Good Times and New Friends in Calvin Township

Calvin Jam 20September08
Yesterday evening the Toad and I drove over to Calvin Township again for their monthly jam session, our second time to be there. During the break we learned that some of the regular musicians and singers were at a bluegrass event in Bonfield, so the stage was more bare than usual. That certainly didn't result in a lack of good music! Several local musicians were there, very talented folks who played and sang many old country western songs, including several written by Roy Payne. Roy Payne himself was there! He picked and sang several songs, mainly his own but also some by his friends Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings. Roy is from Newfoundland but moved to Mattawa several years ago and is quite the local celebrity--and rightly so! I had heard him perform one of his songs at the Golden Age jam a few weeks ago but last night was a much better treat, as the setting was much more intimate and he was able to participate to a much greater degree, playing and/or singing several songs throughout the evening. He honored a request for his The Little Boats Of Newfoundland, which is a very moving song. And when he introduced and sang his I Wouldn’t Take A Million Dollars For A Single Maple Leaf the whole room was enthralled. At the end of the jam he joined several other performers in leading us all in a heartfelt Amazing Grace.

Bileau, seated on the stool in the first and third photos, brought me to tears with his rendition of Give My Love To Rose during the first half of the jam. During the break we had an interesting conversation after I complimented him on his performance, and he told me that he sings that in honor of his late wife, Rose, who died in 1985. After eighteen years alone, during which he raised their two daughters, he found a lady friend who had been widowed. I met her later, and it was sweet to see this happy couple enjoying life after the heartbreak of losing their spouses.

As before, the coffee and food were plentiful and delicious, available to all for the price (paid or not) of a donation. I learned that the sandwiches and baked goods are brought by some of the women. When we found a seat, arriving a bit late but not later than most of the musicians, I introduced myself to the other couple at our table and made a new friend, Liz. Liz was very friendly even before the break, during which I eagerly chose a salmon sandwich from the platters, hoping that it would be as good as the ones I had there last month. It certainly was, so I went back for another one. When I returned with it Liz leaned over and asked if I liked the sandwich. To my vigorous nod and "Yes, it's wonderful!" she smiled and said, "Thank you." She was the one who had made the yummy salmon sandwiches as well as the very tasty egg salad sandwiches! Before the break ended she got up and brought the Toad and I each another salmon sandwich, beaming in our joy at receiving them. Because fewer people were there than had been anticipated (due to the Bonfield gig) there were six leftover sandwiches; Liz gave the Toad and I four of them to take home with us, reserving only two for herself and her husband. She also very kindly wrote down the recipe for me for both the salmon and egg salad sandwiches, giving me some unwritten tips for ensuring a high degree of yumminess. I can hardly wait to make some at home. I'm looking forward to seeing her again, especially since she and her husband live in Mattawa. She enjoyed looking at the photos I took and asked if my camera was the kind you can use to put photos on the computer. I told her that it was and that if she wanted a copy I could email them to her. From what I gathered from her she would appreciate some help learning how to use a computer, as theirs, purchased to allow her to compile her many recipes and patterns, is still in the box. If I can find her I will be glad to help her out. Not that I'm an expert, by any means!

In the last fifteen minutes or so of the jam I snapped a few photos. Unfortunately I didn't get photos that included all the performers. By then several musicians had already left. Also, it was difficult to take photos without causing a distraction in an otherwise delightfully low-key evening of music. As yet I don't know the name of everyone in the photos, but recognize them all as having performed either there or in Mattawa the few times we've been able to attend a jam. One fun-loving little woman, seen front and right in the last photo, hammed it up and sang two funny songs that we've heard her sing at the Golden Age--her signature songs, so to speak: You Can't Tell The Difference In The Dark and Out Behind The Barn. A good time was had by all!

Roy Payne

Some of the jammers: Roy, Irene(?) on harmonica, Colleen, and Bileau (seated)

Sandy

Roy

Roy joined Colleen in singing one of his songs (Greg picking, right)

Amazing Grace finale

Amazing Grace