The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

James Sullivan as “Stanley” and Dana Preibe as “Winnie” meet “Buster,” portrayed by Valerie Mansi (center).

LIBERTY – “Not Much to Say” a new play in three scenes by Paul Austin, founder and artistic director of the intimate-space Liberty Free Theatre, where the motto is “everyone welcome, always”, debuts this week for a run of eight performances.

“Not Much to Say” takes double billing along with Ara Watson’s acclaimed “Final Placement”, in Austin’s words about “Final Placement,”  “It is brutally candid and profoundly compassionate as it investigates the confrontation between a social worker and a young mother whose child has been taken away from her.”

In explaining the back story of “Not Much to Say,” Austin said he penned it as a homage to Nobel Laureates Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter. “When I was a young actor in the late 1950s and early 60s, Beckett and Pinter were just arriving in young theatre peoples’ awareness, and it was a real eye-opener for me,” he recalled.

“They were new authentic voices in a time of seminal changes…you couldn’t articulate it, but you could feel it, it did something to you, and it opened up a new way of thinking and looking at the world.”

As young actors ‘world turned’, Austin said the works of the two post-atomic era playwrights caused them to view the world at large as “at once more fascinating and more frightening…the realization that death is inevitable, and both these writers helped us accept that. They were the playwrights of the vast empty wasteland of nuclear disaster,” he added. “It’s not all Norman Rockwell paintings.”

“Not Much to Say” is a comedy caper with a dark side about a couple of young lovers nabbed stealing money from an “important person” a sinister presence who settles scores with a silenced semi-automatic pistol. As Austin fleshed out the characters and pared the dialogue to one-word-at-a-time, he selected their stage names based upon associations to Beckett and Pinter.

“Buster” is a sinister spectre portrayed by Valerie Mansi, and the character was named after Buster Keaton, who Beckett “considered one of the great comic artists of our time.”

Mansi has appeared at Liberty Free Theatre in “Goods & Guns,” “Off the Wall” and “The Universal Wolf”, along with productions staged by Way Off Broadway and RISE’s “The Vagina Monologues.” She studied at HB Studio in New York City, and recently participated in a staged reading of Andy Bloch’s “The Bellflower Sessions,” alongside Forbes March, Paula Ewin and T.J. Johnson.

“Buster’s” two henchmen, “Hal” played by Tom DelFavero and Michael “Friz” Frizalone as “Sam” derive their stage names from Pinter and Beckett, respectively.

DelFavero is making his debut at Liberty Free Theatre and takes to the stage with acting credits including roles with the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop such as  “Oliver!,” “Veronica’s Room,” “Noises Off,” “Dial M for Murder” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” He is a guitarist and vocalist with The Vantwistics, and is working on his second album of original music.

Frizalone is an actor/writer/singer, and has performed on stage from Bangor, Maine to New York City. He recently played in a new film by Peking Productions that was filmed locally, and his work at the Liberty Free Theatre includes “Goods & Guns,” “Off the Wall,” “Kinfolks and Mountain Music” and this season’s acclaimed “The Dumbwaiter”.

Priebe in the role of “Winnie,” in homage to a female lead in Beckett’s “Happy Days,” is a regular at the Liberty Free Theatre, where she has been seen in “Face Divided,” “Betrayed by Everyone,” “The Person I Once Was,” “Why We Have a Body,” and Rilla Askew’s “By the Time We Got to Woodstock.”

Sullivan appears as “Stanley,” in a character named after a male lead in “The Birthday Party” by Pinter, and in “Not Much to Say,” is making his sixth appearance at LFT, where he is well remembered for his leading performance in “The Death of Bessie Smith.” He played opposite Rebecca Robbins in Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop’s award-winning production of “Proof,” and he has received a TANYS (Theatre Association of New York State community theatre award) for his role as Nick in “Over the River and Through the Woods.”

Other notable roles include Billy Einhorn in “House of Blue Leaves,” Jonathan in Way Off Broadway Too’s “Dracula,” and for the Little Victory Players, the portray of Christian in “Cyrano deBergerac.” Film credits include an appearance in Ron Littke’s “Murder at the Stone Arch Bridge,”  and in Littke’s radio play “No U Turn.”

“Not Much to Say” is not recommended for kids or folks with overly sensitive ears, as the terse language is at times a bit salty.

Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at
3:00 p.m., December 3-6, and December 10-13. Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended. For information/reservations, call 292-3788. The Liberty Free Theatre is located at 109 South Main Street, Liberty, NY.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Paul Austin’s “Not Much to Say” Debuts at LFT visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Barbara Hadden, 3^rd from left, presents a check for $10,000 to Susan Diamond of the newly formed SullivanArc Foundation. She is joined by daughter Susan Hadden, far left, and son Steven Hadden, far right. Both are recipients of SullivanArc’s services.

