Backstage with the Best of Friends

Local Band Makes Its Final Appearance on July 11, 2010

l to r: Alan Towle, Sandy Towle, Sam Miller, Marylin Dwyer, David Towle, Kurt Dwyer and Skip Gray

By Sharon Lakey

The evening was lovely on Danville Green, a blessing after the recent high heat and humidity. Alan Towle and his young helpers arrived at 5:00 to set up for the 7:00 final concert of The Best of Friends, a country band that has been entertaining crowds for the past 26 years. He moved nimbly between an assortment of amps and speakers and wires that literally filled the bandstand.

The rest of the band members arrived around 6:00.  White shirts, embroidered with black eagles, were handed around on hangers. After changing into them, members hovered over Sandy Towle, who had multiple black scarves draped around her neck. Alan produced an old check-box wrapped with a Velcro strip that contained small gold, silver and turquoise clasps. When threaded through the clasps, the ties completed the neat country look. Hats and instruments were donned and tuned and after a final group portrait, the band was introduced by Susan Tallman of the Pope Memorial Library.

And the music began for one last concert: Alan Towle on rhythm and vocals; Sandy Towle on sound; Sam Miller sharing lead guitar and vocals; Marylin Dwyer on vocals and tambourine; David Towle on drums and vocals; Kurt Dwyer on bass; and Skip Gray sharing lead guitar and vocals. Their final program reflected the tastes and spotlight sharing that has been a hallmark of the group.

D              It’s Good to be Back Home Again (Marylin and Alan)

A              Auctioneer Song (Alan)

A              Stand by Your Man (Marylin)

E              Lovesick Blues (Sam)

A              Trashy Women (David)

A              Fugitive (Skip)

D-E          Good-hearted Woman (Alan)

D              Jambalaya (Skip)

G              Down That Lost Highway (Sam)

A              Mamma’s Hungry Eyes (Marylin)

A              455 Rocket (David)

D              If My Nose Was Running Money (Alan)

A              Down at the Twist &Shout (Alan and Marylin)

F              Whispering Hope (Marylin)

D              Ever-changing Woman (Skip and Sam)

A              Big Boss Man (David)

E              Chantilly Lace (Sam)

E               I Don’t Look Good Naked Anymore (Alan)

D              Mama Tried (Skip)

C              What’s Your Mama’s Name (Marylin)

C              On the Road Again (the band’s theme song)

It was an appreciative audience and over too soon--bittersweet, for many shall miss them.

All this started way back in ‘73 on a snow machine trail. On the way to Jimmy Roy’s cookout in South Danville, Kurt and Marylin Dwyer met up with Ron and Barb Hill and their friends Alan and Sandy Towle.  On the way back through Danville, Kurt and Marylin stopped at the Towle’s. “We just hit it off,” said Marylin. That budding friendship took on a public persona in the form of a band that, according to Alan, played 44 gigs a year in its heyday. Through the years the four core band members stayed together, soliciting other musicians to join where more voices and instrumentals were needed.

The idea of creating a band sprouted during hunting season. “Oh, deer huntin’ is big doin’s around here,” said Alan. A buddy and his sons would bring their guitars up every year and they would jam, reminiscent of the way Alan used  to play and sing in high school when he and his friend sang 50’s style music. “We did all the Everly brothers,” said Alan.

Soon, his new friend Marylin joined in the singing, and besides being a lot of fun, the sessions started to sound pretty good. They drafted Kurt into the mix on bass as things progressed. And, because every band needs a sound engineer, Sandy agreed to take on the job. As she puts it, “I was painting the back side of the barn while they were painting the front.” Their first live performance was Kurt’s parents 50th wedding celebration ; they have a copy of the check for their first paying job--$100--a wedding reception for the Belknap’s held at the Lincoln Inn in 1988. “The band really started cookin’ in 1990, when Sandy and I bought a one-ton truck to travel in,” said Alan.

To keep a band together for that long  is no small feat, almost unheard of. “Every band has to have a leader,” said Alan, “and for us it was Marylin and me. If someone didn’t like the way things were going or how we performed, we took the hit.” The two of them would meet together two or three times a week to plan performances and take care of the business side of the band.

