Stew ... As usual I thank you for your well informed and well thought out comments. You are a northwest treasure and I value working with you.

In reading through the history of this event, and drawing from my own memory and experiences, one thought rings clear to me tonight: The folk festival we started, and enjoyed for years, no longer exists. And worse, I doubt it can ever return, much as I might wish.

These are different times. These are now the days of huge populations. These are the days of so called "professional" folk-festival directors who plan and scheduale everything, according to their wishes. It's called progress ... by some.

Your mentioning of Jon Bartlett's festival up north is perfect. I've not attended yet, but from the reports I've heard I think I need to do so.

Somewhere in all the hoopla and crap, of festivals", I hope it's still possible to hear some genuine folk music, kick back in a quiet place, and smile with friends. bob(deckman)nelson