One of the first delights when we moved from our Massey farm to this location was that we’d be right in town and so much closer for Owen Sound’s Summerfolk. For 30 years our family and friends have attended this wonderful third weekend in August folk festival—but we didn’t go four years ago. Four years ago on Summerfolk Sunday my husband, George, died. 

Of all the weekends in the year, Summerfolk weekend is the one I can count on having company as everyone comes back for the music festival. It feels so supportive. Summerfolk Sunday and especially the morning Gospel Service in the amphitheatre has a deep emotional feeling for me. So this year as I sat listening to the service, I remembered and gave thanks for all the memories. The messages in the music were positively upbeat. It made it ever so easier to be grateful for the beautiful weather, my family and friends, and this community that, for 34 years now, has organized this remarkable experience.

Jan at Summerfolk, 2009Just looking around at all the attendees enjoying this special gospel service delights me. We are all even singing along when we are invited. I really listen to all the lyrics and what a nice way to focus on the spiritual. I even get a chance to talk with Mayor Ruth, who I quickly remember was one of George’s patients, and we discussed Family Physician Recruitment—another positive community programme.

And so the fourth anniversary for George and Summerfolk Sunday continues with music (I loved Susan Werner singing the Owen Sound song the best), connecting (the at the side chats with Marianne and Wendy), laughing (with Trout Fishing in America) and the stories (Tanglefoot’s Vimmy and the Stan Rogers Tributes) and hugging and singing Good Night Irene at the closing ritual for another Summerfolk.