In planning performances, the two would make an effort to share the spotlight. “If one of the guys liked a certain song, we would let them carry it,” said Alan. Marylin would type up the planned program, so, when the band showed up once a week to practice in the Towle’s basement studio, they knew which music was to be played and in what key. In this way, practice was productive as well as performances smoothed with no lag between songs.

The business side of Best of Friends included purchasing equipment with the band’s funds. Alan remembers the $2400 they spent on a drum set that had been played by Kris Kristofferson. “We bought it from a music store  in Burlington. Kristofferson’s equipment didn’t arrive and they had to rent it for a concert they were playing there.” The band owns all the performance equipment like amps, mics, sound mixing board, headsets and uniforms. “We’re toughest on dress,” said Alan. All uniforms are purchased, laundered, pressed and put on just before performances. After performance, off they come before loading them back in the truck with all the other equipment.

They each bought their own personal instruments, though. Alan loves his left-handed Peavey Milestone 12-string. “It was handcrafted for me at the research and development department at Peavey electronics. It’s one of a kind.” Kurt plays an unusual one-piece Peavey DataBass.

A common performance included a first set of an hour, a ten minute break, then three more sets of 50 minutes apiece. They would usually play from 9:00 to 1:00, load up and head for home. “Sometimes, we’d get home as late as 3:00 in the morning,” said Alan. Mind you, they did this with full time jobs on the side. Kurt remembers coming home at 3:00 a.m. one morning and getting an “on call” job call from EHV. “I was home about 15 minutes that night,” he said, shaking his head.

They most enjoyed playing for dances. “When the dance floor is full and everyone is sweatin’ and hootin’ and hollerin’--then we know we are doing our job,” said Alan.

“There was strange one, though,” reminded Kurt about the time they played and were paid for driving through miserable weather to play a dance in Jefferson, New Hampshire. There, they performed for a single family and a cat. “We found out later the town was boycotting that man for hiring some male strippers the week before,” said Alan.

Alan lit up remembering the his best gig ever, a wedding reception held at the Canaan Fairground.. “You know, everything was right that night. When I backed the truck up to the stage, it was the perfect height. Equipment off, easy. For the barbecue, the father of the bride had ordered real mesquite wood from out west...” Marylin and Sandy smiled and chimed  in, “But Alan mostly liked the barmaids dressed in fishnet stockings!” He didn’t deny it.

But their most favorite performance of the year was always the Danville Fair. “The biggest audience of the year,” said Alan. “And we like to play for people we know.”

“I’ve had a wonderful time,” said Marylin, speaking for the band as well as herself. “I’ve loved the places we’ve gone and the people we’ve met.


To link to a video, featuring photos from the evening's performance accompanied by Alan's original song, click here.


To link to a video, featuring photos from the band's past performances accompanied by Marylin's original song, click here. 


This article was first published in the August, 2010, issue of the North Star Monthly.

  

Twinning Celebration Between Two Danvilles a Successful Reconnection

Bus tour on July 3, 2010 to Danville, Quebec, fondly remembered

Danville Dignitaries: l to r Toby Balivet, Jane Kitchel,  Denise Briggs (hidden, but waving), Alice Hafner, Dorothy Larrabee, and Paul Chouinard, got a rousing cheer from the Vermonters, who enjoyed watching some of our own in the parade.  

By Sharon Lakey, Director of the Danville Historical Society

It was a somber morning as the tour bus to Danville, Quebec, loaded in the early morning of July 3, 2010. If one didn’t know already, it was whispered that Mary Prior, past President of the Danville Historical Society, had passed the evening before. She had been a part of the planning stages of the trip before Town Meeting, bringing out the archival photographs of the 1960 Twinning of the Towns event and talking it up excitedly. We rolled smoothly out of her beloved Danville right on time with passports, enhanced driver’s license or birth certificates tucked away, ready for the border crossing into Canada. What would we find in Danville, Quebec, our twin town that was now celebrating its 150th birthday?

