By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Anyone who opted not to attend the free musical evening held at the Caribou Performing Arts Center on Saturday night missed out on an evening of wonderful music, covering everything from Johnny Cash’s “Orange Blossom Special,” to southern gospel songs, performed by The Good Ole Boys, a band of local musicians who give freely of their time and talents, performing at a wide variety of venues, including the Maine Veterans’ Home, the Caribou Nursing and Rehab Center and frequent appearances at the Seniority Christmas parties.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Betty Walker, the guest of honor at an evening of music hosted by “The Good Old Boys,” was the first one dancing — showing off her fleet-footed talent and of course her sense of high fashion. Look for more photos from this event in next week’s edition.
Saturday night the Good Ole Boys provided an evening full of fun and toe-tapping tunes but it was the reason behind their goodwill that drew a nearly full house to CPAC. The evening was dedicated to Betty Walker — a lady, whose unmatched quick and sharp sense of humor, snappy dancing, bright smile, seemingly unending compassion and energy has been long-time established not only in her workplace at Cary Medical Center, in her church but throughout the Caribou community and through her endless work in any number of organizations.
It was a free concert but those in attendance gave freely in donations to help ease a least a tiny bit of the struggle that Walker is currently faced with as she finds herself amidst the journey of fighting back against cancer.
These audience was informed that they were at CPAC tonight for one reason — to celebrate Betty Walker, because through the course of her life she has touched most everyone — and now it is time for us all to touch back.
A proven stand-up comic in her own right, Walker is well known not only for the work she does within the community but also for her jokes and zinging one-liners she has delivered through the years as she emceed numerous Cary Medical Family Talent Shows and other events — where it was more often the norm that she would have her co-host in uncontrollable laughter as she somehow could relate a variety of stories and jokes without cracking a smile.
Even though she was the guest of honor at the Saturday night affair, Walker made a surprise appearance on stage, when during the very first number, “In the Mood,” she sash-shayed onto the stage, decked out in the familiar bright colors, complete with funky socks and hat, and delighted her friends as she played the spoons and danced like always before.
The Good Ole Boys were joined in their concert by the familiar voices of Lela Lyons and Steve Mazerolle, accompanied on guitar by Sean Anderson. Whether it’s the voices of Lyons and Mazerolle singing in their amazing emotional harmony or cranking it up with the songs of Elvis, they are truly talented local musicians who over the years have continued to give of their time and talents.
Other guests during the emotional but feel good performances included the Southern notes of Karen Goodall- Guerrette a nurse at Cary Medical Center, who graced the staged in country regalia singing, “Yodelin’ Blues,” and “You Gotta Hold On, Hold On to Your Faith.” Heather Searles also took to center stage, singing to her Mom, “Living Prayer,” by Alison Krauss.
When the evening was near its end, Walker was called to the stage, where she was presented not only with literally a ‘bag of money,’ (donations from the audience) but as she emotionally thanked everyone, it became apparent the air within that theatre carried to her the deepest wishes for her recovery and well-being.
As with all good times, the end of the evening came much too quickly but the last song created a memory that will most likely stay etched in everyone’s mind. Encouraged to stand and join voices with all of the musicians on stage the entire CPAC was filled with music and the words to “How Great Thou Art.”
It is said that music is the universal language but Saturday evening that last song, sung by voices trained and untrained, some high, some low, some loud and strong, others quiet and soft, transformed into energy more powerful than the words of any language — an energy with a foundation created by community, family and friends.
