Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away

Subject: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: janet50
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 05:02 PM

Just want to let everyone know in folk music land that the matriarch of The Sounding Board Coffeehouse, Fran Domler, has passed away. She passed on at 1 PM on Wednesday November 9. She now joins Bill Domler up in folk music heaven! She was my mom and a wonderful lady. Do not know when calling hours are yet. You can email me at [e-mail] for further information.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: DougR
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 05:11 PM

Sorry about your loss, Janet. It's never easy losing a parent and it appears you have lost both of yours. God bless them, and you.

DougR

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 05:52 PM

My condolences on your loss, Janet. It's been nearly a year since my dad passed and mom's been gone almost seven. It's just not an easy thing. May you find solace in your memories and the music.

Love, Light, and Peace,

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 06:18 PM

I remember fondly many evenings at the Sounding Board, even if it was a bit of a drive from Southern Conencticut. The Domlers are probably busy organizing wonderful concerts in heaven, featuring lots of recently passed musicians.

RIP.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 07:27 PM

My sincere condolences to you and yours. I've nothing but the fondest memories of the times I played at the Sounding board. Those Folk Legacy Folk Festivals were the best---with Kendall and Jonathan Eberhart and everyone. There are some nice photos of your mom and dad and all up on my folk scene photos website. (To Enter:---- when prompted, put in the word mudcat as both the "user name" AND the "password") http://rudegnu.com/art_thieme.html

Especially, look at the photos from the night your parents and all gave an exceptionally nice guitar to Sandy Paton as a surprise gift. To say the least, Sandy was very surprised and got quite emotional !! It was a great time to be at the Sounding Board.

And thanks a ton to all there for doing the benefit for me with Jerry Rasmussen, Cindy Mangsen & Steve Gillette, Howie Bursen, Pete Seeger and all when my health was going sour in the '90s. I love the video from that night!

Again, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 08:08 PM

What hard news! Fran was one of the sweatest, most gracious women I ever met. In her unassuming way, she had as much to do with the success of the Sounding Board as Len. She will be greatly missed.

We send our love and prayers to all of the family.

Jerry and Ruth

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: GUEST,celtaddict at work
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 01:01 AM

I am so sorry to hear of this, Janet. The Sounding Board has given so much pleasure to folk music fans from all over New England for so long. I know your parents were special people from what they created. Bless you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: Anglo
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 02:31 AM

So sorry to hear this news. Tony and I spent many enjoyable evenings singing at the Sounding Board, with all the Domlers and lots of other wonderful folk. Please pass our condolences to Len.

John Roberts

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: open mike
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 12:06 PM

Does anyone else have more info and memories about the sounding board?
This sounds like it was a special place for many, and I am curoius
what the name is from? what is a sounding board? Condolances, and
blessings to all.

I found this from Hartford Connecticut http://folknotes.org/
It sounds like it is in the Unitarian Church
http://folknotes.org/sbcontact.htm

thanks go out to the people who helped to establish this
music performance space, and may the music live on!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 07:19 PM

Janet I am sorry to hear this. news. Your parents were so suportive to so many . I have warm memories of them visiting the pottery shop years ago and the help they gave a young Lui Collins in her early years playing .. Warm wishes to your family . , Guy

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: GUEST,Sandy Paton (sans cookie, apparently)
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 11:30 PM

Fran Domler was a saint! Warm, motherly, generous to all, she quietly made a great contribution to the Sounding Board over the many years of its existence. She was always there at the refreshment table, smiling and cordial -- the ideal "Mom" -- and we all loved her.
    Bill, Len and Fran's son, started the Sounding Board about 25 years ago. When he left to start other folk enterprises, he turned the operation of the coffeehouse over to his parents. Bill died tragically a few years ago, much too young.
    Caroline and I were the first performers at the Sounding Board, and are now scheduled to be there again on the 4th of December (I think it is), this time with our sons playing with us. In the interim, we have played there almost every year, often with good folk like Bob Zentz, Ed Trickett, or Joe Hickerson sharing the evening with us. They have always been good times for us.
    I can hardly express the depth of my gratitude to the Domlers for all they have done for us and for folk music in central Connecticut, and how deeply we feel the loss of this wonderful friend.
    Sandy (also speaking for Caroline, who could have said it better)

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 11:32 PM

open mike, this might help:

ounding board
n.
1. Music
a. A thin board forming the upper portion of the resonant chamber in an instrument, such as a violin or piano, and serving to increase resonance.
b. A structure placed behind or over a podium or platform to reflect music or a speaker's voice to an audience. Also called soundboard.
2. A person or group whose reactions to an idea, opinion, or point of view serve as a measure of its effectiveness or acceptability.
3. A device or means serving to spread or popularize an idea or a point of view.

I remember hearing about the sounding board of our piano whilst growing up; it was very important, esp. when moving.:-)

Subject: RE: Obit: Sounding Board's Fran Domler passes away
From: karen k
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 01:56 AM

I second everything that Sandy said. Fran was a gem. One couldn't help but love her. Her smile was infectious and you always felt like she was really glad to see you. Fran had a beautiful, clear voice and nobody sang Keep On the Sunnyside quite like Fran. It's hard to believe she is gone, but she is in a better place now. My thoughts and my love go out to Len and Jan and the rest of the Domler family.

karen kobela