By KIM SMITH DEDAM
Staff Writer
LAKE CLEAR —
Fire investigators have not yet determined what caused a fast-moving house fire on Station Street here last week.
On July 21, the evening blaze destroyed the home of Adirondack singer/songwriter Roy Hurd and his wife, Amy Kohanski, a partner at Nori's Village Market, taking with it a treasury of history, music, recording equipment and irreplaceable artwork.
Franklin County Emergency Services Director Ricky Provost said the county Fire Cause and Origin team has not yet finished its report.
"It can sometimes take up to two weeks. I expect we'll receive the report early next week."
BENEFIT CONCERT
Meantime, communities around the North Country have stepped up to help support Hurd and Kohanski, each of whom has held benefits for many people and organizations over the years.
A group of Tri-Lakes musicians and Adirondack artists are staging a benefit concert from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Will Rogers on Will Roger's Drive in Saranac Lake.
Performers stepping into the spotlight include the Dogs of Jazz, with special guests Wayne Davison and Rick Davies; Frank Orsini; Martha Gallagher; Fran Yardley; Lynn and Nicholas Waikman; Bluegrass Julie, with musicians Julie Robards, Larry Stone and Russ Mulvey; and the Larry Stone Band.
A $10 donation is suggested, with all proceeds to benefit Hurd and Kohanski.
YOGA EVENT
A second benefit is planned from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at Inner Quest Yoga Studio in Saranac Lake, with a yoga class and prayer circle led by Mary Bartel.
Organizers said the class will accommodate all who come in, with a gentle, flowing, meditative and relaxing session.
PLATTSBURGH SHOW
A third benefit, a concert and family event, is being organized now with community artists from Plattsburgh and Burlington.
"I know it's going to be an all-day event held in Plattsburgh," said Cathy Marczyk, a close friend of Hurd's family.
Details of the concert are not set, as it is still in the formative stage.
'ONE SMALL ACTION'
There are other ways to help the couple rebuild after losing pretty much everything, Marczyk said.
"One small thing that folks can do to help out is to go to Roy's website, www.royhurd.com, and buy a song from the music player. Each one is 99 cents, and most of them are not available anywhere else.
"People can listen to samples of the songs by clicking on the titles. The entire song will be available as an immediate download once it is ordered, and the player will be updated on a regular basis.
"And it has been shown time and time again that one small action taken by a lot of people makes a huge difference."
E-mail Kim Smith Dedam at: kdedam@pressrepublican.com
