Woodstock Memories

I remember 109 Soldiers died in Vietnam while these drug heads spent those 4 days not caring about anybody but themselves.

Musician Larry Campbell plays a whole bunch of instruments - mandolin, guitar, pedal steel guitar, fiddle - and he has played with a lot of prominent people, including Bob Dylan, a famous former Woodstock, N.Y., resident. Larry lives in New York City, but owns a home in the Catskill Mountains and plays several time a month in Woodstock, N.Y., with the Levon Helm Band. Larry also produced a Willie Nelson song for Ang Lee's film, "Brokeback Mountain" and he performs on the soundtrack for "Taking Woodstock," which opens Friday." "When I'm watching a movie, I sometimes find myself drifting away from the plot lines and drifting away from being absorbed in the movie, and analyzing the soundtrack."

Musician Larry Campbell plays a whole bunch of instruments - mandolin, guitar, pedal steel guitar, fiddle - and he has played with a lot of prominent people, including Bob Dylan, a famous former Woodstock, N.Y., resident. Larry lives in New York City, but owns a home in the Catskill Mountains and plays several time a month in Woodstock, N.Y., with the Levon Helm Band. Larry also produced a Willie Nelson song for Ang Lee's film, "Brokeback Mountain" and he performs on the soundtrack for "Taking Woodstock," which opens Friday." Larry was 14 in 1969 and he said "I was doing everything I could to get up there" to Bethel. "I didn't have the money. "It looked for a minute like something would work out, somebody with a car could take a bunch of people...but it never worked out."

It's my understanding that the Texas International Pop Festival is where B.B. King christened Hugh Romney as Wavy Gravy. Romney, of course, and the Hog Farm Commune, prepared hot food for tens of thousands at Woodstock and fed folks at free kitchens. The Hog Farm also talked people down from bad acid trips. I would say Wavy and the Hog Farm single-handedly saved Woodstock from catastrophe.

I couldn't make it to Woodstock but did make it to the Texas International Pop Festival 2 weeks later. We were still feeling the love down there in Texas!

This is from Rita Sheehan, Bethel Town Clerk: Bethel Town Clerk Rita Sheehan receives all sorts of Woodstock related letters from the public quite regularly and more so during the anniversary dates. This year, the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, she received a letter from a gentlemen who indicated he had stolen the Town of Bethel sign in 1969 while at the Woodstock Festival. He displayed the sign at Jamesville-Dewitt High School as a souvenir. The un-named gentlemen sent a check for $200 and his apologies. Rita J. Sheehan, Town Clerk Town of Bethel P.O. Box 300 3454 Route 55 East White Lake, NY 12786

As the granchild of four native Irish who immigrated to America with millions of others during the early part of the 20th century, I was proud to be interviewed, about Woodstock, on Aug. 7 by RTE, which is the Irish national radio system, much like the BBC, I believe. You can access the interview here: http://www.rte.ie/news/morningireland/player.html?20090814,2594016,2594016,real,209 Slainte

The mop up continues on Woodstock. I got this in an e-mail some time ago... Hendrix and Woodstock: 10 Little Known Facts about the Performance That Defined the '60s WPI Professor and Hendrix Scholar Joel Brattin Recalls What Made the 1969 Woodstock Appearance a Unique Moment in the Career of the Legendary Guitarist WORCESTER, Mass. – July 22, 2009 -- Forty years ago, on Aug. 18, 1969, legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix stepped onto the stage at the Woodstock, N.Y., Music Festival and embarked upon an uninterrupted set lasting nearly two hours--one of the longest performances of his career. It concluded with a long medley that included the solo performance of the Star Spangled Banner that would become emblematic not only of Woodstock, but of the 1960s themselves. When most people think of Hendrix and Woodstock, it is that performance of the national anthem that comes to mind. But to Joel Brattin, professor of literature at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), who has made an extensive study of the life and music of Hendrix, the Woodstock performance was a fascinating and telling moment in an all-too-brief career, one that was in a state of transition in the summer of '69. Hendrix did not perform for half a million people. In fact, when he took to the stage at 9 a.m., the crowd, which once numbered 500,000, had dwindled to fewer than 200,000--perhaps considerably fewer. With the demands of work and school weighing on them, many of those fans waited just long enough to see Hendrix begin his set, and then departed themselves. The Woodstock performance had the potential to be a disaster for Hendrix. Recordings made at the house in upstate New York where Hendrix and the Gypsy Suns and Rainbows rehearsed and of a performance they gave at the Tinker Street Cinema in Kingston, N.Y., show that the band "simply could not play well together," Brattin says. "After listening to those tapes, you would not have guessed that the Woodstock performance would be so good. The credit has to go to Jimi and the strength of his onstage presence." Woodstock was a time of transition for Hendrix. He had left behind one long-term band and not yet formed another. He was beginning a period of musical experimentation that was risky from a commercial perspective. While the Experience was dominated by white musicians (both his bandmates were white Englishmen), he was now appearing with more black performers (bassist Cox, guitarist Lee, and percussionist Juma Sultan were all African American). It is interesting, Brattin notes, that while so much of the Woodstock show pointed to Hendrix's future, the performance also included songs that harked back to his beginnings. In particular, two of the songs Lee sang, Gypsy Woman and Aware of Love, were written or co-written by Curtis Mayfield, with whom Hendrix had performed with in the early 1960s. It was the only Hendrix concert that included these songs.

The mop up continues on Woodstock. I got this in an e-mail some time ago... Hendrix and Woodstock: 10 Little Known Facts about the Performance That Defined the '60s WPI Professor and Hendrix Scholar Joel Brattin Recalls What Made the 1969 Woodstock Appearance a Unique Moment in the Career of the Legendary Guitarist WORCESTER, Mass. – July 22, 2009 -- Forty years ago, on Aug. 18, 1969, legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix stepped onto the stage at the Woodstock, N.Y., Music Festival and embarked upon an uninterrupted set lasting nearly two hours--one of the longest performances of his career. It concluded with a long medley that included the solo performance of the Star Spangled Banner that would become emblematic not only of Woodstock, but of the 1960s themselves. When most people think of Hendrix and Woodstock, it is that performance of the national anthem that comes to mind. But to Joel Brattin, professor of literature at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), who has made an extensive study of the life and music of Hendrix, the Woodstock performance was a fascinating and telling moment in an all-too-brief career, one that was in a state of transition in the summer of '69. Brattin, who is also a noted authority on Victorian author Charles Dickens, says there are 10 elements of that performance that make it unique and historic: Hendrix performed with a temporary band. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, with which he had recorded three smash albums and electrified crowds at the Monterey Pop Festival two summers before, had broken up. Hendrix assembled a group he called Gypsy Suns and Rainbows, which included two musicians he had played with at the start of his career on the Chitlin' Circuit in Nashville: bassist Billy Cox and guitarist Larry Lee. Neither had ever performed in front of a large crowd before. Drummer Mitch Mitchell, who was part of the Experience, and two percussionists rounded out the band, one of the largest Hendrix ever appeared with. The group performed just twice more before disbanding. It was the only Hendrix band that included a second guitarist. Larry Lee backed up Hendrix on a number of songs, played some lead on Jam Back at the House, and contributed several lead choruses to the 12-bar blues Red House. He played some lead on both Voodoo Child (slight return) and Spanish Castle Magic and sang lead on two numbers. Lee's solo guitar work accounts for much of the footage of the Hendrix Woodstock set that has never been made public. In fact, no recordings, audio or visual, have ever been officially released of Lee's two featured numbers: Mastermind and a medley of Gypsy Woman and Aware of Love. It was the only major performance that Hendrix gave in the morning. By 1969, Hendrix was a major star who had earned the traditional headliner's position: playing last. Technical and weather delays caused the festival to stretch into Monday morning. The organizers had given Hendrix the opportunity to go on at midnight, but he opted to be the closer. One benefit of the delay: the morning light made for excellent filming conditions, which may be part of the reason this particular Hendrix performance is so well known.

