Photos by Nanci

Southside Johnny Hits Stowe VT

2012-02-14T08:41:00.000-05:00

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center
Stowe VT February 11, 2012
Review and photos by Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

With no opening act, Southside took the stage just a little past 8 pm and played for just about two hours. The show wasn't sold out but was pretty darn full with a lot of folks in the crowd speaking with New York and New Jersey accents.

A few songs in Southside appeared somewhat confused, grabbed the setlist, looked it over then tore it up. We knew the fun was about to begin. Not often does he follow a setlist but this is the first time we've seen him tear it up. It usually causes some minor confusion among band members but being the professionals they are, you don't really notice the "audibles."

With one exception at this show, John Isley, in only his second night on Sax with the newly revamped horn section did seem a little lost after the setlist was torn up by Southside, however he did a great job with a little help from Chris Anderson.

Isley joined The Jukes after Ed Manion joined the E-Street band for Bruce Springsteen's Wrecking Ball Tour. According to an interview given by Southside to The Record “He’s stealing my saxophone players to replace Clarence (Clemons, whopassed away last year), so we steal from each other’s bands occasionally.”

Southside paid tribute to his former roommate (1967or 68) and song writing partner, "Miami Steve", "Little Steven", Steve Van Zandt by playing a double shot of "Angel Eyes and "Forever" off the critically acclaimed Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul "Men Without Women." At the end Southside said "God Bless Steve Van Zandt!" (in a related article please read:
Rock and Roll Forever Foundation...Keep Kids in School

Southside told tales of driving the back roads of Vermont from Montpelier to Stowe, without cell service and how Vermont was going to get hit with a ton of snow in March. He also asked the crowd if anyone had a ski pass they could give to the trumpet player (Chris Anderson) "We're trying to get rid of him too" said Southside.

During "Talk To Me" he spoke about a hard day skiing andhanging in the ski lodge meeting up with a young ski bunny "and she's 20 years younger than you and she looks better than any girls you've ever gone out with including the four you married...". Then he tried toget the crowd to sing the chorus with him...

He closed the show with a new song "Umbrella in My Drink" and called Tom Rowell, the Spruce Peak Productions and OperationsManager on stage with his tuba.

Seeing Southside in such a comfortable, acoustically perfectsetting makes me hate the Hampton Beach Casino even more, we are often forcedto see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes there because they aren't booked anywhere nearby.

I'm also left wondering whya band with such talent is playing small venues when the likes of other no-talent folks are selling out arenas.

The Band:

Southside Johnny

Jeff Kazee, Keyboards

John Conte, Bass

Glenn Alexander, Guitar

Tom Seguso, Drums

John Isley, Tenor and Baritone Sax

Chris Anderson, Trumpet and Flugelhorn

Neal Pawley, Trombone and guitar

Tom Rowell, Spruce Peak Productions and Operations Manager on Tuba

Setlist:
Happy
I Played the Fool
Love on the Wrong Side of Town
Lead Me On
Gin Soaked Boy
Talk to Me/Twist and Shout
Harder Than It Looks
Paris
Woke up This Morning
Angel Eyes/Forever
Into the Harbour
Walk away Renee
Tango till They're Sore (Intro only)
Tuba Blues Improv
Without Love
Shake 'em Down
Sacrifice
All Down the Line (sung by Jeff Kazee)
The Fever
It's Been a Long Time
I Don't Want to Go Home
One More Night to Rock

Encore
Umbrella in My Drink (with Tom Rowell on Tuba)

Band Lineup
Southside Johnny, vocals and harmonica
Jeff Kazee, keyboards
John Conte, bass
Tom Seguso, drums
Glenn Alexander, guitar
John Isley, tenor and baritone sax
Chris Anderson, trumpet and flugelhorn
Neal Pawley, trombone and acoustic guitar

Spruce Peak is a beautiful venue. Stowe has done avery tasteful job (in my opinion) developing the area. It's worth a look ifyou're up this way.

Vermont is sure pretty in the snow, but I'd belying if I said I wasn't looking forward to Florida next weekend. On TheBeach!!!

-- Carol (Thanks Carol)

This was our second show at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in Stowe Vermont, and it won't be our last. The theater has fantastic acoustics and very comfy seats. And for a photographer, the lighting crew does an outstanding job!

More Southside Pics

Videos

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Wolf Prowls the Infinity Stage

2012-02-13T16:23:00.002-05:00

Peter Wolf and the Midnight Travelers
Infinity Music Hall and Bistro
Norfolk, CT February 9, 2012
Review and photos by Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

Peter Wolf and the Midnight Travelers stormed the stage at 8:45 pm and rocked the crowd until 10:40 pm. This show was originally schedule for late October, however a big snow storm postponed the show until February. We saw Wolf at Tupelo White River Junction 10/26/11 so we hadn't planned on attending this show but when tickets went on sale for February 9 we scored front row seats so we made the 6 hour round trip drive.

Wolf has recorded a nice voice over to start the show while the Midnight Travelers are playing a jazzy tune. The crowd seemed to like it howlin' and whistling.

Their show opener seems to be "Long Line" the title track to his 1996 release. "Nothing but the Wheel" followed, prefaced by Wolf saying he had the great pleasure of recording this song with Mick Jagger. Wolf told stories of days gone by: playing in the All Soul Review; walking around Harvard Square at 3 am with Howlin' Wolf; hanging with Willy Deville at CBGB. More recent stories included losing Merle Haggard to a Cracker Barrel and having him just barely showing up for a sound check; and hanging with "The Great Shelby Lynne."

Wolf told the crowd to Google Mink Deville and Willy Deville "When you get home!" Then he dedicated "Riverside Drive" to Willy.

He thanked Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris for recording "Cry One More Time"

Wolf brought a young lady on stage for "Give it To Me"

He looked like he was enjoying himself!

Wolf closed the night with Duke Levine saying "we'll leave you with this..." Start All Over Again"

Setlist:
Long Line (1996)
Nothing But the Wheel (2002)
Long Way Back Again (1998)
Never Like This Before (2002)
Can't Do My Homework Anymore
Always Asking For You (2010)
I Don't Wanna Know (2010)
The Green Fields of Summer (2010)
Love Stinks (bluegrass version)
Wastin' Time (1996)
Riverside Drive (1996) dedicated to Willy DeVille
Cry One More Time (1971 J Geils Band)
Tragedy (2010)
Run Silent, Run Deep (2002)
Dead End Fools Blues (???)
Give It To Me
Looking for A Love
Encore: 10:10
When Women are Lonely (1990)
Waiting on the Moon (1998)
Encore:
It's Too Late For Me (2010)
Woolie Bully
I've Had It
Musta Got Lost
Start All Over
10:40 pm

The Roy Sludge Duo opened the show. The duo of Roy Sludge and Jim Haggerty took the stage right at 8 pm. They were announced as "Right from the Bar, The Roy Sludge Duo!" The set kicked off with "Too Drunk to Truck" the title track to their 2011 CD (that was nominated for the Boston Music Awards Album of the Year!)

The followed that up with the raucous "I Got Hammered (Then I Got Nailed). Continuing with their truck driving theme they plowed into Red Simpson's classic "Nitro Express". If you don't know Red there is a nice bio at http://www.virtualtruckroute.com/music_simpson.html .

Moving into the drinking songs they pulled out "On the Tap, In the Can, or in the Bottle" an old Hank Thompson song. The duo recently upgraded their vehicle to a new minivan but wrote a song about their old traveling buddy "Big Red" then paid tribute to their favorite Country Singer, Ernest Tubb with a great rendition of "Drivin Nails in my Coffin."

After telling the audience that "Pete (Peter Wolf) only hired us to make him look good" they played two more: The Tennessee Ernie Ford "Sixteen Tons" and the Paul Howard song "Drinking all My Troubles Away."

There are some nice videos by Mrs. Sludge on YouTube. Check them out!

