KIESTER – The Pennys have held family fund raisers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for more than 20 years.

Friday, June 15, 2001

KIESTER – The Pennys have held family fund raisers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for more than 20 years. They have raised tens of thousands of dollars for the association by inviting their friends to the farm to play games and hear great live music.

This year, they are inviting everyone.

Joel Penny was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy (MD) in 1976, when he was 18 years old. There is no medication or cure for limb and girdle MD – the type Joel suffers from. But he has organized the yearly events to try to help others suffering from muscular illnesses, said his mother, Donna Penny.

&uot;He knows it’s not going to be beneficial to him, but he hopes it will help find a cure for the kids coming up with muscular diseases,&uot; she said.

This year, the Pennys are taking their show to the Kee Theatre, hoping to raise even more awareness and money for MD research, and have some fun too. The live show will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday and include music performed by Joel’s siblings and their children, Penny said.

&uot;They all like music, and they all play guitar,&uot; Penny said. &uot;A lot of my older sons, they played in Rock-‘n’-Roll bands in high school.&uot;

They borrowed the big telethon fish bowl from Northbridge Mall to collect a freewill donation, and have gotten support and materials from the MDA in Minneapolis, she said.

The show will start with Dan &uot;Boss&uot; Penny and son Shawn, a professional musician in Minneapolis. They have teamed up with lead guitarist Terrence Stanley and veteran Twin Cities’ drummer Tom Croxton for some electric numbers.

&uot;You’ve got to have drums when you’ve got an electric guitar,&uot; Penny said. &uot; Make it nice and loud.&uot;

Tim Penny and his son Marcus will come from Waseca to play Beatles songs. Mitch Penny is coming from Northfield, Joel and Troy from near Manchester, Greg from Red Wing and Daughter Dena Penny-Trytten will also perform.

&uot;We try to make it fun, and not just the hardship,&uot; Penny said.