Hilltown Families 
Big Name in a Small Room Concert Series Continues in the Hilltowns
Strange Coincidences
I have a friend named Dave Taylor who I worked with in New Orleans. Dave now lives in New York. His best friend is named Seth Bernard. Seth lives in Michigan and his girlfriend is named May Erlewine. Dave Taylor’s mom was in the hospital having surgery in Florida. While she was recovering from surgery, a young woman came in to sing to her as part of the hospital’s new recovery through music program. The young woman sang a gorgeous and uplifting song that she said was written by a friend of hers named May. Dave’s grandmother, who was there visiting her daughter said, “I know a May. She lives in Michigan. Her name is May Erlewine.” The young woman said, “That’s the same May who wrote the song!” And the young singing woman? That was Rani Arbo of Ashfield!
The only part of the story I don’t know is why Rani was singing in a hospital in Florida. But I don’t really care—I love the story!
Not this last summer, but the previous August we had a concert by May and Seth across the street in the backyard of the inn and it was beautiful! May wrote the Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem favorites, “Shine On” and “Rise up Singing.” (Remember that concert? It rained all the way through it, but it was such beautiful music that no one left!)
This Saturday Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA is going to bring them back and inside as part of our Big Name in a Small Room Concert Series continues with May Erlewine and Seth Bernard! This Saturday, November 20th. Dinner will begin at 5pm and the concert begins at 7pm. Tickets for this are required so that we don’t go over room capacity. Git ‘em now! (413) 628-4003
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nan is the proprietor of Elmer’s Store in Ashfield, MA. A New England transplant from the Deep South, Nan shares her southern wit, wisdom and charm in her column, “Notes from Nan.” nanparati@aol.com
Nan, Loved your story about Dave Taylor’s mom. I play golf with Dave, and he told me to check out your story. Also, I grew up in Ashfield, Don Lesure was my classmate, and Elmer Lesure was my first baseball coach.
Fred Scott