Something for Everyone!

Starry Starry Night in Orange is the New Year’s celebration that has something for everybody. The list of performers includes comedy, magic, and music for every taste. The parade features giant puppets marching to even more music. The procession ends at Memorial Park to watch a booming fireworks display.

Ace Aceto has been making people laugh for almost 20 years. He will tickle your funny bone at the Orange Town Hall . Also at that venhue will be The Steve Atwood Band with their rock and roll music.

Eddie Raymond’s magic and sense of humor gives him a star rating. Following Raymond’s performances will be The Theater of Marvels specializing in magic from around the world. All this at Butterfield School .

For a musical trip to Broadway don’t miss Julie Capone, accompanied by Steph Parker. She’s a versatile vocalist whose specialty is show tunes. At the same time on the first floor of the Universalist Church will be singer/songwriter Paul Kaplan. His performance will please kids and grown-ups alike.

Triple Tribal telling Native American stories and performing hoop dances will charm children. Loril MoonDream, Peter White Fox, Barbara Giammarino and Gunnar Mayo will team up to entertain at the Universalist Church . Also at the church will be singer/songwriter Janet Ryan blending her soulful voice with the sound of guitarist Ray Chaput.

At the Central Congregational Church Adam Bergeron’s piano repertoire will include some of his own compositions. Adam is a very talented and versatile musician.

Also at the church will be Amy Black and the Red Clay Rascals performing a mix of bluegrass, blues, and folk

. Hillary Chase will start the program at the United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. As last year this venue will feature young artists. Chase presents a talent and message well beyond her years. At 7 p.m. Corey Knapp will sing songs that range from country to rock. Ned Zebner will present an ensemble of talented youth to perform an eclectic musical experience at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m. Rosanna Wyatt will treat the audience with her unique voice and melodic style.

Throughout the late afternoon and evening people gather to watch the Kellner and Bosworth team making ice sculptures. The Boy Scouts heat up hot chocolate and Dave Flint and Rick Misner man their tractors to pull wagons for the hayrides.

Additional donors are Athol Savings Bank, Bank of America, TD Banknorth, Workers Credit Union.

Also Heyes Forest Products Kimball-Cooke Inc., Mount Grace Chapter AARP, Athol-Orange Rotary Club, Hannaford’s, Town of Petersham Cultural Council, St. Mary’s Women’s Club, Northfield Cultural Council, Rose Cottage B & B, Marion E. Nason Unity Club, and Pat and Robert Andrews.

Other donors are Richard Swan, Dick Hall, David Belcher, Rand Haven, and Christi Ashenden.

Puppeteers Sought For Parade

Puppet Parade coordinator Manuel King has issued a call for puppeteers for "lonely giant puppets."

"The Starry Starry Night Parade of the Giant Puppets is not your average, run-of-the-mill parade," he said. "You know, the kind you watch from the sidelines while large floats drive slowly by." No, this parade is one that everyone can participate in, and as the parade grows in size each year, so do the people needed to participate in it.

It's this spirit of celebration that the parade committee invites everyone in the community to be a part of this giant event. "We need the public to be the puppeteers for the parade," said King. "Without their participation, there is no parade. This year we should have about 50 puppets involved, which means we'll need 60 to 70 puppeteers of all shapes and sizes to operate them."

The parade kicks off precisely at 10 p.m. from in front of the Orange Town Hall and leads everyone down to the fire station where the fireworks finale will take place. Those wishing to participate in the parade should show up at 9 p.m. at Puppet Central (the Old Central School) directly across from the town hall. Volunteers will be at the location to sign you up, get your puppet picked out and prepare you for the parade.

"It's a very short parade, only 15 minutes, but it's all fun," said King. "We hope to see everyone at Puppet Central around 9, we don't want to have any lonely puppets left behind for lack of puppeteers."

Julie Capone with Stephanie Parker

If you like show tunes, you'll love Julie! Accompanied by Stephanie Parker on piano, Julie will have your toes tapping as she belts out all those great Broadway standards.

