Desert Messenger

10 www.DesertMessenger.com December 4, 2019 Paul Winer Celebration of life held By Joanne Winer On Sunday, Nov. 24, our friends gathered at the Quartzsite Improve- ment Assoc. (QIA) to honor Paul Winer and tell stories of their ex- periences with him over the past 30 years here in Quartzsite. Some people knew him even from before we moved here from the east coast. It was so heartwarming to me to see so many people come out to join in remembering. The day could not have been more sunny and beauti- ful for such an occasion. After the whole afternoon was over, I felt that it could not have gone bet- ter. About 200 people came and he would have been so pleased. Some friends and family couldn't make it, but were there in spirit. My sincerest thanks to Mark and Lynda Goldberg. I asked Mark to help with the program and he end- ed up doing a lot more than that. Thank you so much for all you put together for this special day. I also want to thank the QIA for letting us use the hall for this event and the QIA volunteers and staff that helped as well. My friends Kristi Mead and Anita Carlson kept me sane most days. And Steve Hohstadt organized the musicians for the program. It was awesome and Paul would have loved it! I'm glad Buddy made it from Phoenix for at least the last part of the program. Thanks also to all the musicians who fi lled the hall with some great songs. They include Paul's band; Steve Hohstadt, Buddy Apfel, Mitch Swatez and Gary Rhinevault. They were joined by Skyhawk; Norm and Sonja, John Gibson and Nick Waite. Other musicians Paul had played with include Jerry Mullins and Ralph Martin, both deceased, and Will Pirone, who lives in Maine. He also played with Tie-Dye Jay on occasion. Sandy Andreason did a great job as Master of Ceremonies and Mayor Norm Simpson gave a great tribute to Paul. This event would not have been so well attended if not for the adver- tising in the Desert Messenger and KBUX Radio, so many thanks to Rain and Dennis Vosper. Brenda and Mark from Coyote Foods brought those beautiful cakes, which were delicious too! The photo of Paul turned out great on that cake! Thanks also to friends Archie Lambert and Teri Bashore for all their help with the displays. I would also like to thank Ryan and Starr BearCat for video recording the event so I can send some copies to friends and family back east and in Canada. They all wanted to be there but couldn't make it. And fi nally (I hope I didn't forget anyone), thank you from the bot- tom of my heart to everyone who came and made this such a beauti- ful send-off for Paul. He loved this town and would be fi lled with joy to know it was for him. Thank you so much everyone! (See photos on Page 31) By Jackie Deal How does that wonder- ful dance music happen? Perfect beat, close harmo- nies, a variety of rhythms and loads of fun. Good dance music just doesn't just happen. It takes practice, intense concen- tration, correction, rep- etition, until fi nally "that was perfect." I was privileged to sit in on a re- hearsal of the Travelers Band as they prepared for their gig (that's what it's called) at the QIA (Quartzsite Improvement Association.) It was three hours of total effort. Yes, there was lot of laughter, joking and spar- ing. But they had a job to do and they did it. While they're quick to correct and demand perfection from each other, they show a respect and caring for each other that elevates them above just a sometime band. The most frequent comment heard was "Hey, Guys, you're dragging. Pick it up." Dancers: get ready, there won't be any draggy dance songs from this band! At one point, Carol the fi ddler, stood up, waved her bow and said "Sorry I missed that. I have a hard time sitting down and playing E." Someone complained that the mics sounded like a "washing machine", which of course brought the retort "Wash or spin cycle?" On the song "Margaritaville", Har- lan (Rhythm guitar and singer) was goofi ng off and gave Ed the giggles; Ed (lead guitar and singer) had to repeat the song three times before everyone was satisfi ed. Cookie had moved from drums to bass guitar while Jan, the usual bass, recovers from shoulder surgery. It's an adjustment for both Cookie and Jan. Jan sits and harmonizes and misses her bass and Cookie works at satisfying an exacting audience. She says, "I'm just a mushroom, I'm kept in the dark and fed bull shit." Everyone laughs. Wayne, replacing Cookie on drums, demonstrates his "Wipe Out" and blows everyone away. Wayne was drummer with Barefoot and Boots for several years. They consider "Wipe Out" or "Under the Double Eagle" for a tune to bring the danc- ers onto the fl oor after the break. (Listen up dancers, it's time to get back to dancing.) They decide the polka will be Harlan's and the line dance is Cookie's. The group struggles with the beat on a song that sounds perfect to me. Cookie says, "That's a two-step, that's not the way we're playing it." On another song, somebody says, "What's my note? Who's supposed to come in here?" And fi nally, I hear, "Hey, we all ended at the same time," and they laugh some more. They end rehearsal with "Why Me, Lord," the powerful song Ed uses to close all his jams and dances. Danc- ers and listeners will hold hands as they circle the fl oor and sing "Why Me, Lord" along with the band. It's hard to describe the camaraderie, the respect and appreciation for each other that the band has. It's harder to describe the gorgeous music they make. They create an atmosphere that makes the real world retreat and perfect harmony becomes reality. To make a good band it takes good musicians; to make a great band it takes great people. "The Travelers" are more than just good musicians. The Travelers will be appearing at the QIA, 235 E. Ironwood St., Dec. 14, Jan. 4, Feb. 29, and Mar. 14. They play at the Senior Center every Tuesday thru Mar. 17. Dances are at 7 p.m., charge $5.00 The Travelers are at QIA Call Don 928-927-3080 208-255-6955 Don's Rocks Decorative Landscaping Hauling, Dumptruck & Backhoe Services WE'RE BACK! Looking forward to seeing our Friends! Not a licensed contractor

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