With sunshine and green hills, more flat-looking than around here, Danville, QC, presented itself nicely to us as our bus rolled through the outskirts, then through the center of town. People sitting in an outdoor cafe over coffee must have wondered what a tour bus was doing in town. They looked at us quizzically. We were earlier that expected.

The driver, equipped with GPS, knew to take us to the fairgrounds. A large, white tent was set up there and small food booths circled a common area. The fairgrounds were adjacent to the English-speaking high school to which the driver parked us near the doors. There, a vigorous-looking older gentleman, nicely dressed, was standing to greet us. Paul Chouinard, new President of the Danville Historical Society was our tour guide, and he stepped off the bus to meet him. 

When the gentleman stepped onto the bus, he announced in French-accented English that he was Hertel Boisert, 84-years-old, that had made the trip to Danville, VT, in 1960. He was the one, who with his wife and two children, had driven the wagon and team of horses from Danville, VT, to Danville, QC, in honor of the original settlers who had taken that same trip in 1806. He told us he would be our guide until the Town Hall opened, located at a lovely lake and nature preserve near the high school. So began our day of fun in Danville, QC.

The lake, which is named Burbank Pond, is large. Mr. Boisvert explained that it was originally a mill pond that has been turned into a nature preserve. It didn’t take long for some of our tour participants to find some nature trails and take the opportunity to stretch their legs. Mr. Boisvert brought his book of memories with him and shared some of his Danville stories and photographs with us. He told us that his wife, who kept a daily journal of their adventures in 1960, had passed, but her journal was now being made into a book. A baby racoon, part of a rescue program, entertained us as well, by running after its handler.

Soon, other dignitaries arrived, one in a tuxedo and bowler, and the town offices were opened. We were ushered into the council chambers where a woman in a long gown smiled and handed out small glasses of apple champagne while another dignitary gave us lapel pins with the Town’s insignia. A guest book on the table was presented for all to sign. Two of our group had been at the previous 1960 celebration: Alice McDonald Hafner and Dianne Smith Langmaid (six-years-old at the time). Toby Balivet, as a boy, had also attended some events with his father, Hank, who was instrumental in the planning of the 1960 tour. The rest of us were first-time celebrants.

The man in the tuxedo was the mayor of Danville, QC. We were to see more than one tuxedo during the day. For the celebration, the town officials wore traditional garb, making them easy to spot. The mayor was French-speaking (francophone), so his speech of greeting was translated for us by an English-speaking person (anglophone). In this case, Mr. Boisvert served the role. (We were to find simple kindnesses throughout the day, where communication was a collaborative effort between interested parties.) It was here that an exchange of flags took place: Danville, QC, gave us one of their town flags and Paul presented a Vermont flag to them.

After the exchange, we were back on the bus with an anglophone historian, who gave us running commentary about the town as we drove to the center “green” to a farmer’s market. It was a small market, much different than ours. The green is different, too, as it is more like a business center than our green. The vendors were inside a large brick, cooperatively owned, cafe. Some in our group sat for coffee and French pastry, while others looked over pamphlets and other things that were offered there for sale. Paul met a man here, a local historian, who offered to take him to the cemetery to see the grave of Simeon Flint, a settler who arrived in 1806 from Vermont and was the first Governor of the new Danville, QC.

Back at the school, the tour members went their own ways to view an historical exhibit, check out an ancestry computer tool if they had Canadian roots, and peruse the food offerings in the fairground area. Lunch was on our own and most partook of the fair food offered. Several tried poutine, a French fry item covered with gravy. “Very filling,” was the most common response for those who partook.

At 1:30, the parade was to begin. We lined our chairs along the route and our own “dignitaries” were whisked away to ride on one of the floats. It was a sunny route and we thoroughly it--cheering loudly as our Vermont flag passed, and later, as our Vermont dignitaries rolled by: Toby Balivet, Town Attorney: Denise Briggs, Town Selectman; Jane Kitchel, Vermont State Senator; Alice Hafner, 1960 celebrant; Dorothy Larrabee, standing in for Kate Beattie, 1960 celebrant; and Paul Chouinard, President of the Danville Historical Society. Ken Linsley, President of the Danville Chamber of Commerce, took photos throughout the day.

