JAY – North Jay Grange had a craft and food sale, luncheon and a country music show recently to raise funds for the restoration project.

About 60 people danced to the music of Act I, Barry Wood of Livermore Falls. His wife, Leanne, sold CDs. Wood has been playing and singing for more than 59 years and has won numerous country music awards in Maine and Tennessee.

The music continued with Bing and Nancy Crosby and Patrick Libby. The Crosbys have their own recording studio and have been singing together for a few years. He is president of the Maine Country Music Association and she is vice president. Bing was inducted this year into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame. Libby, of Livermore Falls, plays electric guitar and banjo.

Randy and Travis Pinkham, father and son duo from Farmington, play traditional country music. Randy has written and sung his songs for 35 years. His son, Travis, started writing songs this past winter and plays guitar and sings.

The Narrow Gauge String Band, Unplugged, consists of Gary and Lois Hall of Farmington and Mike Worthley of Phillips. The musicians have been playing together for three years. Lois plays bass and sings old country. Gary can play any string instrument that he can hold in his hands. He has twice been named Maine’s top mandolin player.

All of the musicians play at nursing homes, clubs, benefits and private parties.

The Grange was not awarded a grant from the Maine Historic Preservation, due to the “vigorous competition” and “lack of funding.”

Members are continuing fundraising and plan to have some restoration done this year. Contribution can be sent to Mavis Lane, treasurer, 390 Keep Road, Jay ME 04239. For more information, call her at 645-4628 or Marilyn at 645-2910 or 645-4211.