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Special Welsh Folk Dance Workshop*

Saturday, September 4

3-5 p.m. - $5 per person.

North American Festival of Wales

Featuring the 79th Annual Welsh National

Gymanfa Ganu

2 September - 5 September, 2010

Portland, Oregon

All events are at Doubletree Lloyd Center Hotel.

See http://www.Wngga.org for details

. *This will be one of a number of workshops, and other Welsh-related events.

The Welsh are Coming to Portland

By Chris Jones (slightly edited)

The caller will be Sian Frick. Sian attended Cymdeithas

Ddawns Werin Cymru (Welsh Folk Dance Society)

workshops in Wales to learn the spirited, but light-footed,

Welsh dances, and earned a Cymdeithas Instructors Certificate.

Sian was the leader of Dawnswyr y Tract Cymreig

(Welsh Tract Dancers) , based in Newark, Delaware.

She has also been a member of the Dawnswyr Man

Dance Team in Anglesey, Wa l es . Sian is frequently invited

to teach Welsh folk dance wo r kshops and give clogging

demonstrations at many of the Celtic festivals in the U.S.

In the workshop , she will teach a number of the Welsh

dances, and all attending will have a chance to try out

their footwork. Please wear your dance shoes! All ages

welcome .

The dance workshop will be held in the Broadway/Weidler Room at the Doubletree Lloyd Center Hotel, which will host the Festival. The band will be Portland ' s own Beltaine.

There will be a special price of $5 for the workshop.

A $15 day ticket is also available for the afternoon events.

Tickets will also be available for the evening concert by

Gar Godre'r Aran, an accomplished Welsh male voice

choir , based in Llanuwchllyn in Penllyn, near Bala in North

Wales.

All these will be part of the North American Festival

of Wales held this year over Labor Day weekend in Portland

More information on all the Welsh Festival events can

be found at http://www.wngga.org . The Festival is held

yearly in the U.S . and Canada. This is Portland ' s year,

I and we are expecting a wonderful event. Please come for

I the dancing and other even ts .

Croeso cynnes Cymreig iawn i chi gyd - there will be a very warm, Welsh welcome for all.

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Please scroll to see photo (and maybe read all the posts)! I see this has taken on a life of its own. There is a separate Madog group on Americymru for the scholars and debaters. I am neither.

This is not a hoax, folks! I can barely type I am so excited! On my drive thru North Dakota today, on my way home from Oregon, I literally stumbled upon PROOF that Madog DID meet up with the Mandan Native Americans! As is my custom, I venture off the freeway whenever I can and I had stopped at a Dairy Queen for a Coke and as I was leaving town, I saw it! Right there! Unbelievable! Photographic evidence (un-retouched or photoshopped--I have no idea how to even do that) will follow in this space as soon as I am home! Wow! This is going to set Welsh-American history on end!

Please feel free to pass this on to any Madog scholars, friends, non-believers, anyone and everyone!

I doubt I'll sleep a wink tonight!

Mona

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For the first time in five years, the Colorado Welsh Society (CWS) will host a Gymanfa Ganu (guh-MAHN-vah GAH-nee), which is a hymn singing festival. The event will be held on Sunday, April 25, at 2:30 pm , at St Lukes Episcopal Church, 1270 Poplar Street, Denver, 80220 (SW corner of E. 13th Ave. and Quebec).

The audience will be invited to sing, and the CWS Chorale will also perform selected pieces.

Following the singing, there will be a potluck dinner, with tea provided by CWS.

The event is free and open to the public, donations appreciated. People from all backgrounds are invited to experience this uniquely Welsh event.

CWS has invited guest conductor Joe Corbin and guest organist Gordon Krunnfusz, both experienced Gymanfa leaders. Krunnfusz has authored several compositions that are favorites of the CWS Chorale.

The Welsh hymn tradition dates back to at least the 12th century in Wales, where singing in four-part harmony was invented. Singing hymns became a folk tradition, and you can still hear hymns sung in harmony in pubs and at rugby games in Wales.

If you enjoy singing in harmony, this is the event for you. The Welsh hymns are a treat, because the alto and bass lines are often interesting, and the tunes are often minor or modal. But if you would rather stay with the melody, you are still very welcome. You can even just come and listen. Hymns will be in either English or Welsh, and phonetic cues will be given for the Welsh verses.

If you love singing or simply enjoy choral music, plan now to attend on April 25th with family and friends, and experience a taste of Welsh culture in Denver.

Contact Sam Kuntz, 303-886-0632, sam.kuntz@comcast.net, or www.coloradowelshsociety.org for more information.

