Wynonna Judd entertains a sold out crowd; proceeds benefit local veterans

By Wendy Post (Times-Shamrock Writer)
Published: August 15, 2011

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Times-Shamrock Photo/Wendy Post Wynonna Judd performs in front of a sold out crowd on Friday at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y.

Photo: N/A, License: N/A, Created: 2011:08:12 16:38:23

Times-Shamrock Photo/Wendy Post Cindy Kelly, left, is pictured with her father Larry. The two traveled from the Elmira/Corning area to Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. for a Wynonna Judd concert on Friday.

NICHOLS, N.Y. - A sold out crowd was recently entertained by country legend Wynonna Judd at Tioga Downs Casino located in Nichols, N.Y. But the show also served as a benefit for area veterans.

According to Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs, the concert was initially planned to be offered free to the community. But then Gural decided that if they charged a $10 admission, the proceeds could benefit local veterans through a donation made to the Southern Tier Veteran's Support Group.

In addition to the ticket sales, Gural matched each ticket sold with an additional $5 - raising about $60,000 for the group. "If there's any group of people that deserve our thanks, it's our veterans," said Gural as he addressed the sold-out crowd prior to the Judd performance.

For Al Eaton, president of the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group, the donation from Tioga Downs and Jeff Gural is significant.

Formed two years ago with a small number of volunteers, the group works to raise funds that will assist veterans with services they can't get through the Veteran's Administration like gas and food cards.

"This donation is over the moon," said Eaton. "It's incredible."

And many of the guests arriving for the show on Friday were doing so to show their support for veterans, and to see Wynonna Judd.

Cheri Brewster, from Corning, N.Y., arrived at the show on Friday with over 10 friends from the Corning and Ithaca area. Holding two small American flags, Friday's event had special meaning for Brewster as one of her twin sons, Barrett, was on his way home for good.

According to Brewster, her 21-year old son has completed his service in an Airborne Infantry unit, and will be officially out of the service. Her other son, Brandon, is still serving at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Brewster's friends were also holding flags, and came out to support her as well as to show their support for those serving.

This appreciation was evident early on in the evening when several veterans entered the grandstand area in uniform, bringing the crowd to their feet with cheers and shouts of thanks and appreciation.

Near the stage where Judd was preparing for a meet and greet, Bill Oliver and his wife Stasia, and Navy Lieutenant Mike Renzi, who serves as a pilot at Lockheed Martin's facility in Owego, N.Y., were heading back stage where they were presented quilts donated by the Southern Tier Quilts of Valor.

According to Ellen Reilly, who arrived with the quilts, the Southern Tier quilting group is part of a larger effort that takes place nationwide.

The quilts, Reilly added, have a tag on them that says, "Thank you for your service." The national group, she said, has created over 47,000 quilts since it was established.

But outside of the praise and support that was pouring out to veterans on Friday, there was also a few Judd fans who couldn't wait to see the show.

Cindy Kelly, from the Elmira/Corning area, arrived at the show on Friday with her father, Larry Kelly.

But the biggest fan of all was sitting a few rows behind Kelly. Patricia Darrow has seen Wynonna Judd in concert before, and described herself as an enormous fan. "I'm a huge fan," said Darrow who sat anxiously by her daughter, Fallon Davis.

Holding a large poster that contained a picture of herself with Wynonna Judd, Davis went to a concert last year, and was even pulled up on the stage during the show. "Wynonna pulled her up," said Darrow.

Darrow also noted that they arrived at Tioga Downs early in the morning to get the special seats, which were closer to the stage. "I was the first one in line," Darrow added.

Pam Peabody of Ithaca, N.Y. also had a special seat, and was excited to see Wynonna Judd perform. "I've seen her seven times," said Peabody of Judd. "I can't get enough," she added.

For the owner of Tioga Downs, the evening was considered a complete success. "I was going to do this for free, but decided to charge the fee for a good cause," said Gural during an interview prior to the show.

"These guys have kept us safe, and now they're returning and can't even find jobs," he added. "And don't forget," he concluded, "I'm paying for the band too."

To learn more about the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group, you can find them on Facebook. To learn more about Tioga Downs, visit www.tiogadowns.com.

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