Photos by Nanci Wolf PicsVideos of Wolf
(At the artist's request only a 'point and shoot' was allowed for a few songs.)
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New Galleries in February

2012-02-12T15:06:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentines Day

New Galleries posted for the first half of February:

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center
Stowe VT February 11, 2012
Click on Southside

Videos of the Performances:
YouTube Playlist

Peter Wolf and the Midnight Travelers
Roy Sludge Duo opened
Infinity Music Hall and Bistro
Norfolk CT February 9, 2012

Click on Peter

or
Click on Roy

Hartland VT Winter Fest
Hosted By Hartland Rec Department
For the Vermont Standard
Hartland VT February 4, 2012
Click on Tanner and Logan, the Chili 1st and 2nd Place Winners

Gordon Ramsay in Windsor VT...
Famous Foodie and crew
stop by Harpoon Brewery while visiting
The Juniper Hill Inn
Windsor VT February 4, 2012
Click on Gordon

A Cappella at Home
Sponsored by Lebanon Opera House
Citizens Bank, Lebanon Rec Dept.
Lebanon NH February 2, 2012
Click on the microphones

Videos of the Performances:
YouTube Playlist
Follow Photos By Nanci at:
photosbynanci.com
Photos by Nanci Blog
SmugMug Galleries
YouTube
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Rock and Roll Forever Foundation...Keep Kids in School

2012-02-08T09:02:00.005-05:00

Steven "Little Steven" Van Zandt Rock and Roll Forever Foundation. ROCK AND ROLL HIGH SCHOOL

One of my rock and roll heroes has taken on a new crusade. Keep Kids in school with Rock & Roll.

According to Van Zandt "There's a crisis in American Schools today. Drop-out rates are higher than ever. Student engagement is at an all-time low. In this moment, the devastating paradox I see is that music and arts programs are being cut."

But Van Zandt has a plan:

Curricular material based on an origianl forty chapter history featuring the best music writers and historians or our time (anyone who listens to "Little Steven's Underground Garage" on satellite radio or locally on The Point, knows Van Zandt IS a rock and roll historian!)

Some of The Point DJs and Steve

Support materials including remarkable original video content of rock and roll's most celebrated figures

A Website that will act as a gathering place, archive, and an interactive forum, breaking down the walls between education and entertainment.

A pilot phase is planned for a schools in New Jersey. Once the pilot program is up and running, teacher training will begin, a publicity tour will be launched and through its major partner Scholastic, Inc. materials will be made to interested middle schools nationwide, high school programs will follow.

Board Members of the Foundation include: Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Martin Scorsese, Van Zandt and Kenneth Zankel.

You can get involved by spreading the word to your local schools, donate to the Foundation, or see a Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band "Wrecking Ball Tour" show!

See a show, you ask...

Van Zandt so believes in this Foundation and its mission that he is offering tour ticket packages to help fund the Foundation.

Three Levels are available to SPRINGSTEEN fans:

Adopt-A-City
VIP Reception
Premium Seats

Check out the Foundation's website for more info.

Van Zandt appeared on "The View"

Steve visits FUSE:

And to get psyched for the tour, check out my Springsteen images from years past at: Bruce

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Gordon Ramsay in Windsor VT

2012-02-04T16:00:00.000-05:00

Famous foodie Gordon Ramsay paid a visit to Harpoon Brewery in Windsor VT Saturday February 4, 2012. Ramsey and crew were in town visiting at the Juniper Hill Inn.

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New Galleries for January 2012

2012-02-02T13:29:00.000-05:00

A Smile as Big As the Moon Preview A Fundraiser for Zach's Place
Hosted By Pentangle Arts Council
Woodstock VT January 29, 2012
Click on Tanner
For the Vermont Standard

'Elevate the Music' featuring Jack Snyder
Hosted by Pentangle Arts Council
Woodstock VT January 28, 2012
Click on Jack

Video Playlist on YouTube

Ullr festival Hosted By Great River Outfitters and
Paradise Sports
Windsor VT January 28, 2012
Click on King and Queen

Windsor County Partners Brunch Windsor VT January 28, 2012
Click on Laura and Bineke

Lucy Mac For the Vermont Standard
Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society
West Windsor VT January 21, 2012
Click on Nico, the pup

Liz Longley Billsville House Concerts
Williamstown, MA January 21, 2012
Click on Liz

Video Playlist on YouTube

Emerging Artists Showcase
Damon Hall
Hartland VT January 14, 2012
Click on Kyle
For the Vermont Standard

Woodstock Ski Runners
Suicide Six Ski Area
Pomfret VT January 13, 2012
Click on John
For the Vermont Standard

Happy TrailsA Visit to Long Trail Brew Co.
Bridgewater Corners VT January 7, 2012
Click on Tucker

For the Vermont Standard

Soul at Home Lebanon Opera House
Featuring: Green Room and Myra Flynn
Lebanon NH January 5, 2012
Click on Green Room
or
Click on Myra
Videos of the Performances:YouTube Playlist

New Year's Day BrunchCloudland Farm
Pomfret VT January 1, 2012
Click on Xavier
For the Vermont Standard
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Anais Mitchell Debuts Her New Band

2011-12-31T09:40:00.004-05:00

Anais Mitchell
Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center
Stowe VT
December 30, 2011
by Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

Anais Mitchell has done it again!
Fresh from touring to promote her critically acclaimed folk opera Hadestown Mitchell performed before an intimate audience at the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center Friday night December 30, 2011. Originally billed as a solo show, Mitchell announced that she was debuting her "new" band that will be with her to support the February 28, 2012 release of her CD entitled "Young Man in America." This new band includes her husband Noah Hahn and friends Rachel Ries and Ben Davis.

Noah Hahn

Rachel Ries

Mitchell said they had been rehearsing the last few days at her parent's family farm and are very excited about the CD release. Although not on her tour schedule yet, Mitchell said there would be a CD release party at Higher Ground Burlington VT in late February.

The band played for 75 minutes, with Mitchell apologizing "we only know so many songs" (so far), and closed the night with their rendition of "Auld Lang Syne." She chose this song she said in preparation for First Night; Mitchell will be performing First Nights in Burlington and St. Johnsbury VT (info below).

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2953809D08483129&feature=plcp

Stills:

http://smu.gs/uc7qcQ

Setlist included "O My Star!", "Everyday a Dying Day", "1984" and "Why We Build the Wall"

More Tour Dates for Anais:
First Night Performances:

Saturday, 12/31, 5:00pm
First Congregational Church
38 S. Winooski Ave.
Burlington, VT 05401
more info: anais will be performing a solo set at first night burlington!
website
map

Saturday, 12/31, 9:00pm & 11:00pm
St. Johnsbury Academy - Fuller Hall
1000 Main St.
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
more info: anais will be performing a solo set at first night st. johnsbury!
website
map

New Galleries for Photos by Nanci

2011-12-29T11:44:00.001-05:00

Holiday Pageant
Bethany Mennonite Church

For the Vermont Standard

Bridgewater VT December 24, 2011

Click here

Holiday Potluck
South Woodstock Volunteer Fire Station

For the Vermont Standard

S. Woodstock VT December 18, 2011

Click here

Holiday Pageant
South Woodstock Church

For the Vermont Standard

S. Woodstock VT December 18, 2011

Click here

Skate with Santa
Union Arena

For the Vermont Standard

Woodstock VT December 18, 2011

Click here

Lyle Lovett
And His Acoustic Group

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

Great Barrington, MA December 17, 2011

Click here

G.M.P. Final Show
Pleasant Valley Brewing

Saxton's River VT December 16, 2011

Click here

Little Cayman Beach Resort
Reef Divers

Little Cayman, BWI

December 7-14, 2011

Click here

Waldorf Winter Fair
Upper Valley Waldorf School

For the Vermont Standard

Quechee VT December 3, 2011

Click here

Breakfast with Santa
Hartland Elementary School

For the Vermont Standard

Hartland VT December 3, 2011

Click here

Troop 235 Pancakes
For the Vermont Standard

Hartland VT December 3, 2011

Click here

America Sings Hadestown

2011-11-20T10:04:00.000-05:00

Saturday, 11/19, 8:00pm
The Bushnell - Autorino Great Hall
166 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106

The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford CT hosted a FREE concert of the folk opera "Hadestown" on November 19. The Autorino Great Hall was filled with folks curious about the modern day opera penned by a talented singer/songwriter from Vermont.
From Anais' Website:
Vermont folk singer Anaïs Mitchell’s remarkable folk opera Hadestown is a modern retelling of the Orpheus myth, a tale of a poet’s doomed quest to rescue his wife from the underworld. In Mitchell’s inspired hands, the familiar saga unfolds in post-apocalyptic modern America, where poverty and hunger force people to make difficult choices in order to survive. Mitchell will be joined by the Hadestown Orchestra featuring the Chorney Sextet.
For more information about Anaïs Mitchell and Hadestown visit anaismitchell.com/home.html.

