In September our 2001-02 officers and board members will step down and our April-elected 2002-03 officers and board members will begin their terms of office. Many thanks to everyone who held office and helped improve our organization.
Have you all been connecting to our website www.cnyba.com? All information is up-to-date and very interesting and all data is very professionally presented.
Reports that came in concerning our Yearly Membership Picnic at Mercer Park, Baldwinsville were very positive. The day was nice, food delicious and plentiful and the music most enjoyable. Also, the fellowship was the best. Thank you to all who made the day a "fun time".
Has everyone seen our beautiful quilt? It is absolutely gorgeous, and a lot of work was put into it. Sue Hayden has raffle tickets to sell for it. See Sue on Friday nights at Marcellus. Raffle's will also be sold at our festival. When you see it, you will definitely want to own it. Thanks to all who helped create it .
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:
Lois Benzing - Oswego, NY
Gary Evans - Skaneateles, NY
Bob Hanraham - N. Syracuse, NY
Christopher J. Houle - Clinton, NY
Grace Truell - Fulton - NYWe are happy to have you as a member of CNYBA.
WHAT'S HAPPENING? CNYBA: The Natural Bluegrass Preservative.
* Our Jamborees will be held bi-monthly (Sept.-May) at various locations in Central NY and announced further in the newsletter.
* The CNYBA Board of Directors meeting is at 1:00pm sharp every second Sunday of the month (Sept to May
at the Masonic Lodge, Cato, NY (across the parking lot from the Hotel). Plan on attending the Mason's Breakfast first, from 8am-1pm.* Our Business meeting is held at 2:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and paid-up members can vote (except Associates). Stay for the Jammin' afterwards.
EVERY TUESDAY: The Golden Link Folk Singing Society, Inc., sing around, 8pm at 12 corners Presbyterian Church, 1200 South Winton Road, Rochester, NY. Golden Link Folk Fone (716) 234-5044 or http://www.goldenlink.org.
EVERY WEDNESDAY: 7-9pm Jam session at the Hillview Baptist Hall, O'Brien Road, Baldwinsville, NY (off Rt. 48 near Sorocco). All welcomelisteners as well as players.
EVERY FRIDAY: 7:00PM Jammin' at the Legion Hall in the village of Marcellus., NY Come and join the fun! Everyone welcome! Info: Sam and Marion at 315-673-2329 or Jack Burns at 315-673-1844. $2 donation for use of the hall.
EVERY 3RD SUNDAY: Southern Tier Bluegrass Association meeting at the Tuscorora Elem. School, Addison, NY. Bring a dish to pass, your table setting, a friend, your music implement, and/or your listening ear. Picking begins at noon; meeting called to order at 1octhen lunchthen back to picking. Info: Ken Pearson, Pres., 269 Dweight Ave., Corning, NY 14830; 609-936-1844.
FINGERLAKES BLUEGRASS MONTHLY JAM: 4th Sunday of each month2-8pm at the Ontario County Arts Council, 65 S. Main St., Canandiagua, NY Acoustic bluegrass instruments only (el. Bass allowed). Open mic for bands or pick-up groups. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available. Donation of $2 to Arts Council requested. No jams Dec., June, July or August. Info: Arts Council at 716-396-0087 or John Long at 716-924-3117.
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MARK YOUR CALENDERS: SEE OUR FESTIVAL PAGE for more listings.SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2002: 6TH ANNUAL FIDDLE JAMBOREE: MT Sabattis Pavilion, Long Lake, NY, at 2PM.
Featured fiddler: Former State Champ., George Harringer. Cost: $6 (age 17 and up) and $2 (age 11-16). All fiddlers welcome to participate and will be reimbursed for gas expense to get here (backup not included). Each fiddle group/person are asked to play at least three songs and to participate in jam sessions and square dance. For info: Long Lake Parks and Recreation Tourism at 518-624-3077 or longlake@telenet.net.SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2002; BILL KNOWLTON'S 30th BLUEGRASS RAMBLE PICNIC, 10AM until dusk, Dwyer Memorial Park, Little York, NY (Preble Exit 13 off I-90). Free. Lineup: Delaney Brothers, Lonesome Road Ramblers, Lost Time, Lost Boys, Flint Creek, Bill & Maggie Anderson, Gloryland Way (the Fuhrmans), Sweet Cider, Spare Parts, Bristol Brothers, Three's Company and the Salmon River Boys. For information: Bill Knowlton at 315-457-6100 or udmacon@aol.com.
