Join us in Twisp on Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, 2026, for the William Stafford Peace Festival, a community-wide celebration in commemoration of International Peace Day and in celebration of the 10th anniversary of William Stafford poetry readings in the Methow Valley. Presented by Root.ED Nature School with the Confluence Poets, this weekend honors the legacy of pacifist poet William Stafford. Nationally renowned for his philosophical insight and meditations on the natural world, Stafford established an enduring local connection through one of the last writing projects of his life: the Methow River Poems, seven of which have been inscribed on plaques scattered throughout the Methow Valley. In addition to the annual William Stafford Poetry Reading, the weekend will feature community events ranging from the peaceful protest along Highway 20 to peace flag-making and a peace sing-along at the TwispWorks Pavilion, to a nature walk and storytelling circle for families at the Methow Valley Native Garden. Whether you are joining in to write or draw what peace means to you—near the Stafford poem plaque in Twisp Park or at Methow Arts—or finding stillness in a peaceful meditation at Wellspring in the Community Center, this event is a heartfelt invitation to gather together and “wage sustainable peace” across our community.

The festival features a diverse schedule of free events across downtown Twisp, including a community conversation on choosing hope, a practical talk on pledging peace, and a lively discussion of William Stafford’s poetry. The weekend will culminate in the William Stafford Poetry Celebration on Sunday at 3 pm at The Confluence: Art in Twisp. This event includes a keynote by Sheela McLean, former U.S. Forest Service ranger who co-led the Methow River Poems project. The celebration will also feature poetry by the Confluence Poets and local students as well as musical performances by Lynette Westendorf and Ken Bevis. The festival was conceived by Cindy Williams Gutiérrez, Confluence Poet co-founder and producer of the Methow’s annual William Stafford Poetry Reading. Excited by the festival’s legacy, she said, “The 10th anniversary of the Stafford reading was the spark for this year’s festival. Partnering with Root.ED Nature School will keep the festival thriving in our community for years to come.”

For a full schedule of activities and program and partner locations—including The Confluence: Art in Twisp, Methow Arts, Methow Valley Community Center, Methow Valley Native Garden,

TwispWorks and WellSpring—please visit www.rooted-nature.org or www.confluencepoets.com.

About Root.ED Nature School

At Root.ED Nature School, we wage sustainable peace through cultivating an ecology of CARE—Community, Alignment, Ritual and Enchantment rooted in the Methow (mətxʷú) Valley. Sustainable peace entails the physical, material, psychological, cultural/religious, and ecological well-being of all peoples. We declare our intention to pursue sustainable peace in our work and our lives.

To learn more about our sustainable peace initiatives, visit www.rooted-nature.org. Donations are gratefully accepted to cover event costs for the William Stafford Peace Festival and to support Root.ED Nature School’s mission to collaborate with local partners to deliver Sustainable Peace Education through Root.ED Nature immersion, intimacy and inquiry programming for children, youth, and families rooted in the Methow (mətxʷú) Valley.

About Confluence Poets

The Confluence Poets inspire, encourage and promote poetry throughout the Methow Valley.Representing a confluence of voices and styles within the community, this poetry collective, founded in 2014 by four local poets, now comprises over 20 members. The Confluence Poets organize the annual William Stafford Birthday Reading in January, a National Poetry Month reading in April, and quarterly events hosted at The Confluence: Art in Twisp as well as at various venues throughout the valley.

Bioearth Website- Sign the Pledge!

http://www.bioearth.org/sign-peace-pledge

Perhaps this episode should be called Voices of the Okanogan like Ken Bevis suggests in this podcast! Maybe you have already heard about the opportunity to protect Bonaparte Meadows and maybe you haven’t. If not, you are in for a treat as Ken Bevis, Julie Vanderwal, and Raven Odion weave an enchanting tale of Saving the Fen! As you will hear, this a very rare and special calcareous wetland with a very limited timeline for keeping it intact and in one piece for us all to enjoy and treasure! We hope you will be motivated to help by donating to this worthy cause!

Go to www.okanoganlandtrust.org to learn more about the site and to donate. You can also find Okanogan Land Trust on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and help get the word out by liking, commenting, and sharing posts and videos there. Please consider sharing this podcast with others who may be interested.

As always, Thanks for listening! Pass it on!

I ran across this recording I made a few years ago and thought I’d share it with you. In these complex and troubled times we live in I think it’s important to step back once in a while and reflect with gratitude where we have come from and who helped us get there! Rock on Methow Valley and beyond!

Preserving Wenatchee tribal stories through film—where tradition, storytelling, and youth come together in The Winter’s Tale. The Winter’s Tale brings together renowned Wenatchee storyteller Randy Lewis and local film students to preserve the legends, history, and land-based traditions of the Wenatchee Tribe. This cross-cultural filmmaking project blends oral storytelling with modern media training, teaching students the art of camera work, sound, lighting, and editing while recording the timeless stories of North Central Washington. Rooted in the ancient winter tradition of elders sharing stories by the fire, The Winter’s Tale connects youth to their heritage—and to the land—with creativity, respect, and wonder.

