The Catskill Chronicle

Gloria Sanabria is defined as ‘homeless’ because she is living in temporary housing. She is paying for her own room after being cut off from local social services for “not following the rules”.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

SULLIVAN COUNTY – “The job market was pretty good until about six months ago,” said 48-year old Gloria Sanabria while sitting in her one-room temporary housing she shares with her 15-year old son at the Catskill Motel just outside Liberty, NY.

Sanabria was born and raised in Sullivan County, and in 1980 graduated from Fallsburg High School, attended East Stroudsburg University and then worked at Community General Hospital (now Catskill Regional Medical Center) for several years before moving to warmer weather in South Carolina after being injured in a car accident.

The graduate of the Sullivan County BOCES LPN program lost her job, and then her house due to foreclosure when the private medical company cut her loose, “they can fire you without any explanation,”  so Sanabria packed up their belongings and returned to the county.

Home is where the heart is, and Gloria Sanabria decorated the room she shares with her teenage son.

“I’ve been living in motels for about six months,” she said, adding that after she tried to get help from the county’s social services department, she and her son wound up in a small room at the Lakeside Motel (formerly Hillsdale Dorms).

After about three weeks, Sanabria called it quits at the Lakeside, due to living conditions she called less than adequate.

“It was terrible, the door wouldn’t close and cold air was seeping in, and there were cockroaches,” she said. “You had to provide everything for yourself living there…if you didn’t have a car, and thank God I do, you’re stranded, you’re stuck. It seems like social services expected you to stay there…it was like their main hotel.”

According to Sanabria, she told social services about the situation, “There a lot of people there [at the Lakeside] with felonies, they all talk about it, and nobody sleeps at night, there’s a lot of noise, a lot of ruckus and rambunctiousness going on…after midnight everything goes on there.”

“They try their best, but their clientele is sent here,” she added.

Sanabria said she couldn’t take it anymore at the social services-funded motel, so they moved first to her mother’s house and then to the Catskill Motel where she pays $273.00 per week out her own pocket.

“Social services told me at the time they were paying two hundred something dollars as week for me and my son,” she recalled of living at the Lakeside.

“After I decided to leave I got a letter from (from Sullivan County social services) saying that I was responsible for paying [the Lakeside] over a thousand dollars a month, because they felt I was entitled to unemployment in South Carolina.”

Then came another notice telling her she was cut off from any more assistance including food stamps just in time for the holidays, because Sanabria was allegedly in “noncompliance for not following their rules…and I abandoned my area of living” by not filling out job search forms.

“I’m coming to you begging for money while I find a job,” Sanabria said she told workers at the local social services department. “How can I job search with no money and no gas?”

Her take on the landlords at their new temporary living arrangements?

“They’re wonderful people, very humble and respectful and they take care of their place.”

To keep a roof over their heads, Sanabria worked as a substitute at Fallsburg, and just landed a job as an LPN at the Center for Discovery, where she said they will help her fulfill her dream of becoming an RN.

Her take on the county’s social services system?

Jamie Latimer, a student support specialist with Sullivan County BOCES A.S.K. (Academic Support for Kids), stops in to talk to Gloria Sanabria about how her 15-year old son is doing at Fallsburg High School.

“I think Sullivan County really needs to revamp their whole system,” replied Sanabria.

“They need to break it down and start over from scratch…figure out who’s at risk first, and help those who really need help…it’s like triage we use in hospitals….what is the quickest way to help people that are truly in need.”

“Sullivan County really needs to wake up, [and] provide the best help possible for people who want to do something with their lives,” she added.

Her take on the ‘rules’?

“For the most part, the job searches are realistic…but in this county there are no jobs…there’s a stigma about Sullivan County, and I’ve felt it,” said Sanabria, who added that she missed out on a job interview because she didn’t have any gas money.

Asked what it’s like to lose a job and your home, thus joining the ever growing ranks of the homeless in the land of plenty, Sanabria replied, “It’s scary, nerve wracking and stressful, you could really lose your mind.”

“But I have a piece of God’s grace in my life, I’m going to make it no matter what. I’ve worked all my life, and I’m always going to work.”

“I’m not ashamed that I’m asking for help,” said Sanabria.

To view more photos from Homeless in the Land of Plenty – Part III visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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LIVINGSTON MANOR – Tragically, in October of 2009 Livingston Manor resident and businessman Willie Taggart, a carpenter and general contractor, was severely injured when the ladder from which he was working fell causing him to drop from roof level onto his back. Willie has been hospitalized since the incident undergoing treatment and therapy for various injuries, illnesses, and complications related to the fall. Most severe is the damage to his spinal chord that will likely leave him paralyzed.

Willie is a devoted husband, father, brother and son. He is also a great friend to many who miss him dearly. In wishing Willie well and hoping for his long-awaited return, it is important to recognize him for his enjoyable smile, pleasant attitude, and dedication to his family, friends, and community.

When Willie returns he and his family will need assistance from many of his friends to improve his home and adjust his lifestyle to accommodate his injuries. While there is a growing network of volunteers to lend a helping hand, there is a larger need for financial assistance to fund the modification, purchase, and delivery of a vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair, loading, and unloading facilities.

On January 10, 2010 the family, friends, and community of Willie Taggart will host a fundraiser at the Rockland House in Roscoe, NY between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. with buffet, entertainment, and a CASH bar. Raffles to be determined. Tickets are available $100 per couple.

Willie, his family, and his friends wish to offer special thanks to the Roseo Family at the Rockland House, Bill and Debbie Hendrickson for entertainment, and all other participants who helped organize the event and fundraisers.

For Tickets, Contact: Susan (845) 439-3919 or Jeanne (845) 439-4450

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Story Ted Waddell – Photos provided by Steve Lungen

Lungen up by the DMZ with an M16 and a command radio at the ready. – From the wartime collection of Steve Lungen.

ROCK HILL – Sullivan County DA Stephen F. Lungen was never one to wrap himself in the proud colors of the American Flag when it came time to being elected as the county’s lead prosecutor starting in 1982 and right up until the time he decided to hang it up in 2009 after 28 years as DA.

But, in an exit interview with The Catskill Chronicle, followed in short order drill by a keynote speech to the graduates of the Sullivan County Drug Treatment Court on December 1, ’09, he talked about how his experiences during the heat of the Vietnam War shaped his character, focused a desire to complete law school and later helped him mold his assistant district attorneys (ADA’s) into razor-edged weapons for the prosecution in the courtroom…

You can read the full story – Reflections of a Vietnam War Vet – in the Chronicle’s Sullivan Faces section.

*All photos are from the wartime collection of Steve Lungen.

* Coming soon – further reflections on Steven F. Lungen’s career as DA

To view photos from Reflections of a Vietnam War Vet – Provided by Steve Lungen visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Sharon Dodd, a homeless mother of two with her 4-year old son Fredrick, who attends Project EXCEL.

SULIVAN COUNTY – “I don’t want to be living like this forever,” said Sharon Dodd, a 44-year old mother of two who lives in one small room with her kids at the Delano Hotel outside Monticello. “It’s very depressing living in one room with my two kids who drive me crazy all day.”

Sharon Dodd, in her family’s one-room $1,690 a month social-services rental at the Delano Hotel, holds a photo of her two young sons.

Dodd has resided in the local social services-funded rental for a little over a year now, and has been without, in the parlance of social workers, living in ‘fixed, regular and adequate’ housing since 2005 after encountering problems with her first pregnancy.

Before becoming homeless, she “had a good job and a new car” while working for an office warehouse outfit in Middletown. That was before she reportedly got tagged at work with “three occurrences” for missing work due to what Dodd said were medical problems.

No work, no pay. No car, no place to live. No place to call home for her kids.

At the Delano, the county social services department shells out $1,690.00 per month for one cramped room in the local hotel, a figure that was prominently displayed on government-issued paper work.

“I was living in Sleepy Hollow, and she (the landlord) didn’t want any new mommies,” recalled Dodd of being asked to leave the large subsidized housing complex along Route 42 by Monticello High School.

So as Christmas Eve 2009 draws close, Dodd and her two children Fredrick Cederlund, a four-year old enrolled in Project EXCEL, and Robert Cederlund , 6, who attends Cooke Elementary School try to find enough room to live in just one room.

Unlike a lot of other social services funded temporary housing in the county, the Dodd family can consider themselves blessed. Sort of.

Jamie Latimer, a student support specialist with Sullivan County BOCES A.S.K. looks over some paperwork from social services as Sharon Dodd looks on.

In addition to a couple of beds, they have a stove, a refrigerator and a dresser, even though the a few drawer fronts have fallen off. Have some food? Store it on any flat surface you can find. How about your clothes? Store them in black plastic garbage bags, pile your duds on the beds, or leave the dirty stuff on the floor. A tiny plastic Christmas tree and a photo of her two young sons taken at
Walmart, a while ago tries to lighten their spirits.