Saturday, AUGUST 10, 2002: SALMON RIVER BOYS Orwell Town Hall, Orwell, NY: Round and square dancing from 8-11PM. Info: (315)298-2262.
"CONGRATULATIONS" to Bill Knowlton for holding 30 years of the "Bluegrass Ramble Picnic" ! Many more years of success to you.
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Ramblin' with Helen By Helen Weldon
Well, folks, I guess our "hot" summer weather is here, and I hope all of you manage to keep cool. As you know, postage rates took a hike, and when I got a check for stamps from our treasurer, Pete Carr, he told me he made out like a "bandit" with birthday cakes - he went to Marcellus on the 21st and there were two cakes, and Mary had made him one too! I understand that Thayle Phair and Maryan VanDusens's birthday's were celebrated that evening too. Pete also told me that he was going to the 4 day festival at Jerseytown, PA, and the following weekend to Brandon, VT. Enjoy them Pete and next month I will tell you all what Mary did.
A big "Thank you" to Betty Humphrey for the two packets of blank cards and stamps that she sent me in answer to my request in the newsletter.
Since our last visit, our long-time member Ruth Holden passed away on her birthday June 4th. She had battled Lupus for many; years, along with many other health problems. She is survived by a daughter, Lucille Loftus, 1765 Co. Rt. 1, Oswego, NY 13126; two sisters, one brother, 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Services were held on June 8, at the Dowdie Funeral Home and burial was in New Haven cemetery. Contributions can be sent to the Lupus Foundation of America, 5858 E Malloy Rd., Mattydale, NY 13211. Expressions of sympathy; were sent to her family. I'm sure Ruth's daughter would appreciate hearing from those who remembered her Mom and Dad.
Our new Secretary, Bill Light and wife, Donna, need our thoughts and prayers as they both have immediate family members with pancreatic cancer and are spending as much time as possible between Mass. and New Jersey.
Also, please keep Marion LaMont in your prayers as she is undergoing tests and having lots of pain in her arm and hand from the break a few months back. Also, she will be having surgery on her neck to open a clogged artery.
Bibiane (Bea) Bouthilette had unexpected open-heart surgery on July 5th. I am sure she is in need of prayers and good thoughts. Cards can be sent to her at 324 Leonard St., Mattydale, NY 13211. We all hope your recovery is successful and quick, Bea.
I will be at our festival on Sat., August 3rd and am looking forward to seeing all of you - it has been such a long time, so please come see me ..I tried to keep this short enough so as promised the balance of the tribute to Hugh Hilton can follow.
Until our next visit, remember: Families are like fudge .. Mostly sweet with a few nuts..sure sounds like our CNYBA family!! - Helen
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Hugh Hilton tribute continued from last month
In 1951 or early 1952 , Hugh and Rex joined musical forces with Maurice Hurd Sr. and his son Maurice Jr., and daughter Ann. Maurice Sr., played fiddle and piano, Jr. played the piano and acoustic bass and Ann sang and called squares as did Maurice Sr. and Hugh. This group played round and square dances around the area throughout most of the 50's and Maurice Sr. continued to perform with Hugh & Rex occasionally in the 60's & 70's.
It's always been my opinion that the grouping of the Hurds with Hugh and Rex made up the greatest round and square dance band ever in the area.
Throughout the 1950's while also being fully involved with farming, Hugh and Rex experienced the heaviest scheduling of their musical careers.
After some years of performing as a duo, this with the exception of the dances at the Bethel Community Center, Hugh and Rex were joined by myself (Loren Teachout) with five string banjo, and later guitar. By the late 1970s (brother) Lee Teachout was occasionally singing with us and added the fiddle to the group in 1978 and the acoustic bass in 1997.
In 1973 we discovered Bill Knowlton and his "Bluegrass Ramble" and soon Bill became acquainted with us. At this time it was apparent we needed a band or group name so we took the name "Salmon River Boys." This after over thirty years of performing together; Rex and Hugh for the first time had an established and identifiable band name.
It was also apparent that we need to include more vocals in our entertainment. By 1950 Hugh had accumulated eighty or more songs he could sing from memory. But when he began calling squares he soon discontinued nearly all singing. So, in 1973 Hugh relearned a few songs from decades earlier and learned some new ones also. At the same time Lee and myself were adding some songs to the group's repertoire.
