New Year’s Eve

There is a 24-year-old tradition in Brattleboro of the Amidon family, and friends, giving a New Year's Eve concert. The earlier ones were held in the Baptist Church, then it moved to Centre Church, across the street, and now it is in the Brattleboro Music Center concert hall. When I met Ellen, it had been going for 3 years. If 2000 was the first year, I was in Chicago. But I think Ellen and I have been to almost every single one since we met. The early ones featured Peter, Mary Alice, and their two boys, Sam and Stefan - snd they were young boys. At some point they were joined by Keith Murphy and Becky Tracy, and members of their band which was called Nightengale. When the boys became men and got married, Stefan's wife, Zara Bode, joined the group. Now Sam's son, Arthur, and Stefan's son, Desmond, have been added. Keith and Becky's son, Aiden, has appeared occasionally - he was there tonight. It is always a great concert. Some are on YouTube - take a look if you can. Tonight, the BMC was very solicitous of me - they reserved a parking spot for us and seats in the front row!. Very thoughtful of them. Peter has cancer; no one knows how many more concerts he will have. But I suspect it will just evolve with time, as it has for the past 24 years. Just as Nowell Sing We Clear has evolved after Tony Barrand's death, with the addition of a new generation. I got in and out with no difficulty, and am glad I could.

The Amidon Family, plus Zara Bode.

Becky Tracy and Keith Murphy.

Aiden Murphy on far left, then Becky, Sam, Stefan, Mary Alice, Zara, Desmond and Arthur (partially obscured), Keith and Peter. Happy New Year, everyone!