Show: On The Town Station: KNCO File: 9:22.mp3 Air date: 2026-09-22 Source: OpenAI whisper-1 · shrunk from 25.9 MB to 5.2 MB --- transcript --- And our town is just a wonderful place. One reason why is the guy sitting to my right happens to be our news anchor on KNCO. But he also happens to be the town crier in Grass Valley. He just came back from his experience in Cornwall. That is unique and fabulous, becoming a Bard from the College of Bards in our sister city, Bodmin, Cornwall in Great Britain. That's as neat as it gets. And he is the voice of Grass Valley. I'm going to get into that. To clarify things, Rick Fisher, in case he's still listening, we figure Rick, and I'll ask about him, goes down the hill that maybe he could be the voice of Ellis Lake down in Marysville. I think that's what Rick is qualified for. Congratulations on becoming a Bard, Paul. That is fabulous. Is it still kind of settling in what experience happened to you over there? Yes. It still blows my mind that I was even considered and nominated and then elected by the Council of Bards to be part of this. It's something that I didn't think I was worthy of. When you look at our local historian, Gage McKinney, and Eleanor Kennitzer, and what they've done with the Grass Valley Cornish Carol Choir, and I kind of look at myself as, you know, well, I guess the voice now. But, you know, so I jokingly said, but kind of also felt it at the city council meeting when I said, yeah, we've got the beauty with Eleanor and the choir brains with Gage and his historian and Bullocks with me. That's about right. That's not bad. OK, let's go back to when you became the town choir. That was that was an invitation from Howard Levine, if I recall, way back. That was that was. Yeah, it was. I can't remember the year exactly. It's been over. It's a well over well over 10 years now. And yes, it's the opportunity presented itself. And I jumped on it. And so they. And I've lived here since 81. Was there a town crier before you were town crier? And if there was, did they remember who it was? There was there was one that was just right before me and he was just for a few years. And I don't I unfortunately I don't know what his name was. But but yeah, he was he was there and then stepped away. And that's what vacated the position. And so it might be because you work with me. So maybe I found out more of what what the responsibilities are, what you would do, what events you would go to and stuff. But they made no impression with me. That's why I was serious when I asked that. I don't recall that town crier. I was told when you were offered it because they were saying, hey, is this OK? We offer this to Paul. And I said, well, absolutely. And stuff. So what's involved? They basically said, well, he'll be at some events and all that stuff. You kind of took it to a different level, didn't you? Yeah. I tried to put myself in as many events as we can in order to help promote the Cornish identity around the area and throughout California and apparently the United States. And now with the way that this all developed and then my role at the station and being able to tell stories, we've really created a unique element there where we go back and forth with our news stories about Cornish culture in America and having them shared on BBC Radio Cornwall as well. And so it's really exciting to be part of that thing about your chance versus town crier when you took this on and stuff. Did you go and research what they were doing in Cornwall about what chance were used and how they were delivered a little bit? And again, it was more of what was it like in America at the time? And we were, you know, from the eighteen hundreds and it was Western Western culture. And so that's why I'm not in a full regalia, as they would recall, as they would call it with a tricorner cap. I went with a top hat because that's more what was represented in the United States at that time. So that's why the top hat, the long coat kind of resembles the cape that they have. And so that was something that I had and was able to adapt to. And then all of my Cornish accessories have been given to me by either people of Cornwall or people here of Cornish descent that gave me Cornish scarf. And they wanted to make sure I had the they wanted me to have the right things, not not a party hat. They want to make sure that it reflected with their true Cornish turban and not just a plaid of some other sort. Totally for that. I think that's the greatest thing, because it's all part of that culture. It's the it's the language. It's the outfits. It's just really the the presence you have just holding yourself. And I try to make that important because I want this to be an important role that's played in the city and be the voice or the face of our Cornish identity. Though I am galvanized Cornish, not blood Cornish, but my family does have blood Cornish in it now. Galvanized Cornish. Is that because you married a Cornish woman, Tammy, or is that for something else? It's for embracing the Cornish culture and identity and race and her. Oh, yeah, that's part of it. So but but I love the fact that my children have Cornish blood and my grandchildren have Cornish blood. And so it's there. It's in the family. And I just have to be the accessory. That it went from you getting asked to do that to where you are now. It's a remarkable thing in 10 years. That's what I mean. I really it is really mind blowing the way that that has has happened. But the important part of this is, I mean, I've grown so much in what I've learned