To this day I regret not having the guts to hitch to Woodstock. I was 15, and that's the only way I would have gotten there from Virginia. My friends Val C. and Linda W. went, with Val's boyfriend (Don, I think) and their fabulousity factor, already high, went through the roof. Thankfully, I've been able to see the documentary released in 1970, and listen to much of the music, but it's just not the same as being there.

I was 15, relatively poor and lived in Norfolk, Virginia. I was bummed that my best friends had gone to the Atlantic City Pop Fest two weeks before and my single mom couldn't come up with any money for tickets. A week later she told me a girl that she worked with was going to Woodstock with her boyfriend and that if I could earn some money, she'd allow me to ride up with them. They would be my chaperones. There was a kid in the neighborhood who coveted my record collection, so I sold it to him. Only he didn't have money of his own and (I found out later), he swiped a bunch of OLD silver dollars from his dad. We headed up on the afternoon of the 14th, got lost on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but met other freaks who were going and ended up following them. One of them had traded us a couple of blotters for some greenage and we were just getting off when we hit the traffic jam on 17B early Friday morning. We eventually pulled off to the side of the road near Hurd Road, parked the car and went separate ways. I walked down Hurd and before I got to the site, started panhandling to get money for tickets. Somebody told me I wouldn't be needing tickets, so I continued and when I hit the top of the rise I saw tens of thousands of people already seated. No fences, no ticket gates...just people. I waded into the crowd, found a seat and waited. At one point I headed up to the concession area, which was muddy before it rained due to a leaking water pipe or something and my mocasins we're sucked off of my feet. I reached down to retrieve them, but to no avail and spent the rest of the weekend barefoot. Later that evening, during Ravi Shankar, I think, it started raining. I went back to the car, touched base, ate some food and went back to see if Arlo Guthrie was on. I think Melanie was playing and I ended up heading back to the car to sleep. The next morning I headed out again, alone, and grabbed another seat, bought some acid, and spent the day listening to music. Between bands, usually about a two hour wait, I went back to the car to touch base and it was GONE. My chaperones had left me ! I don't remember freaking out or anything. I just headed back to the music and figured I'd get through this. I had a few silver dollars left, all was cool. I eventually bumped into a guy that played drums in a band with my older brother and he took me under his wing, fed me, fed my head and generally watched out for me. As for the music, I remember the highlights (in no particular order) were The Band, the Who, BS&T, Ten Years After, Sly, Joe Cocker and although I didn't really like them, Creedence. I mean, they were a "singles" band. Top 40. But I was blown away by them. My regrets were that nobody woke me for Crosby Stills and Nash, despite asking my neighbors to do so. I also slept through the Airplane (!!!) and Butterfield. We woke up Monday morning and Sha Na Na was playing. The crowd had really diminished and we thought New York City greasers had taken over the festival and that was the only time I was uncomfortable all weekend. Russell and I decided that it may be best to get the hell out of there and split. I was able to find a pair of sandals in a pile of garbage, slipped them on and we started hoofing it. I'm not sure how far away we were, but we faintly heard Jimi Hendrix's guitar wafting over and discussed going back. But, we headed out to 17B to hitchhike home. We were stopped by state troopers who were confiscating anything that seemed illegal, (Russell lost a knife), but they let us go. Another clear memory is riding on the hood of a car when leaving. My glasses were broken and being held together, (barely), with a piece of masking tape. I had to catch them a couple of times when they were blown off while riding on the hood. The way home was a trip unto itself, but I eventually made it home in the early hours of Wednesday. My poor mom had been sleeping on the couch for days awaiting my return. I remember a bunch more, but I shouldn't write a book here.

I read about Woodstock from a hospital bed where I was recuperating from a motorcycle accident three weeks previous. It had been a great summer, the summer after my freshman year in high school. I was a lifeguard, tall and tan and lean. I lost my leg in that accident and throughout the years I've used Woodstock to mark time when there was a day I could run and walk and ride a mnotorcycle. Having grown up in a small town in Wyoming, the news from the event appeared foreign, exotic and yet strangely compelling. All those hippies sliding around in the mud, tripping on acid, and listening to those phenomenal bands. A couple years later, my senior year, I was sitting in a theatre in Sacramento watching Woodstock, the movie, and some unknown guy sitting in the seat next to me offered me my first joint. Peace, love and dope. Those were the days!

i was only 6 so i dont understand how i read how great this was as compared to those blasting the so called hippies... i would have been one of the flower children if i was born at the right time... you cant judge something you didnt live thru... so i am confused... if you ask me the change that happened at this time was needed.... but i really dont get how any one can blame one generation over the next for our messed up ways of life today.... sure values are changed but can someone who was there make sense of this for me.. thanks

WHAT WOODSTOCK ’69 MEANS TO ME By Judy R. Allen I don’t remember so many things about Woodstock but I do remember so much about the experience. A short synopsis of what I do and don’t remember: I know that I purchased 4 sets of $6 tickets by mail and that I gave a set to each of the other three girls I drove in my ’69 Mustang Grande ($2800 full loaded) to the festival. I don’t remember where I parked or exactly what I did. I do remember being thoroughly mud soaked from Thursday, when we arrived, through Monday morning, when we left. I loved the music, falling asleep to many of the artists and waking up to others, like Gracie Slick, of Jefferson Airplane shouting, “Good Morning, People!” Saturday was memorable to me because I fell in a cesspool dug right in front of a Porta Potty and spent many hours “de-sludging” in White Lake. We stayed for Jimi Hendrix, who performed Monday morning and ended the concert. Soon after we left, although I don’t remember when or how we even found our car, and returned to our lives; I went back to college after summer break. We were not all dropouts, as is characterized on the Sunday Morning talk shows, but we all dropped out for a weekend. What I took away from the event was the experience of community, of people’s personal freedoms being allowed to flourish with communal sharing of services, like healthcare, food, security, and all that a society needs to grow. Having a nostalgic look back, and remembering and not remembering so much, has strengthened my commitment to helping this country get on the right track and not let the hate mongers gain control again, as they had under Nixon. We need healthcare reform. We need socialized services in this country if we are going to thrive, like we did for a weekend so many years ago…. (as a footnote, I still have my original tickets, the envelope they were mailed in, the brochure, the notice of moving from Walkhill to White Lake, and a survey, asking if we we would buy a tent for $5 that sleeps 2.

