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Official Web Site of Gretchen Christopher,
BMI Million Airs Songwriter, Solo Artist, Dancer/Choreographer and
The Fleetwoods' Founder |
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A Note from Gretchen:
This Calendar reflects some of the fun parts of making my life and living in
the Arts, as both a Generative Artist and a Performing Artist, and occasionally
nourishing my soul as a member of a family or that larger family, the
Audience.
In a very few instances, I have listed an event to which I have been invited
but may not be present; yet I want to extend the invitation to you, to support the Arts, the
Entertainers, and those for whom I am sentimental. This may be as simple as
acknowledging, and celebrating in our hearts, the birth dates of some very special people.
With love to share,
Gretchen Christopher
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"2009 Blog updates
courtesy of Darrell French"
Send comments and questions to,
webmaster@TheFleetwoods.com
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2007 was the year of completion for
GRETCHEN'S SWEET SIXTEEN!
(SUITE 16),
her premier autobiographical solo CD, years in the making.
Gretchen's greatest holiday gift?
Learning that hers is among the year's
10 BEST ALBUMS, according to BILLBOARD
CRITICS' PICKS!
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| NEW YEAR'S DAY
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Wed, 1/28/09
Happy Birthday, SONJA CHRISTOPHER,
sister of Gretchen, and first
SURVIVOR voted off the island.
(See article
and photos, 1/16/08.)
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Sat,
2/14/09
Happy Valentine's Day
& BIRTHDAY
to "Heart
"
and "Clever
Bastards"
Co-Founder and Birthday Boy, ROGER FISHER.
www.rogerfisher.com |
Mon,
2/16/09
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Happy Birthday, Broadcaster
JOHN HENDRICKS
Click on Photo to Enlarge |
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Thurs, 2/19/09
JON "BOWZER" BAUMAN of SHA NA NA and
GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER of THE FLEETWOODS
testify on behalf of TRUTH IN
MUSIC ADVERTISING, Senate Bill SB
5284, at Senate Hearing Room 4, Cherberg
Bldg, State Capital, Olympia, WA.
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Fri,
2/20/09
Pisces Birthday of Original
Fleetwood, BARBARA LIANE ELLIS
(I phoned, played
piano and sang "Happy Birthday" to Barbara on
her message machine). |
Mon,
2/23/09
Pisces Birthday remembrance of
Fleetwood Gretchen's Co-Songwriter, LEE J.
JACKSON, 1936-1999.
Hear
his fine lyrics on "Autumn Gold", "What Good Is
Pride (When You're Dying Inside)" & "Standing At
My Window" on GRETCHEN'S SWEET SIXTEEN (SUITE
16), at
www.GoldCupMusic.com
.
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Tue,
2/24/09
Pisces Birthday of Replacement
Fleetwood, GENE HOWARD. |
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Thurs,
2/26/09
Pisces Birthday of Fleetwood
Gretchen's Son, CHRISTOPHER MATZEN,
http://wacoly.com |
Fri, 2/27/09
Pisces
Birthday
remembrance of Fleetwood Gretchen's
Dance Partner, DANIEL SCHWARTZ
(Feb 27, 1922
- Feb 23,
2007)
Gretchen's favorite dance partner, Daniel
Schwartz, suffered a stroke on the weekend
of 2/17/07. Dan died peacefully
Feb 23, 2007,
with his family at his side, just four days
before his 85th birthday.
Dan
is remembered forever and acknowledged
in the Album Notes of Gretchen's Sweet
Sixteen and the following:
(See
TRIBUTES)
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Sat, 2/28/09
Pisces Birthday of Fellow Singer-Songwriter,
SANDY ST. JOHN - and
fond
remembrances of her husband, Dick St. John (1940
- 2003), singing partner, hit songwriter and
(with Dee Phelps) co-founding member of Dick 'n'
Dee Dee.
Happy 3rd Birthday, Little Pisces goddess
LILLIAN,
Grammy Gretchen's 4th "Grammy Award". (:o) |
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| HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FLEETWOODS,
FRIENDS & PISCES!
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Sun, 3/1/09
Gretchen and Vos celebrate her
non-birthday with a
rare day of leisure for "just the
two of us": Brunch
out, Treasure Chest hunting, two Academy
Award nominated films, Dinner out, and
relaxing in front of the fire at the
lake house.
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Wed,
3/4/09
Pisces Birthday of former Disc
Jockey, RALPH KOAL.
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Wed,
3/11/09
109th anniversary of the birth
of
Gretchen's father
IAN CHRISTOPHER (3/11/1900-1997)
- a great influence on
her music
- and selections
from her autobiographical
musical
soundtrack, GRETCHEN'S
SWEET SIXTEEN (SUITE 16),
which include flute and cello,
two of the instruments he played
in his 33 years with the Olympia
Symphony Orchestra.
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Fri,
3/13/09
Pisces Birthday of Replacement
Fleetwood, Cute Cousin KAREN CONE from
Connecticut
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Wed, 3/17/09
St. Paddy's Day Rehearsal of Gretchen's
song "WRITE DOWN: A Capital View For
Every One" to be performed at Isthmus Park
Forum in support of ESSB 5800. Gretchen
Christopher, Elsa Dorian, Donna Pallo-Perez,
Olivia
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Fri, 3/20/09
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET: BROADWAY
FESTIVAL: Slaughter on Tenth Avenue,
Carousel (The Dance), West Side Story Suite,
Take Five - More or Less. McCaw Hall,
Seattle, WA.
