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Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteer Spotlight: Gerald Cohen
Contributing to the Enrichment of our Community's Cultural Life
We are delighted to introduce one of our distinguished new volunteers, Mr. Gerald Cohen, a resident of Nassau Grove, Lewes. For the past six months, Mr. Cohen has been diligently contributing his expertise to our marketing efforts, specifically in authoring and proofreading press releases and articles for the Cape Gazette.
Prior to his retirement, Mr. Cohen enjoyed a distinguished career as a communications professional in higher education. Before entering academia, he successfully managed his own communications consulting firm.
Mr. Cohen commenced his career in journalism, where he reported on local, state and national news in Massachusetts, and subsequently in Washington, D.C.
In addition to his invaluable contributions to Coastal Concerts, Mr. Cohen also volunteers with the Progressive Democrats of Sussex County, advocating for legislative issues that impact the residents of Delaware.
Mr. Cohen is proficient in various percussion instruments including drums and vibraphone, and in recent years he has performed with concert bands in Rehoboth and Milford, a big band in Milford and a local Dixieland band.
An ardent photography enthusiast, Mr. Cohen focuses on capturing images of birds, wildlife and landscapes in the region. He is also a dedicated cyclist, riding approximately 70 miles per week on the area's bike trails, and occasionally participating in 100-mile rides for charitable causes. Additionally, he is passionate about sailing and windsurfing.
Mr. Cohen shared, "I decided to affiliate with Coastal Concerts because I believe the organization enriches the cultural lives of residents."
Operating behind the scenes, Mr. Cohen is an integral part of our organization and an invaluable volunteer who generously shares his time and expertise. Please join me in welcoming Gerald Cohen as a Volunteer Ambassador and in expressing our profound gratitude for his dedication and commitment to our organization.
Volunteer Spotlight: Denise Emery
Steadfast Commitment to our Success
Denise Emery, one of our esteemed long-time Volunteer Ambassadors, has resided in Lewes since 2009. However, she has been a Coastal Concerts volunteer since 2005, when she and her husband relocated to Millsboro from Northern Virginia.
Denise is a former President of Coastal Concerts and currently chairs the “Toot Your Own Horn Program.” This program is a vital outreach component of our organization, where she coordinates the collection of gently used instruments and donates them to students in Sussex County Schools who may not otherwise be able to afford them.
Prior to retiring to Sussex County, Denise served for nine years in the Foreign Office of the National Academy of Sciences and visited China in 1974 with a group of physicians studying acupuncture anesthesia. Additionally, she served for 21 years as a College and Career Counselor for Fairfax County Public Schools.
In her spare time, when Denise is not collecting and delivering instruments to schools, she serves on the City of Lewes Board of Adjustment, the City's Public Art Committee, and the Development Committee for Village Volunteers.
Denise also has a profound passion for travel, with Spain being one of her preferred destinations. She has enjoyed many riverboat cruises, notably the Elbe River cruise from Prague to Berlin, which she regards as the most memorable.
“I don’t think I have a favorite country,” Denise shared, “I love them all, but I do wish I had commenced my travels to South America years ago."
An interesting fact about Denise is her “proficiency” in the Spanish language. She proudly shares, “I am working hard to improve my ability in the Spanish language. I have been studying Spanish since 1990, and I participate in a conversation group at the Lewes Library every Thursday afternoon. Learning to speak a foreign language has been a fascinating experience.” So, it’s no surprise then that Spain is one of her favorite destinations!
Denise shared, "My tenure with CoCo over the years, witnessing the organization's growth and being an integral part of its history, has been a profound source of satisfaction for me."
Her extraordinary passion and dedication to our mission are remarkable. We extend our sincerest gratitude to Denise for her extensive years of volunteerism with CoCo and her steadfast commitment to our success.
Volunteer Spotlight: Anne Marie and
John Kujawski
Always Eager & Willing to Help Others
It may come as a surprise to some that Coastal Concerts maintains a fully equipped Green Room, complete with a practice piano, in the basement of Bethel United Methodist Church. For each concert, the Green Room is meticulously stocked with snacks and beverages, creating a comfortable environment for the artists to unwind before the performance and during intermission. On the morning or afternoon of the concert, dedicated volunteers organize the space, ensuring it is well-prepared with food and amenities for the artists' arrival.
This month, Coastal Concerts is privileged to introduce our Volunteer Ambassadors, John and Anne Marie Kujawski, who diligently serve as the hosts of the Green Room.
John and Anne Marie relocated to Coastal Club in Lewes from Long Island, New York, five years ago following their retirement. John previously held the position of Controller for a New York-based hotel real estate company, while Anne Marie served as an Administrative Assistant for North Shore Schools in Long Island.
Their lives in Lewes are filled with various commitments; Anne Marie is an active member of the Coastal Club Social Committee, volunteers at Shepherd House where she engages in cooking and serving, manages mailings for the Lewes Senior Center, and contributes to fundraising and event organization for the Harry K Foundation.
