Rain can’t wash away country jamboree 

Good food, good tunes, and good times were shared at the Golden Age Club’s country jamboree, celebrating both the Club’s 40th anniversary and the memory of Buddy Goodleaf.

While the rainy Saturday weather wasn’t exactly ideal for a party, the jamboree still attracted dozens of community members - part of the club and not - who took part in the afternoon’s events.

Club members and sisters Sandra and Cathy Paul were two of those community members. They come to the jamboree every year, and they always have a good time.

When asked what their favourite part of the day was, Sandra kept it simple: “All of it.”

“There were just so many great little moments,” said Hazel Mayo, Golden Age Club board member.

Mayo, along with Golden Age Club president Peggy Mayo-Standup and coordinator Wendy Mayo, helped prepare and run the event along with a group of volunteers.

“I think that everyone that pitched in helped to make a successful event,” said Hazel.

“This is about the first time that I’ve actually appointed people to do stuff. Normally, I’m one person going 50 directions,” said Wendy.

Because she delegated this time around, Wendy was able to actually take in the festivities, instead of having to run everything.

“I had time to talk to people, welcome them, and help with the little things that were going on,” said Wendy.

One of the major aspects to coordinate was food, with Hazel helping to get supplies ready before the start of the event and then cooking and serving food throughout the afternoon and into the early evening.

“We were prepared for over 200 people,” said Wendy. Barbecue staples like hamburgers, hot dogs, and corn on the cob were served, alongside chips, coffee, tea, and sodas.

While they didn’t quite get to that number of people due to the weather, the jamboree still had a solid audience.

“We had a lot of people come in and out, and it was packed at one point,” said Wendy. Unfortunately, the rain coming back drove some people away, but there was still a good flow of people coming and going, grabbing food to go, and listening to the bands for a while.

The country bands who played all throughout the afternoon and early evening – Mohawk River Band, Big Iron, Honky Tonk Memories, River Road Band, and a few improvised groups – played under the club’s gazebo, while attendees could sit and relax under a large tent set up for the jamboree or sit inside the club’s building and still hear the music loud and clear.

"It's too bad about the rain, because I'm pretty sure we would have had a really big crowd here today. But we still got some die-hards,” said Denis Stacey, bassist for Honky Tonk Memories.

The band played for over an hour, covering country classics like Brooks and Dunn’s Boot Scootin’ Boogie, while also mixing in some other genres like Creedance Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary. 

“Kahnawake loves country music,” said Mayo-Standup, whose favourite performance of the day came from the Mohawk River Band.

“How people react to the different bands, and just to hear people laughing, having a great time is, I always say, like good medicine,” said Hazel.

The gazebo was built with help from Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS).

“We learned from last year,” said Hazel of their preparation in case of bad weather. That jamboree had to be called off early due to the sheer amount of rain.

“It was just terrible,” said Mayo-Standup.

While the rain was on and off, and lighter this year, the new tent and gazebo setup was a boon to the jamboree.

“We were even able to keep the dance floor open this year,” said Wendy.

One other organizing challenge can be funding. In years past, Wendy has had to make calls to different businesses and other supporters for sponsorship money.

This year, the 40th anniversary event was fully funded by Brian Goodleaf and his family, to celebrate the memory of his father Buddy Goodleaf, who passed away in 2021.

"I am very proud and honoured that it was sponsored by Brian Goodleaf,” said Mayo-Standup.

A half-and-half draw also took place, won by Crystal Wilkie. Half of the money raised by the raffle - $566 - went to the Golden Age Club, with the other half going to Wilkie.

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