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Sat, 3/21/09
OLYMPIA ISTHMUS PARK FORUM, opened
with music of JANE CANFIELD
(piano/composer/lyricist) "A VIEW FOR ALL"
and GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER (lead
vocals/composer/lyricist) "WRITE DOWN: A
VIEW FOR EVERYONE" and Canfield's "ISTHMUS
BLUES", with chorus, including ELSA DORIAN,
DONNA PALLO-PEREZ, OLIVIA HART and others.
Panelists: WASHINGTON SENATOR KAREN FRASER
(Sponsor of the ISTHMUS BILL, ESSB 5800, now
passed the Senate and on to the House),
OLYMPIA MAYOR DOUG MAH, and GERALD REILLY,
CHAIRMAN of the ISTHMUS PARK ASSOCIATION.
(At Lunch following, Gretchen gave her new
lyrics to Sen. Karen Fraser.
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Wed, 3/25/09
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES'
hearing of ISTHMUS BILL, ESSB 5800, Room 8,
O'Brien Bldg.
GRETCHEN
CHRISTOPHER felt fortunate to be called upon
to testified for ESSB 5800, after FORMER
SECRETARY OF STATE RALPH MUNRO, and the
Bill's sponsor SENATOR KAREN FRASER, and
others; not to mention hundred who packed
the halls and signed in, to document their
support, at the Capital,
Olympia WA.
JAZZ DANCE
WITH GRETCHEN, 10:30AM, Westside
Athletic Club, Olympia, WA.
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Sat,
3/28/09
FREE DEMO DANCE CLASS: Jazz Dance with
Gretchen, for one hour, noon
this Saturday, March 28 at Westside Athletic
Club, 1212 Black Lake
Blvd., W. Olympia. Instant face lift (your
smiles), as you experience
fun and fitness, choreography and core training
that keeps men and
women feeling youthful and exhilarated. Class to
be offered regularly
at 10:30AM, Wednesdays, free to Club members,
including 2-week free
trial membership for non-members. Membership
Special, 6 months for
$199, includes all facilities. For more
information, monthly rates or
drop-in fees for non-members, call (360)
754-8686 or visit
www.wacoly.com |
| HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALL YOU FELLOW
PISCES!
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Sun,
4/12/09
Actress,
Director, Musician, Arts Activist HELEN
CHRISTOPHER Honored, six years ago today as
Recipient of 2003 Salute to the Arts Award, "for
your numerous and outstanding contributions to
the Arts in the South Sound Area."
Capital city official for over a quarter
century, former Olympia City Manager ELDON
MARSHALL wrote on 3/28/03 in a personal note of
congratulations to Helen Christopher (who had
been the only woman appointed to serve on The
Mayor's Committee of the '60's), "I just want to
express my thanks for your leadership in
achieving the 'Performing Arts Center' for our
community. If not for your efforts and
persistence I doubt that we would have it
today." Helen Christopher chaired the
Auditorium Committee and decades of volunteer
work to make a reality the auditorium which
would be known as The Washington Center for the
Performing Arts, of which Marshall wrote, "You
are the 'mother' of the Auditorium."
Six years
later, Eldon Marshall again spoke of her
accomplishments at the celebration of her life
which ended Friday, September 19, 2008. Helen
Christopher died but left the capital city
multiple legacies to enrich the lives of all who
survive. See
TRIBUTES. |
4PM
April 16 was truly "Sweet 16" as the
TRUTH IN MUSIC ADVERTISING ACT was
SIGNED INTO LAW by GOVERNOR CHRIS
GREGOIRE with GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER, a
witness, at her side. GRETCHEN OF THE
FLEETWOODS had testified to the Senate
in 2008; then, again, in 2009, when she
and JON "BOWZER" BAUMAN OF SHA NA NA
both testified. THE BILL PASSED THE
SENATE AND HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY.
After the
signing, Christopher thanked the
governor and said, "I'm Gretchen
Christopher of The Fleetwoods. The
Original," and grinned.
Governor
Gregoire was amazed, "Really? The
Fleetwoods!" "The Fleetwoods, really?"
Christopher presented Gregoire with a
signed copy of GRETCHEN'S SWEET SIXTEEN,
"in celebration of Truth in Music
Advertising becoming law," Christopher
said, "I hope you can take 45 minutes to
relax and listen to the music and read
the history." The Governor appeared
eager to do so.
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Click on Photo to Enlarge |
4:30PM WASHINGTON STATE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES visited by GRETCHEN
CHRISTOPHER who spoke with and sent
notes to some REPRESENTATIVES to
encourage their support of the Isthmus
Bill, sponsored by Senator Karen Fraser
to save one of the most beautiful
Capitol Campus views in the nation: from
Washington's Capitol Campus, across
Capitol Lake to the Isthmus, down Budd
Inlet to the Olympic Mountains, for
which our capital city was named.
5:15PM VIDEO TAPED INTERVIEW of
GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER by CHARLIE
KIRRY, regarding memories of DON
RICH (Don E. Ulrich, OHS class of
1959). May 11, 2009, Don will be
posthumously inducted into the
OLYMPIA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI HALL OF
FAME, into which THE FLEETWOODS were
inducted in 2005.
DON RICH was the fiddle-playing,
lead guitarist and harmony-singing
sidekick of BUCK OWENS, from 1960
until 1974, just a month before his
33rd birthday, when Don died in a
motorcycle accident, effectively
ending the Buckaroos, of which he
was band leader, and the career of
BUCK OWENS who, years later, said, "He
was like a brother, a son and a best
friend. Something I never said
before, maybe I couldn't, but I
think my music life ended when he
did. Oh yeah, I carried on and I
existed, but the real joy and love,
the real lightning and thunder is
gone forever."
