The 2004 recipient of the St. John’s Folk Arts Council Lifetime Achievement award was Mrs. Becky Bennett. Originally from St. Paul’s, Mrs. Bennett currently resides in the long-term care unit at the hospital in Norris Point. Unfortunately, she was not well enough to travel to St. John’s to receive her award at the Newfoundland and Labrador folk festival in early August, so her daughter Marie accepted it on her behalf. Myself and Christina Smith had to travel to the Great Northern Peninsula in late August to teach at the Vinland Music Camp in Gros Morne and thought it would be an excellent opportunity to meet Becky Bennett, and formally present her with her award in front of friends and family.

On the day of the presentation, Christina suggested we bring our instruments to play her a few tunes. When we arrived, we discovered that Becky’s family were out in full force. We were introduced to her children, grandchildren, and many friends. After Becky received her award, Christina and I sat down with her son-in-law, Kevin Bennett, and played some dance tunes. Kevin is a fine accordion player from St. Paul’s and is married to Becky’s daughter Marie. I sang The Pride of the Season, a song collected from Becky by folklorist Kenneth Peacock in the 1950's; the song was published in his three-volume anthology, Songs of the Newfoundland Outports. When I finished, Becky piped up "I knows that one!" She then sang a couple of verses herself.

Becky had fallen a few days earlier and sustained terrible bruises to her face and upper body. It is hard enough to cope with a bad accident when one is young, but all the more difficult when one is 96. Becky’s caregivers were concerned that the festivities would fatigue her, but in spite of her physical trauma she seemed to have no desire to end the party early! She sat in her chair beaming at everyone, and occasionally breaking into song. When I said to her "We came all the way from St. John’s to see you," her eyes clouded over with tears.

She loved the commemorative bowl from the Folk Arts Council (made by Al Kearley), but was particularly pleased with the $500 cheque. "We can all have Kentucky Fried tonight!" she joked.

We then had a lovely cup of tea, and some treats that had been prepared by Becky’s family and by the staff at Norris Point hospital.

Meeting Becky Bennett was the high point of my summer. By sharing her vast repertoire of songs and stories, she has bestowed an important cultural legacy upon us all.

Thank you Becky!