Write a commentLocal original singer-songwriter Christopher Battles performed a benefit concert in July for the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County at the river's end bookstore, with the Sunrise Rotary of Oswego matching the donations dollar-for-dollar, netting $322.
Battles and Sunrise Rotary President Lisa Shaw presented the proceeds to LCOC President Jon Spaulding and Vice President Beth Hilton, who acknowledged Sunrise Rotary and praised Battles, who as a musician and public educator aims to "empower people to empower themselves." Echoing this notion, Spaulding recalled the LCOC's mission is to have "100 percent literacy through 100 percent community engagement" in Oswego County. In June, Hilton introduced the benefit by encouraging the audience get involved with supporting both Battles and the LCOC on social media.
Battles' minstrel performance included a song dedication to a child, asking the audience, "What have we left for our children?" He also noted a cycling book on a shelf as he introduced his trans-Florida cycling journey against the wind and the ways of the world with his song "Miles Upon Miles." Writing since 2009, Battles, a Port City native, is a summa cum laude graduate of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and spent the previous year in New York City substitute teaching while recording the Miles Upon Miles album. Back home, he said he seeks to grow his audiences through meaningful interactions with the community and fans.
During the July 26 concert, river's end bookstore owner Bill Reilly nostalgically recalled past years when Battles had performed on the sidewalk outside his store, competing with Harborfest weekend heat and downtown traffic horns. Now inside, Riley touted the bookstore's service to readers and writers since 1998 and said he was thrilled to have this "wonderful songwriter" on his list of talented presenters.
