Bandmates, Brothers and Friends to perform with the Toe Tappers May 10; Food sales available with proceeds to support purchase of new Pyxis machine for VMH


Bandmates, Brothers and Friends to reunite this Friday to benefit Health Care Foundation ... For the second year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends will reunite in Waukon for another night of musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Health Care Foundation. This year will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Toe Tappers as part of the musical line-up, all held Friday evening. May 10 from 6-11 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. Many food items will be available for purchase including pizza by the slice from Uptown Grill, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches from Lid’s Bar & Grill, chips and queso from Fiesta Vallarta and WW Homestead Dairy cheese curds. A cash bar will also be available. Submitted photo.

New Pyxis system to be purchased ... Free-will donations will be accepted at the door at the Bandmates, Brothers and Friends reunion performance this Friday, as well as online, to benefit the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Health Care Foundation in the purchase of a new Pyxis medication dispensing system for the Veterans Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. This system makes medication delivery much more efficient for the nurse and safer for the patient. Pictured above is Brittney Snitker, at right, with Lyvia Hosch, at left, Pharmacists at Veterans Memorial Hospital, alongside the Pyxis machine used for inpatients at the hospital. A smaller version of this machine will be purchased for VMH’s Emergency Room with funds raised at Friday’s event. Submitted photo.

For the second year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Health Care Foundation. This year will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Toe Tappers as part of the musical line-up, all to be held this Friday evening, May 10, from 6-11 p.m.

This year the event will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion to allow for more room for dancing, additional seating, food (cash sales), and beverages.  Many food items will be available including pizza by the slice from Uptown Grill, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches from Lid’s Bar & Grill, chips and queso sauce from Fiesta Vallarta and WW Homestead Dairy cheese curds. Cash bar will also be available hosted by the Fairgrounds Pavilion.

Free-will donations will be accepted at the door that night, as well as online, to benefit the Veterans Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation in the purchase of a new Pyxis medication dispensing system for the Emergency Room at VMH. This system makes medication delivery much more efficient for the nurse and safer for the patient. Medications will be more readily available in emergent cases.

Pyxis ensures the correct medication is dispensed in the correct dose that was ordered by the provider, leaving little room for human error. The Pyxis machine also makes medication storage much more secure and streamlines inventory control and medication restocking duties for pharmacy staff.

Brittney Snitker, Pharmacist at VMH, states, “Our initial Pyxis machine in our med surg department is working wonderfully so we are anxious to expand this to our ER as well. It will be a great benefit to our staff and our patients’ safety, especially in emergent situations in the ER. We are so grateful to the hospital Foundation for funding this project and helping to make this possible.”

The Toe Tappers have been together for over 50 years but, due to COVID, never had the opportunity to celebrate that milestone - until this event. Last year marked 45 years that many of BBF’s original band members had first played in a band together. The event was overwhelmingly successful so this second event has been planned.

“It’s an honor to get back to Waukon, help raise money for a deserving cause, and to get together with the band fellas again!” states bandmate Brad Prestemon.  “These guys are some of the best friends of my life.  And to be able to share the night with the Toe Tappers is incredible. They have, I’m sure, entertained more folks than any other band in the tri-state area during their long run. Can’t wait!”

The Toe Tappers will take the stage first, at 6 p.m., followed by two different sets of the 11 musicians who are once again reuniting for the night, forming Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF).  These musicians come from the four past local bands including Rising Sun, Horizon, Jackson Junction and Deep River.

“I’m looking forward to the bigger venue and getting to share the bill with the Toe Tappers. What an honor,” explains bandmate Jim Withers. “Great music, great food, great libations and the possibility of reconnecting with people you haven’t seen in forever - what’s not to love about that combination?”

Many of the returning musicians are from Waukon including brothers Bill Withers, Jim Withers and John Withers, along with Gary Hesla, Bob Bechtel, Dave Dougherty, Brad Prestemon, Todd Pickett and Joel Anderson. They will be joined by Keel Clemmens and Jamey Lideen, longtime band members over the years.

“I’m very excited to see the turnout for this event and can’t wait to hear the Toe Tappers! The nostalgia of the evening is going to be incredible,” adds bandmate John Withers. “A great time for a great cause - I can’t think of a better way to spend a Friday night!”

The Toe Tappers have had several members in the past 50-plus years with drummer Joe Sweeney always being that one foundational member. He will be joined that night by Lyle Hanson, who has been a member of the Toe Tappers since 1992, along with Dean Mielke and Sis Stemper.

All will enjoy waltzes, polkas, Schottishes, ‘40s music, as well as old and new country songs thanks to the Toe Tappers, and songs from the ‘50s through the ‘90s, both country and rock, thanks to BBF as they reunite for this second year in a row.

“Over 50 years for The Toe Tappers, and over 45 years for a number of our BBF guys. What an honor to share the night with them,” adds Bill Withers, event coordinator. “I hope everyone comes out to celebrate around a great cause!”

Free-will donations will be accepted at the door and online at www.veteransmemorialhospital.com, by clicking on the ‘donate’ button at the top of the page.  PayPal, debit and credit cards are all accepted. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Veterans Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation.