The Catskill Chronicle

And the winners are. Front row: Natalia Diaz, Young Miss Sullivan County 2010; Dara Schiff, Miss Sullivan County Pre-Teen 2010. Back row: Christina Buckler, pageant director; Jessica Goins, Miss Sullivan County International 2010; Jennifer Ferris, Mrs. Sullivan County International 2010; Taylor Murphy, Miss Teen Sullivan County International 2010, Amy Bernhardt, assistant pageant director.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

CALLICOON – Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, and that old adage was never more to the point than on Saturday night, when a select number of young girls, teenagers and beautiful women participated in the 2010 Sullivan County International Pageant which took place before a crowd of 700-some people at the Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center.

The coronation of Natalia Diaz as Young Miss Sullivan County 2010.

The theme of the 2010 pageant was “A Tribute to the 1960’s”, and the evening got off to a 60s-flavored start as the contestants paraded around the stage in front of a backdrop laced with distinctive Woodstock logos, followed by a video of Jimi Hendricks performing his brand of the National Anthem, a flash back in time to the original 1969 Aquarian Exposition known as “Woodstock”.

The popular event was divided into five categories as contestants vied for the crowning tiaras and the chance to move up to higher level pageant competitions: Young Miss Sullivan County 2010 (ages 5-8), Miss Sullivan County Pre-Teen (ages 7-12), Miss Sullivan County International 2010 (ages 13-18), Miss Sullivan County International 2010 (ages 19-29) and Mrs. Sullivan County International 2010 (ages 21-56).

The judges voted on more than just perceived beauty, as the contestants were graded in several categories such as their ability to project a vibrant onstage presence, grace and poise before the crowd, and confidence in answering questions both during private interviews and interviews in front hundreds of folks.

A kiss for the winner. Amy Bernhardt, assistant pageant director, congratulates Dara Schiff as Miss Sullivan County Pre-Teen 2010.

Scoring for the competition included: Young Miss Sullivan County and Miss Pre-Teen Sullivan County: casual wear (25% of the overall score), party dress/evening gown (25%), and onstage interview (50%). Miss Teen Sullivan County International, Miss Sullivan County International, and Mrs. Sullivan County International: private interview (40%), fitness wear (20%), evening gown (20%), and onstage interview (20%).

Winners of the three highest levels will return to the Villa Roma on October 9, 2010 to compete in the New York International Pageant. Adrianna Sherwood, Miss Teen New York International 2010 an 18-year old teenage and senior at Tri-Valley High School was recently diagnosed with MS, but that didn’t stop her from attending the ceremony and interviewing contestants, on stage.

Miss New York International 2010 Jacqueline Brooks, 25, of Long Island served as the pageant’s special guest and mistress of ceremonies. A pageant competitor since 2001, throughout the year she will be focusing on her platform titled “Hang Proud” which is designed to promote positive self-esteem amongst young women by turning negative feelings about themselves into positive action in their schools, churches, and communities.

Dara Schiff, Miss Sullivan County Pre-Teen 2010.

“The girls are excellent and should be very proud of themselves,” said Heather Shively, 17, of Delaware, Miss Teen All-America.

This year’s pageant featured a panel of five judges: Karen Watson, on the committee of the Miss Finger Lakes Scholarship Pageant, Miss Greater Rochester Scholarship Pageant, Wayne County Fair Pageant and the Newark Rose Pageant; Brian Rubin, reporter for the Shawangunk Journal; Michelle Semarano, Thunder 102 radio personality of “Ciliberto & Friends”; Fred Wright, CEO and president of Miss Teen All American Pageant; and Jessica Dymond, community development associate at New Hope Community. Jodi and Scott Cessna of Altoona, Pa. attended the local pageant and addressed the crowd during the event. They serve as directors of the International Teen, Miss and Mrs. Pageants of Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio.

Christina Buckler won the title of Miss Sullivan County Teenager in 1997, and was back on the stage as director of the 2010 Sullivan County International Pageant. “We don’t like to call it a beauty pageant because of all the stereotypes,” she said.

Taylor Murphy, Miss Teen Sullivan County International 2010.

According to Buckler a lot of the points are derived from the interviews conducted by the panel of judges, and as title holders the girls select platforms or organizations they will support throughout the year to raise awareness of their particular causes.

Assistant director Amy Bernhardt has been working with pageants in the county for a couple of decades, starting  with Linda Cellini and then Maurice Gerry who ran the local events for years. “It’s not about how much your gown costs, it’s all about how you present yourself, and that shines through,” she said.

