Music festival raises money for hippotherapy center
WARWICK It started out a warm sunny day. But later, when it did rain, people continued dancing on the picturesque grounds of Warwick Valley Winery to the music of 18-time Grammy Award Winner Jimmy Sturr.
On Sunday, June 10, approximately 500 guests attended "Winslow Rocks," the first annual music festival for the benefit of Winslow Therapeutic Center.
Winslow is a not for profit Hippotherapy Riding Center accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and devoted to the special needs population of Orange and surrounding counties.
The all day event also featured the music of the well-known New York City Celtic rock band Black 47 and Professor Louie and the Crowmatix.
The rain came down when Jimmy Sturr performed but that did not stop the performance or his enthusiasm.
Major sponsor Warwick Valley Financial Advisors and Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center reported that the event had raised $9,500 for special programs offered at the Center.
Reserve Officer Colonel Emilio Anthony Pennes, who is on active duty, won the Winslow 50-50 raffle prize of $365.
"Winslow would like to thank Warwick Valley Winery for donating their beautiful facility and Ken Ford and Mark Lange from Warwick Valley Financial Advisors for presenting the concert," said Leo Kaytes, president of Winslow's Board of Directors.
On behalf of the Board, Kaytes also thanked additional co-sponsors of Winslow's first annual music festival including State Farm Insurance- Bonni Masi Oswald Insurance Agency, The Durland Agency, WRG-Warwick Resource Group LLC, John W. Sandford and Sons, Inc., Nationwide Vogel and Moore Insurance- Ann Marie Moore and AllState- Bill Garcia and Winslow supporters Glenn P. and Susan D. Dickes.
"Mark and I are thrilled that the first Annual Winslow Rocks event was successful," said Ken Ford of Warwick Valley Financial Advisors. "When you do these types of events for the first time, you're never quite sure what the turnout will be. But seeing all the people enjoying the music and good food went a long way to making this event a success, and having Jimmy Sturr as a headliner certainly helped. It is our hope that Winslow will continue to build further recognition in the community for its fine work. And it was our pleasure to help them get this event off to a fine start."
A statement later issued by Winslow Event Coordinator Co-Chairs Cindy Vander Plaat and Ellen Freda read, "It was a beautiful day filled with great music, food and friends. We would not be able to continue our programs at Winslow without the support of our community. No matter what the challenge, Winslow meets the needs of children and adults in need and improves their quality of life. It is a pleasure to see 'Healing with Horses' in action and be a part of this wonderful non-profit organization."
For additional information about Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center call 986-6686 or visit: www.winslow.org.