Arts & Entertainment
Orphans And The Bus To A Better Place
A memorial fundraiser in honor of Dr. Martha MacGuffie
In a comfortable Arts & Crafts style home nestled into the woods in Pomona, Ed Simon’s face read nothing but pure pleasure. A constant sweet smile. Every fiber of his being was present while he effortlessly played the violin with a passion that only a 94-year-old musician through years of training could accomplish.
Simon, the founder of the Rockland Conservatory of Music and Rockland Symphony Orchestra. was the key performer at the Dr. MacGuffie Memorial Fundraising Event held this past Saturday. Joined by Simon on the piano was Dr. Dalit Warshaw, whose father Jerry Warshaw is the vice president of S.H.A.R.E. Dr. Warshaw is a Professor of Composition at the Boston Conservatory.
“We are very fortunate to have a giant of Rockland County here with us today,” stated Jerry Warshaw. “Ed Simon.”
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Jerry’s daughter, after many accolades by her dad stood and stated with a twinkle in her eye, “Daddy you are embarrassing me.”
The event was to honor the life and work of S.H.A.R.E. co-founder, , the renowned plastic surgeon who passed away in March. With over 100 people in attendance, the money raised from the event will be used to purchase a school bus for the SHARE Orphan Sponsorship program. Through the program the organization provides education, health, and basic necessities to Kenyan orphans whose parents have died of AIDS.
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“We used our last bus for 20 years, let’s hope that this bus lasts as long!” quipped Usha Wright, President of S.H.A.R.E.
The Memorial Event was held by Rabia Landy Nagin and Paul Nagin who moved to their home in Skyview Acres five years ago. The family knew their home would be a house designed around music and built to accommodate people for concerts, fundraisers and community gatherings.
“This is so natural to us,” explained Rabia, “our home is a comfortable space where our guests feel at home.”
Corbels adorn the outside of the home in the shape of treble clef notes. The totally “green” home with minimal burden on the earth is in an area of Pomona that was founded in 1946 by a group of artists, environmentalists musicians and liberal activists. Rabia visited Skyview Acres throughout her childhood due to the relationship of her opera singer mother with Ed Simon.
The educational and tear provoking film about Dr.MacGuffie’s work and the AIDS orphans, put together by Lynn Cluess Manzione, who co-authored “A Wondrous Journey” with Dr. MacGuffie, motivated several participants decided to sponsor an orphan on the spot. Sponsorship is $1.36 a day for a full year. This gives the child room and board, food, medicine and education.
S.H.A.R.E was founded in 1987 by Dr. MacGuffie and Dr. Renee M. Brilliant and the orphan sponsorship program was one of Dr. MacGuffie's loves.
Dr. Margaret Lawrence was in attendance and spoke to the audience.
“I came to this area in 1951 that is when I met Dr. MacGuffie. I knew her for many years.," said Dr. Lawrence. "She was such a lovely person, but she had great pain. However, she carried on…we loved each other very much.”
Dr. Lawrence was the first practicing child psychiatrist in Rockland County and the co-founder of the Rockland County Center for Mental Health.
Joan May was a neighbor of Dr. MacGuffie on South Mountain Road and their children were friends told a story about MacGuffie that took place in the late 1950’s.
“My daughter came home and told me that her friend’s Mom was going to be the Brownie leader, I asked who the Mom was and she told me Dr. MacGuffie. I told her she must be mistaken that Dr. MacGuffie has eight children and works full time as a doctor. No, Mom she said that is my leader.”
In and around the classical music was a wine and cheese reception with food provided by Angela Rivera plus a wonderful interpretation of African drum music by Paul Neuman, a student of Ed Simon and neighbor of Dr. MacGuffie as a young person. He referred to her as an “amazing healer.”
Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef who attended the event with his wife Coleen and two sons, had this to say about Dr. MacGuffie,
“We miss her, she was so understated but always did such marvelous work…she was a super, super citizen. Dr.MacGuffie did things nobody else would do… she was a real hero….we will all miss her," said Vanderhoeff.
“On the way out of the event many participants asked if this memorial fundraiser could be a yearly event in Dr. MacGuffie’s honor,” said Jerry Warshaw. “I think Bobby would love that.” he said.
S.H.A.R.E. Board members in attendance were: Usha Wright, President and Chairman Jerry Warshaw, Vice President Bob Broadhurst, Treasurer Dr. Jeffrey Karasik, Medical Director Madeleine C. Blanc; Judy Boyian; Rajesh Dhawan; Lynn Cluess-Manzione and Deanna J. Simon.
To adopt an orphan, give to S.H.A.R.E or volunteer go to www.shareafrica.org.