MONTICELLO -  SullivanArc, a not-for-profit organization supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Sullivan County since 1949, concluded its 60^th anniversary celebration with the formation of the SullivanArc Foundation.

The Foundation’s Executive Director, Susan Diamond states, “Our purpose will be to provide a source of long-term financial support to help supplement the organization’s traditional funding streams allowing development of new and innovative programs and services.” The Foundation will concentrate on developing resources that will enhance the sole needs of people with developmental disabilities.

Barbara Hadden, of Liberty, a parent of two long time recipients of SullivanArc’s services has helped initiate the creation of the Foundation fund with a donation of $10,000.

A group of dedicated volunteers, all Sullivan County residents have joined together as a Board of Directors and are committed to help raise funds for the SullivanArc Foundation. The board members are Luis Alvarez, Howard Braunstein, Dan Briggs, Cheryl Dorn, Steven Drobysh, Alana Goldstein, Bernita N. Kimble, Lynn McDonald, Kirk Orseck, Keri Poley, Glen Pontier and Wayne Zanetti.

Susan Diamond stresses that the success of the SullivanArc Foundation will play a key role in improving the quality of life for individuals served by SullivanArc as well as the community. “It is a tough year for everyone, but you don’t have to be a millionaire to make a difference” she concludes, reminding us that cash, life insurance, stock, real estate are all assets that can contribute to achieving SullivanArc’s mission and help the SullivanArc Foundation grow.

Ms. Diamond can be contacted at 845-796-1350 ext. 1003 for information regarding tax-deductible gifts, IRA charitable rollovers, charitable gift annuities, planned giving or corporate giving. Or visit their website at www.sullivanarc.org.

* Editor’s note – On the occasion of SullivanArc’s 60th Anniversary the following video was made by Geraldo Rivera. It tells of the extraordinary accomplishments of this dedicated organization and is included here to give a glimpse into what can be done with love and dedication of service. Way to go SullivanArc!

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Dana Priebe as “Luellen” a young mother trying to get her son back from ‘the system’, lashes out at “Mary”, a social worker portrayed by Rebecca Robbins.

LIBERTY – “Final Placement”, a one-act play by Ara Watson made it’s debut at the Humana Festival, and in the years since has played all over the world.

The Humana Festival of New American Plays is produced annually in Louisville, Kentucky by Actors Theatre of Louisville, and is an internationally renowned festival that celebrates the contemporary America playwright. It was founded in 1976 by Jon Jory, former Actors Theatre producing director. Starting this week, it takes double billing for eight performances at the Liberty Free Theatre alongside Paul Austin’s “Not Much to Say” a new work in three scenes.

“It is a brutally candid and profoundly compassionate as it investigates the confrontation between a social worker and a young women whole child has been taken away from her,” said Austin.

“No Much to Say” is by Paul Austin, founder and artistic director of the Liberty Free Theatre, who said of his own work, “It was written as an homage to Nobel Laureates Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter, and the language is one of the more unusual features of the play in that no line of dialogue is longer than one word.”

While teaching the art of acting and directing at Sarah Lawrence University for 18-years , Austin assigned “Final Placement” to his graduate students, as it explores the often contentious relationship between the poor and social workers, in a sense the never-ending battle between folks who don’t have a couple of pennies to rub together and society at large.

In “Final Placement”, a young poor mother with abusive husband battles with a social worker to regain custody of her son, who was taken away from her after she abused him.

Asked how the play spoke to him, Austin replied, “I grew up poor, so I recognize the fierce effect poverty has on people, and the kinds of pressures it creates on their lives…the battle for survival is constant. Poverty makes people angry, and they’re hustling all the time…if you’re really poor, you’re on the fringes of society…[and] you’re dangerous because you’re so needy, and poor people are dangerous because they have been wronged.”

Austin described “Final Placement” as “packed with resonance, it’s a powerful examination of all the things that are involved in our culture, the unequal distribution of wealth.”

The play stars Dana Priebe as “Luellen” the abusive mother fighting ‘the system’ for her so, and Rebecca Robbins in the role of “Mary”, the newly minted social worker.

Priebe is a regular presence on stage at the Liberty Free Theatre, performing in Rilla Askew’s “By the Time We Got to Woodstock,” “The Person I Once Was,” “Betrayed by Everyone” and “Face Divided.”

