Countryfolk scholarships awarded

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SCHOLARSHIPS — Presentation of Countryfolk Youth Music Scholarships were held recently in East Dixfield. From left are Lee Ellingwood of South Paris, who gave a presentation about his grandmother, Lona Bedard of Norway, who was recognized for her more than 70 years of music and early radio broadcasts with the “Melody Mountaineers” in the 1950s; Samantha Macomer of Jay, scholarship winner; Larry “Buck” Bisbee, operator of Countryfolk; Emery Thompson of Wilton and Sara Henderson of Wilton, scholarship winner. More than 250 spectators and 41 musicians attended the first annual Countryfolk Music Theatre Reunion, Barn Dance and youth music scholarship weekend.

EAST DIXFIELD — A standing-room-only crowd in East Dixfield attended the first annual Countryfolk Music Theatre Reunion, barn dance and youth music scholarship weekend recently.

More than 250 spectators and 41 musicians attended the weekend of family music, food and sense of community as some folks reunited with folks they had not see for several years.

This year's youth music scholarships were awarded to 13-year-old Sammantha Macomber of Jay and 12-year-old Sara Henderson of Wilton, in memory and recognition of Lona Bedard of Norway for her more than 70 years of community music and early radio broadcasts with the “Melody Mountaineers” in the 1950s.

She was also the granddaughter of Maine’s champion fiddler, “Mellie” Dunham. A song called, “Mellie, Country Fiddler” written by Larry Bisbee was performed by a Dunham relative, singer-songwriter Paula Kaiser and Off The Hill. Bedard’s grandson, Lee Ellingwood, gospel and country singer of South Paris, also sang and assisted with the awards and gave background on Bedard’s life as well as introducing his grandfather, Maine Country Music Hall of Famer, “Whistling” Bill Bedard who was in the audience.