Edmund Fitzgerald remembered

The Lewiston Council on the Arts hosted its annual Edmund Fitzgerald fundraiser on Wednesday at Brickyard Brewing.

Williamsville teacher Tom Asklar presented the annual discussion for the 13th time. The fund raiser was nearly sold out.

Asklar’s presentation has evolved to include an artificial intelligence generated video of what may have happened on the night the Eddie Fitz slipped below Gitchegoomee.

The talk concluded with a prayer and then the tolling of the bell 29 times as Commodore Justin Higner read the names of the dead sailors. He read one more name, the 30th, in memory of Gordon Lightfoot.

After the prayers and the bell tolling, Jeremy Hoyle of the Strictly Hip, backed by Dave Thurman and Bruce Wojcik offered a heartfelt rendition of the Ballad of the Edmund Fitzgerald as well as the Hip classic nautical disaster.

Hoyle departed leaving Thurman to be joined by Jamie Holka for a short set of music.