lanterns and Violet Ray Electro Therapy Machines

    The Elkhart County Historical Society operates a museum in what previously was the Bristol high school. The building retains most of its original look. Radiators on the walls by the windows, 1940 light fixtures, even the tile on the floor looks to be about from the 1940s or earlier. Of course, the building itself appears to be about one hundred years old. A great place to house an Historical Society!
    Sherry and I attended an event there just last night. The staff had chosen a few interesting items to highlight and discuss.
    Matt displayed and described the " Violet Ray Electro-Therapy machine". This device had been marketed during the first part of the twentieth century as a means of cure for just about any illness. So much faith people had in technology and invention that they were willing to give it a try. It is a pretty cool looking device. Too bad we aficionados of psychedelia during the late 60s and early 70s did not have those. I can imagine a "Violet Ray" party while listening to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon".
    But traveling back further in history... Matt also presented us with two 75mm gun shells. These shells are from the first world war and have been modified as "Trench Art". The shells had been adorned with "flower" design. There was much discussion amongst the visitors as to the symbolism of placing flower design on what was an instrument of war. It reminded me of that photo from the 60s where a war protester puts a daisy in the barrel of a soldier's rifle.
   Then we were left to the interpretive skills of Liz. She showed us the " Permanent Wave Machine". At first glance, it looks like a device for milking young cows. But, as Liz describes, it was a hair curler type of instrument from 1928. Invented by Marjorie Joyner, this machine was the first to have been patented by a black woman. The term "black power" may be associated with the 1960s, but it had its roots in the work and efforts of the Marjorie Joyner types.
    Perhaps my favorite of the presentations last evening was Patrick's "Magic Lantern". Before holographs, prior to computer graphics, before movies and silent picture shows, there were "Magic Lanterns". These devices projected an image on a wall or surface. The slides that were used appeared to be about 2"x6". Each slide was made of painted glass. Somewhat like the "overhead projectors" of the 1960s in its operation, it looked like a 1950s camera. Again, something to experience while listening to Pink Floyd.
    All of these devices and interpretations evoked, not only a sense of history,  but also a sense of how our imaginations and cognitive conjurings make the human experience singular in a universal timeline that reaches back and forward as far as any telescope can hope.
    Good job Matt, Liz, and Patrick. Sherry and I will return!

20th Century, Natsalgia, and Swivel-Racks

I am quite a nostalgic fellow. I enjoy history and exploring the social, artistic and emotional aspects of history beyond just the facts and details. I can easily place myself in the era with only a few period prompters. When I visit the historic homes of Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, or others, my questions tend toward how the less commonly known among them would have lived. Where would the servants have walked as they went to serve the breakfast?
   So, when I have an opportunity to visit a place that seems to be held in a particular time of the past, I take that opportunity with a sense of excitement.
    Such is the case this morning...
    Very close to the junction of Highway 6 and state road 15, there is a restaurant called the "20th Century". The current owner has had it for 37 years and it was around a long time before that.
    When one enters, one can notice the bar with bar-stools that seem to be the original 1950s or 1960s equipment. The faux-wood booth tables are worn from the scrapping of plates, cups and utensils. The all glass front remains, also a construction of the 50s or 60s.
    While the walls are adorned with nastalgia invoking promotional signs for " Cushman Scooters" "Dri-Gas" and others, it is easy to see that the quality of nostalgia is natural rather than created. It is as if one stepped into the twilight zone of restaurants.
    I felt much at home. During the 1960s, when my Mom and I would hop Greyhound buses for Lafollette Tennessee, the bus would often stop at such restaurants. I remember those times fondly. Those bus-stop restaurants always had a swivel-rack of comic books. I would purchase one, for about ten cents, and enjoy reading it while we waited for our breakfast. I looked for the swivel-rack this morning at the 20th Century. I was brought back to current day reality when I could not find the rack.
    Still, this is a great place to eat.
And by the way, the food is perfect, and the service is more so.
The address is 19964 us 6 Milford In. 46542.
Phone 574-831-4913
Hours of operation...
     M-F  5:00am-10:00pm
     Saturday  5:00am-2:00pm
     Sunday...closed.