Barbara Hardt, Peak to Peak.   The buffet was overflowing with tasty morsels, lovingly prepared by Roy Stewart for the occasion. The staff were all on the ball to wait on customers, people coming to celebrate her many contributions to the community.

Today, looking back at the event, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude, and I want to express that to all of the people that helped organize and raise funds this weekend for our long time reporter, Barbara Lawlor.

I know I’ll miss a few, but here goes a general list.

Thank you, Ryan Roberts for picking up t-shirts Saturday morning, just in time for the benefit.

Thank you to Roy and Barb Stewart, Roy’s Last Shot, for the beautiful space, food and beverages.

Roy and Barb have always been extremely generous to the peak to peak community and this benefit was no exception. They laid out a feast for the masses and the food just kept on coming out of the kitchen. Sincere thanks for your contributions and continuous love of taking care of everyone!

Thank you to Chip Smith, John Arendt, Molly Councilman, Chris Schimanskey, LB Witulski, Loren Levitt and the crew of 6-8 covering district, so these folks could help out!

To Janette Taylor, Kathy Bremers, Eleanor Yeager, Anne Lloyd-Taylor, Kayla Evans, Monica Lasalle, Asher Hughes, and all the wonderful Silent Auction helpers, for organizing, setting up, breaking down and handing out items. And to ALL the people that donated to the auction.

Together, we raised over $12,000. All funds have been given to Barbara to pay medical bills and take care of any life needs she may have.

Thank you everyone for an amazing event! So much community spirit. So much gratitude!

(Originally published in the July 19, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)