Lowell Milken Center fundraiser a success

Melissa Anderson and Sarah Shank of the Wayward Bettys perform at the fundraiser at Crooner's Lounge Saturday evening.(Kenny Felt/Special to the Tribune)

Lowell Milken Center on Saturday night held a fundraiser featuring the Pittsburg duo the Wayward Bettys.

The Crooner's Lounge in downtown Fort Scott was filled with about 65 people. "Every seat was taken," LMC Executive Director Norm Conard said.

Funds will go toward the development of unsung hero projects which are role models for students around the world "and certainly in Bourbon County as well," Conard said.

Conard said the center has conducted several fundraisers before, but this was unique to them. "We talked about different kinds of fundraisers and these two women are developing such a large following, we thought it was music our audience would like," he said, and the Crooner's lounge was a "perfect venue for it."

The Wayward Bettys, made up of longtime friends Melissa Anderson and Sarah Shank, reunited last summer during an open mic night at Fat Daddies in Pittsburg and decided to form a group. Since then, the Bettys have been playing every Tuesday night at Bobby G's and at other venues across Southeast Kansas. The duo performs original songs, as well as covers, that run the gamut from John Denver and Hank Williams to Belinda Carlisle and REM.

"We're ecstatic with the results of the fundraiser," Program Director Megan Felt said. "It was a wonderful evening enjoyed by all and a great way to celebrate the unsung heroes and the work the Lowell Milken Center has accomplished in the past six years."

Conard added the Bettys "made an excellent impression as far as music. We had such beautiful support from the community and beyond."

Felt said they have not talked about a fundraiser like this one for next year yet, but it was "very well received and we appreciate the support from the community."