But, when Robert comes home from school, there’s no place to study. Except maybe a bed or the floor, and doing your homework over the blare of a television isn’t the best of circumstances when it comes time to get a start on your education.

“It’s hard because Robert brings his homework home and Fred wants to watch TV,” said Dodd. “It’s big distraction.”

“It’s a cramped life-style, she said. “There’s no space that they can go to…it’s a fairly good hotel, but there’s no space.”

Asked what she wants for their future, the single homeless mother of two replied, “I want to be out of here and in my own apartment, the kids especially where they can do their homework and stuff like that.”

“I want to get my GED, get and job, and get back to the life I want to lead,” added Dodd.

With an eye on bettering their situation, Dodd is studying for her GED at the local BOCES, while keeping an eye on some additional knee surgery. But the folks over at Sullivan County BOCES A.S.K. (Academic Support for Kids), a program for families in temporary housing, have a mantra – “Fixed, Regular & Adequate”, that spells out in three words what drives them to help students in the county who are living in temporary housing, let’s not mince words, and call it what is really is, and that’s homeless, to stay in school and complete their education.

If you don’t fit into these pigeonholes, then in the real sense of the word in an all too real world filled with living in emergency housing, beat up motels often run by slumlords, or kicked out of your home by eviction or foreclosure, they (ASK) strive to make people aware of federally mandated rights for students in these dire circumstances: the right to attend school. Students don’t need a permanent address to enroll in school, they have the right to stay in their home school if the parents choose, they cannot be denied school enrollment just because school records or other documentation is not immediately available, and they have the right to transportation services to and from the school of origin.

“We have a place to stay, we’re not outside in a cardboard box…the landlord is very nice; and that’s really cool,” said Dodd.

To view more photos from Homeless in the Land of Plenty: Part II visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Deanna Defreese is a single mother of six; of which five live with
her between two cramped rooms. She is pictured here with her 4-year old daughter
Trinity, a student at Head Start.

SULLIVAN COUNTY – If your idea of a homeless person is a raggedy-assed bum sleeping on a heating grate in a big city covered in yesterday’s newspapers, you’re sadly mistaken. Scores of single mothers are looking after their kids while living in deplorable conditions, living situations reportedly inspected and approved by local authorities.

It isn’t a pretty picture.

While some landlords of rental rooms paid for by social services make an effort to keep the places up, others seem to have never painted the walls in decades or even shelled out a few bucks to provide a stove, a fridge or a couple of dressers. A few beds, a broken down dresser missing some drawers. Peeling paint, holes in the wall. A chair or two. Maybe a table, maybe not. Sure, there’s probably an old television set on a box, but in a lot of cases, that’s it.

The Sullivan County BOCES Academic Support for Kids (ASK) program is designed for families in temporary housing, an administrative euphemism for “homeless,” is funded by the NYS Education Department (NYSED) as authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, part of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001.

As outlined in the federal legislation, all children in temporary housing have the right to attend school, and in the local BOCES ASK program, last year student support specialists Jamie Latimer and Patricia Crumley spent countless hours working with 146 homeless students in grades K-12, plus 27 kids age 3-5 not enrolled in kindergarten, for a total of 173 students in the county in dire need of help in staying in school despite often terrible living conditions.

Deanna Defreese, a 28-year mother of six kids lives in two rooms connected by a small doorway with five of her children in the Budget Inn of Liberty.

David is two, Trinity is four and attends Head Start, while seven-year old Yasmin, Jaquain, 9, and 11-year old Andre attend Fallsburg’s Benjamin Cosor Elementary School. Cedric, Defreese’s 8-year old son lives with an aunt in Pennsylvania.

“I came from Rockland County, that’s where I was raised and born,” she said. “We moved up here maybe nine years ago…my mom wanted to get away from the drama and trouble down there, so we moved up here.”

Since relocating to Sullivan County, Defreese and her kids have bounced around in temporary housing from Monticello, Liberty, Woodbourne and Fallsburg, until five months ago they landed at the Budget Inn.

“My building in Fallsburg (located at 73 Laurel Avenue) was closed down, the building got condemned so all the tenants got pushed out…Steve, the landlord, wasn’t a good landlord, he was a slumlord,” recalled Defreese.

Allen Frishman, now in his 24th year as the Town of Fallsburg Code Enforcement Officer (CEO), said in essence the one-month evacuation/closure of the building was a combination of the condition of the building “the living conditions were really bad” along with “some of the tenants were living really rough.”

“In the month’s time that the building was closed, the landlord (identified as Steve Plotkin) made great gains in cleaning up the whole place…[and] at the same time there were tenants that had to come back and clean out their apartments because there were piles of I don’t know what it was, moldy clothes, God knows what laying around on the floors.”

“If you’re in your own house and want to live like a pig, that’s up to you. But if it affects other tenants in an apartment, you have responsibilities,” added Frishman.

According to the town’s CEO, once tenants were allowed back into the building as the renovations progressed, they were put on notice that their living quarters would be inspected periodically and, if warranted, violation notices would be issued if things weren’t maintained by the tenants in their own rental spaces.

“Piles of dirty dishes, and plies and piles of dirty clothes in all the rooms …that’s a great breeding ground for cockroaches,” said Frishman.

Defreese explained that it’s tough trying to find more permanent housing with five young children in tow. “It’s hard because there ain’t nothin’ available…they’re already rented or they ain’t sure in they want five kids.”

For a year and three months, the single mother of six worked at Rolling V
as a bus aid, but had to give it up because she couldn’t get any childcare.

“I was doing good, it was a good job,” she said.

On the plus side of things, her three elementary school kids attend an extended school day program at Benjamin Cosor Elementary School; time that allows then to get their homework done. But, Defreese said, her oldest boy “is having a difficult time” in school because “other kids pick on him, saying he’s homeless…he comes home real upset about it.”

“Kids were making fun of him…he’s a real good boy, don’t bother nobody,” she said.

Defreese said that as a 17-year old attending Spring Valley, she got pregnant with her first child and dropped out of school in the 9th grade. “I don’t have my GED, but I’m going to work on it as soon as I get settled and get a job,” she said.

Asked what it was like for a mother and five young children to live in two small rooms with dim light filtering through the blinds and all their clothes and worldly possessions in plastic trash bags on the floor or on the beds, Defreese replied, “It’s not easy, it’s hard. It’s real stressed out being here, I’m real stressed out every day. We don’t have much, and [other] kids are hangin’ out in the hallway.”

“When the bus drops off my kids, they eat dinner, shower and go to bed, and maybe watch a little TV…but as long as they continue to go to school, it’s okay,” said Defreese.

To view more photos from Homeless in the Land of Plenty: Part 1 of a Series visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Seth Wegener, Catherine Peters, Drew Maier, Dylan Reno, and Sam Sedlack – Santa’s Elves and Assorted Characters.

JEFFERSONVILLE – Look, up in the sky. It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the Starship Enterprise…

No, that’s just Santa Claus and his new experimental warp-drive sleigh. His Science Elves loaded it with futuristic technology, and now Santa is using it for the first time on Christmas Eve.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, if it’s like any other holiday radio play by WJFF’s Youth Radio Project (YRP), everything could go wrong. Everything probably will go wrong. To hear the hilarious results, all you have to do is tune to WJFF – 90.5 FM at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23 and listen to Radio Revolution, the region’s only weekly youth-produced radio show.

This is the plotline for “Across the Santaverse,” the YRP’s seventh annual X-Mas X-Travaganza on WJFF. So, you know the teens, mentors, and YRP alumni behind the scenes have a lot of experience with this sort of thing.

It all began in 2003 with “A YRP Christmas Carol;” the play that started it all: an 11-minute romp through the oft-repeated Dickens Christmas Classic. It’s the same story, but everything is different.

Scrooge is greedy, but for presents, not money. The Ghost of Christmas Past goes too far into the past. The Ghost of Christmas Future doesn’t go far enough into the future. And for some reason, the Ghost of Christmas Present is a pirate.

The first full incarnation of the YRP is the cast here: Amanda Martins as Narrator, Dylan Grunn as Cratchit, Emily Gref as Flem, David Lundgren as Marley and "Arrrt," founding member Allison Coe as G.O.C. Future, Zack Rettoun as our first-ever Santa, and starring Alex Duke as Scrooge. Written by Alex Duke, Dylan Grunn, and the YRP. Edited and mixed by Jason Dole.

“We always write our own original play, and it’s always a comedy that satirizes the secular aspects of Christmas,” says YRP Adult Coordinator Jason Dole. “So, that usually means making fun of Santa. We basically torture him each year.”

Just look at the YRP’s most recent radio comedies.

In 2006’s “Judge Frosty,” the Youth Radio Project put Santa on a daytime courtroom television show, trying him for “breaking and entering” and “voyeurism.”

