Volume 20, Number 19
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
Confederate dispute mostly quiet at fair By Mark Dionne Town Times
The controversy surrounding the booking of Confederate Railroad, a band that has used the Confederate flag as part of its designs, for a headlining gig surfaced sporadically if mostly quietly at the 96th annual Durham Fair. Playing on the Main Stage on Sunday at 2 p.m., the band displayed no Confederate-emblazoned clothing, logos, or flags. In the far southeastern corner of the Main Stage hill, one lone Confederate flag flew on the fence between
Town Times
For Coginchaug Regional High School teachers Dean Coutsouridis and Lisa Larsen, who are retiring at the end of this school year, the 96th annual Durham Fair marked the last time they would bring their performing groups to the fairgrounds. After the last performances, Coutsouridis and Larsen were honored by the town and the fair and then were treated to a surprise performance. CRHS groups have been regular performers at the Durham Fair for years. This time around, Coutsouridis, the band teacher, brought the Dixieland Jazz Band and the Coginchaug Jazz Band while Larsen, the chorus teacher, brought the Show Choir and the boys’ a cappella group No
Friday, October 2, 2015
FRIDAY IS RIDE DAY
the Durham Fair Association property and a Main Street property. There were no Confederate flags in the audience and only a couple of Confederate flag images on t-shirts. The band had been asked not to display the Confederate flag or sell merchandise with Confederate images due to the sensitive and potentially provocative issue. There were also no anti-Confederate flag protesters at the show. The Confederate flag has often been a controversial issue. It surged in popularity See Confederate / Page 4
Memorable send-off for Coutsouridis, Larsen By Mark Dionne
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Refund and the girls a cappella group Nothin’ But Treble. The different groups performed as one block of local entertainment on Thursday and Friday night and late Saturday morning. The teachers made no direct acknowledgment that the visit was the last. At the end of the band’s Saturday performance, Coutsouridis, known as “Couts,” thanked the fair for supporting high school music and said, “I hope the tradition continues.” Coutsouridis also recorded the band’s last song, “Gonna Fly Now,” which he said was a favorite of past visiting musician Maynard Ferguson. Durham Fair Association President Dan Miramant and DFA Entertainment Coordinator Wendy Manemeit presented Larsen and CoutSee Teachers / Page 2
Above: Julia Salley of Durham smiles before the start of her ride on Friday, Sept. 25 which, like all the days of the fair, was sunny and free from rain.
The 96th annual Durham Fair took place Sept. 24-27, with rides, food, music, competitions and exhibits. To see more photos from the fair, turn to pages 10, 11 and 24. Photos by Mark Dionne / Town Times