By Laurie Duane

Explore Brevard

The Nu Kopy Katz know how to have fun. And entertain others at the same time.

I recently had the chance to watch them perform at Atlantic Shores Nursing & Rehab Center, 4251 Stack Blvd., Melbourne.

The Nu Kopy Katz, which they call a "lip singing group," lip synch and sing live to a variety of artists, from Peggy Lee to Johnny Cash. This group of seniors does not let age get in the way of a good time. They can move and shake with the likes of much younger counterparts.

The audience at Atlantic Shores was appreciative and responsive. I sat next to an octogenarian named Miss Glenna, who, like most of the others in the audience, was sitting in a wheelchair.

Sharp as a tack, Miss Glenna provided me with an amusing commentary as the Nu Kopy Katz performed. Her sense of humor was evidenced when Gene Snook, singing live and engaging the ladies in the audience by vocalizing to them individually, crooned to her while looking into her eyes, which she proceeded to cross and roll around in circles.

But while Miss Glenna mischievously clowned around, other audience members were, on one hand, enthusiastic in their response by clapping their hands and singing along and, on the other hand, moved to tears, like the lady who was given a flower and a scarf from "Elvis."

The Nu Kopy Katz include performances by Eddie and Rona Goldman, Beverly Karns, Art Karns, Fran Durbin, Gene Snook, Theda McGrath, Vi Wolcott, John Carbonare and Barbara Garguilo.

Members Helen Buckley and Joe Naulty provided back-up support for the performers, who enhanced their presentation with faux instruments that they "played."

For information on the Nu Kopy Katz, e-mail Art Karns at ABKarns@aol.com.

The Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser, recently hosted by the West Melbourne Business Association at the Space Coast Early Intervention Center, 3790 Dairy Road, Melbourne, was a nice dinner out with friends. The price of dinner could not be beat, $5 for spaghetti, salad, bread and a beverage.

Lots of baskets, as well as a few original artworks, were available for raffle. All proceeds benefited the SCEIC. The center is a nonprofit therapeutic preschool for children with and without special needs.

For information on the center, call (321)729-6858 or visit www.sceic.com.

Both of these experiences brought to mind the joy and satisfaction of working within the community, no matter the venue. There are countless opportunities to serve the community as a volunteer, and in these difficult times, volunteers may be needed even more urgently.

Choose the field in which you are interested and explore the possibilities within Brevard County where you may best serve. Call your city or county government, local hospital, Department of Social Services and church or check the Internet for opportunities to get involved in your community.

Laurie Duane writes the Explore Brevard column for the Hometown News. To contact her with entertainment ideas, e-mail brevnews@hometownnewsol.com.