Spoke with Captain BUNKER Sat. night at the 3rd Maine (Civil War Reenactors) party and caroling-in-the-rain affair on Cousin's Island. He indicated that there will be a case of adult malt beverages on site, and whatever others choose to bring is optional, this being a pretty much "private party" - although the shop will be open to the public, so we want to keep it reasonably civil. He seems to concur that this may not be the best place for little kiddies, and sang me a verse of a chantey he learned from one of the "real deal" Chanteymen he has personally known and sailed with (which has probably never been written down) to illustrate that point. Cpt. Steve is a worldly and articulate deep-waterman whose stories can keep one spellbound for hours - trust me!

Kendall: If you have yet to meet Cpt. Steve, It's well worth postponing your southern migration for a day or two. You will have a lot in common, I think, and I will be most surprised if you do not become good "Shipmates" almost immediately.

For anyone making a long haul, especially if the weather gets iffy: Our quarters have a few extra beds, Daughter having moved on this year, and we are about 20 min. North of Portland. I could arrange my schedule to take the following day (Thurs) off to at least cook breakfast and keep the wood stove poppin' should any sojourners care to take refuge here. We had 25 for Thanksgiving, if that is any indication of space available - not all 25 overnight, but we could easily put up a half dozen or so... and a couple or 3 in the 27' motor-home, if we can keep the gas furnace going all night (it's been a little tempremental lately) or hardy campers come equipped with arctic sleeping-bags.. could be fun!

I'm not sure how Steve & Sharon are set up for internet access from the shop, but a PalTalk Concert hookup might be fun for Mudcat Cyber-participants. Just a thought.

If this works out well, hopefully the next one will be on a weekend.

someone mentioned a "Session"; in the Southern Maine area? When? Where? Pray tell!!

Naemanson: In reply to your recent query of Chanteys I know (sort of/partial):

John Kanakka-Nakka, Ol'Moke, Clear away the Track, Haul Away, Leave Her Johnny, Strike the Bell, Cruisin' 'Round Yarmouth, The Mermaid, The Arabella ("... Pumpkin puddin' and a bulgine pie.."), "Fiddler's Green" (Contemp.).. working on Dave the Ancient Mariner's Halifax version of "Whup Jamboree" (sure wish he could hop a heliocoptor or cutter and join us)... and can probably back you up on a few choruses of some of the other old standbys like "Rio Grande" or "General Taylor". Does anyone have any objection to my bringing a VCR camcorder and taping this for posterity? I know that some groups have a proprietory issue with that sort of thing and want to make sure averyone is comfortable with it before I even show up with it.

Look forward to this, and to meeting more 'Catters!

Blessings of the season -

Uncle J.