Blues Society of Western PA - Newsletter

It was two years ago that the BSWPA went through an overhaul. They were in trouble, $1400 in debt and the only assets were a banner and a handful of T-shirts. It was then that I first became an officer. Our current President, Jonnye Weber, joined at the same time. We have had a few changes since then but the main core: Jonnye Weber, Jim Hamel, Jim 'Cisco" Franciscus, Maria Kovacs and myself are still here. Our late President, Jim Weber, led us to where we are today. He lent the Blues society $1500 until we got on our feet. Joining us over the next year were Barb Gangone, Dave Hasch, Sheila Vecchio, Diane and Dave Devine, Robb Patterson, John Erskine, Tuck Majeran, and most recently Joyce Clark, Toni Martelli and Joe Kosmal. We have more funds than ever, and do more with it to help musicians, veterans, breast cancer research, the food bank and kids (blues in the school) than we ever did before. We have been able to have picnics for the members with local blues bands. We have been able to provide national acts for Christmas and New Year’s parties. I have to say that I am proud of what we haveaccomplished and what we do. We do have our detractors, but as long as there are more people getting benefits from us than thumbing their noses at us, than I am happy. I am old enough (shut up) to know you cannot please everyone. I've had several people ask me and the others what makes us do what we do for no pay. I can only answer for myself. Since I became an officer in the BSWPA, I have met some great friends, seen some great music, was introduced to music and artists that I had never heard and given a hand to people who needed it. An example of this was when we helped with the Christmas performance at the VA hospital. I felt pretty much useless there at first. We just sat in the back while performers played for the patients. I had bought a large string of candy canes to give out. I figured that it would at least give me something to do between sets and hoped that someone would enjoy them. They were small and I roamed the tables handing out about 5 to each patient. Some said 'thanks' and others just took them without a word, some did not want any. I was halfway thought the crowd when I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned around and a man who had been sitting five tables away had come over to me aided by his cane. He held his hand out and with a feeling I cannot describe said, "thank you. " The look on his face and the tone in his voice showed his appreciation. Five candy canes? I said, “You are very welcome. I wish I could do more.” He just kept shaking my hand. I slipped him a few more. On the way home that night, all that I could think about was that man and the way he hobbled across the room to thank me for 5 little candy canes.

~Don Vecchio