OK...lets pretend that Woodstock was a meeting of the tribal council of humanity. Now, what did we learn there? I do believe it's BURY THE HATCHET AND PASS THE PEACE PIPE... Now, lets pretend we will all do that. Peace:}

Guy named Dioro interviewed by Jobarry: "kept saying we to headup there, and nobody wanted to go. That 's how we ended going last minute." This is how the majority of people I knew had responded. It was not anticipated or planned months in advance. We were in the music scene then, and didn't have word of it until maybe, couple of weeks, if that. Adio...

The black and white newpapers photos of the 1969 Poughkeepsie Journal show Woodstock the best; a great representation of what it felt like. The front page pic of the young woman with a baby, the kinda nerdy woman in the striped pants, the music scaffold in the distance, and the glukky, muddy giant mud puddle alongside the throng give great feel. Front page of USA Today says: Woodstock, does it still matter? Answer: Well, considering its on the front pages of every major newspaper, swimming over the internet, plastered on t shirts in every target store, and a huge 40th anniversary in D.C. with Rock n Roll Hall of Fame award to boot----------looks like it, sure as Max Yagurs Farm, DOES matter! The question wouldn't arise if didn't matter at all to anyone. Question simply wouldn't come up. Here's to all of us who happened to go; and HAPPENED is the operative word here. Very few went for anything but a lark, a weekend away from home, not the social phoenomona that has been written about in History and sociology college text books. Ob-la-dee, Ob-la-dah.....

I have been working in the media tent all day and at one point, a fly would not leave me alone. I looked over to photographer Darryl Bautista, and saw a fly buzzing around his head. I commented on the flies and another member of the media, with as straight a face as could be, said, "Yeah. You'd think we were in a cow pasture or something." ha!

I was in the men's room and overheard a young boy complaining, to which his father said, "If you were at Woodstock, you'd be glad to see a bathroom".....!

There are new Woodstock videos at www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/woodstock and http://woodstock.historybeat.com.

As I was checking out of my hotel room this morning, I had ESPN Sportscenter on and I was interested to see their introduction to a very short discussion of - Woodstock! As we all know, 1969 was a big year for New York sports, with the Jets winning the Superbowl and the Mets winning the World Series. So the guy and gal on ESPN said - and I've NEVER heard this - that the stage announcements at Woodstock included updates on scores from that weekend's Mets games. And - it doesn't stop there - the Mets swept a doubleheader on the Sunday of Woodstock, victories that apparently launched their assured victory of the National League Eastern Pennant. So - calling all Mets fans - has anyone out there ever heard this? Seems to me your Mets could use a little of that Woodstock magic right now.... :-P Go Yankees!

The weather in the Greater Bethel Metropolitan Region (that's a joke, Bethel and the land between Bethel and Liberty, N.Y., where I am now, is made up of beautiful, rolling fields) is, as Buster Poindexter might say, HOT, HOT, HOT. It's going to be a roaster today. I'm glad I only have to work a 12-hour shift outdoors. :-)

Don Diorio, 61, of northern New Jersey had a great time at the Richie Havens concert Friday night at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, built on the site of the Woodstock concert. "The guy’s great. The guy is, for lack of a better term, he’s real." Diorio seemed thrilled to be back in Bethel. He was there a few years ago for a “Day in the Garden” concert, held pior to the construction of Bethel Woods. Diorio was also at Woodstock. "I drove my old beat-up Chevy right to the top here. I had kids on my roof and on my trunk and on my hood. There was the state police here who said “you can’t do this.” I said, “I didn’t do anything. We got them off the car." Diorio arrived on Saturday morning and drove right up to the site. “It was unbelievable. And that’s the truth.” Diorio said he heard advertisements for Woodstock on New York City radio station WNEW (102.7 FM) “Three days of peace and music,” Diorio recalled the ads saying. “Come to Woodstock.” He kept telling his friends, “we got to head up there.” But – “Nobody wanted to go. That’s how we ended up going last minute.” Diorio saw all the big Saturday night bands – Janis Joplin, The Who and Sly and the Family Stone. What about the mud and the rain and lack of food, I asked. “Today, I’d probably be looking for a restaurant and a bottle of cabernet.” But back then, “it didn’t matter. Nobody cared. And that was the beauty of it. It was just very peaceful, very friendly and it was exciting.” Diorio remembered being down at the stage for Sly, and his performance of “I Want to Take You Higher.” He said Sly asked the crowd to raise one hand and flash the peace sign, and with the other hand, hold up a lit match or lighter. “I happened to turn around and saw the whole field, even though it was dark, with all these lighters on or matches on and people screaming out, singing “HIGH-ER.” It was great.

Please visit here http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=BK&Date=20090814&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=814002&Ref=PH&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL For a photo gallery, by Poughkeepsie Journal staff photographer Darryl Bautista, of Richie Havens....

Please feel free to visit this link: http://poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090814/ENT04/90814008&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL To read all about the big day at Bethel Woods, and to see video of Richie Havens performing "Freedom."

Richie Havens, during his performance tonight at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, chatted in between songs, about stickball, Superman, George W. Bush, Pluto and comic books. But he offered up a thought that I thought was very right on, and I can't event begin to tell you the context for this comment: "It's amazing to be in a place, and you step onto the next train, and there you are, too." Richie - I couldn't agree with you more.

Woodstock – I wasn't there I was in VN – I did not believe the war was justified but did believe in my country. In my view the only thing that pot heads brought to America was great music which may be another reason marijuana should now be legalized. Otherwise the only justification for any draft deferred young man that attended Woodstock was nothing more than a conscious seeking justification for their cowardly actions in need of a crowd and female support to soothe their decision. They lacked the principles and strength to stand alone in defense of their convictions. I respect Cassius Clay because of his independence and I am white – I do not respect the pot heads and draft dodgers of my generation that avoided the draft because their parents could afford college or those that defected to Canada for what ever trumped up reason they offered for self respect. That said – the music died when we left the 60's & 70's and the free love was tremendously appreciated when I came back home. Sadly I went to war when the ladies were wearing mini skirts and came back home to maxi skirts – there is no god.

I remember seeing it on the news each night. Actually know two women who attended. One did a 180, later in life, and the other is probably dead as she was a drugie.

