Village School contingent invades Europe!
July 26th, 2005
There’s a group from the Village School that’s arrived in Europe for the International Democratic Education Conference (IDEC 2005). Here’s the latest from Maria Musachio, teacher at the Village School. She’s a friend who now lives in Kenyon, a former neighbor of mine and also the aforementioned Jay Burlison.
I am writing from Paris and I’m sitting in an internet cafe for the
first time. It’s a funny arrangement on the keyboard so bear with my
errors….Our trip from Amsterdam to Paris was LONG! We did not want to ride
the high speed train because it would cost us an extra 150 euros so we
took the regular train and experienced several delays. We left
Amsterdam at ç:”à am and didnt get to our hostel in Paris until &à:&(
pm. That was hard, but everyone held up just fine. Our regret is that our time in Paris is so short. It seems like a wonderful city, very friendly and easy to find our way around. We all went out to a neighborhood cafe last night and had a great time. This morning we headed out on the subway to see the Eiffel Tower. It is truly magnificent. Joe and Doug waited in the rather long line and went all the way to the top. They failed to remember to take pictures though, so the scene up there remains in their memories only.Some of us moved on, walking to the Arc de Triumph, then down the
Champs de Elysees, down to the Louvre (didn’t go in) and then back
home on the “Metro”. We all loved Paris and are sad to be leaving so
soon.Our hostel is great, a view to die for out every window, in a very
nice neighborhood, and hot showers in each of the rooms.We head to Switzerland tomorrow at – am. Wish us luck! I’m checking
my e-mail so send messages if you want; More later.
Stay tuned for updates, and Maria said she’ll try to send photos from Berlin.
Daniel Burlison 1922-2005
July 25th, 2005
My friend Jay’s father died recently, and we just had a long talk about what it is to lose someone so important. Jay is unique, and learning some about his father and his influence, he’s not so unique after all, in that it’s clear he learned a lot about being true to himself, to be genuine in the world offering what only he can offer, from his father.
Jay summed it up for the memorial gathering held last week:
My father was a blessing in my life for just over 50 years – and never more so than in the first decade and the last decade of that time. In the first he was an involved, affectionate, hands-on father at a time when that was much less the norm than it is yoday, and in the last he was essential to my being able to make a number of crucial life changes.
He lived a fascinating life, some of it known to me and some not – the details would make a book, but I shall leave to others to speak of the parts they know.
He was a highly gifted designer and craftsman with a vision all
his own, and a man of many other talents, abilities, and interests
besides, widely curious, widely knowledgeable, largely self-educated. I honor and admire all of this, yet what I most remember him for are his sense of humor, his curiosity, his passion for life, his independence of mind, and his prolific generosity to me with his affection, love, and knowledge. Were I to recite the list of things I learned from him it would keep us here a good long while, and even so I would inevitably miss many of them – I suspect that I will be discovering more and more of them as the years go by.However, the main lessons, fittingly taught by positive example,
were these: find work you love and do it well, always stay interested
in the world, always keep active and developing, mentally, physically
emotionally and spiritually, and always maintain your independence of
mind. I suppose that could all be summed up by saying ?never let your
heart and mind grow old.?I will miss him to the end of my days in many ways great and
small, but still, he was a blessing in my life for over 50 years, and
for that I can only be grateful.
Daniel M. Burlison, 83, died Tuesday June 28 after a short illness. Mr. Burlison was a jewelry designer and craftsman for most of his life. For the last 12 years he lived and worked in Silver City, and before that in Taos and Cimarron, New Mexico after moving south from Alaska.An adventurer from youth, Mr. Burlison spent time living among the Alaskan natives teaching jewelry making and prospecting for jade. He served in the Merchant Marines during WWII and also worked as a commercial fisherman.
He is survived by his partner of many years, Susan Hill of Silver City, by his children: daughter Kelly MacRunnels (Alan) of Albuquerque, sons Mike Burlison (Tammy) of Dennard, AR, and Jay Burlison of Richmond, VA, and by his grandchildren: Kelcie and Keven MacRunnels of Albuquerque and Daniel Burlison of Dennard, AR.
A memorial gathering will be held Sunday July 17th at 2 pm at the Gomez Peak group campground on Little Walnut Road in Silver City, New Mexico.
The family requests donations be sent to Children International.
Here’s an example of Daniel Burlison’s work:
Comment change – this spam is a bit much
July 15th, 2005
NOTICE: Just an FYI – in the spirit of open and direct communications, I’ve had the “Comment door” wide open, but just a few hours after cleaning out the morning spam, I’ve got “save my marriage, star wars toys, star wars, dog training and infidelity” all lined up, the good news is they don’t think I need drugs or penis enlargement, but I don’t need any of this, it ain’t MY marriage that needs saving, I’ve NEVER seen ANY Star Wars, my dog’s been to doggie school — I’ve had it — it’s the end! From here on in, to comment, ya gotta register. And please do! … now, can I figure out how to filter it???
Grand Marais Art Festival – stop in at the GunFlint Tavern!
July 6th, 2005
Heading up to Grand Marais for the Art Festival? Heard from Susan Gecas again, who with her husband Jeff, own the Gunflint Tavern. Jeff is building a roof deck, which will have the best view of the bay in town. It should be done by the time you get there!
Their place is THE place to eat in Grand Marais, and this weekend, she expects it to be wall to wall people, coming in for real food and real music, some unreal music too! Susan is an artist, she’s been painting forever (and I remember this great leather helmet she made in high school), but I have to confess, my mother did paint over the paintings she did in our basement over 30 years ago! Sue has filled the walls of the Gunflint Tavern with her art, as she says, “the restaurant is my art expression.”
This weekend is the Grand Marais Art Fair, THE event of the season in Grand Marais. The streets will be packed on Saturday and Sunday with artists and their creations (map). It’s a juried show with Best of Show and Best Booth awards. Check out the scene with the Grand Marais Web Cam! Expect exhibits from the North House Folk School, Sweetlight, Michael Tonder, Betsy Bowen, Stix n’ Stonz, and keep your eyes open for all the Carleton Alumni going up this weekend, turning it into Grand Northfield!
For more info, contact the Grand Marais Art Colony at (218) 387-2737 or (800) 385-9585, email arts@boreal.org or Fax (218) 387-2370.
When you’re up there, be sure to stop at the GunFlint Tavern. Say “HI!” to Susan and check out her most recent work on the walls. “Art as decoration is way more fun than head art!” says the artist!
Speaking of art:
Artist’s medium rare and it’s, well, dung
Joli Truelson – Still looking for her killer 33 years later
July 3rd, 2005
For the last month or so, every time I blink, someone or something from the distant past resurfaces, and the timing isn’t right for Saturn return — but the good news is that it’s usually good news, reconnecting has been good. Today, though, it was a sad memory. Joli Truelson resurfaced, I knew her through friends back in junior and senior high school. Her family owned Porky’s, then Nora’s and now Tryg’s. She was murdered while hitchiking on a summer evening at the age of 16, and her killer was never caught. Now, 33 years later, her family has offered a $50,000 reward. Here’s the article:
Unsolved murder wears on Minneapolis mother
A quote of her mother’s view of her triggered some memories, though I’d couch it quite differently! She said:
“Joli was artistic,” Truelson said. “She had a flair for the ridiculous.”
Minneapolis police are reviewing the file, and if you have information, call them at 612-692-8477 (TIPS).