NYACK – When Pamela Gibbs was asked to come up with a plan for this year’s Septemberfest, she thought about a local hero who
was killed on Sept. 11, 2001. Gibbs, event coordinator for the Black Bear Saloon, said yesterday that her restaurant planned to host a fundraiser in honor of Greg Sikorsky, a New York City firefighter who perished at Ground Zero with hundreds of his colleagues. Sikorsky, a member of Squad 41 in the Bronx who was also a member of the Hillcrest Fire Department, had raced into the burning Tower 2 of the World Trade Center and didn’t come out. Based on the remains of Sikorsky and his co-workers found months later, it appeared that the squad members were at the 43rd-floor elevator lobby trying to rescue people trapped in an elevator when the tower collapsed, his family members have said. Gibbs said she and her family have patronized Sikorsky’s family-owned auto repair shop in Monsey for at least 20 years and have felt close to the family’s loss. “It was a big deal in the community when it happened,” Gibbs said. “We just wanted to make sure that no one forgets and something good is being done on that weekend.” During this year’s Septemberfest scheduled for Sept. 13, a dunk tank featuring volunteer firefighters will be set up in front of the restaurant on Main Street.
Gibbs said people can participate by donating $2 for three throws.