Stepping up to the podium for farewell speeches were Angel Herrmann, Young Miss Sullivan County 2008 and Sarah Carr, Miss Sullivan County Pre-Teen 2008.

“Being Miss Pre-Teen Sullivan County has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” said Carr. “I have had the opportunity to meet some of the most wonderful people which I will always keep in my heart…to the young lady who will be crowned next make your reign spectacular. Be patient, be kind and be understanding, but most importantly, be positive.”

Tabitha Curry, one of the contestants in the race for Miss Teen Sullivan County International 2010 is overcome with emotion as the winner is announced.

After the winners were crowned, the contestants mingled with their parents and friends on stage amidst tears of joy mixed with a little sadness, and later tucked away their glittering evening gowns for the future.

Winners of the 2010 Sullivan County International Pageant

Young Miss Sullivan County (Natalia Diaz, 6, of Monticello), First Place Runner-Up (Lindsey Cruz), Second Place Runner-Up (Christina Samantha), Third Place Runner-Up (Antonya Arscott).

Miss Sullivan County Pre-Teen (Dara Schiff, 9, of Ferndale), First Place Runner-Up (Krystal Warf), Second Place Runner-Up (Tatianna Ackerley), Third Place Runner-Up (Gabriella Budd), Fourth Place Runner-Up (Nicole Brennan), Fifth Place Runner-Up (Taylor Valentine).

Miss Teen Sullivan County International (Taylor Murphy, 14, of Jeffersonville), First Place Runner-Up (Grace Ienuso), Second Place Runner-Up (Sarah Thilberg), Third Place Runner-Up (Katherine Thilberg), Fourth Place Runner-Up (Jessyca Wolcott).

Jennifer Ferris, Mrs. Sullivan County International 2010.

Miss Sullivan County International

Jessica Goins, 18, of Callicoon), First Place Runner-Up (Felicia Ramos), Second Place Runner-Up (Amanda Maner).

Mrs. Sullivan County International (Jennifer Ferris, 38, of Mountandale), First Place Runner-Up (Kathryn Miller).

2010 Sullivan County International Pageant Special Awards – People’s Choice Award (Marina Braddock). Young Miss Photogenic (Natalia Diaz), Miss Pre-Teen Photogenic (Amanda Rampe), Miss Teen Photogenic  (Ynez Jones),  Miss Photogenic (Jessica Laymon), and Mrs. Photogenic ( Jennifer Ferris).

For information regarding the Sullivan County International Pageant, visit their website: http://sullivancountypageant.web.officelive.com.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from A Pageant of Glittering Lights visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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PINE BUSH – The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Town of Wallkill, Pine Bush & Sullivan County are ecstatic to announce that their Torch Club at Crispell Middle School has been named one of five national finalists for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s “Be Great, BE GREEN!” contest, through the Staples Foundation for Learning.

The “Be Great, BE GREEN!” Contest asked Boys & Girls Clubs Torch Clubs, the service organization run by the club’s middle school students, to take on an environmentally-friendly service project as their Torch Clubs’ service project for the year.

The Club’s Pangea Torch Club learned about the importance of butterflies in our ecosystem and the decline of their natural habits through human activities, such as building homes and roads.

After researching the environmental dangers that result from an endangered butterfly population, the members dedicated their BE GREAT, BE GREEN project to building their own butterfly garden. They volunteered at a local farm and butterfly housing business to learn how to build the garden. They worked alongside local farmers to learn about the pollinating value of butterflies as well as the types of plants and conditions necessary for the garden. Then they hit the streets to request plant, flower, mulch and top soil donations from local plant houses and nurseries to execute their project .

Club members planted flowers, repaired and repainted a park bench and painted rocks with inspiring messages, to make what had been a vacant space into a beautiful garden. Club members tracked butterfly sightings within the garden, and when the garden comes to life again this spring, club members will once again track sightings and record data.

This project is up for the $2500 national prize, and supporters can help by going to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/J9QWNKJ. There is no limit on how many times a supporter can vote, so please vote early and vote often!

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MONTICELLO – The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) has notified Sullivan County Manager David Fanslau that two of the County’s grant applications were awarded funding through the “Implementation Funding for Small Municipalities – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Request for Proposals (RFP No. 10)”. The ARRA funding awarded is nearly $380,000.

