Abby: Thanks for the warning. We'll have our security force more heavily armed next year! Unfortunately (or perhaps not, I'm not sure) our "security" at the YTB is drawn from our museum staff, and some of them are folk music infidels who are unfamiliar with names like Killen, Posen and even Carthy. Thanks for the understanding about the need for the musicians to have a secure and semi-private area to hang out. More to the point, in the past we've had trouble with hangers-on coming into the building and helping themselves to food and drink (no folks, it's not cavair, lobster and champagne) that is intended for performers, volunteers and festival staff. This has resulted in a shortage and hard feelings. You'd be astonished to know what a small budget we have to put on this event, and one of the big costs is food. We'd love to be able to feed and water everyone, but we just can't afford to. Relentless security at the YTB is the only answer. Believe me, nobody wants to be the bad guy, but even in our folk music community there are those who will take advantage.

An addendum to my last message: Those who would like to be in touch with us or be put on the mailing list for the festival should probably write to our Sea Music Festival email address rather than my personal one in the office. The address is smf@mysticseaport.org. That way the other festival organizers will see your letters.

Thanks again to all who came, saw, heard, conquered and enjoyed themselves. RS

Thanks