Rat Pack Party at THE FARM

A few miles south of Lacona on the road to Richland there existed Sharon's place, "The Farm", complete with a big barn and livestock. The place was pretty much old and rundown. From time to time there'd be a party for no better reason than to have some more fun.



One Halloween they had a big beer bust - 3 kegs of Genny and all the munchies you could eat. We cranked up the 8-track tape player and blasted out all the best music of the day: Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Led Zeppelin, Kansas, Eagles, Cat Stevens, Lynard Skynard, Grateful Dead, and many others. Some wore costumes, some didn’t have to. I don’t remember much of that party, but I know it was FUN! I think there was fireworks later, or maybe it was just shotgun competition again.



In the early fall of ‘74 Mark (aka GOOSE) Liszewski’s older sister, Marianne, organized a wonderful old-fashioned box-lunch party. Live music was provided by the band “FRESH”, a local rock band (from the Fulton area I think) who Joe Hammond sporadically hired to play at The Lodge at Sandy Pond in those days. Marianne’s husband Joe Hart even sat in and played the drums. He’s a talented drummer, and played in several local bands. FRESH, especially the crazy-cool lead singer Jimmy, had some solid talent, and played a great collection of tunes… everybody liked them.






In the course of the day we threw frisbee, wrestled hogs, and ate and drank heartily. I remember there were a lot of girls there, probably drawn to the live music. I composed a long song on the spot about everybody there and the band backed me up when I sang it. In those days I played a Hummingbird 6-string guitar with a Humbucking electronic pickup clamped in the sound-hole. That guitar had the a deep clear sound I'll never forget.





I brought my trusty Kodak M30 Super 8mm movie camera with me that day a shot about 3 minutes of footage.



People appearing in this footage include Dave Akkoul (Nozzle), Pete and Mrs. Basio, Sherry Greer (Sherry Gum-reer) , Bruce Archibee (Baron), Brenda Maas, Starr Hilliker, Mary Lou La Point, Debbie Riter (Critter), Sue McKown, Sue Blount, Chrissy Lapham, Don McDougal (Dugan), Wayne Kenyon (Wicked Wayne), Barry Rowe (Wildberry), Dick Samuels (Apache), Gary Chrisman (Tongue-man), Mike Clark, GRAT, Joe Hammond, Mary Ann Bagalonis, Terry Bentley, Gary Sheldon (GARR), and Jimmie Beach. There are several others of which the years have stolen my memory.



This footage was shot only a few hours before Jim Beach and his girlfriend Frankie Arquette crashed his motorcycle into the back of Clarence Stafford’s tractor just down the road. It was dusk and Jim and Frankie were traveling at a good clip but did not see Clarence heading home on his tractor, chugging along. Tractors didn’t require running lights, only a reflective orange triangle on the rear. Jim was in the hospital for many weeks recovering from very serious injuries, while Jackie was hurt but not as seriously. They eventually got married and moved to Connecticut. Jim and his siblings still keep their parents Ken and Anne Beach's beautiful cottage on the waterfront at The Pond, it's near the old Kappesser homestead.






Chrissy Lapham was only 17 years old in this film. Chrissy was taken from us in a freak water skiing accident on Sandy Pond a few years ago. Chrissy was bright, funny, and a trustworthy friend - - we miss her…
Hope you enjoy this video of "Rat Pack Party at THE FARM".

[Note: divided into Parts 1 & 2]