The Catskill Chronicle

MONTICELLO, NY (May 31, 2012) – Community Unity kicks off its Raise The Roof Campaign on Sunday, June 3 at Mr. Willy’s Restaurant in Monticello.

From 2:00 to 6:30 p.m. Rock the Roof with WSUL and WVOS in a family fun day
featuring a bounce house, slide, carnival games, cotton candy and
raffles every twenty minutes.  

Admission of $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 through 12 and under 5 is free. The admission fee gets the family fun day activities plus a barbecue lunch of either a hot dog or hamburger.

Starting at 7:00 p.m. there will be Thunder on the Roof as Thunder 102 brings its Brad Paisley Food Drive to Mr. Willy’s.

A donation of a non-perishable food item gets you entry into the Texaco Country Showdown and a performance by Nashville recording artists, Acklen Park.

While the music plays, Community Unity presents a Pig Roast and Chicken Barbecue. Presale tickets for the Pig Roast and Chicken Barbecue are $18 for adults and $13 for children 5-12. Tickets at the door are $22 for adults and $15 for children 5-12. For tickets and further information call Claire at 845-557-3642 or Steve at 845-583-4808.

At both events Community Unity will be selling commemorative bricks that will be part of a Master Gardener project beautifying the Federation grounds. Bricks are $40 for a 4 x 8-inch brick and $50
for an 8 x 8-inch brick. Each brick includes three lines of type, perfect for recognizing someone in your life.

Community Unity’s Raise the Roof Campaign is raising funds to rehabilitate the building that houses the Federation for the Homeless. Built in the 1950s as the Jewish Community Center, the building is
showing its age, with certain parts of it, quite literally, crumbling. It is in desperate need of a new roof, structural and electrical repairs.

Additionally, The DREAM Tank is moving into the upstairs area of the Federation and funds are needed to repair the area and make it a safe space for teen doers and dreamers.

The Federation served over 113,000 meals inn 2011 and the DREAM Tank has earned kudos for its work in providing a safe place for teens to avoid bullying, drugs and gangs.

Help Raise the Roof on June 3,

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NEVERSINK, NY (May 29, 2012) – The New York City DEP officially opened the Neversink Reservoir to canoes, kayaks and sailboats on Friday May 25.

The Neversink Reservoir will be open now for boaters to enjoy from today through Columbus Day Weekend.

At an opening ceremony, held at Chandlers Cove, DEP personnel, dignitaries from Sullivan County and towns, Catskill Watershed Corporation representatives and residents applauded the new regulations that allow the use of the Neversink Reservoir and the surrounding area for recreational use.

President of the Sullivan County Visitors Association, Roberta Byron-Lockwood said, “Sullivan County has looked forward to the opening of the Neversink, a valuable asset to add to our many green, eco-friendly attributes that SCVA promotes to the visitors coming to Sullivan County. It will be an economic boost to the tourism industry and businesses around the reservoir.”

Upgraded access points at Chandlers Cove and Kramers Cove located on the western side of the Neversink along Aden Road are shown on a beautiful brochure printed by the Catskill Watershed Corporation. The brochure details the permit requirements, regulations, types of boats permitted, launch sites and boat rental and steam cleaning businesses located near the reservoir.

For more information or to request a Neversink Recreational Boating Program brochure on this new recreational opportunity, call the Sullivan County Visitors Association at 1-800-882-2287 or go to www.nyc.gov/dep, or click on this link for the brochure: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/recreation/Neversink_Boating_Brochure.pdf

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NEW YORK STATE (May 29, 2012) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced an agreement to pass legislation that will better protect New Yorkers from intrusive telemarketing tactics.

The legislation would prohibit all telemarketers doing business in New York from delivering prerecorded messages by telephone call to customers without express consent from the recipient.

The Governor’s legislation would also give authority to the Department of State to ban telemarketing companies that violate New York’s telemarketing laws from doing business in New York State.

"More and more New Yorkers are receiving unwanted phone calls from telemarketing companies, causing an unwanted and unnecessary disturbance," Governor Cuomo said. "This legislation is designed to ensure that telemarketers only target individuals who have chosen to receive promotional messages, and New York consumers and phone owners are no longer subject to harassing and annoying marketing offers."

Currently, telemarketers licensed outside of New York are able to harass New York consumers, pay a negligible fine, and continue to do business in the state. Under the Governor’s proposal, all telemarketers doing business in New York will be required to register with the Department of State which will have the authority to revoke or suspend the registration of companies that do not comply with state law. In addition, violation of the telemarketing law could result in additional fines and misdemeanor charges.

At present, only 22 telemarketers are registered in New York. In contrast, in nearby states that require registration of out-of-state telemarketers calling into the state, the numbers are much higher. 557 telemarketers are registered in New Jersey, 213 are registered in Pennsylvania, and 333 are registered in Vermont.

