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HELP SUPPORT THE Magic Penny
The Magic Penny is a proud participant in the
2011 – 2012 COMMUNITY GIVE BACK PROGRAM!
February 2, 2012 – March 25, 2012
Mention MPENNY* to receive your exclusive Special Member Pricing
$45.00 per ticket - a $5.00 savings per ticket!
Additionally, for each THE SUNSHINE BOYS ticket sold using MPENNY, the
John W. Engeman Theater at Northport will donate $10.00 to YOUR ORGANIZATION
ALL MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO
“TAKE A PART” IN THIS “DRAMATIC” FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY!
For further program information and to purchase tickets
call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com
Where Broadway Meets Main Street.
*Promotion code is not valid for Friday or Saturday Evening Performances.
COMEDY
Play by Neil Simon
Tony Award Nominated for Best Play
This laugh-out-loud comedy follows two faded vaudeville legends, Lewis and Clark, as they reunite to perform their old act one last time. The only problem is they can't stand each other. Will these two crotchety comedians get over the issues that had ruined their partnership before the big show? This nostalgic comedy by Neil Simon is packed with the slapstick comedy sketches that embody the golden days of vaudeville.
The John W Engeman Theatre at Northport is the only year round professional theater company on Long Island and their productions are cast directly from the Broadway talent pool.
- Complimentary Valet Parking
- Green Room Piano Bar & Lounge
- State of the Art lighting and sound systems
- Stadium Style Seating
- Cocktail Service at your seat
The Magic Penny Charity Fundraiser
Mark Your Calendar:
Thursday, May 3, 2012 - 7:00 to 11:00 pm
Dinner/Oldies Dance Party
At the Watermill Inn in Smithtown, New York
711 Smithtown Bypass, Smithtown, NY 11787
Featuring a sit-down dinner and complimentary wine, soda and beer all night.
Dance to New York’s top oldies group:
The fabulous Acchords
(www.TheAcchords.com)
Come join us for a spectacular night to remember!
This is truly a five star event!
You’ll dance all night and have a fabulous meal and drinks!
Donation: $70 per ticket
(Cash, check or credit card)
Contact The Magic Penny, Inc. for tickets:
Limited Seating! Call now and reserve your ticket!
Lucy Sumner (631) 486-3822
24 Eldorado Drive, East Northport, NY 11731
Barbara & Arnie Fishon (631) 509-0081
Helen Strauss (631) 580-1856
Kathy Greiner (800) 246-0618
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- - Magic Penny News - -
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John W. Engeman Theater Press Release
Program Change for the 2011-2012 Season
In our constant effort to create the most memorable live theater experience, we are very excited to announce the return of A Wonderful Life to the John W. Engeman Theater stage this Holiday Season! This inspirational musical adaptation of Frank Capra's classic film became the runaway sensation of our first season and it is thrilling to be able to include it now as part of our Celebratory 5th Anniversary.
A Wonderful Life replaces The Music Man in our 2011 - 2012 Season (November 25, 2011 - January 15, 2012), but all scheduled performance dates and times will remain unchanged. We are proud to bring this uplifting story of faith to you and your family and anticipate a sold-out run for the show.
A WONDERFUL LIFE will play the following performance schedule: Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m., Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m., Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 7:00 p.m.
IN ADDITION, there will be special matinees on: Wednesday, December 7 at 2:00pm, Tuesday, December 20 at 3:00pm, Wednesday, December 21 at 2:00pm, Thursday December 22 at 2:00pm, Friday December 23 at 2:00pm, Monday December 26 at 2:00pm, Tuesday December 27 at 3:00pm, and Wednesday, December 28 at 2:00pm.
ALSO there will evening performances on Tuesday December 20 at 8:00pm, Monday, December 26 at 7:00 p.m., and Tuesday, December 27 at 8:00pm.
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Smithtown High School East Symphonic Band Assists The Magic Penny
On March 24th, officers of the Smithtown High School East Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Debra Kalabza-Balsamo, presented Ms. Lucy Sumner, President of The Magic Penny, Inc. with a check for $619.00 to go towards uniforms for children of Sierra Leone, West Africa. Children throughout Africa are not permitted to attend school unless they have a uniform and shoes. When the Symphonic Band students heard this, they decided to jump into action. With the help of the entire music department, the Symphonic Band students accepted donations from concert goers at all three winter concerts during the December 2008 Winter Concert Series held at Smithtown High School East.
