The Observation Deck

It has not escaped my attention that this has been a very quiet and peaceful Memorial Day, even here on the 'Deck. In keeping with that peace, I thought that I might offer the following observation:

The other night, I went on a drive through Lakewood, after coming in through several other suburbs.

The first thing that impressed me upon my arrival back here was the astonishing amount of people who were out and about, interacting on main and side streets, enjoying their friends, as well as enjoying many new businesses that I did not even know had popped up!

It did not hurt either that there was a 10 degree difference between the sweltering inland suburb that I had come from, and crispy cool Lakewood; made so by Lake Erie's ever-present breezes.

Bikers were biking all over the place, including some on newer bike designs that I did not even recognize.

On the side streets, homes were being tended and mended, as I've been doing with mine lately. During that process, neighbors were talking and enjoying the verdant beauty that Ohio's springtime provides so very well.

I've lived in Lakewood for about 58 years now, and there is truly a timeless interactive wonderment that seems to envelop our community that I have not seen in too many other places. Perhaps that has to do with Lakewood's pressed-together intimacy. Perhaps that has to do with some sort of "we're all in this together" thing. There just seems to be this "let's enjoy this place and each other" attitude that seems to be so prevalent, no matter which part of Lakewood you find yourself in. There is so much about Lakewood that continues to be good and positive and wonderful, and all of that needs to be recognized and celebrated.

It's so important that we not lose sight of that bigger and admittedly halcyon picture; particularly nowadays. It's so important, in the face of whatever else might be shaking up our world, that we recognize and respect the common foundations upon which we stand...and that we not allow anyone to shake our faith in those foundations.

In the face of whatever adversities might come along, IN LAKEWOOD, LET'S CONTINUE TO SING!

I may be wrong here, but I believe that's just what a banjo player should be encouraging people to do.

Back to the banjo...

Gary, my son was telling me a story the other day how you came into the school to talk. He is in the band at Garfield Middle School. When I told him that I have met you several times his eyes grew to the size of saucers and he was so excited. Your talk really inspired him and he was just so happy you were there. He wanted me to send a message of Thank you for coming to the class.
He was like "Gary Rice this...Gary Rice that....mom he is sooooo cool"

Gary, both you and your dad have touched many lives here in Lakewood. Thank you. I believe that music is the universal language. It would be nice if our city leaders would name a street or a park after your dad.

Gary Rice starting a hootenanny on the front porch. A morning to remember, talk, and sing some Pete Seeger songs.

Some of the song list that I remember.








Gary, my wife and I thank you for stopping by Memorial Day and putting so much into perspective.

Deb and I both miss Bob, and love you so vary much.

peace/love

Thanks so very much to each of you for those kind thoughts and words. My heart is with you all.

Y'know, it's amazing to me how things tend to come full circle. Way back when, Pete Seeger actually encouraged me to sing, in spite of my having a fairly pronounced speech impediment. He and his wife Toshi, even signed my banjo head! (see photo) Pete's own banjo head said "This Machine Surrounds Hate and Forces It To Surrender". My banjo head added the word "also" after "machine", as we all need to keep passing along the musical torch of hope. Years later, I ran into Pete when his own voice was failing, due to the onset of age. I could tell that he was getting a bit discouraged about it. At that point, I was able to remind him that, just as he had encouraged me, so now it was my turn to encourage him. If I could do it, so could he!

And wowie, did he ever....

Not long before he passed away, Pete did an astounding re-make of Bob Dylan's powerful classic song "Forever Young" (that song, perhaps not-so-coincidentally, was also just sung during that great veterans' tribute the other night on PBS)

Though Pete's voice might not have been quite what it used to be, this is one beautiful rendition here, reminding all of us that we can all turn our handicaps into powerful assets, if, as the song says, we can just continue to remember to always do for others. Here's that link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezyd40kJFq0

As we know, our fallen veterans will always be....forever young.

(The saw allusion on that banjo head refers to my playing the musical saw. I actually gave Pete a lesson on it too!)

Back to the banjo...

Just bringing this post forward to let you all know that- this weekend, (starting today) the Western Reserve Historical Society, and our Folknet traditional music and dance society, will be hosting the annual Hale Farm "Music In The Valley" event, with hundreds of musicians kicking back and enjoying life. (I understand that there will also be a wine-tasting event at the same time)

In addition to having some of the best acoustic folk musicians onstage, there will also be players of all ability levels congregating under different trees. You'll find a "bluegrass" tree, a "folkie" tree, a tree where hammered dulcimers congregate, and just about every other kind of roots music people too! (Last time I was there, I discovered a tye-dyed retro-'60's tree that was tons of fun!)

Bring your instrument, come in by the cow pasture, and I believe you'll get free admission. Otherwise, there is a modest fee for non-members. I suggest that you bring (non-alcoholic) hydration and an armless chair for yourself, (so as not to scratch up your instrument) unless you like to sit on hay bales. They do sell hot dogs and such there.

Unfortunately, this year, I'll have to miss today's festivities (Saturday) as I am playing at a funeral, and at a home event this evening. I'm hoping to get out there tomorrow though.

Back to the cümbüş (and yes, I will be playing that instrument today- Look it up, for a fascinating history of an instrument that was invented by a Turkish arms maker who decided to become an instrument maker, and dedicate his new instrument to world peace.)