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GREAT MUSIC HELPS A GREAT CAUSE: Jonathon Naylor
Having lost family members to the disease, Leona Kemp knows all too well the pain caused by cancer.
But rather than dwell on the sense of loss, she is doing her part to finally eradicate the dreaded c-word.
Kemp was a driving force behind a recent coffee house mini concert in support of the Relay for Life cancer-fighting fundraiser.
“Coffee houses are getting more and more popular,” she notes.
“It’s just a fun atmosphere to be in – relaxing and fun.”
About 110 people – a sellout – gathered at the Lutheran Church hall for the coffee house on Saturday, April 20, with local band Five Easy Pieces performing.
Formed last fall, the talented band consists Ann Ross, Doug McGregor, Chad Pabianek, Derek Kemp and CC Trubiak.
“…we blend several sounds together, including blues, folk and country, ” says Trubiak.
Trubiak called it “amazing” to be a part of the evening.
“I have never felt this welcomed or involved with a community before in my life, ” he says.
From the opening song, it was clear the audience was enamoured by this new musical act.
“Anybody that misses this group should wonder, because they are awesome,” said Leona Kemp, whose son Derek is one of the members.
“There’s so many different styles of music that they play, and they’re just perfect – their voices, their music, their instruments.”
Leona was impressed when band members declined a small honorarium for their performance, donating the funds back to the cause at hand.
Through a modest admission fee, dainty sales and donations, the coffee house brought in about $1400.
That will be part the contribution that Leona’s Relay for Life team, Northern Rainbow’s Chicks, will make at the relay this September.
Other than Leona, the Chicks include Dorothy Quaal; Linda Skipper; Sandra Barr; Alvera Koop; Karen Chaisson; Carrie Stinton; Crystal Peever; Nicole Reykdal; Jana Kozeka; Amber Hay; Rella Dubie; Corrine Kerfont; Linda Lowe; Valerie Wasyliew; and Trish Thompson.
They consist of past and present employees of Leona’s store, Northern Rainbow’s End, as well as friends.
The Chicks are hoping to have another coffee house, this time at the Rotary Wheel, but no final date has been set.
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