Blogs
VISITING AMERICAN STUDENTS PROJECT
Dylan Thomas in Wales is a 12-week literary seminar offered by Knox College (Illinois, America) in cooperation with the Carl Sandburg Birthplace (America),The Seventh Quarry Swansea Poetry Magazine (Wales), Cross-Cultural Communications (New York) and Wales International Center (New York). In the U.S., students will study the life and literary works of Dylan Thomas; in Wales, they will study the impact of Wales natural history and cultural dynamics on Thomas work.
To launch this new and exciting Project
American poet Robin Metz and Swansea poet Peter Thabit Jones will give readings of their poetry and talk about the Project.
Plus songs about Dylan Thomas
by Swanseas singer-songwriter Terry Clarke
at the Dylan Thomas Centre
7 p.m., Friday 4th December, 2009
Free entry
View Aberaeron in a larger map
Famous Americans of Welsh Descent: The Lone Ranger ( Who Was That Masked Man? )'
By Ceri Shaw, 2009-08-12
OK so "The Lone Ranger" is a fictional character but the fact remains that he is probably based on John Reynolds Hughes whose life and exploits are recorded in Border Boss . John Reynolds Hughes whose family were of Welsh descent was born in Illinois on February 11th 1855. Dafydd Meirion, writing in Welsh Cowboys and Outlaws observes that.:- "Hughes grandparent had left Wales for America and his father, Thomas Hughes, had visited Wales twice to see his relatives."
"Border Boss" is essential reading for anyone wanting a detailed account of Hughes'' adventures. John Reynolds Hughes single-handedly tracked and subdued two gangs of murderous cattle-rustlers before deciding to do it professionally and joining the Texas Rangers. After that his career reads like a history of the old Wild West. He knew tthem all:- Butch Cassidy, Judge Roy Bean, Pancho Villa, Pat Garrett, Billy the Kid, John Wesley Harding etc. Not only that but he survived to tell the tale. After his retirement he lived in Austin, Texas where he died in 1946 having reached the ripe old age of 91.
And the Lone Ranger connection?
" The famous western writer Zane Grey spent some time with Hughes while he was on the job. Later, his friend Grey wrote the famous book The Lone Star Ranger and dedicated it to Hughes and the Texas Rangers. It is written that his book was also the basis for the character of radio and movie fame, the Lone Ranger. Thus, some have concluded the Lone Ranger was based on the life of John R. Hughes. "
( Quoted from SIPES Houston http://www.sipes-houston.org/story_behind_the_photo.htm )
Oceans Apart a Highlight of the Colorado Scottish Festival - See them in Portland August 22nd at the Crystal Ballroom
By Ceri Shaw, 2009-08-10
Read the article here:-
Oceans Apart a highlight of the Scottish Festival
Catch Oceans Apart at the Left Coast Eisteddfod in Portland Oregon on Saturday August 22nd. For details go here. To check the bands website go here.
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( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter ) The Eisteddfod week is coming to an end, and we are looking forward to a period just a tiny bit quieter after the frenetic preparations of stands and magazines. Firstly then, its great to report that Cymuned had the most successful Eisteddofd since Meifod, with donations coming in, and thousands signing the "Deffro'r Ddraig (Waking the Dragon)" petition against the plan to build houses in the North East of Wales for commuters to Chester and Liverpool. A huge thank you goes to the volunteers who worked on the stand during the week - for their hard work and their interesting company! The fine weather was a blessing, and it was especially encouraging to get signatures from some National Heavyweights, including Dafydd Iwan, Dafydd Wigley and Robin McBryde. It was great to meet more of our supporters and hear your stories and complaints - thanks to everyone who called in. Talking of the Deffro'r Ddraig petition, Pol, one of the organisers, has this to say: "We now have our Assembly petition on line. You can sign it by following the link from www.righttobewelsh.com . As well as signing on line people will also be able to sign on paper. We aim to get at least 100 000 names to show that this issue is a political timebomb. "Obviously to achieve this will not be easy but it is essential strategically that we achieve this objective. So can anyone who can help us to collect signatures or deliver leaflets with info about signing online please contact us as soon as possible? "We have a real opportunity in Wales here and now to begin a process of taking our country out from under the shadow and into a bright Welsh future. Through this wretched plan and the kind of thinking behind it WE can turn a corner that has taken hundreds of years to reach. It just takes all of us to see this chance and do our little bit." Words to stir the heart, so sign the petition now! For those of you not in the North East, who think that this issue doesn't affect them, think again! The tendrils of this particular plan go right the way into the Welsh heartlands of the North, and there are similar plans in the pipeline for the Mid Wales / Birmingham area and South Wales as well so the more people who sign the better to stop this official bit of colonisation. And finally, we've received an email from Pete who wrote to Sainsbury's about their publicity for the new store in Lampeter, a town that was, until recently, a bastion of the Welsh language in Dyfed. No prizes for guessing the subject matter - the total lack of Welsh in their flyers. I'm particularly keen on this little gem from his email: "The flyer," he says "was rather old fashioned in that it was a monolingual English pamphlet." - accusing someone's publicity department of being 'old-fashioned' is a sure-fire way of drawing attention to the failures of their campaign. Thank you Pete - please let us know of any reply you get. Until next time then! Iestyn * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things." To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at :www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
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Raise Your Voice - Random Facts About the Left Coast Eisteddfod - Two Weeks To Go!
By Ceri Shaw, 2009-08-08
Raise Your Voice
With just two weeks to before the Left Coast Eisteddfod launches in Portland , Oregon we are inviting all our members, friends , readers and supporters to come and raise your voice with Chris Needs and Bruce Anderson at the Crystal Ballroom on the 22nd August. The Left Coast eisteddfod will be the first of an annual series of American Welsh events in Portland and will also be the biggest event of its kind on the West coast in 2009.
We are also appealing for last minute funds to boost our poster and flier campaigns for the event. Thousands of fliers and posters have already been distributed in the Portland area but we dont want to slacken the pace in the last few weeks before the event. We are looking for donations small and large. Five bucks, ten bucks...any amount is welcome, and remember if you are a U.S. citizen , The Meriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod Foundation is now a 501c3 so your donation can be claimed against your taxes. To donate just click on the 'Donate' button in the right hand column on any page on the site.
Some Random Facts About the Left Coast Eisteddfod
The 'Portland lovespoon' a beautiful and historic artefact will be on display at the Eisteddfod and and will be presented to the winner of our prize draw at the event. What better way to commemeorate this event than to take home this unique work of art generously donated by master lovespoon carver David Western.
There will be presentations by Welsh authors Chris Keil and Niall Griffiths including readings, Q&A sessions and book signings. You can find interviews with both authors here and here.
Musical entertainment at our evening shows will be provided by a host of local and international bands and entertainers:- Jesus Presley, Chris Needs, Western Aerial, Bruce Anderson , The Slimjims, Runaway Norm, Oceans Apart, Tyler Stenson.
Several movies will be shown including a premiere of Ifan Huw Dafydd's "Wales: Two Heroes And Treasures" and the US premiere of Chris Needs "The Jenkins's's's's's"
ALL WELCOME! COME AND CELEBRATE THE AMERICAN WELSH HERITAGE AT THE CRYSTAL BALLROOM ON THE 21st-22nd AUGUST.