I was there...I remember a few of us at OCCC during the year and reading the paper every day about the concert and where/when it was changing (Woodstock/Wallkill/Bethel). We got tickets ahead of time - $18 for the 3 days! One of our group of 7 had gone up on Thurs. night to set up a tent - we had a campsite! We were luckier than most that had to sleep outside in the rain. I borrowed my parents station wagon and drove 4 of us up there...Nick and Jan and Bill L and myself....we had heard all about the traffic and picked some back roads from Newburgh (where we all lived then). I think we went up rt 52 thru Ellenville and came upon 17B from that way somehow. We wound up parking far away and had to leave some of the food we brought...just miles of cars and people walking. The fences were down when we got there - so we kept the tickets. Eventually we go to the camp site..the tent needed some help if we were all going to sleep in it :-) We made out way down to the field of people in front of the stage and found a 'spot' that became ours. we always met back at the same place if we could...bathroom breaks, food, sleep, etc. It was getting dark when Richie Heavens came out to start us off....who thought about sleep back then when u were 19 or 20??? I really wish someone had brought a camera...who knew back then what it would become... We stayed up for all of Fri nite's performers and then made out way back to our tent. People were very friendly and shared food with everyone. I don't think it really rained much until Sat...then it was on and off all day...the mud...the planks u had to go on to get to the port-a-potties...you didn't know what you were stepping in! We managed and Sat night turned out to be the best....Janis Joplin , Jefferson Airplane and the Who among others (CCR, Canned Heat, etc). It must have been after 3 in the AM when they stopped. Sometime during Sunday a couple of us went back to the car to get some food and make phone calls home....after it started raining again and we heard that Crosby Still and Nash had cancelled (wrong!) we decided we'd had enough...late Sunday afternoon - we went back to the car to drive home...never did see Hendrix end it all...it was great though!

I had just turned 17 in July. Me and 3 buddies drove up from Westchester, NY, in a blue convertible Firebird. It was hot that Friday. We sat for 8 hours in the parking lot called Route 17. I remember there was a flatbead truck full of watermelons sittig in the traffic with all of the rest of us. Eventually the guys in the truck stared hacking up the watermelons and giving them out to all of us. To all of you guys who were there, through all the mud, lack of water, lack of food, lack of sleep, through all the just plain dirtyness, through all the great music and togetherness (thank god there were no cell phones or lap tops), what a great time we had!!! I'm going up ther tomorrow to see the legends of Woodstock show. It's sold out and it has already been posted to come early HEAVY TRAFFIC expected. I hope there is a watermelon truck on the way.

I was too young to remember, but my parents owned a restaurant in Monticello at the time. They had many kids come in hungry, with no money. They would feed them, and each kid promised to send money when they got home....and they all did !

Is there anyone else out there that was on Burt's school bus from Huntington NY?

I was 19yrs. old when I showed up at Woodstock. Coming over the hill Friday morning, I saw a sea of people. I got so scared, it stopped me in my tracks. I realized these kids could do anything they wanted. At the time, Vietnam was raging and campus protests made all the news. Instead of wading into the crowd, we stayed towards the edges in case something bad went down and we had to bail out of a riot or somthing. We were WRONG. Nothing but kids, slowly realizing that they were going to see THE GREATEST ROCK CONCERT IN HISTORY if they didn't mess up! Under the WORST conditions, 90 degree heat, then 5 ins. of rain, I saw nothing but a half a million kids, with NO POLICE, celebrate the MUSIC, the vibe,(the mud), and each other. It restored my faith in my generation. I came away knowing that there were 500,000 of us, that were going to go home, live our lives with peace and compassion, and remember that moment in time. I grew my beard (which I still have) and I'm heading BACK TO THE GARDEN tomorrow, with my original tickets, to see about 16,000 of my old friends. PEACE

I actually had a ticket, believe it was $18 for three days. Still have it along w/original program. It really was a gas. My now adult children introduce me still as having been to the "original Woodstock" LOL

I had just turned 21 in Feb. Met the love of my life and we went to Woodstock together. I remember there was a lot of free love and drugs. Not everyone participated in everything. What I remember most is all the energy and love that abounded. All the dreams we had for a better future

I was interviewed by Irish radio last week about Woodstock, and I am told that the segment will air Friday morning, Aug. 14" The report will go out on Morning Ireland on RTE radio one, between 8-30 and 9am on friday next.The programme starts at 730 and while the package could be broadcast in the first hour, it's unlikely. it'll be available to listen to on podcast at rte.ie/news/morningireland Check out www.rte.ie. I've e-mailed cousins in Ireland and asked them to tune in. RTE, you might say, is the equivalent of the BBC, but for Ireland.

What I don't remember is free drugs and love. Many of us simply heard about it, 30 miles away, and drove over to Bethel. Lots of drunks, lots of people trying to make themselves noticed. What nobody ever seems to mention is that many people came and very shortly left. Simple young people were not comfortable with exhibitionists and people trying to hard to stand out. The post-hype has made Woodstock more than it ever was.

My kids are ages 33,30 and 19 and each and everyone have asked me if I was at Woodstock! They seem to think all babyboomers were there!

Here are the Woodstock vets who will be playing the Heroes of Woodstock concert Saturday at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, on the original Woodstock site: From Jefferson Starship: Paul Kantner From Canned Heat: Adolfo de la Parra, Harvey Mandel & Samuel (Larry) Taylor From Ten Years After: Ric Lee, Leo Lyon & Chick Churchill Tom Constanten from The Grateful Dead Country Joe McDonald Mountain - Leslie West, Corky Lang Levon Helm

Here is the lineup for the Heroes of Woodstock concert Saturday at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, on the original Woodstock site, and some pertinent Web sites: Conrad Oberg - http://www.conradoberg.com/ Heroes of Woodstock - http://www.theheroesofwoodstock.com/ Country Joe McDonald Big Brother & the Holding Company Canned Heat Ten Years After Jefferson Starship Mountain - http://www.mountaintheband.com/ Levon Helm Band - http://www.levonhelm.com/ Visit www.bethelwoodscenter.org for the whole deal.

The Town of Bethel, N.Y., is a very beautiful place, with hills, creeks and vistas. This of course, is where Woodstock was held in 1969. You can learn about Bethel by visiting www.town.bethel.ny.us. I found this description, and this poem, on that Web site: http://www.town.bethel.ny.us The Town of Bethel is located in the center of Sullivan County, New York. Only 90 miles northwest of New York City and 20 miles from the famous Delaware River. The population of 4,362 expands to about 10,000 during the summer season. The Town of Bethel blends farm land with residential and commercial development. In the center of the Town is the Sullivan County Airport and the Sullivan County Industrial Park. Currently the Industrial Park has two businesses, Sutphen East and Grisar Automobiles. Sutphen East manufactures fire trucks. Grisar Automobiles manufactures kit cars. The Industrial Park is owned by the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency. The Town of Bethel When you enter the Town of Bethel, You'll notice the unpolluted air; And the beautiful environment, Is way beyond compare. You can go hunting in the woods, Or fishing in the stream; And the fishing, on White Lake, Will satisfy your dream. No tornadoes, hurricanes, or floods, Is what we like about this place; And when you walk down the streets, You'll see a friendly face. May God bless the Town of Bethel, And the country atmosphere; Where the four seasons you'll enjoy, When you come and visit here. Ellsworth C. Buck Swan Lake, NY

