The International Chamber Music Series is no more. This group of dedicated music lovers, who brought world-class chamber music to our town for the past twenty-seven years, has closed its doors. As Falls, current president, said in his valedictory remarks Sunday night at a pot-luck supper for the board members, the airplane just ran out of fuel and altitude (the state of the economy didn't help, either).
The contributions for the meal were fairly representative of the quality of the musical offerings we have enjoyed over the years: substantial and nourishing, with a bit of whimsy thrown in. As I have almost total recall when it comes to food, let me tell you about the meal. There was corned beef, sliced ham, Italian meatballs, sweet & sour brisket, kasha-varnishkes, three fabulous salads, French bread, rye bread, and a mushroom quiche. And lots of wine.
Isn't it amazing how a potluck supper just comes together without any apparent planning? The food always goes together and there is always enough (or as a potluck expert once told me, they eat until the food runs out and then they stop). This particular supper reminds me of the many weavers' potlucks I have attended over the years. For some reason, weavers are partial to dessert. On one occasion, we wound up with one salad and eleven desserts. It was fabulous!
I don't have any food pictures to show you, so on that subject you'll have to be content with the pictures conjured in your head. Instead, here's a celebration picture of a different sort; this was taken on a walk in the country a few days ago. To me it seems quasi-musical. Enjoy.