In 2000, New York enacted the Do Not Call laws to protect consumers from unwanted and abusive telemarketing calls. The law permits consumers to place their telephone numbers on a central registry to reduce the number of unsolicited telemarketing calls they receive. New Yorkers have registered over 13 million phone numbers on the Do-Not-Call registry. From 2009 to the present, the Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection has received nearly 5,000 Do Not Call complaints and inquires; in just the first quarter of 2012, the FTC received 61,705 Do Not Call complaints from New Yorkers. New Yorkers who wish to place their numbers on the Do Not Call registry can visit: https://www.donotcall.gov/

Chuck Bell, Programs Director for Consumers Union, said, "The legislation introduced today by Governor Cuomo is a big win for New York consumers. We have all experienced unwanted telemarketing and this bill ensures that New Yorkers have a means of putting an end to these calls. We commend the Governor for taking the lead and putting New York on the forefront of protecting consumers from unsolicited marketing tactics."

The legislation would take effect 90 days after it becomes law.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (May 29, 2012) – The National Weather Service In Binghamton Has Issued A * Severe Thunderstorm Warning For… Eastern Sullivan County In Central New York… * Until 600 PM EDT. * At 526 PM EDT…National Weather Service Doppler Radar Indicated A Severe Thunderstorm Capable Of Producing Quarter Size Hail…And Damaging Winds In Excess Of 60 Mph.  This Storm Was Located Near Monticello…And Moving Northeast At 30 Mph. * The Severe Thunderstorm Will Be Near… Thompsonville…Kiamesha…Rock Hill And Hurleyville By 536 PM EDT… South Fallsburg And 6 Miles Southeast Of Loch Sheldrake By 540 PM EDT… Fallsburg By 542 PM EDT… Woodridge And Woodbourne By 546 PM EDT… When You Can Do So Safely…Please Report Hail…Or Damaging Winds To The National Weather Service By Calling Toll Free At 1-877-633-6772 …Or By Email At Bgm.Stormreport@Noaa.Gov.

If You Are In The Path Of This Storm…Seek Shelter Indoors And Stay Away From Windows!

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Issued By:  NWS Binghamton (South Central New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania)
Affected Jurisdictions:  Sullivan County

The National Weather Service In Binghamton Has Issued A * Severe Thunderstorm Warning For… Northern Sullivan County In Central New York… * Until 430 PM EDT. * At 327 PM EDT…National Weather Service Doppler Radar Indicated A Severe Thunderstorm Capable Of Producing Quarter Size Hail…And Damaging Winds In Excess Of 60 Mph. 

This Storm Was Located Near Parksville…And Moving Northeast At 25 Mph. * The Severe Thunderstorm Will Be Near… 7 Miles Northwest Of Grahamsville By 344 PM EDT… Willowemoc By 346 PM EDT… When You Can Do So Safely…Please Report Hail…Or Damaging Winds To The National Weather Service By Calling Toll Free At 1-877-633-6772 …Or By Email At Bgm.Stormreport@Noaa.Gov.

If You Are In The Path Of This Storm…Seek Shelter Indoors And Stay Away From Windows!

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Photos by Carol Montana

LIBERTY, NY (May 28, 2012) – Veterans and cub scouts, county, town and village officials, fire trucks, antique cars and even the winner of the First Annual Liberty Soap Box Derby Race.

The Memorial Day Parade has become a tradition in Liberty, NY. Here are photos from the 2012 parade.

View Full Album

To see more photos or to purchase prints from the 2012 Liberty Memorial Day Parade, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Photos by Stephen Lavelle

LIBERTY, NY (May 27, 2012) – We are all familiar with the phrase ”Baseball, hotdogs and apple pie” as it describes a slice of Americana. Add to that phrase “an annual soap box derby,” and you have Americana in Liberty, NY on Memorial Day Weekend 2012.

Just over 30 cars took part in the First Annual Soap Box Derby on Liberty, NY’s Main Street today.

The event was sponsored by the Sullivan County Soap Box Derby Committee and the Greater Liberty Chamber of Commerce, and involved many volunteers and sponsors who purchased the cars.

The winner, Ryan Parsons, will participate in the Nationals Soap Box Derby race in Akron, OH.

Here are just a few photos from the race:

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (May 26, 2012) – The Catskill Chronicle would like to wish its readers a Happy Memorial Day Weekend.

Be safe in whatever you do, and please, don’t forget to thank a veteran.

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LIBERTY, NY (May 25, 2012) – Sullivan County Legislators Cindy Kurpil Gieger, Cora Edwards and Kitty Vetter are teaming up in a bipartisan effort to reach the public with an important message on Taxes and Mandate Reform.

“With the present state of our economy and our residents struggling as never before with the ever increasing tax burden, it is important that public officials join together to educate the public. The harsh reality is that more than 93% of Sullivan County’s property tax levy is consumed to pay the bills for nine mandated services that our state fails to fund. This has created an unfair burden on our county taxpayers.

“On Thursday May 31 at 6:30 p.m. the public is invited to the Liberty Lapolt Senior Center on Liberty’s Main Street to come and learn what they can do to help fight these state mandates. Learn how you can become involved to help ease the tax burden in our own municipalities.”

Cindy Gieger, District 5 Legislator says “ Public participation is essential as we work together to find solutions to ease the burden on our taxpayers.”

The forum is free and light refreshments will be provided.

For information call Legislator Gieger at 845-701-0708.

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GRAHAMSVILLE, NY (May 23, 2012) – To help celebrate NYS Museum Week – May 31 to June 6 –the Time and the Valleys Museum is hosting a special program “Old Time Remedies from Your Kitchen Cabinet” on Sunday, June 3 at 2:00 p.m.

