Good Neighbors: The Hammertown Barn Party and Auction

Jamie Larson reports from Pine Plains. The neighborly bond between Columbia and Dutchess Counties was on display and strengthened Saturday, September 21, at the eighth annual Hammertown Barn Party and Auction. Hosted by the ubiquitous home and design store, and sponsored by the Fund for Columbia County (FFCC), and The Northeast Dutchess Fund (NEDF), two successful philanthropies founded by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF), the busy benefit raised money for the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, which supports local individuals and families in financial difficulties to help stabilize their situations. Amazing items were auctioned off to support the cause, and a host of local individuals, representing these organizations of consummate generosity, had a hand in making the event a reality, including those pictured above: FFCC Alumni Board Member Sally Berg, BTCF Chair Chris Kennan and Gloria Callen, NEDF Committee Member and BTCF Board Member.

Beth Ledy with George and Lori Decker; Loretta Kosnick, Volunteer Sara Kahn-Gearity, and Pat Felcher.

Camilla Gray, manager of Hammertown Great Barrington, Michele McCarthy, manager at Hammertown Barn in Pine Plains, and Joan Osofsky, Hammertown's owner and author of the new book Love Where You Live: at Home in the Country.

FFCC Advisory Board Members Joyce Lapenn and Tinny Weintraub; Stephen Feld, Richard Orient, Peter Hollander and Bill Hibsher.

Heidi Reineke-Kelsey, Jill Cancellieri and Lynn Reineke-Kelsey with BTCF; Jack Lindsey, Susan Hillel, and Bob Murphy.

David Barrett, Rosemary Lyons and Didi Barrett, New York State Assemblywoman for the 106th District.

BTCF Program Director Maeve O'Dea and BTCF Marketing Director Kimberly Rock; the busy scene inside the tent.

Sophie McConnell, Maeve O'Dea, Jan Birnbaum, and Karen Pagoda; Red Devon's Letty Andrade and Juan Lopez.

From the Stissing House, Wendy Prause, Michel Jean, and Patricia Jean; Kelly Jefferson from The Greens at Copake Country Club.