Tribute to Picton’s nurses and doctors raises more than $7,000

-Michael Shannon photo-

On the one year anniversary of the passing of County musician Zeke Mazurek, local musicians came together to pay tribute to hospital caregivers and raised more than $7,000 (and still counting) for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

“Last year at this time was an incredibly sad time for the music community here,” says producer Suzanne Pasternak. “There was a convergence of several of us receiving care at the Picton hospital; Zeke had just passed away, two days later Mark Despault’s father-in-law passed away. I was admitted with a life-threatening cardiac crisis and Janis Orenstein, one of Canada’s great opera singers, living in Black Creek, was at the end stages of breast cancer.  The halls of the hospital were filled with the music community, visiting and grieving.”

“The musicians and their families and friends were profoundly moved by the loving and respectful care their loved ones received from the nurses and doctors here,” said Pasternak.

The idea to pay tribute with a mega concert of County superstar musicians and choirs came about over the kitchen table with Zeke’s family and Pasternak.

“Prince Edward County is so lucky to have such a great hospital with an exceptional medical team. This is our way of giving back to them.”

The roster included: Shout! Sister and Command Performance choirs, Sneezy Waters, Tom Leighton, The Frere Brothers, Jeanette Arsenault, Tom Savage, Lenni Stewart, The Reasons, Suzanne Pasternak, Trinity, Bill Ostrander, Georgette Fry, Judy Fraser, Grampa’s Goodtime Good Time Gang, Penny, Roanne and John Kitchen, Vincent Halfhide, Tony Silvestri, Fraser Hardman and Dr. Josh Colby.

The music community will pay tribute to Picton's nurses and doctors Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. at Picton United Church. Admission is free of charge, with donations accepted at the door. All proceeds go to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.