5-24 to 5-25 - Camden, ME

In 2010 the bell choir toured New England, but its northward trajectory ended in Massachusetts.  Our director and performance managers work to bring the bell choir to the home communities of the bell choir's members, and this year's cohort has two ringers from Maine: Willis Reifsnyder and Sarah Palermo. Willis' hometown of Bar Harbor was deemed to be too far out of the way for this trip, but Camden was within reach: a small port town that balances the quaint, rural feel one expects from northern New England with a bustling tourist-friendly street of shops and restaurants.  It is similar to my hometown in that it is often chosen as a place to retire.  The summer months are busy with visitors, but the shops tend to close early, so be sure to plan accordingly in order to stock up on lobster and moose paraphernalia. I didn't try the lobster ice cream there, but it is a concept that I regard with suspicion.  Maine is also known for its small, tart blueberries that manifest for the shopper in the form of jams and syrups, as well as a popular ingredient in baked goods and desserts. While I am in the vicinity of desserts, I should mention our passing the infamous "Oreo cookie cows:" dark brown save for a white stripe down their middle, they are formally known as the Belted Galloways. One wonders if those with less 'stuffing' suffer from an inferiority complex and submit to the 'alpha-oreo.'  My host joked about killing off the cow with a thin stripe "so it doesn't ruin the breed."

Our six-day run of normal concert routine (pack, drive, ring, eat, sleep) was finally interrupted by an afternoon ride on a schooner in Penobscot Bay.  The Olad was skippered by Aaron Lincoln and another brawny Mainerite, who elicited the assistance of some of our own members during the voyage.  Manny, who claimed to be on his first sailboat ride, hoisted the main with speed and confidence; the subsequent keeling came as a surprise to many (especially Manny) which provided a setting for much-needed choir bonding.  Apart from the wind chill and overcast skies, it seemed to be a good experience for everyone, not to mention the nautical education (Skipper Manny later took the helm) and Aaron's knowledge of the marker islands and local history.  We split off into smaller groups to try the local flavor; the lobster roll had been on my visit-Maine-bucket-list, and I was glad to find that Peter Ott's provided sweet potato fries at no extra charge.  Warm tea by the fireplace helped us regain homeostasis after a damp, chilly venture on the ocean.  The following morning, we attended church.

Sweet potato fries included! 

 Meaghan with the jib, Willis providing moral support.

Heave, Ho! Manny hoisting the main.

Setting up our bell tables at the First Congregational Church of Camden was a tight squeeze, but the choir adjusted to the new arrangement.  The matinee concert went well: the community was excited to hear more of Sarah's music, and also hummed along to America the Beautiful - not as emphatically as the Cape Codders in my opinion, but a solid 2nd place.  Kathy has been particularly pleased with Handel's Passacaglia as of late, and this performance brought it to a higher level of accuracy and musicality.  Ray Nugent and Ryan McCann continued to run and hop about the back tables during Hall of the Mountain King, much to the amusement and (and surprise) of the audience.  All was appreciated, and after a quick reception we were on the road.

Sarah, center stage. 

                                                             Creative cake decorations.