BARRYVILLE, NY — After a three-year hiatus, the Highland business community and business patrons alike were ready to celebrate, and they did it in style at the Greater Barryville Chamber of Commerce’s Winter Warm-Up fundraising gala, held at the River’s Edge Restaurant the evening of March 2.

The sold-out event honored a local business leader and awarded scholarships to Eldred High School seniors. 

This year’s honoree was Gibson “Gib” McKean, a fixture in the business community and the community-at-large for more than 65 years. He was granted a Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognized McKean for developing and improving the landscape of Greater Barryville physically and economically. 

As he presented the award, chamber member and former Highland supervisor Andy Boyar lauded McKean’s recognition of the opportunity for community growth in the second-home market. He stated that McKean was “light-years ahead of all others; he knew how to develop the land without exploiting it. The lake communities that he developed are the very core of our tax base—yesterday, today and will be long into the future.”  

Chamber president Laura Burrell presented three $1,000 scholarships to Eldred seniors Madison Bonnell, Sophia Deyermond and Olivia Masci. Applicants submitted essays addressing their post-high school plans, career goals and how living in the Highland/Lumberland community influenced their goals. 

Additionally, applicants are evaluated based on their community service and academic achievement. 

In presenting the chamber with the “Best Chamber” award, River Reporter publisher Laurie Stuart congratulated those in attendance saying that “when people gather with a mission greater than themselves, their actions build a sense of place, belonging and community resilience.”

Attendees enjoyed a delicious buffet, including kale and Caesar salads, gourmet pizza, vegetable lasagna, salmon, chicken parmesan, mac and cheese, roasted vegetables and an array of cupcakes for dessert. 

DJ Productions of Milford, PA provided a photobooth and DJ Cre8tiv provided music and lighting for the dinner hour and after-party dancing. 

The tables were enhanced by beautiful arrangements from Floral Cottage Weddings & Events. 

Gift certificates to area businesses including restaurants, health enhancement venues and stage productions as well as artwork and gift baskets were enthusiastically bid upon in a silent auction. 

Burrell praised the volunteers who unselfishly give of their time and treasure to enhance the chamber’s mission of building a healthy, thriving local economy. 

She also cited the Highland Lions Club, which is a member of the chamber; the Highland Lake and Yulan Volunteer Fire Departments; and Highland EMT and Ambulance Service, as among the organizations that enrich the lives of residents in this tight-knit river community.