Poor Santa. In this play, the YRP takes him to trial on the popular daytime courtroom television program, Judge Frosty’s Courtroom Justice. Grandma says she got run over by Santa’s reindeer, the reindeer says Santa is cruel to animals, and there are many other accusations.

Is Santa "Naughty" as charged? Listen and find out in this 2006 original play conceived by the YRP, written by Johnny T, Eric D, and Jason Dole, starring Victoria Harman as Judge Frosty and Alex Duke as Santa.

One of three separate plays produced for Christmas, 2006, X-Mas Royale aired while the hit James Bond movie Casino Royale was still in theatres.

Conceived and scripted by 007 fans Dylan Grunn and Jason Dole, this spy movie spoof sees James Bond hard at work saving Christmas from sabotage. Actually, he just drinks a lot while investigating the disappearance of Santa’s naughty list.

X-Mas Royale was mixed and produced by then YRP alumni David Lundgren and Jason Dole. It runs 26 minutes. Part One is presented here, while Part Two can be heard here.

In 2007, Santa was tricked into starring in a celebrity weight loss show while nefarious forces conspired to take over the North Pole.

"Santa Vs. The Media" Part One and Part Two finds Mr. Claus under lots of scrutiny from reporters. Racked by scandal after scandal, Santa flees to LA to be on a reality TV weight loss show. In response, a lonely Mrs. Claus starts her own reality dating show.

Meanwhile, it seems like someone really is trying to sabotage Santa. Is it Marty, his handler? The simple-seeming Rudolph? The Love Doctor? Talking cookies?!?

"Santa Vs. The Media" Part One and Part Two starred R.J. Smith as Santa, Sommer Johansen as Mrs. Claus, Eric D as Marty and Rudolph, and John Taylor as Vinnie, The Love Doctor, and The Magician. Conceived by the YRP, written by Victoria Harman, Sommer Johansen, and Jason Dole, edited and mixed by Victoria Harman, John Taylor, and Jason Dole.

In last year’s “Santanomics,” the North Pole was out of money and Santa had to lay off all of his elves under an inept government bailout program.

The process of writing an all-original youth radio play is often as wild and crazy as the stories themselves. The group brainstorms the ideas together, then multiple writers begin work on different parts of the play. The students, adult mentors, and YRP alumni all collaborate on the writing, performance, recording, and editing of the final story.

This year (2009), faced with severe budget cuts in a bad financial year, the YRP entered play-writing season with only two regular members. However, like a made-for-TV Christmas miracle, by the time December rolled around the group was up to 10 members; representing five separate school districts in Sullivan County.

“We don’t do anything like this play all year long,” explains Dole, who says Radio Revolution usually consists of reviews, interviews and discussions.

“The play is a unique project that we all work on. It builds the group, brings us together, and in terms of the learning experience, it’s a quantum leap for the students.”

Perhaps it’s no surprise then that the 1980s show “Quantum Leap” was a partial inspiration for “Across the Santaverse.” Faced with too many possible plotlines this year, the students put Santa on a headlong journey through the Multiverse. After a warp drive malfunction, Santa is stuck jumping from one alternate reality to another. There is a world where people are made of springs, and another where toys get children for Christmas.

In “Across the Santaverse,” Santa must face mobsters, misfits, fitness gurus, and even a hippy-dippy version of himself.

Will Santa get back to his own reality? Will he ever learn to use his inter-dimensional cell phone? Tune in to “Across the Santaverse” to find out.

“Across the Santaverse” debuts on community radio station WJFF – 90.5FM in Jeffersonville at 9 p.m. Wednesday, December 23. After that, it will be available on WJFF’s archives at wjffradio.org. You can also hear “Judge Frosty” and the YRP’s X-Mas X-Travaganzas for 2007 and 2008 on the archive. Just click and listen to the 12/9 and 12/16 editions of Radio Revolution.

WJFF’s Youth Radio Project’s “Across the Santaverse” also streams live online. Just go to http://www.wjffradio.org/wjff/ and click Listen Online to hear the show as it happens.

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MONTEBELLO, NY – Actors working for the Shadowland Theatre in Ellenville, N.Y., will have a much nicer place to live next year thanks to Provident Bank’s decision to donate a house to the non-profit regional equity theater company.

“We’ve used the building to provide housing for our actors for about 10 years thanks to the generosity of Provident Bank and, before that, Ellenville National Bank,” said William H. Collier III, president of Shadowland Theatre’s board of directors. “Our union contract requires us to provide housing for our actors, so the banks’ support has been essential to keeping our expenses low, which helps us keep tickets affordable. Now that we own the building we’ll be able to renovate it to accommodate more actors and staff. We wouldn’t be able to do that without Provident Bank’s support.”

George Strayton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Provident Bank, said he is pleased to help Shadowland Theatre, a critically acclaimed organization that presented five shows during its box office, record-breaking, 25^th anniversary season in 2009.

“Provident Bank and Ellenville National Bank, which Provident acquired in 2004, have supported Shadowland Theatre since it was founded 25 years ago, and donating this house reflects our commitment to helping the theater thrive and attract tourists to Ellenville,” Strayton said. “Shadowland Theatre is an important part of Ellenville’s downtown economy and Provident will continue supporting Shadowland in the future. We expect to help finance the upcoming renovations and in the past gave Shadowland a mortgage to pay for improvements to its theatre. This is a vivid reflection of Provident Bank’s commitment to supporting the communities we serve, which is a core principle for Provident as a community bank.”

Time has taken a toll on the house at 7 Elting Court, and Collier said the growing need for repairs presented a dilemma. It did not make sense for Shadowland to pay to renovate a building it did not own, while Provident Bank had little incentive to rehabilitate the old house it was letting the theatre group occupy for free. The solution, Collier said, was for Shadowland to assume ownership of the building so it would be able to make the necessary investments.

“We approached Provident Bank earlier this year to see if they would consider donating the building because it needs renovations,” Collier said of the house a short walk from Shadowland’s theater. “They decided it made good sense to donate the house for use as housing for our actors and staff drawn from all over the United States. This is a step forward for us and we’re very thankful for Provident Bank’s support. This addition broadens Shadowland’s scope and Shadowland’s presence in the industry.”

The house, Provident said, is worth about $50,000 in its current condition. Collier said renovating the two-family home to provide six-to-eight bedrooms, bathrooms and a kitchen probably will cost about $50,000. Shadowland is planning a campaign to seek funds and donations of labor and materials.

“It will be a big project, but when it’s done we’ll have a much more comfortable place for our actors and staff to live,” Collier said. “It will let us offer performances year-round for the first time and also will provide a space for us to hold receptions and other meetings during the off-season. Provident Bank’s donation will have a tremendous positive impact on our operations.”

…The theater company is required to provide housing for Actors’ Equity cast members within walking distance of the theater, and Collier said the renovated housing will make it easer for Shadowland to attract professional, experienced actors who typically live and work in New York City.

Founded in 1984, Shadowland performs in a restored 1920’s Art Deco vaudeville/movie house converted to a 148-seat theatre. For more information visit http://www.shadowlandtheatre.org.

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Story and photos by Ted Waddell

SCHS board member Barbara Viele in the exhibit space.

HURLEYVILLE – As part of the Sullivan County Historical Society’s 23^rd Annual Theme Tree Exhibit, the custodians of local history unveiled an exhibit titled “Victorian Era” in the main gallery.

The Victorian Era dress worn by Mrs. J.C. Young to Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887.

The centerpiece of the exhibit is a black dress once owned by Mrs. J.C. Young, who had the outfit made to wear to Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887.

Queen Victoria was born May 24, 1819 in Britain’s Kensington Palace, and ascended to the throne in 1837 upon the death of William IV. She passed away on January 22, 1901 and was buried alongside her husband Albert in the Windsor Frogmore Royal Mausoleum.

Emma Crary married James Chandler Young, a prominent banker who was later named president of the Sullivan County National Bank of Liberty in 1905.

The Young’s resided in a grand house in what is the now the town hall at 120 North Main Street, Liberty.

According to SCHS board members Sharon Thorpe and June Koester, organizers of the exhibit, the opulent house was constructed in 1844 and was considered one of the finest homes in the village.

A Victorian Era ballroom gown.

“We have an extensive collection of vintage clothing,” said Thorpe, noting that last year a dress nicknamed “Lizzie,” which dates from the 1770s-80s, was displayed at the county museum

“We have 170-some dresses going from “Lizzie” through the 1950s,” she added.

In addition to Young’s Golden Jubilee outfit, her elegant ballroom gown is also on exhibit, along with two other dresses from the Victorian Era.

Images of fancy women and beautiful girls were popular during the Victorian Era.

A vintage music box, donated to the SCHS by Dorothy Breen of Liberty, and various artifacts from the society’s Victorian Era collection complete the exhibit, which allows visitors a fascinating opportunity to step back in time.

The Sullivan County Historical Society is located in the Sullivan County Museum, located at 265 Main Street in Hurleyville. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed on Monday.