More images from the performance: SmugMug Gallery

Videos from the Performance:

Missed the show last night in Hartford...

you can catch it in NYC tonight!!

TONIGHT--Tickets are still available!!
Sunday, 11/20, 7:00pm
Le Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker St.
New York, NY 10012
more info: Hadestown! featuring anais, michael chorney, and the hadestown orchestra!

Cast:
Orpheus: Sean Hayes
Hades: Tim Gearan
Hermes: Ben Matchstick (original theatre production director)
Persephone: Special Guest
Fates: Paper Bird form Colorado

Anaïs Mitchell’s new album Hadestown is proof that music still has the power to surprise and delight. For starters, the guest list includes some pretty well-known names, including a certain Little Folksinger and a guy best known as Bon Iver. And it’s an honest-to-god album, the kind whose songs tell a story from beginning to end—specifically, the ancient Greek myth of the poet Orpheus and his doomed quest to rescue his wife Eurydice from the underworld. In Mitchell’s hands, the familiar saga is reimagined as unfolding in a version of the U.S. that simultaneously evokes our Depression-era past, the current financial disaster (though it was written before the stock market collapse), and a post-apocalyptic future. It’s a land where people hide behind walls in a misguided attempt to preserve their “freedom” and protect their riches.

Future Dates for Anais:

Friday, 12/30, 8:00pm
Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center
7320 Mountain Rd.
Stowe, VT 05672
more info: anais will be performing a solo set.
website
map

THREE SHOWS NEW YEARS EVE!!!
Saturday, 12/31, 5:00pm
First Congregational Church
38 S. Winooski Ave.
Burlington, VT 05401
more info: anais will be performing a solo set at first night burlington!
website
map
Saturday, 12/31, 9:00pm & 11:00pm
St. Johnsbury Academy - Fuller Hall
1000 Main St.
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
more info: anais will be performing a solo set at first night st. johnsbury!
website
map

Spiritualism in Vermont with Joe Citro

2011-10-20T15:40:00.000-04:00

Joe Citro

Spiritualism in Vermont: Religion, Politics and the Preternatural
Presented by Joe Citro, A Vermont Humanities Council Sponsored event.
October 19, 2011 Martin Memorial Hall Ascutney VT
Hosted by the Weathersfield Proctor Library

Library Director, Amity Aldridge DeAngelis introduces Mr. Citro

On a dark and rainy Vermont evening, 25 adventurous Weathersfield souls made their way to the basement of Martin Memorial Hall in Ascutney VT to hear about the history of Spiritualism in Vermont. Spiritualism was very popular in the United States in the 19th Century. Many traveling lecturers brought the works of mediums to all corners of the urban and rural regions of the US.

In May of 1844 Samuel Morse invented Morse Code and typed out " What hath God wrought" according to Joe Citro, "Four years later, Spiritualism!" Citro explained that Spiritualism moved from being a fade to a religious movement to a religion in America on the late 19th century. This was a time of great change in the US with slavery, the Civil War, medicine coming into play. There was no formal religion, no voting for women, and science was in it's infancy.

Citro laid out the path for Spiritualism in the US, giving the audience a brief history of some key players: Emmanuel Swedenborg, who was believed to talk with angels; Anton Mesmer, know for trace like states; the Shakers, who regularly held dialogues with departed souls; Andrew Jackson Davis, who communicated with Swedenborg's spirits--he had one year of formal schooling yet wrote 800 page books.

In a small town of Hydesville NY, 30 miles east of Rochester NY, population 40 souls in 1848 in a cabin in the woods, the Fox family reported hearing strange rapping and noises at night. Margaretta and Katherine Fox the young daughters of John B and Margaret changed the world. Their house was "haunted" by Mr. Splitfoot (a name used in the 19th century for the devil). This spirit later communicated, through an alphabet of raps, that he was a 31 year old peddlar, Charles Roseman that was murdered in the house. In 1904 some human bones were found in the house basement--Roseman's or not??

To enhance communication with the spirit world, in 1855 G. P. Cobb of Woodstock VT invented the Rapping Machine. Other forms of communication included: auto-writing--when in a trance-like state the medium would write, sometimes in unknown languages to the medium; a Planchette--a precursor to the Ouija Board and a spirit trumpet.

A Spirit Trumpet

Citro told the audience that Queen City Park in Burlington VT (behind the current KMART) was founded by spiritualists who would "summer" there during the late 19th Century.

Of the Vermont Mediums covered by Citro's extensive research, the one he believes to be the first was Achsa Sprague a young school teacher from Plymouth Notch VT, she even performed one of her trans-lectures (a lecture given in a trance like state, typically not remembered by the speaker when awoken from the trance) at the Union Church in South Reading VT.

Another was Lucy Ainsworth, was a medical clairvoyant from Calais who treated folks in Cavendish, Reading, Montpelier and Boston MA. One of her clients/patients was Mary Baker Eddy the founder of the Christian Science religion.

Then there was Mrs Blanchard, would reveal strange images through a mixutre of water and clay--when the water evaporated images would appear in the clay.

And Miss Coggswell of Middlebury who could be asked questions when in a trace and have the answers revealed in what appeared to be blood on her skin.

But, Citro explained, not all mediums were women. One very famous male medium lived in Brattleboro Vt and attended a seance as a form of entertainment and channeled Charles Dickens. Thomas Power James in 1873 allegedly was contacted by Dickens (who died in 1870) through auto-writing to complete his novel "The Mystery of Edwin Drood."

The most intriguing events took place in 1874 in Chittenden, The "Spirit Capital of the Universe"; the Eddy brothers William and Horatio were extensively investigated by Col. Henry Olcott for fraud but after 10 weeks of intense scrutiny, Olcott declared the brothers true mediums. Olcott even penned a book entitled "People From the Other World". The skeptic had become a believer.

Mr. Citro took a few questions from the audience then made his way out into the dark and rainy night to spread more tales of interesting things that have happened in this little Green Mountain state of ours.

David Bromberg Quartet WOWS Tupelo WRJ

2011-10-15T09:21:00.001-04:00

David Bromberg and his quartet are on the road promoting their new CD "Use Me". The crew rolled into White River Junction for a show at Tupelo Music Hall. (As one of the younger audience members, I was impressed by the turnout of the Upper Valley "experienced" music lovers.)

The follow up CD to the Grammy nominated "Try Me One More Time" was recorded in a unique manner, Bromberg recruited friends to write, produce and perform songs tailored to Bromberg's style of vocals and guitar.

From Bromberg's website: "Answering David’s call were well-known artists from the many genres comprising the amorphous “Americana” musical category. Representing contemporary rootsy singer-songwriters: John Hiatt, the first musician Bromberg approached, who penned the pensive “Ride On Out a Ways” for him; for New Orleans “fonk,” Dr. John; there’s three-guitar jam band interplay with Widespread Panic and jug band music with Levon Helm (the sprightly “Bring It With You When You Come,” produced by Grammy-winning Larry Campbell). Linda Ronstadt puts in a rare appearance on a soulful Brook Benton ballad, Los Lobos contribute a Mexican-flavored waltz, Vince Gill and Tim O’Brien take care of the country and bluegrass quotient, Keb’ Mo’ brings the blues, and the hitmaking Butcher Brothers, producers Phil and Joe Nicolo (Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Cypress Hill, Nine Inch Nails), provide the languid R&B groove for the title song, a cover of Bill Withers’ classic “Use Me.”"

Bromberg hit the stage a little after 9 pm and played until 11 pm. He opened the show with a Muscle Shoals Sound Studio song written by Carl Montgomery and Earl Green "Six Days on The Road" which ended with three of the four quartet playing fiddle. He chased that song with Memphis Slim's "If The Rabbit Had a Gun", a great blues tune that Bromberg ended by saying " Willie Nelson was right, Willie 'said there are two songs The Star Spangled Banner and Blues!"

