Concert in Darcy Manor's memory draws big crowd

By SUZANNE MOORE
Staff Writer

June 27, 2007 04:00 am

— ELLENBURG CORNERS -- A tremendous turnout for the Gibson Brothers bluegrass concert Sunday in Darcy Manor's memory has given the scholarship in his name a huge boost.
"We are just a few dollars, less than $75, shy of $10,000," said William Scott, secretary for the Ellenburg Kiwanis Club, which organized the event.
The final count had yet to be made, so he expected the total might just hit that figure.
"It was amazing to us," he said.
Darcy Manor, an Ellenburg Depot businessman, Northern Adirondack Central School bus driver and father of two young sons, was shot and killed May 10 at a Mooers camp. His accused murderer, Glen D. Race, is in Clinton County Jail, awaiting grand-jury action.
The Gibsons, Eric and Leigh, attended school at NACS with Darcy and traveled from another gig in southern Vermont to remember their friend with the concert, held in the High School auditorium.
"I think they did not leave Weston until 3 in the morning," Scott said. "They were here at 9:30 (a.m.), setting up."
COMMUNITY HELP
About a dozen Kiwanians and other volunteers arrived early as well, cleaning up after Friday night's commencement exercises, returning tables and chairs to the cafeteria and supplementing auditorium seating with 75 or so folding chairs.
Close to 800 attended the show, said Scott, who is also superintendent of schools.
"The crowd was so large we had to get more tables" for the cafeteria.
All the refreshments for the event were donated, Scott said, from the water and soda from Coca Cola to michigan sauce from Rainbow Wedding and Banquet Hall in Altona to hot dogs and rolls from LaBarre's market in Ellenburg Depot.
"That produced a profit of $663," Scott said.
NACS bus drivers ran the concession stand, two cafeteria workers helped out in the kitchen, and the Kiwanis crew handled the rest.
"It was very efficient, because the Kiwanis Club has done this a number of times for fundraisers for scholarships," Scott said. "They've got it down to a science."
A 50-50 raffle raised a total $675, with half going toward the fundraiser.
And the Gibson Brothers donated total profits of $621 from CDs sold at the show.
A GOOD DAY'
In the audience were many members of Darcy's family, including his parents, Donald and Jane Manor; his wife, Heather; and sons, Jake and Evan.
"She had her picture taken with the band and her little boys," Scott said.
It was an emotional show, he said, which the Gibsons started off with some remembrances of their friend.
"Darcy talked about them a lot," Heather later told the Press-Republican. "They played for his grandmother's 80th birthday party."
The huge crowd left Heather overwhelmed.
"I knew that Darcy knew a lot of people, and a lot of people knew Darcy, but "¦
"It really shows how many lives (he) touched.
"It was a good day."
Every penny raised was to go to the much-loved man's family to use as they thought best. Heather chose to have those funds benefit the Darcy R. Manor Memorial Scholarship.
She was very pleased to learn how much the concert brought in, as it would ensure many more students would benefit from the scholarship fund.
Friday, two NACS graduating seniors -- Kevin King and Miranda Cayea -- became the first to win the award, which this year was set at $500 each.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Also planned in Darcy's memory is the North Country Golf Club Benefit Tournament for Jake and Evan Manor in Champlain on Aug. 19. Funds raised will go into a trust fund for the boys' continuing education.
Applications are available at the Golf Club or by calling Dustin Beauregard, 297-5814; Dennis Phillips, 297-3625; Kevin Gero, 236-7388; or Alan Cardin, 297-3049.
People with donations of cash or prizes for the event may call Cardin or send checks, made out to Knights of Columbus 3525, to him at 7 Trahan Drive, Rouses Point, NY, 12979.
smoore@pressrepublican.com

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