The Civil War returns to San Lorenzo Park!

Harriet Tubman told her stories and sang her songs. A battlefield surgeon did the best he could and explained his craft to our students. Our kids marched to Gettysburg and listened to Lincoln. It was a great day for all.

Teachers and re-enactors created a dynamic civics classroom at San Lorenzo Park on May 12th. The students of Chalone Peaks Middle School participated with energy and intelligence. They emerged with experiences they’ll remember their entire lives, lessons about honor, sacrifice and the price of freedom for all.  

Ivan Garcia took great photos of the day. Please enjoy his work and the efforts of our young people. https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/12fc28d40fc84a05bcd65a2d0a5c9192?fbclid=IwAR18PaWW3Rz–aacNhqMEuPobol7C9kiwyCQqq8fMML8u3LBdCIlYZZYs3s

The Civil War Revisited – Again!

The students and teachers of Chalone Peaks Middle School created a great Civil War reenactment last May. Deep learning about our shared history, superb teamwork and great fun defined the day. It was the 18th time Bull Run, Gettysburg and the Civil War camps of both armies were brought to life by all the participants. As usual, I learned from both the students and the history. I would have shared Dave Park’s wonderful photos of our 18th annual event sooner, but I missed the link back in May. Better late than never! Enjoy!

Ambush!

Skirmish

The doctor is in!

Load

Brothers fought.

Lee listens.

Harriet Tubman teaches.

Dawn Drums in the Ekphrastic Review

Caspar Buberl’s frieze of marching soldiers, located at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center in Corinth, Mississippi.

Poetry is the most difficult literary discipline of all and I claim no proficiency in it. I do find, however, that making an honest effort, especially with forms unfamiliar to me, improves my writing overall. I wrote the villanelle just published in the Ekphrastic Review some years back.  The poem was inspired by Civil War art and was originally published as a front-piece to Dawn Drums, my Civil War novel.  Ekphrastic Review editor Lorette Luzajic  paired it with a photo of sculptor Caspar Buberl’s 19th Century Civil War frieze. I appreciate her work in finding an image of Caspar’s work that she could share!  Here’s the link:  http://www.ekphrastic.net

Monterey Pops honors vets on Memorial Day

Old friend Dr. Carl Christensen is conductor of the Monterey County Pops. The orchestra is comprised of professionals, but their concerts are free. I was honored to play a small part in their Memorial Day concert on the lawn of the Colton House (City Hall) in Monterey.

Featured artists included Blue Grass fiddler, Laura Burian; the young musicians of Orchestra in the Schools conducted by Jim Paoletti; youth vocalist, Mia Pak; and the Monterey County Pops!/Palenke Arts Youth Chorus conducted by Juan Sánchez and me.

Musical highlights were the traditional Battle Hymn of the Republic, American Salute (based on When Johnny Comes Marching Home) by Morton Gould, and Salute to American Jazz arranged by Sammy Nestico. This medley included A Night in Tunisia, St. Louis Blues, It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), and Birdland.

Further patriotic selections were “God Bless America”, “The National Anthem”, “The Armed Forces Salute”, “The Navy Hymn”, “Taps”, and Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is central to my life, to all Americans’ lives. It is somber, sad, cautionary – though filled with our shared aspirations – and true. Reading it aloud – especially when its timeless words are illuminated by great music played by great musicians – can only help heal our nation’s present divisions.

I get to read Lincoln’s words on Memorial Day!

Here’s the announcement from the Monterey Pops website:

The Monterey City Hall Lawn performance(2 p.m.) will present a program of pops, patriotic, and Americana favorites.  

Featured soloists include Blue Grass fiddler, Laura Burian; the young musicians of Orchestra in the Schools; youth vocalist, Mia Pak; narrator, Robert Walton;and the Monterey County Pops!/Palenke Arts Youth Chorus conducted by Juan Sánchez.

Musical highlights will include the traditional Battle Hymn of the Republic, American Salute (based on When Johnny Comes Marching Home) by Morton Gould, and Salute to American Jazz arranged by Sammy Nestico. This medley includes A Night in Tunisia, St. Louis Blues, It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), and Birdland.

Further patriotic selections include “God Bless America”, “The National Anthem”, “The Armed Forces Salute”, “The Navy Hymn”, “Taps”, and Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

https://montereycountypops.org/events/memorial-day-2018/

Chalone Peaks Middle School 2018 Civil War Reenactment

Students and teachers of Chalone Peaks Middle School once again created a great event yesterday. Helped by parents and loyal reenactors, everyone worked together to make the 2018 Civil War reenactment a learning experience without equal. History came alive before young people’s eyes and will live in their minds always.

Author at work  (Photo by Vibeke Hanneman)

Lincoln sharing his thoughts  (Photo by Vibeke Hanneman)

Harriet Tubman revealing the evils of slavery.  (Photo by Vibeke Hanneman)

Confederates advance  (Photo by Vibeke Hanneman)

Union soldiers defend.  (Photo by Vibeke Hanneman)

BOOM!  (Photo by Vibeke Hanneman)

Special Price for a Special Book!

Dawn Drums received a unique honor at the end of last year: First Place in the historical fiction category of the 2017 Readers Choice Awards. Publisher Moonlight Mesa Associates is celebrating the book’s recognition by offering the ebook edition at a reduced price. It’s available on both Kindle and Smashwords for $4.95 a copy. I’ll also offer a reduced price on my inventory of the paperback edition to folks in King City and the Central Coast: $9.95 a copy. This offer will be good for the month of February. You know where I live!

Here’s the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Drums-Robert-Walton-ebook/dp/B00C4ZH1VU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8