Betty Shaver will talk about the many items kept in an early 19th Century kitchen, including plants, herbs and tonics used to help heal, take pain away and to make life easier.

Attendees are invited to bring their old-time remedies and memories to share. The program is free with Museum admission. Please call 845-985-7700 for more information.

All Museum visitors will receive a special gift during New York State Museum Week.

Current Museum exhibitions are: “The Impact of Water on the Life and Growth of the Valleys,” a history of the watershed areas from geological times to the 1930s, “NYC’s Water Supply System and the Rondout and Neversink Watersheds,” and the temporary exhibition, “The Family Farm: 1920 to 1950.” The Museum also has a Museum Shop stocked with local history publications, locally made crafts, toys and gifts (open during Museum hours), and a local history research center open Thursday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The museum is located on Route 55 in Grahamsville, and is open Thursday to Sunday, Noon to 4 :00 p.m. Admission is $2 adults, $1 children, and children under 6 and members are free.

Group tours of children and adults are available by appointment.

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LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY (May 23, 2012) – On Saturday, May 26, Joan Wulff and the 2012-13 newly elected Trustees of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum will ceremoniously put the shovel in the ground to include the Wulff Gallery into the new addition to the center. 

The Wulff Gallery will include the Joan Wulff historical collection and that of the great American sportsman, the late Lee Wulff .

The Wulff Gallery will surround the top floor of the planned addition to the Paul Dahlie Education building. The interior of the gallery will be a multi-flex area made up of a library, conference area and unique exhibit area that can be transformed into a meeting room. It is anticipated that the meeting room will accommodate up to 90 seats in a matter of moments and will be a great addition to the Western Sullivan County area. It will also be available for local needs.

Immediately following the ceremony, Joan will sign her latest book “Joan Wulff’s New Fly-Casting Techniques.”

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HURLEYVILLE, NY (May 22, 2012) – The Hurleyville School House, home of the Sullivan County Museum, will celebrate its centennial on Saturday, June 16, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The event will feature school memorabilia at the Sullivan County Museum, 265 Main Street in Hurleyville, NY.

The school house was built in 1912 to serve as a grammar school.

The building was later expanded to include the high-school grades and the gymnasium was added in 1929-30.

The last graduating class was in 1945 and had only three students.

Until 1967, the building continued to be used as an elementary school.

The Hurleyville Fire Department became the next owners and in 1971, the building was acquired by Sullivan County.

An elevator was added to the  front of the building in 1990 -91.

In addition to housing the Sullivan County Museum, and the Sullivan County Historical Society Archives, the building is also the headquarters for the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop and the Frederick A. Cook Society.

If you have memorabilia or stories connected with the building you are invited to share them by contacting the Sullivan County Historical Society at 845-434-8044 or http://sullivancountyhistory.org/.

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

MONTICELLO, NY (May 21, 2012) – Opening with a salute to our Armed Forces members, the 7th Annual Thunderbash, produced by Bold Gold Media and Thunder 102 Radio at Monticello Casino & Raceway, proceeded to once again “wow” audience members who turned out to see and hear Nashville recording artists and local favorites, all while raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the YMCA of Sullivan County’s Strong Kids Program.

The event was also sponsored by the Town of Thompson and Concord Associates.

Owner of Bold Gold Media, Vince Benedetto, along with Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini, welcomed the audience, introduced some “returning heroes,” members of the

Armed Forces and presented the color guard.

After a rousing version of the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by Dan Braunstein, the Eldred High School Key Elements performed, astounding the audience with their a cappella renditions.

And the evening was just getting started.

Act after act performed on the Rolling V stage, including Amber Hayes, Darren Warren, Sherry Lynn, David Bradley, David Adam Byrnes, Tommy Steele, Iron Cowboy and Sullivan County stars Somerville featuring Alyssa Startup.

A new feature this year were screens on each side of the stage that featured not only live video of the onstage performers, but also live tweets sent by audience members.

In between performances, audience members hung out in the upper level above the grandstand where they were greeted by vendors and organizations such as ND Pro Media, Achieve Nursing Home and Rehab, Sullivan County BOCES and others.

Milling around the upper level, you could find local celebrities like Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff and River Reporter columnist Jonathan Fox and his constant companion Dharma “the Wonderdog” (who usually gets most of the attention) hanging around with Miss Teen Sullivan County and Mrs.  Sullivan County. And Forestburgh Playhouse’s Producing Director Norman Duttweiler was there also and later appeared onstage during one of the breaks to announce that Thunder 102’s own Paul Ciliberto of the “Cilberto and Friends” morning show is going to play a part in Forestburgh’s production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which will run from July 10 – 22, 2012.

Also in between acts, Thunder 102 midday DJ Jason Dole, and Mike Sakell, host of Sakell in the Afternoon, encouraged audience members to download the Radio Bold app on their phones, and register for a chance to win a trip to Nashville that same night.

Admission was free as it always is for Thunderbash, but audience members were asked to make a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the YMCA of Sullivan County’s Strong Kids Program.

Just before the featured performer, it was announced that nearly $3000 had been raised for the two organizations.

