The Catskill Chronicle

HARRIS, NY (May 21, 2013) – Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) has announced that it is notifying individuals who were CRMC patients between 2007 and May 2013, and may have received an insulin pen injection during their visit, that during this time period some insulin injection pens may have been used on more than one patient.

While CRMC is not aware of any contamination between patients, as a precautionary measure CRMC is recommending that those patients be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

To facilitate the process, CRMC is offering those patients free and confidential blood testing services. CRMC has established a dedicated telephone number to use for scheduling appointments.

CRMC patients who would like to arrange for a free blood test, or to be put in contact with someone who can address a specific patient question related to an insulin injection they may have received at CRMC, are asked to call 1-800-277-4221.

CRMC is still identifying the names of patients who may be impacted by this issue and will send those patients notification letters.

Issued By: NWS Storm Prediction Center (Storm Prediction Center – Norman, Oklahoma)

Affected Jurisdictions: Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates Counties

Severe Thunderstorm Watch 203 Is In Effect Until 900 PM EDT For The Following Locations:

New York Counties Included Are

Albany Allegany Broome Cattaraugus Cayuga Chautauqua Chemung Chenango Columbia Cortland Delaware Dutchess Erie Fulton Genesee Greene Hamilton Herkimer Livingston Madison Monroe Montgomery Niagara Oneida Onondaga Ontario Orleans Oswego Otsego Rensselaer Saratoga Schenectady Schoharie Schuyler Seneca Steuben Sullivan Tioga Tompkins Ulster Warren Washington Wayne Wyoming Yates

Please stay tuned to your local radio or TV Station for more information.

HARRIS, NY (May 20, 2013) – The Greater Hudson Valley Health System (GHVHS) has announced that it has been forced to immediately reduce its labor force. Catskill Regional Medical Center will lay off the equivalent of 60 full-time positions. Orange Regional Medical Center will lay off the equivalent of 80 full-time positions. 

GHVHS President & CEO, Scott Batulis said, “While we value every position within the System, we are making every effort to minimize the impact within nursing and departments that provide direct patient care. It is with heartfelt sadness that our need to reduce staffing has come at a time in which our highly productive workforce is ranked among the top 25% in productivity for hospitals across the nation. Federal sequestration cuts and other major reimbursement reductions hit hard and fast; without any transition plan or conversion funding that would have allowed us to reduce costs through attrition or other means.”

At Catskill Regional, revenue has declined due to government cuts and lower patient volume. The hospital is therefore restructuring and downsizing management and non-nursing areas to reduce expense by $5M annually. At Orange Regional, expenses for employee wages and benefits, medical supplies and prescription drugs have increased by $12M with no revenue increase expected due to these direct reimbursement cuts. Therefore, Orange Regional has to reduce costs by $12M to make up this shortfall. Combined, staffing reductions are 5.0% of the Greater Hudson Valley Health System’s total workforce. At this time, there are no plans for further staff reductions.

Batulis stated, “We are committed and will work diligently to assist employees directly affected by this reduction in workforce. Our Human Resources Department will review open positions within the System and will also help to research career opportunities at other local healthcare organizations. Career counseling services will also be provided.”

Employee forums are scheduled at both hospitals for employees to voice concerns and ask questions.                                                       

FROST VALLEY (May 19, 2013) – On April 14, Frost Valley YMCA received the Eagle Award from the North American YMCA Development Organization (NAYDO) in Vancouver, Canada where over 1,200 YMCA professionals gathered from over 30 countries. Every year, NAYDO recognizes YMCAs who have been exemplary in their philanthropic endeavors.

Frost Valley was nominated for the Eagle Award by YMCA Camp Manito-wish. Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Ellie Orbison, wrote: “It is my pleasure to nominate Frost Valley YMCA for the 2013 Eagle Award. Frost Valley exemplifies quality financial development practices and is lifted up as the leader in the YMCA camping movement as the model we should all be following to achieve success.

NAYDO Awards Chair, Bryan Webber had this to say about Frost Valley’s nomination: “CEO Jerry Huncosky and Development Director Kathryn Dobbs have built a staff and volunteer team who has achieved strong results in all facets of their development program. A highly innovative communications plan, in support of the annual fundraising campaign, has enabled Frost Valley to grow the annual campaign and donor base significantly. Equally impressive is the recent success of a $7.5 million capital campaign, and continued growth in the endowment fund with assets at approximately $11,000,000. And, in the middle of all of this, was a creative and resourceful response to two hurricanes that devastated Frost Valley – Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Super Storm Sandy in 2012.”

