The Clackamas print., May 01, 1996, Page 4, Image 4

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The Clackamas Print
Wednesday, May 1,1996
Women’s Weekend
Get-away provides something fun, new
Karin Redston
Assistant Opinions Editor
Motherlode member Nan Collie tunes her guitar before
Saturday night’s performance.
When I was given the chance
to participate in the Women’s Get-
Away Weekend, I jumped at the
opportunity with much excite­
ment and a little apprehension.
I had never been to the
women’s weekend before, and
had no idea what to expect. Hope­
fully, this would turn out to be an
adventure.
The weekend turned out to be
more than I expected. From the
time I arrived it was ”go, go, go.”
Friday night’s welcoming session
was like a gun going off at the
Kentucky Derby. There were so
many things to do, and only two
days to do them.
This year’s retreat high­
lighted creativity, relaxation, and
renewal. Weekend workshops
included writing, art, music, mas­
sage, and line dancing.
In addition to the workshops,
there were massage therapists on
hand for anyone who wanted a
massage. I had the opportunity to
experience my first professional
massage. The event also featured
song circles where anyone could
request songs and sing along if
they wanted.
Most of the weekend I spent
listening and talking with some
of the women at the retreat. For
many it was their first experience
with such an event, also.
For one woman, this was her
first time ever away from her chil­
dren. In the process of separat­
ing from her husband she had
come to the retreat for a new ex­
perience. By the end of the week­
end she had learned to line dance
and had performed in the Shy
Singers’ Chorus.
A mother who had suffered
a stroke last fall came with her
daughter. The mother ended up
learning to line dance, play a har­
monica, and also sang in die Sat­
urday night concert.
I shared a cabin with four
other women, two who wdre sis­
ters in their 60’s. One lived in
Seaside and had come to Portland
to see her sister and attend the
event with her.
The age and diversity of the
women was incredible. Ages
ranged from early 20’s to early
70’s. There were teachers, home­
makers, students, retirees, and
women in recovery, to name a few.
No matter what the profession or
the age, all of the women discov­
ered they were talented in some­
thing new.
Saturday Night’s talent show
reflected the newly-learned tal­
ents the women had acquired dur­
ing the day’s workshops. The
show was uproariously funny. I
haven’t laughed so hard and had
that much fun in years. Perfor­
mances were given by the har­
monica band, the poetry band, the
percussion band, two line danc­
ing groups, and one woman per­
formed a piece from the Anthony
and Cleopatra opera. There was
also a demonstration of Shiatsu
massage techniques.
The talent of the performers
ranged from beginner to experi­
enced. When these individuals all
came together the performances
were fantastic. The laughter from
the audience was genuine as most
were participants themselves.
Every act received a huge round
of applause and everyone had a
great time.
After the talent show came
the concert by Motherlode. Nor­
mally a group of four, last week­
end they were a trio, as member
Kathleen Fallon is on sabbatical.
It didn’t matter, as members Nan
Collie, Janet Peterson and Marie
Eaton compensated beautifully.
The performance was mov­
ing and powerful. The lyrics in­
voked feelings that ranged from
funn, to intense and heart­
wrenching. Complementing the
lyrics were instruments including
guitars, bass, mandolin and har­
monica. Their songs were like
poetry set to music. One song,
Never Forget,
deeply affected
the audience; I know it affected
me. It is not yet recorded, but
should be on Motherlode’s next
album.
In addition to performing
concerts, the members of
Motherlode also participated in
the weekend by hosting the work­
shops in music. Members of
Motherlode have been involved
with the event since its beginning
in 1989; this was the 7th women’s
weekend.
The weekend came to a close
Sunday afternoon and it was time
to go back home. I had made new
friends, gotten very little sleep and
taken lots of pictures. A few of
us had even made a little sense
out of our lives. Next year us
“Newbies” will be returning vet­
erans at the Women’s Weekend
Get-Away and I’m bringing lots
more film.
The percussion band shows off their newly
learned rhythm skills.
Get-Away
participant gets
ready for
Sunday’s art
show.
Coordinators of the Women’s Weekend open the event
Friday night. From left are Linda Vogt, Bernie Nolan,
Marilynne Keyser, Maggie Pedersen, Rene’ Zingarelli and
Kate Gray.
(Below) Clackamas staff member Janet Quinn shows off
her newly-acquired line dancing skills at the Saturday
night concert.
m I
(above) Poet Band Member
Susan McElheran reads
from her works.
(right) Michelle Mercer and
Verla Buren explore new
forms of art.
Photos by Karin Redston