Thanks for supporting Eagles Friday Nite Jam

To the Editor:

I would like to thank everyone involved in the Eagles Friday Nite Jam. We have just completed our ninth winter.

When I got the opportunity to keep the jam going, after Gene Towle's retirement, I never thought it would be going this many years and have been veiwed by so many. It is very gratifying to meet people on the street, some of whom I don't even know, to express their appreciation for this comunity event.

I want to thank several people who are involved in this. First of all Gene Towle, for giving me the chance to get in to this several years ago and for starting this jam at his home, which grew each year and had to move to a bigger place. I want to thank the Rumford Eagles 1248 for offering their reception hall to continue and expand the jam to an open comunity event where people from local and away could come and listen to some of their local friends and family play music or just to come and socialize with friends. Thanks to the bartenders, the kitchen help, the complete staff of the Eagles.

Also, I want to thank Joe Volkernick for his continued work over the years, for filming this and bringing it to the homes of so many who watch the program on the local access channel. Joe has been there since the start and has put several hours each week into airing this for those who cannot make it to the club. Every week, a copy of the jams go to nursing homes all over for their enjoyment as well, and they do look forward to seeing them.

I also want to thank Butch Carey for helping me set up the sound equipment. Thanks to all the musicians for coming and sharing their talent for so many to enjoy, I want to thank most of all, my dad, Ned Desroches, for his support and love for music. If it wasn't for so many years of listening to he and his friends, I would not have had this great opportunity. Also a big thank you to Ralph Arsenault. he and my dad are the last two of the original jam members to still be going strong.

I want to thank all the people for their continued support. If it wasn't for you, this would not be what it is today. I am amazed every year at the faces I see in the crowd each week. Over time, this event has spread miles from home. I can only hope that the jam will continue to attract you folks for another season. I have to say that most of the winter, we had fairly small crowds, which brings to mind the thought of possibly going to every other Friday next season. I would like to hear opinions on this.

I don't believe it is fair to the club to open the hall and pay for heat and electricity for 45 to 50 musicians and listeners, I would like to see more in attendence if we are to continue as a weekly event.

I also want to thank the families of those who have lost family members who either played or supported the jam, I feel blessed for the opportunity to have met so many wonderful people over the years

Hope to see you all in the fall

Bub Desroches,

aka, the sound man