Fall 2007 -- Issue #18

TheThe LOCAL UNITED L.U.N.C.H.L.U.N.C.H. NETWORK to COMBAT HUNGER MENUMENU Founded 1989 by Bill Pere continuing the legacy of Harry Chapin Since 1989 Using the power of popular music to produce positive social action Fall 2007 -- Issue #18 There Are more than 100,000 Hungry Children Under the Age Looking Back, Looking Ahead... of 12 In Connecticut It's hard to fathom that the first groups of kids we worked with in LUNCH are now in their thirties, and that ALL of the kids we now have in the Ensemble had not yet been born. But here we are 19 years later, having done hundreds of concerts large and small, stage plays, recordings , and special events. More than 2,000 kids have been a part of our programs, and we've performed on the East Coast, West Coast, and Canada. I still get the occasional surprise e-mail which goes something like " I was in one of your shows many years ago and I just found your web site. I'm glad to see you're still going strong ! " Of course, the reason we're still going strong is, quite simply, all of YOU!. Those of you who have supported our community outreach for so many years with your contributions, your attendance at our shows, and your help in spreading the word about our programs. We thank you for all you've done to enable us to make a difference in the lives of others. The highlight of our season was the June 1 concert at the Shubert Theater with the Steve Chapin Band. LUNCH received a standing ovation from the almost 700 Chapin fans in attendance. COMING UP November 10 - 7pm, Union Baptist Church, Mystic A Veterans Day Tribute with special guest Tom Callinan. Tom is Connecticut's first State Troubadour. Tickets: $10 December 01 - 7pm Union Baptist Church, Mystic. (pre-show music begins 6:15pm) A LUNCH Holiday Concert to benefit local social service agencies. Tickets: $10 at the door; $8 in advance (call 860-572-9285 to reserve) Our 12th summer music camp at Camp Wightman was another whirlwind week, with 50 campers, counselors, and April 5, 7pm - St David Episcopal Church, Ledyard. A Ensemble members coming together for a great time of Hunger Awareness Concert to benefit local social services. music, learning, and camping experiences. One of our Tickets: $10 campers, Elisa Crane, has joined us as a regular member of the Ensemble. April 12, Old Saybrook --- A Chapin Tribute Concert to Benefit the Shoreline Soup Kitchen . First Church Congregational, 366 Main St., Old Saybrook. LUNCH's MISSION: (1) To show kids that they can make a difference in the lives of WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR others; (2) To raise money for fighting hunger and poverty COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS, AND ON BEHALF though local social service agencies (3) To provide fun- OF THE 100,000 HUNGRY CHILDREN IN CONNECTICUT, filled family entertainment events for the community THANKS FOR CARING. 2007 NEWS BITS ! 2007 NEWS BITS ! • LUNCH was a partner in the international UNISONG songwriting competition. We had a special category for songs about hunger and homelessness, bringing in entries from around the world. We chose the top songs and awarded more $3,000 in awards and prizes. The winners can be heard on our website. •Our 2007 Voices For Hope competition was a great success, with auditions held at the Granite theater in Westerly, RI. This year, we partnered with Angels on Horseback to raise awareness of the benefits of therapeutic riding. The winner, Julie Lavery of Massachusetts, received a $500 scholarship, and she recorded the song "Angels on Horseback",written by Bill and Kay. The CD is now available, with proceeds to benefit therapeutic riding programs. Visit Voices For Hope at our website. •Bill Pere is pleased to announce the 2007 release of the long- awaited new CD, "Dare to Dream". Thirty new songs on 2 discs look at life through our dreams, hopes and aspirations covering the full panorama of At the national Independent Music Conference in human experience. Bill and the Philadelphia, Kay was named as one of five recipients of an Ensemble have worked for three Immie Award, recognizing her accomplishments as an years on this project. There are Independent Artists, and her social activism through music. several great guest lead vocals, Presenting the award is Philly radio personality Melissa St. including some from our 2006 Voices For Hope winners. Jude, and Director of the Conference, Noel Ramos. The songs range from intense to humorous, always Bill received an Immie in 2003 as the national Indie Artist thoughtful and reflective. Heard for the first time of the Year. Bill and Kay will be heading down to New anywhere are the two songs written about Bill's experience Jersey in the Spring , and West Virginia in the Summer, to as a young teenager, watching his father's slide into the present at music conferences. grip of Alzheimer's at a time when very few people had even heard of it. The Ensembles provides backup vocals on many of the songs. And Kay's soaring performance on "The Sound in the Space" is truly memorable. •On February 14, Kay was named as the winner of the Spirited Woman jingle contest. Her entry received the most votes by a margin of 5 , so thanks to all of you who voted or her in this contest. Kay's song and an interview with her are posted at the Spirited Woman website.