The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Carol Montana

It’s the night all the Renaissance volunteers wait for; the night when they hold their breath, waiting  to hear their county-beautification project acknowledged and hoping to hear their team announced as a winner in their respective category.

The award ceremony was held on Monday, August 10 at the Tri-Valley School Theatre in Grahamsville. Local troubadour Paul Lounsbury teamed up with Keith Edwards to present his “Catskill Mountain Trilogy,” accompanied by slides of his grandfather, the railroad and surrounding areas. He then led the audience in familiar songs he adapted to fit in the Renaissance theme, such as “From Where Have All the Flowers Come,” and “If I Had a Shovel.”  

Dozens of community volunteers completed projects this year, with a special emphasis on the “showing of flowers” and the interpretation and incorporation of historic elements in conjunction with the celebration of Sullivan County’s Bicentennial.

Award sponsors from The Chapin Estate, Thunder 102, Jeff Bank, the Kristt Company, The River Reporter, the Seneca Indian Nation, WVOS/WSUL, Rotate Black and others presented the framed certificates to the Renaissance volunteers. 

Special guests New York State Senator John Bonacic and New York State Assemblyperson Aileen Gunther, both of whom secured some of the major funding, were among the presenters.

In addition to the awards in the Categories A, B and C, scholarships and environmental stewardships were awarded, maintenance, seasonal, municipal and “Spice Up Your School” volunteers were all recognized.

Renaissance program founder Sandra Gerry was clearly pleased by not only the participation but the enthusiasm.

Ted Blowes, chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Communities in Bloom Program in Canada, which helped inspire the Sullivan Renaissance program, served as the head judge. He’s the only judge who has been here for all nine years. “Sullivan Renaissance is wonderful, caring people. I get very emotional when I go to judge these projects. It’s not just the beautification. There’s a lot of civic pride that it generates in the communities. They get together and improve the quality of life in their municipalities. … We (the judges) are just blown away … the improvements … the young people helping … This is an unbelievable program and this should be going on in every county in the United States. “

For a list of all the award winners, check out the 2009 Sullivan Renaissance Award Ceremony.