I typed the word "Woodstock" into eBay, and this is a sampling of what I came up with: WOODSTOCK 1969 Pewter Pendant Necklace, Limited Quantity Peanuts Woodstock VintageYellow Bird Felt / Red Feet Tommy Hilfiger 200T Woodstock Twin Sheet Set Peanuts Snoopy & Woodstock On The Farm Ceramic Milk Can WOODSTOCK 1994 AUTHENIC BANDANA Woodstock Hippy Peace Dove ripped jeans corset 1969 VOGUE Magazine WOODSTOCK CHANEL HEPBURN AVEDON 1969 WOODSTOCK Authentic 3-Day Ticket own ROCK HISTORY! Woodstock Ukulele

Did you ever notice, while traveling through different states, how many towns named Bethel exist"? There are tons....just check it out on Mapquest... Bethel, CT Fairfield County Bethel, DE Sussex County Bethel, ME Oxford County Bethel, MN Anoka County Bethel, MO Shelby County Bethel, NC Pitt County Bethel, NY Dutchess County Bethel, NY Sullivan County Bethel, OH Clermont County Bethel, OK McCurtain County

Did you ever notice, while traveling, how many towns named "Woodstock" are out there? I did a search on "Woodstock" in mapquest and this is what I found: Woodstock, GA Cherokee County Woodstock, IL McHenry County Woodstock, AL Bibb County Woodstock, CT Windham County Woodstock, MN Pipestone County Woodstock, NH Grafton County Woodstock, NY Ulster County Woodstock, OH Champaign County Woodstock, VA Shenandoah County Woodstock, VT Windsor County

For the massive special section the Poughkeepsie Journal published on Woodstock, I did a story on Carolyn Garcia, who is known by Deadheads as Mountain Girl, an icon of the psychedelic movement who had two children, and later married, Jerry Garcia. Well, Carolyn is originallly from Hyde Park, N.Y., the next town north of Poughkeepsie, where President Franklin Delano Roosevelt grew up. You can read the story by going here: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090809/LIFE/908090304/0/LIFE But this didn't make it into the story. And you should read on, keeping in mind that Pete Seeger lives just south of Poughkeepsie, and Jerry Garcia played the banjo: "Pete Seeger did assemblies in elementary school," Carolyn Garcia said. "I remember him well, coming to the elementary school and showing off his banjo and talking about folk music and how important it was. I sat there and drank it all in. For me, I think it made quite an impression. I've always had a real thing for banjo players."

The magic of Woodstock works in mysterious ways....... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SOMEWHERE ELSE is the dream project of Killian Mansfield, a 16-year-old ukulele wiz from Woodstock, NY who has an advanced and rare form of cancer. Recorded In a window of time between a long hospitalization last winter and entering hospice care this spring, SOMEWHERE ELSE is an eclectic and uplifting labor of love. The album includes original songs and eclectic covers performed by “Killian on “uke” with critically acclaimed singers and musicians including Dr. John, Kate Pierson, John Sebastian, Todd Rundgren and Levon Helm. SOMEWHERE ELSE is a benefit recording for the Killian Mansfield Foundation, which supports integrative therapies like acupuncture, aromatherapy, reflexology and nutritional advice for children with cancer. Produced and engineered by Ralph Legnini, SOMEWHERE ELSE includes world-class rock, jazz, blues, country and folk musicians doing a lot of genre hopping, (picture B-52's Kate Pierson with renowned country fiddler Jay Ungar). With performances by Zachary Alford, John Ashton, Frank Campbell, Ralph Carney, Randy Ciarlante, Jay Collins, Gail Ann Dorsey, Molly Farley, Amy Fradon, Scott Healy, Amy Helm, Levon Helm, Dr. John, Bruce Katz, Sara Lee, KT Legnini, Lucia Legnini, Ralph Legnini, Dennis Mackrel, Barbara Mansfield, Calder Mansfield, Killian Mansfield, Molly Mason, Laurel Massé, Sham Morris, Eric Parker, Kate Pierson, Todd Rundgren, Rob Sabino, Dorraine Scofield, Bar Scott, John Sebastian, Jules Shear, Jim Treutlein, Jay Ungar and Chris Wood—if you stacked up all the albums these artists have played on, the pile would probably reach the top of Mt. Tremper here in the Catskills. These artists have helped Killian to re-interpret songs ranging from Prince’s “Kiss” to David Bowie’s “Starman” to Elvis’s “If I Can Dream.” The complete track listing includes: “Express Yourself “ by Charles W. Wright “Scratch My Back” by James H. Moore (aka Slim Harpo) “Somewhere Else” by Barbara Mansfield “Fishin’ Blues” by John Sebastian “Girl From Ipanema” by Vinicius De Moraes, Norman Gimbel, Antonio Carlos Jobim “Kiss” by Prince Rogers Nelson “Heaven Bound” by Johnny Average “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin “There’s Love In My Food” by Robert Burke Warren “Jack & Jill” by Barbara Mansfield, Julie Fogliano “Fire In My Pocket” by Ralph Legnini “Starman” by David Bowie “If I Can Dream” by Walter Earl Brown Killian Mansfield started violin lessons at age 3. By age 9, Killian had established himself as an outstanding advocate and dedicated musician. Out of thousands of nationwide entries, Killian’s essay about music won an award of $5,000 from the Entertainment Industry Foundation, resulting in new musical instruments for his elementary school. Killian was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma at age 11. After 9 months of chemo, two major and more than half a dozen other surgeries, several courses of radiation, and 3 clinical trials, Killian’s cancer is still in his body. Throughout his medical journey, however, Killian has refused to be defined as “a kid with cancer,” wishing instead to be known for his artistic achievements. “I’ve played a lot of string instruments, but I’m crazy about ukulele—it’s so inviting…. It brings out the essence of a song. I had this dream of doing fun music, music you wouldn’t think of as ukulele music, to promote integrated therapies for cancer care. When you’re a kid with cancer, there’s a lot you don’t have control of—even decisions are made for you. I wish more kids with cancer knew that choosing to eat well and doing acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy and the like can make them feel better.” The Killian Mansfield Foundation is a not for profit entity created to support and promote the use of integrative therapies for children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. These innovative therapies reduce debilitating symptoms (such as nausea, stress and fatigue), which exhaust patients and their families. By expanding the treatment options available to medical practitioners and caregivers, patients and their families can focus on comfort and recovery. The current beneficiary of the Killian Mansfield Foundation is the Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund, which sustains an excellent Integrative Therapies Program. For more information, or to make a donation go to www.killianmansfield.org. 429 Records is a unit of the Savoy Label Group (SLG). SLG is the North American unit of CME (Columbia Music Entertainment), the oldest music company in Japan. The Savoy Label Group has evolved into a leading independent company in the adult music genres consistently outperforming competitors in key music categories as monitored by Billboard Magazine. SLG is lead by Steve Vining and CME is headed by Chairman Strauss Zelnick, founder of Zelnick Media, which owns interests in and manages an array of media companies.

