The 2024 VFSS Recognition Awards

 

At our Winter Holiday gathering on December 18th, the 2024 VFSS Recognition Awards were presented to Ian Edwards and Janie Benna.

 

 

Here are the notes used by Maureen Hannah when presenting the award to Ian:

 

It’s time to recognize Ian Edwards for his contribution and service to the VFSS!

• Ian has for any many years gotten here often before six.

• He gets the place sorted, turns on the lights, opens the elevator, gets furniture organized, draws curtains, hangs the VFSS sign out, etc.

• Then goes downstairs and starts preparing the tea.

• He puts out all the goodies that others bring but mostly his stuff.

• At the end of the evening he does it all in reverse and locks up.

• He sings shanties with the Lazy Jacks and they often perform here.

• And, once in a while, not as often as we’d like, he performs on his own. There’ll usually be a bit of theatre involved, a garment or a hat.

• He does a great dead pan when he tells a joke which is often.

• It’s rare to have a conversation with Ian without seeing the twinkle in his eye.

• Ian has been on the Board of the VFSS for 11 years.

• Ian lives close to the Quaker Meeting House and knows how to get in. If you’ve left something in the hall, he has from time to time graciously agreed to let people in.

• All in all, Ian Edwards is a stalwart of the VFSS and well deserving of the 2024 Recognition Award for Service and Contribution to the VFSS.

 

Here are the notes used by Pat Howard when presenting the award to Janie:

 

We also want to acknowledge the many contributions of Janie Benna to the Folk Song Society

• She served on the board for many years going way back to the beginning of the Millenium.

• She sat on special committees and helped initiate a number of important projects.

• Even when she stepped down from the board, she remained a regular volunteer wherever she could.

• Year after year she volunteered to sit at the registration table at retreats, often missing the opportunity to chat with folks in the dining room during meals because she was looking after Friday evening or Saturday morning or noonday registrants.

• She looked after the Welcome Desk for years providing warm greetings to old and new folks coming in the door of this hall.

• Her songs and singing have delighted all of us for many years.  Her singing voice is unique and greatly appreciated.

• Her unusual approach to harmony has attracted many different performers to ask her to back them up.  I believe this has inspired others to try combining their voices and/or instruments in various collaborations, which strengthen the many bonds that hold our community together.

• Like Ian, with whom she has often collaborated, Janie embodies the spirit of giving, sharing, collaboration, and mutual aid that we associate with this time of year and that we strive to make the essential character of our Folk Song Society.