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Waokiye Creator Peter “Wolf” Toth to Visit Cabot’s in February sales of small carvings, and sales of t Cabot‘s we‘ve found his self-published book, Indian Giver. ―If I charged money,‖ he said, ―then it that nothing stops wouldn‘t be much of a gift.‖ traffic like Waokiye, our 43-foot-tall head of a Native American chief, the single most visible aspect of the pueblo‘s grounds. Last year, we celebrated his 30th birthday, and in February, his creator, Peter ―Wolf‖ Toth will visit the museum to do some badly needed restoration work to correct weather damage. ―Waokiye,‖ meaning ―Traditional Helper‖ in the language of the Lakota Sioux, was built in 1978, by Hungarianborn sculptor Peter ―Wolf‖ Toth (pronounced like ―oath‖.) Toth, who escaped the Soviet invasion of Hungary with his family, noted similarities between the plight of the Magyar people and the struggle of Native Americans. As a gift to his adopted country, he carved a giant log into a sculpted head in every single state to honor our Native American past. Collectively these are known as the "Trail of the Whispering Giants," and Waokiye was the 27th Wayokiye today in the series; sadly he is the only giant left in California, the state where Peter Herb Miller, a winter resident, met Toth received the inspiration for his Toth in Hayward, Wisconsin, where he life‘s work. He did not accept money was carving his 25th head, and profor his work and lived on donations, By Jane Pojawa
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posed that his next project be erected in Desert Hot Springs, California. Cole Eyraud, who was the vice-mayor as well as the curator of Cabot‘s Pueblo Museum, saw the similarities between Toth‘s tribute to Native Americans and Cabot Yerxa‘s and volunteered the museum to be the site for the statue. A 45-ton giant Sequoia redwood log was donated through the efforts of the Riverside County Fire Department and the state Division of Forestry. The 750year-old tree, which was almost 200 feet tall, was originally from the Sequoia National Forest near Porterville. It had been struck by lightning in the mid-1950s. Moving the part of the tree which had been earmarked for the sculpture (a segment 10 by 20 feet and weighing 40,000 pounds) from central California to its present spot was no easy task. Bad weather delayed its arrival until the end of February 1978. Toth used power tools for the rough finishing, and then set to work with a #5 chisel and a hammer. All of the work was done on site. The finished face is 22 feet high by eight feet in diameter and weighs 20 tons. The feather is made from an Incense Cedar from Idyllwild; it is 15 feet tall, four feet wide (Continued on Page 3)
City Passes Resolution of Support for Waokiye Restoration
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he Desert Hot Springs City Council and Mayor Yvonne Parks unanimously passed a resolution concerning Waokiye. They honored Peter ―Wolf‖ Toth, giving him their full support in his restoration of Waokiye, and endorsed
the quest to give the monument status as both a County Landmark and a State Point of Historic Interest. In a related action, Director Jane Pojawa, Archivist/Historian of Cabot‘s Pueblo Museum, has applied to the
Riverside County Historical Commission, on behalf of Cabot's, for recognition of Waokiye itself—separate from Cabot‘s Pueblo Museum —as a State Point of Historic Interest. The ball is now rolling for Waokiye!
What’s Up on Miracle Hill
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Interplanetary Spacecraft Visit DHS (Part 4—Final Installment) By Jane Pojawa rom before: in the early ‗50s, flying saucers were all the rage, and the ―vortex‖ of all this excitement was the California desert. Cabot and Portia knew some of the luminaries of the so-called ―contactee‖ movement, including George Adamski, who wrote the seminal book ―Flying Saucers Have
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The Integratron is in the process of being lovingly restored by the Karl sisters and is available for sound baths and special occasions.
Landed,‖ and George Van Tassel, the builder of the Integratron in Landers and host to the Interplanetary Spacecraft Conventions near Giant Rock. Towards the end of the ‘50s, sightings tapered off, although in 1960 ―Report Sight of Saucer in Highlands‖ grabbed the attention of Desert Sentinel readers on page 10. Interplanetary spacecraft, once so popular that a dessert served in the school cafeteria was called a ―flying saucer,‖ were no longer front page news. ―Plainly visible by several citizens in Desert Hot Springs, Genevive Johnston reports she and her companion saw a flying saucer hover over the Highland area emitting high frequency sounds like ‗a million tiny bells‘ The ship had a warm hairraising effect on Miss Johnston's companion. And she, according to her testimony, ‗had been feeling ‗poorly‘‘ until the unidentified flying object passed over and ‗pow‘ she took on a ‗new look‘ and was ‗fit as a fiddle‘ in a ‗matter of seconds.‘ The saucer was traveling in a north-easterly direction. ‗It left an unex-
plainable glow,‘ Miss Johnson reports.‖ The Interplanetary Spacecraft Conventions continued to draw tens of thousands, even into the early ‗70s – Cabot attended in 1962. For those who
have not visited the Integratron, it is well worth the trip. The new management has spruced the place up, emphasize healing and wellness, and offer sound baths on the weekends. Address: 2477 Belfield Boulevard, Landers, CA 92285, Phone: 760-3643126.Website: http://integratron.com/ Welcome.html Be sure to call ahead because hours of operation vary. Giant Rock is accessible about 4 miles away on an unpaved road.
