‘Grand Finale’ concert at Stone Church July 27.

‘Grand Finale’ concert at Stone Church July 27.

BENONA TOWNSHIP – The Little Point Sable Association (LPSA) is again teaming up with the Community Foundation for Oceana County to host “Grand Finale,” closing out 16 years of great music that has built an arts endowment fund at the foundation.

The concert is set for Saturday, July 27, at 8 p.m. in the beautiful and acoustically-fine LPSA “Stone Church” located one mile west of Cherry Point Market near Silver Lake, at Buchanan Road and Stone Church Road.

This year’s concert brings a beloved duo back – Rich Ridenour on a Steinway grand piano and Barry Ross on violin.

Musicians Rich Ridenour and Barry Ross.

“The concerts and fundraising have been a spectacular success, well beyond our hopes and dreams,” said Concert Chairperson Roy Wilson. “While this is intended to be the final concert, the arts fund will always be open to receive future donations. But we will no longer be funding it through concerts.”

“It’s been an amazing partnership through the years working with our friends at LPSA, most of them being second home residents here,” said Foundation Executive Director Tammy Carey. “They were looking for a way to make a positive impact in Oceana, a community they love and return to each summer. When you add it all up, nearly $40,000 has been reinvested back into the arts, so far, through this partnership. That work will continue forever.”

Last year alone – over $10,000 was given back across nine projects, including:
• $1,000 – Pentwater Arts Council, Movies on the Green equipment
• $1,000 – New Era Christian Reformed Church, New Era Farmer’s Market live music program
• $1,480 – White Lake Music Society, Oceana Jr. Strings scholarship support
• $3,000 – Shelby Public Schools, Coding Jam program expansion and 3-D printing program
• $750 – Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association, historical project at Little Sable Lighthouse
• $482 – Shelby Public Schools, Industrial arts classroom
• $1,000 – Community Foundation Administrative Fund, challenge match support
• $1,000 – Hart Community Performing Arts Association, new nonprofit support
• $800 – Hart Main Street program, Oceana At Play mural

The concert July 27 is open to the public, but sells out every year, so patrons are encouraged to act quickly. Tickets for $40 each and sponsorships of silver, gold, platinum or diamond for the concert can be obtained by calling the foundation office at 231-861-8335.