Dear Editor:

The members of Pan Fried Steel Band extend our warmest thanks to all of our old friends and supporters, as well as our many new friends, who joined us at the Opera House on Saturday, March 23 for the 13th annual Caribbean Night. We hope you had as much fun as we did. Your enthusiasm and energy made the start of our gig season a joyful experience for us, and we thank you for coming out and helping us celebrate the end of a long, harsh winter.

Our program this year was dedicated to the memory of one of our most loyal fans, Althea Fitch-Cromwell, of Westport Island, who passed away just the week before our concert. Althea never missed Caribbean Night at the Opera House. In spite of her frail condition this year, plans had been made to record our “In The Mood” for her. We are sorry to have missed playing once again for Althea. We thank her family for joining us in her remembrance.

We also thank all of the staff of the Opera House, especially Executive Director Cathy Sherrill, Technical Director Kevin Kiley (and Wizard of Everything), Box Office Manager Kim Keller, Gem (canine Opera House greeter), all of the Friends of the Opera House, and the volunteers whose hard work and dedication made this such a happy gig for our band and, we hope, for the community. Your engery, seamless proficiency, organization, care and concern for the whole evening is always more than professional; it’s simply the best! Advertising, house readiness, setting the mood with gorgeous decorations and bar treats, greeting and welcoming guests, every time we play at this beautiful venue, it is obvious that you put your hearts and souls into everything you touch and do.

Thank you, Kevin, for setting the island atmosphere with your exquisite decorations and lighting all through the building. Thank you, Cathy, for making all this happen. We are proud and grateful to be invited to play with you in this beautiful venue. We can’t imagine a happier way to start our season.

Pat McKee

for Pan Fried Steel

Yarmouth