The special Victorian Era exhibit runs through the end of February,2010. For information, call 434-8044.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from SCHS Showcases Victorian Era visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

Four or five weeks ago, NY State Assemblymember Aileen Gunther and her staff decided to have a holiday open house. It would also be a great time, they realized, to collect items for Operation Support Our Troops, a nationwide effort to send boxes of goodies and personal items to military personnel stationed overseas.

Lots of invitations were sent out and lots of people pitched in to help including Barbara Strong, a teacher from Benjamin Cosor Elementary School in South Fallsburg. “Sandy Vanderzell and I talked about sending out a letter that asked in lieu of gifts for us that the children participate [in this effort],” said Strong, “and one of my aides did the same thing, asking us not to give her gifts, but donate instead to this cause.” Several other teachers and teacher’s aides hopped on board, and Strong said that several of the correctional officers from/ Woodbourne Correctional Facility participated as well. 

At the actual open house on December 14, piles and piles of items were on display in the lobby of Gunther’s office in Monticello.

As guests arrived, they contributed boxes and bags to the collection and then hob-knobbed with neighbors and friends, enjoying food and drink, and even some entertainment courtesy of Stacey Cohen and her guitar.

Items collected included personal items like: toothpaste, tissues, deodorant, shaving items, lip balm, and entertainment and food items including: books, CDs, DVDs, envelopes, pens and notepaper, magazines, instant noodles, pudding, energy bars, plastic zip-lock bags (to keep the sand out), lemonade mix, beef jerky, batteries and candy, and so much more.

Gunther also mentioned that her office is collecting names of military troops serving overseas, “if anyone in the assembly district I serve has a child serving oversees, we’d love to send them a special package. Please let us know if they have special likes or dislikes, or allergies. In Sullivan County and surrounding areas, contact her at 794-5807or click here to contact Gunther through her Web site.

Once collected, the items have to be sorted, packed and shipped. And that’s where Stephanie Johnson comes in. Representing Operation Support Our Troops, Johnson (pictured with Gunther in photo at left) has been a military mom since 2002, when her son Erik became a member of the first West Point class following 9/11. “I’ve been packing boxes for the troops for quite a few years,” said Johnson. “We’ve sent over 20 tons of care packages.” She and her helpers send packages all year long to “to local kids, friends of local kids, family members … it’s a way to build up their morale, especially at the holiday times when their morale takes a little dip because they’re really missing being home with their family.” Johnson’s son, a captain in the army just returned from deployment in Iraq. He’s now stationed in Missouri, as is his sister Jennifer Johnson, who is a doctor.

The items get boxed up, and taken to the post office. “Each box is sent to an individual soldier,” says Johnson, “but each soldier shares their box with other soldiers, so we put several of the same item in each package.”

Johnson explains that each box is handled four or five times, “so it’s an intense labor of love. Each box weighs 20-35 pounds, so Johnson is asking for donations to help defray the cost of postage. Contact Gunther’s office for additional information on donating.

Of all the items collected, there is one thing that the soldiers want more than anything else, and it’s also the most difficult to collect. “The hardest thing for us to get is for people to put pen to paper and write a note,” says Johnson. “ ‘Dear Soldier, we appreciate your sacrifice and thank you for all that you’re doing.’ ” Johnson says that it’s hard for people to express their feelings. “I challenge each and every one of your readers to do that – write a letter, send it to Aileen’s office and we’ll forward them on – every month of every year, we have been sending packages. As long as there are troops overseas, we’ll send packages. This is a heartfelt thank you – write what you think a soldier would want to hear.”

You can send your Dear Soldier letter care of Assemblymember Aileen Gunther, District Office, 18 Anawana Lake Road, Monticello, NY 12701.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Open House for the Troops visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Kyle Barrett, trumpet, senior high band.

LAKE HUNTINGTON – Sullivan West Central High School presented their 7th Annual Senior High Winter Concert on Tuesday, December 15; just in time for the holidays.

Nadine Ramdhany, clarinet, senior high band.

The senior high band, under the direction of Ross Reynolds played five spirited works: “The Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key and arranged by Moffit; “Gypsy Dance” from “Carmen” by Bizet and arranged by Reed; “Magic Valley” by Watson; “Christmas Favorites, arranged by Swearingen; and the finale to the “William Tell Overture” by Rossini as arranged by Longfield.

Danielle Marion (section leader), Kendra Barker, clarinets, senior high band.

The senior high choir under the direction of Kim Eschenberg with Key Uy as piano accompanist, performed four works: “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light” By J.S. Bach; “This Little Babe” from “A Ceremony of Carols” by Benjamin Britten; “Grown Up Christmas List” by Foster/Jenner as arranged by Chinn; and “Fruitcake” by Hagemann/Leka.

In “Fruitcake” the choir rocked the house, as they had a blast performing the campy work that was as much fun to watch as doing the “Time Warp” from the modern day film classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, as the choir sang and acted out some wacky choreography for a real crowd pleaser.

Catherine Peters and Megan Calkin, senior high choir.

The Jazz Band, directed by Reynolds performed three works: “All’s Well That Ends Well,” by Phelps; Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” as arranged by Holmes; and “Watermelon Man” by Hancock and arranged by Kamuf.

The axe man cometh – as part of the jazz band’s hot licks show, a merry elf scampered out on stage to present Reynolds with his favorite Christmas toy, a spit-shined trumpet he used to perfection as he sat in with the band.

Ross Reynolds, director of the jazz band and senior high band.

The curtain on Sullivan West’s popular annual senior high winter concert drew to a close with a three piece rock band comprised of Jeffrey Yeung (guitar), Max Carmack (drum set) and Hannah Rettoun (bass guitar/vocals).

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Sullivan West Musicians on Parade visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

When you speak with Jeremy Gorelick, you get the feeling he’s never met a challenge he didn’t like.

The newly elected chairman of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, which just celebrated its 35th year, comes to the post with a solid background in business, finance and economics, having majored, at Johns Hopkins University, in International Studies with a minor in entrepreneurship and management for his Bachelor’s Degree, then getting his Master’s in International Economics with a minor in Eastern European Economies.  And he’s a Phi Beta Kappa, and he got his Bachelor’s in three years instead of the requisite four, and just to keep everything well rounded, he minored in music performance.

And yet, working in high finance, even while experiencing the accompanying glamorous nightlife, was not what Gorelick wanted to do. “I was somewhere in the Middle East and I’m thinking, ‘how did I get here?’ It was moving too quickly … which made me question some things and realize there were better opportunities for me to channel my energy …”

At that point in time, Gorelick’s father, Jerrold, founder of Emanon Equities, a well-established, successful development company on Long Island, asked his son to work with him. “I didn’t want to work with him immediately,” says the younger Gorelick, “so I did development and consulting for him and other developers on Long Island. And my dad realized that it would be smart for him to hire me to work with the company. I told him I’d only work if I was president of the company.”

Jeremy reports that, while it was a difficult adjustment for his father, the pair eventually “found their groove.” But, looking for new challenges, the younger Gorelick decided to come to Sullivan County where his family had property. “I came here with the idea of developing property in [the Town of] Fallsburg. We started with plans for 550 residential units and about 85,000 square feet of commercial property, then scaled it back to 350 residential and 45,000 square feet of commercial. It’s on Route 52 in Woodbourne right at the Sullivan–Ulster border.” …

To read the full story go to – New Chairman Brings His Can-Do Background to Sullivan County Chamber in the new Sullivan Faces Section of The Catskill Chronicle or just click on the link.

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White Lake, NY – Despite tough economic times, Bethel and Sullivan County residents showed great generosity at the Friends4Friends benefit/party at the White Lake Firehouse on Saturday December 12.

The holiday celebration, aimed at helping Shepherd’s Food Pantry in Bethel, as well as the three local fire departments, raised $1,600 in cash and checks, $80 in gift cards, and many packaged food donations. Fifty percent of the proceeds plus the food will go to Shepherd’s Pantry.

The other half of the proceeds will be distributed among the White Lake, Kauneonga Lake and Smallwood/Mongaup Valley Fire Departments – all who responded to the devastating November 7 fire at Friends Pub in Smallwood.

Jim DiCarlo, owner of Friends Pub who spoke at the event, said, “I took for granted how much the fire companies do. They did a tremendous job at saving that building. They are the ones who deserve all the credit for what’s happening tonight. If it were not for the fire companies, who knows what might have been.”

Friends4Friends gave representatives of each fire department a Certificate of Appreciation that were presented by Town Supervisor Daniel Sturm.

The event was truly a “taste of Sullivan” with many delicious plates donated by many local restaurants and free beverages provided by County Fountain Supplies.

Rich Klein, a spokesperson for Friends4Friends, said, “We are thrilled at how everything turned out, from the amount of money raised and goods donated, to the great spirit of giving by individuals and businesses, and the holiday spirit that filled the room. The Friends4Friends committee was so inspired that, before the night was over, we were already talking about doing this every year.”