Robbins, who is making her debut as the local theatre known for “everyone welcome, always”, has a long list of award-winning acting credits including Catherine in “Proof” (TANYS Outstanding Performance Award), Girl in “Veronica’s Room” (TANYS Outstanding Festival Performance Award), and Shelby in “Steel Magnolias” (TANYS Outstanding Performance Award). Directorial credits include “Negative” which garnered a TANYS Meritorious Achievement Award, “The Female Odd Couple” and “The Night of January 16”. TANYS are community theatre awards bestowed by the Theatre Association of New York State.

Neither play is recommended for children, as at times the dialogue would make a U.S. Marine Corps drill sergeant blush. Probably not, but you get the idea that some of the language is rather raw.

Performances are Thursday through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at
3:00 p.m., December 3-6 and December 10-13. Seating is limited, so reservations “as always” are suggested. For information/reservations, call 292-3788. The Liberty Free Theatre is located at 109 South Main Street, Liberty, NY.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Ara Watson’s “Final Placement” Comes to LFT visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

LIBERTY – On Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to Noon, Sullivan County Public Health Services will be holding an H1N1 Flu Vaccine clinic for: Sullivan County Emergency Medical Services and Health Care Workers.  ID is Required.  The clinic will be held at the Shared Clinic Facility, Sullivan County Public Health Services 50 Community Lane in Liberty.

If you are a Health Care or EMS Worker and have an immediate family member (spouse, child) who falls into one of the following high risk categories they may also be vaccinated at this clinic between 10 a.m. and Noon.

High Risk categories for H1N1 flu vaccine include the following:
- Pregnant women

- children 6 months to 24 yrs old

- caregivers of infants less than 6 months old

- Persons 25-64 yrs. with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease – if unsure check with your doctor)

Also on December 5, from 1 to 4 p.m., an H1N1 Clinic will be offered to county residents for all other individuals in the high risk groups listed above.

You may obtain updates and more information by calling the Public Health Information Line: (845) 292-5910. Press 2 After regular business hours and weekends, call (845) 513-2268.

Left to Right – Employees Sarah, Michael Ramlochan, Alana, Stewart and owner Dave Ramlochan on Thanksgiving night.

Story and photos by Leni Santoro

PARKSVILLE – On Thanksgiving Day traveling from one place to another on the highways and byways of America has become almost as traditional as the turkey itself. Many travelers will stop in at one gas station/convenience store or another to gas-up and grab that last minute item that is a must have at the dinner table. But in Parksville this year, patrons were able to do more than just grab an extra loaf of bread.

For the second year in a row, the owners of Fiddle’s Wally Mart, located at the light on Route 17 in Parksville, served up a Thanksgiving dinner complete with all the trimmings to members of the local community. Anyone who came in the door on Thanksgiving afternoon was offered a full course meal to enjoy with their family either at one of the tables in the store or as a take-out meal.

Chandra and Dave Ramlochan started the tradition last Thanksgiving because they wanted to be able to “give back to the community” that has welcomed them, and their management of the Fiddle’s Wally Mart in Parksville.

Donations from many of their distributors such as Sysco, Weston Bakeries, Pepsi, Manhattan Distributors and Daisy Cakes, as well as local businesses such as McCabe’s in Liberty and even Liberty Mayor Rube Smith enabled the Ramlochans to match their generosity and provide meals to those who wished them.

The menu included turkey, dressing, mashed and sweet potatoes, vegetables, ham, rolls and dessert. At the end of the evening meals were also brought to the State Trooper’s offices in Liberty and to Daytop Village in Parksville.

Last year too, the Ramlochan’s invited Santa Claus to come for a special visit. They are also continuing that tradition again this year and invite the public and their distributors once again to help Santa by donating a new un-wrapped toy and placing it in the special gift box provided in the store. Monetary donations are also being accepted and may be placed in the jars on display near the cash registers.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Fiddle’s Wally Mart Continues Thanksgiving Tradition visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

14-year old Harrison Whitford.

NORTH BRANCH – Open Mic Night is a regular Friday evening feature at the historic North Branch Inn.

Last Friday was no exception, as 18-year old Graham and Harrison Whitford, 14, the teenage sons of Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford and Karen Whitford, a photographer, took center stage at the local inn to perform several guitar works and sing a couple of songs.

Graham Whitford was a finalist in Guitar Centers “King of the Blues” competition, placing in the top five out of 4,000 entries.

In August he played with his father and Aerosmith at a concert on Sturgis, South Dakota, and last year on tour with his dad during the band’s “Experience Hendrix” tour.

Earlier this month, he performed at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, but missed out on Aerosmith’s playing at a Formula I motor race in Abu Dhabi.

Both boys attend Elizabeth Irwin High School in New York City, and reside in NYC and Callicoon.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Sons of Aerosmith Perform at NBI visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio .

Story and photos by Carol Montana

A new business in Liberty is getting to the root of it all in more ways than one.

Root 52 Gallery at 87 Mill Street (Route 52) specializes in functional art made from the roots of trees that originate in Costa Rica. And so, owner Tiffany Moore decided to go for the root / route play on words for the name of her business.

As artistic as she is clever, Moore has taken the huge space that once housed a craft store, and turned it into a striking display of hundreds of beautiful wood pieces – vases, benches, dishes and more.

The walls of the room feature life-size photos of Moore’s staff harvesting the roots from the farms in Costa Rica. And Moore intends to have a video made that will show the process from start to finish.

Moore is the mother of three children. After she saw these wood products in Costa Rica she fell in love with them. “I love wood, I always loved the look of trees and wood, my house is full of pieces. I saw these products and decided to open a gallery.”

There are over 20 different types of woods represented in the gallery including Rosewood, Purple Hearts, Fustic, Tigerwood and Blackwood. And every single piece comes from a tree that is either threatened or endangered. 

“Most of these trees are protected by the Costa Rican government,” said Moore. “That’s why the trees are not cut. The tree has already fallen from natural causes, and the pieces are made from the root. They can be trees that were cut 50 years ago before there was a protection order on them, and the roots are still in the ground. A lot of these roots come from farmlands, and the farmers want to get the roots off their ground. But the roots are plentiful.”

Moore also said that she is looking into donating a percentage of the sales toward the replanting of these endangered trees.

While 20 or so different kinds of trees are represented, the number and variety of pieces they yield is endless. But how does the sculptor decide what the final product will look like? “The root decides what form it’s going to take,” said Moore, who spends a lot of time in Costa Rica. “There’s myself and one other man, we look at the pieces and kind of see what form it’s going to take.”

Choosing to open a business during this risky economic time takes a lot of courage. Moore said she gave that a lot of thought. “People are very careful about what they spend their money on,” said Moore. “It’s pieces they fall in love with or feel connected to … And I think a lot of people will think these pieces are beautiful. And every single piece is different.”

Roberta Byron-Lockwood, President of the Sullivan County Visitors Association who was one of those present at the grand opening remarked on the variety. “The inventory is just absolutely incredible. I’ve picked out all my holiday gifts for the next ten years. The layout and presentation are stunning.”

That sentiment was echoed by Jodi Goodman, Sullivan County Legislator for District 6, which includes the gallery site. “This is a magnificent addition to Liberty. To look at this and how magnificent it is, it’s a plus for my district. The concept is incredible, the name of the business is fabulous. I’m so excited that Tiffany chose Liberty. It’s a museum, and an art studio and a retail shop all in one. There’s an element of warmth and belonging. You can have a lot of fun in here. I’m telling my husband we have to re-do a room for one of these pieces. Tiffany can be very proud.”

And Susan Jaffe, Vice President for the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development said how wonderful it is “to welcome a new business, there are some beautiful pieces of functional art. I want everyone to know that we’re going to have the Holiday Harvest Market in Liberty soon, and this business is a wonderful addition, and I encourage everyone to walk on down and do some shopping.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Root 52 Gallery Opens in Liberty visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Miss New York State 2009 Alyse J. Zwick caught a ride in Dick
Herbert’s classic 1960 Corvette.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Santa rides a big V-Twin.

JEFFERSONVILLE – Talk about a lot of Santas!

Dancing Santas, sitting Santas, prancing Santas, Santas riding on fire trucks, and Santas throwing candy to kids in the crowd. Santas on sleighs, a Santa on a big V-Twin motorcycle, and a Jolly ‘Ole Santa handing out presents after a parade. The 15th Annual James Dworetsky Memorial Holiday Parade of November 27, had more Santas than you could toss a reindeer at.

The first parade in 1994 was a joint fire prevention effort between four local volunteer fire departments: Jeffersonville, Youngsville, Kenoza Lake and Callicoon Center.

A fireman all decked out in Christmas tree lights helped brightened spirits.

Bill Thony, chairman of what became known as the James Dworetsky Memorial Holiday Parade said the deceased firefighter was instrumental in planning for the inaugural fire prevention committee parade, but tragically passed away only two days before the parade stepped off down the main drag in Jeffersonville.

“It’s done in the spirit of fire prevention and the holiday season,” he said of the popular annual parade. “Jim was a very dedicated firefighter and an excellent educator in fire prevention. He could stand in front of a group of third or fifth graders and have them shaking in their boots before he broke out with in a big
grin on his face.”

