One of Chestertown’s all time great figures, the late Vince Raimond, was the cause of celebration Saturday afternoon at Toad Hall, his family home near Still Pond. For more than six hours, friends and family from across the country, close to five hundred guests in total, gathered to play homage to the local arts supporter and advocate.
In a fitting tribute to Raimond, the eulogies took the form of performance. With Vince’s wife Leslie playing master of ceremonies, One by one, some of Kent County’s best known singers, actors, musicians, poets and dancers took to the stage, including Vince’s granddaughters, to pay their respects on a perfect spring day.
The Spy was able to capture a few of the opening moments.
This video is approximately three minutes in length
Robert Blake Whitehill says
Thanks to The Spy for giving my ailing bride and son a taste of the exciting day I enjoyed at Vince Raimond’s life celebration. When I tried to describe the varied and wonderful doings, Mary or Beau would often interrupt through their sniffles and sneezes to clarify, “This was a memorial service, right?” I could only answer, “Yes, of course, but no.” My son asked, “Was Vince Raimond there?” The truth was, “No, but he was everywhere, in every heart, every voice, and shining bright with joy, and mischief, and fire, from every eye.” Should the event, dubbed Vincestock by some, be repeated in one year, I think I have two more guests who would like to attend. This lovely article and video will help me clinch their addition to the company.