And then the “world-famous Thunder 102 t-shirt toss was held.” The hosts of “Ciliberto and Friends,” Paul Ciliberto and Michelle Semerano invited “friends of their morning show,” who included Catskill Chronicle editor Carol Montana, up onstage to toss Thunder 102 t-shirts to an anxious audience. Other “tossers” included “Mr. Nashville” Billy Block, Gary Samboy of M&M Auto Group, the aforementioned River Reporter columnist Jonathan Fox and Dharma (who did not actually toss a t-shirt herself), Jim Boxberger of Monticello Farm Home & Garden, and other local “celebrities.”

After that, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived with the introduction of Ira Dean, former member of the country trio Trick Pony.

Below are some additional photos of performances from the 7th Annual Thunderbash, and following those are links to even more photos.

Additional sponsors of Thunderbash included M & M Auto Group, Bethel Woods Center For The Arts, Crystal Run Healthcare and Big V Tours.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from Music, Patriotism, Community Celebrated at 7th Annual Thunderbash, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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NEW YORK STATE (May 20, 2012) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced yesterday that "Buckle Up New York," a 14-day statewide campaign aimed to crack down on drivers and their passengers who do not wear seatbelts, will be launched by the New York State Police on Monday, May 21 and continue through Sunday, June 3.

"The evidence is clear – seatbelts save lives," Governor Cuomo said. "New York State has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to enforcing this life-saving rule. It only takes a few seconds to fasten a seatbelt or to secure a child’s safety seat, and this campaign encourages all New Yorkers to take a moment to buckle up and save a life."

During the 14-day campaign, the State Police will join approximately 400 local law enforcement units from across New York to focus on enforcing the state’s seatbelt law.

New York State’s seatbelt law is a primary law, meaning a police officer may stop you simply because you are not wearing your seatbelt. Front seat passengers 16 and older may be fined up to $50 if they do not wear their seatbelt. Drivers may be fined up to $100 for each passenger under the age of 16 who is not properly restrained in their vehicles. The driver will also receive three violation points on his or her Department of Motor Vehicles record.

State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, "The threat of injury and death in car crashes increases significantly when motorists and passengers do not wear their seat belts. For the next two weeks, troopers, deputies and police officers statewide will be conducting checkpoints to ensure that motorists and passengers are obeying the seatbelt laws. Our message is very clear: it’s click it or ticket – seatbelts save lives."

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Barbara J. Fiala said, "Buckling up is the easiest way to prevent injuries and fatalities should your vehicle become involved in a crash. Yet, we know too many motorists are still not wearing their seat belts. Motorists need to remember to buckle up every trip, every time."

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee funds Buckle Up New York campaigns through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant enables the State Police to focus patrol resources on violations of the state’s seatbelt law and supplements conventional traffic safety and enforcement efforts. The State Police have operated Buckle Up New York campaigns for the past eight years with two enforcement periods each year. The State Police issued 19,636 seatbelt related tickets to motorists during the initiative in May 2011. In 2011 overall, 306,693 tickets, including 80,697 by State Police, were issued to motorists who violated the state seatbelt law.

Additional driver safety tips and information are available on the Thruway Authority’s website at http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/safety/drivingsafety.html and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee website at http://www.safeny.ny.gov/.

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NEW YORK STATE (May 20, 2012) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced yesterday that "Buckle Up New York," a 14-day statewide campaign aimed to crack down on drivers and their passengers who do not wear seatbelts, will be launched by the New York State Police on Monday, May 21 and continue through Sunday, June 3.

"The evidence is clear – seatbelts save lives," Governor Cuomo said. "New York State has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to enforcing this life-saving rule. It only takes a few seconds to fasten a seatbelt or to secure a child’s safety seat, and this campaign encourages all New Yorkers to take a moment to buckle up and save a life."

During the 14-day campaign, the State Police will join approximately 400 local law enforcement units from across New York to focus on enforcing the state’s seatbelt law.

New York State’s seatbelt law is a primary law, meaning a police officer may stop you simply because you are not wearing your seatbelt. Front seat passengers 16 and older may be fined up to $50 if they do not wear their seatbelt. Drivers may be fined up to $100 for each passenger under the age of 16 who is not properly restrained in their vehicles. The driver will also receive three violation points on his or her Department of Motor Vehicles record.

State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, "The threat of injury and death in car crashes increases significantly when motorists and passengers do not wear their seat belts. For the next two weeks, troopers, deputies and police officers statewide will be conducting checkpoints to ensure that motorists and passengers are obeying the seatbelt laws. Our message is very clear: it’s click it or ticket – seatbelts save lives."

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Barbara J. Fiala said, "Buckling up is the easiest way to prevent injuries and fatalities should your vehicle become involved in a crash. Yet, we know too many motorists are still not wearing their seat belts. Motorists need to remember to buckle up every trip, every time."

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee funds Buckle Up New York campaigns through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant enables the State Police to focus patrol resources on violations of the state’s seatbelt law and supplements conventional traffic safety and enforcement efforts. The State Police have operated Buckle Up New York campaigns for the past eight years with two enforcement periods each year. The State Police issued 19,636 seatbelt related tickets to motorists during the initiative in May 2011. In 2011 overall, 306,693 tickets, including 80,697 by State Police, were issued to motorists who violated the state seatbelt law.

Additional driver safety tips and information are available on the Thruway Authority’s website at http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/safety/drivingsafety.html and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee website at http://www.safeny.ny.gov/.

