Count down to the Billy Bash!

Last Call..for donations and pictures.

The meeting last night went well. We are ready to rock. Have the plan, the people and the purpose. I will be doing the last of the printing friday night. Any donations after that will not make it on to the printed program thank you list.

We are having a REAL Wiffle Ball field so get ready to have fun in the field!

And ........looks like we have Red Sox tickets to raffle! Thank you Linda!

FYI .....If we land up with a bad weather day, the party will be all in doors and we will have to be more strick with the count ...so get there early if the weather is an issue!

LOVE YA BILLY.....SEND US GOOD WEATHER PLEASE ;-0

Tues. Meeting is Important

Tuesday 7:30 is our last meeting at Chris' Rest in Wallingford. Final decisions about the memorial program, raffles and food need to be made. I need to print the programs by the end of the week. We still need a few more t-shirts painted, food commitments and never too many raffle prizes!

Please e-mail or call me if you need to touch base with me a different time.
wnhhw@sbcglobal.net is my correct e-mail

you can leave a message at 203-213-8355...I will need to call back from a different number....I am SOOOO over my minutes ;-(

I am looking forward to sharing a special day with everyone!
peace,
Lisa

classic laughs with Billy..

for all of Billy's friends that shared his love of Sienfield

New page on my website with suicide prevention resources

This link will take you to a page I built on my website in memory of Billy. This page has the beginnings of a list of suicide information, resources and fundraising.
http://onpurposeplace.com/suicideawareness.html

ok....another happy Billy moment

...this is for you Janice..and all Billy's friends who had fun with Billy while he watched his Giants!!

A happy Billy moment!

Last nights meeting...

...we got lots done last night. The memorial program was worked on. Descisions were made about t-shirts, I handed out flyers and donation letters, tickets got numbered, wiffle ball stuff started and I started collecting raffle prize donations.

Next week, we will be painting the shirts, working on the programs, selling tickets and collecting donations. I will have information about the Youth Services Program with me if anyone is curious.

I got approval from the Wiffle ball company to use their trademark and discount for our event. A yearly tournement could be a reality so keep that in mind when you come play on the 2nd!!

Please contact me if you are going be bringing food so I can get an idea what to tell those who ask what we need....as much as I love potatoe salad we dont need 200lbs :~)

Tickets will be at JC's tonight. They will be available at the door unless we hit our capacity ....

The flyer here on an earlier post can be copied and used for passing on the details...HUGE thanks to all the crew helping out so far. Because all of you this is coming together famously....we are having a good time working together....Billy would be proud



peace,
Lisa

The City of Meriden Youth Services Division...

...is on board as our benefactor. You can learn more about them at: http://www.cityofmeriden.org/CMS/default.asp?CMS_AreaID=57

There will be information available at the party. We will have a banner and materials to show the cause we are supporting.

I hope eveyone feels good about this program. I know I kinda left you all hanging while doing the research in this but now that everything is in place we can really roll up our sleeves and get ready to do great thing for Billy.

I know, if there is anyway he could be with us, he will... and he will be SMILING!

peace,
Lisa

The "Billy Bash" Flyer!

The flyers and tickets are on the way to the printers. I plan to have them with me tuesday night at chris'. Feel free to copy & print. You can use this flyer when asking businesses for donations. It has all the information and contact numbers neccessary.

From June

I love you Billy
"Best Bartender this side of the Mississippi!"
U will always be with me
Love ya
Forever
June

3rd proffesional band added to the line-up

Dave Dee and I went out to Babcok Mansion (off the hook place) to check out the Backwoods Zydecon Band who have volunteered their talents....they are WAY cool...there is no way you wont want to dance to these guys!! Dave loved them...and he is an great musician himself. The best way I can describe them is, physcodelic blues,rock & jazz with a huge cajun element. You can check them out at www.reverbnation.com/backwoodszydecoband

UPDATE: I spoke to Tim, the drummer form Backwoods Zydeco and unfortunatly the whole band wont be able to make it. However, a few of them are going to try to join us to do some jamming. Personally, I think there is NOTHING like it when great musicians get together and Jam...

For those of you who dont know Dave Dee, we are very lucky to have him helping us that day. Besides being a serious bass player with the Dave Brunette's AWESOME dB3 Band, he runs Karaoke and an Open MIke night at Chas' Place, plays in three bands, and has been in the sound production business for more than 20 years...There is no way I could be doing the music thing without him...he will be the one with the great happy, chuckle, bouncing around doing his thing and hooking us up with the tuneage. Be sure to thank him...and keep him mind if you ever need a great dude to do a great gig for a party!

Important "Billy Bash" updates!

FIRST THE GOOD NEWS.... by the response I am getting this party is going to be HUGE!! More than we expected. Great for the fun, bad for the food count and the parking.

NOW THE BAD NEWS.... I have been advised to sell tickets to the party. Now, PLEASE dont everyone get your panties in a bunch. They are only going to be $5.00. Tickets will be available for purchase at JC's and at Chris'Rest. in Wallingford on Tuesday evenings when I am there for the meeting......and, at the door on August 2nd until we reach the capacity of the venue.

There is NO CHARGE for the Memorial Program...we will be wristbanding for the party.

I really really was hoping to not have to charge, however too many people have approached me about the fact that it IS a type of benefit in Billy's name and it very likely could get too crazy if we dont charge. I hope everyone understands that we need to have some assimilence of control over just how big this could become...and dont forget..... We are giving all the proceeds to a great cause!

Speaking of the "cause". After consulting with several organizations, I have decided we will "Make the most Difference" by donating what we raise to the City of Meriden Youth Services division. I will be skinnying up the details and posting when we have offical go ahead. You can contact me for information about the specifics.

One last thing, I will have have flyers, tickets(hopefully) and will be getting a count of volunteers for T-shirts on Tues. We still need volunteers! If anyone has any raffle prize donations to drop off, please be sure you give us who the donation is from so we can recognize and thank them appropiately.

See you Tues!
peace,
Lisa

Party Meeting Tues July 14th

Anyone how would like to volunteer to help with the Memorial Benefit ...pop in to Chris' Resturant 7:30 next tues. We will be there the next few tue. evenings touching base about the details and collecting raffle prize donations. This next tues I will have flyers to distribute. We are looking for a good deal ($5 or less)t-shirts for the volunteers.

If anyone has fun pics of Billy I will be putting together a pp slide show. You can drop them off in a envelope to me (with your name on it, I will have it with me that day if you need it back)either at JC's or bring it on at Tues to Chris's.

We are looking for Red Sox or NY Giants tickets to raffle off if anyone knows someone who can spare some for a good cause.

I have been in touch with Rushford. They are looking into a program that would be most appropiate... hoping to know by the end of this week who will be our benefactor. I am also going to work with their public relations person....like I said before, this party is going to "Make a Difference!" in Billy's name.


GET OUT YOUR WH..IFFLE BALL BATS AND START PRACTICING FOR THE FUN!

Till next time..
peace,
Lisa

Plan B ~ Back for Billy!

Party details unfolding...VERY COOL!

Amazing how things can come together! Amazing to see the love and support Billy is inspiring from his peaceful place. I am a huge believer in syncronicity. This stuff doesnt just happen!!!!


Yesterday while lounging at the pool with Dave Dee our sound/production guy, Dave Brunnett called to firm up that the dB3 Band are on board to play a set of some of their awesome original stuff. You can check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/davebrunetteband
or listen here

And that is only the beginning....

There are a few super talented local musicians getting together to do some jamming to start the day. Dana, our lovely Karaoke lady will be filling in between sets. She will have her Karaoke gig set up for those who feel inspired to share a tune for Billy.

Last night, I mosied down to Alibi's to support Dave Dee's new Karaoke gig and none other than the one and only Leo Boogie was there ...what a treat to hear him!...another very dear friend of Billy's, Leo will be popping by, showing his love and sharing his talent.

Then how about THIS!...Saw Boulder Shawn out last night and talked party. A lifelong friend of Billy he has gotten his band "Plan B" back together to play for the party. He will be rocking our party from approx 4:30 to 6:00(well,now we know that wont be enough so I am going to get permission to let them play longer)He has plans to have guest sit ins...totally cool!!!

Now, like I mentioned before, there will be no charge for this party because it is all about Giving Back to Billy.(as of July 10th a decision has been made to sell tickets for the party...there is no charge for the Memorial Program see 'important) As you can see, as all this is unfolding, it will be a very special day. I am asking only this from everyone.

Come with love in your heart.
Come have a great time.
Come with a couple George Washingtons for the "cause".

Be Back soon with more....PLEASE comment with feedback and ideas!!!
peace,
Lisa

Making a difference...

Dear Billy friends,

I know for me it certianly helps to know Billy's final arrangements have been carried out. It was a tough couple of weeks for all of us who were blind sided by this then left hanging. Thank you to all of you that kicked in to help pay for things. The money collected at JC's was used to pay for the obituary. The Red Dog put out a donation jar. Thursday July 2nd I picked up the $157.00 they collected and personally delivered it to the funeral director. I am not sure what the final balance owed still is, but I do know that what has been donated is very appreciated. I'd like to also thank the family and JC for allowing the time at the funeral home. I know for me it was very helpful to see that Billy was put to rest respectfully.

As most of you know Aug.2nd is the date for a Memorial Party being planned by his friends. We will be meeting this week to skinny up the details. There will be no charge because everything (hall,bands,food) so far is being donated. We will be having a raffle to raise money to help with any balance owed for Billy's final arrangements. Over and above that, all other money raised will be going to a cause that will "Make a Difference" to someone in need. I have gotten alot of responses about prize donations...it should be a great raffle! Also, the menue will be hamburgers & hotdogs(donated by Thurstons) and we will have a table for all your good cooking ...hint, hint. You can contact me at wnhhw@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions and/or are able to help out.

I will be meeting with my contact at Rushford to choose some type of crisis program to give to in Billy's name. I will post that here as soon as it is offical. Depending on the turn out and the interest, I would love to imagine we can create a annual fundraising event in Billy's name. What are your thoughts on a Whiffle ball tournament!???? I actually have volunteers willing to run an event like this including building a "green monster" for the outfield!

WE WILL BE PLAYING WHHHH..IFFFLE BALL IN THE BACK FIELD!

Dave Dee will be providing the resources for the music. I have a couple bands on board so far who will be donating their time to provide us with some great live tune-age. We have five hours to hang out (1:00-6:00). If anyone is interested in jumping in and volunteering their music talents please e-mail me or leave a message at JC's Place for me(the cell phone minutes are precious so I can't do the phone thing too much).

That's all for now!

Hope everyone is having a safe holiday weekend! Keep checking in for details as they unfold.

A reminder...take advantage of this blog and post your thoughts and feelings!! Your comment just might be something that helps someone! ;-)

peace,
Lisa

A poem from Annette

Dear Bill-ee,

I miss you & love you with all my heart and soul.

I miss your smile & laugh ~ I miss it all.

I miss your hugs when you'd say "it's going to be Ok".

I miss the times you'd yell @ me & tell me to "go away".

We've shared alot through the years ~ good times as well as bad.

Sometimes we all get lost & realize or maybe not what we could of had.

It's ok now Billy ~ sleep softly ~ keep the wind beneath your feet.

Sleep softly my Sweet William as somday we all shall meet.

FOR YOU BILLY!