Desert Messenger

November 16, 2011

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Page 20 www.DesertMessenger.com Community losses music jam founders Clarence "Jay" Elder, Sr. May 27, 1937 – Sept. 5, 2011 Dorothy "Dottie" Lillian Elder Feb. 14, 1945 – April 28, 2011 Jay and Dottie were music loving full-time RVers. Since 1988 they travelled to Quartzsite each winter from Edmonton, Canada. Music was their passion. Together they began the famous Jam Sessions at McDonald's in 1995. Dottie ran the "Desert Music" at the QIA through 2004. Both were members of the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers and raised funds for children through TOYS for Tots program, collect- ing plastic bags for school credits from Wal-Mart, Quartzsite Activity Center for hot meals during sum- Quartzsite Coachworks On Site RV Repair A/C • Electrical • Plumbing Roof Repair • All Appliances 760-799-2370 mer months, and played at Christmas Parties for elementary school chil- dren. The couple also performed in dance bands at many local RV parks and the Senior Center. They were a very generous couple. They were very giving and caring; and were always there when you needed them. They provided the sched- ule of Jams for the Business Chamber and Desert Messenger. Thanks to everyone for trying to get the Jams information together this season without Jay & Dottie. [Editor's note: hopefully we have the times/places correct in this issue. Let me know if we've missed your favorite jam Email: DesertMessenger7@yahoo.com] November 16, 2011 Submitted by Chuck Morris I met Jay & Dottie in 1998. They were running a Jam session down at McDonald's in Quartzsite; one of the many jams started in the area. Jay started the Jam out at Wagon's West; brought music to the Palo Verde Café; started or supported one/two Jams every week. His jamming career ended after a long run at the helm at JR's RV Park. It was one of the biggest Jams in town and one of the most successful in the area. Both Jay & Dottie worked tirelessly for this community, more times than not, for no praise or money. For sev- eral years, they worked at the QIA, but like everything they did, their efforts went unnoticed. What I remember about Jay and Dot- tie is: for every Ying, there is a Yang and those two were perfect for each other. One complimented the other and you can't ask for much more than that our of a relationship…or life. Jay was retired Air Force, R.C.A.F. to be exact. I can tell you as an Air Force Retiree from U.S.A.F. Jay served his country proudly, and I was proud to call him my friend. I have been told that Dottie was also an R.C.A.F. veter- an, but cannot corroborate that asser- tion. But behind every successful sol- SEE MUSIC ON PAGE 22 Over 30 Years Experience!

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