LET'S HAVE ANOTHER LABOR DAY WEEKEND NEWTOWN REUNION IN 2024, and SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS on Sunday, September 1!
PANACEA band has hosted a free annual Panacea & Friends Reunion since reuniting for the 2013 "Great Newtown Reunion, a Day of Healing," in remembrance of those lost in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. While the 2023 concert was the final performance for Panacea (Corky Ballard, Leslie Ballard, Jon Dodson, Rick Kuhn, Bruce Tibbitts. 50+ years is a very good run!), so many NHS friends have requested we continue; it's an excellent way to reconnect with old friends, and with the Labor Day Parade on Main Street the next day, it's the perfect summer's end. So, a couple of us Panaceans decided, LET'S DO A NEWTOWN REUNION HOMECOMING FOR ALL NHS CLASSES, FRIENDS, AND FAMILIES THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND!
We're thrilled that this year, once again, the superb WILLIE-PORTERA TRIO (Jay Willie, Tod Willie, and Tom Portera) has agreed to play their repertoire, plus join the Panacea &Friends on stage to perform together! The Trio has become part of the tradition, opening the event with classic songs, and getting folks out of their chairs and onto the dance floor. It's always been free, all are welcome, and we want to keep it that way, but this time we're asking for some help to make it happen. Our expenses average $2,000 (pavilion rental, insurance, sound system/engineer, musicians, etc.) Any donation amount toward that goal will be truly appreciated! (We’re very grateful to past supporters, Devery Stickles’ Clearheart Construction, and Kenny’s Oil in Southbury, TR Paul inc., and to friends who have helped with unsolicited, kind donations.) And we're indebted to our NEWTOWN BEE for spreading the word and for their excellent professional coverage of these reunions. Newtown is lucky to have The Bee.
In keeping with the spirit of our town, all proceeds over our expenses will be equally divided between two organizations that have touched us personally while serving the greater good: SANDY HOOK PROMISE* and ABILITY BEYOND.** (The name of every person who makes a GoFundMe donation will be included in the cards sent with the donation check to the organizations.)
*SANDY HOOK PROMISE: "A future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence," is a national nonprofit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Their programs empower youth to “know the signs” and unite all people who value the protection of children.
**ABILITY BEYOND: Recognizing an unmet need for support for children like their son Jim, Mary and Jack Walsh gathered other parents in their living room in 1953 and a mission was born. This nonprofit relies on donations like ours to provide programs and services for more than 3,000 people with disabilities in Connecticut and New York. Their mission is to discover, build, and celebrate the abilities in all people, with innovative programs recognized and modeled on state and national levels.
LET'S KEEP THE NEWTOWN REUNION TRADITION GOING, WHILE HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS! We hope to see you there! All the best, Corky & Leslie