The Save our Strand Committee wants to give a great big THANK YOU to all the people, businesses and organizations that helped make the Strand 90th Anniversary Gala a great success. More than $30,000 was raised from ticket sales, auction items, photos and additional donations, putting the Committee well on its way in meeting the digital conversion fund goal.
With support through the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) and previous donations, the Committee is well over halfway to its goal of $150,000. Additional planned events include the Songs for the Strand at View at 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, and the Calypso’s Cove Charity Go-Kart Race community fundraiser in September.
Bob and Helen have indicated that their plan is to begin conversion around the end of October and beginning of November. The Strand has started to see movies that are available in digital format only such as Jobs, the movie about Apple founder Steve Jobs, starring Ashton Kutcher.
Movie trailers in film are also becoming limited, which means the theater cannot advertise some coming features. The point that the SOS Committee wants to make is that the conversion is happening, that we still need community support, and that we are still working towards achieving our fundraising goal. Donations may still be made through the ANCA Go Digital or Go Dark campaign, or through the CAP-21 Strand Fund.
The SOS Committee has been assisted in its efforts by many individuals and community groups raising funds, such as Old Forge Hardware, the CAA matching grants, and the Old Forge Fire Department Auxiliary. We have been particularly humbled by the efforts of community youth such as the Polar Bear Ski Club that donated all the proceeds from their annual tent sale over $2,600, Alexis and Dominic Aliasso raising almost $1,000 from their lemonade stand, Jameson Pratt of the Waldheim, and the assistance of the Old Forge Little League.
The Okara Lakes Association alone has raised close to $4,000 through their potluck dinner efforts and they have challenged other area lake associations to get together and match their goal, or even just support an association night out at the Strand.
In particular, we would like to thank the committee “energizers” Doc and Judy Foley for their efforts and hope for their speedy recoveries. The Foleys have said that one of the best ways to help their recovery is for people to donate to the Strand digital conversion fund.
We hope that we don’t miss anyone in this THANK YOU, but there are so many people to thank. Please let CAP-21 know if you believe we missed anyone so we can adequately thank them for their efforts.
Special thanks to Forge Motel for providing the site and power connectivity, Winslow Services for donating their tents, Alan Rosenblum for the Jaguar everyone wanted to drive, Nick Bankert and Laurie Barkauskas for food service coordination. Town of Webb Police Department and Public Works, Old Forge Fire Dept. & Emergency Services, Doc and Judy Foley, Martha Denio and Mike Farmer for making things happen
Set Up & Clean Up Crew: Jason & Carol Perkins and the Old Forge Little League, Pat Devlin, Billy Brosemer, Tim Barkauskas, Hilary Thompson.
Decorating: Kate Russell, Judy Foley, Sue Kiesel, Joanne Clifford
Bar Staff (who donated all of their tips to the Strand:) Jess Lis, Lisa Hudon, Dennis Tofani
Food Servers: Laurie Barkauskas, Elise LaGrange, Windy Kelley, Barb Uzdavinis
Music: Joe Bolton, Josh Barrett
Admissions/Tickets: Art and Connie Milligan, Mary Ellen Denio, Barb Proper, Betty Rannels, Joanne Clifford, Bob Desnoyers, Colleen Foley
Ushers: David Ehrensbeck, Paul Case
Videography & Photography: Adirondack Mountain Productions, Wrap City ‘N Glue, Reed Proper
Electrical Connections: Bob Teesdale, Mike Griffin
Construction/Sets: Paige, Dawn and Kyle Schweinsberg, Sue Freese
Auction Coordination: Deb Burrington and Doc Foley
Auction Items: Ace Hardware, Brooker’s Hardware, Amy Bartel, Gordon Bashant, Marie Birtle, Kitty Blind, Camp Gorham, Daiker’s, Enchanted Forest/Water Safari, Patty Foley, Cheryl Fletcher, Gallery 3040, Hollisters, Mountain Greenery, Mountainman Outdoor Supply Co., Andrée Newton, R.C. Oster, Ozzie’s, Rainbow Zen, Red Dog Tavern, Nancy Sayer, R. Sharrow, Shelter, Anne Stacey, Souvenir Village, Stick Candles, Tickner’s Canoes, Louise Watson, Peter Johngren
Food: Adirondack Café, Adirondack League Club, Adirondack Pizzeria, Allie Cats, Big Moose Station, Billy’s Restaurant, DiOrio’s Market, Five Corners Café, Frankie’s Taste of Italy, Georgio’s Village Café, Knotty Pine Restaurant, Nathan’s Bakery, North Woods Inn, Old Mill Restaurant, Randy’s, Red Dog Tavern, Seventh Lake House, Sisters Bistro, Slickers Restaurant, Steak House, Symeon’s, Tony Harper’s, View, Walt’s Diner, Woods Inn, Jordan and Polly Yesuras
Beverages: Constellation Liquors, Enchanted Forest/Water Safari, George’s Liquors, Kinney Drugs, Old Forge Liquors, Old Forge Fire Department, Seneca Turnpike Liquors, TOW Bar Inn
In summary, it takes many hands to put on an event like this and it takes many hands to make a community as vibrant and alive as Old Forge. Please, keep up the support and please keep Doc and Judy Foley in your thoughts and prayers.
