In Millstone, comedy and song for good cause

Entertainment event to benefit area emergency service groups.

By: Scott Morgan
   MILLSTONE — Tina was good. Madonna was good. Elvis was so-so. Most importantly, though, the money was there. One-hundred-thirty seats sold, $650 raised for a good cause.
   With such good results, the Clarksburg Inn (with a little sponsorship help from Trinity Financial, Sports, Entertainment and Management Co.) plans to fill more seats for another good cause. On Saturday, the inn on Stage Coach Road will host the second part of its fund-raising nights for local emergency services, this time for the benefit of the Millstone and Roosevelt volunteer fire departments. On May 10, Clarksburg Inn hosted a similar fund-raiser for the township and borough ambulance crews.
   The formula for this week’s entertainment is essentially the same — a night of comedy and song by some of the area’s best talent. And whereas last weekend’s benefit paraded the Tina Turner and Elvis impersonators, this weekend offers the country styling of Simply Shania, a Shania Twain cover band (fronted by lead singer named Valerie) so close to the real thing, it would be near impossible to tell them apart if you lost your glasses.
   "She’s, you know, pretty good," said Clarksburg Inn Manager Roger Watkins of Valerie. "Somebody I know who just saw her told me how lucky (we) are to get her."
   The inn got her, it seems, through mutual friend Peter Grandich, who co-founded Trinity Financial in 2001. Mr. Grandich said he had been speaking with Mr. Watkins about how to help local emergency crews through their perpetual financial need when he offered to call some friends. Valerie, it turns out, was available.
   Then, of course, there is the funny bone. Comedian Joey Callahan, who’s worked for such acts as Jay Leno and Harry Anderson, will co-star with Simply Shania as the evening’s headline entertainment. Mr. Watkins said Saturday will be Mr. Callahan’s second trip to the Clarksburg Inn, the first being a few years ago. The results then? A sell-out, Mr. Watkins said.
   Mr. Watkins, of course, is hoping for another sell-out-level crowd this Saturday. Already, he said, the inn has sold 100 tickets for the show. Mr. Grandich said he is hoping for similar ends. The volunteers who comprise local fire, rescue and ambulance crews, he said, are "100 percent dependent on fund raising" in order to make their operations run. Getting people to have a good time and help out would go a long way toward paying back "the unsung heroes (who) protect and serve business people like myself," he said.
   "We are pleased to help them in any way possible," he added.
   Tickets for the Clarksburg Inn show are available in advance for $20 and at the door for $25. Five dollars from each ticket sold will be donated toward the Millstone Township and Roosevelt Borough volunteer fires departments. Entertainment begins Saturday, May 17 at 9 p.m. For more information, call Roger Watkins at (732) 492-3308.