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BETHEL, NY (May 17, 2012) – Scott B. Samuelson, Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature, delivered his first State of the County Address tonight at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

“I chose this venue for my first State of the County Address for a few reasons. First of all because it is located in District 1, the district I was elected to represent. Secondly, with this being the first, it is my hope to take our message around the county over the next couple of years to highlight other special places in our community as there are so many, and finally because in 1997 this property began as a dream and now reflects all that is possible. This facility symbolizes the very best of Sullivan County, and has set a standard by which future sustainable economic growth can and should be measured,” said Samuelson.

Click here for the full version of the 2012 State of the County Address.

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BLOOMINGBURG, NY (May 18, 2012) – The Senior Legislative Action Committee of Sullivan County (SLAC) invites you to their 8th Annual Luncheon on Friday, June 15 at 12 noon.

This year’s event will take place at The Eagle’s Nest in Bloomingburg, NY and will feature guest speaker Michael Burgess (photo left), a leading advocate for the elderly and former Director of the New York State Office for the Aging.

Previous guest speakers have included Barbara Upton of the Hudson Valley Progressive Coalition, as well as the US Representative for the 22nd Congressional District, Maurice Hinchey.

Attendees will have a choice of Chicken Marsala, Filet of Salmon or Vegetable Lasagna. Tickets are $22.00, which includes taxes and tip.

For additional information, call Myrna at 845-707-4966. Reservations must be received by June 4, 2012.

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LIBERTY, NY (May 17, 2012) – For 25 years now, Dottie Bottaro and her crew of volunteers have staffed the St. Peter’s Children’s Shop in Liberty.

A huge assortment of children’s clothing is available. Layettes are made every January for newborns. The shop has donated to CACHE, CRMC, Public Health Nursing, Safe Passage and Birthrite, and even shipped clothing to disaster victims in other countries.

Located at 264 North Main Street, the St. Peter’s Children’s shop always accepts donations of recycled and new clothing from tots to teens. Monetary donations are also gratefully appreciated.

The shop is open on Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Call 845-292-2852 for additional information.

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ROCK HILL, NY (May 17, 2012) – The Rock Hill Farmers’ Market, sponsored by the Rock Hill Business and Community Association, will kick off their 2012 season on Saturday June 16.

The market will be held every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. until September 15.

For 2012, the market has relocated to a new location at 223 Rock Hill Drive, across from the Rock Hill Trading Post.

The Rock Hill Business and Community Association and the Rock Hill Fire Department have also received a Category C Grant from Sullivan Renaissance to help spruce up the the new location, which includes adding new landscaping, a gazebo, gardens and signage. Please contact them if you are interested in volunteering with the project.

The Rock Hill Farmers Market is an organization founded to promote local, sustainable and organic agriculture, increasing economic opportunities for farmers, youth, small businesses and food artisans.

The organization is still soliciting vendors for the 2012 season. In joining the market you will have the opportunity to provide the community with your local products.

If you are interested in becoming a vendor, volunteering or receiving more information please contact the Market Manager, Michelle Lipari at 845-699-4976 or e-mail rhfarmersmarket@gmail.com or check out the website at www.rockhillfarmersmarket.com.

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WHITE LAKE, NY (May 16, 2012) – Sheriff Mike Schiff (left), and 911 Coordinator Alex Rau (right), congratulate Emergency Services Dispatcher George Schluer on his recent recognition by the Sullivan County Legislature.

In January, Schuler received a 911 call about a Town of Bethel woman in labor. While such calls are common, this case was a breech birth.

Schuler used his extensive training to coach the parents in the proper procedures which resulted in a successful delivery prior to the arrival of the ambulance.

Schuler, who has been with the 911 team since its inception, has announced that he will retire at the end of May.

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MOUNTAINDALE, NY (May 15, 2012) – For Kiwanis One Day in April 2012, all of the Kiwanis Clubs in the Hudson River West Division participated in “Kiwanis Walks for Hunger” on April 21 to benefit the Hudson Valley Food Bank.

The Sullivan County Clubs consisting of Callicoon, Monticello, Roscoe and Woodridge walked in Mountaindale on the Rails to Trials that leads to Woodridge.

The Orange County Clubs consisting of Chester, Middletown and Minisink walked at Shannen Park in Slate Hill and the Ulster County Club, Shawangunk Valley, walked on Berme Road Park in Ellenville.

Joining in the walk were many of the sponsored clubs, K-Kids, Builder’s Club, Key Club and Aktion Club. This is the first time that such an event has taken place, when all of the clubs and sponsored clubs in the division came together for a joint project.

Thanks to the efforts of Lt. Governor Sue Sheehan, the participation was enormous and the event was well received. The Division was able to raise $7200.00 for the Hudson Valley Food Bank, which included matching funds donated by the Feinstein Foundation. In addition a total of 70 cases of non-perishable food were collected for the Food Pantry and benefits residents in the three counties where the donations were raised. Each dollar donated to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley provides 4 meals for someone in need.

The Hudson River West Kiwanis Family was proud to be a part of this event.

For more information about this worthy organization see www.foodbankofhudsonvalley.org.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (May 15, 2012) – Issued By: NWS Binghamton (South Central New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania)

Affected Jurisdictions: Delaware, Sullivan Counties

The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a flood warning for the following rivers in New York: The Beaver Kill near Cooks Falls affecting Delaware and Sullivan Counties.

The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a * flood warning for the Beaver Kill near Cooks Falls until late this evening, or until the warning is cancelled.

At 2:00 p.m. Tuesday the stage was 10.1 feet.  Flood stage is 10.0 feet.  Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.

Impact: at 10.0 feet minor flooding begins to impact low lying areas of the flood plain near the river.

Safety message: Do not drive over flooded roads or bridges.

Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio, the official voice of the National Weather Service, for later developments.

For further river and weather information you can visit weather.gov/bgm.

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CALLICOON, NY (May 14, 2012) – The 39th Annual Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Recognition Day Luncheon was held today at the Villa Roma Resort & Conference Center in Callicoon.

Deborah Allen, Director of the Office for the Aging, welcomed the 275+ crowd that gathered to honor the seniors. The guest speaker was Sullivan County Historian John Conway.

A total of 305 RSVP volunteers performed over 60,000+ hours during 2011. Nine volunteers served over 1,000 volunteer hours during 2011 and received a special award certificate presented by Elaine Finkle, RSVP Specialist. Members of the “1,000 Hour Club” Ruth Auerbach – 1,440, Barbara Burns – 1,093, Claudia Chaiet-1,009, Margaret Ippolito – 1,237, Robert Conner – 1,911, Patricia Curtis-1,853, Theresa Roach – 1,296, Marcelle Wagner – 2,432, Sonny Smith– 2,996.

Marie Zalesky received a Special Gift for being the eldest RSVP Volunteer. Marie is 104 years young, with 136 hours of volunteer time served at the Grover Hermann Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center.

RSVP member Mae Kratz celebrated her 101^st birthday on the day of the recognition.

Special awards were presented by Caryn Mathews RSVP Program Director with honor to the I.O.U Thrift Shop: Marcia Bauer, Florrine Bauernfeind, Herbert Bauernfeind, Janet Burino, Christy Curran, Gladys Manzolillo, Patricia Massa, Julianna Maxwell, Ida Rosenberger, Alice Schlichting. A Certificate was presented to Director; Herbert Bauernfeind I.O.U Thrift Shop for willingness to serve and the difference you make in the lives of others.

A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Michelle Semerano and Mike Sakell; WDNB Thunder 102.1/Bold Gold Media Group for announcing the RSVP volunteers birthdays each morning on the radio and their on-air support of the RSVP program. During 2011 there were 316 RSVP volunteers’ birthdays announced.

Each township chose a “RSVP Senior of the Year.” From these 15 nominations, one senior was chosen as the Sullivan County RSVP Senior of the Year.

Bethel – Lillian Hendrickson

Callicoon – Freda Pericho

Cochecton – Olga Viruet

Delaware – Herbert & Florrine Bauernfeind

Fallsburg – Sonya “Sonny” Smith

Forestburgh – Carl Amaditz

Fremont – Edith “Edie” Downs

Highland – Robert Grab Sr.

Liberty – Liliam Stettner

Lumberland – Catherine “Cathy” Sterling

Mamakating – Joseph Stifano

Neversink – Phyllis “Penny” Coombe

Rockland – Sister Grace Therese Murray

Thompson – Laura Solomon

Tusten – Betty Crandall

Sullivan County Legislature, Cindy Kurpil Gieger presented Laura Solomon from the Town of Thompson with a plaque as the Sullivan County “RSVP” Senior of the Year for 2011.

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HURLEYVILLE, NY (May 13, 2012) – Art students in Sullivan County will be auctioning works of art and chairs at Sullivan County Museum, Hurleyville, NY on Sunday, May 20 from 2:00 –4:00 p.m.

This is a scholarship fundraiser created to benefit area high school seniors who are planning on majoring in art when they attend college.

Over the past couple of months, students from our local high schools and BOCES have found chairs and transformed them through paint and other media into works of art based on artists and artistic movements. Some of the chairs are functional, many are whimsical and meant to be enjoyed as art.

Many art teachers are also creating chairs as well. In addition to the beautiful chairs, students will also be auctioning off various pieces of their artwork. Proceeds from the sale will be offered as scholarships at local schools and Sullivan BOCES.

The museum will be opening its doors at 1 p.m. for those interested in seeing the chairs prior to the auction. If you see a piece of artwork that you would like to have, you can place a bid in the bid box next to the chair. The highest bid in the bid box will start the auction for that chair the day of the auction.

For more information on the Arts and Education Program and the auction, contact Lisa Pacht, Director of Instructional Technology/Arts In Education at Sullivan County BOCES 845-295-4033.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (and all over the world) (May 13, 2012) – The Catskill Chronicle would like to wish all mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and everyone who acts in a mother’s stead, a joyous Mother’s Day.

May you be surrounded by a bounty of love and happiness as you celebrate.

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GRAHAMSVILLE, NY (May 11, 2012) – On Saturday, May 19, 2012, players and teams from the Sullivan County Women’s League will be participating in a Two Pitch Women’s Softball Tournament to benefit the Alliance for Lupus Research’s Walk with Us to Cure Lupus.

The all-day tournament will take place at the Grahamsville Fairgrounds starting at 9:00 a.m.

A raffle, concession area and informational table will be set up.