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Sun, Apr 19, 2009
Finally got some flowers planted.
Entertained Piano Player David
Burns and two of his friends, Nan
and Nic, plus Fleetwoods Replacement
Elsa Dorian and her son, Chase, who
went kayaking with the piano
player's personal trainer, and
returned for pot luck dinner, a seal
following them closely, nudging the
boat, playing with them.
A
seal used to follow my husband and
me, when we'd sail on Henderson
Inlet, in the Seventies, but this it
the closest I'd seen one come. It
reminded me of the whales that
played with our 27 foot sailboat
when my husband and children and I
sailed from Olympia to our beach
place on Oakland Bay in Shelton. And
the whale that appeared in front of
this house at 7PM on the 4th of
July, several years ago. I felt the
whale's appearance was an enchanting
gift and that he knew how much I
appreciated him.
Now
this amazing seal was frolicking
around Chase's and Nan's kayaks,
before they joined us for dinner on
the deck overlooking the bay. It
was so beautiful!
Played David the CD of GRETCHEN'S
SUITE 16 before dinner, and we ran
though a couple of the numbers on
piano, after dinner. At my request,
David played "Bring Him Home" from
LES MISERABLE, and I sang it as a
soprano. Fun! What freedom I have,
now! He's leaving tomorrow, driving
back to L.A., taking a copy of my
SUITE 16 to producer David
__________, and has offered to come
back to accompany me on a concert to
benefit the Isthmus, hopefully, to
turn it into a park, if wonderful
Senator Karen Fraser can get her
legislation through.
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Mon, Apr 20, 2009
MALE RED FOX: There's a red fox
I've been seeing at close range and
speaking to without his running
away. He reappeared today, on my
deck, when I was outside planting
more flowers in planters there. I
spoke to him, and he came close. He
was within about 8 feet of me. I
think he was hungry. He looked very
beautiful and healthy, with dark
bright eyes that looked into mine.
I call him Foxy.
I got
him a piece of cooked salmon from my
fridge and placed it on a large
saucer, put it on the deck and
leaned over it, hands on my knees,
inviting him to eat. He was tempted
but would come close, then veer
away. So, thinking my leaning
toward him might appear too
aggressive, I sat down on a chair,
with the saucer just four inches
from my foot. He came and ate from
it, carried off the piece of salmon.
I was thrilled. A bit later, he
came back, salmon still in his
mouth, wanting to get the last
morsel that had stuck to the plate,
but he couldn't manage both pieces,
so left. Later when I was sitting
on the deck railing, overlooking the
bay, he came back by my door again
and, by licking and gnawing, managed
to get the last morsel that was
stuck to the plate. What big teeth
he had!
So
now I have a "pet" fox, though I
don't know that I'll ever be able to
actually pet him. We shall see.
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Tues, April 21, 2009
FEMALE RED FOX: I had
lunch with a fox today. But it
wasn't Foxy. I was sitting on
the railing of the deck,
overlooking the bay, eating my
lunch of salad with cooked
salmon, when a red fox trotted
right up on the deck and past
me, within about 6 feet,
seemingly not seeing me. I
spoke and the fox turned and
came closer. I'd taken detailed
note of Foxy's markings (the
pattern of the white, under the
neck), the day before, and this
was not Foxy.
It was a female, judging from
the nipples on her underside,
and she was smaller, with warm
golden brown eyes looking into
mine, rather than the dark eyes
of Foxy. But she was a red fox,
too; so I named her Rosey. Did
I dare offer her a piece of
salmon from my bare hand? I
did, and she ate it without
hurting me. I ate some then
offered her another piece from
the flat of my hand. She ate
about five pieces, between my
own bites, probably having more
than I did, and then she seemed
as if she might almost try to
eat out of my bowl, but it was
nearly out of salmon, so I
tentatively offered Rosey a
crouton. She ate it, and
another, and another, between my
bites of lettuce.
There was one small sliver of
salmon left, and I wondered if
she could lick it from my hand
without hurting me. She did.
Just as gentle and accurate as
the peacocks used to be when
they'd eat out of my hand. I've
missed them. It's lovely to
have a new friend. Rosey. I
looked for her in the evening
when I had the same menu for
dinner. She didn't come, so I
saved the last piece of salmon,
just in case she shows up later.
Life
is good. Between the passage of the
TRUTH IN MUSIC ADVERTISING, new
found piano player, good friends,
family, and newfound pet foxes, I
feel very blessed.
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Wed, April 22, 2009
Every
day is jam packed from about 6AM to
midnight, but today is a
particularly highly scheduled:
10:30-11:30AM DANCE WITH
GRETCHEN, teaching and
rehearsing my students at Westside
Athletic Club, to dance in the
PROCESSION OF THE SPECIES, Saturday.
12:15PM LUNCH with group
regarding booking THE FLEETWOODS to
perform.
3:15PM Pick up my first born
Granddaughter TESSA NOEL, from
school, to spend the night, while
her family is in Portland, OR.
Maybe we'll see a fox!
5:30PM DINNER together, with
TESSA & VOS.
6:30PM Take TESSA to HELMERS to
play with cousins KAMIEL & LILLI,
while we dance.
7-8:30PM ARGENTINE TANGO class
with VOS.
9PM Tessa to bed, to get a good
night's sleep before arising at 7AM
for breakfast before I take her to
school, Friday.
