LETTER: Many Made CCS Caberet Night A Success

2-19-10

To the Editor:
On Friday, Jan. 29, Friends of CCS Music and Art (FOMA) hosted its Cabaret Night, for the 17th year (one year longer than previously reported).
Not only is Cabaret Night an important fund-raiser for FOMA’s summer scholarships, but a well-loved and supported community event. A huge thank you goes to the many individuals, businesses and organizations whose contributions made the evening a great success.
Mark LaValley once again provided sound equipment and expertise, adding spots and mood lighting.  These elements, combined with the décor and dual stages, created a wonderful ambiance and quick transition time between acts. 
Appreciation and thanks go to Music Department members Sal Salvaggio, Tim Iversen and Peter Daum and Kaitlin Esford, who encouraged and prepared the student performers, and orchestrated the staging. 
Thanks also to the Art Department’s Kristen Karasek and Eileen Murphy and their students whose original sculptures helped create a wonderful environment.
We welcomed back seasoned musicians from the community and student body, and were delighted by the talented newcomers who performed.
Thanks to Rebecca Burk-Sciallo, our emcee, who announced the following the cabaret features:
Jake Burnham, Jack Siegel, Julien Miller, Hans Ofer, Lizzie Kenison, Joey Katz, Jacob Russell, Nate Olmstead, Josh Olmstead, Virginia Ofer, Kurt Ofer, Georgia Hren-Saphier, Julia Robinson, Henry Bauer, Anna Sams, Abby Wilcox, Toby Wilcox, Eamonn Maguire, Desmond Brown, George Landon, Michael Toulson.
Also, the talented members of the following groups:  Fourth-Grade Instrumental, Fifth-Grade Instrumental and Vocal, High School Women’s Choir, Native Sons, Harmonia,  Middle School Jazz Band, High School Jazz Band, Small Town Big Band, Not Quite Over the Hill Singers, and Cheese of the Misty Ceremony, who wrapped up the evening.
We had the largest raffle to date, due to the amazing generosity of local artists, businesses, and organizations, with prizes donated by: Sunny Leinhart, Mary Nolan, May-Britt Joyce,  Roberta Hohensee, Janet Rigby,  Quirky Works Studio, Mandy Robinson, Patty Murphy, Russell Honicker, Carefree Gardens, Cooperstown Wine and Spirits, On Queue Performing Artists,  Alex & Ika Restaurant, Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival, Cooperstown Concert Series, Cooperstown Natural Foods, Cooperstown Wine and Spirits, Doubleday Café,  Fit To Be Tied Yoga Studio, Glimmerglass Opera, National Baseball Hall of Fame , New York State Historical Association, Mikal Skye-Shrewsberry, and Smithy-Pioneer Gallery. Thanks also to two donors who brought a raffle item on the evening.
Additionally, a Harvest Basket raffle prize was created with apples from Middlefield Orchard and potatoes from Heller’s Farm.  This produce was in addition to that donated for the entire dinner by these two local farms many know from the Cooperstown Farmer’s Market. Big thanks to Teresa Drerup and Annie Stewart who helped make the fresh applesauce.
Other area businesses that have our thanks for their essential support are: Cooperstown General Store, Fly Creek Cider Mill, Hoffman Lane Bistro, Stewart’s Shops, Schneider’s Bakery, P&C,  Price Chopper, BJ’s Warehouse Club and Walmart. Many thanks go to all the volunteers who baked desserts, worked in the kitchen to prepare and serve food, washed dishes, and helped take down decorations and clean up.
A special thanks to the Leo Club student volunteers coordinated by David Pearlman and Paul Weber. The hard working Leo Club made it possible for us to bring back real plates and silverware this year, saving costs and the environment.
My final expression of gratitude goes to the FOMA members who meet monthly and worked hard to make Cabaret Night a success again this year: Teresa Drerup, Dina Sams, Roberta and Tom Hohensee, John Saphier, Janet Rigby, Mike Bauer, patty Murphy, Liane Hirabayashi, Dorothy Tang, Leslie Boyles, Grace Olmstead, and especially Annie Stewart, who has been patiently showing me how to do the job!  And of course to all the folks who came, supported, and had fun!
HOLLY HREN
Friends of Music & Art
Cooperstown