By Nick Thomas

With a catchy melody, simple lyrics, and an unforgettable repetitive chorus, Peggy March’s “I Will Follow Him” possessed all the ingredients to create a classic 60s hit. And it did. Released in early 1963 and showcasing the singer’s impressively mature 14-year-old vocals, Little Peggy March’s song soared up the Billboard Hot 100 chart in just 3 months to reach the Number 1 spot.
Since then, she’s performed the song thousands of times and today remains especially popular in Europe.
“I was in school when I signed with RCA,” recalled March in a Zoom interview from Marburg, Germany, where she spends several weeks each year when not in Florida. “They sent me all over the world to promote the record which became hugely popular in Germany. The country essentially adopted me and I’ve been part of the German recording industry ever since.”
Just exactly when she first performed the song live in public remains a bit hazy. “Probably at one of the record hops I was doing,” she said, “In the 60s, a lot of high schools had dances and I would do those occasionally as a way to promote the record.” But she does recall the original studio recording and initially not being keen on the song.
“When I walked into my producers’ office, they played it and said, ‘Peggy this is your next hit,’” she recalled. “My sister remembers vividly that I didn’t like the song because it was too repetitive. But I was clearly wrong! We all know now that is its great hook”
However, there was a time when she almost left the business. “I was very young when I started – 14 when I recorded the song and 15 by the time it went to Number 1,” she said. “By my early 20s, I was tired of being on the road and really didn’t think I wanted to do this anymore. But, I got over it!”
Although March followed her big hit with other singles and continued to have modest chart appearances in the U.S. with songs such as “Hello Heartache, Goodbye Love,” she could never recapture the commercial success of her first hit. Today, however, at 76, she still travels the world cranking out her popular tune to enthusiastic audiences.
In 2013, exactly 50 years after the release of her 1963 hit on January 22, she even recorded an anniversary video of “I Will Follow Him” in Holland, her voice just as strong and perhaps even richer than her youthful rendition.
“We updated the original to make it a little more interesting, but didn’t want to change too much,” she explained. “It was one of the shortest songs I’ve ever recorded, around two and a half minutes, so we made the new version a little longer. Instrumentally it’s pretty much the same except there’s a key change, but I really like it.”
(Portions of the author’s interview originally appeared in Florida Currents magazine in 2022).

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. See
https://www.getnickt.org.