Ok, ok. This is starting to get a little weird. So I am right now in the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Kingston, N.Y., not far from where I live, and not far from Woodstock, N.Y. I just came in here to unwind a bit, as I love books and I love wandering through bookstores. So as I approach the front door to enter, what do I see, but the cover to Michael Lang's new book, "The Road to Woodstock." I think this whole Woodstock thing is starting to follow me... But this is pretty cool, if you are going to be in the area.... Michael Lang: The Road to Woodstock Author Event Friday August 14, 2009 6:30 PM Ulster Plaza 1177 Ulster Avenue Kingston, NY 12401 845-336-0590

Sunday, August 16, 2009 Speaker Series Woodstock Remembered with Sam Yasgur - SOLD OUT photographer Barry Levine, author Jan Cheripko and Yasgur Share Their Memories of Three Days that Rocked the World Events Gallery 3:00PM - 4:30PM Admission tickets are no longer available. Demand for this event was overwhelming and it has reached capacity. Sam Yasgur, son of Max Yasgur, along with photographer Barry Levine, and author Jan Cheripko discuss their experiences during Woodstock in a conversation moderated by county historian John Conway. This is sold out, but check out bethelwoodscenter.org to learn more about the performing arts center and museum located on the site of the Woodstock festival.

I was 16 and had just come back from a cross country camping trip where I had seen the first moonwalk on a small b&w tv in a campground where many people gathered around to view it. Unfortunately I missed hearing the word about the big concert but I do remember reading the paper at Lake Taghkanic the weekend of the concert and feeling disappointed that I missed it. What cool music...what a wonderful atmosphere...what an event! I did see the movie the moment it came out and loved it - made me feel like I was there. Can't believe it's been 40 years. Wow. Great supplement in Sunday's paper - makes it feel like yesterday.

Here are some quotes about Woodstock, from musicians who did not play Woodstock, that I got straight from the horse's mouth during interviews they conducted with the Poughkeepsie Journal: Walter Becker of Steely Dan "I knew it was going on. It didn't sound that appealing, really. I couldn't see how that many people playing in that short a period of time could work out that well. In those days, you could see those individuals right in New York. It didn't seem like my kind of cup of tea." Ringo said Woodstock wasn't entirely off the radar screen of The Beatles. "We knew it was happening. "We didn't even attempt to get there.” "When the film was finished, I was a guest of honor at Cannes, when they showed it. It was sort of like a free, open house and I got there late, being a big shot," he said, tongue-in-cheek. "I didn't have a seat. I had to sit on the stairs." But, he said, "Life is life." According to Gregg Allman, the Allman Brothers Band on one night of Woodstock played a club called Harlow's in New York City. Sharing the bill that night was Fat Mattress, featuring Jimi Hendrix bass player Noel Redding on guitar. "We were unknown. We were kicking a--. We just didn't get invited. I wish we could have been there. That would have been one hell of an audition...All we wanted to do was go and see Woodstock. New York City was a ghost town."

Here is some nice news about a Woodstock veteran. Neil Young, I believe, has a son with disabilities and has been a driving force, with his wife, Pegi, behind the Bridge School in the San Francisco Bay Area: SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Aug. 11, 2009) — Legendary musician Neil Young will be honored as the 2010 MusiCares® Person of the Year at its 20th anniversary gala, it was announced today by Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the MusiCares Foundation and The Recording Academy®, and Paul Caine, Chair of the MusiCares Foundation Board. Proceeds from the annual GRAMMY® Week gala dinner and concert honoring Young — to be held in Los Angeles on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, two days prior to the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards — will provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn to in times of financial, medical and personal need. Young's philanthropic work is as renowned as his musical heritage. He was one of the original founders of Farm Aid in 1985, and continues to be an active member on the organization's board of directors. Each October, he and his wife Pegi organize and host the Bridge School Concerts, a benefit for the Bridge School that he and Pegi helped found. The school ensures that children with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities through the use of assistive technology and the development, implementation and dissemination of innovative educational strategies. These weekend concerts have drawn an international array of musical artists and have raised significant resources for the school. Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information, please visit www.musicares.com. Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thegrammys and a Facebook fan at www.facebook.grammy.com, and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

I was 11 and lived in Monticello, NY, the county seat of Sullivan County. I remember the grocery stores being stripped bear and my elelmentary school being turned into a field hospitial, with helicopters flying in and out. Woodstock was a major crisis for the local people and there were bad feelings for years. The site should be turned into a national park.

I was 14 years old & about to enter the eighth grade. I remember seeing Woodstock on the national news that Saturday night & I was intrigued. My parents were conservative protestant & were NOT impressed - I was the oldest child with a new baby brother. I bought the Woodstock LP as soon as it came out a sneaked it into the house, also Woodstock 2 when it later was released. I still have those somewhere but the Hendrix & Who sides were completely worn out about 30 years ago. Pete Townshend was & still is a major influence on me. Now, I'm a middle-aged, aging hippie nurse who still has issues with the Establishment. Those were the days! Far out!

I remember going and being stuck in the mud. I remember going but, I don't remember being there ;)

Woodstock was wonderful and awesome! I have friends that helped organize the event. Everyone helped take care of everyone else. Lots of partying, drugs, drinking, sex, etc. All the taboos of the time. But, does anyone remember Watkins Glen in the early 70's? While Woodstock had 500,000 people, Watkins Glen had 700,000 people. Watkins Glen is a tiny town in NYS and this concert took place at the race track. It was a one day concert with the Allman Brothers, The Band, and the Grateful Dead. The Glen did not expect such a big crowd and was not prepared for the influx of hippies. Stores ran out of food and water. Gas stations ran out of gas. Traffic was backed up for miles and miles. Just like Woodstock! It also was awesome.

I was only a year old, and I know my parents weren't there. I find the music of Woodstock to be amazing, and wish I were a few years older to have been able to say " I was there". If you were to pick the top bands/musicians who were at the festival, who would they be and why?

Bought our tickets at Squires East in Arlington a few weeks before the concert started. Robin Rosenthal had them. I believe the price was $21 for the 3 days. Drove up Friday after work at Schatz, my summer job w/ John & Beth Eisenhardt, Sue Kyle, Lee Hunger, a kid named Hal, a pal of Lee's. Don McFarlin drove his parents wagon. It was really rainy and muddy. Parked about 3 miles from concert. Santana was the best--John Sebastian was obviously tripping. Country Joe had the joint rockin! Missed Hendrix. I'll take questions now.

Oh ya, most parents brag about there children being Doctors or lawyers. My Mother told everyone at cocktail parties "Oh, my son went to Woodstock!"

I drove my blue 1962 jeep with flowers painted on it from Bath, N.Y. on Thursday and stayed in my jeep behind the stage for four days. Great music and waking up to Hendrix was the best. I can't remember a whole lot.....sorry! Michael Gabrielli

Just in case you're interested, here is the weather forecast, for Bethel, for this weekend's Woodstock anniversary, from the National Weather Service's Web site: Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.

