I should first define what a palooza is. According to Wikipedia (and yes I did look it up there), it began in the late 19th century as something meaning extraordinary. In 1991, Lollapalooza was created by Perry Farrell as a farewell tour for the band Jane’s Addiction. Since then it has taken on monstrous proportions and many iterations.
This coming Sunday, May 16, we will see a part of the Lisapalooza, a twist on the Lollapalooza theme. This is an event that’s more than a poker run being held for Lisa Makarewicz Korey. Lisa is a manager at Ole Tyme Charley’s on River Street in Plains. The idea is the brainchild of Brian McDonald and his staff who work with Lisa.
You’ve all been reading about the problems that we, as a nation, face with regard to health care. This is a national dilemma that has hit close to home. Currently Lisa must be away from her two children, family and work to travel to Philadelphia for radiation treatment as she bravely battles cervical cancer. Brian said, “For the six weeks of the treatment she is only home for two days of each week. The cost of these treatments is very costly, and because of the treatments she must miss work.” Brian and the whole gang at Ole Tyme Charley’s decided that they just had to do something to help.
The group has many events planned. Check out the many fliers that they have around town. Pick one up. You can cut off a coupon that you can take it to T.G.I. Fridays on Wednesday, and T.G.I. Fridays will donate 15 percent of your food bill to Lisa’s benefit. Tickets are being sold for a 50/50 drawing, and there will also be a Chinese auction. The poker run is just one more part of a much bigger plan, an extraordinary event. At the end of the run there will be 15 top area bands headlined by the band M80.
The organizing of the bands was done by Janet Rains, singer for M80. She, too, knows Lisa and has been a friend of Brian’s for more than 15 years. When Brian told her what was going on, she took the reins and started calling local bands to put this all together. Brian got a hold of all the DJs and local guest bartenders, including someone from T.G.I. Fridays. Helping him do all this work is Nanette Burwell. Nanette also works with Lisa and is glad to help out.
Anyone that’s ever met Lisa wants to help. Brian tells me that “a lawyer who comes to the bar and knows Lisa has even donated T-shirts that will be sold to help raise money.” I talked to Dave Hooper, who is the road captain for the Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club. I asked Hooper why he wanted to help with this event, and he replied, “Because it’s a good idea, because we’re a social club and we do charity events.”
That’s not the only reason Hooper wants to help. For he and his wife Gloria, this is a personal cause. You see, Dave and Gloria went to school with Lisa’s parents Rose and Chuck. Hooper continues, “It’s more than that. It’s for Lisa; she’s in trouble, and we wanted to help.”
Brian and Nanette contacted Bob Lonsdale, president of the WVMC, to see if he could help with a benefit run. After a few e-mails, the May 16 date was chosen and a poker run organized for Lisa. Even with having a lot of experience with motorcycle runs, this was still a challenge to put together, especially with such a short time frame. But it’s happening on Sunday. According to Hooper, “(The WVMC is) running the poker run, and all the proceeds are going to Lisa.”
Details for the run are: Sunday registration is from noon until 1 p.m. at Outsiders (650 Main St., Wilkes-Barre). Stop one will be at the Sugarnotch Bar and Grille, stop twp will be at Main Streets, stop No. 4 will be at Ricketts Glenn Hotel, and the final stop will be at Ole Tyme Charley’s. Scooter Girl will be at Ricketts Glenn Hotel dealing the cards. Like I said, anyone that knows Lisa. …
This is a rain-or-shine event. Walk-ins and automobiles are most welcome to join. You can show up at the door of Ole Tyme Charley’s and pay at the door. The bands alone will be worth the price of admission. Helping Lisa is the reason to be there.
In this terrible economy, in this health care crisis, it’s good to know that when you are dealt a tough hand, inside that deck somewhere are a few aces that will be there to help you gain a winning hand.
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