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Sat, April 25, 2009
PROCESSION OF THE SPECIES and
POT LUCK at Matzens', before
and after PROCESSION, with all
of our families and friends
parading in pigs hats (made by
Kimari) and wings, "When Pigs
Fly" (:o) The children, all in
pink, were so beautiful! My
Chris and three other men pulled
the children on a float. I wore
the outfit Tessa had found for
me: pink mesh tights and black
jacket with pink inserts (over
black leotard with long sleeved
thermal shirt underneath to keep
warm) and beige character shoes/
2-1/2" heels. Periodically,
KIMARI HELMER, ELSA DORIAN and
AMANDA SUE RUDISILL
joined me in dancing the
Los Angeles Hustle for our 45
minute PROCESSION.
Surprise: when we arrived at
Matzens to party, GRETCHEN'S
SWEET SIXTEEN (SUITE 16) was
playing on sound system, inside
and out! It was followed by a
series of Broadway Musical sound
tracks (appropriately).
Kimari said she was proud of me,
"the hottest mom in the
Procession. I'd thought my
costume would be the best, but
yours is even better." Other
young women said I was "hot",
and Vos said I was the best
looking one there, so that was
fun! We'll see how the photos
turn out. (:o) Well,
after seeing the photos, nothing
looked as wonderful as real life
(not even photos of the
incredible camellias ,
practically bowed to the ground
by the weight of their generous
blooms - the most I've ever
seen, all this after 1/4 of the
budded bush being broken off by
the weight of snow a few months
ago!)
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Sun, 4/26/09
Happy Birthday, dear brother! JAMES
CHRISTOPHER, Great Grand Master Laser
Sailracing Champion of the United States,
repeatedly since 2001. Congratulations, again
and again! |
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Tues, 4/28/2009
FEMALE
(lighter) RED FOX
"Godly Fox"
(that was a lovely typo :o) I actually
named her "Goldy Fox" -
It had been a full seven days since I'd seen
one of the foxes, and my heart longed for
them each day. Then at night as Vos
and I ate a late dinner of salmon, inside at
the dining room table, he saw something on
the deck. "Is it a fox?" I asked
hopefully. Yes, it was! I took some
cooked salmon scraps, opened the sliding
glass door, knelt and offered the salmon on
the flattened palm of my hand. This
fox was more skittish than either of the
other two; more wiry and lighter in color,
but the first that I had met with after
dusk. Again and again, he ate pieces
of cooked salmon from my hand, perhaps a
dozen of them in all.
I do feel
the appearance of these foxes, trusting me
and eating from my hand, is a "Godly" or
Goodly gesture or sign: letting me know
that these wild creatures sense goodness
and that they can trust me. Such a blessing
and validation, after deeply hurtful actions
by those I've believed in and regarded as a
brother, sister, etc., who betrayed all that
trust and the integrity with which i
erroneously credited them. Sadly, they
literally and figuratively bit the hand that
fed them.
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Wed, 4/29/09
Birthday, remembrance of JOSIE WILSON
(April 29, 1915 - January 18, 2007), Blue
Horizon Records Label Founder, original Producer
of The Ventures' music and Mother of The
Ventures' Co-Founder Don Wilson, who were last
year inducted
into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame on March 10,
declared The Ventures Day, by Washington
Governor Christine Gregoire. Congratulations,
Josie; that sunshine must be you, beaming! (:o).
(See
TRIBUTES) |
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Fri, May 1, 2009
E.C. SWING DANCE WITH GRETCHEN
(assisted by Vos). DATE NIGHT, 7PM,
Five Fridays in May. For more info,
phone 360 754-8686, Westside
Athletic Club, Olympia, WA
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Sat, 5/2/2009
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BIRTHDAY of GOLDY MCJOHN, former
keyboard player of Sparrow, Steppenwolf,
Humble Pie. |
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Mon,
5/3/2009
Happy
Birthday, ELLIE O'SHEA FRONEY (talented,
lifelong friend, "since before we were
born;" sounding board and ongoing champion for
Gretchen's SWEET SIXTEEN)! |
Tues, May 5, 2009
I've been undergoing intense pain with what
turned out to be
APPENDICITIS, culminating with
EMERGENCY APPENDECTOMY at St. Peter's
Hospital, Olympia, WA, on Cinco de Mayo. For
good luck, I asked the
anesthesiologist to play my album SUITE 16
throughout the nearly hour
long surgery, which they did. Perfect. |
Wed, May 6, 2009
Terribly cold. Darling daughter KIMARI
visited, brought lovely
flowers from her garden. Made sure nurse knew I
needed warmth. I
appeared to have allergic reaction to antibiotic
at point of insertion
of IV (itchy arm with red streaks).
ELSA DORIAN visited briefly, her bright face
peaking in the doorway.
My son CHRISTOPHER and daughter in law GINA
MATZEN arrived, bearing
fragrant Lilacs from their garden, just before I
was released from
hospital.
VOS drove me to the HELMERS' where KIMARI fixed
us lunch, KAMIEL and
LILLI showered us with affection, being very
gentle with me, as
forewarned. I'd had no sleep last night, and
Vos had only slept about
3 hours before returning from Shelton to
Hospital in Olympia; so we
each fell asleep on the huge sectional sofa and
ended up staying for
dinner with family. Such a nurturing
environment. Then to pharmacy
for pain pills and home for what promised to be
a really good night's
sleep, with Vos staying to look after me, and
Kimari offering to do so
at her place, if he couldn't. |
Thurs, May 7, 2009
After our shopping to fill prescription for pain
medicine and buy
planting soil, VOS began PLANTING FLOWERS I'd
been buying over the
past month (and am now not supposed to exert to
dig and plant). He
asked that I point out exactly where I wanted
them, starting with the
Calla Lilies. I wanted the creation of a Guest
Garden, a profusion
bright Impatiens and other shade-loving plants
on the hillside outside
the window of the Peacock Room, where guests
stay. Lovely!
