Whew. Had an emotional day so it feels good to be back here. Yes, I'd be happy for a cuppa. Thanks.

Today we had a memorial celebration for the long years and many events that this community lost a week ago. It was called McPhetres Hall, attached to a church that was also used for music. Gold Street Music, our new folk club, was born and nurtured there, along with many other events for more than two generations. Scarcely a person in Juneau does not have a connection with that hall.

It all went up in flames last Sunday in the early morning. Nothing was saved and it moils the heart and mind to see it today. About the only thing left intact is the three story chimney rearing its bleak head. There is a tall chain link fence around the site while the investigators do their thing. The church was built in 1895; the community hall some forty years later. Everything was made of wood, of course, as befits this forested land and everything was tinder dry.

Today there were many testimonials and reminiscenses from the audience, interspersed with 10 or so live music sets. It was all well done and each song was appropriate, including a song still in process by our resident bluesman, Pat Henry. He sang that the building is gone, it's gone, but the church still stands...