1/2/2019

[Jeff Raymond]

Howdy and happy new year folks,
It's already the 2nd day of this brand new year, it's zipping by quickly.

Tonight: historical excuse me HERstorical Inauguration at the Civic Center in Augusta tonight, bringing another brand new day in the forementioned brand new year.

Yesterday was a recovery day for some and also for me, not from a hangover of the alcoholic type, I had nary a drop.
Mild flu and general fatigue of turning Christmas gift bowls and ramping up the New Year Extravaganza codwalloped me but good.

For two decades plus 1 year we have had an exquisite contradance, starting at the old Wescustogo Hall and moving from those ashes to the Topsham Grange.

There have been hordes of helpers that have allowed this happen, a list to long for me to single out even if could find all the records listing callers, bands, sound guys, cooks and servers and dish washers from when we had formal sit down dinners, all the decoration crews and door sitters and also very important (largely unknown) clean up folks.
To them I owe a debt that I'll have to pay in service to others.

There's a few who have been to every single NYE, a shout out to Don and to also Tom Nesbit, who has largely ensured that the sparkling cider is poured and distributed. I apologise to you Tom for always forgetting to bring the bottle opener.

This year I was especially challenged by my own over commitment, procrastination, forgetting and fumbling making the planning a two month rush.

So this year I shout THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Thank you to THE DANCERS without you it it'd be just a fantastic music party.

The callers Shari Shakti and Maggie Robinson get a roar of acknowledgment. Know that they spent hours coordinating their program, meeting during the preceding weekend to ensure seemless dances and particularly providing us with the medley.

Eric Wees Johnson loaded his trailer up by morning and drove over hill and through dale along ridge and riverside to lug what appears to be a ton of technical goodies up the steep back stairs (& what goes up must go down) to provide a sound experience.
I generally like to hear feedback on performers but that there was only a little feedback all night and that was great too! THREE CHEERS, ETC.

To my band: thank you. Some of you may know Kate Greeley​​ who played bass and sang the waltzes, I believe that was her first contra performance, another HERstorical moment.
Anthony Jaccarino with whom I have performed in so many bands in so many places in years past it was grand to he on stage with you once again.
David Stimson: I thank you for your willingness to step into a void with calmness and understated humor, I owe ya one.

As for the second band once again thanks David Stimson and Tamora Goltz and Nathaniel Stimson plus that saxy fellow Sandy Davis. You were simply maahvelous.

There's also a couple of guys who help out everywhere, one who shies from the limelight and the other is Tim Cason who is everywhere, yay!

Thanks to my daughter Alima who did the door by herself (with some help, thanks to folks who were patient with her).

And finally I thank Ellen Lewis who over all the decades has provided incredible support to this event and countless 2nd Saturday and in the day 4th Saturday dances not to mention the DownEast in that day and plus the cheese and pineapple hor d'oeuvres at this event.

I apologise to any I have missed, there's always spouses and friends that make do things to make it possible.

Many of you have read my chicken stories in the Maine Folk News but this is sort of a swan song. I'll be around helping out but I believe others will have to be running point at next year's Extravaganza.
If possible I'll share event news here and there.
To anybody interested in a task on some was more difficult and yet funner than it appears please get in touch.

Be well, Jeff