Story by Darl Devault, Feature Writer

Osage master artist Clancy Gray is excited and grateful to show his artwork at the annual Red Earth Festival coming up June 12-13 at the Grand Casino Hotel in Shawnee for being his one constant for exposure in the time of COVID-19.
Gray says his being selected Red Earth The Honored One in 2019 and the Festival being held with masks in 2020 is probably the reason he was nominated in 2020 to receive an Oklahoma Governor’s Art Award.
He said one of the surprising parts of being nominated for the Governor’s Art Award is the nomination came forward in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor’s Arts Awards is an annual event recognizing individuals and organizations for their contributions to the arts in Oklahoma. First awarded in 1975, the awards are presented by Gov. Kevin Stitt during a special ceremony at the State Capitol.
The selection committee may honor a recipient in a category of its choice. Gray assumes if selected his award would be an Arts in Education Award for promoting Native American art and cultural. It recognizes an individual, organization, school, educator or group for their outstanding leadership and service in the arts benefitting youth and/or arts in education.
During his 39-year career teaching high school art in the Greater Tulsa area Gray taught several thousand students at three schools.
“I was fortunate even when art shows were scarce, someone was evaluating my life-long contribution to art in Oklahoma enough to nominate me,” Gray said. “This new status, even if I am not selected this year, makes me doubly proud to be a member of the Osage Nation, both as a former art teacher and artist.,”
The Red Earth Honored One is an annual award presented to a visual artist whose support of Native art has been substantial throughout his or her life and whose continuing involvement, activity and participation in their art form embodies the collective wisdom of their cultural experience.
This year’s Red Earth again features a large art show, lectures, demonstrations, activities, a dance grand entry and opening ceremony.
“People always talk about my versatility in describing my efforts as an artist. They are amazed I work in so many media— mainly painting, watercolor, pencil drawing, silversmithing jewelry, sculpting and pottery,” Gray said. “I am fortunate my long-time patrons and my dozen or so international clientele continued to commission my work as I continue to honor my Native American heritage in creating all this art, even during the pandemic.”
Continuing his tradition of gaining notice for his individual works of art at the Red Earth Festival, Gray received recognition again in 2020 for his silversmithing of two jewelry pieces “Elegant Ring and Bracelet.”
“I have always been blessed in receiving recognition at Red Earth, as well as other art shows because I do not limit myself to one media, but create in many media,” Gray said.
Last fall, the Oklahoma Arts Council accepted nominations for the 2021 Governor’s Arts Awards, expecting to present the awards in spring 2021. They altered the timeframe as the COVID-19 pandemic evolved. Following the guidance of public health officials, the Oklahoma Arts Council adjusted the timeframe for the awards ceremony, with the goal of presenting the awards in fall 2021.
“Again, I am humbled by the nomination to be a Governor’s Art Award recipient,” Gray said.
Gray, who retired in 2018, says he is grateful he was able to just be doing his own art during the pandemic, instead of trying to teach his way through a school year impacted by COVID-19. He says, “God Bless Our Teachers!”
“My 39 years of teaching has allowed me to showcase many Native American youth in various shows, events, contests and scholarships,”. Gray said. “Exposing our Native American art student’s talents outside of their schoolwork was very important for their futures.”
Gray’s dramatic use of depth in the impasto style of painting has elevated his status in the Native American art world. His use of a palette knife to apply vivid acrylics gives the paintings depth and allows light to animate the focus of his work. This signature style allows the Osage master artist to create a modern ruggedness celebrating the light’s reflective sparkle built up in some areas.
By creating a ceramic glaze depth with skillful repetitious palette strokes of the water-based acrylic paint his paintings are unique. Those high-gloss highlights have a richness of color which capture the eye, whether portrait and figure, still life, or landscape.
For the collector there is a stillness, balance and yet movement in his work. The art patrons celebrate Gray’s intentional building up of depth in the painting highlighted by brilliant hues or light catching the shiny acrylic. Many art patrons add extra lighting to those areas in their homes where they display his work to get the full effect of his talent.
Osage Nation member and bronze casting legend John Free Jr. casts most of Gray’s sculptures at his Bronze Horse Foundry in Pawhuska, Okla. Free is famous for capturing the artist’s real goal in their work by applying some of the most skilled patinas in the crucible industry.
Gray said John and Matt Free’s ability to create a life-like patina to the many bronze sculpture he has created over the years has added to his own ability to create innovative patinas.
“It is an honor and a privilege to get to work with John Free and his group at the Bronze Horse Foundry.” Gray said. “I always say sculpting success is a two-part process, the artist who first creates it in clay and the foundry artisans who duplicate it in bronze for them.”
Gray’s traditional and contemporary influenced jewelry reflects the Osage master silversmith’s fondness for vivid color, texture, and asymmetrical design. The silver jewelry is often the most collected of his work and leads to the most commissions. This nationally collected master silversmith has won many awards in exhibitions and museum shows.
The Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival is one of the largest Native American cultural events in the country. It is held at the event center at the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort, a tribally-owned business 30 minutes east from downtown Oklahoma City on I-40.
The festival features a juried art market and competition attracting artists and collectors from across the state and nation.
Red Earth, Inc. is an Allied Arts member agency and is funded in part by the Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Kirkpatrick Family Fund, James H. and Madalynne Norick Foundation, Oklahoma’s News 4, Allied Arts, and the Oklahoma Arts Council which receives support from the State of Oklahoma and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Festival sponsors include the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort, Visit Shawnee and Communication Federal Credit Union

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn t4z@aol.com

Anytime you hear the word Santa Fe, it has to conjure up images. And if you have visited there it must illicit emotions and memories as well. During Summer time it’s easy to slip into the mode of recalling pleasant memories, and plan for a fall visit including the Indian Market or the Santa Fe Opera. My first visit to Santa Fe was in the late 1970s, when I was breaking in a new car and exploring the great American West.
Of course, I traveled a long day’s drive on I-40 West out of Oklahoma City, then took the highway 284 cut off at Clines Corners and entered Santa Fe on the Old Pecos Trail. That road soon turned into the Old Santa Fe Trail, where I drove along the narrow road with the old San Miguel Mission adobe church on my right and the famed Pink Adobe Restaurant on my left. The Old Santa Fe Trail offered a perfect first impression, as it was lined with atmospheric time worn structures, and not the modern franchise eateries and gas stations that hug the more traditional entry up north from Albuquerque, on Cerrillos Road.
I soon came into the parking lot of the at that time, relatively new, Inn at Loretto, replete in iconic Santa Fe adobe architecture. I was treated the next morning with a light dusting of snow and a hint of pinion in the air, as I pulled away from a town I’d hardly seen but ~ silently, subconsciously ~ vowed to see again. I have returned to Santa Fe many times since then and each time explored new venues with a salute to favorite places, which have become a traditional pilgrimage when visiting.
I can’t recall why I chose a one night stay at this particular hotel ~ must have been its appealing architecture and perhaps at that time availability. This time I found myself walking past the Spa and the aroma of relaxation made me regret my time on this visit was too short. My stay at the Inn at Loretto in the l970s, and in subsequent years has always been a pleasant tradition. This time was no exception.
Old traditional haunts include: the La Cantina Bar at La Sena Casa where waiters turn into opera and musical theatre singers about every ten minutes; the Pink Adobe Restaurant with its fine and sometimes spicy gourmet productions; Jackalope on Cerrillos road with its affordable southwestern flared garden and household offerings ~ along with the best and freshest string of red chili ristras in season; and the old haunts along the Plaza with its Indian jewelry market and a variety of upscale fashion shops.
New traditional offerings include the Balconies at the Plaza restaurant, which until a few years ago was the traditional Ore House Restaurant with the best and meatiest tasting salsa anywhere ~ and an always must see at the top of Canyon Road the specialty galleries.
Upon this recent trip I discovered the Santa Fe pickup, a free bus that circles the old town area, and is certainly a boon and must for those wanting to wander down Canyon Road as it will drop you off at the top. While my most recent autumn visit was blessed with perfect weather, I have climbed the road in scorching heat and can testify that the art is much more appealing starting at the top and meandering down.
Other must visits is the New Mexico Museum of Art and the New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors – both on the Plaza; and up on Museum Hill the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Museum of International Folk Art . Of course a road trip out to Tesuque with its sculpture garden and the near by glass blowing gallery can be broken up with a respite at Bishops Lodge for libations and food with a dose of historic luxury. A Santa Fe visit is not complete without a stop at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and a tasting at is elegant restaurant if it reopens.
I’m not sure if it’s the upscale art and fashion shopping, the authentic New Mexican cuisine, the fresh atmosphere and the nearly unspoiled vistas, or the essence of its history that permeates the soul, which beckons a perpetual return. Probably it’s all, and yet some indescribable something else that all visitors try to describe when remembering, Santa Fe.
For more information contact: The Inn at Loretto –at www.innatloretto.com. And, click the Calendar here for up to date events www,santafe.org.

