How far we've come since Hurricane Irene-and how far we still have to go-will be the focus of an August 26 event at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds:
"Schoharie County-One Year Later-Country Strong."
The 2-9pm Country Strong will feature food, music, artisans, and exhibits, and though organizers are staying about from the word "celebration," there's one thing they will be celebrating:
Resilience.
"It's a chance to highlight how far we've come," said Melissa Jones of Schoharie Area Long Term (SALT), which is putting together the event, "but we also want to keep the focus on the fact that there's so much more to do."
At last count, Ms. Jones said, fewer than a quarter of the homes hit by last August's flooding had been brought back completely; the biggest need for many, she said, remains heating systems.
With that in mind, Schoharie County Strong will kick off with a press conference providing an overview of the challenges and accomplishments over the past year and the need for continued support.
It will also launch a new matching fundraising campaign.
Equally important, Ms. Jones said, the day will give families and volunteers who'd lived through Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee a place to relax with others who know what they've gone through.
There will be more than 35 artisans and vendors-there's no charge and spots are still available-face painting and tarot readings, performances by Studio Fab, The Cheer Dome, and American Martial Arts, Cobleskill; "After Irene" CDs by Jax Gleckman, and Gilboa-Conesville's "Eyes of the Storm," art exhibit.
There will also be resources for those still needing help along with plenty of food and music, and at dark, an outdoor movie.
Volunteers are still needed for Country Strong-especially anyone interested in organizing kids' activities.
For more information on the event or volunteering, contact Ms. Jones at 234-7521 ext.127.