He then told the crowd that he got a call from Obama. Bromberg asked the President how he (Bromberg) could help with the recovery; Bromberg said the President said "Bring a lot of shit to sell, CDs. DVDs, BVDs." Bromberg then added "If you love your country you'll buy as many as you possibly can!"

He spoke about the "Use Me" CD and how it came to be then played the song penned by John Hiatt "Ride on Out a Ways" (and told the crowd that some reviews are saying Hiatt shouldn't have let it get away--this reviewer has to agree!)

Bromberg dug deep in his song list and closed with "Oh Sharon" with the Angel Band backing the quartet on vocals.

The first encore was John Denver's "Kissing You Goodbye" (which has been covered by such artists as Waylon Jennings, The Used, Jesse McCartney and The Pierces)

The Quartet closed the show by unplugging their instruments, leaving the stage and performing in front of the front row seats. They chose Bob Dylan's "Roll on John" and the sound and harmonies were amazing.

Angel Band opened. Their new CD is "Shoot the Moon" and to promote it they had three sling shots on stage imitating the CD cover artwork.

Their "shot" was rolled up glow-in-the-dark detailed underwear, one with gold writing. The recipient of the special gold undies (in the Willie Wonka Gold Ticket way...) won a copy of Angel Band's new CD.

In addition to Angel Band merchandise, Bromberg's wife Nancy Josephson also promotes the Haitian charity Art Creation Foundation for Children.

Josephson brings on tour with her hand crafted paper mache birds, which are sold for $10, with all the money going back to Haiti to help educated the currently enrolled 84 children. Jospehson says she tries to visit Haiti at least three times are year to help out with various charities and humanitarian projects.

More performance images may be viewed at: Photos by Nanci SmugMug

Goodnight Irene: Flood Relief

2011-10-10T12:04:00.000-04:00

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals performed a benefit concert last night October 9, 2011 at the historic Flynn Theatre in Burlington VT. In addition to the concert the band is hosting an online auction with some pretty awesome stuff. The auction can be accessed at http://stores.ebay.com/goodnightirenebenefit. The concert was also be aired live on Vermont Public Television and was available for streaming on VPT.org.

The concert included guests The Logger, Rusty Dewees and Martin Sexton.

Martin Sexton

Grace and crew played two hours of kick-ass rock and roll for the sold out audience.

You can continue to donate even after the concert is in the archives, as funds will be need for a long time to help our friends and neighbors and Vermont's Farmers. The Vermont Community Foundation is a good place to put your money. You can donate directly to them DONATE. Do want you can to help out Vermont!!

More concert images can be viewed at: Photos by Nanci/SmugMug
More GPN images may be viewed at: http://www.photosbynanci.com/gracepotter.html

Jackson Browne, Solo Acoustic Show

2011-10-04T08:15:00.002-04:00

17 guitars, no set list and Jackson Browne on stage.

What a wild ride it was last night in Albany NY. Browne played before a fairly full Palace Theatre Monday Night October 3. With no set list, the crowd shouted song suggestions prompting Browne to tell stories from the past that had the audience leaning forward in their seats for more information. He covered the late Warren Zevon's "Mohammed's Radio" and Steve "Little Steven" Van Zandt's "I Am A Patriot"

Early in the show, during the crowd shouts, Browne said "usually folks ask for either 'Rosie' or 'For a Dancer' should I play both?"

More Jackson Browne photos may be viewed on my archived page:
http://www.photosbynanci.com/JacksonBrowne2009.html

Anais Mitchell and the Hadestown Orchestra

2011-10-02T09:22:00.002-04:00

Anais Mitchell

Anais Mitchell and the Hadestown Orchestra performed a benefit concert for the Long Trail School in Dorset VT on October 1, 2011. The audience was treated to the folk opera in its entiretiy, played in sequence to tell the tail of The Orpheus Myth.

Michael Chorney

Blogcritics says "It's a musical opera that's unlike any opera you've ever witnessed. It's Indie Rock mixed with Dixieland. It's Homer's Odyssey as performed by Pink Floyd." And Folk and Acoustic Music Review says, "When 98% of what passes as music today lacks even the remotest twinge of an idea, thought, emotion or worse heart Hadestown and Anais Mitchell deserve all the listeners and accolades we can give."

Anaïs Mitchell's Hadestown tells the story of the ancient Greek myth of the poet Orpheus and his doomed quest to rescue his love Eurydice from the Underworld. But in Mitchell's hands, the familiar saga is reimagined as unfolding in a version of the U.S. that simultaneously evokes our Depression-era past, the current financial disaster (though it was written before the stock market collapse), and a post-apocalyptic future. It's a land where people hide behind walls in a misguided attempt to preserve their "freedom" and protect their riches.

Photos from the performance:
http://smu.gs/qkTBZD

Videos:
When the Chips Are Down

Perkinsville Deals with Aftermath of TS Irene

2011-09-02T10:38:00.000-04:00

Amsden Rte 131

From the Valley News Sept. 2

NEWS: Perkinsville Deals With a Harrowing Sunday

Rte 131 Amsden

Tarbell Hill near Rte 106 N toward Reading

Perkinsville -- At Downers Four Corners, a landmark intersection here, only Route 106 north through Reading is expected to be reopened to traffic today, while Route 106 south and Route 131 west and a short section to the east remain closed after Tropical Storm Irene tore out chunks of roadway.

Rte 106, 200 foot drop, still eroding.

Vermont Post TS Irene Updates

2011-09-02T07:27:00.000-04:00

Brook RD Windsor VT

Sept 1 Update

A note from the Gov. 7 pm:

I have spent the past few days traveling the state talking to people who have lost their homes, businesses and livelihoods. Hurricane Irene devastated many parts of Vermont with torrential rains that caused flash flooding, the likes of which haven't been seen in our small state since 1927.

The storm took the lives of three Vermonters, closed 260 roads, 30 bridges and over 350 schools, left many communities isolated and over 50,000 without power. Thanks to the hard work of Vermont officials, FEMA and the National Guard we have made great progress - gaining access to every community in Vermont, restoring power to 40,000 homes and re-opening 200 roads and over 200 schools. As we move from rescue to recovery there is much work ahead for Vermont. Hard work and patience will be required of everyone as we get Vermonters back on their feet.

Reading VT Bridge Repair

There are ways that you can help now!

We need volunteers to answer phone calls at Burlington's 211 call center. Please call Eric Covey at 1-802-825-6165 to volunteer for this effort!
Donate to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund - a fund dedicated to helping Vermonters assess their damage and receive the help they need to rebuild their lives.

Donate to the Vermont chapter of the American Red Cross. The Red Cross is providing shelter, food and other basic needs following Hurricane Irene.

Thank you for any support you can give. Vermonters are hardworking and resilient and we will all work tirelessly to help those affected by the storm rebuild their homes, businesses and communities.

My Best,
Peter Shumlin
Governor of Vermont

New INFORMATION:
From Jake Perkinson, Acting Chair, Vermont Democratic Party <info@vtdemocrats.org>

As of last evening (Wednesday, August 31st) , assessments found that:

about 120 homes have major damage or were destroyed
three more state roads opened today
64 remain closed and Transportation crews are working into the night on those projects
65 state bridges remain closed
four Red Cross shelters are still open
several local shelters are also housing people who lost housing in the storm.

After hearing of concerns related to the 211 call center being overloaded with phone calls for information and assistance, the Governor’s office worked closely with FEMA and the United Way to triple the capacity, adding 20 new lines. Additional volunteers are needed to staff the line; anyone interested in volunteering should contact the Governor’s office at 802-828-3333.

“One of our priorities was to get the 211 telephone system staffed to the appropriate level to handle this unprecedented call level,” Gov. Shumlin said. He noted that social media, including Facebook, has also enabled Vermonters to volunteer, donate cash to help victims of the storm, and stay up to speed on road closing and other issues.

