Just Folk Singers close out Summer Fest celebration
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
The Just Folk Singers concert held Sunday, July 3 was the perfect way to close out the 2011 Ashland Summer Fest celebrations.
The 16-member group performed their annual July concert to a full house in the Ashland District School Auditorium. The theme of the concert this year was “Coming Home” and “Listen to the Music,” which coincided with the Ashland Alumni Reunion held during the Summer Fest.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
OVERCOME WITH EMOTION — Just Folk Singers bandleader Larry Hall, of Ashland, humbly received an honor bestowed upon him by the Ashland Alumni Association for his many contributions to music in the town and to its students.
The Just Folk Singers began as a singing group in the 1960s and has changed members several times, though retaining some original members over the years. What made this concert rather special was several of its original members were invited to perform with the group for a musical “reunion” while home to attend their class reunion.
The show opened with a fantastic version of John Denver’s “Country Roads” with a sentimental and fitting lyric change to reflect life in Aroostook County (“country roads, take me home, to the place I belong, Northern Maine, Mount Katahdin, take me home, country roads”). The lyric change definitely hit everyone close to the heart as so many in the audience were “home” for their class reunions and the Summer Fest. Ashland native Toby Hall, in town for the concert and celebrations, got everyone into the groove singing “Listen to the Music” by the Doobie Brothers keeping with the theme of the show.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
THE JUST FOLK SINGERS performed in concert during the 2011 Ashland Summer Fest. Performing are, from left, front row: Debbi Maddi, Cynthia Wilcox, Anne Hall, Joel Hall, Larry Hall, Toby Hall, Jenna Hartung, Pat Rafford, Patricia Cyr and Melissa Hall. Back row: (on drums) Chad Cyr, Jon Simonoff, Sherri Calhoun, Kevin Bushey, Marilyn Marzinsky and Charlotte Cross.
Founding father and popular local musician and friend, Larry Hall, introduced each singer and band member with a personal dedication. It was a family affair as Hall was joined not only by his wife, Anne, two sons, Joel and Toby, and his daughter-in-law, Melissa, but by his sister-in-law, Patty Cyr and nephews, Chad Cyr and Dane Depres. It’s not hard to figure that musical talent runs deep in this family!
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
SOUL MAN — Toby Hall, formally of Ashland, belts out a very soulful rendition of Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” in a solo performance during the Just Folk Singers concert in Ashland.
The group sang a gorgeous rendition of the Simon and Garfunkel classic, “The Sounds of Silence.” The mid-song break to a cappella was an unexpected twist totaling enhancing the mood of this song. Sisters Anne Hall and Patty Cyr sang a touching duet, while sweetly embracing and rocking in harmony. The exceptionally talented Toby Hall gave a very soulful performance of “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison. I can say in all honesty that this version was probably better than the original! Another standout performance was given by the trio including Just Folk members Sherri Calhoun and Melissa Hall with guest singer Julie Gardner. These three women perform together as “Bosom Buddies” and treated the audience to their talents. Their voices harmonized beautifully while singing a flawless version of “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” another John Denver hit made famous by the group Peter, Paul and Mary.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
SWEET SISTERS — Siblings Anne Hall, left, and Patricia Cyr sweetly embraced while singing a duet. Both are members of the Just Folk Singers.
The highlight of the day was the surprise honor bestowed upon leader Larry Hall by the Ashland Alumni Association for all he has contributed to the town, its students and its people in regard to music. Hall was the beloved music teacher for the Ashland schools until his retirement several years ago and is recognized for his passion for music which he tirelessly shared with his students. Hall continues to influence and share his love of music amid his attachment with the Just Folk Singers and the Aroostook River Voices singing group. The latter he established just last year because the local school did not have a formal singing chorus.
Photo courtesy of Susan Feeney-Hopkins
DO YOU FEEL GOOD? — Just Folk Singer Patty Rafford, of Ashland, gave an entertaining performance of “I Feel Good” by James Brown.
Hall felt the students were missing out on a very valuable experience so he recruited some local adult singers, along with some high school students, to perform as the Aroostook Voices with the hopes that eventually there will be a formal high school choir. A former student of his, Laurie (Paradis) Cook, was brought to tears when speaking of his influence on her life. “This is who I am,” she said describing her love of music. She credits Hall with shaping and nurturing her love of music as he has done with many of his students, each of whom when asked, echoed the sentiment. Hall humbly accepted an engraved plaque and bench in his honor only saying, “Now how am I supposed to play the sax?”
Singer Melissa Hall got us in the mood with a very sultry version of “Fever.” Hall is a fantastic singer, as well. Not only in sound, but technically. The air conditioning unit had to be turned up once her performance was over! The concert rocked on with an exceptionally entertaining performance by Pat Rafford singing the James Brown hit “I Feel Good.” Rafford got the crowd energized and engaged them with her presentation. The group closed with a seamless and moving “Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” as well as a tribute to our troops. Pat Rafford honored the veterans in the audience and worldwide reciting the patriotic poem “Old Glory,” then having everyone join in to sing “America The Beautiful.” Such a fitting tribute to our veterans and to our country while celebrating Independence Day! Thanks to the Just Folk Singers for another wonderful concert. You keep getting better and better!
Members of the Just Folk Singers are Singers: sopranos – Charlotte Cross, Patricia Cyr, Melissa Hall, Jenna Hartung, Marilyn Marzinsky and Pat Rafford. Altos – Sherri Calhoun, Anne Hall, Debbi Maddi and Cynthia Wilcox. Tenors – Joel Hall, Larry Hall and Toby Hall. Instrumentalists: Guitar – Kevin Bushey, Joel Hall, Larry Hall and Jon Simonoff. Keyboard – Kevin Bushey and Sherri Calhoun. Percussion – Chad Cyr and Kevin Bushey. Saxophone – Kevin Bushey, Sherri Calhoun, Chad Cyr, Dane Depres, Larry Hall, Jenna Hartung and Kermit McGary. Clarinet and Accordion – Sherri Calhoun. Flute and Harmonica – Melissa Hall. Special Friends: Vocal solo, Roxanne Tardie; photography, Kermit McGary; videographer, Leland Hall; vocals, Julie Gardner.
Red Hats to host tea party
The Portage Lake Red Hat Loonies are hosting a proper tea party and have invited you to attend! The ladies will be hosting the tea party Thursday, Aug. 11 starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Portage Lake Municipal Building. Proper Victorian or party dress attire is recommended. Attendees should also bring their own special teacups. Tea and gossip will be provided. Tickets are being sold for $6 each and can be purchased at the town hall or by contacting Alison Mount at 435-6661.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 435 – 8232 or Feenhop@aol.com
