Hellos and Goodbyes

Proud parents Jason Sullivan and Nicole Snyder welcomed Easton Grey Sullivan into the world on April 23, 2021. Easton is loved by Great Grandparents Bill and Lola Tyler (WMO Executive Director) and Alice Balsis, Grandpa and Mimi Snyder and Papa and Grandma Sullivan. Nicole Snyder’s birth was in the 1998 Hellos and Goodbyes.

Parents Kason and Kara Cook welcome their daughter, Alexandrea Rose Cook, born on January 26, 2021.

Sara Brown (mom), along with Erik Brown (dad), welcomed Wayne Earl Brown on December 14, 2020. Wayne is the great-grandson of Leonard and Diane Wernette, and the great-great-grandson of Nola and Patrick Wernette (Mark Wernette’s brother). Sara noted that Wayne is part of the fifth generation of her family to attend Wheatland.

Crystal Davis (mom) wrote that she, Bill Sheppard (father), and Charlotte Emerson (big sister) welcomed Elliette Marie Sheppard on May 28, 2020. Elliette is the youngest granddaughter of the late Willie Davis, for whom the First Aid area at Wheatland is named. Crystal wrote that Elliette’s family “is happy to finally show her off after a year and a half!”

Auralia Grant was born to Jen and David Grant on October 18, 2019. Because of COVID, this will be her first year attending (Auralia was inside a very pregnant Mama during the 2019 festival). Her parents are SO excited to introduce this little Wheatie!

Steve Briere shared memories of his friend Joe Smith, who died on May 29, 2021. In Steve's words, "Wheatland was Joe's favorite place on earth. Joe, whom we affectionately deemed Super Wheatie, volunteered as a member of grounds crew for three years, participated in Centennial Stage Open Mic, and each year brought his own gaggle of Wheaties to share in the excitement (11 being his own personal best). Like many of us, he looked forward to the festival each year more than his own birthday. Despite being a pit bull-toting, long-haired, motorcycle tough guy, Joe was so moved by the Spirit of Wheatland that he cried like a baby when it came time to pack up the van and head home after his first festival. For him it was a place where all his softness and goodness could shine. Joe so embodied the Spirit of Wheatland that his infectious joy has encouraged to his family to attend their very first festival this year. For the Port Huron Crew, Wheatland will never be the same without Joe, but we are confident that his boisterous laugh will forever mingle with the music that floats over the grounds."

Monica McGovern noted the passing of her sister-in-law, Teresa Kress (who died suddenly on April 20, 2021), and of her brother, Michael Kress (who died of brain cancer on June 22, 2021). Monica wrote that Mike and Teresa "had many friends in (the Wheatland) organization. We know that they were special to you all as they were to us."

Keith Landgraf wrote that his wife Elaine Landgraf , who died on March 16, 2021, attended every Wheatland Festival between 1996 and 2019. Elaine was a Kids' Hill volunteer who loved Cajun music.

Fellow jewelry maker Melody Litwiller-Knopek noted the passing on February 13, 2021 of Alice Jeffers. Alice sold her handmade jewelry in the Arts & Crafts Area for many years at Wheatland. Melody wrote that Alice "was loved and will be missed by many."

Patty Parkinson wrote about her beloved brother-in-law, Steven "Pete" Reynolds, who died suddenly on December 12, 2020. Pete was a festival goer for 33 years, and a volunteer for 15 of those years. In Patty's words, "Pete loved the Wheatland Festival! So much so that at the end of each one he would enthusiastically start strategizing for the next year's event (campsite improvements, menu ideas, how to be a better volunteer, etc.). He especially loved being with his family and friends enjoying the music and festivities together. Pete is deeply missed by his family and those who called him friend."

Shannon Williams asks that we remember her friend, John Wagster, who died of cancer on October 15, 2020. John volunteered at the Wheatland Music Festival for several years. He enjoyed the music and loved camping at Wheatland. John made many friends and was able to work next to his coworker and good friend Eric Neumann. Shannon recalled that John "would relive the stories of Nurse Betty and all the crazy antics and fun they had at Wheatland. I can still hear him laughing to this day.

Donna Hoff Grambau reported that her husband John Grambau died on August 16, 2020. John attended the very first festival and for many years thereafter, accompanied by Donna after they married in 1978.

Longtime Wheatland supporter Jo McLachlan submitted a tribute to Beth Ricker, who die on February 29, 2020. Jo wrote, "Beth was a very accomplished quilter, and during the early years of Wheatland Traditional Arts Weekend she attempted to teach many of us how to quilt. I would love to say that she was successful teaching us, but…I don't think so! After her death, Beth's sister returned the incomplete 25th year Wheatland quilt. We will have it finished and displayed for all to see. I remember Beth saying that she loved and believed in quilting, because it was cheaper than therapy!"

Amber Thorne wrote about her friend, Curt Green, who died in April of 2019. Amber shared that Curt especially loved Hotmud Holler and the Main Stage.

Mona Bunting, longtime Performer Hospitality volunteer, passed away on December 29, 2020.  For decades Mona worked alongside her husband Marvin (AKA Bud), son Marv Jr and son Mike (all of whom preceded her) to meet the needs of performers. Mona served coffee from her trailer and later from a big tent known as "Mona's Cafe."  She will be missed by her many Wheatland friends and the Bunting family members who continue to volunteer, including daughter-in-law Deb and grandson Jeremy. Performers’ Hospitality volunteer Kasie Prevatt wrote, "On the farm, every Wheatland, as Mona greeted us all with the genuine love, gratitude and respect that her generation encouraged, we felt like we had arrived home, once again. The farm, the trees, the wildflowers, and we, are forever changed, having been in the presence of this beautiful, kind, and determined woman. Mona will be loved and missed by so many, for so long."

