‘Voters’ supported Screening Room

Sara Scully of Lambertville
    By the time subscribers read this, our country will have just undertaken one of the most important actions in our democracy: voting.
   While news of the Nov. 4 results at this point is no doubt resounding — and, hopefully, not breaking our spirits — I am writing this to celebrate those who undertook voting’s sister action last month at Lambertville’s “Down & Dirty with Democracy Film Fest,” namely, civic participation: a patriotic act whose results resound in our lives more deeply than we can appreciate.
   Civic participation, commonly known as volunteering, is a way we can vote each and every day to make your community a better place. So I celebrate those “voters” who did just this at the festival and kickoff party Oct. 11-19, which raised funds for the Friends of Lambertville Library’s Acme Screening Room.
   Your work was a vote for an emerging cultural program in our community, the Acme, and raised funds essential to sustaining its future.
   Moreover, the festival and kickoff party you created contributed to the vibrant cultural life of our town.
   The festival and kickoff party were made stronger with the efforts of Jane Wesby, chairwoman of the Fundraising Committee, organizer, fundraiser extraordinaire; Danielle Ferrante of the Chocolate Box, whose donated chocolates were eclipsed only by her tremendous efforts designing the party décor and getting food donations.
   Also, Anthony Flamio and Graphic Energieze, who did an amazing job designing and printing our banners and wall hangings, giant reproductions of historic political photos from the Library of Congress.
   Also, Jena Dillon and Ethan Heffler for producing the on-screen ads; and the ultimate volunteers with a 100-year history of volunteering behind them; the Hibernia Fire Company, who donated the space for our kickoff party and swung into action at the ripe hour of 10 p.m. to help us clean up after the party — amazing how these men mopped and cleaned and put it all back together in no time!
   We were also fortunate to have the talents of Carol Heffler, a celebrated jazz singer entertain us at the kickoff party, wonderful food donated by Dish Catering, the Swan, Fiddleheads and Hamilton’s Grill Room, flowers from Boxwoods, discounted furnishings from Brillman’s Rental Barn, wine from Wonderful World of Wines and Welch’s, delightful lighting rigged by Tom Birkner and Rick Tocce — all reflecting the caliber of quality and artistry that the screening room aspires to.
   Our deepest appreciation and thanks also go out to all of our speakers who donated their time and ideas and specifically to Acme advisory board member Bill Winkler, who organized the Soprano State authors, Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure, and former Sen. LaRossa to speak.
   Thanks also to Farley’s Bookstore for coming and selling books at that event. Also, hats off to all of our Acme Screening Room staff and volunteers and kickoff party volunteers, including the team of bartenders and servers. You did an amazing job!
   The festival and party’s amazing publicity materials design was due to the donated talent and effort of Acme Design Company, posters and logo; Sharon Victor ticket design and printing; and House of Mud, Web design. Thank you!
   Thanks also to Robi Diana, Exile on Main Street, who designed the clever mini-film strip posters for the party goodie bags.
   And finally a big thanks to Chimney Hill Inn for donating rooms and Lambertville Station for discounted hotel rooms for our speakers.
   So, despite the election results Nov. 4, whether your candidate won or not, take heart and inspiration from the volunteers and supporters that labor in our community.
   Their work demonstrates that outside Election Day, the opportunity to vote lives on for each of us in the decisions we can make about where we gift our free time and resources.
   In a democracy, it’s up to us to make our world, and judging by the amazing work of the aforementioned volunteers and donors, we can make a pretty great one!
Sara Scully
producer
Acme Screening Room
Lambertville