Peter, Paul and Mary. Ronnie, Sally and Dickie. Similar rhythm, liked the beat, easy to dance to (“American Bandstand,” 1965)! Similar, but different. In some ways though, there is a similarity in the way both “trios” share their music.

At this year’s Opera House “Hometown Hootenanny” Ronnie, Sally and Dickie played “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas & the Papas and it was a perfect fit for our three local troubadours. You could feel the audience at the Opera House connect. It was lovely.

Sally mentioned to me that I’d made a photograph of her and brother Dickie almost 40 years ago, in cowboy attire at the Railway Village. This was back when they were entertaining at The North Star Motel's “Big Dipper Lounge.” Those were some swinging years. Remember the bus tours? The whole family ran the show. Even chef, now local electrician, Fred Stover, helped bring home the bacon. It was an era of industrious collaboration, and great music. I still ask Laurie at First Federal if she would be willing to lead a bus tour to Mount Battie in Camden. She said she would if her sister, brother and Ronnie would come along and play the “Pennsylvania Beer Barrel Polka!” Sign me up!

The musical blend of these three fine people seems natural to me. Anyone who knows them will tell you that they are unique and talented. Ronnie is electrical and plays scratch golf, Dickie has his own carpentry business and is Boothbay Fire Chief and Sally is Laurie’s sister. How could they not get along? And their music is just a perfect place for them to blend their talents and have fun. If you watch them perform, you can’t help but smile.

This month they are the featured music of the Windjammer Days celebration. I think that means they will be under the Big Top at the Whale Park, maybe in the parade too!

Forty years is a long time. Their publicity photo needed updating. So when Sally asked me to do some more photos, it was a big thrill. Again to the Railway Village for a great session. It was a struggle for composure. We laughed non stop for half an hour. My hands shookso much that half the photos were out of focus or blurred. True professional! I think we got a few we could live with. It was an honor and a privilege to share their stage, even if we didn’t have a full bus.