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August 19th CD Release Event to Benefit Big Bend Hospice
by Whitney Anders - Way Out West

 

On Friday, August 19th at 7 PM, Way Out West hosted the James Matthew Hughes CD Release Event. They were celebrating the release of James Matthew Hughes' new record “Olde North Monroe.” James was joined by the ever-popular Sarah Mac Band and Libby O'Neill to round out a fun-filled evening.

Doors opened at 7 PM at Way Out West and the music began around 8 PM. There were several hours of great entertainment, a tasty dinner from Coosh's Bayou Rouge, drinks from Budweiser and Pepsi, and a complimentary shuttle to and from the after-party at Hotel Duval's rooftop bar, Level 8. And the best part of all? We'll be donating a portion of the proceeds to The Big Bend Hospice Foundation, in an effort to support their never-ending display of kindness and care for terminal patients and their families.
 
In a time where many charities are struggling to solicit support, you may be curious as to why we have chosen Big Bend Hospice to be this event's beneficiary. Our other owner here at Way Out West, Jeremiah Crum, is a creative genius who is really the instrumental behind-the-scenes orchestrator. Paraphrasing him would be a lost cause because he perfectly explains our purpose in supporting Big Bend Hospice.
 
“The end of last year was filled with very few positives for my family.  My dad, Jeff Crum, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer near the end of the summer.  The outlook was bleak from the beginning as the cancer was very far along.  Bodean, as he is known by most people he met in his 56 years as a Tallahassee native, succumbed to the illness in December leaving a huge whole in what has always been a very close family.  Big Bend Hospice came into our lives in the darkest of hours and could not have done a better job.  Everything was taken care of and for the first time our family was able to focus on Jeff the son and brother and dad and not Jeff the cancer patient.  
Of all the conversations my Dad and I had, music was a recurring theme over the years.  He used to talk about sitting and listening to my Uncle Lanny play the piano for long periods of time and how much he loved it.  One of our last conversations was his regret over not taking singing more seriously once he graduated Florida High.  With this in mind, and the realization that I now had a pretty unique venue in Way Out West, I jumped at the chance to host a show when James Matthew Hughes brought the idea to me.  Having already explored regular charity-based nights at the shop, it was easy to see this was meant to be when I found out James' mother works for Big Bend Hospice.
The caretakers with Big Bend Hospice work almost exclusively in the toughest emotional environments imaginable.  From infants to the elderly and everyone in between they are an invaluable aid to terminal patients and their families.  Their quiet professionalism and compassion goes relatively unsung as they will be the last to take credit for the job they do.  It is truly an honor for Whitney and I to have the chance to help raise funds for The Big Bend Hospice Foundation and we are very excited about it.”

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Why Caroline Conway is Tallahassee’s 2011 Top Single

Caroline Conway, Tallahassee’s 2011 Top Single presented a check for $2,150 to Pam Wilson, Executive Director of Big Bend Hospice Foundation and Cathy Adkison, CEO. Caroline participated in the fund-raising event to find Tallahassee’s hottest singles on July 16 to raise money for Big Bend Hospice. “ I was hesitant to commit to this event at first, but when I realized that I would be able to pick my charity, I immediately thought of Big Bend Hospice, and then immediately said, ‘ I’ll do it!’”

Participating in the Top Singles auction was a way for Caroline to give back. “I am happy to the opportunity to give back to an organization that gave so much to me and my family.  So much that I was willing to auction myself off!” Caroline’s dad was cared for in the Margaret Z. Dozier Hospice House. “ I can honestly say that I don’t think that my mom, brother, and I would have made it through without the amazing support of staff and nurses at Big Bend Hospice.”

 

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Music Therapy Hits the Right Notes for Patients  

Article courtesy of the Tallahassee Democrat.
How the Music Therapy department of Big Bend Hospice makes a difference in the lives of patients and families.
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