To the Editor:

The benefit concert held in Ives Park in Potsdam on Sunday, Oct. 8, was in my estimation a fine success. The music was good, and also quite varied.

A Clarkson University undergraduate whose stage name is Con Don delivered a rousing set of 1990’s pop music, singing and accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. He was followed by a detachment of about ten vocalists (never did quite get an exact count) from the Canton Goldenaires singing group. Among their selections was the 50’s rock classic “Come and Go with Me”, masterfully transmuted into a barbershop number.

After that, Church and State, a well-known local jazz guitar duo, plus a guest saxophonist, delivered some wonderful versions of jazz classics,some including vocals. Then Derek Snyder did a set featuring his own vocal compositions, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. The afternoon finished up with the Northern Southern Old-Time Society, an old-time string band, who provided marvelous, sprightly examples of dance music of another day.

We are so grateful to all the musicians who helped to make our concert a success. We raised $471.10 for the American Red Cross in their work helping the survivors of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. But others must also be thanked. First of all, everyone who contributed! Thank you once again!

Thanks as well to Rev. Kathryn Boswell, rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Norwood, and to Rev. Christopher Brown, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Potsdam, both of whom helped convey all the donations to the American Red Cross. Reverend Brown also helped out by being one of the guitarists in Church and State! Derek Snyder was a double asset too, performing as well as helping out with production, publicity, and unfailing encouragement.

Marcus Alvarez, our soundman, must also be singled out for praise.

And thanks to Dan’s Plumbing and Heating in Potsdam, and the Potsdam Food Co-Op, for material support which helped make this concert possible, to Fred Hanss of the Village of Potsdam Planning and Development Office for sage advice, to local businesses who displayed our advertising flyer, to radio station B99.3 in Potsdam and North Country Public Radio, who also helped with publicity, and to everybody else who helped out in so many ways.

William Beebe

Potsdam