I felt amazingly good, so would bend over and
dead-head the spent
blossoms of other plants, while Vos planted the
new ones.
That night, I felt up to fixing a simple salmon
dinner. |
Fri, May 8, 2009
Guess I over-did, with all that bending to
dead-head flowers (putting
pressure on the area of surgery); for I didn't
feel as well, today, as
I did yesterday. Perhaps the residual of the
pain pill I'd taken
Wednesday before nap (and another when my groin
seized up after being
too long on my feet, waiting in lines for
prescription) gave me a
false sense of well-being. I'll take no more
pain pills; then I'll be
aware of what my body is actually going through
and I'll be less
likely to over-do. |
Fri, May 8, 2009
E.C. SWING DANCE WITH
GRETCHEN (assisted by Vos).
DATE NIGHT, 7PM, Five Fridays
in May. For more info, phone 360
754-8686, Westside Athletic
Club, Olympia, WA
|
Sun, May 10, 2009
MOTHER'S DAY was my first hosting of a social
gathering, since surgery
(5 days ago). Though others were reluctant for
me to exert myself, I
insisted that it would mean so much to me to
have mother's day at my
place, giving Kimari and Gina the day off, in
honor of their current
active mothering. We celebrated with my
wonderful family, who took
all responsibility for food, while Vos and I
prepared my home to
receive them. (It was more of a challenge than
usual, since the
living room was in disarray, our having unloaded
recordings from all
the shelves, in order to install a flat screen
TV and free up the
space in front of the fireplace - a long held
vision made reality!)
I had purchased many flowering plants over the
past month, and, over
the past two and a half days, Vos did the
digging and planting of
them, and all the lifting, as I'm not to lift
more than 10 pounds for
this first week or two. He also gave me $20 to
buy whatever plants I
wanted for Mother's Day (though I'm not his
mother :o), and I added
seven bright and beautiful Geraniums to the
collection, which Vos
planted in the six huge new pots I'd previously
purchased and he
filled with bags of potting soil, which I
couldn't lift.
We had a lovely family gathering with dinner on
the deck overlooking
the bay, this special day. Nine adults and six
children: I
especially wanted to honor my daughter Kimari
and daughter-in-law
Gina, who are the real working mothers in the
family, raising little
people (my grandchildren) who are, currently,
from nearly four years
(Gray Matzen will be, on June 23, joining his
cousin Lilli Helmer who
turned four on February 28, the day before my
birthday, when I have
one). Tessa Matzen, who turned eight on
Christmas, is the eldest,
with "twin cousins" Kamiel Helmer and Avery
Matzen, in between, having
turned six on September 23.
The latter three requested my album be played,
and specifically the
song "Write Down", so they could dance to it.
Great fun! (I have
photos of a similar performance on Easter at
Vos's.) I realized and
told them how delightful that they especially
appreciate that song,
since Nana (Mom) had preferred I not record that
song, and I'd
revamped it in hopes of making it pleasing to
her, in spite of the
challenge. Now, the children request it, each
time we're together!
Gray and Lilli ("thick as thieves") asked to
play with the Barbie (and
Ken) dolls (in addition to Gray's pirates and
castle), and all the
children requested dress-ups for the finale of
our lovely gathering.
This was our first Mother's Day without
Mom/Nana, as Kimari
acknowledged and was teary eyed, missing her.
Kimari herself came in
on crutches, having spent the morning at St.
Peter's Hospital ER.
Last night, she and Elsa Dorian had been having
a great time
performing the dance moves they'd learned in my
class (Jazz Dance with
Gretchen at Westside Athletic Club). Kimari
went to leap (not a move
I'd taught them) and her achilles/calf muscle
separated. Omigosh,
poor thing! She will be on crutches for a week
or more, with her calf
wrapped for two weeks, and unable to run for a
month or two (having
already run three marathons).
Kimari is the heart of family entertaining, and
I so wanted her and
Gina and their families to be here, though her
husband Chris suggested
canceling the gathering, when Kimari was
injured. Instead, she had
her vision realized: sitting on the sunny deck
with family, playing
cards, which I joined in and found fun. (I
seldom indulge in "games",
life being crammed with plenty of "real"
challenges.)
Chris Matzen had walked the kids down to the
beach, while Chris Helmer
finished cooking the delectable pork, Kimari had
prepared, with cousin
Renee Matzen's assistance.
Cousin-in-law Alison Matzen had made a wonderful
curried rice salad
with green olives and other yummy flavors. Her
husband Greg Matzen
was in the field at Fort Lewis, and they've just
purchased a home to
be near us family, during Greg's next two years
in Iraq. Their
daughter Audrey was our youngest family member
and will be 21 months,
May 17, as I recall.
In honor of the mothers (and the wounded), Chris
Matzen and Chris
Helmer did the clean-up, assisted by my brother
Bill (who'd brought
and cooked two pounds of fresh spring
asparagus).
Gina had baked Nana's favorite cookies
("Treasure Bars"), and they
were fabulous! A perfect ending to a delightful
day. Kimari was
ready to get home and get her leg up, get into
jammies and retire
early. Her Chris will get up at 4AM, the
children will have school.
