Memorial planned for crash site

10/17/2018

By Patsy Nicosia

The 20 people who lost their lives in the tragic October 6 limousine accident at Routes 30/30A in Schoharie, their families, and the volunteers struggling to move forward will be honored with a permanent memorial at the Apple Barrel crash site.
“In order for us all to begin to recover, we must find a way to move forward without forgetting,” said Jessica Kirby, who manages the Apple Barrel Country Store & Café and is president of the newly-created Reflections Memorial Foundation.
“With that in mind, we have decided to create a memorial as a way for all of us to express our sorrow and remember.”
Joining Ms. Kirby on the Reflections Memorial Foundation board are Shirley Ball, vice president; Lois Goblet, treasurer; and Joshua Loden, secretary.
Ms. Goblet said the group envisions the memorial as something of the caliber of the 9/11 memorial in New York City or the Oklahoma City National Memorial.
The foundation has been established as a 501-C-3 non-profit organization and an account for donations has been set up at the Bank of Richmondville.
Donations can be made at any branch or by mail to: Bank of Richmondville, PO Box 488, Schoharie, NY 12157.
The account name is Reflections Memorial Foundation.
“We wanted to be sure we did this right,” said Ms. Goblet, who said they anticipate donations from across the country and around the world.
“We see it as something that will give comfort to everyone touched by this tragedy.”
Assisting the foundation, pro bono, are Mary MacKrell, partner of Lutz, Selig & Zeronda, and Mike West Esq. of Plattekill, both of whom are highly-experienced in non-profit work.
Since the crash, the Apple Barrel has served as an informal memorial to the victims; this is an effort to make that permanent.
An initial fundraiser, a concert at the Middleburgh Picnic Pavilion being planned by Mike Wrubble, Nadene Garreau and Tara Salvato, is tentatively set for November 3.
Union College is also planning a concert fundraiser with Skeeter Creek.
Watch for further details about both events.
Also watch for more information about memorial design ideas.
A Facebook page, Reflections Memorial Foundation, will include all fundraising events and planning information.