Also this year spectators can check out products at a vendor fair featuring Avon, Silpada, Thirty One, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Party Lite, Tupperware, Celebrating Home, Mary Kay, Edible Art by Erin, and Crafts by Eileen. The vendor fair will be going on from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

There is no set admission, and attendees are encouraged to make whatever donation they can; 100% of the money donated will go to lupus research.

This is the third year for the tournament which is organized by Karen’s Crew, a team of Sullivan and Orange County residents who travel to New York City every October for the Alliance for Lupus Research’s Walk with Us to Cure Lupus.

The goal of the walk team is to create awareness of this disease, and, more importantly, to raise money in hopes of finding new treatments and eventually a cure to those suffering with lupus.

Karen’s Crew has raised just over $25,000 in donations since forming in 2006.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect the joints and almost every major organ in the body, including the heart, kidneys, skin, lungs and brain. A person’s risk of developing lupus appears to be determined by genetic (hereditary) factors. However, the onset of the disease may be triggered by environmental factors such as infection, sunlight, or stress. In autoimmune disorders such as lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues and organs. The major hallmark of this autoimmune attack is inflammation. The course of lupus varies and is characterized by alternating periods of flares (increased disease activity) and remissions. Some people with lupus experience only mild lupus symptoms and have few complications. Others experience frequent flares that lead to moderate or even severe complications.

The number of people with lupus in the United States has been estimated to be as many as 1.5 million, making it more common than leukemia, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis.

Anyone can develop lupus, including children, but certain people are more likely to develop the disease. Nine out of ten people who have lupus are women, and the disease usually strikes during the childbearing years. Lupus is three times more common in African-American women than in Caucasian women and is also more prevalent in women of Latino, Asian, and Native American descent.

For more information on the Walk with Us to Cure Lupus, the Tournament or to make a donation, call Nancy Esposito at 845-292-2683 or visit www.walk.lupusresearch.org. Go to "select a city" and choose NYC then "find a team" and select "Karen’s Crew" or email: nesposito@hvc.rr.com.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (May 10, 2012) – District Attorney Jim Farrell announced today that the forms required for compliance with the new Sullivan County Local Law that regulates the second hand sale of precious metals and gems are available for download on the Sullivan County web site at www.scgnet.us/http://co.sullivan.ny.us/Departments/DepartmentsAM/DistrictAttorney/tabid/3118/Default.aspx. 

The forms can also be found on the County Clerk, Daniel Briggs’ page, as well (http://co.sullivan.ny.us/Departments/DepartmentsAM/CountyClerk/tabid/3373/Default.aspx).  Under the new law, those engaged in the second hand dealing of precious metal and gems must obtain a license from the County Clerk. Instructions for completing the application are also available on both web pages. Precious metals include gold, silver, and platinum, among others, and precious gems includes diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and pearls, among others. The local law contains a complete list of all precious metals and precious gems. The entire law can be found at http://www.ecode360.com/SU1732, at Chapter 167, “Secondhand Dealers.”

In addition, the new law requires the businesses to report certain information regarding all purchases of qualifying items to the District Attorney, electronically. Businesses are instructed to complete a Precious Metal 12(A) Report Form and the instructions for complying with this reporting requirement are also posted on line on both the District Attorney and County Clerk’s web pages. “I have tried to make the process of complying with the requirements of the law as easy as possible. All the business owner needs to do is complete the report form with all required information and transmit that form, and digital pictures of the ID provided and the items purchased, digitally, via e-mail to my office,” Farrell said.

The law also requires the business to hold all property purchased for 15 days before melting it or otherwise conveying it to someone else. “This requirement will help law enforcement to attempt to retrieve those jewelry items that are irreplaceable and have been stolen from law abiding citizens and sold on the secondary market,” Farrell said.

The law and all of its requirements will be enforced after a 60 day grace period, commencing July 9, 2012. “I expect to have everyone in full compliance with the requirements of the law by July 9, 2012, and will seek to enforce the penalties for those businesses that either fail to comply or ignore the law.  I am serious about the burglary problem in Sullivan County and will do everything in my power to protect our citizens’ property and valuables from being lost forever,” Farrell said.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (May 10, 2012) – District Attorney Jim Farrell announced today that the forms required for compliance with the new Sullivan County Local Law that regulates the second hand sale of precious metals and gems are available for download on the Sullivan County web site at www.scgnet.us/http://co.sullivan.ny.us/Departments/DepartmentsAM/DistrictAttorney/tabid/3118/Default.aspx. 

The forms can also be found on the County Clerk, Daniel Briggs’ page, as well (http://co.sullivan.ny.us/Departments/DepartmentsAM/CountyClerk/tabid/3373/Default.aspx).  Under the new law, those engaged in the second hand dealing of precious metal and gems must obtain a license from the County Clerk. Instructions for completing the application are also available on both web pages. Precious metals include gold, silver, and platinum, among others, and precious gems includes diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and pearls, among others. The local law contains a complete list of all precious metals and precious gems. The entire law can be found at http://www.ecode360.com/SU1732, at Chapter 167, “Secondhand Dealers.”

In addition, the new law requires the businesses to report certain information regarding all purchases of qualifying items to the District Attorney, electronically. Businesses are instructed to complete a Precious Metal 12(A) Report Form and the instructions for complying with this reporting requirement are also posted on line on both the District Attorney and County Clerk’s web pages. “I have tried to make the process of complying with the requirements of the law as easy as possible. All the business owner needs to do is complete the report form with all required information and transmit that form, and digital pictures of the ID provided and the items purchased, digitally, via e-mail to my office,” Farrell said.

