Eliza Lynch shows off her face paint at “Neighbor to Neighbor.” (Provided photo — Dan Reilly)

“Neighbor to Neighbor” went off without a hitch at the Harrietstown Hall in Saranac Lake on Saturday, March 8. Guests were treated to great blue grass, rock’n’roll, roots and traditional acoustic and original acoustic music.

Keith Gorgas, The Rustic Riders, Jeffrey Wanzer Dupra, The Holy Donuts, The Dust Bunnies, The Allen’s, Bittersweeter and Darkside Skinny Dippers are the musicians and bands who donated their performances for this good cause.

Attendees participated in circus hula-hooping with Vestopia Hoops, balloon animal artistry with Scott Eichholz and face-painting by the Saranac Lake High School Key Club.

Dinner entrees by The Belvedere sold out, as did some brews from local brewery Hex and Hop. Tablecloth-laden tables with candles created a club-like atmosphere, as did the generous contributions of lighting by Good Guys Productions and sound by Russell Feher.

Presented by the Saranac Lake Kiwanis, ticket sales and donations approaching $4,000 benefit the Ecumenical Council’s efforts to assist people struggling with heating bills or temporary shortfalls with rent. Donation checks continue to arrive.

Special thanks go to the Town of Harrietstown, Paco and Paul, The Book Nook and Ampersound for their significant contributions to the success of this community-oriented event. Sponsors included Wayne Darrah Autobody, Jeff Dickson and Cheryl Joyce, and HomEnergy Services, MX Petroleum.

Saranac Lake Kiwanis met a couple new people able to volunteer five to 10 hours per year. A few more are needed to assist with the Bike Rodeo, the annual Pat Stratton Memorial Ride fundraiser, and other projects like scholarships benefiting local youth including foster kids and the local youth center. If you can help-out a few hours this year, contact saranaclakekiwanis@gmail.com.

Dan Reilly

Saranac Lake