Klein added that many people volunteered to make the event a success, from middle and high school students serving food and supervising little kids at the drawing tables, and cleaning up, to senior citizens staying late to mop the floor.

Cobalt Studio’s Rachel Keebler, donated her face painting talents, while John Slaver and Louis Landon donated the musical entertainment for the entire evening.

The event was created by Friends4Frends, a small group of concerned citizens who wanted to support Friends Pub owners Jim and Mary Ellen DiCarlo as they rebuild in coming months and plan their grand re-opening for this spring.

Those who want to donate can continue to do so. Just email Jo-Ann Peabody at mrspeabody@hvc.rr.com, or call her at 845-798-5885. Donations can also be mailed to Friends4Friends, c/o Malek Properties, PO Box 567, White Lake, NY 12786. Checks should be made out to: BLDC.

DiCarlo also told the crowd that the demolition of Friends Pub in Smallwood is now complete and that new construction is about to begin this week, noting that the new Friends Pub will have some additional space when it reopens this Spring.

More information about the event, a list of restaurants that donated and progress about the rebuilding of Friends Pub, can soon be found at http://friends4friends.wordpress.com, http://twitter.com/friendspub, on the Smallwood, NY page on Facebook as well as on other pages/blogs/websites about Smallwood, Bethel, Sullivan County and the Catskills.

Founding Members of Friends4Friends: Carol Malek and Tina Guarini of Malek Properties; Jo-Ann Peabody of Jo-Ann Peabody Management; Lori Rubinstein-Fleck of RubyFlecks Creative Consulting; Rich Klein of LawFirmsPR; Paul Ciliberto of Bold Gold Media; Denise Frangipane, Town of Bethel Councilwoman and Daniel Sturm, Town of Bethel Supervisor.

Photos for this press release were provided by Lori Rubinstein-Fleck.

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Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Erica Simone, soprano.

FALLSBURG – On Thursday, December 10, the Fallsburg Central High School Music Department presented their annual winter concert.

The junior chorus directed by Colleen Barber and accompanied by pianist Leon Hilfstein performed “Something Told the Wild Geese” arranged by Sherri Porterfield, and featured soloists Ashlyn Nardi and Christine Garcia; “The Tiger!” arranged by Porterfield based on the original poem by William Blake (1757-1827).

The junior band directed by John Lusk performed “Band on Parade” by M. Sweeney and L. Clark’s “Festival Chorale & March”.

The select chorus directed by Barber with accompaniment by Hilfstein, performed “The Winter Snow” arranged by Audrey Snyder and based on an original poem by Emily Dickenson (1830-1886); “I Am But A Small Voice” arranged by Roger Emerson, and featured soloists Susan Moody and Jeweliana Trujillo.

The senior chorus directed by Barber and accompanied by Hilfstein performed a trio of works: “Love Changes Everything” arranged by Ed Lojeski; “Elijah and Joshua” arranged by Sally K. Albrecht; “Winter, Fire and Snow” arranged by Emerson, featuring soloists Isabel Mejia and Janelle Laguio.

The combined chorus directed by Barber with accompaniment by Hilfstein, rocked the house with “Man in the Mirror” arranged by Lojeski, a work originally performed by Michael Jackson (1958-2009), and featured soloists Irvin Lemus, Sherrod Williams, Alex Orellana and Shakree Gibson.

The senior band directed by Lusk showcased their musical talents with five works: “March Militaire” by Schubert/Hubbell, “Song for Winds” by J. Edmondson, “Mini-Suite” by M. Gould, “sleigh Ride” by L. Anderson/Story, and “School Song” arranged by Yoder.

The 2009-2010 Fallsburg Central School’s Winter Concert drew to a finale with the audience singing the school song:

Fallsburg Central, Fallsburg Central, greatest in the land.

Colors flying, strength undying. Courage we will band together.”

Fallsburg Central, Fallsburg Central, greatest in the land.

March on to victory, hand in hand.”

Captions for photos from top to bottom –

Cody Vegliate, junior band.

Susan Moody and Jeweliana Trujillo, soloist altos.

Jeweliana Trujillo, Janelle Laguio and Marie Countryman, altos.

Danielle Stratton, junior band flute.

Zaira Pabon, senior band oboe.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Blowing Up a Storm… visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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WALLKILL – The Town of Wallkill Boys & Girls Club, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexis Eggleton as the organization’s new Executive Director. The agency serves the Town of Wallkill, Pine Bush and Sullivan County and provides recreational and youth development services to over 1,200 children annually. She will assume the duties of Executive Director on January 4, 2010.

Dr. Ivan Katz, Superintendent of the Fallsburg Central School District who co-chaired the Candidate Search, said, “The search process to find a new Executive Director was long and multi-dimensional. With more than 70 applicants from all over the country, this highly sought after position was competitive and made the search committee’s job exceptionally challenging. For Alexis to have risen to the top of this highly competitive field speaks volumes to the skills and enthusiasm that she brings to the table."

Ms. Eggleton has served as Legislative Aide to the Sullivan County Legislature for nearly four years, and spearheaded several legislative initiatives including serving as Chair of the 2009 Sullivan County Bicentennial Celebration. Ms. Eggleton was also instrumental in expanding the Boys & Girls Clubs into Sullivan County in 2007, and has served on the Board of Directors and as the Sullivan County Advisory Board Chair for the past three years. She brings with her many years of experience in government relations, community outreach and development.

Boys & Girls Clubs’ Board of Directors President Paul Anderson-Winchell said, “Ms. Eggleton will bring to this position her passion for the Boys & Girls Club Movement, along with her exceptional organizational abilities and a tremendous work ethic. Her leadership will ensure that we can move into the next decade confident that we will continue to grow and provide quality services to the children our communities.”

Ms. Eggleton is an alumna of the Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress Fellows program, and is a graduate of The Ohio State University and the Roscoe Central School District. She resides in Bethel, NY.

For more information about this press release, please contact the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Town of Wallkill, Pine Bush and Sullivan County, 845-361-2222.

*Photo credit: Danielle Gaebel

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

Children squealed with joy as The Santa Express pulled into The Corner at Eldred on Saturday, December 12. And their parents and grandparents were delighted as well.

Brainchild of Lou Monteleone, general manager of The Corner at Eldred, The Santa Express is a 50-foot lighted, musical sleigh, complete with sound system, generator, GPS and nearly 5000 twinkling lights.

On board, the children found Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, The Gingerbread Man, The Christmas Mouse, lots of elves and the Snow Queen – singing sensation Alyssa Startup. Also onboard were lighted reindeer, trees and wreaths.

Every child received a toy from Santa, and reindeer food from the elves. And everyone got to accompany the Snow Queen in a holiday sing-a-long.

Also at The Corner in Eldred, the children and their families visited Santa’s Village.

After stopping in Eldred, The Santa Express headed down Proctor Road to Glen Spey, then made its way over to the Four Corners in Yulan and arrived for the final stop in Main Street in Narrowsburg. And along the way, hundreds of people lined the road or waved from their windows as they greeted Santa and his friends on their 50-mile journey.

At each stop, children were encouraged to put their letters to Santa in the onboard mailbox.

“It was the night I live for,” said Monteleone. “The kids with the smiles warmed my heart.”

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Santa’s Village at The Corner in Eldred on Tuesday, December 15, Friday, December 18, Saturday, December 19, and Sunday, December 20. All nights from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from The Santa Express, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Compilation and photos by Carol Montana

LIBERTY / MONTICELLO – Despite the first snow of the season, Thunder 102’s ThunderBlast, the holiday celebration and collection event for “Toys for Tots,” held at Monticello Casino & Raceway on December 5, collected hundreds of toys for the Marine Corps’ “Toys for Tots” campaign.

Rocking this year’s event were hometown boys and Nashville singers/songwriters, Somerville and special guest Alyssa Startup who performed The National Anthem during the US Marines’ special presentation of the colors prior to the event.

Paul Ciliberto of Ciliberto & Friends on Thunder 102 and New York Region Market Manager for Bold Gold Media said, “We are proud that our ThunderHeads braved the weather for a chance to help out Toys For Tots.” Mike Sakell of Sakell in the Afternoon added, “Our ThunderHeads donated several hundred toys to this worthy cause.” ThunderHeads is the name the radio station gives to its legions of fans.

This Toys For Tots concert even had the participating bands getting into the spirit of the holiday season by donating their time, talents and toys to be part of ThunderBlast. “It’s was all about the kids,” said Barry Somerville, “and whatever we could do to make their Christmas a little happier.”