OBA and Orange Oil Sponsor Ice Sculptures

Throughout the late afternoon and evening of New Year's Eve, people gather to watch Tom Kellner and Mark Bosworth making ice sculptures. This year, Mark's son Devan and Tom's son Brendon join their fathers' team. Make sure to take the time to view these incredible artists at work. As in year's past, the Orange Business Association (with additional support from Orange Oil), has underwritten the cost of this popular attraction located in Memorial Park. Thanks, OBA and Orange Oil!

Emerging Artists

This year, Starry Starry Night features several young artists from our community. They include:


Hillary Chase-a young and soulful songwriter. Fresh and unique, Hillary sings with a musical voice and message beyond her years.


Ned Zebner, an indescribable ensemble of young, talented musicians who stir a mix of diverse genres. A fun and eclectic experience!


Thaddeus Hands- provides the tunes for the March of the Giant Puppets. Grab a puppet and join the fun.


Corey Knapp- At only 15 years old, Corey likes to write tunes that make you laugh and his musical influences range from country to rock.


Rosanna Wyatt- Drawing influence from such musical greats as Bonnie Raitt and Carole King, Rosanna's unique voice and melodic style make her a truly talented singer.

Catch them all in performance at the Methodist Church, except for Thaddeus Hands- who have the honor of accompanying the Giant Puppet Parade.

This Year's Beautiful Poster..

Schedule at a Glance...

Complete Schedule and List of Performers

Available in pdf form:

Cover and back page

Inside pages

Witty's Gives $1,500 To Starry Night

Witty's Funeral Home is the largest supporter of Starry Starry Night other than the town of Orange. Witty's recent donation of $1,500 has topped the list as it has in previous years.

Starry Starry Night has a sparkling variety of entertainment planned for the New Year's Eve celebration to welcome 2009. Again this year businesses, banks, merchants and individuals are sponsoring Starry Starry Night. Mass. Cultural Councils from Orange, Athol, Erving, Royalston and New Salem have also contributed.

There will be four magical performances featuring local magician Eddie Raymond and the Theater of Marvels from Bar Harbor, Maine. Musicians are on the schedule, ranging from guitar and blues to piano. There will be music for the children and real Indians with Triple Tribal. The grand finale will be the Giant Puppet Parade to Memorial Park and a fireworks display. There will be something to please everybody.

Contributors slated to pay for fireworks display are Witty's Funeral Home, Orange Oil Co., Pamela Oddy P.C., Athol-Clinton Coop Bank, and Athol Credit Union.

Orange Business Association will sponsor the ice sculptors.

Supporting contributions have been received from Joseph A. Mallet & Son Inc., Kimball -Cooke Inc., Rodney Hunt Co., Whittier Plumbing, and Silhouettes.

Donations have been received from Richard and Roberta Macknight, Higgins-O'Connor Funeral Home, Production Tool and Grinding, Mt. Realty, Pete's Tire Barns, Girardi's Distributors, Blackbird Electric, Mahar Key Club, and Wheelerville Woman's Club.

Other donors contributing are Estey's Garage, Baxter Chiropractic, Riveto Manufacturing Co., Burbank Real Estate, William Howe Oldach, Corner Stone Insurance, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Senier, North Orange Grange, David and June Mullen, Pioneer Jr. Women's Club, Athenaeum Club, Orange Senior Citizens, Orange Gun Club, Orange United Methodist Church.

Donations can still be sent to Starry Starry Night, Orange Revitalization Partnership, P.O. Box 347, Orange, MA 01364

GIVING THANKS

Joan Silva, right, and Shawn Gonynor, center, of the Athol Credit Union, proudly accept thanks from Rose Marie Thoms of Starry Starry Night 2008. With gifts ranging from $500 to $1,000, the area banks and two area businesses sponsor the fireworks display that follows the night’s entertainment on New Year’s Eve in downtown Orange.

THANK YOU!

Candi Ashenden, right, Starry Starry Night co-chair, says “thank you” to Kate Hickey of Silhouettes. It is donations such as this from businesses that give faithfully year after year that support all the wonderful happenings on New Year’s Eve in Orange.

ANNUAL DONATION

Rose Marie Thoms of Starry, Starry Night says “thank you” to Cheryl Bosse, Assistant Treasurer of Athol-Clinton Co-Operative Bank, for their annual donation to the fireworks that will draw 2008 to a wonderful close.