For more Info:

https://icicle.org/winters-tale/

This is an interview I did in early 2018 with the late Rico Stover, Classical guitar master. At the time, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, tried to remove policy and budget protections that had shielded state-legal marijuana activity, aiming to restore broad federal enforcement discretion. Rico wanted to share his views on the benefits of Cannibus and we go back to the 1930’s and Rico introduces us to “Scary” Harry Anslinger and how and why he made Cannabis illegal. This interview originally was for a radio show I had on the ROOT- KTRT 97.5 Twisp. I knew Rico was a good guitar player, but at the time of this interview, I had no idea the width and breadth of his knowledge and skill! He also was the inspiration for and started the Acoustic Music Group MAMA, Methow Acoustic Music Association that formed in 2018 and is still going strong today! (we meet the first Sunday of the month at Cove 2 in Twisp). I was fortunate to be able to have the conversation with Rico because he passed away a year later on Feb 3rd 2019. My main goal in sharing this is to share the link below. There is a detailed documentary of Rico’s life available on YouTube. I highly recommend checking it out! Blessings to you Rico! It is and was an honor to know you! RIP

* A candid five-minute interview with a friendly saxophonist I met on a Twisp street corner a few years ago. Brayan Daniel is from Nuevo Leon, a town in north eastern Mexico. He loves music, and was pursuing a college degree in accounting. Here is an example of how the universal power of art connects us—especially in times when immigrants are unfairly framed. Tune in to hear his reflections, his music, and a reminder that humanity crosses borders, and the ways immigrants enrich our communities. Rock on Brayan!

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/brayan-daniel/958701776

On 10-3-25 Randy Lewis and Aaron Naumman gave a talk at the Winthrop Barn titled Dams and the Impacts on Salmon - Weaving Indigenous and Western Knowledge. At least that was how it was billed! It started off with an introduction by David LaFever, director of the Methow Valley Interpretive Center, and then Arnold Cleveland, a Wenatchi/p’squosa tribal member graced the stage with some with some significant thoughts and a flute prayer. Randy Lewis is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation of the Wenatchi/p’squosa, Methow and Okanagan bands. Randy is a storyteller, teacher, civil rights organizer and historian. Randy took the stage and proceeded to deliver a chilling, riveting, humorous, and intimate look into his own past as well as tracing a broader historical perspective from the Native view. A view that is at times uncomfortable to hear and has been all to often brushed aside or forgotten due to Cultural silencing. Aaron Graciously deferred his portion of the evening to Randy, who was on a roll! Deep Gratitude to Arnold, Aaron, Randy, the Methow Valley Interpretive Center and all who made this evening possible.

Methow Valley Interpretive Center Website

https://www.methowvalleyinterpretivecenter.org/

You are in for a special treat! On 11-16-25- I asked a friend of mine Ken Bevis to host a podcast episode with Mark Tesch and Bruce Herron. We gathered at the Kroot radio station studio 97.5 FM, thanks Don Ashford! Ken explored Mark’s past including picking apples, hitchhiking, Hospital Facility Manager, Montessori teacher, Crew leader at Holden Village, Habitat for humanity board member, House builder, to name a few as well a singer Song writer and strawberry picker! We also talk about the Methow acoustic music association (Mama), where we all are members, and cover the musical project Bruce and Mark are engaged in, recording some of mark’s songs. In fact, after we spend some time talking with Mark we weave several of his songs into the episode. Deep appreciation to Mark for sharing his wonderful spirit and songs, and to Bruce for recognizing the gift Mark has to offer and to Ken for taking a risk and doing a fine job of hosting the podcast!

Mama meets the 1st Sunday of the month at Cove 2, across from city hall, in twisp. 3-5pm. If you don’t play an acoustic instrument, come anyway and listen!

Ken Bevis is a talented musician and singer in his own right and has a couple mighty fine albums out.

Subscribe to my Substack to get all my podcasts. I’m also open to receiving paid subscriptions. Thanks for Listening!

https://substack.com/@byronodion821766

In this audio we have MVIC (Methow Valley Interpretive Center) Director David LaFever giving a warm welcome to the gathering and introduce Arnold Cleveland ( a Wenatchee or “P’Squosa” Tribal member, who shares some meaningful words and a flute prayer, then Richard Hart speaks about the Difference between executive orders and treaty reservations and especially what we have to remember about today’s Moses Columbia reservation. This conversation is based in part on Richard’s book Lost Homeland, where you can find a lot of relevant info. Our thanks to the Methow Valley Interpretive Center and all the people behind the scene supporting and making this possible. Also a shout out to John Sirois for his contribution to the discussion.

Methow Valley Interpretive Center

https://www.methowvalleyinterpretivecenter.com/

Video of the event

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mvic+methow+valley

An interview with Richard Hart (with Ken Bevis), on his book, Lost Homeland- Voices of the Methow

On December 19th 2018, I attended and recorded a book launching presentation given at the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center. The book, Red Star Blue Star co authored by Historian and author Bill Layman and Wenatchi/P’squosa Colville Tribal elder and Activist Randy Lewis, tells the tale of a pair of twins fighting Spexman an elemental being that is defeated with the help of some of their friends. Randy also speaks of a time before rock island was submerged and the power and cultural heritage of the petroglyphs that his Grandfather witnessed as a youth, as well as the gathering and drying of salmon to share with tribal members during the winter months. Randy also spoke of the dream of his Mother, Mary Miller Marchand, and her wish that the petroglyphs, and photos of the petroglyphs that are scattered could be collected and preserved in a cultural center that would support the history and culture of native people of the area. You can pick up a copy of the book at the Sweet River Bakery in Pateros, as well as at the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center book store. Randy is a gifted Story Teller! As always, thanks for listening!