I remember being at home in Columbus Ohio and wishing I was there..now 40 years later...I still wish I had been there. Watched Dateline last night and still was a thrill to watch. Since I could not be there an organization I belong to is going to try to reconstruct a bit of it...on Aug 17th at the K. E. McCartney Bldg on the square in Mansfield, Ohio we will "Celebrate Woodstock" We are asking people dress in 60's garb..we will have 60's food..music..games..an auction of Brownies..a silent auction..photos taken..many memories...it begins at 6:00 come be a part of it..good memories for sure. It is all about peace and love...WOW

This is pretty interesting, about a Woodstock celebration in Israel: http://israelity.com/index.php?s=Woodstock

Does anyone other than me find it interesting that Woodstock promoters Michael Lang and Artie Kornfeld, in addition to Elliot Tiber, who with his parents ran a motel in Bethel during Woodstock, were all born in Brooklyn? Tiber's book, "Taking Woodstock," is the basis for Ang Lee's film of the same name, which is set to open Aug. 28. And......Brooklyn is where Lang had wanted to hold a 40th anniversary Woodstock concert, although those plans have fallen through. Hmmmm.

You might not know that Artie Kornfeld, a record industry executive who was one of the four original Woodstock partners in 1969, went on to work with the band Survivor, and oversaw their hit song, "Eye of the Tiger," from the soundtrack of the film, "Rocky III."

And the radio madness begins..... SIRIUS XM RADIO TO LAUNCH THE WOODSTOCK CHANNEL IN CELEBRATION OF WOODSTOCK’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY “The Woodstock Channel” to highlight Woodstock’s performers with music and interviews Listeners to hear performances by Jimi Hendrix, Grateful Dead, The Who, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Sly & The Family Stone and Johnny Winter Stars of new comedy “Taking Woodstock” to share behind-the-scenes anecdotes about making the movie NEW YORK– August 7, 2009–SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that it will launch The Woodstock Channel to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair held at Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel, New York in 1969. The Woodstock Channel will launch on Friday, August 14, at 12:00 pm ET and air through Sunday, August 16 on Deep Tracks, SIRIUS channel 16 and XM channel 40, and will be devoted to the historic music festival featuring music, interviews and memories from the artists who were there, including Graham Nash, Leslie West, Arlo Guthrie, The Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Joe Cocker. SIRIUS XM listeners will hear music from artists in the exact order that they performed at the festival each day—beginning with Richie Havens and ending with Jimi Hendrix. The Woodstock Channel will also feature complete performances from Santana, Janis Joplin, Sly & The Family Stone, Johnny Winter and Jefferson Airplane as they happened at the original 1969 festival. These five performances are featured on the new Woodstock Experience CDs, available now from Legacy Recordings. During the limited-run channel, listeners will hear content from Woodstock – 40 Years On: Back To Yasgur’s Farm, the new 6-CD boxed set to be released on August 11 by Rhino Entertainment, featuring the most comprehensive collection of artists that performed at the original festival, showcasing 38 previously unreleased recordings, including Grateful Dead, The Who, Country Joe & The Fish and others. Listeners will also hear exclusive interviews with the stars and filmmakers of Taking Woodstock, the new comedy about a man who inadvertently played a role in making Woodstock into the famed happening it was. Stars Demetri Martin, Eugene Levy, Emile Hirsch and Liev Schreiber, Oscar®-winning director/producer Ang Lee and screenwriter/producer James Schamus will each share personal stories about making the movie. Additionally, the limited-run channel will feature tracks from the Taking Woodstock Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, set to be released on August 25 by Rhino Entertainment. The Focus Features movie opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Wednesday, August 26 and nationwide on Friday, August 28. For more information about The Woodstock Channel, please visit www.sirius.com

WFUV is a public radio station in the Bronx, with a long history of serving New York City's Irish community, and a more recent history as a station with an edge..... WFUV Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock New York, NY -- WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org) will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Music & Arts Festival with special programs and features from August 14th-16th.  The tributes start on Friday with music from Woodstock in the spotlight throughout the day. From 2 to 4 p.m., WFUV will offer the special "Woodstock 40 Years On," featuring interviews with rockers like Grace Slick, Mickey Hartand, Richie Havens, as well as never-before-heard audio recorded during the festival.  The special will get behind-the-scenes stories from Eddie Kramer (who engineered the original gathering) and Woodstock's promoter, Michael Lang, plus reminiscences from Bob Weir, Robbie Robertson, Leslie West, Arlo Guthrie and the musings of Wavy Gravy and more.  At 7:40 AM and 4:45 PM on Friday, Pete Fornatale, author of "Back to the Garden: The Story of Woodstock," looks back on the festival in the daily feature Take Five.   The celebration continues all weekend long on the station's FUV Music web stream and HD channel, with special features and music.  The festival will also be remembered on Pete Fornatale's own show, Mixed Bag, on Saturday from 4:00-8:00 PM.  Capping off the festivities on August 16th from 8:00-11:00 AM, will be Sunday Breakfast, as host John Platt chats with Richie Havens, Joe Cocker, Country McDonald and others about their Woodstock memories.   WFUV is a non-commercial, listener-supported public radio station, licensed to Fordham University for over 60 years. Serving nearly 300,000 listeners each week in the New York area and thousands more worldwide on the web, and a leader in contemporary music radio, WFUV offers an eclectic mix of rock, singer-songwriters, blues, world and other music, plus headlines from National Public Radio and local news.

The legacy of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair could be found in northern New Jersey this past weekend, at the All Points West festival, held on a beautiful plot of land looking out onto New York Harbor. Dean Dimarzo, whose dad works here at the Poughkeepsie Journal, attended and put together quite a cool blog. Coldplay, Jay-Z, MGMT, Elbow, the Silversun Pickups and many others played. Check it out here: http://deandimarzo.com/

Levon Helm Studios is where the famous drummer holds his Midnight Ramble concerts, and is where his latest CD, "Electric Dirt," was recorded. Levon Helm Studios will also host a special event Tuesday, for baby boomers. If you're in the neighborhood.... "Peace, Love and Aging" conference Tuesday at Levon Helm Studios August 6, 2009 The Ulster County Office for the Aging and Ulster County Executive Michael Hein Tuesday will present "Woodstock 40 Years Later: Peace, Love and Aging,” a conference geared toward baby boomers. Presenters include Michael Burgess, Director of the New York State Office For the Aging; Dr. Randall Rissman speaking on “Drugs Then and Now”; Louis Klein, Esq., speaking on “Understanding Power of Attorneys”; and Lawrence T. Force, PhD., whose talk is titled, “Makes Me Wonder” Atttendees are encouraged to bring their souvenirs from any of the Woodstock Festivals for a verbal appraisal by JMW Auctions. This conference is set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday at Levon Helm Studios, 160 Plochmann Lane, Woodstock. Helm, one of the Hudson Valley's most famous baby boomers, is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy winner who played drums for The Band and released his latest record, "Electric Dirt," on June 30. Helm is donating his recording studio for use during this event. Reservations are required. Call 845-340-3456 for information.