$1,000 DONATION

Jennifer Pirro, left, the branch manager of the Athol Savings Bank, recently presented a large check to Candi Ashenden, Starry, Starry Night co-chair. This year’s performers are a stellar line-up with acts running from 6 to 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve in Orange.

Triple Tribal- Native American Life

You will not want to miss the extraordinary performances by gifted storytellers Loril MoonDream (White Mt. Apache) and Peter White Fox (Blackfoot) who use music, animal skin puppets, and may other props in telling their stories. They will spellbind, enchant, and are experienced educators involving young and old. Barbara Giammarino, a member of the Penobscot Nation will share her beautiful hoop dance. Gunnar Mayo dances the grass dance with youthful enthusiasm and continues learning and sharing our traditions. Join in a friendship dance. Experience a unique program about indigenous peoples that display artifacts and family teachings. Learn some of the history and culture of America’s first peoples through songs, stories and dance.

Starry Starry Night Sponsors

Ace Aceto

It’s 8:30 PM. You and your friends are laughing hysterically at that guy you meet at every party. You know, the guy who holds court in the living room entertaining the guests. But wait - you’re not at a party. You are watching ACE ACETO work his welcome to my living room style of comedy. Let the show begin...

Growing up in an Italian/Catholic household and going to Catholic school as a kid has made Ace Aceto what he is today…inquisitive and irreverent!

He may look young, but for almost 20 years Ace Aceto has been entertaining audiences with his unique and edgy twist on topics ranging from The Dangers of Buffalo Wings to Catholic Guilt. Ace energetically works the stage adding lots of audience participation to his shows.

With his instantly likable stage presence-and ability to walk the line between innocent boy-next-door and biting edge comic, Ace Aceto takes his audiences on a hysterical ride, performing dead on impressions of Casey Kasem, Gilbert Gottfried, Bobcat Goldthwait, and Eric Cartman. Throughout his shows, you never know what will come out of his mouth next, as he plows through hot topics and current issues, saying what most folks think, but are afraid to say.

Ace Aceto has worked with such comic luminaries as Anthony Clark, Jeff Dunham, Jim Breuer, Brett Butler, The Amazing Jonathan, Kevin Meany, Mark Curry, Jon Stewart, Dom Irerra, and Lewis Black (just to name a few). Ace has also opened for such acts as Huey Lewis & The News, Luther Vandross, and Herb Reed & The Platters.

Paul Kaplan

Veteran musician and songwriter Paul Kaplan has been an enthusiastic participant in the folk music world since the late 1960s when his early anti-Vietnam war songs were published in the legendary protest magazine Broadside.

His involvement with the singer-songwriter movement was sparked by his early love of the songs of Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs and Tom Paxton. He pursued that love as a frequent attendee at the Songwriters’ Exchange at the Cornelia Street Cafe, in New York, and as a regular contributor to The Fast Folk Musical Magazine, in which ten of his songs were included. In the late 1970s, Paul had the opportunity to produce three posthumous albums by one of his heroes, Phil Ochs.

His first album, Life on This Planet, released in 1982, featured the songs “Call Me the Whale” and “Henry the Accountant,” later covered by such folk music greats as Sally Rogers, Ed McCurdy, David Massengill, and Debby McClatchy, as well as artists in England, Ireland, and Denmark. His song “I Had an Old Coat” from King of Hearts (1985) has been sung by Nickelodeon stars Sharon, Lois and Bram (The Elephant Show), as well as Claudia Schmidt, Lui Collins, Priscilla Herdman, Jay Ungar and many others.

In his solo career, Paul’s warm style and gentle humor have charmed audiences at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Gotta Get Gon and Denmark’s prestigious Tønder Festival, as well as such venues as Passim, The Eighth Step, Mother’s Wine Emporium and Golden Link.

Paul has recently released his third album, After the Fire. The title song was inspired by his sense of loss after the events of September 11, 2001 and his heartfelt hope that lessons of rebirth and renewal can be retrieved from tragedy.

Corey Knapp

My name is Corey Knapp. I am 15 years old. I’ve been playing guitar for a year and a half, and I am self-taught. I had a few pointers from Jon and Tim LaRoche, and I took it from there. I’ve only been singing for six months. My kind of music ranges all the way from Toby Keith and Garth Brooks to Van Halen and Ozzy. My favorite toys are my Taylor 110e Acoustic-electric guitar and my Shure SM58 microphone. I love listening to other musicians. My favorite kind of song to write is a funny one. I like to make people laugh.

Eddie Raymond

Eddie Raymond has been performing magic professionally for 20 years. He performs table magic weekly in 3 local restaurants and entertains at private events all over New England. His blend of comedy and magic will delight and entertain all ages.

Janet Ryan & Ray Chaput

This duo blends the soulful voice of singer and songwriter Janet Ryan, with the talents of blues guitarist/singer Ray Chaput. The feel of the music is blues, and it's combined with a unique soulful sound that takes the music to another level. You can feel the influence of Etta James and Janis Joplin, the blues of Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, and the soul of Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.

Steve Atwood Band

The Steve Atwood Band is a group of four guys from a small town in CT. They pack one heck of a punch when playing that timeless sound of heart pounding Rock n' Roll music from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, CCR, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, and many more.

THEATER OF MARVELS

Journey to the East with the Theater of Marvels , featuring exotic magic from around the world and Middle Eastern dance.

Miller & Wilson's Theater of Marvels is an old-time traveling show featuring magic, feats of daring, and more. It is a collaboration between Professor Miller, a magician from Blue Hill, Maine, and Dr. Wilson, a magician, escape artist, and sideshow performer from Bar Harbor, Maine. Miller and Wilson are often joined by other performers.

Amy Black and The Red Clay Rascals

Singer Amy Black and her band, The Red Clay Rascals, perform a crowd-pleasing roots music mix of bluegrass, blues, old country and folk, covering artists such as Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss, Emmy Lou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, The Louvin Brothers and Johnny Cash. Amy's recent entry into the local music scene has been received with great enthusiasm. Chosen as a "Best Bet" for the suburbs by the Boston Globe and lauded by the Lowell Sun for her "soulful voice and obvious passion for music", her sold-out performances have left people talking and kept them coming back for more. For this show, Amy will join her powerful vocals with the tight harmonies of her younger sister, Corrie Jones, and top-notch playing of her band, veterans Bob Sevigny on guitar, Andy Sicard on upright and mandolin, and Eric Pohl on percussion--as well as a number of special guests including the amazing Fred Bement on harmonica and other talents on banjo and fiddle. The music guarantees to get your feet tapping, renew (or help you discover) your love of American roots music, and send you home with a big smile on your face.

Adam Bergeron

Adam Bergeron’s musical career began at age 2, when he started arranging and adapting music from the radio (including standard classical repertoire) for solo piano. Formal piano lessons began at age 7; over the next 10 years he continued his studies of classical piano while learning guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, baritone horn, and tuba. In college he studied piano, voice and composition while exploring the facets & forms of different styles of modern music. After leaving college, his focus shifted from performing to composing; he’s since released six full-length CD’s of his own compositions, with several more recordings to be released in 2008.

Adam’s experiences as a musician transcend the boundaries of a typical classical pianist. He’s performed with over 30 bands & ensembles in the past five years, playing everything from classical, jazz, folk and world music to funk, blues, country, reggae, hip-hop, rock and heavy metal as a bassist, drummer, keyboardist, percussionist, vocalist, and trumpet player. His travels as a freelance rock ‘n roll musician taught him invaluable lessons that he would later incorporate into his work as a classical pianist & composer.

While his versatility as a performer allows him the luxury of being able to write original music in any style, Adam’s true passion as a composer is combining his various influences to create musical fusion which blends tradition & modernity in a way that’s accessible to the listener’s ears. In particular, his work with the ensemble Complex-I features his original fusion of classical, heavy metal, jazz & progressive rock.

In addition to his extensive performance schedule as a classical pianist, Adam works as a freelance composer, arranger, studio musician, producer & consultant throughout New England.

Contact: www.adambergeron.com or www.myspace.com/adambergeron

Starry Starry Night attracts people from all over.

The letters requesting Starry Starry Night donations have gone out and our first donation hails from the sunny state of California. Richard MacKnight, formerly of Orange, is shown here with his 2008 contribution to Starry Starry Night. This donation kicks off the annual fundraising appeal and donations to keep this event free of charge are now being accepted at P.O. Box 347, Orange, MA 01364.