Benefit breaks record

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

Monday night’s Concert & Dessert to benefit the Agape Food Pantry hit all the right notes. The seventh annual event raised $8,200 while providing an evening of musical entertainment ranging from bluegrass to rock and roll.
According to Agape Food Pantry Inc. board member and event organizer Farron Smith, this year’s fundraiser netted the largest amount ever. Near the end of the concert Monday evening, Smith announced the total as $8,140 but in an e-mail Tuesday morning she reported an extra $60 had been collected.
“This is the most we’ve ever raised,” Smith commented Monday night. “This will buy a lot of food.”
The annual Concert & Dessert is the only fundraiser the food pantry’s board of directors sponsors. They rely mostly on churches, schools, clubs, businesses and individuals for donations of food and money to buy food for the program.
All proceeds from the Concert & Dessert go directly to the free food distribution program. Sponsors – this year’s were BB&T Bank and the Wytheville Wal-Mart – pick up the tab for the use of the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre, desserts and drinks.
The standing room only crowd applauded and cheered throughout the nearly three-hour concert. A 15-minute intermission brought brownies topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup.
While noted traditional Appalachian musicians Wayne Henderson and Helen White headlined the concert, they shared the stage with some exceptionally talented performers. Henderson and White bantered briefly about their recent appearance on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion syndicated radio program and their upcoming performances at Josiah’s Grahamfest USA on Labor Day weekend.
Henderson also quipped about his new Boston Red Sox cap and his affection for the team.
Jim Lloyd and his band rank with the best of performers, especially with Trevor McKenzie playing a saw. Coy Ryan, Erica Godfrey and Forest Hollingsworth lent their considerable music magic to the mix.
The Appalachian Hoedowners brought their clogging skills to the stage before Lloyd’s group performed and returned for a routine with the band. The dance troupe is directed by Melissa Eversole and includes D.J. Corvin, Karla Corvin, Leslie Lambert, Cassie McAllister, Morgan McAllister, Lyndsay Hyatt and Lyndsey McKay.
Contemporary Christian music was well represented by Carlee Vaught and Jerry Stone and The Riches. Vaught, a 15-year-old student at George Wythe High School, delivered a set of songs.
Stone and The Riches – Sherry Long and Betty Rich – included a patriotic number with their gospel numbers.
Subject to Change, composed of Wolhfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre employees, gave a professional performance. Clifton Cuddington sang and played keyboard with Justin Jewell on guitar and vocals. Jason Beam and Mark Vestich accompanied on guitar and bass fiddle.
Another highlight of the evening was performances by the Wythe Music Initiative violin students and a duet from their instructors Kevin Matheson and Bryan Matheson. The young students showed major stage presence and accomplished musical skills.
Student performers included Kathryn Jarmul, Sydney Stephens, Trevor Whitaker, Holden Robinson, Melody Whitaker, Hannah Blankenship, Abby Storms, Perry Burress and Kay Whitaker.
The Matheson brothers performed several violin selections. They have performed throughout the United States and Europe.
Selections from Smokey Joe’s Café, now playing at the Wohlfahrt Haus, rocked the audience. The cast of singers and dancers performed several tunes from the show about the early days of rock and roll.
Dr. Charlie White, president of Wytheville Community College, was excellent as master of ceremonies. His sense of humor and ad-libs provided major laughs of the evening.
Joe Moore, chairman of the Agape Food Pantry Inc. Board of Directors, brought a more somber tone to the concert with a reminder of why the event was being held. He gave a brief history of the food pantry and reported on the growing need of its services.
According to him, the program averages 32 new families per month. It is operated by volunteers.
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .