Brunch and Book Fest to benefit the scholarship in the name of Kim and Tim Donnnelly | Press Releases

A Jazz Brunch and Book Festival benefiting the Donnelly Music Scholarship Fund will take place on Sunday, September 24 at 11 a.m. at Fairfield University's Alumni House. The event is sponsored by the Departments of English and VPA-Music, and the College of Arts and Sciences.

The benefit will feature David Newsome, MD, who is head of the Louisiana Retinal Institute, and John Besh, a chef and restaurateur, discussing their new book, "The New Orleans Program: Good Food, Good Health, Good Times." Mariann S. Regan, Ph.D. Fairfield University Professor of English, served as writing assistant for the wellness book, which offers nearly 100 recipes tied to celebrations, such as Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. The book is about healthy eating, exercise and creating a self-nurturing spirit. Dr. Regan was instrumental in helping to make the book's scientific information understandable to the general public.

Dr. Newsome, a nutritionist, and Chef Besh, an "Iron Chef" winner, will autograph books, answer questions and suggest ways to combine the best ingredients of New Orleans with meditation, walking, yoga, massage, and traditional and non-traditional medicine. The brunch menu will showcase the book's philosophy for healthy eating. It will include fresh fruit, vegetable omelets, organic sausage, whole-grain muffins, French Toast with fresh blueberries, juice, coffee and tea. There also will be live music.

Reservations are necessary by Friday, September 15 as seating is limited. Please call Dr. Regan at (203) 258-8257 or e-mail her at msregan@mail.fairfield.edu . Admission at the door is a $10 per person donation (or more as your generosity allows) to the Donnelly Music Scholarship Fund.

Kim Donnelly worked in Fairfield University's finance office for many years before joining her husband, Tim, at Donnelly Jewelry. The Donnellys were killed in their Fairfield Center jewelry store in 2005. The Donnellys' son Eric and daughter Tara both graduated from Fairfield in 2001 and 2003 respectively. Tara went on to earn her MBA in 2004. Eric has taught guitar as an Applied Music Teacher at Fairfield since his senior year.

All proceeds from the event go to the scholarship fund. All profits from purchasing the book at the event also go to the scholarship fund. For those who would like a copy of the book but cannot attend the event, please contact Dr. Regan. Those who cannot attend but who wish to make a donation to the fund, please mail a check to the Development Office, Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Please make a note that it is for the Donnelly Music Scholarship Fund.