Library fundraiser features ‘Swingin' the Benny Goodman Songbook

MILFORD - The fundraising committee for the Pike County Public Library Board of Directors has been readying nearly 1000 invitations to mail to area residents this week to a fabulous evening of dinner and jazz. Jazz vocalist Terry Blaine, pianist Mark Shane and clarinetist Allan Vaché will be swingin’ into town August 19 with their new show, “Swingin’ the Benny Goodman Songbook.” All proceeds from the evening at the Erie Trackside Manor in Port Jervis will benefit current library operations, said Marilyn Rosenthal, chair of the fundraising committee and a library director. “We are very excited to present this very special evening of fabulous music and hope to see 200 guests enjoy the night out,” she said. This special performance will showcase not only the exuberant efforts of Blaine’s richly-rendered jazz vocals, but also the elegant mastery of pianist Shane, Blaine’s longtime jazz compatriot. With acclaimed clarinetist Vaché, they will be performing their toe-tapping renditions of hot swing standards from the Benny Goodman Songbook. More information about the trio and song clips from the show can be accessed at www.terryblaine.com. While it has taken some effort to compile a list of those expected to be interested in jazz and benefiting the library, Rosenthal said, some interested persons may have been inadvertently overlooked. Anyone who does not receive an invitation in the next few days should telephone 570-828-7890 or 570-296-8211. Sponsors of the event to date include: Barbara J. Buchanan, library board president, and Bon Secours Community Hospital at the Platinum level. Gold sponsors to date are Smith Barney - Milford and Wayne Bank. Silver sponsors who have agreed to participate are: Beecher, Rose & Klemeyer, The Dime Bank, and Wachovia Bank. Several anonymous donors also are sponsors, Rosenthal said.