Equally important as the philanthropic efforts of Frost Valley in it’s selection as an Eagle Award recipient is the way these dollars are used to impact and advance its mission. The annual philanthropic dollars raised support financial assistance of over $700,000 yearly for the marquee summer camp program – including Kidney Camp for children on dialysis and with chronic kidney disease. In 2012, Frost Valley was able to offer free weekend stays and a Thanksgiving celebration for victims ravaged by Super Storm Sandy – at no charge. Dozens of families took part in these weekend respites and over $15,000 in assistance was given.

Story provided, photos by Carol Montana

CALLICOON, NY (May 17, 2013) – The 40th Annual Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Recognition Day Luncheon was held on Monday, May 13 at the Villa Roma Resort & Conference Club House in Callicoon.

Deborah Allen, Director of the Office for the Aging, welcomed the 225+ crowd that gathered to honor the seniors. Caryn Mathews, Director, RSVP gave opening remarks, Pastor Bob Paquet, gave the invocation.

Marcia Heller, Attorney at Law, sang “God Bless America”. Scott Samuelson, Chairperson, Sullivan County Legislature, Cindy Kurpil-Gieger, Sullivan County Health Chairperson Health & Family Services spoke to the 40 year success of RSVP in Sullivan County.

A total of 283 RSVP volunteers performed over 55,000+ hours during 2012. The RSVP volunteers are making a difference in our community. Nine volunteers served over 1,000 volunteer hours during 2012 received a special award certificate Members of the “1,000 Hour Club.” The awards were presented by Elaine Finkle, RSVP Specialist to: Barbara Burns – 1,072, William Burns – 1,105, Patricia Curtis – 4,800, Margaret Ippolito – 1,016, Helen “Pat” Muniz – 1006, Sharon Rider – 1,072, Sonny Smith – 1,536, Barbara Viele – 1,071, Marcelle Wagner – 2,420.

Special Honor Awards were presented to: Mae Kratz (photo above with Caryn Matthews) – the longest active term volunteer since 1973; Marie Zalesky (photo right with Elaine Finkle and Caryn Matthews) for being the eldest RSVP Volunteer at 105 years young, serving at Grover Hermann Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center since 1975; and Marcelle Wagner (photo below) for most number of hours served: 41,000 hours since 1988.

Special Service awards were presented to 50 RSVP Medical Transporters: Leonard Bauer, Marcia Bauer, Richard W. Beach, Sylvia Ann Bogusz, Virginia Bossley, Bruce Buckman, RoseMarie Carr,Yoriko Cherry,Marjorie “Jean” Cocot. Edward Coney Donald Downs, Edith “Edie” Downs, Carmen “Letty” Figueroa, Barbara Fogarty, Robert Grab, Sr., Burton  Greenberg, Lorraine Greenberg, Richard “Dick” Harding, Anita Hartmann, Star Hesse, Agi Hyman, Norton Hyman, Mary Inghrim, Denise Jakaitis, Bernard “Bob” Kassman, Zinnia Konviser, Ralph Liff, Barbara MacGhee, Joann MacKinnon, Paul Mader ,Stanley “Stan” Martin,Yvonne Martin, Letha McCausland, Eva Molnar,Noreen Mudge, Arleen Nieke, George Nieke, James “Jim” O’Rourke, Gail Owen, Gloria Paquet, Robert “Bob” Paquet, Peter Rogers, Thomas “Tom” Rudzinskas, Vincent Santoro, Joseph Stifano, Helena Terpis, Peter Toscano, Hulda Vernooy, Arthur Viele, Barbara Viele.

Medical volunteers served 3,587 hours and travelled over 66, 000 miles providing; 1,690 trips to needed medical appointments to the elderly of Sullivan County.

A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Michelle Semerano and Mike Sakell at WDNB Thunder 102.1/Bold Gold Media Group for announcing the RSVP volunteers birthdays each weekday on the radio, and their continued on-air support of the RSVP program. During 2012 there were 330 RSVP volunteers’ birthdays announced.

Each Legislative District chose a “RSVP Senior of the Year.” From these 9 nominations, one senior was chosen as the Sullivan County RSVP Senior of the Year. Sullivan County Legislature & Health Chairperson/Health & Family Services Cindy Kurpil-Gieger and Kathleen LaBuda, the District # 2 Legislator announced Sophia Martynec, Town of Lumberland /Legislative District # 2, as the Sullivan County “RSVP” Senior of the Year for 2012.

