Letters to the Editors

Letters of thanks

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 23, 2001

With help, Youth Ensemble succeeded

Editor: Thank you to all who helped make the Pasco Youth Ensemble a success!

I'm specifically writing this letter of thanks to Sal Sessa, Nick Sessa, Tom Bengston, Matt McGee and the cast of Carousel, who put together Actors Night Off, Singers Night On! April 30 at the Show Palace Dinner Theater.

This is not the first time that the Show Palace Dinner Theater has supported the Pasco Arts Council in our efforts to fund programs for the arts in Pasco County.

The idea for a countywide youth ensemble was simple enough: Wouldn't it be great if middle and high school students could get together and rehearse challenging music, perform for donations, and then use those donations toward a summer of music activities? That idea started in April 2000 and by November the Pasco Arts Council had about 18 students from four area high schools who wanted to do this very thing and were excited about it. Then came the challenge of locating musical individuals who could instruct and conduct the kids. We needed money for sheet music, music stands, and a rehearsal space.

Due to conflicting school schedules, we lost several bright and talented teens because attendance at Youth Ensemble rehearsals would interfere with their high school band rehearsals. It was impossible to coordinate among all the schools. It was frustrating in the beginning to get little more than verbal support from people in the community. At times, I felt like giving the whole thing up.

Then things started to change. Fran Lesick, a mom of a Youth Ensemble member, spoke with the pastor at the Asbury Methodist Church. He graciously allowed us the use of the recreation room and music stands each Thursday evening.

The Pasco Arts Council provided $300 toward the cost of sheet music and Ms. Lesick donated another $100 toward the music and drove to Tampa to pick it up.

Randy Roberts and Steve Boisen donated their time and talent each week to coach and conduct the ensemble members. They were able to form several small ensemble groups because we didn't have enough orchestration for a full-fledged band.

Laura Turner from the Greater New Port Richey Main Street gave the Youth Ensemble great press for the Love of Art Festival and a nice donation. After Ms. Turner's support, interest in the Youth Ensemble grew, and by April the Youth Ensemble had performed 14 times for various organizations and functions in West Pasco and Pinellas.

Then came the biggest and happiest surprise of all. The Pasco Arts Counci received a call from Nick Sessa of the Show Palace Dinner Theater. The actors of Carousel wanted to put on a benefit performance to help the members of the Youth Ensemble realize their dreams of attending Florida State University Summer Music Camp, a two-week intensive music camp for middle and high school students.

I can remember one of the teens telling me. "I don't care about the money, I just want to play music." This attitude summed up the spirit of the Youth Ensemble. Through all the trials and frustrations of this first year this cheerful spirit never wavered with the youth. However, I still felt it was important that they have a rewarding and musical experience this summer. There are all types of funding for youth who are at-risk, but hardly anything for kids who are good students, motivated teens, and model citizens. The Youth Ensemble comprises this group of fine young men and women. I wanted them to have an arts program that would challenge them, and reward their efforts.

The Show Palace Dinner Theater provided that reward and has sent a strong message to the community: We are all responsible for our young people. If you want a good society, then invest in our children. These young people represent our future and what is best in all of us. The kindness expressed to me and "my kids" by the cast and crew of the Show Palace still has me smiling. Life is a good thing when you have wonderful neighbors such as these.

To all who donated their time, money, words of encouragement, and support to help 12 exceptional teens continue to grow as young adults and as artists: Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can't wait for next year.
-- Trish Demasky, Program Coordinator

Tim McGuigan: a godsend for nursing home residents

Editor: Yes! There really is an "Easter Bunny" and he's 6 feet tall and makes the rounds of many nursing homes with a basket of goodies for the residents who cannot be with families for the holiday.

In real life, the giant-size bunny is Tim McGuigan of Tim's Show Time. In his huge bunny outfit, he brings smiles and memories to those that are often forgotten in nursing homes. His music and vocals reach back in time to an era that is familiar to them.

Ask almost any activities director and they will tell you how he is adored by the residents, and how they look forward to his visits.

Tim has appeared many times at the Show Palace in various productions, and will be appearing in a benefit show for the Alzheimer's Organization next month. He is a real professional with a heart as big as the world for those who are less fortunate, and gives up his holiday to give great pleasure to others. Thank God for people such as Tim. He is the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and an angel of mercy to anyone he touches. He has surely earned his wings, (and his bunny tail).
-- Sylvia Wolan,Holiday

Harborside has special, dedicated nurses, aides

Editor: The staff and residents would like to thank all our nurses and nurses' aides for all they do. It takes special and dedicated people to work in health care and Harborside has the best of the best!
-- Denise Hoban

Suncoast Veterinary Clinic made house call for Kirby

Editor: I am writing because I want to publicly extend my sincere thanks to the staff of the Suncoast Veterinary Clinic, especially Dr. Jack Musgrave, his wife, Phyllis, and his assistant Diane, for coming to my aid during an emergency.

Recently after I got home from work, I found my adopted greyhound, Kirby, lying on his stomach unable to get up. I did not know what had happened to him. I tried to lift him up, but at 83 pounds he was just too heavy. My husband was at work, I had nowhere else to turn, and I was panicking.

I immediately called Suncoast Veterinary Clinic, as they were getting ready to close for the day. However, as soon as Dr. Musgrave heard of my situation, he and his wife came over in their mobile van. They were able to carry Kirby out to the van and take him back to the clinic for tests. Diane stayed at the clinic and was there to assist them when they got back. Luckily, there was nothing seriously wrong and Kirby is home and back on his feet again.

If it weren't for the help of these wonderful people, I really don't know what I would have done. Thank you all for being there in my time of need!
-- Christine Hunter, Kirby's "Mom"

Wonderful people helped me get home after my fall

Editor: I am ever so grateful to so many wonderful folks who came to my assistance when I fell in front of La Bells Nails recently. To Denise, who was at my side helping so much, and to Bob, who not only picked me up but saw to my getting home safely, and to the young men with the ambulance. We don't hear enough of all the wonderful folks.

Bless you all and thank you.
-- Dorothy Schmeling, Port Richey

Entertainers at Celebration Pasco made it a success

Editor: Thanks to all of the volunteers for your help making Celebration Pasco a success. A special thank you goes out to all of the entertainers that volunteered their valuable time so charities could have more money in their coffers. The show started with the Sound of Sunshine Barber Shop Chorus giving a stirring rendition of many old, familiar songs. Next up was the classic rock group, Meerkats, who feature a wide assortment of songs from the '60s to the present. The next group was For Kids Only, a group of school age children who sang and danced to original, uplifting, inspiring songs about self esteem and positive peer influence.

After the balloon glow, Soul Sacrifice took over the stage, filling the air with the songs of the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Santana. To finish a very successful evening of outstanding live music was the Encore Music Band, Hi-Mu. The really impressed the people that stayed until the finale and put on an excellent show of original funk rock with an edge.
-- Jim Wilcox, Jimbo-Rose Productions

Lutheran Brotherhood helps the Little Lambs

Editor: Thank you Lutheran Brotherhood!

The Little Lambs Preschool, at 20735 Leonard Road in Lutz, recently received $1,832.50 from Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal benefit society, through the society's Member Matching Gift Program. This amount matches 26 generous gifts from Lutheran Brotherhood members made during the first quarter of 2001.

Little Lambs Preschool will use the matching funds received from Lutheran Brotherhood for playground equipment and additional supplies. Since the beginning of the Member Matching Gift program in 1979, Little Lambs Preschool has received $10,407.50. Lutheran Brotherhood has allocated more than $52.6-million on behalf of the participating schools and outdoor ministries since the program began.
-- Laurie Striepling, Lutz

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