The hundreds of toys collected at ThunderBlast — ten 30 gallon garbage bags worth — were picked up from Monticello Casino and Raceway by the Marine Corps Reserves on Friday, December 11 for distribution to Sullivan County children. On hand to assist with the pickup were (left to right): Cindy Nolan, Revenue Verification Clerk and Eileen Cavanaugh, Manager of Human Resources both from Monticello Casino and Raceway; Regina Hensley, Marketing and Promotions Director, Michelle Semerano of Ciliberto & Friends, Mike Sakell of Sakell in the Afternoon, and Paul Ciliberto of Ciliberto and Friends, all of Thunder 102; James Meyers, Commandant Catskill Detachment Marine Corps League, and Cliff Ehrlich, President and General Manager of Monticello Casino and Raceway, who also presented a check to the grateful Marines.

Following the toy pickup Bob DeMan, Catskill Detachment Paymaster and James Meyers explained that Marine Corps League distributes the toys to large charitable organizations, I.O.U. in Callicoon, CASA, Cache and all other individual parents who call 252-3549. 

Meyers explained that the program is running short right now for items for teenagers and children 10-12. Suitable items for older children include: MP3 players, CDs, sports gear, make-up and personal items for girls, and anything that an older child would enjoy. Items will be accepted through approximately December 19. Call the number above to donate. 

About “Toys for Tots”:

Since 1947, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve “Toys for Tots” Program has distributed more than 370 million toys to more than 173 million needy children. This charitable endeavor has made U.S. Marines the unchallenged leaders in looking after needy children at Christmas. If you would like more information on Toys For Tots, please go to www.toysfortots.org.

About Thunder 102:

Serving Sullivan, Orange and Ulster Counties in New York and Wayne and Pike Counties in Pennsylvania, Thunder 102 is a community-focused hot country station that has taken its listening area by storm through it promotions, concerts and fundraising efforts for local events. Thunder 102 is on Facebook and Twitter and streams live. To listen live, or for more information on upcoming events, please go to www.thunder102.com.

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MONTICELLO – The Sullivan County CARECORPS Anti-Drug Coalition held a press conference on December 3 at the Government Center in Monticello to announce the Safe Holidays STOP Sticker Campaign. Coordinators of the organization are Carolyn Massey and Bob Korabik of the Recovery Center.

Restricting sales of alcohol and tobacco products to underage youth in Sullivan County and promoting a Social Host Ordinance and Mandated Servers’ Training Ordinance are the main environmental strategies of the coalition. The latter two regulations would educate parents and retail establishments to be responsible and not provide alcohol to underage youth in private parties in people’s homes and in bars and taverns. Ordinances would bring the support of law enforcement and the larger community into helping prevent the tragedies brought on by abuse of alcohol among our young people.

Chair of the CARECORPS group, Larry Schafman, welcomed parents, students, and residents as well as members of the media. He explained the importance and timeliness of this campaign as the holiday season begins. He introduced the following speakers who reinforced the message; State Trooper Sergeant Michael Rushanski, Sullivan County Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, Fallsburg Police Chief Simmie Williams, Catskill Regional Medical Center CEO Steve Ruwoldt, students Jose Lemus from Fallsburg High School and D.R.E.A.M. Tank (pictured here at the podium in the government center lobby), Christina Neist from Tri Valley High School and the Catholic Youth Organization, Judge Josephine Finn and student Matt Sze from D.R.E.A.M. Tank, Rachel Lewis from Sullivan County Youth Alliance, Sullivan County Family Court Judge Mark Meddaugh, and District Attorney Elect Jim Farrell. Also Mr. Schafman read a letter of support from Terri Ward, President/CEO of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce.

Student volunteers are actively meeting with businesses throughout the County to place the STOP stickers in their windows and to create a consciousness of not serving alcohol or tobacco products to anyone they suspect of being under age.

If you would like to support the program and volunteer your service as a youngster or member of a youth group, please contact Larry Schafman at Fallsburg High School, 434-6800, ext 2213.

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MONTICELLO – On Tuesday, December 1, Community Unity held their 4^th Annual Community Unity Luncheon and Dinner at Mr. Willy’s Restaurant in Monticello. The luncheon and dinner programs were held to honor one organization and two hard-working couples for their activism and generosity in the community.

The luncheon program honored the Cooperative Federal Credit Union (CFCU), an organization with a long and storied history, inextricably intertwined with the Sullivan County Catskills. CFCU is the sponsor of two $5,000 scholarships awarded each year to students with a demonstrated commitment to community service, one of which is dedicated to a student attending Sullivan County Community College.

The dinner program honored two ‘power couples’ in the field of community activism, Richard and Barbara Sush and Phil and Donna Vallone.

The Sushes were honored for their longstanding commitment to the community and for Richard’s leadership role in the community groundswell to save RISE (Rape Intervention Services and Education). 

The Vallones were celebrated for their exceptional service to a myriad of youth oriented and volunteer organizations in Sullivan County. 

The event was broadcasted on WSUL with Annika Sonic (lunch) and on WVOS with Chris Ingram (dinner).

*Community Unity is a coalition of four established organizations in Sullivan County, New York working to help break the cycles of abuse which harm our children and impair the quality of life in our county. Sullivan County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), The Federation for the Homeless, PPMHV RISE (Rape Intervention Services and Education) and the Recovery Center are effective and dynamic service organizations working with the courts and community structures to repair the fabric of lives. individually we provide meals, housing, intervention, prevention, education, treatment, counseling, support  and advocacy.

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Saint Nick and his merry band of helpful elves: Sharon McMan, Jason Parks, Nick Cristino.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

WURTSBORO/WOODBOURNE – “It’s fulfilling a life-long dream,” said Jason Parks, who turned up at O’Toole’s Harley Davidson on Sunday in the guise of Saint Nick, before heading over to Woodbourne to hand out tons of toys to hundreds of needy kids in the county’s Head Start program.

As a ten-year old, Parks watched his father play Santa Claus, and now 30-some years later he got to don a bright red costume as Saint Nick, albeit with a longer custom made coat fashioned by “Mrs. Claus,” Becky Siruchek.

Along with a longer coat, the biker from Middletown sported a shorter beard with a touch of artificial white instead of Santa’s usual long white whiskers.

“I was going to get it bleached, but it would have turned orange,” he added of the whiskers dye-job in a move that probably saved a lot of kids nightmares if they sat on the lap of a big guy in a red suit with a face full of orange hair.

“I stopped shaving and cutting my hair back in September,” he added. “After three-and-a-half months, I can’t wait to get a shave and a haircut.”

On December 20, Saint Nick returns to the Wurtsboro-based Harley Davidson dealership to pose for pictures with kids from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. For information about pics with Saint Nick, who when not playing a jolly old fellow who hands out gifts on Christmas, rides a 2006 Harley-Davidson Ultra Glide, call O’Toole’s at 888-2426.

A couple of years ago, Parks fulfilled another dream and bought his first Harley-Davidson, only to total it in a collision with a run away deer at 45 mph. That bike was history, so two weeks later he was back on another Harley, a bike considered the icon of American freedom and independence two-wheeled iron.

As Saint Nick prepared to make the trip from Wurtsboro over the Woodbourne, he rode in a 1970 Mack fire truck owned by Walter Barrett, and was accompanied by two “elves,” 21-year old Sharon McMan and Nick Cristino, 18.

John O’Toole, founder of O’Toole’s Harley Davidson may have retired a few months ago, but the tradition of the yearly Harley Owners Group (HOG) toy run lives on. Twenty-four years ago, the motorcycle dealership and the Wurtsboro HOG Chapter joined forces to kick start the toy drive to benefit the Head Start kids. Over the years, tons of toys have been distributed to thousands of children, and 2009 was no exception, as an estimated 500 kids got a chance to meet jolly Saint Nick and get a few toys just in time for the holiday season.

After Tom “Tommy Vig” Verviglione and Dan Tandy hung up their Wall Street suits, they bought the motorcycle shop in July 2008, and in addition to selling Harleys, switched over the leathers and boots as they carried on the tradition of brightening the holidays for a lot of kids who might otherwise face a bleak Christmas.

“There’s nobody wearing a Honda tattoo, we love the lifestyle,” said Verviglione.

“The Wurtsboro HOGS are fantastic…they show up for everything. They are one of the best chapters in the country, and we’re lucky to have ‘em.”

Tandy said they came to Wurtsboro and acquired the Harley-Davidson dealership in search of the similar passion they once felt for Wall Street. “This is a dream come true for both of us,” he said. “There is nothing better suited than the passion of Harley-Davidson…we sell a lifestyle, not a motorcycle.”

In 1953, Marlon Brando starred in “The Wild One”, a tale about rowdy motorcycles taking over a small town, and the legend of badass bikers was born. Although Brando rode a Triumph Thunderbird 6T in the film, and Steve McQueen had a thing for old bikes, Harleys are forever engraved in the American consciousness as statements of individuality; rendered in chromed steel.

Only a trio of bikers, all members of the local HOG chapter, braved the cold and lingering snowfall, as they put rubber to the road on the journey from Wurtsboro to Woodbourne: Ron Miller of Wurtsboro and his Harley-Davidson 2009 Super Glide, Stevew Pappas of Liberty astride his 2004 Heritage Softtail, and Brett Kronholve of Wurtsboro on his 1987 “customized and modernized” Sportster.