The Seniors of the Year from each legislative district are:

Bethel/District #1 – Claudia Chaiet

Lumberland/ District #2 – Sophia Martynec

Rockland/ District #3 – Stanley & Yvonne Martin

Thomas Seiderer – Mamakating/District # 4

Callicoon /District #5 – Norvin “Fred“ Fries

Liberty/ District #6 – Barbara Burns

Neversink/ District #7 – Marlene Stoutenburg

Fallsburg /District #8 – Norma Selman

Thompson/ District #9 – Sharon Rider

Special congratulations also for also being nominated go to: Grace Tewes – Town of Highland, Julianna Maxwell – Town of Delaware, Marylin Toomey – Town of Forestburgh, and Arthur Hessinger – Town of Freemont.

Sullivan County RSVP is sponsored by the Sullivan County Office for the Aging. Funded by the County of Sullivan, the New York State Office for the Aging, and the Corporation for National & Community Service.

If you are interested in joining, call Caryn Mathews, RSVP Project Director at 807-0251 for more information.

Below is an album of photos. To see more photos or to purchase prints from the 40th Annual RSVP Recognition Day Luncheon, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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NEW YORK STATE (May 16, 2013) – This week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that a 14-day statewide “Buckle Up New York” campaign to crack down on drivers and their passengers who are not wearing seat belts will be conducted by law enforcement agencies throughout New York State from May 20 through June 2.

“The importance of wearing a seat belt is clear – seat belts save lives," said Governor Cuomo. “Taking a few seconds to fasten your seat belt or to properly secure a child’s safety seat is the easiest thing you can do to keep yourself and your passengers safe.”

According to the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. NHTSA also reports that in 2011 seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide including 444 in New York State. 

“Buckle Up New York” is part of the nationwide “Click It or Ticket” campaign. During this year’s campaign, law enforcement agencies that share state borders will team up in what is being called “Operation Border to Border” to provide increased seat belt enforcement at border sites, sending a zero tolerance message that driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket, no matter what state you are in.

“Buckling up is the easiest way to prevent injuries and fatalities should you become involved in a crash,” said Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Barbara J. Fiala. “In New York State, we have had a seat belt compliance rate of 90 or better for the past three years. However, we won’t be satisfied until every driver and passenger buckles up – every time.”

State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, “Seat belts save lives in New York State. By using safety belts and child safety seats properly, operators and passengers dramatically reduce their risk of severe injury or death when in a motor vehicle crash. For more than two decades, the New York State Police have been stressing the importance of safety restraint use in motor vehicles. We will continue to do our part to reduce senseless injuries and deaths that result from not buckling up and remind drivers to click it or they will get a ticket.” 

Regional Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Thomas Louizou said, “Click It or Ticket is the most successful seat belt enforcement campaign ever, helping to increase the national seat belt usage rate. Coast to coast, day or night, the message is simple – Click It or Ticket.” 

Story and Photos by Carol Montana

MONTICELLO, NY (May 15, 2013) – For the 6th year, the Annual Alice Kreiter Senior Citizen Prom was held at the Monticello Firehouse.

A true intergenerational prom, the event held on Saturday, May 11 was organized by a committee of adults from the Monticello Senior Club, along with the leaders and children from the Boys & Girls Club.

The prom is held annually in May to honor the memory of Alice Kreiter.

This year’s theme was “Hooray for Hollywood,” and several guests were appropriately attired. Entertainment was provided by Kitt Potter and her accompanist, and The Slam Allen Band.

Guests feasted on food prepared by Craig Duffy and Geri’s Creative Catering, and finished with a dessert of fresh fruit and festive cake.

Food and drink were cheerfully served by children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sullivan County: Sara Sorensen, Khristonya Mills, Ariana Irelan, Annelly Connor, Jessica Connor, John Connor, Nathan Guzman, Lauren LaRue, Renee LaRue, Steban Medina, Kristine Perez, Aaliyah Brown and Madison Graham, under the  leadership of Barbi Neumann-Marty, Lisa Moore and Eric Walker.

Dancing and merriment were a big part of the festivities, and at the end of the evening, Kathy Kreiter (the honoree’s daughter), thanked a multitude of people included the entire planning committee, the students and the sponsors.

Below are some photos from the event. To see more photos or to purchase prints from the 6th Annual Alice Kreiter Senior Citizen Prom visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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