The law also requires the business to hold all property purchased for 15 days before melting it or otherwise conveying it to someone else. “This requirement will help law enforcement to attempt to retrieve those jewelry items that are irreplaceable and have been stolen from law abiding citizens and sold on the secondary market,” Farrell said.

The law and all of its requirements will be enforced after a 60 day grace period, commencing July 9, 2012. “I expect to have everyone in full compliance with the requirements of the law by July 9, 2012, and will seek to enforce the penalties for those businesses that either fail to comply or ignore the law.  I am serious about the burglary problem in Sullivan County and will do everything in my power to protect our citizens’ property and valuables from being lost forever,” Farrell said.

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WASHINGTON, DC (May 9, 2012) – Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today released the following statement regarding President Obama’s announcement that he supports same-sex marriage. 

Hinchey is a cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the parts of the Defense of Marriage Act that discriminate against same-sex couples.

"I am very pleased that President Obama spoke out today in favor of allowing same-sex couples to marry. This is a simple matter of equality and fairness. If two loving adults want to marry one another, then they should be allowed to do so without any discrimination regardless of their sexual orientation. This is a basic right that should not be withheld from any committed couple. LGBT rights, especially same-sex marriage, is the civil rights issue of this generation and I am confident that it won’t be long before all Americans look back at any anti-LGBT laws and prohibitions in the same shameful way that we look back on the segregation laws of just a few decades ago.

"It has never been, nor should it ever be, government’s role to tell any American who they should or shouldn’t marry. It’s ironic that many of those in Washington who complain about too much government intrusion often are the same ones who oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage.  What could be more of a government intrusion into one’s personal life than telling someone who they can and cannot marry?

"Sexual orientation is something our government should not discriminate against.  I urge my colleagues in Congress to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which would overturn the discriminatory language against same-sex couples that is contained in the Defense of Marriage Act."

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BETHEL, NY (May 8, 2012) – Delaware Highlands Conservancy Founder, Barbara Yeaman, was awarded  a Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award by the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association for decades of conservation leadership and dedication to conserving the lands and waters of the Upper Delaware River Region.

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA) presents the Lifetime Conservation Leadership award at its annual conference each year to reward an individual who has distinguished him or herself through a life time of effective conservation action and leadership.

In the photo above, Barbara Yeaman (left) receives the PALTA Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award from PALTA Executive Director, Andy Loza (far right) and Delaware Highlands Conservancy President, Greg Belcamino.

In 1995, Barbara Yeaman, now 87, founded the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, a land trust that works in partnership with landowners and communities to protect the lands, waters, and quality of life of the Upper Delaware River region. At that time, Yeaman understood the growing challenges of development to the region’s clean water, and she knew the best way to protect the water was to protect the land.

Yeaman formed the Delaware Highlands Conservancy as a non-profit organization that could work with landowners to protect their lands in ways that worked well for them and their families. Leading by example, she put the newly formed conservancy’s mission into practice by placing a conservation easement on her own 12 acres in Milanville, PA. In 2013, the Conservancy has protected over 13,000 acres throughout Pike and Wayne Counties in Pennsylvania and Sullivan and Delaware Counties in New York and has become a widely respected conservation organization across the region.

Barbara remains active in the work of the Conservancy, currently serving on the Board of Directors as the Vice President and on the Outreach and Development Committee. Yeaman maintains a commitment to conservation that would exhaust someone half her age. This work includes educating new generations on the importance of conservation. The Conservancy maintains the Butterfly Barn, a nature center where programs educate children and adults about how to care for the land and waters of the Delaware Highlands. An avid puppeteer, Barbara hosts interactive children’s programs that teach about the region’s flora and fauna. The Conservancy also hosts a whole series of educational programs for communities, landowners and young people and awards two annual college scholarships to local high school students interested in environmental studies.

“One of the most satisfying rewards is the sense of awe and gratitude that comes from seeing the natural beauty and unspoiled views that still exist along the Upper Delaware River,” states Yeaman, “but there is still much work that needs to be done to protect the lands and waters of our beautiful region.”

The Conservancy, with the leadership of Barbara Yeaman and the rest of the Board of Directors, heads into 2012 with tremendous momentum. In the first few months of this year, the Conservancy merged with the tremendously successful Eagle Institute to form a perfect conservation partnership, cut the ribbon on their new New York office, and received grant funding from the Land Trust Alliance for land protection and outreach and development.

“We are blessed to have Barbara’s inspiration,” affirms Executive Director, Sue Currier, “she is a model for the whole organization; the Board and staff with the support of our members and volunteers are dedicated to continuing to achieve the conservation success that Barbara began with her own land and her vision seventeen years ago.”

In a written summary, PALTA states that the Conservancy’s “accomplishments under Barbara’s inspiring leadership are significant —a group of volunteers led by an inspiring woman creating a regional land trust from nothing, working to protect thousands of acres, hosting educational programs, assisting in regional planning and increasing awareness about conservation that will protect quality of life throughout the region.”

In the photo above, Barbara Yeaman smiles proudly between daughter, Suzanne, and son, Bill, after receiving the PALTA Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award.

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