6-17: Grads, dads and blues

By Tom Eastman

A TIP OF THE CAP to graduating Kennett High Eagles on Saturday and for golfing dads Sunday for Father’s Day.

It’s also time for the Maine Blues Festival, set for June through June 19 in nearby Naples, Maine. You buy a wristband, and it gets you onto the shuttle that runs from noon to 1 a.m. both days, as well as into the nine Naples venues located along Route 302 that are hosting bands.

You can’t walk 10 feet into one of the venues without running into someone from Mount Washington Valley, so whether by yourself or with a group, be sure to give this Maine classic a try.

According to the website (www.mainebluesfestival.com/events), some of the acts performing this year on Saturday include the Blues Hounds on the Songo Queen II blues cruise at 3 p.m. (additional charge to go on the  cruises); friend and great guitarist Bruce Marshall at Captain Jack’s at 6:30 p.m.; the Blues Prophets at 8:30 p.m. at Merced’s; and the 11th annual All-Star Blues Jam hosted by the New Blues Revue at Bray’s Pub at 8:30 p.m.

HERE COMES SUMMER: Dads and Grads (and blues) Weekend is always a festive one, as we head toward the start of summer with the solstice and full moon on Monday (the solstice officially arrives at 6:34 p.m. Eastern Standard Time June 20).

Accuweather is forecasting incredibly fine weather for the weekend in North Conway, continuing the string of 50 centers that began Thursday when Briggs Bunker gave it that top rating on WMWV’s “Morning Weather Show.” Friday also got that rating.

RALLY IN THE VALLEY: Jim Tuttle tells us that the MWV Riders’ “Rally in the Valley” ends June 18. Today’s activities include a guided ride leaving from Hillbilly’s in North Conway at 10 a.m. Riders are asked to be there by 9:30 a.m. for a memorial for late proprietor Frank Welch before a ride to L-A Harley-Davidson (mention “Rally in the Valley” for free lunch and 10 percent off any purchase). Everyone is invited to return to Tuckerman’s Tavern at 4 p.m. for a tattoo contest, live entertainment and promotions.

THE COMMUNITY TURNED out in force Wednesday night for the Mellanie Shaw dinner and auction benefit, presented by Friends of Conway Rec and Kennett High. Mellanie, a reiki practitioner, is battling cancer for a second time, and as fellow scribe Lloyd Jones wrote in a story this week, the community wanted to let her know that she is not battling it alone.

Mellanie is the wife of Andy Shaw, who teaches metals at Kennett High School. Both are active in the town recreation department programs. Andy coaches three sports, while Mellanie is an active volunteer.

I stopped by to enjoy the pasta dinner presented by culinary instructor Kendra Veno and students, serving food donated by the Valley Originals. I then headed into Loynd Auditorium for the silent auction and Chinese auction, where over 160 items donated by the Valley Originals, Home Depot and other local businesses were scooped up by attendees.

Serving as master of ceremonies was John Eastman, recreation director for the town of Conway. He and everyone did a great job. It was especially heartwarming to see his legions of young helpers, ferrying out prizes to winning raffle ticket holders.

In the silent auction, Pat Murphy scored four Red Sox tickets; Josh McAllister placed the top bid for a four-person golf clinic with North Conway Country Club Asst. Pro Kevin Walker; Ron Danforth ironically won overnight camping passes to Danforth Bay (no relation) and Victoria Noel placed the highest bid for a stainless steel barbecue.

The night was yet another example of this valley’s great community spirit, and as John said, “It makes you proud to call this community home.”

JUNE BEING THE MOST popular month for weddings, we hope you enjoy reading today’s cover story about the Madison Historical Society’s exhibit, “Wedding Dresses Through the Decades.”

Never having been lucky enough (so far) to be married, it was fun to learn some bridal trivia facts while researching the story. I found the following information at the Bride and Tuxedo House (www.thebridalandtuxedohouse.com/blog/june-brides-history-and-tradition):

The tradition of “June Brides,” they note, dates back to Roman times and the June 1 festival celebrating the marriage of deity Juno and his wife Jupiter (the Goddess of Marriage and Childbirth, no less).

In the 14th century, June was the top pick because it’s when people began to bathe again following winter, and brides wanted a pleasant smelling crowd. It was also convenient because flowers were newly available and very necessary to mask the smell of those who hadn’t yet cleaned up.

In the Celtic calendar, the term “honeymoon” referred to the first moon after the summer solstice. The term became synonymous with “time following the wedding,” even when it happened outside of June weddings.

So, from honeymoons, baths and bouquets, those are just a few fun bridal facts that you can share with your fellow wedding reception guests or Madison Historical Society patrons.

I CHECKED OUT DA CAPO’s wonderful concert at the Whitney Community Center in Jackson last Sunday, which was nearly sold out. It was Da Capo’s third in a series, as they also performed June 5 in Lovell and June 10 in Denmark. Mary Bastoni and Judy Herrick co-directed the shows, with Judy also serving as accompanist on piano.

Highlights included “Man of Constant Sorrow” from “Brother Where Art Thou?,” “The Time Warp” from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and the Burt Bacharach tune, “The Look of Love.”

Nice job by all of the singers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS TO ONE and all, including: belatedly Pat Fleck (June 15) and Noreen Medley (June 17), and to fitness instructor Alexis Brochu, Howard Stanten and Tara Viscardi Egan (June 18); Valley Travel’s Gayle Baker and limo driver Chuck Sutton (June 19); Gibson Center executive chef Rick Spencer, Realtor Joy Tarbell and Elsie Limmer (June 20); and Steve Miller (June 24).

THAT’S ALL FOR THIS summer-loving blues fan. Congrats to all graduates, and have a great Father’s Day!