What an excellent festival, as always. Congratulations to the festival director Craig Edwards and the whole crew at Mystic. It was great seeing Barry Finn again, as always. Barry, you're looking in better health, and your strong voice is in great form.

I recognised BillD and MMario from Mudcat event photos, and finally caught up with them on the last day of the fest to introduce myself. We didn't get to talk much, with so much going on around us, but from our brief convrsations it is obvious they are fine blokes. hope to talk with you more at another event. Saw Charley Noble, and ran into Dick and Susan at one of the workshops.

Ron Olesko, Windlass1, and I took part in a gag at a local steakhouse. Sitting at a table nearby was chantey singer Cliff Haslam, with some members of the Ancient Mariners. Since I never met Cliff, I suggested I go over to their table, pretend I'm a waiter, and ratle of some very weird sounding specials, such as "baked Porcupine au jus,' etc. Windlass1 one had a better idea: Go over and tell him that the lady at our table (Windlass1) thanks him for ofering to pay him our tab, which I did. He glanced over at her, recoginsed her anmd laughed. Well........we pay our bill, and as we're leaving, Ron hands the check to the waitress and asks her to give it to Cliff with his own bill. She say's "Leave it to me - I know how to do this." We didn't stick around. Don't know the end to this story (maybe a punch in the nose next year from Mr. Haslam?).
Nice meeting you and your ovely wife, Ron, and hope to see you alive at nerxt year's festival :-).

The Georgia Sea Island Singers were brillliant, and really fun, spirited people. Robbie O'Connell, John Robert's new group Ye Mariners All, Dick Swain, The Nextradition, Dan and Bonnie Milner, the dancing of Nick Gareiss, and a brilliant young singer, not on the bill but at the sessions - Julia Friend, were all wonderful. At 20, Julia sings with heartfelt honesty and maturity. She's a singer you will no doubt hear more about for many years to come. A major highlight for me was the "Gospel Ship" workshop with the Georgia Sea Island Singers, The Nextradition, Bob Walser, and Craig Edwards. They had the chapel audience rocking, clapping, and singing their hearts out. An amazing session.

The Windlasses, reunited, at the Griswold Inn monday night at the post festival open mike and dinner were one of the highlights of the evening. They were always very good, but now sound stronger and better than ever. Also great to hear the Johnson Girls at the sessions. You go, girls!

BTW, it was Jerry Bryant who made the joke about being in the next County when he heard Don Sinetti singing.

Next year's the 25th festival!

Chanteyranger