SHARON SPRINGS – On Aug. 29, the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Chartwell Studios and My Sisters’ Place in Sharon Springs, in unison with the Bridge Lounge in New Orleans, formed a “rainbow bridge” to celebrate the work of two New Orleans organizations and their dedicated volunteers – Kid Camera Project and Common Ground Collective. In the small community of Sharon, 1,500 miles away from New Orleans, the community gathered together to demonstrate the compassion and support for the people of New Orleans who are still not in their homes a year later. The benefit began at Chartwell Studios with a wine and hors d’ouevres reception and a silent auction and sale of photographs from the Kid Camera Project. The silent auction included: A gift basket donated by the Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce brimming with items donated by local business members; a limited edition print by from the Sharon Springs Citizens Council of the Arts; and artwork donated by local artists in Sharon and Cherry Valley. A summer resident, Barbara Hall, donated a copy of “The Short Season of Sharon Springs” by Hansi Durlach and a hanging stained glass piece. In the neighboring community of Fonda, Emily Tarbelle, from the Mohawk Indian Bed & Breakfast, called to say how touched she was by the story of the event and donated a free night’s stay at Kanatsiohareke. Clysdale Abstract donated six bottles of Monet-Chardon champagne. Other gift baskets and unique items were donated by businesses and individuals in Sharon and Cherry Valley. Also on display were 24 photographs from the Kid Camera Project. The photographs were taken by children ages four to 14 upon their return to New Orleans. The organization was started as an art therapy project by Tulane graduate student Cat Malovic. The benefit is the first time that the children’s work has been shown outside of the city of New Orleans. The photographs will remain on display and will be for sale at Chartwell Studios. Any one interested in seeing the photographs can call the Art Studio at 518-284-2656. Also for sale were copies of the book “1 Dead in Attic” written by Chris Rose, columnist for the Times-Picayune and 2006 Pulitzer Prize nominee for his coverage of the days following the storm. Rose’s book is a series of vignettes about the four months following Hurricane Katrina. All copies of the book were sold out, but can be ordered by calling My Sisters’ Place at 518-284-3421. Scheduled after the sale and auction were entertainment and dinner that was to take place on the lawn of My Sisters’ Place Cafe on Beechwood Road. Rain prevented the performers from being able to entertain outside. However, everyone was flexible and rallied to the call for an alternative plan. In very short time, a new performance space was created in the home of the owners of My Sisters’ Cafe. The dining room was cleared of furniture and dinner guests gathered in the living room and sitting room to enjoy the entertainment. The performers were: The Possum Pie Pickers, who performed Cajun and Zydeco music especially for the occasion; and Studio North dancers performed a belly dance routine and an exciting African Dance number. The guests were also treated to vocal performances by local performer Courtney Gunderson and Sarafina, of Ames. During the night, the audience joined the performers for the National Anthem, “Jambalya,” and “Imagine,” while a conga line formed for “When the Saints Go Marching In.” The evening included an authentic New Orleans buffet of jambalaya, Louisiana chicken creole and grits, debris sandwiches, sweet potato cheesecake and buttermilk pie. The evening’s event raised over $2,500, and all proceeds will be donated to Common Ground Collective, a grass roots rebuilding and support effort which provides assistance in helping New Orleans residents in the most devastated areas to rebuild their homes, and to get medical and legal assistance. Donations to Common Ground continue to be accepted by visiting Chartwell Studios on Route 20 or My Sisters’ Place Cafe on Beechwood Road in Sharon Springs.
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