Since this time the Salmon River Boys have enjoyed countless gigs in countless areas that would not have happened had it not been for the experience with, and the exposure from Bill and his "Bluegrass Ramble".
In April 1998 Hugh was diagnosed with cancer. He very narrowly survived the chemotherapy treatments but was successful in remission. His cancer was rediagnosed in August 1999. Chemotherapy treatments this time created very little side effects and he was again successful in remission. When the cancer returned in the fall of 2001, chemotherapy and radiation treatments were ineffective. Hugh remained at home and generally was comfortable as could be expected.
Hugh's four year battle with cancer ended on April 8, 2002, just ten days short of his 86th birthday. His calling hours were Thursday April 11th which several hundred attended. Several photos were displayed of Hugh and Alice and families, Hugh's cider making, his guitar and mandolin, a few of his countless pieces of wood furniture, the custom-built covered wagon, his classic 1953 Willis Jeep truck, his home, the Salmon River Falls, and various pictures of him with the other Salmon River Boys.
At Alice Hilton's request, Hugh's most prized possession, his 1940 Hilton Guitar, was proudly displayed at his coffin's side.
His funeral was Friday, April 12th and amidst the sadness and tears was some element of celebration of his life. Steve Balcom, Rex Teachout's first cousin and friend of Hugh spoke fondly of his friendship and feelings of Hugh. My sister, Linda (Teachout) Crandall also read a well-prepared writing of her thoughts of her "Uncle Cye". (Hugh was equally known by his nickname of "Cye".) Also, at Alice's request, Rex, Lee and myself played Hugh's signature song: "When the Wagon Was New."
Hugh is at rest in the family plot in Orwell cemetery.
Hugh's first wife of less than eight years, Neva Haile, died of cancer in 1963. He is survived by his wife Alice, her sons Allen North of California, and Robert North of Pulaski; his sister and brother, Emma Teachout and Richard Hilton, both of Pulaski.
This writing is far more lengthy than I intended. How can anyone fully sum up the life of someone of Hugh's longevity? How can just his musical interest and activities be so briefly summed up when it spans nearly 3.4 of a century?? It can't, as I've just begun to tell his story.
We're so blessed to have had "Cye." He is and will be missed.
Loren Teachout, the "Salmon River Boys,"April 14, 2002 315-963-0808
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Each year I try to profile one of our bands who is playing at our festival. Being that Cultural and Arts Resources is helping fund 40 West, I would like to introduce you all to their members:
DAVE DE VRIES plays guitar, bass, Lead and Harmony vocals. Music has been around Dave all his life when his parents introduced him to bluegrass at a very young age. He sang tenor in family jams, but in the 80's began his strong lead vocals. He also recorded many of his compositions. Being a member of the Canadian Air Force he is happy to be back in Ontario with his family, but is looking forward to playing at festivals and meeting other musicians.
JEFF LIBBY plays acoustic bass, lead guitar, mandolin and lead and harmony vocals. Jeff started playing guitar at the age of nine in local shows in Nova Scotia. Since then he has learned to play banjo, mandolin, bass and sing lead, tenor and baritone vocals. He started playing bluegrass seven years ago with different groups, until he joined 40 West. He and his wife live in Ottawa.
STEVE HANES plays 5-string banjo, acoustic bass, dobro and harmony vocals. Steve started being interested in bluegrass in 1976 eventually including teachers, students and others at the Ottawa Folklore Center. This group soon formed a group called Maple Hill and they played at festivals throughout Ontario. Steve's banjo style is rooted in the "Scruggs" style. He plays a nice blend of traditional and contemporary bluegrass. Steve is the director of the Ottawa Valley Bluegrass Music Assoc and spends much time promoting bluegrass. He lives in Nepean, Ontario with his wife and two daughters .
GILLES LECLERC plays mandolin, lead guitar and harmony vocals. Gilles started his musical journey playing guitar and soon contributed his vocal, mandolin and guitar talents to 40 West. Gilles recently graduated from Algonquin College and spends much time at his father's cabin pickin' with his family.
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RIDE WANTED: Bruce Cutler has a serious vision problem, but would like to attend our festival in august. He lives at 5 Ditton Street, Lyons, NY. His phone number is 315-946-4647. He will gladly pay for gas to get there.
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Guess that''s all for this time. I really wish that more festival people (as requested) had sent me flyers so that I could inform our members. Oh well. Have a good one...................
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