Daryn photo column on music group “Present Company”

In sight

Photo and story by Daryn Slover, Sun Journal photographer

‘Present Company’ included

Lorna Jollymore’s band name came to her while ironing a shirt. The tag on the shirt collar said “Present Company.”

Jollymore, of Lewiston, had some convincing to do, but it was a perfect fit, said band member Diane Meservier. “We are here in the present and we make good company.” Besides, “it was better than the Hot Flashes.”

That was 22 years ago and “Present Company” has been making music ever since. “It keeps me young. It keeps me busy,” said 63-year-old Meservier.

“We play everything except hard rock and rap,” said 75-year-old Jollymore.

“She has the magic fingers,” Meservier said of Jollymore, who has been playing the keyboards since she was 6-years-old.

Marge Sjostrom’s voice rounds out the three-member ensemble. She, 60, and Meservier are cousins, who were raised in a singing environment.

“Our mothers sang together when we were young,” Meservier said. “If our mothers were around today, they would be so proud. My mother use to cry when I sang,” she added.

The cousins were raised in Lewiston and have a few French songs on their play list to please the local crowd.

All three have a lot in common aside from music. They each work during the day so they can play at night, and their vacations are spent with each other. “We leave the husbands at home,” Meservier said.

“Present Company” played their 11th Fryeburg Fair in the fall but it was holiday music that attracted a full house during a recent show at Montello Manor, a Lewiston nursing home. The ladies stand on stage dressed alike, even down to their earrings. Despite being a costume designer, Meservier does not make the matching outfits. “We made our outfits early on, but we are too tired to make things now,” Meservier said with a laugh.

“It would be nice if we were 30 years younger,” Jollymore said. “Now we fall asleep on stage.”

Sleep will need to wait come Wednesday. “Present Company” is performing their annual New Year’s Eve concert at Schooner Estates in Auburn. “We’re usually home by 10 or 10:30,” Jollymore said. “We will have to keep our eyes open with toothpicks.”