John volunteers at Fort Miles Bunker Busters, Elks 2540 Hoops and Veterans, and the Harry K Foundation. He is an active member of the local American Legion Post #17. Anne Marie was previously highly involved with the American Legion Auxiliary Post 336 in Long Island before relocating to Delaware, and she continues to remain a member.
Although John and Anne Marie claim not to be musically inclined, they eagerly volunteer for Coastal Concerts to "help expand our knowledge of classical music." They express their enjoyment of the diverse performances and the opportunity to interact with talented performers, along with the pleasure of volunteering with wonderful people.
When they are not contributing their time to the many organizations mentioned above, John and Anne Marie find joy in assisting others. They are frequently seen engaging in community activities, playing mah jongg and canasta, participating in water aerobics, and taking part in Coastal Club Clubhouse events.
When asked for suggestions on how Coastal Concerts could improve, they recommended "providing programs for all age levels and continuing the informative pre-concert talks with Lani Spahr." One of their favorite concerts was the Cann Duo, as they felt the Duo lightened the perceived heaviness of some classical music while still respecting its beauty. They appreciated Michelle Cann’s insightful backstories of the musical pieces.
It is often said that the busiest individuals are the ones who accomplish the most, and John and Anne Marie exemplify this notion. Please join us in expressing gratitude to our Volunteer Ambassadors, John and Anne Marie, for their tireless dedication and support. Coastal Concerts and the visiting artists, deeply appreciate all that they do.
Volunteer Spotlight: Joan Colley
Recognizing Dedication and Passion
We are honored to acknowledge Joan Colley as one of this this month's featured Coastal Concerts’ Volunteer Ambassador. Over the past two years, Joan has generously devoted a considerable amount of her time to assisting concertgoers by greeting them and scanning tickets prior to our performances.
Joan relocated to Coastal Club in Lewes in February 2018 from New Jersey, where she retired from her esteemed career as a paralegal. Although Joan does not play an instrument or sing, she eagerly volunteered for Coastal Concerts to deepen her appreciation for classical music and to foster connections with fellow volunteers within our organization. Joan remarked, “I thoroughly enjoyed the recent concert with the Cann Duo because the musicians were so personable and provided explanations of what we were listening to.” Additionally, she volunteered at Michelle Cann’s performance at the high school in October 2023 and was delighted to see her return along with her sister.
In her leisure time, Joan volunteers for the Harry K Foundation and possesses a fervent passion for travel. Indeed, she has embarked on numerous extensive journeys across the globe. “Along with my husband, we traveled throughout Europe, and with having four Italian grandparents, my first love is Italy, and I never tire of revisiting. We’ve also made several visits to South America; particularly memorable were Machu Picchu and Buenos Aires. Our trip to China was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where I loved seeing the pandas!”
When asked for suggestions on how we might enhance our organization and concerts, she remarked, “while Coastal Concerts presents itself as 'world-class classical music,' perhaps including performances of various music genres, not solely classical, could attract a wider audience. Additionally, more young people might be encouraged to participate and attend more concerts.” This thoughtful suggestion will be forwarded to the Program Committee and the Board for their consideration.
Please join us in expressing our gratitude to Joan for her energy, exceptional customer service, responsiveness, commitment, and passion for our mission. We are deeply appreciative of her eagerness to assist whenever she is not exploring the world!
Volunteer Spotlight: Joan Colley
Recognizing Dedication and Passion
We are honored to acknowledge Joan Colley as one of this this month's featured Coastal Concerts’ Volunteer Ambassador. Over the past two years, Joan has generously devoted a considerable amount of her time to assisting concertgoers by greeting them and scanning tickets prior to our performances.
Joan relocated to Coastal Club in Lewes in February 2018 from New Jersey, where she retired from her esteemed career as a paralegal.
Although Joan does not play an instrument or sing, she eagerly volunteered for Coastal Concerts to deepen her appreciation for classical music and to foster connections with fellow volunteers within our organization.
Joan remarked, “I thoroughly enjoyed the recent concert with the Cann Duo because the musicians were so personable and provided explanations of what we were listening to.” Additionally, she volunteered at Michelle Cann’s performance at the high school in October 2023 and was delighted to see her return along with her sister.
In her leisure time, Joan volunteers for the Harry K Foundation and possesses a fervent passion for travel. Indeed, she has embarked on numerous extensive journeys across the globe.
“Along with my husband, we traveled throughout Europe, and with having four Italian grandparents, my first love is Italy, and I never tire of revisiting. We’ve also made several visits to South America; particularly memorable were Machu Picchu and Buenos Aires. Our trip to China was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where I loved seeing the pandas!”
When asked for suggestions on how we might enhance our organization and concerts, she remarked, “while Coastal Concerts presents itself as 'world-class classical music,' perhaps including performances of various music genres, not solely classical, could attract a wider audience. Additionally, more young people might be encouraged to participate and attend more concerts.”
This thoughtful suggestion will be forwarded to the Program Committee and the Board for their consideration.
Please join us in expressing our gratitude to Joan for her energy, exceptional customer service, responsiveness, commitment, and passion for our mission. We are deeply appreciative of her eagerness to assist whenever she is not exploring the world!