I've been trying to collect my thoughts about what was "best" at the Getaway, but since it was all so splendid I'm not sure I can pick out the "best". But I'll try anyway...

First of all, we had PERFECT weather for the second year in a row. Wow!

We surely did miss some folks who couldn't make it (Mmario, Big Mick, George Ward, Colleen Cleveland, Dick & Marlene Levine... etc., etc.), but we had some new folks who were absolutely fabulous! What a treat to meet and hear Hilary (MGAS) and Richard! Actually, I'd met them in Portsmouth the week before, and KNEW they'd be a big hit at the Getaway. Some of us had heard Ed Norman before, and knew he was terrific, but adding Tim Wells to make the Maudlin Brothers was an extra delight -- these guys can SING! We old-timers were especially glad to have Pete the Spy with us again after an absence of 18 years; we'll be applying pressure to get him back on a regular basis! And it was great to have Carol Rohl at the Getaway with Gordon -- hope they'll both be back!

The Songs from the Shower workshop, featuring all kinds of weird stuff one could never sing anywhere else, was an experiment. This was something the late Jonathan Eberhart led for many years, and it was always great -- he was terrific at coaxing bizarre things out of people's brains. We weren't sure how it would work to revive the idea, but Pete the Spy and Ken Schatz managed it beautifully. I've rarely laughed so hard!

The Sandy Paton remembrance was lovely and intimate -- he surely was someone deeply loved and greatly missed. By the way, Bobert, we were NOT trying to sabotage you by scheduling you opposite the memorial -- it just happened! We'll try to do better by you in the future.

I had a great time at all the workshops and concerts and late-night sings I went to -- but wish I could have been at all of them! Wouldn't it be lovely to have a whole week to do this? Sigh. Anyway, thanks to all who helped out!

Nancy