The barn dance on Friday is a special medical fund-raiser dance. Virginia Seekings is a college age woman who has been in serious medical trouble since April. Her story was featured on the front page of the Dunkirk Observer on Sept. 3, 2018. In short, food poisoning turned into gastroenteritis, which turned into sepsis, which turned into much of her internal organs shutting down. She is presently at home awaiting a heart transplant.

This event will take place Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Fredonia Grange No. 1, 58 W. Main St., Fredonia. Admission to the November dance is by donation. The Grange has waived the rental fee; the musicians are donating their services, and the caller takes no money. ALL of the moneys will go to Virginia and her mother, Johanna Cortes to help pay for medical expenses. (And, yes, there are PLENTY of things which insurance just won’t cover.) Just to make everyone aware, the evening will feature extra fundraisers. There will be a small basket auction and a 50-50 drawing. Organizers will be “selling” the refreshments. There will be a cakewalk, with the prize a homemade pie.

These dances are held to build community, to bring people together for enjoyment, fun and conversation. As community, the musicians, the Grange and caller Joe Kwiatkowski are doing this to pay back a community member. The public’s attendance and everyone’s generosity are appreciated.

For anyone who has been trying to convince others to try out these dances, this is a great time to bring them along.