and embraced that. It's like sitting with Eleanor and really talking about what the Cornish carols are and where they came from and how important they are. And you were with me on Christmas morning and I mean, I had tears in my eyes when I was playing some of those soundbites from Eleanor. That talk about Leonard Priske, Deborah Priske's father. And it was coming upon the Christmas season. This was one of the first years that Eleanor had revived the Cornish Carol Choir. And he was failing. He was on his deathbed. And the family asked if the choir would come and sing at the house. And he was there laying basically unresponsive. And Eleanor had the choir around and they gathered round and they started. Traditionally, they start with sound, sound. And the minute that they started singing, Leonard began to mouth the words. And that to me, I mean, I get chills just thinking about that. That's the power of importance of tradition and character. I want to make sure that I help continue that legacy and that story and be able to bring it to as many people as we can. Even in their last days, they can still have that spark inside gets rekindled and it's right there at the surface. Amazing. Absolutely. It is completely amazing. And on this latest trip, it was amazing the way that our relationship with Bodmin is just grown over the three years now that I've gone back three years in a row. And this year, being able to be initiated in to the Gorset Kernow or the Cornish Bards in Bodmin as our twin city was so incredible. And then to be able to spend time with the mayor of Bodmin, giving personal tours and just the way they treated me, Tammy, my guests that came over to watch me. Get an issue. I still just can't believe that all of that happened. But, I mean, what an honor. And then on the actual day of the ceremony, their government, they in full regalia led the procession and then came in. And then as the Gorset came in, the initiates led. But then we were kept outside of the circle until it was time for the initiation. And then as we walked through the opening in the circle, we paraded past the mayor, the vice mayor or the deputy mayor, the city clerk, deputy clerk and all of the officials in their full regalia. It was such an honor as we walked by all of them in unison directly to me, gave me the nod, you know, the nod from because they're seated. But the equivalent of a bow of which I returned. But it was just amazing. Somebody did say that American guy. Anyway, we're going to talk about that. We have to go. We're going to do that on the town here at Toffinelli's. My guest Paul has today. He is the voice of Grass Valley. We'll tell you why, how that happened, how he has that title when we come back. Hi, this is Eli Bacon with Sierra Harvest with delicious news about your local food system. Food Fight 2026 is this Friday, September 25th at the stunning Costello Vista Estate hosted by Sierra Harvest. Food Fight is one of a kind fine dining experience celebrating the incredible food grown right here in our region. Top local chefs will go head to head creating inspired dishes made with 100 percent locally sourced ingredients. And you can get the best job of all tasting them. Enjoy unlimited bites. Discover just how delicious local can be. And then cast your vote to help crown this year's People's Choice winner. It's great food, talented chefs, a beautiful setting and a delicious way to support Sierra Harvest and our local food community. Come hungry to Food Fight 2026 this Friday night, September 25th. Get your tickets today at Sierra Harvest dot org. We hope to see you there. Hi, this is Ryan Valdez with Rock Rose Risk. Like many Californians, I've watched homeowners face rising insurance costs, policy cancellations and growing uncertainty, especially in wildfire prone areas. That's why we created Rock Rose Risk. 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United States Deputy Sheriff's Association, protecting those who protect you. Learn more about the mission and find out how you can help at usdeputy.org. Music And welcome back down to downtown Pittsburgh. It's here at Toppanelli's Gold Country Bistro in downtown Grass Valley. It's a great place to be. It's right next to the Center for the Arts here. So if you're having a show, just tell your server that you have to have a show to catch. They'll get you done and out on time. Paul asked my guests. We don't have anything to do. We're talking about something that is so darn special. It gives me goosebumps. And I was across the pond and across the country from it. As over in Bobbin, England, you joined the College of Bards. And you got a title. You got your unique name. How does that come about and feelings and the emotions when it was delivered? It was absolutely amazing because I feel that the name aptly resembles what I do, both my work with the radio station as a news person and as town crier on both sides here in Grass Valley and Nevada City, which has been great helping that come back along as well. And so in Cornish, the name is Laven Nance Gwells. And that basically is the voice of Grass Valley. Lave is voice. Nance is valley. And Gwells is grass. So it's voice of valley of grass. But Grass Valley is the way it translates. And so that was just such an honor to be given that name and have it read. You got a certificate here, right? The little one that I'm pulling out, this is what I find is really touching. It's from the Vardic poet who writes a little three-line poem that goes with your title. A specific poem for you? Just for