Power has been restored to all but about 10,000 Vermonters statewide, down from over 50,000 outages on Monday. Bridge inspectors are coming in from other states to assist the Agency of Transportation in getting bridges reopened; truck-loads and helicopter loads of food, water and supplies have been – and will continue to be – delivered to communities statewide; law enforcement is conducting welfare checks to ensure Vermonters’ safety.

Also Thursday 9/1:
All of the 13 previously isolated communities now have vehicle access of some sort (some require four-wheel drive access). Transportation crews worked all day on the final community – Wardsboro – and provided access just before 6 p.m.

Businesses like the Brownsville General are OPEN and need your support!

Recognizing that many Vermonters might be unable to meet the Sept. 1 filing deadlines for four programs administered by the Tax Department, the deadline for accepting those documents will be Sept. 30 (must be received by the Department for Property Tax Adjustment Claim; Homestead Declaration; Renter Rebate Claim; and Current Use Application.

The Vermont Bar Association, Vermont Legal Aid, Legal Services Law Line of Vermont and the Vermont Volunteer Lawyers Project have pro bono lawyers standing by to help victims of Tropical Storm Irene. Call 1-800-889-2047 to speak by phone with a Legal Aid or Law Line attorney, or be assigned an attorney through the Volunteer Lawyer Project. Visit http://www.vtlawhelp.org/disaster_Irene for answers to frequently asked questions.

Gov. Shumlin’s office is working with state agencies to make sure that state laws and permitting requirements aren’t unreasonably slowing recovery efforts.

The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has allocated up to $10 million in special low-interest financing for Vermont businesses and farms who suffered direct physical damage as a result of Hurricane Irene. The Hurricane Irene Assistance Loan Program funds are available immediately.

Of the 327 Vermont public schools were closed Monday, all but 90 have reopened.

The Agency of Commerce and Community Affairs opened a call-line to report business damage from flooding : 802-828-3211.

Note: There are two sites in particular that you may want to check periodically for information on both assistance and volunteering needs:

Seven Days Blog: After Irene: How You Can Help Vermont: http://7d.blogs.com/blurt/2011/08/after-irene-how-you-can-help-vermont.html

VTResponse: http://vtresponse.wordpress.com

Brownsville VT Post Irene

2011-09-01T16:45:00.006-04:00

Made it back to Brownsville VT and

got a lot further than I did on Monday.

West Windsor Volunteer Fire and
Brownsville General Store--OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!

Around Brownsville and Windsor Vermont

Bible Hill Bridge Brownsville VT parts 1, 2

Rte 44 Brownsville VT parts 1, 2, 3

Brook Road Wash Out Windsor VT

Windsor/Cornish Covered Bridge

Rte 5 Cornfield, Windsor VT

West Windsor Fire, Brownsville VT

Agencies Here to Help Vermonters

2011-08-31T16:52:00.000-04:00

Rte 106 N Near Downer's Four Corners

Reporting Damages
Vermonters who have property affected by the storm should report it to the state. There are several phone lines in addition to the 211 number now in operation. Please note that it is critical to acquiring recovery aid that a statewide inventory of the damage is taken. Also, if repairs are made by a property owner, it is important to take pictures of the damage, document the repairs and keep receipts for potential assistance.

Individuals: Individuals reporting property damage should call 211.

Businesses: Businesses should call the Agency of Commerce and Community Development at (ACCD) at 828-3211 to report damage which will be collated for VEM and FEMA. ACCD will also make referrals for financing and technical assistance. The information needed when businesses make the call is: name of business, location (complete address), description of damage, point of contact, date damage occurred. There are additional questions for historic properties.

Farms: To report damages to property including but not limited to barns, milking parlors, crops, fields, equipment, etc., call:

Your county USDA Farm Service Agency (http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=vt&agency=fsa) OR;
Your county Natural Resources Conservation Services office (http://www.vt.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/index.html).
Organizations such as the Vermont Farm Bureau (802-434-5646) or NOFA Vermont (802-434-4122) can also be called. These organizations will send a summary of the information to the Agency of Agriculture which will forward it to VEM.

Rte 5 N Windsor VT

Farmers experiencing loss of crops due to flooding should contact their crop insurance agent as well as the USDA Farm Service Agency (802-658-2803).

Emergency Flood Assistance Program for Businesses
This program, administered by VEDA, is up and running. It will provide $10 million of very low interest, no first year payment, loans to businesses which suffered losses due to flooding. Interested businesses should go to VEDA’s website (http://www.veda.org/) for more information.

Rte 106 N, Black River Weathersfield VT

Storm Recovery Resources
Vermont Emergency Management Website: This site includes the latest updates and helpful information: http://vem.vermont.gov.

Rte 131 W Amsden Village VT

Vermont Emergency Management Facebook Page:
The most up to date information for VEM can be found on their Facebook page. If you “like” VEM on Facebook you will be given automatic updates on your Facebook homepage as their status changes. Includes great links to press releases and other information. Find it at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vermont-Emergency-Management/142566220102

Near Tarbell Hill RD Weathersfield VT

Returning to Your Home: For information on cleaning up your home after flooding, visit: http://vem.vermont.gov/home/return.

Fuel Tanks: If you find a fuel tank on your property or floating in flood waters, please contact the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association at 802-223-7750 or info@vermontfuel.com.

Vermont Travel Information Services: For the latest information on road closures, call 511 or visit: http://www.511vt.com/.

Rte 131 W Amsden Village VT

Ride Share: This site is designed for commuters to find car pools, but can be a valuable asset for individuals whose cars are damaged or destroyed: http://www.connectingcommuters.org/.

Upper Falls Bridge looking over the Black River

STAY SAFE, STAY STRONG!!

Clean up has begun...

Scenes Around Weathersfield VT in Irene's Aftermath

2011-08-31T15:03:00.003-04:00

Videos taken Wednesday August 31, 2011
North Springfield Dam from Satellite
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=51980&src=nha

Around Weathersfield Vermont

Rte 106 Washed Away

The Connecticut River parts 1, 2, 3

North Springfield Dam

Roaring Black River

Rte 131 Amsden VT parts 1, 2

The Salmond Covered Bridge parts 1, 2

Stoughton Pond, Weathersfield VT

Upper Falls Bridge parts 1, 2

Post Irene in VT-How you can help...

2011-08-31T14:52:00.002-04:00

SPREAD THE WORD!!!

After Irene: How You Can Help Vermont

DONATIONS

Text FOODNOW to 52000 to donate $10 to Vermont Foodbank. The Foodbank will turn each donation into $60 for families in need.
You can donate to the United Way's Vermont Disaster Relief Fund online, or buy sending a donation to your local United Way. Just make sure your donation is marked for the "Vermont Disaster Relief Fund".
You can also donate to the American Red Cross of Vermont and the New Hampshire Valley. The Red Cross set up shelters immediately after Irene hit for flooded-out families to stay in. (Note: While all donations are appreciated, financial donations offer the Red Cross the greatest flexibility for response in this crisis. Donations can be made at www.vermontredcross.org or by calling 800-660-9130. For those who are interested in volunteering, they can contact their operations headquarters at 802-773-9159.)
The VT Irene Flood Relief Fund is raising money to help people and communities affected by flooding. 100% of all donations will be distributed to businesses and families. The fund is being administered by Todd K. Bailey.
Vermont Baseball Tours has set up the 8/28 Fund to raise money. Donations of $20 or more get you a cool t-shirt.
The MRV Community Fund has been reestablished to help Mad River Valley farmers who saw devastating crop losses due to the flooding.
Independent Vermont Clothing is selling a special "I'm With VT" t-shirt. All profits from sales of the shirt will go to relief efforts.
Across the lake, upstate New York got hit hard by Irene, too. Donations are being coordinated on the Irene Flood Drive Facebook page.
Burr and Burton Academy has started a fund to help relief efforts in the Manchester area.
The Preservation Trust of Vermont is taking donations to help rebuilding and cleanup efforts for the historic buildings and bridges damaged by Irene. Make a donation on their site and be sure to note "Hurricane Relief" in the Comments section.
The Intervale Center has started a fund to help the farmers at Burlington's Intervale who lost their crops to flooding. To make a contribution, donate to the Intervale and designate your donation to the "Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund." Or mail a check payable to Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund to the Intervale Center, 180 Intervale Road, Burlington, VT 05401.