I clipped a flower sprig from the loaded
camellia bush and gave it to
Lilli - and, to Kamiel, a whole branch of the
flowers, which represent
her name. (Last month I'd given Lilli a potted
Easter Lily with 11
lily blooms, as her namesake).
Vos and I waved goodbye and congratulated
ourselves on having hosted
this day, which he "can't believe we did."
There is nothing so dear
to me as family. |
Sun 5/10/09
Wedding
Anniversary of
N.W.
Concert Producer DAVID HARRIS &
GLENNA GIBSON. (I enjoyed writing and singing
special lyrics for your wedding!)
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Happy
Birthday, VICTORIA MACDONALD
(emerging
Screenwriter
whose
award winning screenplay includes two
songs from
Gretchen's
SUITE
16)!
(Victoria MacDonald & Elsa Dorian)
Click on photo to
enlarge |
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Mon, May 11, 2009
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Mon, May 11, 2009
OLYMPIA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HALL
OF FAME INDUCTIONS, at
which Don Rich will be honored posthumously,
joining Recording
Artists, The Fleetwoods, Radio Announcer and KGY
Station Manager Dick
Pust, and Supreme Court Justice Gerry Alexander,
among others. I do
hope to be there, my first public celebration
(non-family) since
surgery six days ago.
Mom attended with me, not last year (which I
missed), but in 2005 when
I flew back from recording in Dallas/Fort Worth
to be inducted (the
only Fleetwood in attendance) - and the
following year, 2006, when
Winnie Olson was inducted (a contemporary of
Mom's) and we had the
pleasure of hearing her speak at length (an
aspect that was not a part
of the ceremony when I was inducted and accepted
for The Fleetwoods).
Oh, I just Googled and confirmed that tonight is
the night of the
inductions, and Jenijoy LaBelle will be among
them! I am so glad!
Jenijoy, first female professor at Cal Tech,
came up from California,
last year, and wanted to attend my CD Signing -
and did attend Mom's
98th birthday celebration at Kimari's. Mom was
so touched to see
Jenijoy.
Well, I've indulged in recalling the details of
Mother's Day and
sharing them with you; for a day unrecorded is a
day slipped away, as
if it never happened. To record our life (and
its little treasures)
is, I believe, one of the greatest gifts we can
give ourselves. |
Fri, May 15, 2009
E.C. SWING DANCE WITH
GRETCHEN (assisted by
Vos). DATE NIGHT, 7PM, Five
Fridays in May. For more
info, phone 360 754-8686,
Westside Athletic Club,
Olympia, WA ~ CANCELLED due
to surgery. Not to
dance for at least 6 weeks.
|
Fri, May 22, 2009
After my medical phone consultation, Vos drove
us to Mason County
where we joined family, camping at Jarrell
Cove State Park. In the
late 1930's and early '40's, my father
(Norwegian - "Ivan the
Terrible") and his buddies, Jess Rosenberg and
Ralph O'Neil, used to
sail to Jarrell's Cove on Dad's launch, The
Holiday, for their
"Melting Pot Cruises". The log of their
adventures was a delight to
read as we were growing up. Now three more
generations are enjoying
the same lovely cove in Puget Sound. Vos and I
day camped with my
kids, grandkids, their cousins and friends, and
while they slept in
tents or on boats or campers, Vos and I
retreated to the comforts of
his home on a little lake that made it a second
home for this Pisces.
Kimari, now off crutches (I'd baby sat, Monday,
while she went to
doctor and took her first steps without
crutches), was calf-wrapped
and hobbling but did not let that stop her from
being our camp site
director, chief cook and bottle-washer, not to
mention full-time
mother and party planner for Thursday night
through Memorial Day
Monday morning. Besides her best friend from
grade school days, Toni
Terhan and her two sons, from Federal Way, there
were Chris's best
friend Guy and bride Melissa (and her huge
Mastiff, Lilly) from
Portland, OR, and another half a dozen friends,
plus family from
hundreds of miles, including (my niece) Chris
and Kimari's cousin
Renee Matzen (and her Lab-mix dog, Flower, who
loved to play with
Helmers' Lab-mix, Star), Chris's nephew Jessie
Helmer and girlfriend,
Grandpa Rich Matzen, most of the clan! It was
fun to see two of the loves
of my life conversing and enjoying themselves.
What a lovely Memorial
Day weekend. |
Fri, May 22, 2009
E.C.
SWING DANCE WITH GRETCHEN (assisted
by Vos). DATE NIGHT, 7PM, Five Fridays
in May. For more info, phone 360
754-8686, Westside Athletic Club,
Olympia, WA
~ CANCELLED due to surgery.
Not to dance for at least 6 weeks.
|
Sat 5/23/09
Happy Birthday, adorable ELSA DORIAN
(Fleetwoods Replacement), Olympia,
WA
|
Fri, May 27, 2009
E.C. SWING DANCE WITH GRETCHEN
(assisted by Vos). DATE NIGHT, 7PM,
Five Fridays in May. For more info,
phone 360 754-8686, Westside
Athletic Club, Olympia, WA
~ CANCELLED due to surgery.
|
Sat, 5/30/09
 |
In memory of the
Birthday of
P. STERLING RADCLIFFE,
May 30, 1929 -
January 18, 2007.
CoSongwriter of
Barry White's "You're the
First, the Last, My Everything".
Songwriter
and Producer of "City of the Angels",
recorded by Gretchen Christopher.
Click on photo to enlarge (See
TRIBUTES)
(Photo courtesy
Deborah Page,
www.myspace.com/emagineeringpage
) |
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Wed,
6/24/09
Remembering BOB - ROBERT REISDORF
- The Fleetwoods'
Producer & Dolphin/Dolton Records President, born 87 years ago this day,
and who, seven years ago, June 15th, passed away.