At 4:30, the group gathered for the final event of the day in the big tent on the fairgrounds. Here the celebration was brought to an end, with exchanges between the two Danvilles and good wishes given all around. Alice and Dorothy were presented gifts, Paul presented a large photo of George Cahoon’s winter picture of Danville, VT, taken from behind the McDonald/Beattie farm, and Senator Jane Kitchel thanked the town of Danville, QC, for their kindness during the day and received a gift of the history of Quebec.

Back on the bus, Stephen McDougall, a journalist, thanked us profusely for attending. As the bus pulled out of the lot, Toby Balivet came to the front with an open sack. “I’m taking donations,” he said, “for the new tuxedos for our Selectmen.” We laughed, which was the intent, but couldn’t help but remember the Mayor fondly in his traditional garb. A wonderful dinner in Derby at the Cow Palace completed the day, and, as we drove back through the night to our own Danville, the sky was lighted in places with fireworks shooting into the sky over darkened hills.

To see Ken Linsley's photo album of the trip, click here.

This article was first published in the August issue of the North Star Monthly.

Remembering Janet Wakefield

The Queen of Danville

Compiled by Sharon Lakey


On June 16, 2009, I met Rita Calkins at the Park and Ride in St. Johnsbury to pick up a photograph of Marion Sevigny. "And now the Queen of Danville has died!" she exclaimed as she handed me the photo. 


"The Queen of Danville?" I asked, perplexed. 


"Janet Wakefield," she replied. It was the first time I had heard of Danville having a queen, but the title was explained to me later. when one called Janet and she wasn't home, the recording would announced, "You have reached the Queen of Danville..."


For nearly 25 years, Janet Wakefield held court at Steve Cobb's Danville Restaurant and Inn. It was an informal court, but a valued one where those gathered could discuss the affairs of the town, the state, and the world. The courtiers changed over the years, with members coming and going. It still meets, but, alas, the Queen is only there in spirit. In the following stories, some members of the court reflect on their fond experiences with the Queen.


Dot Larrabee...

“Who  is this every hair in place, gray haired  lady, dressed to a T, wearing dangling ear rings, flashy socks, riding around in a yellow Mustang convertible with pigs on the dash?” people would ask.

 

“Oh, that’s Janet Wakefield,” we would reply, “Who else?"  I didn’t get to know Janet until she retired in September 30, 1985, from working at the Department of Welfare.  With a chuckle, she would tell us about how at her retirement party Janie Kitchel said, “If you could get by the old b---- at the front desk, you were okay.” Anyways, after her retirement she had time to join a group that had coffee every morning at the Danville Restaurant.  We always knew when she had arrived.  She would walk in, slam the door, stand with one hand on her hip, and look around to see who was there.  After that she would proceed to the table and ask in a loud voice, “Who are those people over there?”  Before she left she usually found out their names, had a good conversation with them and knew a little or a lot of their life history.

Every town needs a  Janet Wakefield selling tickets for fundraisers, collecting money for The Covenant House, soliciting food for a luncheon after a funeral service, pouring punch at the luncheon, calling if someone was  ill to see if there is anything she or the church could do, volunteering at school to listen to children read, and giving out fluoride treatments. These are just a few things she did.  She has left a big void in our community.

It has been a year on June 16, 2009, since her passing.  We had our differences sometimes, but you always knew where she stood on any given subject.   I miss her a lot.


Terri Graves...

I met Janet Wakefield in March 1974 when I started employment with the state of Vermont. Janet was the Gatekeeper (boy was she!) for the Department of Social Welfare. I was a lowly temp, hired as an aide for the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Noontime, my first day at work, I was immediately subjected to her grilling. “Who are you, where are you from, who’s your mother, who’s your father, are you married…” You get my drift. We became insult buddies. We could trade them readily and often--triumphant when one of us “got one over” on the other.

