It's hard to believe that my 2008 calendar is on its last page, and it's time to reflect on the year that was.

This month's coffeehouse is our traditional Holiday Party, Membership Meeting, and Open Mic night.

During the Membership meeting part of the agenda, which starts at 6:30pm, we will hear our annual report from our Chairman of the Board (er, that would be me).

You'll hear a bit of reflection on our year, the state of our financials, and some of our plans for 2009.

Also during the membership meeting, we will have elections for new board members. We have several board members who are up for re-election. If you'd like to be considered for this role, or would like to nominate someone, feel free to notify me at president@delfolk.org with your suggestion.

After the membership meeting, we go into an Open Mic starting at around 7:30, with the always reliable Rick Hudson as our master of ceremonies. Please try to arrive by 7pm to sign up for a performance slot. Note that this Open Mic is NOT part of the Delmarva Folk Hero contest.

• There is no admission charge
• Coffee and beverages are free too
• We provide a lite dinner
• We ask that guests bring a sweet treat to share
• We will have merchandise for sale
• This would be a great time for you to renew your membership for 2009, or join if you haven't done that yet.
• We'll have autographed "Wild Delaware" books for sale, in case you need to do last minute Christmas shopping. This is an extraordinary collection of photographs of wildlife in Delaware, and make a great gift for anyone who's a fan of animals, photography or Delaware. They will sell for $50, and it's a fundraiser for the Friends of Folk.

The Agenda:

6:30 - 7:30 = Membership Meeting & Board Elections
7:30 - 10:30 = Open Mic

It all starts at 6:30 pm, December 20, in the Wesley College Chapel, corner of Division and N. Bradford, in Dover. Admission will be free. We’ll have plenty of hot coffee and cool drinks. Please bring a sweet snack to share. Don't forget to bring a donation for the Food Bank of Delaware - in these tough economic times, they need your support more than ever. Come out, bring a friend, and be part of the happening.

-- Beth Fizell, DEFF Board Chair

As you look toward the holidays and plan on what 2009 will bring us, it's time to renew your membership in the Delaware Friends of Folk.

It's one of the greatest bargains out there - just $10 for an individual, and $15 for a family membership. Membership Benefits

• Discounted admission to Coffeehouses
• Discounted admission to our Annual Folk Festival
• Monthly newsletter with Friends of Folk news and area musical happenings
• Invitation to exclusive Members-Only events like our annual "Pick-N-ic" in the summer, annual membership meeting in December
• Ability to vote at our annual membership meeting each December
• The joy of being part of a great organization that supports folk music in Delaware!

You can sign up or renew at our shopping page.

Remember, we are a real live 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. That means that your donations to Delaware Friends of Folk are likely tax deductible, but we know you’ll check with the experts before trying to rip off Uncle Sam. We are beginning to work in a few other directions, like sponsoring workshops and perhaps other educational efforts. Got a few extra dollars? Got some ideas on how we might use them? Let us know.

On November 14, Maurice Shockley, a friend of the Friends of Folk, departed this earth. He was 79 years young.

Maurice was frequently seen at our pick-ins, and performed at the very first "Fall Fling", later renamed the "Delmarva Folk Festival".

Maurice loved country-western and bluegrass tunes. His favorite singer was Gene Autry and he fashioned his style after Mr. Autry. Other big musical influences of his were The Carter Family, Bob Wills, and the great Hank Williams Sr.

A virtual encyclopedia of old-time music, John Kidd used to like telling him that Maurice had forgotten more songs than John would ever learn.

Maurice was also a staple at the Eastern Shore Bluegrass Association's monthly events at the Marydel Fire Hall, where he was a longtime member of the "Kitchen Pickers".

Maurice's family's desire is to have friends and well-wishers honor Maurice's life by contributing to a new effort within the Friends of Folk - a "scholarship" to help those who would like to learn guitar, but can't afford the lessons. We're still working out the logistics of this initiative, but if you'd like to remember Maurice in this way, you can send a contribution written to "Delaware Friends of Folk", and send it to PO Box 1006, Dover DE 19903-1006. Make sure you include a note that this is to be used for the Maurice Shockley Guitar Playing Scholarship Fund.

-- Beth Fizell, DEFF Board Chair

The Delmarva Folk Festival Committee needs a few good men and women to help.

This means YOU!

If you’re interested, call Kae at (302) 736-5585.

The first 2009 Festival meeting will be March 4, 2009 beginning at 6:30 at Sheridan’s Irish Pub in Smyrna.