(www.thespiritedwoman.com) •On Sept 15, the Ensemble joined with several artists from the CT Songwriters Association to present "A Day of Praise", songs from the spiritual compilation CD "Along the Road". The event was a benefit In March we held a benefit at the Bradford School in RI, for Heifer International as well as for local agencies. raising $2,300. Above, we present a portion of the proceeds to the Jonnycake Center. Delaney Silvestri (3rd from left) has joined us as a regular member of the Ensemble. OUR 2007 COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS In May, the Ensemble returned for their 4th appearance at the University of Hartford's "Music For a Change" series, presenting "A Tribute to Harry Chapin". Community Service Awards were presented to Stefanie Schaufler, (left) and Samantha Schaufler (right), for their 5 years of service as members of the Ensemble. They are the youngest persons to receive the 5-year $100 scholarship award. LUNCHLUNCH AWARDSAWARDS -- 20072007 At the Harry Chapin Tribute at the Shubert Theater on June The 2007 Voices For Hope winner Julie Lavery of Whitman 1, graduating senior Anna Buehler received a Community MA, receives a $500 scholarship prize for her rendition of Service Award for her outstanding volunteer efforts with "Angels on Horseback," written by Kay and Bill Pere. the Ensemble through her entire four high school years. Proceeds from the recording will help support therapeutic LUNCH will be back at the Shubert Theater for another riding programs. To learn more visit the Voice For Hope Harry Chapin Tribute in 2008. section of the LUNCH website. We will hold our third Voices For Hope event in 2008. HOLIDAY SHOW NEWS ATTENTION You're probably wondering "where's the ANYONE WHO information about the annual Holiday Show ? Well, with so many things going on and with HAS EVER BEEN IN people's busy schedules, a confluence of logistics has conspired such that sadly, we cannot do a full A LUNCH Holiday Show production this year. PRODUCTION Before you gasp in disappointment -- well, okay, (or(or parentparent ofof someonesomeone whowho hashas beenbeen inin you can gasp in disappointment -- we are going to LUNCH production) have a Holiday Concert with all of the favorite holiday songs, both serious and silly -- just not the We are hoping to have a special event to full stage play that we usually do. However, celebrate our 20th (yes 20th ! ) anniversary in next year there will be an even bigger and better 2009. All folks who have participated in any Holiday Show as we partner with the Stonington LUNCH production over the years are invited. Community Center to present two performances This will be a big celebration. on their full stage. The 2008 production will be "A Hogwart's Christmas: Harry Shopper and The In order for us to be able to send invitations Order From Phoenix !" and updated information, we need your e-mail address. So if you are interested in being part of But that's next year -- so back to now: our 20 year celebration PLEASE send us an e- For 2007, come join us at mail indicating your interest, however tentative Union Baptist Church for the it may be, so we can get an idea of how much LUNCH Holiday Concert Event -- space we'll need. it will be a fun time for the family. Also, we will need your current e-mail DECEMBER 1, 7pm (preshow beginning at 6:15) address so that we can send you invitations and Tickets: $10 at the door, $8 in advance. updated information as it becomes available. We To reserve tickets call 860-572-9285 have not yet set a specific date, but we hope to have lots of folks there and we hope to see you More details are posted at the website. again after 5. 10, or 20 years !. And of course there is a serious side to us not COME JOIN THE having the full Holiday Show production this year COME JOIN THE -- Since it is a major fundraiser for us, it is going to CELEBRATION make it more difficult to provide support for all the agencies that we usually help out.

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