CORNWALL, Ontario – What began as a fundraising jam to honour the memory of a Cornwall man four years ago has become a popular event, which keeps growing every year.
It all started in the summer of 2012, said Patti Edwards, the founder of Jamming for Hospice, whose friend musician Paul Herrington had announced to her that he was ill, and expressed a desire to get back together with some former bandmates and have a jam, for old time sake.
Herrington succumbed to his illness and as faith would have it, the jam would never happen.
Around that time Edwards was visiting another friend, who was in his last few days of life, at Cornwall Hospice.
So in their memory she founded the fundraiser.
As it turns out, one of the “former bandmates” of Herrington is local blues great, Paul Deslauriers, who returns to town, again this year, for the event.
As well as to honour Herrington, Deslauriers says that he has an even deeper personal connection to the cause.
“My father started the palliative care service, at the hospital in Cornwall, in the 80s,” he said, adding that his mother was also involved as a volunteer.
“They were instrumental in the whole palliative care system here in Cornwall, so the idea of Hospice has a very personal meaning for me.”
Deslauriers will share the stage with another of his former bandmates, from way back when, Trevor Walsh.
“Anything I can do to give back to the community especially in the name of a dear friend, I’m happy to do it.”
Other performers will include Rock Bottom, Peter Fortin, Chuck Leclair, Red Flag, Nicholas Seguin, Subtle, Randy Toupin, Blow the Roof and guests, and Plan B.
The event will feature live and silent auctions, as well as a Chinese lottery. Some of the items include a lawn ornament by Cornwall concrete, a television, and cribbage table and chairs.
Edwards would like to thank all the sponsors and volunteers who have made this event possible.
The 4th Annual Jamming for Hospice Cornwall will be held on Saturday, November 14, at The Agora Centre (Old Nativity Hall), 301 McConnell Ave, from 2pm to 2am. Tickets are $30 each, which includes a buffet supper, and live music. The event will also have a cash bar.
For tickets, call Patti at 613-551-0110 or Claire at 613-361-1429, or pick them up at The Glengarrian, Lola’s, Strung Out Guitars and The Tiny Table.
