Dinner/Dance raises $6K
Money goes to Robert Merten Circle of Fifths Music Award

Among members of Ollie and the Go Gos who came back together for the Robert Merten Circle of Fifths Music Award fund-raiser were, from left, Jay Pinsince, Dave Anderson, Larry Herstritt and Allen Berfield.

From the haunting lyrics of the ballad "Thank you, Robert Merten," to the dance floor gyrations to the Beatles standard, "Twist and Shout," Saturday night's benefit dinner/ dance at the Coudersport Golf Club was a memorable occasion.

About 100 people came from as far away as Alaska and Maine to relax among old friends and new, while supporting the Robert Merten Circle of Fifths Music Award.

An estimated $6,000 was raised to support a scholarship fund that supports Potter County area young people who decide to study music at the college level.

Coudersport's popular '60s rock band, Ollie and the Go Gos, came back together to help pay tribute to the late Rev. Robert B. Merten, a pastor, philosopher, musician and counselor who influenced each band member's life.

Larry Herbstritt, leader of the band, was instrumental in establishing the award as a tribute to Rev. Merten. Carolyn Berfield, the wife of another of the Gos Gos, Allen Berfield, took charge of Saturday's fundraiser.

Allen Berfield kicked off the night with his original song, describing Merten's impact on his family and his own life.

John Snyder of Coudersport, a friend and former co-worker of Rev. Merten's, also played a major role in the fund-raiser and the establishment of the Circle of Fifths Music Award.

Opening for Ollie and the Go Gos were local bands Jakob's Hollow and Brother Dietze and the Dixie Boys. Rev. Merten played keyboards for the latter band prior to his death in January 2006.

Donations to the music award were acknowledged from: Dr. George and Doris Mosch, Lillian Herzog, Paul and Lugene Heimel, Allen and Carol Berfield, Olga's Living with Art, Glassmire & Shaffer Law Offices, John and Olga Snyder, Larry Herbstritt, and Robert, Linda and Bobby Brown, all of Coude rsport; God's Country Kettle Corn, Austin; Michael and Debra Snyder, Dresden, N . Y . ; Michael and Louise Aucott, Pennington, N.J.; Ruth Carol Neal and Richard Zimerman, Bricktown, N.J.; William and Barbara Merten, Boothbay Harbor, N.J.; Heidi Lewis, Diamond Point, N.Y.; and Diana McInerey of Meriden, Conn.

Members of the Berfield family (l. to r.), Allen, Lark and Carolyn, played a major role in Saturday's success. The Rev. Robert B. Merten (above) had an impact on each of their lives. Allen's moving tribute appears at right.

Among former Coudersport residents who turned out were Dan Keck from Alaska and Michael Betz from Maryland, both members of the CHS class of 1971.

"Several generations revisited their youth and the music from the '60s really did take people back in time," John Snyder said. "The musicians really gave their all. This was a memorable, special night."

Thank You, Robert Merten'

(A musical tribute by Allen Berfield)








Thank you for the music, Robert Merten;
The simple gift you gave to me so very long ago.
Thank you for the sparkling conversations
On the meaning of the Universe...
Or at least of what we know.
Thank you for the lifeline, Robert Merten,
You gave to me when I had no place to go.
Thank you for the lessons with my children.
The gentle push you gave to them
Really helped them grow.
Thank you for the caring, Robert Merten;
For speaking out against the wrong
You saw so long ago.
Thank you for being there for everyone,
You showed us that we all had room to grow
Thank you for the riddles, Robert Merten;
The games we played to win
So very long ago
Thank you for the stories and the poetry,
The praise you handed out....
So we would know....
And thank you
For the music,
Robert Merten.