Rest In Peace Bill Castle

[Dan McLaughlin]

I know that this is buried in today's daily, but I wanted to post a separate thread about Bill Castle and the Pollywogg Holler. I first met Bill and Barb, as well as Scott and Patty Russell, Frazer and his beautiful family, Kevin Donnelly and a few other great folks there in August, 2004. I was going through some personal changes shall we say, at the time, family-wise. What a wonderful break to be at the Holler then! It was overcast with a bit of drizzle, but I remember that Friday as one of the better days of my life. Scott, Kevin, Frazer and I, and I am sure a few other folks I can't recall, just sat, played guitar, talked and enjoyed each others' company. It was wonderful and magical and Bill and Barb made it happen. I still remember standing with Scott on Saturday morning - early - I had to leave for a family party so it was around nine in the morning and we were looking over the Lily Pond with a low, misty fog over the water. Frazer helped me lug my gear up to my truck - a lovely gesture as it was kind of muddy - and I shook his hand and drove off.

I have been there only 3 times since. Always, I felt the magic of the place.

I played my guitar and sang publicly there. Something that I hadn't done in about 25 years. I haven't since the last time I was there in 2006. I love Bill for giving me that time, but for so much more. Friendships and connections and memories.

Bill didn't really know me at all, but he made me feel like I was one of his friends. I cherish that, and I hope to be able to adjust my thinking to do the same to others that I meet with my time left.

Thanks Bill and Barb.

[Deleted]

Respect and condolences, Dan.

[Tamarack]

I recall checking out Pollywogg Holler at the time the jams were occurring a decade or so ago -- a magical place indeed.

Rest in Peace Bill -- my condolences to all who knew you.

[Dub]

My condolences, Dan. I remember something of him and Pollywogg Holler from old discussions online. Somehow I remembered them as being on Mudcat but I searched there and didn't find anything. I remember thinking it might be fun to go but lost track of the idea somewhere. Based on my recollections, the world is a poorer place without Bill Castle.

[frazer]

It's very sad to hear of Bill's passing.

Dan, yes that was a magical weekend, and it's never far from my thoughts. It was full of fine friends and great music. I can't imagine having a better time anywhere. What a place, and what a spirit - "almost heaven" in fact.

Farewell and thank you, Bill!

[Marshall]

Apr 18, 2017 19:47:31 GMT -5 Dan McLaughlin said:

I know that this is buried in today's daily, but I wanted to post a separate thread about Bill Castle and the Pollywogg Holler. I first met Bill and Barb, as well as Scott and Patty Russell, Frazer and his beautiful family, Kevin Donnelly and a few other great folks there in August, 2004. I was going through some personal changes shall we say, at the time, family-wise. What a wonderful break to be at the Holler then! It was overcast with a bit of drizzle, but I remember that Friday as one of the better days of my life. Scott, Kevin, Frazer and I, and I am sure a few other folks I can't recall, just sat, played guitar, talked and enjoyed each others' company. It was wonderful and magical and Bill and Barb made it happen. I still remember standing with Scott on Saturday morning - early - I had to leave for a family party so it was around nine in the morning and we were looking over the Lily Pond with a low, misty fog over the water. Frazer helped me lug my gear up to my truck - a lovely gesture as it was kind of muddy - and I shook his hand and drove off.

I have been there only 3 times since. Always, I felt the magic of the place.

I played my guitar and sang publicly there. Something that I hadn't done in about 25 years. I haven't since the last time I was there in 2006. I love Bill for giving me that time, but for so much more. Friendships and connections and memories.

Bill didn't really know me at all, but he made me feel like I was one of his friends. I cherish that, and I hope to be able to adjust my thinking to do the same to others that I meet with my time left.

Thanks Bill and Barb.

Damn! I know I shouldn't have missed that one.

Thanks for the remembrance, Dan. That was moving to read. Best to you. Bittersweet remembrance. We can only hope that we have that kind of effect on a few people in our lives. We need to hang on to those memories.