By BILL BERRY
of The Gazette
The Rising Star Mill in Nelsonville is ready to say goodbye to summer 1999 with its last concert of the season Saturday night.
And what a season it's been. In addition to a nice slate of performances, the Rising Star was on the receiving end of a $10,000 donation from area businessman Terry Anderson, who has roots in nearby Amherst. The intent is to use only the interest earned on that money, according to Laurie Low, one of a core of dedicated volunteers. Low and Janet Eschenbauch pretty much make up the Rising Star Committee, which coordinates shows and other activities at the mill. Rising Star is owned by the Portage County Historical Society.
Donations of $1,000 each from the village of Nelsonville and Historical Society, along with funds raised from events at the mill, helped get the old broad-shouldered building painted this year, says Low.
Even with that good fortune, Saturday's benefit show will be needed to help the mill come out just a bit ahead for the year.
The Rising Star is emerging as one of those good ideas that actually worked, thanks to some hard work and dedication by a core of volunteers. Rich with history and grand in style, the mill has been home to musical performances for several years now. It also holds an annual art show in the summer, on the same weekend as the Iola Old Car Show. Low puts the music together, and Eschenbauch oversees the art show.
Saturday's show starts at 7:30 and admission is $6, but get there early. Advanced tickets aren't sold. Seven o'clock is a good arrival time, says Low, who notes that it's a rustic setting, right down to the portable restroom facilities.
"I like people to know it's rustic, but you can't beat the ambiance," says Low.
Performers will include the duo of guitarist Ken Bonfield and electric violinist Joe Ebel (see article on the next page). The Can't Lie Low Trio, comprised of Low, Joan Cantlon and Cara Leitner, will also perform. The three are from the Amherst area. They'll also invite Barb Achten and Kari Esbenson to join in for some numbers. A quartet comprised of area residents Paul and Mar Garber and Tom and Jen McComb will also be on stage. The four have just released a new CD called Cool Pool.
L.J. Booth, the Scandinavia-based singer/songwriter who travels the national folk circuit, will be on hand to close the show.
"We're really fortunate," Low says of the lineup. "We've had a number of calls about Saturday's concert already."
Rising Star was built in the late 1860s and operated as a flour mill by Jerome Nelson, founder of the village.
Sculptor Bill McKee cleaned up the site and drew attention to its potential in the 1980s.
An October work day may be called to help spruce up the mill and grounds, says Low. Then the mill will be put to sleep for yet another year.
Of course, the music scene in the Amherst area goes strong year-round. Shows at the Jensen Center and The Cellar in the Amherst Coffee Company will help live music lovers weather the cold months ahead.