=================== 30-30-30 ===================

Background on the Colorado Welsh Society

CWS is a state-wide, non-profit 501c3 organization, dedicated to promoting an appreciation of Welsh culture and heritage, and to providing educational opportunities to learn about Welsh culture, history, and language. Members come from as far as Grand Junction and Nebraska, from Wyoming and La Junta , as well as from the Front Range and the Denver Metro area.

People from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate in CWS events. Welsh language classes are offered from October to May in Denver, free to members of the Society. The CWS Chorale and the Welsh Folk Dance Group are actively seeking participants.

Please contact CWS President Sam Kuntz at 303-886-0632, sam.kuntz@comcast.net, or www.coloradowelshsociety.org for more information.
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Welsh Warriors Rugby Tour to visit Colorado!


By mona everett, 2010-03-13

RUGBY WORLD INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

WELSH WARRIORS PROPOSED TOUR ITINERARY (MAY / JUNE 2010) Brigend to Colorado.

Contact the Colorado Welsh Society at sam.kuntz@comcast.net for updated info as the time draws near.

The Colorado Welsh say, "It would be great if we could get a few Welsh people from outside of the Denver region to come to the game on Saturday, May 29, with the Glendale Raptors."

WEDNESDAY 26/05 - 06.00 - Depart Brewery Field, Bridgend for a luxury coach transfer to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 to check in for the 11.40 indirect flight with Continental Airlines to Denver arriving 19.15. After clearing customs & immigration formalities pick up mini vans and transfer to the Holiday Inn, Cherry Creek by 21.00 to check in and meet Colorado Welsh Society & Glendale Raptors Members . Evening is at leisure.

THURSDAY 27/05 Morning Training Session at Infinity Park, Glendale (Home of Glendale Raptors RFC) This afternoon explore Denver including the State Capitol Building, US Mint, Civic Centre Park & Guided Tour of Coors Brewery . Evening is at leisure at Glendale Raptors RFC, Cherry Creek or Downtown Denver.

FRIDAY 28/05 Morning Training Session at Infinity Park. Afternoon is at leisure for a Guided Tour of the Mile High Stadium, Invesco Fields, home of the Denver Broncos NFL American Football Team - Rest of the evening is at leisure either at Glendale Raptors RFC, in Glendale, Cherry Creek or in Downtown Denver.

SATURDAY 29/05 Morning at leisure / Pre Match Meeting. Transfer to Infinity Park arriving at 13.30 for the 15.00 - Glendale Raptors v Welsh Warriors Game, live on Fox Sports followed by a Post Match Reception. 18.00 - USA Super League Final 2010 live on Fox Sports Evening is at leisure in Glendale or Cherry Creek.

SUNDAY 30/05 Morning Pool Recovery Session - This afternoon take an optional Wild West Experience Tour of the Colorado History & Buffalo Bill Museum . Late afternoon return minivan transfer to watch the Colorado Rockies v LA Dodgers Baseball Game at Coors Stadium . Rest of evening at leisure in Denver.

MONDAY 31/05 Morning Training Session / Glendale Raptors DVD Game Review at Infinity Park. Afternoon at leisure for a visit to the Rocky Mountains National Park, Dinosaur Ridge, Red Rocks Amphitheatre & Trading Post . Rest of evening is at leisure at Glendale Raptors RFC, Cherry Creek or in Downtown Denver.

TUESDAY 01/06 . 10.00 Depart for Vail in the Colorado Rocky Mountains arriving 12.00 for a light team run / stretch and afternoon at leisure in this famous Ski Resort. This evening at 18.30 Vail RFC v Welsh Warriors Game, followed by a Post Match Reception Depart Vail 22.00 arriving in Cherry Creek at Midnight.

WEDNESDAY 02/06 After breakfast check out of the rooms and pay any outstanding bills, departing the Holiday Inn, Cherry Creek by 08.30 for the transfer to Denver International Airport to drop off minivans and to check in by 09.25 for the indirect 11.25 overnight return flight via Houston with Continental Airlines to the UK.