I only really got to know Janet after moving to Danville in 1999. Both of our life circumstances had changed considerably. She had retired but was always busy doing something for others, either organizations or individuals. Janet was easily one of the most civic minded individuals I’ve ever met. I, on the other hand, became very isolated. I was working part-time, caring for my elderly parents and, subsequently, mourning their loss. Many friends had gradually disappeared from my life, as I was unable to sustain a social life.

Janet basically extended a hand up. She kept in touch by calling and invited me to join the morning coffee group at The Danville Inn. “You need to get out,” she said. Through her kindness, I was able to begin my journey out of sadness, slowly developing new acquaintances and friendships along the way. Janet, whether she knew it or not, had become a very important mentor to me.

Alice Cruess...
Several years ago, my family and I discovered what was to become our favorite dining spot--Steve Cobb's Danville Inn. At our second Saturday morning breakfast there, realizing we were becoming regulars, Janet stopped by our table to introduce herself asking, "Who are you?" We told her we were from St. Johnsbury. She overlooked that fact, and we soon became fast friends. We knew we had arrived when Janet invited us to sit at the Danville Table.

Together, we traveled far and wide on shopping and dining trips, and wherever we went we always ran into someone Janet knew. She was fun-­loving and generous, sometimes honest to a fault, but she genuinely took an interest in and cared about others. Janet had strong sense of community, which played a large part in our decision to settle in Danville, a town we've come to love as much as we did Janet.

Hazel Greaves...
I never knew what Janet was going to say! Sometimes that made me a bit nervous, but it was always in fun. And her laugh! Didn't she have a wonderful laugh? We could always hear that in the church dining room and at Steve Cobb's restaurant. She usually moved around the restaurant to find someone new to talk with before settling down with the Danville table. And did you ever see Janet throw her leg way up on the buffet counter at Steve's? She was quite agile! I do miss her noise.

Jane Milne...
The memories I have of Janet are among my fondest. Her socks, earrings and lovely thick hair were always so interesting. I counted on her telephone calls before and after the Celtics’ games. Oh, how she could sputter if they lost! A visit with Janet in her home was truly a treasure. My last visit with her was about two weeks before her death, and we had a good laugh when she TOLD me to sit with her in the den. “Where?” I asked myself after looking around, so I tossed things from a chair to the floor. I miss my friend Janet.

Jim Bailey...
Janet was always ready to embrace strangers and connect with people.  It was a pleasure to see her at the head of the “round table” at the Danville Inn Restaurant holding court!  She was outspoken, called a spade a spade, and though we were poles apart politically, we had great fun jabbing each other with tongue in cheek on current affairs.  She was my favorite Democrat.

Mary Bailey...
Our first encounter with Janet was when our boys were about ages seven and three.  We took our golden retriever puppy with us to the post office.  We ran into her and she asked them what they named their puppy.  When they told her “Barney” she asked, “Couldn’t you think of a better name than that?” (Typical.)

Years ago we walked into the Danville Restaurant and there sat Janet, Dot Larrabee and Alice Hafner at her table.  We kiddingly asked them how long you had to live in Danville before you could sit at that table.  We shared her table every Saturday morning since. Her conversations always included her grandchildren-- their whereabouts, what they were doing, their accomplishments. She was very proud of them. I miss Janet and remember her with much love.

Steve Cobb...
I think Janet and I had a love-hate relationship. We had some rocky times, and somewhere along the way we became the best of friends. She came into the restaurant every day, and we talked on the days I was closed. We also made a trip to her favorite store in Littleton every other week.

Janet was a Noah's Ark collector, and I am a teapot collector. Janet's house was loaded with lots of things, but Noah certainly stood out more than anything else. If you come into the restaurant you will notice that all of my teapots are displayed with their spouts pointing to the left.

On a Saturday morning, shortly after Janet died, I was sitting at the organ in the restaurant visiting with the folks at the table nearby. Something made me look up to the top corner shelf of teapots, a shelf that is unreachable without a chair. The center teapot on that shelf had been turned around, so that the spout headed to the right. It was my Noah's Ark teapot.

To view a related photo album, click here 

This article was first published in the July, 2010 issue of the North Star Monthly