Lynn Haworth-Crotzer shared a remembrance of her boyfriend, Joseph Benjamin, who died on December 3, 2020. Although Joseph only attended the Wheatland Festival once, in 2019, he volunteered his very first year, and he planned to be part of many more festivals. Lynn wrote that Joseph was "the love of my life", and that he was a "great dad and guitar player and instructor."

With great sadness, we say goodbye to Brian "Senior" Schafer, MD. Senior passed away on September 9, 2020. He enthusiastically introduced traditional arts to family and friends in joyful song, playing guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass by ear. His wife said, "He was the energy and center of our family circle. Through 20 years of attending Wheatland, he introduced generations of new Wheaties. Every year he excitedly looked through the festival program, so as to not miss a thing. He performed on the Centennial Stage and for hours at our campsite, amazing all who strolled by. Not only was he an accomplished cardiologist and generous Wheatland benefactor, he carried a deep sincere love for music. Music allowed Senior to showcase his soul, his drive, and zest for life."

Zach Fedus asked that we remember his grandfather, Rudolph "Andy" Fedus, who died on August 25, 2020. Andy played piano, guitar, banjo and fiddle, and attended the Wheatland Festival and other Michigan music festivals. At Wheatland, he could be found in his favorite camping spot, near the site decorated with MANY pink flamingos. Zach, who is the last member of his family to still attend Wheatland, recalls fondly dancing with his grandpa on the dance floor in the Main Stage seating area.

Guillermo Martinez, who performed at Wheatland three times during the late 1990s with the band Los Bandits de Michigan, died on July 20, 2020. Guillermo was also a poet, a singer/songwriter, and he gave lessons to aspiring guitar and accordion players.

Longtime Wheatlander Martin "Lucky" Cates passed May 16, 2020. Sara Cates, his daughter said, "My dad Martin aka Lucky loved Wheatland for more than 40 years. His mother (the late Rosemary Miller) had volunteered at Wheatland since the beginning. He loved the drum circles, the dance classes and the Sunday morning worship at Main Stage gospel hour."

Wheatland neighbor Ray Simon died on April 3, 2020. Ray and his late wife Ann raised 13 children together and were longtime supporters of the Wheatland Music Festival. According to Bruce Bauman, in the early days, Ray loaned Wheatland organizers his farm truck so they could haul the snow fence used to mark off sections of the festival site, and Ray and Ann also provided housing for festival performers. In this century, Ray (whose family farm was on Pierce Road) enjoyed watching the parade of festival-bound campers on Wheatland weekend.

Longtime Hiawatha Festival organizer and Wheatland volunteer Pearl Taylor died on March 10, 2020. Pearl worked in the Info Booth at Traditional Arts Weekend and the fall festival for over 20 years. Longtime Wheatland volunteer Chris Cotton described Pearl as "a force in the traditional music and dance world for as long as I can remember." Rick Good and his wife Sharon Leahy (another one from the Wheatland Legends category) wrote that Pearl "was like a character from some beloved nursery rhyme; a splash of vinegar and a spoonful of honey; an envoy of Mother Earth sent to help whomever, however she could." Yet another Wheatland Founder, Marcia Leclear wrote, "Our annual reaffirming family ritual Sunday night potluck, was Pearl 's gift of love to us. Her singular offerings of pots, pans, tablecloths, spices, her fresh ground coffee, baskets of veggies, fresh whitefish, her little folding table we could never open without her help, will be lingering talismans to us who were blessed to be her friends. She'll be on the bench with us Saturday night at the fest, leaning in."

Barry (Ed) Karcher joined the ancestors on Feb. 1, 2020. He attended the very first Wheatland festival east of Remus with his wife, Alice and two young daughters and attended most every festival since then. For several years Ed helped sell tickets and helped with setup and takedown chores. He was proud to call Gladys and Mark Wernette Aunt and Uncle, if only through marriage, and loved the farm and family dearly. Ed looked forward to Wheatland every year so that he could kick back and relax in the warmth of his Wheatland family.

Carol Atkinson reported that her daughter Lori Rae Smalley, of St. Johns, died of esophageal cancer in January 2019. A vintage Wheatland Quilt was donated by Lori’s family in her memory. The quilt was constructed from several 1970’s Wheatland t-shirts. It was originally won by Lori’s mother, Carol Atkinson, at a Wheatland raffle; and was given to Lori as a birthday gift. Lori treasured it, and would be so proud that it is now part of the Wheatland Archives. Lori Smalley attended the Wheatland Festival for over 25 years with her husband Jimmy, her mother and many loving friends over the years. One of the 1st festivals Lori attended was in 1977 or 78, with a few St. Johns High School classmates. Life got in the way and she didn’t return to the fest again until 1991. She so loved meeting many new and old friends thru the years. She always recalled some of the best times occurred when she attended with friends on the "Bud Bus". Lori loved the bagpipes playing and always went in search of them. Seemed like she was good at seeking out the best of people and music at the festival. Some of her favs were Billy Strings and The Accidentals. She will be forever missed by Jimmy, her family and friends!

Frank Frayer died on December 1, 2019. His son Matthew wrote that Frank began attending the Wheatland Festival in the early 1980s and bringing his kids. Frank volunteered as a red shirt. Among his tasks as a volunteer was helping to assemble Centennial Stage. Matt said that, after he began bringing his own family to Wheatland, Frank "was always part of our group and loved sitting at Main Stage seeing the music."