He may be gone, but the beautiful,
ground-breaking, now-classic music he produced
lives on. We love you Bob!
(See
TRIBUTES) |
Sat,
6/27/09
In remembrance of
LENORE
O'CONNOR SEVERSON and our final musical
celebration of her life, "Encore for Lenore." |
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Fri, 7/6/09
From: "Amanda Sue Rudisill"
Date: July 6, 2009 4:36:59 PM PDT
To: "Gretchen Christopher
Subject: Thank You
Dearest Gretchen,
Mike and I wanted to thank you for once again
including us in your invitation to a wonderful
party. What a terrific day it was, from
Kimari's warm hug greeting us, to the beauty of
the fireworks up and down Budd Inlet. As always
we so enjoyed Vos's conversation--so intelligent
and perceptive, we always learn something
interesting from him and love to exchange ideas.
Jimmy's talents on the piano were just amazing,
as were so many of the people who joined in with
various songs.
The food and loveliness of the environment could
not have been better. Gretchen, there are
three moments that I will especially will
cherish when I remember this particular 4th.
First, as always, I loved our doing the Hustle
together on your deck (I was so pleased with
myself that I remembered it and actually
"nailed" that tricky cross-over step).
Second, a real highlight for the day, your
birthday greeting to Chuck, so beautifully sung,
so moving and filled with love and grace, your
voice tender and soaring with feeling. (My
only regret for the day is that you did not sing
more.)
And finally, and it may seem like such a little
thing to you--I was standing on your deck
chatting with sweet Gina. We were looking
out into the bay as Chris returned with the
boat, turning it about with a roar and then
coasting skillfully into the docking area.
The boat was filled with laughing children,
screaming their delight with the ride. At
least 5 of them were on the boats bow, securely
seated with legs wrapped around the vertical
struts, hands tightly holding onto the railing,
or those who were brave enough, waving excitedly
to the dock-bound adults with the thrill of it
all. Gina counted 9 kids: I said, "Oh I
thought he left with 10." She looked surprised,
and we both had to laugh at the image before
us--all bare legs, tossled hair and smiles.
Oh, my dear Gretchen, what an incredibly
beautiful moment, a mental snapshot of a boat
ride that these children will remember all of
their lives, as I can remember lovingly the
picnics we had in Youns Woods, back in my
Pennsylvania Hometown with all my family so
many. many years ago.
These are precious and blessed moments, these
seconds of time when family and friends come
together for such communion, truly sacred fun.
And you have such a great family, each one of
who you can be proud, each one of whom shines
with the love they have received, and thus, they
will not only give the love back, but also, they
will send the love along for generations to
come--your family.
Thank you for all the beauty and wonder.
Much love, Amanda and Mike
|
Sat, 7/4/09
|
HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
AMERICA! and Gretchen's "Guardian Angel"
CHUCK DREYER!
Fabulous FRIENDS & FAMILY FOURTH AT THE
FIRS, featuring boating, music, food,
friends (36), and fireworks all around
the bay! |
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Mon, 7/27/09
VOS & GRETCHEN'S 53RD ANNIVERSARY
of the day we met, and he'll once again take me for a boat ride on the
bay! (:o)
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Tue, 7/28/09
53RD ANNIVERSARY of VOS & Gretchen's
(Sweet
Sixteen!) First Date!
|
Fri, 7/31/09
Happy 4th Wedding Anniversary to Gretchen's
nephew (former Special Effects Artist for George
Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic
on Twister;
Star Wars: Episode 1,The Phantom Menace),
DAN SHUMAKER and his bride TONI NAYLOR.
Together,
they've earned their Master of Theology
degrees. Dan now teaches Graphic Arts full time
at the San Francisco Art Institute University in
San Francisco. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,
DAN & TONI, SO
GLAD WE'LL
HAVE SEEN YOU IN OLYMPIA
FOR NANA'S 99TH
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! |
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Tue, 8/4/09
Birthday of GINA
(daughter-in-law of The Fleetwoods' Founder). |
Wed,
8/5/09
Ninth wedding
anniversary of GINA and CHRISTOPHER
MATZEN, (Gretchen's son), |
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Wed,
9/23/09
7th BIRTHDAY OF "TWIN" COUSINS, Kamiel &
Avery, born the very same morning -- September
23, 2002 -- to "Grammy" Gretchen's daughter and
son (and their spouses : ) |
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| VOCAL COACHING, Individual or
Vocal Group, by appointment, call Gold Cup Music
(360) 866-7866.
|
Sat,
10/24/09
30-40 zombies take action in Thrill The
World at Heritage Park in Olympia WA.
@5:30PM. This is part of an annual event
that is synchronized with other zombies from
around the world. Gretchen says" It
was fun being among the 30-40 zombies
taking action in Thrill The World at Heritage
Park in Olympia, WA. In the background,
across the lake, is our beautiful Capitol, the
unobstructed view which thousands of us have
been working to preserve.
Copy and paste link to watch .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo1BoWucrUg |
Sun,
10/25/09
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
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Mon, 11/2/09
Happy Birthday to Fleetwoods Replacement
John Worsley. Hear his Flute Echos recordings at
CDbaby.com |
Tue, 11/10/09
Happy Birthday, shimmery
KIMARI, darling
daughter of Grammy Gretchen. You are such a
blessing! |
Fri,
11/27/09
Happy Thanksgiving! So much to
be thankful for: including reunions with family,
former in-laws, now friends! Love is forever, it
just takes different forms!