VOLUNTEERING

VTResponse.com is working to connect volunteers ready to help with those that need assistance. If you want to help clean up and rebuild, let the folks behind this site know.
Montpelier Alive is coordinating volunteer efforts in that city through their Facebook page.
Volunteer and cleanup efforts are also being coordinated on Twitter via the #VTresponse hashtag.
The Vermont Flooding 2011 page on Facebook is functioning as a community bulletin board of sorts.
Vermont Helping Hands is also coordinating relief efforts via Facebook.
The Red Cross is in desperate need of blood donations. Stop by their donation center at 32 North Prospect Street in Burlington, or the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital Blood Donation Center at 125 Mascoma Street in Lebanon, NH.
Upper Valley Haven is operating with considerably fewer volunteers due to road closings. They're looking for volunteers who are able to travel there.

MORE RESOURCES

If you need assistance or information from the state, dial 211 or visit vt211.org.
The Help Vermont Facebook group is another place to share recovery information.
Sublet.com will provide free access for people who are displaced from their homes. Call their customer service line at 1-877-367-7368 for more information.
For child care providers who have been affected by Irene, check out the Resources for Relief (Child Care Providers of VT) page on Face

Thanks for posting this vtwaynevideo

Irene Wallops Vermont

2011-08-30T09:32:00.004-04:00

Irene may have wimped out in other areas of the US but Vermont was hit and hit hard.

Rte 44W Heading into Brownsville VT from Ascutney Mountain Resort

Rte 131W Amsden VT heading towards Downer's Four Corners

Below, you'll find organizations that are helping with the relief effort. Please consider giving whatever you can to help our friends, family and neighbors during this difficult time.
Whether you and your family need help or you are looking to help your fellow Vermonters, reach out to these organizations.

* Call 211 for information on your specific areas health and human services needs or information on how to receive assistance.
* Call 511 or http://www.511vt.com/ for information about road closures and how the floods may have affected travel in your area.
* Check http://vtresponse.wordpress.com/ for updates on areas of Vermont that need help and the best ways to get involved.
* Donate to the Red Cross. While all donations are appreciated, financial donations offer the Red Cross the greatest flexibility for response in this crisis. Donations can be made at www.vermontredcross.org or by calling 800-660-9130. For those who are interested in volunteering, they can contact their operations headquarters at 802-773-9159.

Vermonters are tough and we will get through this together.

Vermont Road Closures:

From http://511.vermont.gov/main.jsf

Follow the lastest Flooding Info on Facebook:
Vermont Flooding 2011 when I signed on Sunday night there were 800 followers now there are almost 15,000!!

New Photo Collections

2011-06-28T19:50:00.000-04:00

Just to catch you up, I have quite a few new collections

posted on my website!

It's been a busy month of June!!

Michael Franti and Spearhead Ives Concert Park,
Danbury CT June 27, 2011
Click on Michael
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals co-headlined Click on Grace
Bronze Radio Return opened Click on Chris Henderson

Greg Brown Tupelo Music Hall,
White River Junction VT,
June 25, 2011
Click on Greg
Jason Wilber, opened Click on Jason

Brewers v Boston Red Sox Fenway Park, Boston MA
June 19, 2011
Click on Youk
Sox honor the Boston Bruins Fenway Park, Boston MA
June 19, 2011
Click on The Stanley Cup

Quechee Balloon Fest Saturday Night Quechee VT
June 18, 2011
Click on the Balloon Glow
Bow Thayer and Perfect Trainwreck Quechee VT
June 18, 2011
Click on Bow
Hey Mama Reunion Quechee Balloon Fest,
Quechee VT
June 17, 2011
Click on the Celia

Quechee Balloon Fest Quechee VT June 17-19, 2011
Click on the Balloon

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
A benefit for COVER Home Repair
Lebanon Opera House
Lebanon NH
June 13, 2011
Click on the Bela

12th Annual Roots on the River Fest Bellows Falls, VT
June 9-12, 2011
Click on Fred Eaglesmith
Todd Snider
Click on Todd
Audrey Auld
Click on Audrey

James McMurtry Tupelo Music Hall
Londonderry NH
June 9, 2011
Click on James

Jonny Burke opened

Click on Jonny

Oakland As v Boston Red Sox Fenway Park, Boston MA June 6, 2011
Click on Big Papi

New Services from Photos by Nanci

2011-06-16T11:35:00.001-04:00

Social Media Consulting

Facebook, Blogs, Twitter

Your business or non-profit needs to get connected

Photos by Nanci is here to help you connect!

Non-Profits I've worked with

Quechee Balloon Festival
Covered Bridges Half Marathon
Vermont 50 Mtn Bike and Ultra Run

Vermont Portraits By Nanci
Click on this cute doggy

Artist Portfolio Archiving By Nanci
Click on this painting
To schedule your own personalized Portrait or Archiving session

please Email: Photos by Nanci

New Photo Collections

2011-06-16T10:46:00.001-04:00

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

A benefit for COVER Home Repair

Lebanon Opera House Lebanon NH June 13, 2011

12th Annual Roots on the River Fest Bellows Falls, VT June 9-12, 2011
Fred Eaglesmith

Todd Snider

Audrey Auld

James McMurtry Tupelo Music Hall Londonderry NH June 9, 2011

Jonny Burke opened

Oakland As v Boston Red Sox Fenway Park, Boston MA June 6, 2011

Boston Red Sox v Detroit Tigers

Comerica Park, Detroit MI May 29, 2011

Bob Seger And the Silver Bullett Band
Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids MI May 28, 2011

The Rockets opened

Boston Red Sox v Detroit Tigers

Comerica Park, Detroit MI May 27, 2011

Chicago Cubs v Boston Red Sox

Fenway Park, Boston MA May 22, 2011

Swiss National Team Name Players for the European Championship Qualifier in Barcelona

2011-06-16T07:53:00.000-04:00


Harry is on the Right

My friend Harry Wischnewski makes the team!!

The Swiss Baseball and Softball Federation (SBSF) announced the Swiss National Team roster for the European Championship Qualifier in Barcelona, Spain on Thursday. Head coach Andy Fleischacker selected 24 players plus three reserves. Only Andrea Girasole is not playing in the Swiss Nationalliga A. Switzerland is going to try to win a spot in the 2012 European Championship in the Netherlands at the qualifying tournament in Barcelona from July 25 to 30. Opponents will be host Spain, Ireland, Finland and Hungary.
Swiss Roster:

Kaufmann Adi, 2B, Flyers
Rüesch Andi, 3B, Barracudas
Girasole Andrea, P, Italy
Rodriguez Angelo, 3B, Cardinals
Eichenberger Daniel, 1B, Flyers
Raouzeos Emanuel, C, Flyers
Berchtold Frank, P, Barracudas
Wischnewski Harry, OF, Mustangs
Oshima Hideori, P, Flyers
Perigo Johnny, 1B, Cardinals
Croton Lukas, P, Flyers
Limacher Marco, C, Eagels
Walser Oliver, C, Mustangs
Hänzi Raphael, 2B, Cardinals
Siegel Reto, CF, Flyers
Savodelli Roger, P, Mustangs
Zeller Säntis, INF, Challengers
Zwyer Seppi, INF, Flyers
Koller Stefan, P/OF, Flyers
Oshima Taka, SS, Flyers
Imboden Tobias, P/OF, Cardinals
Siegrist Tobias, C, Challengers
Huber Vitus, RF, Cardinals
Probst Yanik, INF, Challengers

Reserves:

Burger Thomas, P, Challengers
Schnider Marc, 2B, Barracudas
Staub Gabe, C, Challengers

Way to go Harry!!!

To the Graduating Class of 2011

2011-06-16T06:03:00.002-04:00

Growing up without a cell phone

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning.... Uphill... Barefoot... BOTH ways...yadda, yadda, yadda

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on my kids (or kids I know) about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!

But now that I'm older, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia! And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it!

1) I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have the Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the damn library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog!!

2) There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox, and it would take like a week to get there! Stamps were 10 cents!

3) Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our ass! Nowhere was safe!

