Aye, Mateys; 'twas a jolly grand hoot; indeed t'was!

Thanks, "Roll & Go" Crew, for organizing & orchestrating another one - and to our Gracious Hosts, Cpt. Steve and Sharon!

We were particularly blessed to have "Real Chanteyman" Barry F. back on deck with us, and in fine voice I might add. The very presence of a genuine, certified deep-water Chanteyman who has actually served & sung under sail added a certain sense of legitimacy to the whole affair, methinks. I'm not sure but what Dick may qualify as well, and wouldn't want to leave him out if so(?). Several other participants I know have plowed the sounding seas from one time to another in some capacity. Having said that, it gives us some comfort to know that some of the most sonorious Chantey-Singers on board are, in actuality, every bit as much a "Landlubber" as yours truly.

A few "regulars" were indeed missed; Cpt. KM, Sinsull (and her rumballs!), Jeri, and Brian (may have left before I got there) to name a few.

Although I had invited several Co-Workers from the lantern shop, only one (Charline) was able to make it. She seemed to enjoy perusing the facinating nautical "stuff" all over the China Seas Emporium as well as the jovial racket we were making.

Is John Paynter the fellow with the Vega 5-pinger? I had to razz him a little about it "...not even being broke in yet", although it turns out that his head (the banjo's, not "his" actually) had spontaniously exploded and was just replaced with a brandy-new uncorrupted one. Apparantly he's got some respectable mileage on the Vega despite it's pristine appearance. He's a pretty good picker, actually, and hope to see 'im back on deck next time!

Naemanson's lovely guest and reputed "Fian" seemed a little bashful, and not all that sure what to make of this rowdy gaggle of noisesome Hooligans at first. Hopefully she'll get used to us and feel both welcome and comfortable with whatever crew N. ships & sings with.

As CN mentioned, some of the customers - particularly one family from Mass. with several young children - seemed to enjoy the goings-on, and it is reputed that Cpt. Steve and Sharon made at least one significant sale attruibuted to the Sing. I like to think that our Host's generosity might be somewhat rewarded that way on occasion.

Indeed, we need to do this again - if not on a regular basis! China Seas is a good location, although parking on or around Commercial St. can be a bit of a challange prior to 5 or 5:30 PM on a weekday. Space is limited, but sufficient for the size of the crew we've been able to haul aboard on any given night thus far. I know that "work-nights" are an inhibiting factor for some, including my Wife Susan.

I have been scanning the horizon from time to time for alternative venues for a Chantey-Hoot, as have others - in the event we might need or want one, which is up for debate. One interesting alternative has been the "Arts Center" (or something like that) up in Camden, which we are told is fairly ameinable to this sort of thing. Another is a developing Community Center (in the old DeLorme Building) in Freeport. The Bath Maritime Museum perhaps could be wangled for some sort of arrangement - the big thing being, of course, "at no cost to US".

I think it may be time to retire this thread, but perhaps begin planning for a subsequent Chantey-Sing (or series thereof) on a fresh one. What thinks ye, Mates?