AUBURN - Although the day was relatively balmy, residents from Auburn and beyond tapped their toes and clapped along to old favorites while supporting a good cause Sunday at Willard Memorial Chapel.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Members of the band "Diamond Sunday", from the left, include mandolin player Ed VanCott, banjo player Tom Burr, and lead singer and guitarist Shirley Stevens, do a sound check before performing at the Willard Memorial Chapel Fall Concert on Sunday.
Members of the band "Diamond Sunday", from the left, include mandolin player Ed VanCott, banjo player Tom Burr, and lead singer and guitarist Shirley Stevens, do a sound check before performing at the Willard Memorial Chapel Fall Concert on Sunday.
Two regional bands, Over Time and Diamond Someday, donated their time and tunes at the fall concert, a benefit to raise money for the chapel, built in 1892.
Patty Lupien, event coordinator for Willard, said she estimated that 75 people showed up. Each donated $5 to the chapel and its preservation upon entry.
“This gets them in to see this historic place,” said Lupien. “And the bands are fun.”
Over Time plays popular classics. The band's regular members are John Jackson, guitarist and vocalist; Karl Eldredge, accordian player; Martin Lovell, bassist; and Maurice Lovell, Martin Lovell's father and a 92-year-old banjo and mandolin player.
Lupien said Over Time played at the chapel in the summer. Lupien said she's greatful to have the band back again, donating time and talent to chapel preservation efforts.
“Your toes will be tapping,” said Lupien. “They were so good when they played here in summer.”
Jackson said the band is five years old and has played for other local charitable causes.
“We'd like to see (the chapel) preserved,” said Jackson. “We play locally at some nursing homes to volunteer.”
Diamond Someday is a bluegrass and gospel band that has been around for nine years, said singer and guitarist Shirley Stevens. The other band members are Tom Burr, banjo player; Ed VanCott, mandolin player; Dick DeNeve, resonator guitarist; and Karen Campolieto, bassist. Diamond Someday is based in central New York.
“Willard (Memorial) Chapel is a treasure,” said Stevens. “It's amazing to think that a relatively small community like Auburn would have such a building. We want to support it.”
Fans from Auburn and other communities clapped and nodded their heads to the music, and enjoyed cider and donuts at intermission.
Bob Yackel, from Marcellus, attended the concert with his wife. He said Sunday's weather was inviting, but there was time to take a walk and still make the fall concert.
“The music was worth the $5,” Yackel, who loves bluegrass, said. “The good cause it's going to will benefit, so it was worth it twice.”
Yackel said events like this are important for Auburn and other places.
“It's a good idea for any community,” he said. “Music is beneficial to everybody.”
Lucy and Mike Pagano, of Auburn, also enjoyed the concert and said they have seen Over Time perform before.
“They were very entertaining,” said Lucy Pagano. “They're very versatile and play different tunes.”
The Paganos also like supporting the chapel and believe that community activities like the concert benefit area residents.
“It's good to help the preservation of Willard (Memorial) Chapel,” Lucy Pagano said. “And it gets people together to enjoy the music. It's important to get people out instead of sitting in front of the TV.”
Staff writer Kelly Voll can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or kelly.voll@lee.net
Patty Lupien, event coordinator for Willard, said she estimated that 75 people showed up. Each donated $5 to the chapel and its preservation upon entry.
“This gets them in to see this historic place,” said Lupien. “And the bands are fun.”
Over Time plays popular classics. The band's regular members are John Jackson, guitarist and vocalist; Karl Eldredge, accordian player; Martin Lovell, bassist; and Maurice Lovell, Martin Lovell's father and a 92-year-old banjo and mandolin player.
Lupien said Over Time played at the chapel in the summer. Lupien said she's greatful to have the band back again, donating time and talent to chapel preservation efforts.
“Your toes will be tapping,” said Lupien. “They were so good when they played here in summer.”
Jackson said the band is five years old and has played for other local charitable causes.
“We'd like to see (the chapel) preserved,” said Jackson. “We play locally at some nursing homes to volunteer.”
Diamond Someday is a bluegrass and gospel band that has been around for nine years, said singer and guitarist Shirley Stevens. The other band members are Tom Burr, banjo player; Ed VanCott, mandolin player; Dick DeNeve, resonator guitarist; and Karen Campolieto, bassist. Diamond Someday is based in central New York.
“Willard (Memorial) Chapel is a treasure,” said Stevens. “It's amazing to think that a relatively small community like Auburn would have such a building. We want to support it.”
Fans from Auburn and other communities clapped and nodded their heads to the music, and enjoyed cider and donuts at intermission.
Bob Yackel, from Marcellus, attended the concert with his wife. He said Sunday's weather was inviting, but there was time to take a walk and still make the fall concert.
“The music was worth the $5,” Yackel, who loves bluegrass, said. “The good cause it's going to will benefit, so it was worth it twice.”
Yackel said events like this are important for Auburn and other places.
“It's a good idea for any community,” he said. “Music is beneficial to everybody.”
Lucy and Mike Pagano, of Auburn, also enjoyed the concert and said they have seen Over Time perform before.
“They were very entertaining,” said Lucy Pagano. “They're very versatile and play different tunes.”
The Paganos also like supporting the chapel and believe that community activities like the concert benefit area residents.
“It's good to help the preservation of Willard (Memorial) Chapel,” Lucy Pagano said. “And it gets people together to enjoy the music. It's important to get people out instead of sitting in front of the TV.”
Staff writer Kelly Voll can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or kelly.voll@lee.net
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