Sigh....

The Gerry Foundation, which owns the land where the 1969 Woodstock Festival took place, has announced their plans for groundbreaking. The new Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center will be built, at least partly, on the 38-acre field... I had worked with a group trying to convince Gerry that they didn't have to build right on the field, but we were unsuccessful.

The official groundbreaking will take place in July, although they will begin construction starting in June.

... I'm goin' down to Yasgur's farm ... one more time before it is forever changed.

http://www.recordonline.com/archive/200 ... builda.htm[/url]

Wish I could go too...

I'll bring you and all my Blunderfriends with me in my heart.... Not going this weekend (going to the Church) but probably next week....

I'm so sorry that you were unsucessful in stopping the building work, I know how much it meant to you to keep the Woodstock site as it is. I wish I could come at visit the site with you before it is forever changed.

I wish I could go there & see it how it was. It's sad they are ruining a historic site. I didn't go to Woodstock but I heard it on the radio & as a kid thought it was cool...

I wish we had gone there last October after the Revival, as we'd talked about doing. I guess I somehow thought they'd come to their senses (silly me!) and it would always still be there as it was and is.

Wyld, you did what you could, and you should be proud that you tried.

I went to the Woodstock Site in Bethel this afternoon...

SIGH........

The land is beautiful, in spite of the corporate-style plantings that were done there in '98-99 and the (ugh!) post and rail fence.

Of course, I hopped the fence, as did three of my grandkids (the three who were with me - two of them weren't). We wandered on the field... the kids had a blast rolling down the hill... I sat in the middle of the field, reminiscing over "the way it used to be"... letting the spirit fill me... letting go of the land itself. Construction is scheduled to start soon, and the "official groundbreaking" will take place in July.

As I've said before, I have no problem with a performing arts center being built in the area... the pavilion is to be sited on the next field over from the famous 38 acres. The only strong objection I have is the placement of a number of buildings at the crest of the hill including a visitors center and an auditorium. These buildings could have been sited on the other side of Hurd Road, or elsewhere on the nearly 1400 acres that the Gerry Foundation owns in the area.

I only hope that, since construction on the Site is inevitable, that the PAC is successful. I would hate for it to fail as the recently built center in Bushkill PA has (after only three years). Should this PAC fail, the land will have been destroyed for nothing, and there will be more abandoned buildings in Sullivan County.

I spoke with several people who were also visiting the Site and I was surprised to learn that many didn't know what the plans are, even though they live in the local area. They know the general plan, but didn't know that there were to be buildings right on the 38 acres.

Ah well.... I may have to visit Bethel again soon, and be there at the groundbreaking ceremonies....

Waaaaahhhh!!!!!!

http://www.riverreporter.com/issues/04- ... woods.html

No, I wasn't there... I knew when it was happening, and in the long run I'm glad I was with friends, just after the WoodyFest.

Blunder Buddies, I don't about anyone else, but I am so GLAD we have Wyld, out there hopping over fences for such a most worhty cause! And Wyld, teachin' your grand babies (in my book) should give you a very special spot in Blunder Heaven! Thanks for your efforts in fighting an uphill battle. I wish I couldv'e gone sometime over the years, but thought it would just ALWAYS be the same ol' Woodstock! (silly ME)! I'd absolutly love to get to the Church. It's been such a very long time since I've been to that beautiful part of the country. When's the BEST time?? In the Fall?? let me know! & Thanks to Wyld

Joni Mitchell's 'Woodstock' is on Richie Havens' new album, 'Grace of the Sun' ... WOW what a version ... the album was released the day after the groundbreaking at the Site and the mood of his version seems to fit... sad, with good memories... a bit dirge-like ... saying goodbye to the land, but we still have the spirit.

Unfortunately he didn't put an audio clip of that cut on the website, but you can check out other cuts on www.richiehavens.com

He also finally recorded "All Along the Watchtower" too, which he's been doing in shows for years, including last night at Falcon Ridge. I didn't get an opportunity to say hello to Richie, but I felt his spirit permeating the whole valley. WOW

Ruthie... The northeast is beautiful anytime of the year, but especially in the Fall... October is a good time! Heehee!

Ruthie, I couldn't agree more about Wyld. I've only been to the Church in October, so it's by default my favorite time. It does seem magical.

Well Thanks Wyld & Ceashel, sounds like OCTOBER it is! I'll just need to check out Arlo's fall schedule, so I can be there when he is! Oh, any advise as where to stay, etc. would be greatly appreciated! Thanks ya'll stay cool!
Hugs