Mick Lynch Makes Room for Everyone
It was in the back of Middle Ridge Winery that Mick Lynch asked my husband Nick Gillett to take the lead in one of his Old-Time Radio Shows. Nick has a degree in physics and had never acted in his life — but Mick handed him the role of an English gentleman in the Old West and never blinked. Pretty soon, though it took a bit more convincing, I was doing a reading too.
What Mick gave us was bigger than a part in a play. We’d moved to Idyllwild for the mountains and the kindness of the people, but it was standing up at Middle Ridge Winery, script in hand, that actually made us part of the community. People got to know us. We began to feel like we belonged here.
That’s the thing about Mick. His shows aren’t really about acting — they’re about having fun and joining in. He invites you to bring your own ideas, encourages you to explore, and somehow gives you the courage to try. He casts a wide net on purpose, always pulling in someone new he thinks will fit a role.
Moving up here after retiring, I wasn’t sure who I’d be without my work. Mick’s readings — and his encouragement — are a big part of how I started to find out. That’s his real gift: he makes people unafraid to show who they are.
His next show keeps the old-time radio tradition going: Damon Runyon’s “Neat Strip,” a quick-paced 1940s comedy — a love story with an unexpected twist. It’s on the fourth Monday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. at Middle Ridge Winery, with the 4th Monday Players. Every month, Mick gives this town something to look forward to, and someone new to discover.
Best
Cecilia Weiss
A Mountain Community Reaching Across 7,600 Miles
Most of you have heard about the devastating flood triggered by a massive ice and rock collapse high in the mountains of Nepal on August 26. Villages, homes, bridges and roads were destroyed. Over a thousand people perished while thousands more are missing. Rescue and relief efforts continue.
It’s not often that you can directly help people who are suffering from a natural disaster across the world. Now is an opportunity. Our dear friend, John Ladley, will be departing for Nepal on Sept 19th for 2 months. His original trip plans were to visit friends and family that he has continually visited after serving in the Peace Corps for 10 years, 1991-2001, in small villages in Nepal. His upcoming visit has taken on a humanitarian mission as well.
Before retiring, John served as the Supervisory Natural Resource Specialist with the USFS based in Idyllwild, CA. Now, he will be bringing clothing for the upcoming winter as well as monetary donations to contribute to the Red Cross in Nepal. He needs our help. The people who are suffering from this tremendous tragedy will benefit from your generous hearts.
What can you do? You can donate to the Go Fund Me account https://gofund.me/0062cefa9 that has just been established. John will use those funds to purchase more essential items as recommended and donate the rest to the Red Cross based in Kathmandu. Whatever amount you can donate will be greatly appreciated. John plans on matching donations up to $1,000. Please pass the word on to others who may want to participate in this heartfelt mission. Monetary donations will be accepted for the next 2 months while John is located in Nepal.
John will keep us informed of his efforts through my nature website, birding.mountainquailpress.com
On behalf of John, thank you for your participation in this heartfelt mission,
Robin and Dan Roberts
Idyllwild