At O’Toole’s Harley Davidson, American Flags rule the day along with iconic American iron: Old Glory is seen through the front window as reflected off a new motorcycle.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Bikers Ride for Tots visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Members of SCVA and their families enjoy the festivities at Piccolo Paese Restaurante in Liberty

Story by Phyllis Andrews with photos by Leni Santoro

LIBERTY – The Sullivan County Visitors Association (SCVA) celebrated the holidays with its Annual Meeting held at Piccolo Paese Restaurante in Liberty on December 2nd.  Members and guests were treated to a fabulous array of fantastic food prepared by owner/chef Baco Vulaj, a brief business meeting and networking.

Paul Carlucci, Villa Roma Resort and Chairman of the Visitors Association, welcomed the members and addressed the dignitaries that were in attendance.

Special recognition was given to Senator John Bonacic and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther as Tourism Advocates for the Sullivan County Catskills. 

Jacob Billig and Pat Brown, representing the Stockbridge Munsee/Trading Cove Gaming Project, addressed the attendees of the progress of the proposed casino development in Bridgeville. 

Bill Liblick, representing the Seneca Nation/Rotate Black Gaming Project, addressed the membership of the progress of their casino development in the Town of Thompson .

The Stockbridge Munsee/Trading Cove and Seneca/ Rotate Black developments were sponsors of the Annual Holiday Meeting.  The Monticello Motor Club, Sullivan County Democrat, Fisher Mears Associates and Kenyon Press were also sponsors of the event.

President/CEO Roberta Byron-Lockwood discussed the vast accomplishments of the SCVA over the past year as well as outlining some of the marketing and goals the association will embark in the coming year. 

The results of the Board of Directors election were announced.  Norman Duttweiler of Forestburgh Playhouse, Elaine Giguere of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, Rick Lander of Lander’s River Trips, and Barbara Gref of Jeffersonville Hydroelectric were re-elected to serve another three years on the Board. The slate of officers for 2010 are Paul Carlucci of the Villa Roma as Chairman of the Board, Rick Lander of Landers River Trips as Vice Chairman, Michele Caltabellotta of Dead End Café as Secretary, and Norman Duttweiler of Forestburgh Playhouse as Treasurer.  Richard Delia of Ferndale Antiques Marketplace was also reappointed to the Executive Board. 

The Association also awarded their 7^th Annual TOAST (Tribute to Outstanding Associate Serving Tourism) Award to JoAnn Bowers from the Roscoe Little Store at the Annual Meeting.  Each year the Visitors Association honors an employee involved in the tourism industry who has shown outstanding dedication and hospitality to the industry.

Association members were asked to nominate someone who they felt met the criteria.  Carrol Adolf from the Little Store, nominated Ms. Bowers for her over 28 years of service during which she consistently remained a dedicated, most reliable, and exceptional worker.  Without being asked, she has always treated customers with the utmost respect, a cheery smile and ready to serve their needs.  The Visitors Association joins Carrol Adolph in extending to Ms. Bowers our heartfelt appreciation for her dedication and service.

The Association’s Ambassador Award was presented to Patricia Yelle from Morning Star Creations in Roscoe, recognized her for going above and beyond the call of duty in providing assistance to visitors.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from SCVA Annual Meeting Celebrates Tourism in the County visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Rev. Kit Robinson, pastor of the First Grace Lutheran Parish in Jeffersonville, lights several candles during the vigil.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

JEFFERSONVILLE – Sometimes one voice speaks for millions.

On Saturday night, December 5, the First Grace Lutheran Church of Jeffersonville held a World AIDS Day ecumenical service and candlelight vigil to raise awareness of the international pandemic and in Rev. Kit Robinson’s words, “Remember those who have lost and those who continue to fight.”

Based upon UNAIDS estimates, there are currently 33.4 million people living with AIDS across the globe, including 2.1 million children. In 2007, a reported 2 million lives were lost, including 270,000 kids.

Lynn Reno of Jeffersonville remembered a friend lost to HIV/AIDS in October.

At the local candlelight ceremony, in addition to the pastor’s family and a friend of the church, only one person walked through the doors of the parish to remember a friend who died of AIDS in October.

“I wanted to come to the vigil to pay my respects to a friend who lived  with HIV for 20 years and who just passed away,” said Lynn Reno of  Jeffersonville. “I think we could be could be much farther along helping individual people with HIV if we could let go of the shame and the stigma attached to it,” she added, in essence serving as one lonely voice speaking for a million and a half people living with HIV/AIDS around the world.

Rev. Robinson was joined in the parish candlelight vigil by his wife Christa, their two daughters, Heather, 9, and 16-year old Stephany, along with Catherine Scott of Hortonville, a friend of the church who last year suggested the idea of holding an AIDS Day remembrance at the local parish.

Rev. Robinson said the AIDS Day ceremony was appropriate due to area’s significant gay population and the fact that he offers support to a few folks living with HIV/AIDS. “There are a couple of people I know who have HIV and one guy who has AIDS,” he said. “I don’t even think about it any more, it’s all par of my calling…they have spiritual needs, and that’s why I’m here.”

Christa Robinson is a student nurse, and over the past year and a half, has worked with three AIDS patients, along the dispelling a lot of perceived notions about the disease. “I’m not bleeding, they’re not bleeding, we’re okay.”

Scott said that while attending the local community college, she wrote a couple of papers on HIV/AIDS for Professor Tom Russell’s class. “AIDS is something that affects all of us even if we don’t know anybody with it,” she said. “It doesn’t know any race, any gender, any age…it has no boundaries or countries. There is no longer a face of AIDS, [and] we have become very apathetic, there is a lack of education as to how AIDS is spread.”

“We talk about pregnancy in this country, but we don’t talk about how AIDS is spread…there is no adoption fix for HIV, how sad is that?,” added Scott.

Rev. Kit Robinson, pastor of the First Grace Lutheran Parish of Jeffersonville had a power-point presentation about World AIDS Day 2009.

World AIDS Day was conceived in August 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers (PIO) for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva Switzerland. Since then, December 1 has been recognized as World AIDS Day, and since 1995 the President of the United States has issued an official proclamation on World AIDS Day.

In his proclamation dated November 25, 2009 President Barack Obama said, “Our nation joins the world in celebrating the extraordinary advancements we have made in the battle against HIV and AIDS, and remembering those we have lost.”

“Over the past three decades, brave men and women have fought devastating discrimination, stigma, doubt, and violence as they stood in the face of this deadly disease…On World AIDS Day, we rededicate ourselves to developing a national AIDS strategy that will establish the priorities necessary to combat this devastating epidemic at home, and to renewing our leadership role and commitments abroad.”

“Though we have been witness to incredible progress, our struggle against HIV/AIDS is far from over. With an infection rate occurring every nine-and-half minutes in America, there are more than one million individuals estimated to be living with the disease in our country. Of those currently affected, one in five does not know they have the condition, and the majority of new infections are spread by people unaware of their own status.”

“HIV/AIDS does not discriminate as it infiltrates neighborhoods and communities,” added President Obama. “Americans of any gender, age, ethnicity, income, or sexual orientation can be and are contracting the disease…While the statistics are distressing, new medications and scientific advancements have given us hope.”

A lit candle remembers “those who have lost and those who continue to fight.

AIDS has taken the lives of more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which became operational in 1996 after taking over the planning and promotion of World AIDS Day.

The theme of the first Worlds AIDS Day of 1988 was “Communication”, and for each World AIDS Day from 2005 through 2010, the theme is “Stop AIDS,. Keep the Promise”, along with a yearly sub-theme, which for 2009 is  “Universal Access and Human Rights”, as violations against human rights help spread HIV/AIDS, as marginalized groups such as IV drug users and sex workers are put at a higher risk of infection.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from A Quiet Vigil for AIDS visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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By Carol Montana

 LIBERTY – The informational town-hall meeting held at the Liberty Senior Center on Tuesday, December 1 was fairly calm until the topic of the solid-waste user fee came up.

County Manager David Fanslau, Legislative Chair Jonathan Rouis, Legislator Jodi Goodman and Commissioner of Management and Budget Joshua Potosek began by explaining to the 50 or so people who attended how the Sullivan County budget is created.

Topics covered included not only the budget, but problems inherent in putting it together including: state pension increases, unfunded state mandates, loss of property-tax revenue due to the recession, and the high cost of tax exemptions.

For its part, the audience asked about furloughing employees rather than laying them off, the possibilities of getting grants, county airport expenses, what’s being done to attract businesses to Sullivan County and why weren’t we able to predict some of these problems.