Now of course, it would be easy to look at a man from outer space and say ―thanks for nothing.‖ In 60 years, weather. Our host, Michael O‘Keefe, was able alien life forms have not helped cure cancer, stopped the aging process, to relax and enjoy also. He gave a party and we came and, thus was born developed alternative fuel sources or brought about world peace. But in the our annual ―Cabot‘s Tamale Mixer for December,‖ a rewarding new tradition! 1950s and 60s when humanity hoped for a savior, we looked to the sky. ... 2009 got welcomed by our City Manager, Rick Daniels, informing the council at their study session on Jan 12th that we will have the bids for our new restrooms for Cabot‘s. It is difficult to find funds for all our needs in these difficult economic times; however the City is keeping a watchful eye and pushing forward for us. With our end of year revenue report, we have put a smile or two on the faces at city hall. Publishing Watch our steam, with more smiles to Graphic Design appear as the year progresses.
Traditions Can Be Rewarding By Vonda Pate-Davis ow!! Some traditions can be so rewarding that they live on and on. On December 17th we had our First Annual Tamale Mixer at Cabot‘s for our ―End of the Year‖ celebration to remind us all that we deserve to reward ourselves for the hard work we have put in for the year. How better to celebrate than with a tradition that is as longstanding in our California Heritage as Tamales at Christmas? And it would be impossible to describe to the fullest the excellence of the tamales. Even with the arrival of the 50 year storm of rain and extreme cold, which created a very nervous host at Cabot‘s, we had a great time. ―Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor gloom of night will stop—‖ I think someone else used that phrase already, but it was a great party regardless of
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What’s Up on Miracle Hill
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A Busy Time at Cabot’s PRESIDENT’S CORNER
from Budapest where he has completed his latest installation. t‘s been a busy time at Mr. Toth has dedicated his life to Cabot‘s. Since Novemhonoring Native Americans with his ber 1, we have had alsculptures, and he has one in each of most 3000 guests through the United States and each Canadian the Visitors Center, the province. We are honored to have the Trading Post, or the Muonly Toth sculpture in California—right seum. here in the 92240. His restoration will During the first five days of January, include a giant scaffold and a crane to more than 400 people came to lift the 43 foot-tall totem so he can reCabot‘s. On the second Saturday in the move interior wood and replace with month, a group of 100 guests arrived metal. He will carve small pieces from unannounced. We gave each one of the wood he extracts and they will be them top customer service and welsold to help the museum. Each piece comed them to our city. will be a collector‘s item. We have two exciting announceThe repairs will enable the totem to ments about Cabot‘s: last another 100 years so unless you First, from February 5 - 25, interna- plan on living another 100 years, this is tionally renowned sculptor Peter ―Wolf‖ a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Toth will be restoring his giant Indian a famous artist at work. totem at Cabot‘s. This is the 30th anniThe grounds will be open seven versary of Waokiye, and Mr. Toth is days a week and admission to the coming directly to Desert Hot Springs
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grounds is free. We anticipate greeting more than 2000 guests during February. You will not want to miss this important threeweek-long event. Our second announcement from Cabot‘s is that, thanks to the city council, Cabot‘s has received a Community Development Block Grant that allows us to offer all Desert Hot Springs residents a free tour through the museum. This program runs from January through the end of February. All residents have to do is sign a form with their address on it and admission is free. This is a great opportunity for all residents of Desert Hot Springs who have put off coming to Cabot‘s until it‘s convenient. Free IS convenient. So come to Cabot‘s in February and watch Peter Wolf Toth at work and take a free tour through the museum.
