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

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 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. With all the cutbacks going on in the region and Two Decades of Supporting nationally, we still need to do our part to help our Social Services neighbors , especially during the Holiday Season.

If you can't come to our events, there are still We are very pleased that the list of social several ways you can help: service agencies that we have been able to support over the years continues to grow. 1. Sponsor seats at $10 each for families who otherwise could not afford to attend the shows. In addition to the many local Connecticut and Rhode Island programs we regularly support, 2. Send a contribution - any amount is we have been able to do special events and appreciated. provide support for agencies on the West Coast, and Globally. And of course we continue to All donations to LUNCH are fully tax-deductible. support World Hunger Year in New York, which is the organization founded by Harry 3. If you have not yet gotten a copy of the newest Chapin. On June 1 at the concert at the LUNCH CD release "Dare to Dream", there's no Shubert Theater in New Haven, we presented a better time to give the gift of music. It's available $1,000 check to World Hunger Year, our 17th at the LUNCH website, or from consecutive $1,000 donation to that www.CDBaby.com, or from i-Tunes. organization.

LOCAL L.U.N.C.H.L.U.N.C.H. UNITED Using the Power of Popular Music to Produce Positive Social Action NETWORK to PO Box 511 Mystic CT 06355 860-572-9285 COMBAT e-mail: [email protected] web: www.lunchensemble.com HUNGER

THE HARRY CHAPIN LEGACY SHOWS Local United Network to Combat Hunger 1991: "30,000 Pounds of YOUR HELP IS NEEDED ! Bananas" If you read the local news, you know Become a Program Sponsor 1992: The School that Made the need this year for basic human of the 2007-2008 LUNCH Hunger America Famous" services is quite severe. Food pantries Concert Series to Benefit Social Service 1994: "Dance Band on the are at risk of shortages, and shelters Programs in CT/RI Titanic" are at capacity. Sponsors will appear in our program book and you will be 1995:-98 The Chapin Legacy listed on our website with The Steve Chapin Band Support community outreach through the arts. Proceeds from our shows benefit local family service agencies, and provide community outreach opportunities for kids through music and theater. LUNCH 1997: "Daily Planet" is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization. All contributions are fully tax-deductible 1999: "May the Farce Be . With You"

2001: "Excaliburger!"

2004: "Dance Band on the Titanic - The Next Generation !" Full Size 1/2 size 1/4 size business card) 2007: The Chapin Legacy with The Steve Chapin Band SPONSORSHIP FOR INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, AND INSTITUTIONS THE LUNCH HOLIDAY SHOWS ___ Full Size Display plus Web Site banners ---- $500 [ Platinum]

1995: The X-mas Files: The ___ Half Size Display plus Web Site banner ---- $300 [ Gold ] Search for Santa" ___ Quarter Size Display - $250 [ Silver ] 1996: "A Christmess Carol" ___ Showcase Display (1/6) - $100 [Benefactor ] 1999: "Christmas on ___ Business Card Display - $50 [Patron] Join the ever-growing Gilligan's Island" community of LUNCH ___ Other Amount: ______Sponsors! 2000: "A Dilbert Christmas" ___ SEAT SPONSOR: I would like to sponsor ____seats at $10 ea, 2001: "The Three Scrooges" for families who cannot afford to attend events. 2002 "Santaplicity !" (For web site banner ads, we can design it for you or use your existing graphics) 2003: "Survivor: North Pole !"

2004: "Gift of the Madguy" Contact Person: ______Title:______

2005 : "A Mall and the Night Visitors" Business or Group Name______

2006 :"Xmas with the Super Heroes" Address:______GET WITH THE PROGRAM -- PLACE AN AD ! 2007: LUNCH Holiday Concert City/State/Zip ______E-mail ______

OTHER SPECIAL CHAPIN Send your electronic copy (jpg file) via e-mail to [email protected], or send hardcopy, LEGACY EVENTS (camera-ready copy or business card ) to : LUNCH, PO Box 511 , Mystic CT 06355 1997: "The Chapin Legacy " at Cheney Hall Enclosed is my check or money order to LUNCH for $ ______. 2000-05 Music For a Change - OR Name on Credit Card: ______"A Tribute to Harry Chapin" MasterCard at University of Hartford Credit Card Number : __ Visa __ Mastercard Expiration

2005-present: The Voices For MasterCardVISA Hope program A NEW WAY TO HELP ! NEW FACES WELCOME ! In the first years that LUNCH did live performances, we had less than 10 core members in the Ensemble -- Help LUNCH While You Search the Internet meaning those who were always there and who came to all the practices. This year we have almost 30, Whenever you do a search on the Internet, use and most of the Ensemble members are in their 2nd- .goodsearch.com. It's like Google, except that every 7th years with us. WE have some new faces joining us time you search, your designated non-profit agency this year: Elisa Crane, from Niantic; Delaney gets a penny. It adds up. Just 200 people doing ten Silvestri, from Westerly; Rose Serra, from Westerly; searches a week is more than $1,000 in a year. School Julia Burgos, from Mystic; and more to come... projects, comparing products, vacation plans, general information - it's easy to amass lots of pennies. ...LUNCH ON THE WEB... To help LUNCH while you do your Internet searches, One-Stop Shopping for information about LUNCH at go to the LUNCH website and click the GoodSearch www.lunchensemble.com link in the left-hand column, (you may have to scroll down a bit) . E_MAIL: [email protected] Check the Website Calender for the most That will bring you to GoodSearch with LUNCH's current information about upcoming name already set as the designated organization. performances you can bookmark it and use it whenever you search the internet. This is an easy way for you to help us expand our community outreach in this time when so LUNCH SHIRT DAYS many people are needing assistance to provide food, Friday November 9 and Friday November 31 are the shelter. and basic necessities for their family. Your next official LUNCH Shirt Days. These are traditionally willingness to help is greatly appreciated and very the day before a show. If you have a LUNCH shirt, wear it on those days. The more people that see the logo and ask much needed. about it, the more the word gets out about our community service outreach. Do you have a friend or know anyone who might like to participate in our activities? Let them DON'T GOOGLE know about us. Wearing your LUNCH shirt helps people learn about who we are and what we do. Please WHEN YOU CAN help. If a man tried to take his time on earth and prove before he died what GOODSEARCH ! one man's life could be worth, I wonder what would happen to this world? -- Harry Chapin MARK THAT CALENDAR --- !

<-> NOV 10 -- Veterans Day Tribute Concert - Union Baptist Church, Mystic " <-> <-> DEC 01 -- The Holiday Concert - Union Baptist Church. Mystic" <->

LUNCH I YS T C NONPROFIT ORG. PO Box 511 M Mystic CT 06355 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 0053 www.LUNCHENSEMBLE.COM CT

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