Listening to Al Hawkes

Westbrook’s own Al Hawkes was featured on Nick Spitzer’s “American Routes” show Sunday on National Public Radio. Al is a popular bluegrass musician, who plays many instruments. He recorded many well-known singers and players in his record store, Event Record Studio, at Route 302 and Hardy Road, Westbrook in the 1950s. We all enjoyed the giant walking serviceman that Al built to advertise his business there, Hawkes TV.

Among those for whom he made records were Curtis Johnson, from Alabama; Everette Lilly, from West Virginia; Dick Curless and Lenny Breaux, a guitar player, who was only 15 years old, and accompanied a soloist. Al was proud of the people he became acquainted with, and had high praise for them. He had played with many of them, too.

Al and his group have played for many years at the annual summer Together Days in Westbrook’s Riverbank Park. His concerts are always well-attended.

It was a pleasant program hearing these bluegrass musicians on the radio program. I am glad that our son called us from his Hiram home to alert us of Al’s appearance on Spitzer’s program. Al told me Sunday night that Sptizer interviewed him, not recently, but a few years ago.

Watching the Patriots

The Dec. 16 Patriots-Jets game was thoroughly exciting, as the big snowstorm that moved through New England made conditions at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., tricky. Workmen had been plowing the field and clearing snow from all the seats for many hours, but conditions were still slippery. Still, the Patriots scored 20 points, and held the Jets to 10. The fans used the snow as confetti, and pitched snowballs onto the field when they didn’t like the officials’ calls.

I had seen a picture in the Dec. 15 New York Times of the Patriots coach, Bill Belichick, when he was resigning in 2000 as the coach of the New York Jets.

That was a surprise to me, but I’ve only known of him because of my recent interest in football and I greatly admire Belichick. The New York Times article told of how much his players admire him, too.

Admiring the worshippers

I had been watching TV news about the big storm, and saw the names of innumerable churches at the bottom of the screen, all canceling their Sunday services and any concerts that were to be held later in the day. Then, on Bill Green’s program, speaking of the storm, he reported about how pleased the ski areas and skiers and snowmobilers were about all the beautiful snow.

He also mentioned that, in spite of the many closings around the state, he wanted to announce that the services at Westbrook’s Trinity Lutheran Church were going to be held. What good news, after all the cancellations I had read about. So I called Roger and Sally Knight of Smiling Hill Farm, Westbrook to verify Bill Green’s news. The Knights are busy members of that church. Sally told me that yes, it was so, and that it is their church’s policy never to close because of weather conditions. Intrepid worshippers, take note.

Moving a school

The Portland Conservatory of Music is moving in January from Free Street to the third floor of the Woodfords Congregational Church, on Woodford Street, Portland. It has been located in Portland for 12 years and has grown greatly in that time. The new space will allow more lessons and classes each day. The variety of spaces available also means that the school can expand its ensemble and summer camp offerings, and increase the number of concerts and recitals in settings ranging from intimate to spacious. There is also plenty of free parking in a great neighborhood.

A letter from Deirdre McClure, executive director, says that besides moving four tons of pianos and other musical instruments, the school will be outfitting additional studios.

I have enjoyed the Thursday programs the school has sponsored at the First Parish Church in Portland. I also recall the music classes we had many years ago, at Lincoln Junior High School,on Stevens Avenue, when we learned many classical music songs, including the words in French to “La Marseillaise.” These we will always remember.

Baking a classic

This week’s recipe is from the Reader’s Digest cookbook, “Like Grandma Used To Make,” a treasury of fondly remembered dishes.

APRICOT-NUT LOAF

Years ago, this fruit bread often was served at afternoon teas. For even slices that don’t crumble, make sure the bread is completely cool before you cut it.

Boiling water

1 package (6 ounces) dried apricots, chopped

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large egg whites

2/3 cup apricot nectar or orange juice

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 teaspoons grated orange rind

1/2 cup finally chopped pecans or walnuts

3 to 4 teaspoons orange juice

1/2 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, pour enough boiling water over apricots to cover; let stand for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. In a medium-size bowl combine the egg whites, apricot nectar, oil and orange rind. Add to the flour mixture all at once and stir just until combined. Fold in the apricots and chopped pecans.

Spread into a lightly greased 8-by-4-by-2-inch loaf pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool the bread in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes; remove from pan. Then, in a small bowl, gradually stir the orange juice into the confectioners’ sugar until mixture is thin enough to drizzle. Pour over loaf and cool completely. Makes one loaf (16 servings).

Ramblings

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