Waokiye Creator, Peter “Wolf” Toth, to Visit Cabot’s in February (Continued from page 1)
and one-and-a-half feet thick. Toth said simply ―The American Indian The five-foot-tall pedestal extends four is a proud and often misunderstood feet into the earth and is made of 2,000 people. They have suffered atrocities pounds of steel and 33 yards of cement. ever since the first white man landed Local rocks decorate the outside surface. The overall height of the sculpture—base, face, and feather—is 43 feet. The project was sponsored by Landmark Conservators (Cole Eyraud‘s management company for Cabot‘s Pueblo Museum), the Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, and the California State Department of Forestry. On May 20, 1978, Waokiye was ready to meet the public. Dennis Banks, educator and founder of the American Indian Movement, was the guest speaker, and about 250 people showed up for the event. This project could never have been A young Peter “Wolf” Toth putting the achieved without donations and community support; the donation of finishing touches on Waokiye. Peter Toth‘s time and talent; the doon this shore. Even as a young boy I nation of the land, the tree, and the had admiration for my Indian brothers transportation. Every step of the proand perhaps this monument and all the ject required an act of generosity. others. . . will bring awareness of a At the dedication ceremony, Peter
proud and great people.‖ Between 1971-1992, Toth created 67 giant Native American heads. He has now made more than 70, but not all of them have survived the years. Some, like Waokiye, have been or are going to be repaired by Toth himself. At one time, every state had an original Peter Toth sculpture and some states have more than one. He even created several in Canada. He didn‘t follow any particular order; when a community wanted to commission its own ―Whispering Giant,‖ he would travel to the site, select a tree and do extensive research on the local tribes. Then he would live in that community, often in a motor home or his van, while he carved the sculpture—a process usually lasting two to three months. Some of the ―giants‖ are in big cities, others are in small communities, and some are off at the side of the road. If you, too, wish to follow ―The Trail of the Whispering Giants,‖ Desert Hot Springs is the perfect place to start your ―collection!‖
What’s Up on Miracle Hill
From the TP&G About 500 years ago, the now highly collectable and are even in Cahuilla Indians develthe permanent collection of the Agua oped a new technology— Caliente Cultural Museum in Palm earthenware pottery. The Springs. olla (pronounced oy-ya Soares gathers his clay from deposfrom the Latin word for its located at various sites throughout ―pot‖) quickly became a the Mojave Desert. He grinds the raw staple fixture of the local lifestyle. materials into a fine powder between These elongate round-bodied vestwo stones called mono and matate. sels were used to store surplus food He then adds particular type of local and water. The round bottoms did not sand and water to create a clay suitsit directly on the ground, but were able for making pottery. held upright by a ring of coiled yucca Like the Cahuilla potters of a bygone fibers. Sizes varied, and the narrow era, Soares does not use a pottery necks, which discouraged vermin and wheel. He forms the bottom half of the insects from getting to the contents, new pot over the bottom of an existing were wider for seed jars than for water pot lined with ash or cloth. He then storage. removes the new half from the existing Ollas were pot and seats it in cached in safe a shallow basin places—overthat is also lined. hangs, caves, or He builds the pot simply buried, to up by adding coils allow the noof clay to the new madic people to half. He molds the have a supply of clay using his food and water hands, a wooden available in paddle, and an leaner times, anvil stone to fashand many of ion the final prodthem have suruct. vived to the preAfter allowing the Tony Soares with samples of his ollas sent day. pot to dry for sevBy the 1850s Cahuilla production of eral days, Soares may choose to paint ollas dropped off markedly. Western it with indigenous designs using natudiseases decimated the population, ral mineral pigments. He applies the seasonal migration was disrupted and pigments by hand using his fingers or a new cash economy combined with a yucca brush. consumer goods mitigated the need for While firing permanently fixes the production. According to Cahuilla pot- paint to the pottery, the firing itself oftery expert Debye Dozier, by 1990, no ten changes the color of the clay, crenew ollas had been made for at least ating unique designs known as fire 50 years, and olla-making was consid- clouds. The pottery is pit fired using ered a lost art. dead wood gathered from various Fortunately, the elders at the Santa places. The entire process can take Rosa reservation collaborated with a from two to three weeks. new generation of native ceramicists to Cabot Yerxa acquired several beaukeep this knowledge from dying out, tiful ollas as part of his Native Ameriand ollas are enjoying a new renaiscan pottery collection, and you too can sance. At the TP&G, we are fortunate purchase an authentic olla made by to have Tony Soares as one of our hand using native clays and traditional outstanding local artists. Tony learned methods. Come visit the TP&G for a the basics of pottery making from his video demonstration of Tony Soares‘ grandmother, and through nearly 20 olla-making and to browse our selecyears of experimentation, has revived tion of his original handcrafts. the lost art of olla-making. His ollas are
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What’s Up on Miracle Hill Newsletter Staff Donald Reed .................................. Editor Bent Reed Press ....................... Publisher Michael O’Keefe ................... Contributor Vonda Pate-Davis ................ Contributor Jane Pojawa ......................... Contributor Jane Pojawa ..................... Photographer
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum Board of Directors Michael O’Keefe ...................... President Muffi Mendelson .............. Vice-President Linda Blake .........Chief Financial Officer Leanna Bonamici ........................ Director John Brown ................................. Director Judy Gigante .............................. Director Wes Laws .................................... Director Barbara Maron........................... Director Jane Pojawa ............................... Director Eric Pontius ................................. Director Donnalda Smolens ..................... Director Todd Gregory Young .................. Director Joanna Stark .............................. Director
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum & Desert Hot Springs Visitors Center 67616 East Desert View Avenue Mailing Address: P.O. Box 104 Desert Hot Springs, California 92240 760-329-7610 www.cabotsmuseum.org Tours Daily
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