At the close of the last millennium Amy and Valerie met at the New Age Spa in the Catskills. Over a breakfast of organic oatmeal and herbal tea, they found themselves discussing topics ranging from health food to monogamy. It was during that fated first encounter that Valerie knew Amy was a woman she had to get to know. Intrigued, Amy too shy to contact Valerie (fearing that she would think that she was just another singer trying to get her CD played on the radio), was happily surprised when Valerie contacted her.

A few weeks later, back in New York City the two women began collaborating on a writing project. Spit It Out! began as a group of assorted stories, free associations (feelings and thoughts on a page), and poems.

About the "Annual Carole Hyatt Leadership Forum Reunion Dinner"

Dear Member,

Our annual Leadership Forum Reunion, which was held on January 23, 2006, was a great success, in large part because of the event planning help from Valerie Smaldone and Amy Coleman. Amy and Valerie are the dynamic duo who make up Two Sides of a Coin Productions. Valerie, the popular radio host of 106.7 Lite FM, also served as emcee and keynote speaker for the evening.
Tanya Jacobs, with her usual poise, welcomed and checked in over 70 highly enthusiastic and happy guests to the private dining room of Tony's di Napoli restaurant. The excited cries of "Great to see you" and "I was hoping you'd be here," reverberated throughout the room as members and their guests put on nametags and caught up on each other's lives before taking their seats for a delicious dinner.

To start, the guests were offered tasty, delicately fried zucchini, heaped on large serving platters, the perfect accompaniment to the bounty of bottles of red and white wine being offered.
Carpe Diem: Valerie Smaldone

Addressing the theme of "Beating the Odds - Professionally & Personally," Valerie shared with us why she chose a career in radio and how her priorities changed after her diagnosis of ovarian cancer came just months before the tragedy of September 11th. These two life-altering events drove home for her the message of the fragility and uncertainties of life. Her parting advice to the audience was "use your fine china and drink fine wine" as you never know what life has in store for you.

On "Behind the Curtain: One Wicked Night with Stephen Schwartz and Valerie Smaldone":

“Thanks so much, I wondered if 2 hours was too much with no intermission, but I could have sat longer, it was incredible with back stories, loved it! Congratulations!” Laurie Sheppard

“I wanted to send YOU a thank you note. It was such a memorable evening and even interesting to the assistant who pretty much knew all the answers and all the stories he told! You were so welcoming and comforting. You have such a perfect energy for this kind of thing and I really hope you’ll have the opportunity to do more often.” Michael Cole (Stephen Schwartz’s assistant).

“I just wanted to let you know what a great job you did with this event ("One Wicked Night with Stephen Schwartz").  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it.  Stephen Schwartz is so talented and also seems like such a down-to-earth person.  The interview and all the performances were amazing.  As I'm sure you could tell the entire audience loved it!” Gayle Gittleman

“I had a great time Monday night. I would be happy to take part in more of these. I think it's a terrific idea, and you did a wonderful job with it. I think there's a big audience for this type of event.”
 Liz Callaway (Broadway performer)

“I want to express my gratitude toward you for granting me the opportunity to share a very special event with you and Amy. It was truly a magnificent moment and touched a place within me that had been dormant for some time.  Also, it stirred up sweet, dreamy memories from my youth which I had long forgotten. How could it be that I was so busy gypsying around the country/world that I let my dreams of Broadway slip away??????!!!!!! I so thoroughly enjoyed every minute of your endeavor not to mention the artistry of all the performers. And seeing Stephen LIVE brought his music to a level of intimacy.”  A Fan

 “Last night was totally amazing- I loved every minute of it.” Tony Salamone

On "The Good News About Cancer" with Drs. Bernie Siegel, Mitchell Gaynor and Frank Arena:

