Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Salina, and Hospice of Salina, are pleased to announce that The Last National Band is putting on a benefit show this New Year’s Eve, at Salina’s Bicentennial Center. All proceeds of the show go to the two area non-profit organizations— as the band’s way of saying “thank you” to Salina for all the years of support. The band is dedicating the evening to Mary VanEmburgh, a close friend of the band– who lost her battle with cancer this year.

Over 30 years of dancing and romancing will come to an end for the band, as the city of Salina rings in 2012. It’s “The Last Dance” for The Last National Band, and members scheduled to participate include: Vaughn Mignot, Tom Pestinger, Larry Avery, Tom Hudson, Dan Stone, Don Schwartz, Marlis Wilbur, and Tom Wilbur.

Tom Wilbur comments, “I was 25 when we started the band, and this year I turned 57. A number of band members are grandpas, now. It’s been an incredible ride with a talented group of people who have donned the black hat and sunglasses for all these years—but it’s time to close the door. For one last time, we will play together—for family, for friends, for each other, and for Salina. It’s the music we’ve loved performing for so many years, and we are very excited for the final event.”

Tickets are $30 each, and are available at the Salina Bicentennial Center, or online at www.bicentennial.org The doors will open at 8 P.M., and the performance will begin at 9 P.M., in Heritage Hall of Salina’s Bicentennial Center. There is a cash bar, snacks, and party favors, and a whole lot of fun in store. There are a limited number of tickets available for the performance, with seating for tables of eight. For more information, please contact Michelle Peck, of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Salina, at 825-5509.