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Lifestyles

Friday, Jul. 10, 2009

Cool evenings but hot nights: Cousin Jack's Mariposa evenings

By DEBBIE CROFT
Sun-Star Correspondent

MARIPOSA -- When Ronnie Sweeting talks about Cousin Jack's Mariposa Evenings, his enthusiasm is contagious.

"It's about the coolest thing happening in Mariposa in the summer," he says. "Kids come and love it; they roll on the grass and have a great time."

Some folks come every week, laden with lawn chairs or blankets for seating, and a picnic supper.

  • Photo Gallery: Cousin Jack's Mariposa Evenings
  • Mariposa Evenings

    WHEN: 7 tonight and Saturday night, and all summer.

    WHERE: Mariposa County Art Park, Highway 140 between Pizza Factory and Chocolate Soup.

    SCHEDULE: Tonight, The Trespassers; July 17, Brent Schroeder; July 18, The Green Machine; July 25, Steve Johnson (from Merced) and Those Bob Tones; and Aug 7, Highway 49, led by Cousin Jack's son, Glenn.

    INFORMATION: (800) 903- 9936 or (209) 966-3155 or www.arts-mariposa.org/perf-arts

As a boy growing up in Sarasota, Fla., Sweeting shared the stage, studio and back porch with many blues, rock and folk musicians who made a huge impression on him. But when he's not singing or playing his guitar, he's helping others develop their musical talent.

This is his seventh year of working with the Mariposa County Arts Council as coordinator of Mariposa Evenings.

Sweeting had no idea things would come this far when he first met "Cousin Jack" Franklin.

Franklin owned a music store in downtown Mariposa, and Sweeting landed a job there. As gifted musicians, both of them mentored a lot of younger musicians in the area.

Everywhere he went, Franklin shared his music.

He was born in Iowa, but later came to California and never looked back. He played the trumpet in big bands in the late 1940s and '50s, and sang with the Marsh Flat Ramblers in the Bay Area for many years.

After moving to Mariposa he opened a music store and played whenever and wherever he could.

With a harmonica hanging around his neck, customers would come in and be treated to a song. Then he'd pick up his banjo and play some more.

On Sunday afternoons, he held "jam sessions" there in town.

"He was a true minstrel," Sweeting says. "He bought little flutes and went to the schools around here; he'd give them away to the kids, and teach them how to play. He volunteered his time -- he wasn't into the money. He just loved to spread music."

After being in Mariposa for awhile Franklin was named honorary mayor.

Eventually, he and some other business owners persuaded the county to purchase an overgrown piece of vacant land on Highway 140 and Fourth Street and turn it into an Art Park.

"At the store he had a list posted -- for a couple years, actually," Franklin's wife Alinda says. "Before anything was happening to create the Art Park, he'd get people to sign the list, agreeing to donate their labor by using a backhoe or providing plants for the landscaping -- whatever they could do."

Finally, with the help of many local businesses and individuals, Franklin's dream became a reality.

After playing for years on the lawn next to a downtown store, Cousin Jack's Mariposa Evenings -- since 2004 -- is now held on the beautifully landscaped park with a natural amphitheater and stage. The music can be heard practically all over town.

"Cousin Jack" passed away in September 2003 -- a year before his dream came true. But his influence remains strong. And the event was named in his honor.

Andy Roberts grew up in Mariposa and spent much of that time writing and playing music.

"Bluegrass, country, folk, rock, and old traditional music, such as fiddle tunes, reels and jigs, with some contemporary cover songs," he says.

For the past five years he and "Bronco" Ben Goger, Sarah Cupery Ottley and "Benny Lee" Friedrich make up a band they call "The Trespassers." They, too, knew "Cousin Jack."

"He was a great supporter and a great resource for local musicians; he would help us out any way he could," Roberts says. Franklin often donated instruments to kids, so they could learn to play.

All groups play free of charge, but tips are appreciated. Donna Brownell, director of the Mariposa County Arts Council, explains, "Sponsors support the program, and the number of performances we're able to schedule is based on the expected revenue for each year."

The sponsorships cover the bands' travel expenses, plus things like facility and event insurance, equipment acquisition and maintenance and reproduction costs of the Arts Council. It takes multiple sponsorships to cover the cost of each concert.

"I've given some of the young groups a chance, but I also wanted to raise the caliber a little," Sweeting says. "There are some professional groups playing now, too. And the response has been great."

But he takes none of the credit for the success of Mariposa Evenings.

"Without Cousin Jack, none of this would be happening," he says. "There's nobody else like him around town anymore."

But Franklin's music hasn't gone away. Glenn and his wife, Lona, started the Cousin Jack Music Foundation, which presents a sizable scholarship to a high school student each year. And Lori Tierney, a second-grade teacher at Woodland Elementary School, continues Franklin's tradition of teaching students how to play the flute.

People still come to Mariposa looking for Cousin Jack -- wanting to meet him. Although his presence is no longer seen, it is still felt in many ways, and continues to influence others through those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Debbie Croft writes about life in the foothill communities. She can be reached at: composed@tds.net, and at her Sun-Star blog: City Girl, Country Life.





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