June 8, 2025

April 6, 2025

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Fabulous Folk Festival 5, July 19 & 20, 2025

Dear Family, Friends, Music lovers and singers and dancers,

I think that greeting covers everyone who might want to come to the last FFF.  Last year I had one kinee replaced and I was not in any shape to host a folk festival.  And I turned 75 last year.  So this is my belated birthday celebration and the last hurrah before my second knee gets done in September. I made sure that my planning was better this time around.  Funny the things you learn when you subject yourself to the timelines of the medical establishment.     

There will be two themed song circles one on Saturday morning around 10 and another in the afternoon probably around 2:30 with lunch in between.  My sister won’t be here to lead a drumming circle.  So unless I find a substitute we will have to enjoy each others company without other distractions.  The morning theme will be songs that get us through the hard times.  With a minor theme of some form of Canadian patriotism.   (Please NO Trump supporters need attend.)  The afternoon one will be along the lines of quirky love songs, a favourite of mine.  Please think of anything that might vaguely fit the topics, or not.  Everyone can bring a song to lead as we sit in the circle.  If the song is not in Rise Up Singing 1 or 2, please let me know what the song is and what key you want it in and I will endeavour to have charts made up so instrumentalists can play along and singers join in.  Unless you want to teach it orally.

Then around 5:30 or six we will convene at Central United church hall in Port Colborne and have a catered dinner and the contra dance. 

Sunday morning there will be the ever popular Gospel sing along.  And there will be lunch (probably leftovers) then time to walk down to the beach, go for a swim, hang out at the farm and have a wonderful time before a drive back home. Breakfast will be available both Saturday and Sunday, probably GF granola and muffins with coffee and tea etc.

Some things never change so I still want it to be trash free as much as possible, bring your own travel mugs and water bottles.  No single use plastic! please.  There will be lots of iced tea and lemonade and water to facilitate hydration.  I have made no arrangements for places for people to sleep. There are local B&B’s and some hotels/motels for non campers But you are welcome to camp right at the farm. I think we had about 10 tents last time and there was plenty of room for more.  And there will be an accessible porta potty.  (Thank you David for pointing that out to me.)

Since I plan to have the supper catered this year I need to have an idea of the numbers of meals.  So please RSVP.  

Looking forward to another FFF. And to a wonderful weekend with all of my favourite people.

 Marty Crowder and Dick Moore

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Minutes of April 6 meeting

354 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, On.
At 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2025

PRESENT: Elizabeth Agnew, Janice Berg, Rose Marie Cipryk, Kathy Dallaire,
Lisa Hastings, Evelyn Janke, Liz McGregor, Jeannie Price, Jadzia Robison,
Betsy Tauro

REGRETS: Jeanette Liberty-Duns, Jan Steven, Cindy Niceforo
Chair: Rose Marie Cipryk;
Recording Secretary: Evelyn Janke

1. Warm-Up
   Rose Marie introduced musician Betsy Tauro who has joined the group and has
   offered to assist us with pitch and technique in our singing.
   Members joined in singing The Raging Grannie’s Intro Song “Doo Dah”
2. Check-in
   Members in turn expressed what was uppermost for them in the moment.
3. Appearance at the Market, etc. on April 12, 2025
   Rose Marie explained that Jeanette Liberty-Duns and Jan Steven had met with St.
   Catharines City Officials and learned that, while they are not opposed to the
   Raging Grannies appearing at the Market, the Market Board rules do not permit
   religious or political demonstrations inside the Market Square. A discussion was
   held about whether we should proceed to sing inside the building, walk through the
   building singing, or simply sing outside. It was agreed that we do not wish to be
   disrespectful of existing rules so will sing outside in the hopes that people will
   gather there.
   Several members expressed that they did not wish to go to the Pen Centre after the
   Market as had been contemplated. Rather, it was agreed that there was an
   opportunity to join a protest group in support of the Niagara Movement for Justice
   in Palestine being held that same day at Lakeside Park.
   Timeline: 9:00 a.m., Saturday, April 12 gather at Silver Spire United Church

to rehearse
10:00 a.m. Car pool and proceed to Church Street entrance at
Market Square, St. Catharines
11:00 a.m. approx. Proceed to Lakeside Park, St. Catharines for
demonstration for Palestine

4. Next pre-election appearance
   Rose Marie asked if anyone was aware of other occasions at which we might
   appear before the election on April 28. Jadzia presented an opportunity to protest
   rent increases, e.g., in her building, plans were underway for a strike in protest of
   ever-increasing rents without controls in place. She undertook to keep us posted
   on developments.
5. Invitation from Pelham Advocate for Trees and Habitat (PATH)
   Rose Marie announced that Pelham Advocate for Trees and Habitat had invited the
   Raging Grannies to appear at their 4th

Annual Rally on Earth Day being held at the
Peace Park in Fonthill on April 19. One of their themes that day would be saving
the Provincially Significant Wetlands and Woodlands related to the Merritt Road
Expansion planned by Niagara Region. Rose Marie invited others to join her,
Betsy Tauro and Evelyn Janke at that event. Elizabeth Agnew, Janice Berg, Lisa
Hastings and Liz McGregor agreed to participate. Others are welcome to let Rose
Marie know if they would also like to attend.
Rehearsal for this event will be held at 2:00 p.m. on April 13 at Silver Spire
(notice will be given if there is a change of venue).

6. Financial
   The University Women’s Club has asked whether the Raging Grannies charge for
   appearances. We have decided to ask for an honorarium when we are invited to
   perform which will provide funds to cover operational expenditures, thus avoiding
   membership fees. In the meantime, costs have been incurred by several members
   related to printing, flyers, the website etc. Members agreed to contribute $5.00
   each to provide a kitty to cover expenses until more significant funds are received.
7. Facebook Page
   Jan Steven, Facebook Page Administrator for Raging Grannies Niagara, has
   questioned whether when posting on Facebook the photos and videos that she
   receives, she should also post the lyrics to our songs. It was agreed that a link be
   provided on the Facebook Page to The Raging Grannies Niagara website where
   our song lyrics will be posted.
   Members considered Jan’s question as to whether it would be appropriate to post
   on Facebook letters she writes to politicians about the topics of our protests as a
   potential template for others. Ineke reviewed the structure of The Raging
   Grannies’ website, noting a link for Members Only. It was agreed that letters

written by individuals should be signed by the author only and not on behalf of
The Raging Grannies. Rather than posting such communications on Facebook, it
was agreed that they be posted to the Members Only section on The Raging
Grannies website.

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During a brief recess, members enjoyed refreshments graciously provided by Rose
Marie.

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8. Rehearsal
   Betsy Tauro guided attendees through the correct posture and breathing techniques
   before leading a rehearsal of the songs for the Market Square and the Palestinian
   protest on April 12.
9. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.