Rugby World International Limited are Official Agents For ATOL & ABTA Bonded Tour Operators / Coach Companies

Rugby World International Limited - Registered in England and Wales - Registration number - 06274515

RUGBY WORLD Brewery Field, Tondu Road, Bridgend, S.Wales, CF31 4JE

Tel: 01656 662602 E-mail: info@rugby-world.org Web: www.rugby-world.org

THURSDAY 03/06 06.55 arrive London Heathrow Airport Terminal 4, after clearing customs & immigration formalities, board the luxury coach for a return transfer to Brewery Field, Bridgend. End of Welsh Warriors -USA Tour to Colorado May / June 2010 . (Next Welsh Warriors Tour is to Argentina May / June 2011)

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St. David's Day in Racine, Wisconsin


By mona everett, 2010-03-08
Racine, WI, celebrates St. David's Day

Racine Post: Racine's Welsh heritage to be celebrated March 7

We had a terrific time today. There should be a follow-up article soon, so watch this space! :)

The follow-up article is up now, too!
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ONLY A MAN WOULD ATTEMPT THIS


By mona everett, 2010-01-30
Has this ever happened to you????Just try reading this without laughing till you cry!!!Pocket Tazer Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife.A guy who purchased his lovely wife a pocket Tazer for their anniversary submitted this:Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Julie. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized Tazer.The effects of the Tazer were supposed to be short lived, with no long term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety....??WAY TOO COOL! Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded two AAA batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button and pressed it against a metal surface at the same time, I'd get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs.AWESOME!!! Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Julie what that burn spot is on the face of the microwave.Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two AAA batteries, right?There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target.I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and then thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised.Am I wrong?So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and Tazer in another. The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; and a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference (loaded with two itsy, bitsy AAA batteries); pretty cute really, and thinking to myself, 'no possible way!'What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best.I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side so as to say, 'Don't do it stupid,' reasoning that a one second burst from such a tiny lil ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad.. I decided to give myself a one second burst just for heck of it.I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and...HOLY MOTHER OF GOD. WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. WHAT THE... !!!I'm pretty sure Hulk Hogan ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs! The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the fireplace, obviously in an attempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room.Note: If you ever feel compelled to 'mug' yourself with a Tazer, one note of caution: there is NO such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself! You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor! A three second burst would be considered conservative! A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace.. The recliner was upside down and about 8 feet or so from where it originally was. My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs. I had no control over the drooling. Apparently I had crapped in my shorts, but was too numb to know for sure, and my sense of smell was gone. I saw a faint smoke cloud above my head, which I believe came from my hair.I'm still looking for my testicles and I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return!PS: My wife can't stop laughing about my experience, loved the gift and now regularly threatens me with it!
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Pit Pony Sanctuary, Pontypridd, Wales


By mona everett, 2009-12-18

Screenshot from 20210302 142935.png

The Pit Pony Sanctuary Fforest Uchaf


Hi,

I visited here last May, after our local Cambrian Heritage Society raised about $500 for the pit ponies. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Peckham, who run the farm and care for the horses (not all are pit ponies now, but all have been rescued) were very hospitable, serving me tea and taking me all over the farm to meet each of the ponies. As I listened to their individual stories, I was sad to think these beautiful animals had suffered so much, but also happy that these horse, at least, will never know pain, fear, hunger or cold again, and will live out their lives in what must seem like paradise to them.

The Sanctuary is certainly worth a visit if you are near-by--check their website and call ahead. http://www.visitpitponies.co.uk/ You can also see more video clips there.

It was VERY windy the day I was there! LOL!

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Christmas card request


By mona everett, 2009-12-15
I went out to Briceville, TN, last Thursday when I was in Tennessee and met the wonderful librarian. Briceville is a very depressed area--it was settled by Welsh coal miners and was a real boom town in its day--now it is what you think of when you hear "Appalachia". The mine is still working, but just laid off a bunch more folks.Anyway, the librarian works very hard to help the children keep reading and provides school supplies, etc., that they can just come in and take when they need them.I told her I first heard of Briceville when I was hunting R. D. Thomas' book, Hanes Cymry America (1872)--he had a family connection to that area. There is an old Welsh church there that is being restored--see picture of Knoxville Actors Co-op among the tombstones in the church cemetery.

Anyway, Lynette (the librarian) asks people to send Christmas cards to the children of Briceville--if you send them to her, she puts them in a basket and the children can each open one. If there is a little gift inside, the child keeps it, if there is money inside, it goes in the summer reading program fund. (You don't need to put anything in the card, though.) She has all the cards in notebooks that she showed me--from all over, including Wales. If you have a Welsh or coal mining connection and can include a short note to the children, that is really great.Here's the address:Briceville Public LibraryC. Lynette Seeber, Library DirectorP.O. Box 361Briceville, TN 37710USAJust thought I'd pass this on, as many of you will be doing cards anyway. It is the same address as above--just under library put (Chidren's Christmas Card) so Lynette doesn't open it.I hope everyone is doing well and has a safe holiday season.Thanks,Mona
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