When it came time to talk about the solid-waste user fee, the tension in the room became palpable. Discussion included new developments in getting rid of solid waste that are not allowed in NYS, repayments of debt, trying to blend the user-fee rate with recycling credits, costs to towns and what they should charge, elimination (or not) of tipping fees, less revenue or none at all for recycling certain plastics, policing to enforce recycling, a pay-as-you-go system per bag, the illegality of burning garbage, the possibility of out-of-county residents bringing garbage to SC, incinerators that produce ash that can’t be gotten rid of and more.

County Manager David Fanslau reiterated the general consensus that the county needs to enforce and step up recycling efforts, “We need to make recycling convenient and effective. People will recycle because they think it’s the right thing to do.”

Sullivan County First Recycling and Refuse owner Shirley Felder Morton reported that she has received some “serious phone calls about certain businesses that don’t use a local hauler.” She’s heard that they can apply to their town supervisor or town assessor under a section of the real-property to render the user fee null and void since they don’t use the service. “I got calls from about 10 residential customers saying either you take our garbage to PA or we’re going with someone else. I’m not buying a truck till I know what my costs are. … please, I’m begging you, my competitors have no clue what their costs are …”

Fanslau said that the “final price price per ton (of solid waste) has not been determined. …”

After the meeting, Felder continued, “It doesn’t hurt my fee structure, because I know what my costs are, it’s like the lumber business, we don’t have as much money to play with, I would be able to adjust them slightly, no more than $8 a home. I have people on the western side of the county, I have seniors and single mothers that call me every three weeks when they have a bag of garbage, and I charge them by the bag. So, how do I cut their bag rate of $6 by the 50% that this county – who has no clue what it means to run a garbage company, because if they did we wouldn’t be in the trouble that we’re in. It doesn’t hurt me.”

Felder actually believes a new fee structure will make it easier for her business. “Now I won’t have to collect $700,000 per year (and that’s before the economy got bad – because I used to give them $896,000. [Mine is] a company that gets no respect from these people – they treat us poorly, they give us a $25,000 credit limit, when I give them that in two days. So it saves me from having to collect that and collect that sales tax on it.”

When asked which of the three solid-waste scenarios – as detailed by Sullivan County management officials – she prefers, Felder answered, “I prefer none of these scenarios, because it hasn’t been thought out enough. How can you say that you’re going with this vendor when you don’t know what they’re charging. Stop spending our tax dollars on a whim, a hope, an area, a range. These are numbers. You add and multiply, it’s a formula. This is a no-brainer and I’m not a numbers person.”

The next informational town-hall meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mamakating Town Hall on Route 209 in Wurtsboro. 

Public hearings will be held on:

– Thursday, December 10 at noon in the Legislative Hearing Room, Sullivan County Government Center, Monticello.

– Monday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Legislative Hearing Room, Sullivan County Government Center, Monticello.

Click on the following link to view the 508-page Tentative Sullivan County Budget for 2010 online.

Click on the following link to view the Solid Waste Fee Evaluation Final Report done by Mid Atlantic Solid Waster Consultants.

Public comment on the budget in general or on specific topics related to the budget can be sent to publiccomment@co.sullivan.ny.us. The comments will be made available to all nine county legislators and entered into the official public record.

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Melissa B., one of the drug court graduates shares the moment with a friend.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

MONTICELLO – “I can remember a time in my life when I didn’t care whether I lived or died. Praying to God for him to take me while asleep and hating him when I opened my eyes and was so broken,” said Vanessa Davis during the Sullivan County Drug Treatment Court Graduation ceremony held at the county courthouse on December 1.

Vanessa D. one of the proud graduates sheds a few years of joys after getting her diploma.

The single mother from Liberty was introduced on the program was introduced to the crowed courtroom as Vanessa D., but afterwards was proud to give her full name in front of her daughter Brianna, son Giovanni, sister Sarah, nephew Eugene and a best friend named Sarah, all of whom watched her proudly as she stepped up to receive her hard earned diploma from Sullivan County Court Judge Frank J. LaBuda, June Pato-Ryan, Sullivan County Drug Court Coordinator, and Sullivan County DA Stephen F. Lungen.

Davis said that getting through the drug court program wasn’t an easy road to hoe, but it certainly beat the alternative. She said she was put on probation for drinking and smoking dope, but broke the conditions of probation and wound up in the local drug court.

“I wanted to quit so many times, but I knew that my destructive ways would lead me to prison or worse – dead. I was broken down and they gave me a chance…it was worth it to see the change in myself.”

Sullivan County Court Judge Frank J. LaBuda addressed the six graduates and attendees to the ceremony.

Five-some years ago Judge LaBuda, DA Lungen and others teamed up to form the Sullivan County Drug Court, which now has about four graduating classes a year.

Members of the drug court: Sullivan County Court (Judge LaBuda, chief clerk Earl Lilley, Pato-Ryan), DA’s Office (DA Lungen, and ADA Joey Z. Drillings), Sullivan Legal Aid Panel, Inc. (Stephen Schick, executive director, and Mark Sherman), Sullivan County Probation Department (Kristy Sigelakis, probation officer), Sullivan County Department of Public services (Kathi W. Hitt, compliance director, and Rosemary Wolfe, coordinator intervention & outreach), Sullivan County Alcohol & drug Abuse Services (Melissa Stickle, coordinator), and from the Recovery Center (Julia Garay-Daniel, day rehab director).The mission statement of the Drug Court:

• “A program that brings together the justice system with the chemical dependency treatment system to assist substance abusers with criminal charges, who meet program criteria, to overcome their drug problem benefitting both themselves and the community.”
• “The Sullivan County Drug Court Team works with each participant to provide assessment of their chemical dependency problem, referral to an appropriate treatment provider, and management of their criminal case.”
• “The goal is to help participants break the drug-crime cycle through
  recovery from addiction and become productive law-0abiding members f the
  community.”

June Pato-Ryan, drug court coordinator.

The short version of the drug court ‘s mission is summed up in their motto, “Knowledge attained, change retained. Striving to live drug-free and alcohol-free.”

Judge LaBuda’s take on the role of the drug court?

“It’s so important to making our community a better place by taking people with drug and alcohol problems who violate the law, and giving them help, the chance to get over their problems and become productive citizens again.”

He noted that the graduating class of December 1, 2009 was with six grads, the second largest group to successfully compete the program, only two short of the record number of eight graduates.

The graduates of 12-1-2009:  Barry B., Melissa B., Kevin C., Vanessa D., Timothy F., and Jose V.

After the graduation ceremony, Timothy F. serenaded his fellow-grads and the courtroom filled with relatives, drug court alumni and well-wishers with a few holiday tunes.

Judge LaBuda described the county’s drug court program “as the good part of my job, it’s not blood and guts, it’s about positive people trying to turn their lives around.”

Timothy F., drug court graduate, serenades his fellow grads and guests with holiday songs.

According to Judge LaBuda, a veteran of Desert Storm, and retiring DA Lungen, a highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, they have been worked on establishing a Veteran’s Court in the County, which he expects to see operation by next year.

The idea for setting up a veterans court stemmed from an incident back on March 9 in Buffalo, NY when police responded to a disturbance call at the residence of a 59-year old U.S. Army veteran of the War in Vietnam, who in court said he confronted the uniformed officers with a loaded shotgun because he was drunk on vodka and was suffering wartime flashbacks. The incident was reported in USA Today by Matthew Daneman, who quoted the vet as telling Buffalo City Court Judge Robert Russell “I’m still in recovery, still facing myself”, as he recounted thinking the responding officers were Vietcong soldiers from 40-some years in his past. Judge Russell created Buffalo’s drug treatment court in 1995, and a mental heath treatment court in 2003.

In January, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Drug Court Institute (NDCI), this is the nation’s first veterans treatment court.

“Especially now will the record number of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder)…there is a crisis in the nation and the veteran’s administration,” said Judge LaBuda, adding he was recently faced with the difficult task of sending a Vietnam War vet with a drinking problem to prison.

Keynote speaker Sullivan County DA Stephen F. Lungen talked to the graduates about becoming productive members of the community.

Sullivan County DA Lungen was the keynote speaker, a slice of time Judge LaBuda called “a bittersweet moment”, as Lungen is stepping down as DA after 28-years at the helm and a total of 36 years in public service.

“I applaud each of you for your achievement as that is something that you can certainly be proud of,” Lungen told the graduates and alumni sitting in the jury box. “You each took paths in your life that led you in the wrong direction, away from success and happiness, eventually each of you got caught, wound up being arrested and came, either voluntarily or by fore, to this drug court…But after many months of hard work, sacrifices, some ups and downs,
six of you have made it to graduation. Today is a new beginning for all of you. You have begun to turn your lives around.”

Not one to talk a lot about his military service as a platoon leader and company commander of an infantry rifle unit in charge of 140 men during the heat of the Vietnam War, he told the assemblage these experiences helped him focus on the important things in life.

“The experiences that I had in Vietnam, the things that I witnessed, that I did, have affected every facet of my life to date…adversity makes you stronger and you learn to build on it, use it to your advantage.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Stories of Redemption and Hope visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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 .

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