Dr. Kalabza-Balsamo is on the executive board of The Magic Penny, Inc. which is a non profit organization created to develop and implement individualized self-sufficiency action plans that will empower rural communities in Sierra Leone, West Africa by fostering Education, Health and Educational growth.
The Magic Penny, Inc. has already built drinking water wells, a community center and ventilated sanitary facilities. The next project is to build a K-5 primary school that will serve a cluster of 6 villages. All management of projects and fiscal accountability are handled by the organization in New York which delegates responsibility to Magic Penny staff in Sierra Leone.
The organization’s vision is to duplicate the community model across Sierra Leone. The primary school building project is expected to break ground April 2009 and will cost $45,000.
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Smithtown East Symphonic Band presentation
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Mrs. Lucy Sumner [L] and Dr. Debra Kalabza-Balsamo
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- - Magic Penny News - -
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“Oliver” Raises Funds for Children in Sierra Leone
The Magic Penny ‘s 4th Annual Fundraiser, presenting the musical Oliver, was held the evening of Thursday, December 4, 2008 in the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport. The evening began in the Green Room with “Wine and Cheese” before the show. During this time, Lucy Sumner, founder and director of The Magic Penny, gave an update of plans and projects sponsored by TMPI in Sierra Leone. Lucy showed pictures of fresh water wells, sanitary facilities, and a community center that have been constructed. She also gave statistics reflecting improvements these changes have made for those living in six rural villages in Sierra Leone, West Africa. These success stories raised the spirit of hope in the hearts of the many loyal supporters of the Magic Penny who were in attendance that night.
The curtain went up at 8 PM and the production of Oliver was superb. Based on a Dickens story, the play tells of children suffering from poverty and deprivation. The obvious parallel with children of Sierra Leone was easy to see. All twenty of the professionals in the cast were outstanding and made Oliver a true Broadway caliber production.
Raffle tickets, the proceeds from which will be used to help build a school for the children of Sierra Leone, were sold before the show and during intermission. The grand prize was Two Season Tickets for next season, and two autographed copies of A Long Way Gone, by Ishmael Beah. Winners were announced after the show.
Supporters of The Magic Penny loved the show and are already looking forward to next year, hopefully same time, and same place. |
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Media
Coverage
The Times of Northport & East Northport [November 15, 2007, pages 1 and 12] featured an article on Ismael Beah. Beah is a former 'boy soldier' from Sierra Leone who wrote a best selling book A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. Beah's presentation at Northport High School was attended by Magic Penny members Lucy Sumner and Joan Nickels.
Newsday story by Rhoda Amon on The Magic Penny [ October 29, 2006]
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Third Annual Fall Fundraiser
[ If you missed the fundraiser you can see pictures by going to the 'Fundraiser Page.' ]
Recapturing The Hope Of Sierra Leone
Guest Speaker: Annie Bangura, TMPI Managing Director, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Bigger, better and more fun is the only way to describe the Magic Penny’s fundraiser held October 25, 2007!
As guests arrived, they were welcomed with background music by the Harborfields High School Chamber Ensemble, under the direction of Alan Walter. It is the third year this group has provided accompaniment to the cocktail/social time and those who have heard them before know the HHS Chamber Ensemble can always be depended on for beautiful music. Throughout the cocktail hour, guests were able to peruse beautiful baskets and other items available for the Raffles and Silent Auction.
The event this year was held at the Thatched Cottage and all agreed that the setting, service, and the ambiance lived up to their reputation for high quality. Also, because Thatched Cottage is known for its excellent cuisine, this buffet was no exception. The dishes were fresh, plentiful and of the highest quality.
After dinner, Lucy Sumner, founder and president of the Magic Penny gave a PowerPoint presentation showing the progress made this year in the village of Bompehtoke, Sierra Leone. Of particular interest to everyone, were the pictures of the school property and community center. It is very gratifying for all TMPI loyal supporters to see the results of their generosity.
The Keynote speaker for the evening was Annie Bangura. Mrs. Bangura, Lucy Sumner’s sister, is the Managing Director of the Magic Penny in Sierra Leone. Annie lives in Freetown, Sierra Leone her native land. She is able to directly oversee the project almost on a day-to-day basis. Annie showed herself to be an outstanding speaker, eloquently describing how much the support of The Magic Penny means to the people of Bompehtoke. Her perspective in giving and receiving let everyone at the fundraiser realize the importance of their part in this project.