4) There were no MP3's or Napsters or iTunes! If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself! Remember the jeans jackets with the inside pocket you sowed in...

5) Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio, and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up! There were no CD players! We had tape decks or 8-tracks in our car. We'd play our favorite tape and "eject" it when finished, and then the tape would come undone rendering it useless. Cause, hey, that's how we rolled, Baby! Dig?

6) We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called, they got a busy signal, that's it!

7) There weren't any freakin' cell phones either. If you left the house, you just didn't make a damn call or receive one. You actually had to be out of touch with your "friends". OH MYGOSH !!! Think of the horror... not being in touch with someone 24/7!!! And then there's TEXTING. Yeah, right. Please! You kids have no idea how annoying you are.

8) And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your parents, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, the collection agent... you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!

9) We didn't have any fancy PlayStation or Xbox video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids'. Your screen guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen.. Forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!

10) You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! We had like three good channels. You had to get off your ass and walk over to the TV to change the channel!!! NO REMOTES!!! Oh, no, what's the world coming to?!?!

11) There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying? We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you spoiled little rats!

12) And we didn't have microwaves. If we wanted to heat something up, we had to use the stove! Imagine that!

13) And our parents told us to stay outside and play... all day long. Oh, no, no electronics to soothe and comfort. And if you came back inside... you were doing chores!

14) And car seats - oh, please! Mom threw you in the back seat and you hung on. If you were lucky, you got the "safety arm" across the chest at the last moment if she had to stop suddenly, and if your head hit the dashboard, well that was your fault for calling "shot gun" in the first place!

See! That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy. You're spoiled rotten! You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1970 or any time before!

Regards,
The Over 40 and 50 Crowd

This has been floating around the internet but it was so cool, I had to reprint it here.
Not sure who to credit with its creation but whomever you are...AWESOME!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game! JibJab

2011-06-04T09:02:00.000-04:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Varitek's Celebrity Putt Putt Set for July 21 Woburn MA

2011-05-18T09:46:00.006-04:00

On July 21, on a course in Woburn MA (Athletic Evolution), Boston Red Sox catcher
and Team Captain Jason Varitek will host 18 challenging putt-putt holes
with some of your favorite Boston celebrities
to raise money for Journey Forward.

Last year, more than 1,000 people and almost every major
Boston television station, as well as several radio stations and newspaper
publications were on hand for the event. The game is played on an
18 hole custom built putt-putt course specifically designed and
created for Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt by New England Custom Putting Greens.

Past Participants include:
Jason Varitek, Ray Bourque, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester,
Jonathan Papelbon, Coco Crisp, Lenny Clark, Tim Wakefield,
Trot Nixon, David Ortiz, Mark Loretta, Matt Clement,
Gabe Kapler, Doug Mirabelli, Kevin Youkilis, Josh Beckett, Mike Timlin,
Alex Cora, Brian Corey, Manny Delcarmen, Kevin Jarvis, Bob Sweeney,
Don Sweeney, Travis Roy, Scott Young and Max Lane.

Athletic Evolution, Woburn, MA
78 Olympia Avenue
Woburn, MA 01801-2057
(781) 935-7701

Tickets
$50.00 * Spectators receive a
photograph with Jason Varitek
and a $50.00 gift certificate to
Athletic Evolution!

Get Your Tickets TODAY!!!

For more photos of Tek check out:
http://www.photosbynanci.com/tekpage.html
http://www.jason-varitek.com/

For more information on sponsorships and foursomes please contact:

Erin Lynch erin@fmpproductions.com 978-835-9920	Kaitlyn Montagna Kaitlyn@fmpproductions.com 617-413-8481

Review: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals St. Michaels College Spring Concert

2011-04-03T10:59:00.001-04:00

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Ross Sports Center, St. Michael's College, Colchester VT

April 2, 2011 Spring Concert

Barefoot Truth opened

By Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

In a little advertised, "secret" show, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, returned to their home state of Vermont to perform at St. Michael's College, home of the Purple Knights, for St. Mike's Spring Concert. Rumor has it that the show did sell out late last week as information about the show started to leak into print and radio media. Those in the know that weren't St. Mike's staff, faculty or students, had heard about the show early in March and waited patiently for the tickets to go on sale to the general public on or about March 10. There was buzz for about a month on the internet but no official announcement was put forth.

After being told by security, which was tighter than the TSA, that no bags of any kind would be allowed into the gym along with no food, beverages or gum, folks that had patiently waited in line to enter were told to empty their pockets, security gave a cursory glance then OK you can enter. WTF

The Nocs took the stage about 9:30 pm and played for two hours. They opened with "Mastermind", "Only Love", "Low Road", "Joey", "Goodbye Kiss" and "Hot Summer Night". Grace told the crowd that "Now that it's hot in here..." and went right into "Oasis", "Colors" and "222" with a great beat being kept by Matt Burr on drums. They moved on to "That Phone", which I'm sure many in the crowd, a mix of students and general public will be downloading as a ring tone for their cell phones.

Burr and Catherine Popper left the stage for the acoustic song performed by Scott Tournet, Potter and Benny Yurco on acoustic guitars. As Burr and Popper were leaving, Potter told the crowd that they were going off stage to "touch each other" and she broke into a quick "I Touch Myself" by the Divinyls, "When I think about you, I touch myself"

Once the acoustic guitars were strapped on Tournet, Potter and Yurco treated the crowd to "Treat Me Right" at the end of the song Burr and Popper rejoined and the Nocs played their rendition of the classic Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit."

"Tiny Light was up next followed by "Glory Box" a Portishead song," "Some Kind of Ride" and "Nothing But the Water" and if you check the set list sheet that Potter posted on Plixi.com after the show, the Nocs wove in a little nostalgia playing some of PHISH's "Tweezer Teaser" as a tribute to when PHISH played St. Mike's in 1992. (You can download that PHISH concert here.)

The band returned for encores at 11:20 and after Potter asked the crowd if they wanted some medicine, "it's cold and flu season in Vermont, everybody needs a little medicine" the band ripped into "Medicine" which included their now famous five-way drum solo.

The show was closed with "Paris." The crowd had a special treat as Popper handed the mic, with stand, to Scott Tournet's father who belted out, on cue "Ooooh la, la!" Popper proceeded to laugh her bass off!

Potter was behind the Hammond B3 for most of this show, very little "flying V" guitars for her tonight but I don't think the crowd cared, they were just happy to be in the Sports Center watching a local band, maybe for the last time in a small venue, before the Nocturnals start playing arenas and stadiums.
Setlist:
Mastermind
Only Love
Low Road
Joey
Goodbye Kiss
Hot Summer Night
Oasis
Colors
222
That Phone
Treat Me Right (acoustic)
White Rabbit
Tiny Light
Glory Box (Portishead)
Some Kind of Ride
Nothing but the Water (Tweezer Teaser-PHISH)
Encores:
Medicine
Paris

Barefoot Truth opened for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals will be announcing the Burlington Waterfront show plans soon according to Tweets put out by Potter, you can follow along at @gracepotter

The band headlines The Bank of America Pavilion Boston MA, August 20 TICKETS.

More Photos by Nanci images of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Please excuse the quality of the images I only had my point and shoot not my Nikon D300s

www.photosbynanci.com

Backyard Sugaring, A Vermont Tradition

2011-03-29T10:49:00.001-04:00

Maple Syrup Making 101
Weathersfield VT
Spring 2011
By Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

Every spring the good folks of Vermont, most with severe cabin fever, hang out all kinds of buckets to collect the sweet sap that runs through the maple trees around the state. These are the same trees that provide such amazing color during Fall Foliage, but in the spring before the buds or leaves, it's the sap that provides joy to the people of Vermont and beyond. "Liquid Gold" many call it and at today's prices it surely is liquid gold!

So what is this tradition all about...after a long winter, especially a long one like the winter of 2010-2011, folks start looking for signs of spring. When daytime temperatures start reaching into the upper 30s F it's time to tap the trees! Sap runs best with over night temperatures in the 20s F and day time temperatures in the 40s F.

