Dear Editor and Friends:

On Saturday, Aug. 8, the Friends of Moody Pond held its first ICE CREAM SOCIAL-distancing CELEBRATION. It was a picture-perfect day, and the culmination of our first fundraiser, ‘Foil The Milfoil: The Moody Pond Challenge’. We’d like to thank all who participated in making this month-long fundraiser a success: our sponsors, “Chal-lenge” participants, the many volunteers, businesses, and individual donors that, through their gifts of time, auction items, and financial support, helped us raise over $22,000 during this multifaceted event. We are filled with gratitude that so many of you support our effort to remove the aquatic invasive species, Eurasian watermilfoil, and keep Moody Pond sparkling for generations to come.

This includes our Challenge Sponsors: Stewart’s, Moody Tree Farm, and Carcuzzi Car Care; Ice Cream Social Sponsors, Stewart’s, Donnelly’s, and Mountain Mist; Band members of the Rustic Riders, High on the Hog, and Mood Stock; Magician, Tim Dumas; Kary Johnson and Kurt Stager for the use of their pond front for the children’s magic show, and Margaret and Steve Sonnenberg for graciously hosting the “Celebration” on their expansive lawn on Moody Pond.

Thank you also, to the local businesses and individuals who donated goods and services for our online auction: Adirondack Lakes & Trails, Aubuchon Hardware, Lake Placid, Barry Lobdell, Cinderella Shop, Coakley’s Hardware, Craig Woods Golf Course, Donna Walsh, Eleanor Sweeney, Jay Federman, Just Nails, Klaus & Lisa Meissner, Maplefields, Mark Hudson, Ona Allen, Riverside Pet Supplies, Sandra Hildreth, Saranac Waterfront Lodge, Scotts Florist, St. Regis Outfitters, Suzanne Lebeda, Twin D Automotive and The Wild Center.

Your gifts will help us carry out our mission to ‘preserve and protect Moody Pond and its neighborhood as treasured resources for the enjoyment of the Saranac Lake community. We set our sights now on the removal of the Eurasian watermilfoil that has invaded our sparkling, mountain pond.

With great appreciation for the members of our community and beyond, that are making it possible to take this first step to SAVE THE POND.

Susan Rdzanek, for the Board of Directors, Fundraising Committee, and Members of the Friends of Moody Pond