Next, members of the Harambee Dance Company from New York City provided a spectacular show. Two women dancers and 2 men drummers changed the glow of the evening into an exciting show of clapping, singing, and moving feet. The lively sights and sounds made it impossible to sit still. It took very little coaxing for member of the audience to get up and dance. Even if you didn’t get up to dance, everyone joined in the fun and excitement.
The room was “jumping” by the time the show was over and people sat back as the names of lucky winners were called for auctions and raffles.
Everyone said they wanted to comeback again next year: to sing, to dance and to share in the dream of The Magic Penny.
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- - More Magic Penny News - -
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Starting a Cottage Industry
Iye Fatu Sesay
These dolls are made by Iye Fatu Sesay, a single mother of three who lives in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Iye Fatu was taught doll-making by Kestin, a Danish lady, during a training program in tailoring.
She makes the dolls through the use of a hand-sewing machine and by hand, using rudimentary materials such as empty tins of tomato paste, cane wood, cotton fabric, tie dye, wire and sewing thread.
As a single mother, making these dolls for sale is her main source of income.
When the community center is completed Iye Fatu will teach women in the village how to make these dolls so they can start their own cottage industry.
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Dolls That Make A Difference
Sierra Leonean dolls
The dolls, approximately 12” high, are for sale at a cost of $20.00 each, plus $6.00 for shipping and handling.
Contact Lucy
at
631-486-3822 or
info@themagicpenny.org.
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“Recapturing the Hope of Sierra Leone”
Guest Speakers: Judy Figi and Lucy Sumner
Friday, October 27th, 2006
Old friends and new friends gathered on Friday, October 27th to attend the 2nd Annual Magic Penny Fundraiser. What a special evening it was! Once again, the warm glow of friendship blended with fine food and entertainment to make this evening memorable. The generosity of all who attended the event, purchased raffle tickets for the baskets, authentic dolls, 50/50 drawing, and bid for the African Artifacts in the silent auctions will not be easy to match. On hand to help with the success of these endeavors were: Luke Collin, Rebecca Feeney, and Kirsten Makela, all members of the Harborfields High School Honor Society.
During the cocktail hour from 7-8pm, guests were treated to background music by the Harborfields High School Chamber Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Alan Walter. Members of the ensemble were: Violins – Jacqueline Avallone and Minal Kadam: Violas – Spencer Thomas and Laurence Girard: Cellos – Greg Modelewski, Arielle Pasquier, and Katherine McAuley. During dinner, guests were treated to authentic African music played on a Kora, performed by Mr. Muhamadou Suso.
Mrs. Judy Figi was the event’s guest speaker and entertained everyone with her stories of life in Sierra Leone as a Peace Corps volunteer during the days before the civil war that so devastated the country and her recent involvement in Operation Classroom in Makeni, Sierra Leone. Judy reassured everyone, however, that there is much hope, and that on recent visits she sees life beginning to return to what it had been. Judy shared pictures she had taken and spoke of the warm welcome that she received everywhere that she went.
Mrs. Lucy Sumner, founder of TMPI, brought everyone up-to-date on how much progress has been done in the year since our last fundraiser. She showed pictures of what is happening in Bompehtoke: the community center, the drinking water wells, the sanitary facilities and drawings of the plans which she hopes will become a reality this coming year.
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Many thanks were given to the committees and volunteers who worked so hard for TMPI this past year. Special recognition and plaques were given to [L-R] Paula Dodge, Dave Figi [Judy Figi pictured accepting for Dave Figi], Dr. Veronica Henry [Lucy Sumner accepting for Dr Veronica Henry], Keni Kallon [Dr. James Allen accepting for Keni Kallon], and Gary Schulze.
As the evening drew to a close, old friends and new friends left with the knowledge that their support will help fulfill the Hope for Sierra Leone in years to come. |
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Our Annual Meeting will be Saturday, January 20, 2007 from 1-2 pm at the Centerport United Methodist Church, 97 Little Neck Road Centerport, N.Y. 11721 Phone 631 261-5222
Besides the president's report, and treasurer's report we will have a short PowerPoint presentation with pictures from the fundraiser and Lucy Sumner’s recent trip to Sierra Leone.
Refreshments will be served.
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L-R: Building the community center. Students in prayer. School children singing.
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L-R: School children. School room.
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L-R: The new ventilated sanitary facilities..
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