IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Many thanks to everyone who came out to support the "It Takes a Village" fundraiser last Sunday for Lily and Jake Dorego, the two young children who were left homeless when their mother was slain in Johnston last January. They are now living with their aunt, Jami Ouellette, and her husband, Jeff Morse, and they, along with a whole village of friends and family (including the firefighters who rescued Lily and Jake that terrible day), held a big party at the Met in Pawtucket.
The Rhode Island music community was well represented with performances by nine-year-old guitar whiz Nolan Leite, Jamie Lee & the Bobby Fleet Band, Mark Cutler and the Men of Great Courage, the Wippets/Psychedelic Clown Car, Brass Attack, Tim Flynn's Area 51 and the Met Legends band (was that Ben Kingsley on guitar?).
There was a near-endless amount of food whipped up by Mary Sylvia Harrison and a crew of other friends who commandeered the kitchen as well as raffle and auction items. And a special shout out to the folks at Cadillac Village of Norwood who presented a check for $1700 to the kids which will go a long way in providing Lily and Jake with some of the special assistance they require.
This was a wonderful example of the community responding to take care of some of our own. It was so gratifying to see all the smiling faces.
RISD IN NEW YORK
Jorge had the opportunity to get out of town for a while this weekend to attend a "RISD Old Timers" reunion in New York City. Our gracious host was Marc Balet, a RISD grad and designer (he showed us the book he recently put together for the Pee-wee Herman show on Broadway). So many old friends were there, artists who long ago left their mark on Providence and continue to create great art.
Send remembrances to those who have died in our nation's service and Pulitzer-grade tips to p&j@phx.com.