To tap the trees, you'll need a 1/16 drill bit, taps and a hammer and some sort of collection bucket. We use old orange juice containers (reuse then recycle!) Drill a small hole, we try for south facing parts of the Maple trees. Tap in the tap, attach some tubing and hang your bucket! We run eight taps in seven trees.

Check your buckets for the sap running; we collect for a couple of weeks storing the sap in a collection container buried in snow to keep the sap cold; we skim the ice out every morning to help remove some of the water from the sap (more on this later).

When you've collected a lot of sap, say 20-40 gallons, it's time to boil. Sap is mostly water and to get to the good stuff, the syrup, you need to remove all that water. Get yourself an evaporating pan, a few cinder blocks or in my case big thick logs and start a fire!

Once the sap starts to boil, take it's temperature. Sounds silly but water and sap have boiling temperatures that differ with elevation above sea level. In the end you want the temperature of the boiled sap about 7 degrees higher than when it first started boiling. So if you are at sea level, which we aren't-we're about 1200 above, it should start to boil about 212 F therefore your end temperature should be about 219 F.

The faster you boil off the water, the higher the grade syrup you will end up with. One would think that to get a big fire roaring use big logs, well I've found small stuff burns hotter and faster speeding up the boiling process.

When the level of fluid in the evaporator pan starts getting low, it's best to finish the boil inside on the stove-top.

Watch the temperature carefully, if it starts to look like a boil over is going to happen add a pat of butter and the boil over threat will disappear. When the temperature reaches 219 F sea level (217 F for our elevation) you are DONE!!

I pour the syrup through a tea strainer lined with gauze to remove any outdoor debris stuff-twigs, ash, bugs etc. and store in mason jars or other freezer safe container. Or reuse your store bought maple syrup containers that have been rinsed/washed out really well.

Keep unopened containers in a cool, dry place. Because pure maple syrup contains no preservatives, be sure to refrigerate it once opened. If you're looking to stock up during syrup season, the freezer is ideal for long-term storage, as pure maple syrup will not freeze (the sugar content is so high it will not freeze!)
A Few Sweet facts:

It takes 30-40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.
Early settlers learned maple harvesting from Native Americans 400 years ago.
It is possible for a maple farmer to tap the same tree his ancestors tapped 200 years ago.
1 tap hole gives 10 gallons of sap in an average year.
3 - 4 maple trees are needed to make one gallon of pure maple syrup.

Nutrition Facts:
Potassium and calcium make up most of this mineral content, but maple syrup also contains nutritionally significant amounts of zinc and manganese.

Maple syrup contains trace amounts of amino acids, which may contribute to the "buddy" flavor of syrup produced late in the season, as the amino acid content of sap increases at this time.

Additionally, maple syrup contains a wide variety of volatile organic compounds, including vanillin, hydroxybutanone, and propionaldehyde.

Now it's time to enjoy the fruits, or in this case, the syrup of your labor!!

www.photosbynanci.com

Kathy Mattea Lebanon Opera House Lebanon NH

2011-03-28T17:22:00.001-04:00

Kathy Mattea
Lebanon Opera House
Lebanon NH March 26, 2011
By Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

Kathy Mattea performed at the Lebanon Opera House in downtown Lebanon NH Saturday evening March 26, 2011. She is currently on tour continuing to promote her CD Coal. Her website has some great photos showing her making the coal album and also a link to an interview that aired on NPR's Living Earth.
She played two 45 minute sets, then met with fans in the Opera House lobby for almost an hour after the show.

More photos from the show on my Opera House page: http://www.photosbynanci.com/loh.html

Photos from the Meet and Greet may viewed on the Lebanon Opera House Facebook page!
This performance was sponsored by:
Courtyard by Marriott
Mascoma Savings Bank
KIXX 100.5 The Valley's BEST Country

Review--Grace Potter and the Nocturnals House of Blues Boston

2011-03-26T12:10:00.000-04:00

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Blues and Lasers opened
House of Blues, Boston MA March 25, 2011
By Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals took the stage at Boston's House of Blues (HOB) and rocked the SOLD OUT crowd in a solid two hour rock and roll love fest. The crowd was primed for this rock fest by the band Blues and Lasers, the Nocturnals guys plus John Rogone on bass and Steve Sharon on drums.
The Nocturnals are a "tiny little band from Vermont," Potter told the audience that first appeared on the HOB stage in 2004 for the Boston Music Awards.

The Nocs came out first and played a nice intro to "Only Love". Catherine Popper, bass, adds some angelic harmonies although folks that follow the Nocs know Ms. Popper is far from an angel!

With two hot guitar players, Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco the band tore into "Hot Summer Night."

Next up were crowd favorites: "Toothbrush", "Low Road", "Joey" about a man Potter told the crowd that she may or may not have known, "Mastermind" that had the crowd jumping, "Money"

"Apologies", "Tiny Light" then on to the acoustic set, which tonight was one song.

"Treat me Right" with Potter, Tournet and Yurco on acoustic guitars.
Back to the rock with one of the "best bands on the road songs" "Stop the Bus", followed by a song that Potter said " I wrote this song for my grandmother"-"Big White Gate" with Potter on the Hammond B3.

Then Potter said to the fans "Let's take it back to the beginning..." which led in to "Nothing But the Water."

This was followed by Beyonce's "Why Don't You Love Me." They closed the set with "Paris."

After a brief break the band returned with Yurco on acoustic guitar playing the intro to Heart's "Crazy On You."

The band closed the show with "Medicine" just what the doctored ordered for this cold spring night in Boston.

Local Dates for the Band:
Lupo's tonight 3/26 in Providence RI, there are still TICKETS for this show.

The band returns to Vermont for an April 2 show at St. Mike's College, TICKETS.

The band returns to Boston, August 20 at the Bank of America Pavilion, TICKETS.

The Potterville Posse was out in force. Some of the members from the former Street Team, a group of fans that helped promote the band in their early days, follow the Nocs all over the country.

Images from Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Sound Check
Images from the Blues and Lasers Set

More Photos by Nanci images of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Please excuse the quality of the images I only had my point and shoot not my Nikon D300s

www.photosbynanci.com

Blues and Lasers Opened for Grace Potter at the HOB Boston

2011-03-26T10:01:00.002-04:00

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Blues and Lasers opened
House of Blues, Boston MA March 25, 2011
By Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

Blues and Lasers (B&L) opened for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at the House of Blues Boston Friday night March 25.

B&L are Scott Tournet guitars and vocals; Benny Yurco guitars and vocals, John Rogone bass and vocals, Matt Burr drums, and Steve Sharon drums.

It's not often that you get to see a band with two drummers but these guys work great together. Burr and Sharon add a level of thick rock and roll beats that a crowd can't help but head bang to.

The guitar playing of Tournet and Yurco are scorching.

The guys played about an hour of solid rock and roll and even though the crowd was there to hear Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, audience members were genuinely turned on to the B&L sound.

This is how rock and roll music should be played, loud and with a great beat!

Stage Set List:
WNWGD
Fallen Friend
Glory
Forgot About Me
After All Were Only Human
22 Times
Take You Down

Images from Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Sound Check
Images from the Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Show
More Photos by Nanci images of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Please excuse the quality of the images I only had my point and shoot not my Nikon D300s

www.photosbynanci.com

Sound Check--Grace Potter and the Nocturnals House Blues Boston

2011-03-26T08:59:00.004-04:00

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Blues and Lasers opened
House of Blues, Boston MA March 25, 2011
By Nancy Nutile-McMenemy

The Boston radio station MIX 104.1 gave away 25 pair of tickets to their FREELOADERS to attend the Grace Potter and the Nocturnals sound check prior to the bands SOLD OUT performance at the House of Blues.

By answering a few easy questions and racking up 15,000 points listeners, or in this case Facebook and Twitter followers, of the radio station could then trade their points for passes to see the Nocturnals do their sound check.

The select crowd of about 50 fans were treated to three songs played just for them: "Ah Mary" "Hot Summer Night with a little Ramble On" and "Paris", and then a photo op with Ms. Potter before they were escorted out to wait in line for the show.

Absolutely worth the 10 minutes it took to rack up the points!!

Images from the Blues and Lasers Set
Images from the Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Show
More Photos by Nanci images of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Please excuse the quality of the images I only had my point and shoot not my Nikon D300s