Yesterday’s News

Literally yesterday's news.

Dolores and I went all the way out to Ashford last night (Friday) for poetry. We didn’t expect to know anyone, but…

When we walked in Rob (who hosted ArtSpeak at Peaberry’s in Simsbury) was there and recognized Dolores and me. He also remembered the bump and grind performance (to musical accompaniment) I did reading my poem, Why Condo Associations Won’t Allow Clotheslines. Remembering that night at Peaberry’s always brings on lots of laughing!

Then, I turn around and who should be coming in the door but Deb and Kurt Ravenwood from Manchester. (RAVENWOOD HOLISTIC WELLNESS CENTER,
 199 West Center Street, Manchester CT 06040
, (860) 432-2081, deb@ravenwoodhealing.com). They knew people in the band and were there to be supportive.

THEN, after I read my poetry some of which referenced South Windsor, one of the open mic musicians, Justin Ford, came over to me and said his father, Robert Ford, taught History in South Windsor (high school) from 1969 to 1993. They lived in East Windsor and Justin went to the East Windsor schools. Justin’s mother is Charlote Schlicting (I knew her cousin Eunice). Justin now lives in Ashford with his wife and 2 daughters. He’s a builder, cabinetmaker and blows a wicked blues harmonica! Does guitar and sings good, too.

Talk about a small world?

A word about the band and the music at the Ashford Library. The music was much like we experienced at Peaberry’s…mostly improv and jamming. That lasted until Justin got up and joined them on his harmonica with some blues. Then they finally started sounding like they were playing music. Without Justin and his harmonica (and later his guitar) the band was not holding up too well.

Two other open mic performers were two of the cutest young ladies playing flute. Oh, my, how they could fly up onto that stage from a running start…so full of energy. They played well and when there was a minor problem they handled it like it was nothing…like playing in their own home instead of in front of an audience.

An interesting night in Ashford.