“I am very happy to have been a part of this wonderful experience. I was so very impressed by the wealth of information being provided by such world-renowned doctors, such as our panelists. I can only imagine how much work went into making that come about. Amazing!! Each doctor was so unique in their presentation that everyone in the room should have been able to come away with a new awareness of prevention, advancement in medicines and last but not least...hope and inspiration. I know that I did!!! My girlfriend Mitzi lost her mother to Breast Cancer ten years ago and she feels that she got a wake up call that will encourage her to be diligent about her annual check ups, better eating habits etc. The attention to detail was also impressive; first class affair all the way.  Dinner was fantastic!! It felt good to sit down to a meal that was that good and then not have to feel guilty for the rest of the night. Hey...healthy eating may not be so bad after all!!  :)  The "goody bag" had everything you could imagine and was such a great parting gift. Thank you.”

 “Thank you! What an amazing evening last night was. I really enjoyed hearing the doctors and learned some very valuable information. Sadly I have a friend who is battling ovarian cancer. She has had a very hard time.I often wondered how you were able to have your cancer diagnosed and detected so early. Your story is a message of miracle, hope and healing.”

“Thank you so much for such a wonderful evening. I am so impressed with the doctors on the panel and it goes without saying that you are a terrific host. I really love the gift bag also.  But, I always say - it's not about the stuff - what truly holds meaning is the inspiration I have received as I go forward with my journey. All three doctors are exceptional in their fields and they are truly gifted.  My second debulking surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, June 8 at Memorial Sloan Kettering.  After hearing about the good news about cancer, I am a lot less nervous and a lot more inspired! Thanks again for helping to put this event together.” Love, Karen

“Thank you so much for the event the other night.  I left with a renewed feeling of the commitment to fighting cancer and helping those who are living with cancer.”
 My Best, Katie Porter, CSW Initiatives Program Manager, Gilda's Club, New York

“Just a note to thank you for a wonderful time we all had last night. I do thank God everyday for the early diagnosis in which is a very "positive side to cancer." I also would like to take this opportunity to extend to you how wonderful it was meeting you, Nancy and Tania. Knowledge gained is knowledge used and I thank you.”

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On the special in-home birthday dinner arranged for the president of a PR firm:

Hi Valerie,
Saturday was fantastic! Thank you for arranging the evening. Felix, Logan and Elaine were all so sweet and wonderful! James was out of his mind, and he said it was the best birthday he ever had!

Gaye Carleton, Mantra PR

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On the musical talent provided for radio personality Steve Roy's marriage proposal:

(A Testimonial from Radio Personality Steve Roy)

Valerie,
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! If I haven't made it clear enough...thank you. And thank Amy too for helping to make all the difference between an ordinary (is there such a thing???) marriage proposal and one that Lisa and I will cherish the rest of our days. Truly Darryl's rendition of "Mona Lisa" was absolutely transcendent. I am not one given to cavalierly tossing around superlative praise...but I cannot imagine, having experienced Darryl's rendition, hearing anyone else sing that song for our special occasion. He was the best. Just thinking about it makes me happy.

Please convey to him just how special he made the night for us. He brought tears to Lisa's eyes. Forgive me for forgetting the guitar player's name-he was magnificent as well. In the days since, Lisa and I are replaying "the movie" in our minds over and over and over again. It is that special.

It would not have happened the way it happened without Two Sides of a Coin Productions. I can't believe how quickly and efficiently this was all arranged after I mentioned to you that I was looking to do something special for Lisa the night I was going to ask her to marry me. I am SOOOOOO glad that it all worked out the way it did.

Thanks again.

Stephen E. Roy

PS. She said yes.

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On the event, "A Night of Living Passionately":

"I felt like I was in a "Salon" in Paris at the turn of the century ...extraordinary talent, lovely company in the most beauteous environment...whew....what life should be all about"

"Just a note to tell you what a lovely evening you produced at the Pen and Brush Club last night. It was a delicious event in many ways"

"Really a great evening!"

"Just a quick note to tell you how much I enjoyed last evening. It really was special. The setting, the food, the music, the mood...all just right."

"The food and entertainment were simply exceptional! Please keep me "on the list."

"Congratulations to you all on a spectacular night!!! "