First Annual "Festival on the Lawn" at Black Forest Inn
By Black Hills Today.com staff writer – Kathy L. Swensen
Black Forest Inn Summer Festival
Proprietors of Bistro on the Terrace at Black Forest Inn, Isaac and Cindy Hassoun were pleased to host a very successful first annual summer “Festival on the Lawn” sponsored by the Hill City Arts Council. Spokeswoman and current Arts Council President, Janna Emmel, identified the featured bronze, stone, and mixed media artists creations displayed during this “Festival on the Lawn” afternoon in front of the Bistro on the Terrace, at Black Forest Inn, Hwy 385, Black Hills, South Dakota.
Featured bronze and stone creations were by Grant Standard, Black Hills Bronze Foundry, Hill City, SD and Ray Cobald, Illinois. These artists were also part of Sculpture in the Hills event in Hill City, South Dakota the weekend of June 27 & 28, 2009. Arts Council President, Janna Emmel described this juried show and sale as having creations from 25 of the most premier and prestigious bronze, marble, other metals, and mixed media sculptures available for show and sale, valued at more than $1 million, at any one location, at any one time, in the history of this kind of venue to date. Hill City is an artist’s village at least, a fun community to visit, shop, and refresh while traveling in and through the Black Hills, South Dakota.
Members of the Black Hills Song Writers group provided most the music entertainment. Song writer/singer, Cory Tomovick and guitar accompanying husband Ken, and Ken's mother Pat interviewed with us. Cory Tomovick shared inspirational stories about the origins of some of the songs she's written and sung. Her music is the underscore of the video informercial by permission. Three of the very special songs festival goers enjoyed were titled "Dragonfly," "Bless this Child," (a story honoring the gift of a child) and "Mean Momma" (a story about embracing the responsibility of loving and nurturing that child into adulthood). For more of their produced music, you will find it at myspace.com/kentomovick or myspace.com/coritomovick.
Black Hills Today.com interviewed a 31 year old young man, Brian Camara, who was biking across America, since he’d been laid off his job in Swansea, Mass. Camara stopped in on the “Festival on the Lawn” at the Black Forest Inn, heading toward Seattle, WA. On his journey, Camera had ridden through 7 states, South Dakota was # 8, and into his 9th state, Wyoming. From Seattle, he plans to head down the west coast to Los Angeles, the then decide his route back to Massachusetts. When asking him what his inspiration was to do this trek, Brian stated “I just love to ride! I decided after my military stint of 3 years mostly as a supplies specialist for the National Guard, and a lay-off from my job, I thought I’d better see what else there is to do for work, and where else I might want to live, in the USA.” Camara has 2 brothers and 2 sisters and his mom and dad who worry about him on his adventure. We’d like to say to them – “Brian Camara looked well and happy!” He mentioned how many nice special people he’d met, and how they have helped him out during his journey so far.
NASA Researcher spanning 29 years, Laurie VanHeukelem, is currently analyzing Satellite Remote Sensing data on ocean water temperatures and colors related to phytoplankton and pigments. Laurie VanHeukelem sends her data research, technical reports, and quality assurance analysis via computer commuting to Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland, and phone conversations about every other day with her assistant of 11 years.
Laurie enjoys international collaboration with scientists from around the world and attends global conferences in places like Denmark and France, as well as East Coast USA destinations for the sharing of information to be formally published in association with NASA grants requirements. It is fun visiting with people at events like the "Festival on the Lawn!" Laurie VanHeukelem and her husband moved to the Black Hills, SD in 2007, after he retired. Laurie says she probably won’t retire for a couple of years yet. I asked her, “How do you do your very interesting job when you are nearly 2100 miles from any ocean in almost every direction?” Laurie responded, “well, I’m an on-line commuter with the University of Maryland, and have an assistant located there.” Laurie has been traveling to conferences all over the world to present her research and data from her associated university department. I asked her where the next conference was going to be. She answered, “Australia is the place this fall 2009,” and, she most likely won’t be attending this year, her assistant will be going.
Jim Yellowhawk introduced himself as his given English name and his spoken Lakota name, Mark Says Visions, and expressed how pleased he was to have his son Gabe, spoken Lakota name, Red Shield, dance with him in full Lakota mens traditional dance regalia for the “Festival on the Lawn” spectators. Jim Yellowhawk’s regalia weighs about 60 lbs. Yellowhawk said dancing in it is like a half day of aerobics.
To open their part of the ‘festival,’ Jim Yellowhawk described his regalia, and played flute in honor of his grandfather Chief Yellowhawk the keeper of the sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe. Son, Gabe wore the flag colors in respect of his uncle, Clifford Black Bear, a military veteran, now deceased. Gabe stated how honorable it is to wear his uncle Clifford’s bead work, and dance with his Dad. Father and Son danced 3 dances this beautiful day on the lawn at the Black Forest Inn.
Jim Yellowhawk and son Gabe and the rest of the immediate Yellowhawk family have been invited to New Zealand this fall for an eight month cultural exchange with the Mauri. Yellowhawk said this trip will be the 2nd one to New Zealand, and they are really looking forward to returning there again. I asked Gabe about continuing his high school studies while he’s gone. Gabe said the teachers and the school are working with him to help him continue his school work and stay up with his class and credits, especially since it will be summer (and no schools in session in New Zealand) while they are visiting, traveling, and dancing in a number of special events planned there. Jim Yellowhawk said he'd be happy to answer questions and inquiries of his appearances and dance programs at jimyellowhawk.com.
Crow Ridge Movie Productions provided sound equipment and expertise for the success of the first annual "Festival on the Lawn." Christine VanNess, President, interviewed with Kathy of Black Hills Today.com. For a very interesting story about this company, it's part in the making of wide screen Disney movie - National Treasure, and what Crow Ridge Productions is currently doing in the local area, Full Full Crow Ridge Productions Story and Video Interview...
Bistro on the Terrace, open 7 days a week from 4 – 9 PM, at the Black Forest Inn, has a wonderful menu, desserts, wine, and beer beverage selection. Diners are enjoying a very unique new menu this summer, 2009. Indoor dining is available in case of inclement weather. For more information goto www.blackforestinn.net or email at info@blackforestinn.net or call 1-800-888-1607 or 1-605-574-2000.
More information in Black Hills Today on Bistro on the Terrace featuring video interviews with the Chefs, Tristan and Chris, and Head Wine Connoisseur, Jake are below.
BlackHillsToday.com brings you the video infomercials throughout this article for pure enjoyment and appreciation of a lot of interesting and talented people living, working, playing, and neighboring in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
