The Catskill Chronicle

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/.

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.

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/.

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/.

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.

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.

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.