me. And I can't read it in Cornish. Well, I could try, but it wouldn't mean much. But let me give it a shot. Okay, so it rhymes. It rhymes, yeah. It rhymes. And so the way that that translates, the first line is, A strong voice in California. The second line, beyond the salty water, will be heard clearly. And that's what goes with Levan Nance Gwells. That is awesome. Because you're a native son of California. That's another organization. So you're proud of your heritage here. And now you're galvanized Cornish. That brings it all together, that whole title. It's unbelievable. And that written by the Vardic poet without really knowing me, but reading whatever information was sent in by the people that nominated me, and I don't really have an idea, but that's never been shared. You did mention Nevada City because you do parades in both towns and all that stuff. You're a crier in both towns when needed. And we're getting Penzance, their sister city, back on board with each other. Yes, and so the way that the trip was laid out this time was arrived in Bodmin a day and a half before the ceremony. And so I spent a day with the Bodmin mayor and the city council, or not city council, but the executive board, and then had tours and we had a nice high tea and we exchanged gifts, which I want to thank Sue Amick from Foothill Mercantile for helping contribute to that. Each of the council members and the mayor were given an ornament representing Grass Valley, and KNCL helping with that as well. And then also Gage McKinney signed a couple of his book when miners sang, and so those went to the mayor and the deputy mayor. And then there was a real special gift that came from one of the original Grass Valley families, the George family, and it was really touching to be able to give them something from the George foundry, which represents the heart of Grass Valley. And so that was really a spectacular day. Then Saturday was all Bard, Bard, Bard, Bard stuff, and that was just amazing. And then Sunday was a travel day because we were heading down to the tip where Penzance is. And so that was... What's it called, tip? Well, down, just south, the south end, the southern end is, they call it Land's End, that's a whole different thing, but Penzance is the city. And it's literally the end of the railroad line. And so we were staying in, staying in, again, I laughed because they corrected me all the time on my pronunciation of things. Whether it was English or Cornish, whatever I was trying to... The American. So, but it's, we were saying, my enunciation was too clear. You need to run things together. And so St. Ives, St. Ives, you know, but yeah, no, they would say, no, no, no, no, that's not it. It's Cornwall, not Cornwall, you know, when I gave the proclamation. And so, and that's all, you know, I'm fine with that. I'm fine with that. But meeting with the mayor and getting up in the Twinning Committee of Nevada City and Penzance was spectacular as well. Kathy Wilcox Barnes, instrumental in setting that up. And she, you know, former mayor, former city clerk, former everything, and current historian, current historian, and in charge of the museum, helped get that arranged with the last member that she was aware of. And so it's almost all new people on both sides. But there are some people that have been around for a while. And they are excited to get that relationship restarted. And we need to try to get the youth involved. And that's why Lynn Skrookrud is so key because she's been to Cornwall. She's been to Penzance. She knows what it's all about. And she provided a set of 25 gifts because, believe it or not, the city council of Penzance is 20. Yeah, there's a mayor and then 20 trying to get business done. And it's really interesting. 15 in Bodmin. And so, you know, they're not small. They're not small. We're almost out of time. See, we're down to like a minute. We're down to like a minute. This is what I mean. We have to kind of continue this. Are there any big things that are going to be happening you anticipate this next few months, year? On Sunday, we've got the Constitution Day Parade, but I'll be leading that. And what I'm really hoping is that my grandson will march with me again because he has shown interest at five years of age and wants to be part of it. And that's what we need. We need the youth. And then, also, Melissa George. I mentioned the George family. She's a teacher over at Bell Hill Academy, her second grade class, getting them involved because they are all in. And that's what we want, the perfect age. And so, to get the youth back, to get the families, the original families involved again, people that have been in Grass Valley since, you know, the 1880s. You know, that's what is exciting about this. Same thing over in Nevada City as well. And that is the rebroadcast from last Tuesday. And that explains the reference that Paul made to the upcoming Constitution Day Parade, which was this past Sunday. This from the KNCO-BNC ACE Home and Garden Center Weather Center. ACE is the place. Here is your forecast on KNCO News Talk 830. Sunny with today's high in the upper 70s and a light southwesterly wind. Clear overnight, Arlo mid 50s. And then sunny and warmer on Wednesday with a high in the low to mid 80s. Wednesday night, clear, Arlo upper 50s. And the outlook for Thursday, sunny with a high in the upper 80s. For weather anytime, click on the weather center at knco.com. I'm meteorologist Dan Holiday on KNCO News Talk 830. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ --- end of transcript ---