Pictured from left to right, Soper Reese Fundraising Committee member Amy Casey, Tallman owner Bernie Butcher, Committee Chair Nina Marino and Committee member Wally Fuller. Courtesy photo.

UPPER LAKE – On June 18 Lynne and Bernie Butcher, owners of the Tallman Hotel on Main Street in Upper Lake, presented Soper Reese Fundraising Chairman Nina Marino with a generous donation representing 10 percent of the proceeds earned from their successful 2009 “Concerts with Conversation” series.

The concerts run on the last Friday of the month from January to May.

Following a wine and small plate reception in the Hotel dining room, local and regional musicians entertain guests in Riffe’s Meeting House next door.

This year’s performers included pianists Spencer Brewer and Wendy DeWitt, guitarist Alex DeGrassi, stick player Bob Culbertson and the Lake Wind Ensemble.

These concerts present the audience with the opportunity to engage in informal conversation with the artists about their music.

This is the third year that the Butchers have generously supported the theater with proceeds from their concert series.