Sky is clear for outdoor concert

WARWICK-As Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard stated at the Village Green Park on Saturday evening, June 11, "Every now and then, all the planets are in line." Anyone who stayed home that evening, because of dark clouds and the threatening sound of thunder in the distance, made a mistake. The skies cleared, and, with mild temperatures to boot, it was a near perfect setting for the first of Warwick's 2005 Outdoor Summer Concert Series. The free Saturday night event featured local radio host and professional singer Dick Wells who once sang with the Harry James orchestra and the Big Band Swing Machine, conducted by band leader Harry Glogower. Before the main performance, recording artist and DJ Joanne Church warmed up the crowd with a Karaoke contest. In a spoof of the popular TV show, American Idol, the judges, Leo Kaytes, CEO of Leo Kaytes Ford; Terry Gavan, principal broker of Mystic Valley Real Estate, and Rudell Breedy, director of fund development for St. Anthony Community Hospital, posed as "Simon," "Paula" and "Randy." The judges selected Warwick residents Gina Salzillo and Joe Rocco, 87, for first- and second-place, respectively. The first-place prize included dinner for two at the Landmark Inn, Broadway tickets and a limousine ride to and from the theater. The second-place prize was dinner for two at Ten Railroad Avenue. During intermission, while Dick Wells sang, "Happy Birthday," the mayor presented a cake and candles to local entrepreneur, publisher and writer Ed Klein, 83. Among his many accomplishments, Klein is a former owner and publisher of The Warwick Advertiser, a founder of Warwick radio station WTBQ, Warwick Cable TV and the former owner/publisher of the Hudson Valley Business Journal. A World War II veteran, Klein's autobiography is titled, "At Least Nobody Is Shooting at Me." The summer concert series is sponsored by the Village of Warwick and contributing individuals and local businesses, which are mentioned in the printed programs. The next concert featuring the Rock & Roll music of Peter Spink, will be held at Stanley-Deming Park on July 9.