A lovely time at Old Songs, as always, although this year felt a bit more nostalgic than usual. Many wonderful performers--some I knew & some new to me--but, for the first time, this year, the thought came that, for some of the performers, this might be the last time I see them. And then there was the fact that, in this past year, we've lost several stars of the folk community. Time marches on. The temperature on Saturday was near 90 &, on Sunday, we had several times when the skies opened & the rain just poured down! The noise on the metal roofs of the sheep & cattle barn was impressive! At one point, Sally Rogers stopped, mid-song, & led us in an impromptu rendition of "Rain, Rain, Go Away!" The funny thing was that, right after that, the rain slacked off. Who knew the power of voices raised together? ?? Seriously, though, there is such a power! The spontaneous harmony singing at Old Songs is a wonderful thing--from the Sacred Harp & gospel sessions to joining Bill Staines, Archie Fisher, Anne Hills, Magpie, Sally Rogers & Howie Bursen, John McCutcheon & others. Highlights for me were hearing for the first time Bill Jones & Musique a Bouches in addition to our own Deb Cowan & John Roberts. I also heard a great fiddle session with Bruce Molsky, Pete Sutherland, Oliver Scanlan, & Donna Hebert. Joy Bennett did a fabulous job with this year's Old Songs Fest & I am extremely thankful that she is willing to pick up the torch from Bill & Andy Spence! Linnea Paton was at the festival, representing the family, & selling off the remainder of the Folk Legacy stock. A bitter-sweet year!