April 29, 2024

Local parish revives talent show fundraiser tradition

REGIONAL
Story and photos by David Martin

SOUTHWICK – Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Southwick revived a tradition as they presented their first talent show since before the pandemic. It took place on April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Father Shea Hall below the church and was sponsored by the Our Lady of the Lake Events and Planning Committee.

Committee member Linda Dickinson said she felt nostalgic about this evening’s event because she appeared in the parish’s first talent show 40 years ago. She said the show takes a lot of planning, searching for talent or having people volunteer their abilities, and then rehearsing.

“Just with everything going on in the world, it is going to be great to just gather with parish family and friends and just share some music and laughter,” said Dickinson.

The performers represented a wide diversity of generations from a fifth-grader to an 80-year-old parishioner. The acts included skits, both singing and instrumental music performances, stand-up comedy, and a cooking segment.

Father Matthew Guidi, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake, was an audience member, along with his mother. Interviewed before the show, he said he was looking forward to seeing some good talent from his parishioners and their friends.

“This is a great parish here in Southwick and the people have worked hard and are hoping for a good crowd and also hoping to do more of these kind of fun events in the future,” said Father Guidi.

The attendance was greater than expected as more chairs had to be brought in to accommodate the larger crowd. One parishioner even offered snacks to share with her fellow audience members. The admission price for the show was a canned good to benefit the Southwick food pantry.

Parishioner Janet Snow came to be surprised by her husband Ray’s performance in a skit. She brought a whole bag of canned goods to donate. Snow said it makes her happy that, as a person who can provide for herself and her family, she can help out those who are less fortunate.

“I think there is something special about giving food, whether it is spiritual food or whether it is actual food for the body, I think people respond to that, nobody wants to be hungry and there are way too many people in need,” said Snow.

Other acts on the program included a Bavarian medley played on the accordion by former pastor Father Henry Dorsch, and folk music by a family trio featuring occasional “Chalice of Salvation” music minister Jack Yourous.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.