DOWNEAST HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

Each year the Downeast Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Society selects 1 or more members, past or present, of the Downeast Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Society and its affiliated Chapters to honor and award a Lifetime Membership in the Society.

This process began in 1985.

The eligibility criteria include;

• Current or past member of the Downeast Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Society (including all NS Chapters & main body)
• Must have served at least one year as a director of the Downeast Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Society
• Has provided at least five years service to the promotion and preservation of Bluegrass & Oldtime Music 

The Applicants are selected by the Downeast Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Society Board of Directors and consist of all present and former members of the board.

Selection Committee shall consider all applications as follows;

• Number of years served on the Downeast Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Society Board of Directors
• Offices held – both Downeast and local chapter levels
• Committee involvement – both Downeast and local chapter levels
• Leadership qualities
• General contribution to Bluegrass & Oldtime Music

These awards are made at the Annual Eastern Canada Bluegrass Music Awards in October.

The list of Lifetime Members to date is as follows;

1985          Fred Isenor - Lantz, NS
1985          Vic Mullen - Port Maitland, NS
1986          Tom Dorward - Halifax, NS
1986          Neil Rosenberg - St. John’s, NFLD
1986          Mel Sarty - Italy Cross, NS
1987          Fulton Isenor - Elmsdale, NS
1987          Wilson Moore - Amherst, NS
1988          Marlene York - Seaforth, NS
1988          Ken Smith - Amherst, NS
1989          Charles Fullerton - Grand Lake, NS
1990          Laurie Blue - Deceased
1990          Gerald Pike - Riverview, NB
1991          Alf Dalton - Waterville, NS
1991          Gordon Stobbe - Seaforth, NS
1992          Don Smith - Deceased
1992          Gordon Sarty - Deceased
1993          Bob Sharples - East Stewiacke, NS
1994          Bill Babineau - Truro, NS
1995          Stephanie Isenor  - Truro, NS
1996          Ralph Esau - Deceased
1997          Jerry Murphy - Lantz, NS
1998           Don Getson - Bridgewater, NS
1999          Jeanie Thomas - East Stewiacke, NS
2000          Wally Smicer - Blockhouse, NS
2001          Albert Aucoin - Truro, NS
2002          Kay Dillman - Eastern Passage, NS
2003          Bob Wynn - Hilden, NS
2004          Marjorie Munro - Coldbrook, NS
2005          Darrell Frail - Bridgewater, NS
2005          Ed McCormack - Deceased
2006          Len Beck - Harcourt, NB
2006          Colin Welner - Moncton, NB
2007          Marilyn Croft - Alton, NS
2007          Bill Graves - Lower Sackville, NS