I LOVE the Historic Lockport Palace Theatre! It is a jewel in Eastern Niagara County that brings wonderful entertainment to families, at affordable prices. I had the pleasure of volunteering in the box office for about eight months (and when the gas prices go down I hope to return) and the people behind the Palace work tirelessly to keep it going. The beautifully restored building has lots of needs that get taken care of one at a time…when there is money. They recently put in a new heating/air-conditioning unit to be more efficient and cost and eco friendly. The all-volunteer board is constantly looking for grants or other sources of money. Right now they have a huge opportunity to get a big check, but only if the community steps up to show support first. One of the best features of our Palace is that the spacious seating allows those with handicaps or old bones easy access (which I really appreciate) but the rest rooms need some serious revamping to be accessible. I know that’s one of the many projects on the “Wish List” and you could make it happen. All the folks you see at work, in the box office, as ushers, in the concession stand, etc. are volunteers. They need more of them. If you don’t have money to give, give of your time! It’s exciting to be a part of the royal family at the Palace! Here is the info on the upcoming Palace benefit (a fun time last year). If you can’t attend, consider a donation or go see a show! Tonight is the last performance of the classic “West Side Story!”

Help the Palace raise $60,000!

The Kenan Foundation will award the Palace Theatre $75,000 in December 2008 if the Palace is able to raise $60,000 by that time. We are having a series of events to meet that goal. This is the first event of the series!

“Picnic at the Palace”

Saturday, July 26 3-8 p.m.

Chiavetta’s chicken barbeque ($8 includes strawberry shortcake)

Free under the marquee:

“Flyin’ Blind” at 3 p.m.

Lockport Community Band at 6 p.m.

Bring your lounge chairs and relax on the closed off Main Street. There will be a free bounce house, a basket raffle and beer, wine and pop will be for sale.

Visit www.lockportpalacetheatre.com or call 438-1130 for more information. Be a part of history!

“Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” William Congreve 

Can any of us really imagine the savagery and turmoil of war… to be a world away from those we love and the life we knew?

I received an email this morning that relayed a request from a U.S. soldier in Iraq. His request for music was forwarded from a classical flautist who sent him some CDs, and then sent the request to others to, hopefully, encourage others to do the same. No matter what your personal taste in music is, someone in uniform will share it. Think of the pleasure that music brings you in your daily life, if only as a distraction from life’s worries and woes. Why not pass some of those favorites on to our men and women in the military? Here is the original request:

Comments from Luke Giannini, U.S. Army:

   ”In the midst of the harsh environment that is Iraq, I began to realize how much I missed music that was simply so accessible back in the states.  Shocking as it may seem, not everyone owns an MP3 player and not everyone would want to bring one to this giant dusty sandbox.  There are all sorts of facilities set up in Iraq where soldiers can use the phone or pick up an old book, but music seems to be neglected.  Naturally, the demand and craving for whatever music one loves remains and it is not uncommon to see someone strumming on an old guitar and singing to his buddies when the day is over.  It meant a lot to me to receive some classical CDs in the mail and I know that other soldiers would appreciate having a similar library of music to choose from in the various Morale and Welfare centers set up around Iraq.”

SPC Luke Giannini

SIGINT 45th MICO BTB 4-2 SBCT

WARHORSE

APO AE 09336

Thank you to Renee Knight for passing this on. If you do not want to bother with mailing, etc. please contact me and I will send them for you. Anyone coming to our Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Soldier’s Monument in Somerset Town Park can pass them along to me there. With so many music lovers in the community, I’m sure there is a wealth of music to be shared. I’m sending some classics as well as CDs by local singer/songwriter Dale Campbell (a favorite in our gazebo) and our own Vignettes, Karen Corwin, Ann Leuer and Sue Rose.

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have fallen in battle, those who gave their lives in defense of freedom. What better way to honor them than to reach out to those brave soldiers in the battlefields of today? Music…a simple thing we take for granted… like so many simple pleasures left behind for a foxhole or tank.

And so I ask… How are YOU going to help?

Setting the table for an elegant Victorian tea takes the finest of china and gleaming silver tea pots. The Community Tea Ladies are in need of silver (or silverplate) teaspoons for their charity events. They sometimes appear at yard sales or rattle around in a drawer somewhere. If you run across any, please let me know. They will go to a loving home, I assure you!