VH1 will air a new documentary, "Woodstock: Now & Then," on Friday, Aug. 14, and the History channel will air it on Aug. 17. I watched a screener last night and it was quite good. There is lots of new Woodstock ground that gets covered, which, I know, can be a challenge when you're tackling a story that's 40 years old. Promoter Michael Lang is interviewed quite a bit, and this film afforded me my first opportunity to see Woodstock promoter John Roberts, the money man, on film. Roberts told a very interesting story about getting a call on the Sunday of the festival from New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller - I think everyone called him "Rocky" back then. I guess Roberts got a call from Rocky on Sunday morning and he threatened to send in 10,000 armed National Guard members. Roberts said something like, we're doing fine, and we'll continue to do fine, unless YOU send in 10,000 armed members of the National Guard. Roberts also said Woodstock Ventures was on the wrong end of about 80 lawsuits after Woodstock, including a couple from nearby farmers who had some cows that wouldn't give milk for a couple weeks after the festival. There is also a great segment on a high school student who took pictures of Woodstock for his school newspaper. Good stuff. Check it all out here - http://www.vh1.com/shows/vh1_rock_docs/episode.jhtml?episodeID=156466.

I attended a press junket for "Taking Woodstock" and James Schamus, who wrote the screenplay, said he was on “lockdown” when Woodstock occurred. “Me and my friends were locked up in our houses that week,” he said. “I grew up in L.A., in the Hollywood hills, just off Mulholland Drive and a few days before Woodstock started, the Manson family started killing everyone in our neighborhood and writing ‘pig’ on the wall with their blood and so, our parents were convinced we were next, and we were locked up.” Schamus was producer on "Brokeback Mountain." Ang Lee, who directed "Taking Woodstock," won the Oscar for best director for "Brokeback Mountain." They will be both be in Woodstock, N.Y., Saturday, for an advance screening of "Taking Woodstock" at the Tinker Street Cinema. Sorry - it's sold out.

And I almost forgot about a story I broke last week in the Poughkeepsie Journal, about Woodstock promoter Michael Lang dropping plans for a 40th anniversary concert: Woodstock concert a no-go By John W. Barry • Poughkeepsie Journal • August 1, 2009 A 40th-anniversary Woodstock concert proposed for September will not take place, according to Michael Lang, one of four partners to stage the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969 and the public face of Woodstock for 40 years. Advertisement The cost of staging a free concert and failure to find sponsors have forced Lang to drop plans for the show, he told the Journal Friday. A resident of the Town of Woodstock and the driving force behind the 1969 Woodstock concert and two anniversary concerts in 1994 and 1999, Lang had initially wanted to stage a free concert in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. That event was planned to coincide with the Woodstock anniversary, Aug. 15-18. But Lang ran into difficulty rounding up sponsors to cover the $8 million to $10 million cost. As deadlines to coordinate that concert passed, Lang looked toward the end of September, with hopes of staging an anniversary event in conjunction with Climate Week. That didn't work out either. Climate Week is set for Sept. 20-26, will target 100 cities worldwide, according to www.sealthedeal2009.org, a Web site maintained by the United Nations. Lang's push for a concert in conjunction with Climate Week would have complemented nicely the "green" push he has undertaken on a new Web site, www.wood stock.com. Lang said any anniversary concert would have incorporated as many green aspects as possible.

Here's another interesting one, on the connection between Woodstock and religion, from the Religion News Service: http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/40_years_later_woodstocks_spiritual_vibes_still_resonate1/

This is a good one, for fans of Woodstock AND minor league baseball, from the Pensacola News Journal, which like the Poughkeepsie Journal is owned by Gannett: Pelicans to celebrate Woodstock at series July 31, 2009 The Pensacola Pelicans are commemorating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock with this weekend's home series against the Fort Worth Cats. Advertisement The events begin with tonight's (6:35 p.m.) game when the first 1,000 fans will receive a Pelicans' T-shirt and the opportunity to have it designed in their favorite tie-dye fashion. The team is encouraged fans are to dress in themed attire. On Saturday, there will be a post-game fireworks display, along with performance by local band, Jerry's Kids, a tribute band to the Grateful Dead, who performed at the original Woodstock in 1969. The Pelicans are 8-2 in their last 10 games. The team swept the St. Paul Saints during their last homestand. Oh yeah? I wonder how they would stack up against our Hudson Valley Renegades??!!

According to Bethel Town Clerk Rita Sheehan: — There are no records of any permit issued by the town, granting permission for the Woodstock Music and Art Fair to be held in 1969. — There is no record of any town meeting being held, during which permission was granted for Woodstock to be held. — Requests for marriage licenses typically increase during the summer, because of the seasonal rise in population; but they also increase around the Woodstock anniversary, Aug. 15-18. Sheehan usually issues 25-30 marriage licenses a year, with 3-4 given to couples who tie in the knot on or near the Woodstock anniversary date. This year, she has issued six marriage licenses to people getting married, in Bethel, in conjunction with the Woodstock anniversary. “Woodstock is about love,” Sheehan said. “It’s kind of fitting.” According to the New York State Police: — Out of the hundreds of thousands of people who attended Woodstock, only 109 were arrested at the festival, all but four for drugs, "but no instance of violence came to the attention of troopers." — Troopers booked 270 people, who were either on their way to Bethel or returning home, on 408 charges and confiscated "a substantial quantity of drugs." According to a New York State Health Department report dated Sept. 25, 1969: — “Two companies provided “650 individual toilet seats and 200 urinal spaces. This number was planned to serve 60,000. Servicing was difficult due to crowds, stalled cars and mud. There were long lines at some of the toilet sites; however, the spirit of helpfulness and sharing allowed maximum use, not to mention the lack of inhibition on the part of the Aquarius generation...” According to documents obtained from the Sullivan County Historical Society, Food for Love, the company hired to provide food, made the following projections based on 50,000 people a day, for a three-day festival. This is a sampling of the entire food list: — Bread: 30,000 loaves — Marshmallows: 10,000 packages — Peanut Butter: 1,500 pounds — Napkins: 600,000 — Milk: 20,000 gallons — Cheese: 5,000 pounds — Coffee: 2,000 pounds — Plastic eating utensils: 900,000 pieces — Ice: 450,00 pounds

My best friend and I arrived Friday afternoon and found a great parking space next to a carload of cute guys. Afterall, we were college sophmores and single. We walked to the stage area and found a spot way up the hill. When it started raining, we headed back to the my car. I remember hearing music completely fill the night sky...it was beautiful. Unfortunately, our hike also included my stepping on barbed wire and cutting my foot. We were hungry, my foot hurt and we knew that our parents thought we would be home on Friday night. We left by noon on Saturday and headed into town for lunch at the local diner and a call home on the pay phone.

I remember arriving in stunned disbelief, behind endless lines of cars, then walking in endless lines of people, past stunned homeowners who in many cases had set up lemonade stands and water hoses to lend a hand to us weary pilgrims. I remember not finding one square of ground that was turned to mud from the hundreds of thousands of feet. Mostly I remember being floored by the kindness, cooperation and love of the people there..of the spirit of unity, of celebration of life, and music. I am so honored to have lived in 1969 and experienced the greatest musical event of all time. Yes, Jesus Christ had to have been there with his wife Mary Magdalene, smiling and sharing in the love and brotherhood of mankind.