Eight children
and 18 adults (all 35 of us family) gathered at
Chris and Gina Matzen's for the most enjoyable
Thanksgiving in my memory! Thank you, one and
all. You were so in my thoughts, next day, I
wanted to call and invite you to brunch on the
bay, but realized Vos and I had too much
decorating to do, getting ready for Parade of
Lights, and, happily, we'd see you all at Kimari
and Chris Helmer's the following day. Love you
so much! |
Sat,
11/28/09
Happy Birthday, GARY ROBERT
TROXEL, an Original Fleetwood. We who are left
to carry on appreciate your contribution to the
original sound and especially your unforgettable
"Umn Dooby Doo, Dom Dom" back-up, which
Fleetwoods founder Gretchen
arranged in counterpoint to include you in the
song, "Come Softly To Me," and musical history!
|
Mon, 11/30/09
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DICK CLARK!" Hear Gretchen Christopher read her Poem for DICK
CLARK
(Click Here) |
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November 30th! Another
year older?
Don't be "Mr. Blue"
Dick Clark, you're loved the whole world
over.
These greetings attest it's true.
How many teens might have lost their way
Had Bandstand not been born?
"Lovers By Night, Strangers By Day,"
All of us would mourn.
Another man spinning hits in your place
May help them climb the roster,
But millions of us who know your face
Say, "He's The Great Imposter."
"Outside My Window," you may "Runaround"
Or retreat to your Caribbean pleasures.
Wherever you go, good wishes abound;
You're one of our national treasures.
|
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"Goodnight My Love," you're "The Last
One To Know"
"You Mean Everything To Me"
Since the first time we Fleetwoods were
on your show
And sang "Come Softly To Me."
Some feel each birthday's a "Tragedy"
("Graduation's Here" and gone)
But with you, dear Dick, we're eternally
young;
The music plays on and on!
|
| by
Gretchen Christopher copyright 1992, All
Rights Reserved - |
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Wed, 12/2/09
& Sat, 12/5/09
|
PARADE OF LIGHTED SHIPS
Party, Potluck & Jam at The Firs on
Budd Inlet
Good Grief, I can't believe it's nearly
here:
THE PARADE OF LIGHTS, again this
year:
Wednesday & Saturday, December 2nd &
5th
The week after Thanksgiving (I'm almost
miffed,
it's come so quickly), here's my late
invitation
To join us again for this great
celebration!
Arrive before Six, when boats leave the
Landing
And parade past my house, as we're on
the deck, standing
"Round the flaming fire pit, while
lighted ships sail by:
Then back to cozy eats and drinks,
pianos and fireplace inside:
My prize-winning Chili & Salad for all:
Whatever you bring will add to the ball.
And speaking of dancing, we can, if you
like,
And sing and make music (acoustic this
night).
If you miss them at first, the boats
parade by again
(About 8PM ?), so join us and you can
catch them, then!
Holiday Hugs and Good Spirits to Share,
Friends & Family of Gretchen (hope
you'll all be there!)
PS:
Searching for a special gift with which
you can't go wrong?
A Billboard Critic describes this as
"A stunning suite of 16 songs."
Available that night,
signed by the artist (guess who :o)
CDs (and maybe Calendars) for whomever
you choose!
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Wed,
12/16/09
Hear GRETCHEN CHRISTOPHER interviewed on the
LEGENDARY ARTIST SERIES by KELLY WATTS, CLASS
REUNION, on KRIM-FM (click on live link,
here, and scroll down to Gretchen)
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-class-reunion
or
www.kellywattsclassreunion.com/listen_LIVE.html
|
Mon, 12/21/09
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY, KK RYDER, SINGER, SONGWRITER,
CHARACTER ACTRESS, and INTERVIEWER! |
Fri, 12/25/09
Happy Ninth
Birthday, TESSA NOEL ("Grammy" Gretchen's
very first Grammy Award! :o)
 Wishing
EVERYONE Warm & Wonder-filled
Holidays blessed with Health & Happiness and a
New Year of Working & Playing together in Peace
& Harmony,
throughout the World! |
Thurs,
12/31/09
New Year's Eve,
SWING DANCING is our
focus! Vos and I are double dating with another
singer (local) and his girlfriend who is driving
up from Lake Oswego, Oregon, as we speak.
Hope she doesn't encounter snow. (She
did!) Together, we three will drive another 30
miles to meet Vos at a Sheraton fraternal club
where there's a live band, prime rib dinner,
champagne toasts at 9PM for East Coast and
midnight for West Coast, welcoming in the New
Year (twice!). I "pray" that the weather
will be no worse than the rains we've been
having and that traffic will be light (as
opposed to going toward Seattle).
I don't usually like to see anyone travel on New
Year's Eve, but the best sounding local big band
dance was sold out, and I've been curious about
this one in Vos's neck of the woods. I'm
so glad that my son, daughter and spouses will
be walking to a party in their neighborhood.
That's good sense and fun and puts their Mama's
heart at ease.A lovely New Year's Eve
and 2010 to all our friends, fans, and
especially to you, Webmaster Darrell, and all
your family.
With affection and great appreciation of all
you do for all of us - The Fleetwoods, Gretchen
Christopher, Gold Cup Music, and the fans.
Happy New Year!
Gretchen |
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Order autographed SWEET SIXTEEN! (SUITE 16)
CD here |
|
Order autographed
"Mr. BLUE" CD
here! |
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Treble clef image courtesy of
Lisabeth's Music Images at
http://www.gymell.com/doc/musicimages.shtml |