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
3110 N.W. 15 Street – Oklahoma City, OK 73107
https://realtraveladventures.com/?s=terry+zinn
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Dear Savvy Senior, A while back I saw an article on different ways to scatter a person’s ashes after they’re cremated, but I’ve misplaced it. Can you help me with this? I’m preplanning my funeral and would like to include instructions on what to do with my remains that my family will appreciate. Planning Ahead

Dear Planning,
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to handling or disposing of your cremated remains after you’re gone. Your family can keep, bury or scatter them in a variety of imaginative ways that reflect your life and personality. Here are some different options to consider.
Scatter them: The most popular option is to have your ashes scattered at a location you loved to be i.e., a favorite fishing spot, camping area, golf course, beach, park or at home. If you choose this route, keep in mind that some places, such as national parks, require a permit. And many public areas, like parks or sports stadiums may prohibit scattering.
Store them at home: Many families choose to keep their loved ones close, by storing them at home. If you and your family choses this option, you can purchase a decorative urn through your funeral provider or online at Amazon.com. Or you may want to use an old cookie jar or favorite container that reminds your family of you.
Bury/inter them: The burial option is good if you wish to have a special place for your family to visit. This is also the only option for cremated ashes sanctioned by the Catholic Church, which specifies that ashes of the dead should be kept in sacred places like a cemetery or a columbarium and not kept at home or scattered.
Plant them: If you’re the environmental type, you can have your ashes planted with a tree. There are companies that offer living urns – like TheLivingUrn.com or UrnaBios.com – that mix your ashes with other nutrients that can be used to grow a plant or tree in your yard or a place of your choosing.
Scatter them at sea: If you love the water, there are many businesses that offer ash scattering services at sea, especially close to coastal areas, or your family could rent a boat and do it themselves. There are also companies like EternalReefs.com that offer reef memorials so your ashes can rest on the ocean floor.
Scatter them by air: This option will scatter your ashes into the sky so the particles can be taken by the wind. To do this, they could hire a private plane, helicopter or hot air balloon service, or use a balloon scattering service like Mesoloft.com. Or they could even send your ashes into outer space with Celestis.com.
Turn them into a record: If you love music, a UK company called Vinlyly (Andvinyly.com) will turn your ashes into a vinyl record. You supply the music (or voice recording) and cover image, and the company creates a memorial that your family can listen to for years to come.
Turn them into jewelry or glass: If you love jewelry or glass trinkets, there are companies – like CloseByMeJewelry.com, SpiritPieces.com and ArtFromAshes.com – that will turn your ashes into wearable jewelry or glass art memorials.
Go out with a bang: If you’re a hunter or a gun lover, a company called Holy Smoke (MyHolySmoke.com) will create loaded ammunition out of cremated remains. Your family could store the ammo in the engraved wooden box it comes in, or they can send you off in a gun salute.
Turn them into art: If you love art, arrange for an artists or family member to paint your portrait, or a picture, with some of your ashes mixed into the paint. Or, if your family is into tattoos, many tattoo artists will mix some ashes with ink to create a memorial tattoo.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.