Lighting sponsors

TO THE EDITOR: The Cadyville Community Tree Lighting held on Dec. 10, 2011, was again a great success.

This was the 12th anniversary of this event, which is held each year through the efforts of the Cadyville Wesleyan Church, St. James Catholic Church, Cadyville Fire Department Auxiliary and the Cadyville Fire Department.

There were more than 200 attendees who enjoyed horse-drawn rides, a visit from Santa, refreshments and the company of fellow community friends. The event was free of charge to the public.

We would like to thank our donators: Bob and Suzanne Miller, Applebee's, Bob and Elsie Golovach, Lashway's Meats, O'Neil's Laundry, Jeff and Charlene Favaro, Norm Baker and Sons, Rick Gonyea, Maggy Pharmacy and Bob and Paula Fish.

The continued generosity of this group is greatly appreciated.

This year, Ron and Gen LaDuke had the honor of lighting the tree. Ron and Gen were longtime residents of Cadyville and served on the original tree lighting committee 12 years ago.

We look forward to seeing everyone again next year.

Jeff Favaro Charlene Favaro Bob and Suzanne Miller Pastor Jeff Turcotte Chuck Kostyk

Cadyville

Benefit for trip

TO THE EDITOR: The North Country was treated to a world-class performance by Broadway star Karen Mason on Saturday, Jan. 21, when she and her musical director, Christopher Denny, gave a performance at the West Side Ballroom to benefit the Peru Community Church's Senior High Youth Group Mission Trip to Washington, D.C.

Many thanks go to Karen and Chris for sharing their time and talent to make this benefit a true success. Thanks to all who purchased tickets to come see the performance.

Thanks to Bill Dashnaw and the staff at the West Side Ballroom for the beautiful venue and delightful catering, to Bob Smith and Julie Kramer at the Inn at Smithfield for the accommodations for our performers, to Peter Cadieux for providing and running the sound system, Chris Urban for running the spotlight and Chris Rawson for moving and tuning the piano.

Thanks also to Heath Powers for creating our program and to the businesses that generously supported the program with their ads, to the Arts Center for publicizing the event and selling tickets.

Special thanks go to the church office staff, Amanda Connelly and Lana Knight, for providing fliers, tickets and assistance with publicity and sales, and to Faith Osborne-Long for her coordination efforts.

The youth group has gone to Washington, D.C., every April break for nearly 30 years to work in soup kitchens, food banks and shelters.

As a former student once said, "We make a small difference in the lives of the people we help in Washington, but we come away with so much more. We come back understanding what it means to help, to give to others with less than ourselves."

Bob Svenson Cheryl Remillard Doug Garrand Jon Ruff

advisers, Youth Group members