The Dworetsky Family wished everyone “Happy Holidays.”

According to Thony, approximately 50-55 fire departments and floats were in the line of march.

“People had a really good time, and it brings all the community together,” he added proudly.

Laura Dworetsky, Jim’s mother, was the 2009 Grand Marshall, and several of his beloved nieces and nephews rode on the first float, a float by the Dworetsky Family wishing everyone “Happy Holidays.”

Alyse J. Zwick, Miss New York State 2009, a contestant in the Miss America Beauty Pageant, caught a ride in Dick Herbert’s classic 1960 Corvette, but the vintage American icon nicknamed “My Peach” had a few mechanical problems, and rather than a trip to the pits, was pushed down the road by a few spirited volunteers.

Alyse J. Zwick, Miss New York State 2009 paid special attention to a young beauty pageant fan waiting in line for an autographed photograph.

After the parade, Miss New York autographed photographs of herself for scores of enthralled youngsters.

Even with more Santas than you could count, Thony declined to reveal who was who under all the fuzzy white whiskers and big red suits.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from 15^th Annual James Dworetsky Parade Dazzles Crowds visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Left to right (back row) Heinrich Strauch (Liberty CDC) and Jeremy Gorelick (incoming Board Chair/SC Chamber and President Emanon Equities). Left to right (bottom row) Jacquie Leventoff (Kohls/Chamber Foundation Member), Barbara Sush (Body, Mind & Spirit Wellness Center Office Manager), Rich Sush (Sullivan Renaissance and SC Chamber Board Member), Grandma Moses, and Rich Klein (Law Firms PR). – Photos courtesy of RubyFlecks Creative Consulting

CALLICOON -The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce recently marked its 35^th year of serving businesses in Sullivan County through a gala Annual Meeting and celebration at the The Clubhouse at Villa Roma on Thursday, November 19.

To a crowd of more than 100 business colleagues, Chamber President/CEO Terri Ward recalled the Chamber’s beginnings.

“It was 35 years ago during the gas crisis that this Chamber of Commerce was created by a group of small business owners joining forces to make a change.”

She later added that, “It will be especially important to preserve and reward the special genius of capitalism. We need to stay focused on what’s best about our economy, and be sure we continue to unleash its potential. We also need to get back to basics.”

The Outgoing Board President then introduced keynote speakers and honorees Patrick Dollard and Dr. Theresa Hamlin who proudly represented The Center For Discovery.

Both keynote speakers described the center as “an extraordinary place to work.” The Center spans more than 900 acres with more than 1,500 employees and serves more than 1,000 people annually.

Outgoing Board Chair, Susan Hamlin, introduced and welcomed incoming Board President, Jeremy Gorelick, who will begin his tenure on January 1^st.  “I look forward to serving Sullivan County businesses and working closely with our Board of Directors and our affiliate organizations,” said Gorelick.

The 35 Annual Meeting and Celebration was sponsored by Thunder 102, WSUL/WVOS, RubyFlecks Creative Consulting, The SC Partnership for Economic Development, and Heaven’s Door Event Planning.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter Panzarino, Larry Schafman, Past President Judge Bart Rasnick and Treasurer Sy Berenson with the $3000 donation check.

FALLSBURG – The Fallsburg Lions Club appreciates the services offered to the community by the Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC). Chief Operating Officer Steve Ruwoldt recognized the Club’s support for as soon as he took over management of the facility, he became an active member of the Lions.

This year the Fallsburg service group donated $3000 to the hospital and an additional $1000 to Rape Intervention Services and Education (RISE) that is now under the auspices of CRMC.

Lions President Larry Schafman presenting certificates of service to left to right, Gregory Bedik, Amanni Sitz and Stephen Bedik (Brooke Rappaport was unable to attend the dinner).

Mr. Ruwoldt was unable to attend the hospital sponsored dinner at CRMC on November 19 and had his Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter Panzarino, ably stand in for him as to receive the $3000 check from Treasurer Sy Berenson, former President Judge Bart Rasnick and current President Larry Schafman of the Fallsburg Lions Club. Mrs. Dale Berenson organized the event with hospital staff.

Dr. Panzarino thanked the Lions for their ongoing support of the hospital and for their commitment to service in the Sullivan County community.

The future for service was ably represented by four students from Fallsburg High School – Stephen and Gregory Bedik, Amanni Sitz and Brooke Rappaport, who were special honored guests of the Lions in recognition of their efforts in serving club functions in the community.