“This NYSERDA funding award will significantly provide people, power and punch to our efforts for green economic growth," said Legislator Ron Hiatt, Chairman of the Sustainability Policy Committee.

"Our thanks go out to Dick Riseling and the people of Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development (SASD) for their efforts," added Hiatt.

NYSERDA awarded $269,100 for the “Sullivan County Renewable Energy Improvement Project,” which will fund the installation of a 44.85kw ground mounted solar electric system to serve the main offices of the Department of Family Services – the Travis Building.

“I am thrilled that the County is actively pursuing all avenues in our goals toward green initiatives for County owned properties,” said Legislator David A. Sager, Chairman of the Public Works Committee, and a member of the Sustainability Policy Committee.

“The installation of the solar electric system will provide real-time data on the potential to reduce reliance on traditional energy systems, and bring to reality the goals of the County’s strategic plan and commitment to sustainable practices,” said Sager.

NYSERDA also awarded $110,000 for the “Sullivan County Energy Management Personnel Project,” which will provide funding to hire an Energy Manager to manage the retrofit implementation of six buildings, and to hire an office manager/educator to maintain energy records and conduct educational outreach on energy issues.

“The County created the Office of Sustainable Energy, which is headed by Research Analyst Heather Brown within the County Manager’s Office, as a result of the public policy goals outlined in the County Charter, Administrative Code, Green Visioning Resolution, and the 2009 – 2010 County Strategic Plan,” said Fanslau. “The County has completed energy audits on certain buildings, including the Travis Building, and has recently authorized energy audits on the Government Center, the Government Center Annex, and the Adult Care Center.”

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Michael McGuire announces his candidacy with his wife Corrine at his side.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

MONTICELLO – On Wednesday, March 24, local attorney-at-law and former Sullivan County Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Michael F. McGuire officially tossed his hat into the political ring in a bid for the seat of Sullivan County Judge & Surrogate Hon. Burton Ledina, who is scheduled to retire at the end of the year.

With his wife Corrine at his side, McGuire announced his candidacy on the Republication ticket at a press conference held’s at ‘high noon’ at Mr. Willy’s Restaurant.

In introducing the candidate to the audience, Dick Coombe, chairman of the local Republican Committee, said, “The Mike McGuire I know works 24/7…he’s worked for young people, and we feel he should be and will be Sullivan County Family Court Judge.”

Before the start of the press conference, McGuire said he is “uniquely qualified for this position…leaders in the community owe an obligation to give back to the community to make it better than it is today.”

“If we don’t focus on education and children, the community has no chance.”

McGuire served as an ADA under DA Steve Lungen, and recalled trying the 2004 vehicular homicide case against Kenneth Newman, a case the prosecution won in the wake of a mistrial on legal technicalities.

“It was a tragic case where a designated driver consumed alcohol, cocaine and marijuana and killed the bride on the night of the engagement party,” he recalled.

During the “Garbage Can Murder” case against former Special Forces operative Hal Karen, McGuire assisted Lungen is getting a conviction of the former US Army soldier who killed his wife Tammy, stuffed her into a trash can and dumped his spouse’s remains over an embankment.

“We worked with the New York State Police and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office to solve a crime that had gone cold for three years until people found the bones,” recalled McGuire.

Asked what it was like to work with DA Lungen and former senior ADA Jim Farrell (now the county’s DA), McGuire replied, “I learned at the knees of the best.”

During his remarks at the press conference, the candidate said. “I’ve spent the last 30 years of my life preparing to be Sullivan County Court Judge…the collective experiences I’ve had in my personal and professional life have prepared me well to follow the fine tradition of jurisprudence this county has enjoyed, judges like Lawrence Cooke, a former Chief Judge of the highest court in the state, the Court of Appeals [and] more recently judges like Anthony Kane, retired Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, and most immediately Judge Burton Ledina … a man committed to fundamental fairness and even-handed justice…”

McGuire said the judgeship he is seeking is unique in that it is not only a traditional county court judgeship “presiding over the most serious criminal cases”, but also in the role of acting Family Court Judge “presiding over issues involving custody and juvenile delinquency, child support, child abuse and family violence.”

McGuire related how he fought for custody of two of his children several years ago, and as an unemployed single father “remained current in my child support obligations because I accepted that my obligation to my children came before my own self-indulgence, a concept that is all too often lost on dead beat parents who elect not to support their children as a means of punishing a former spouse, preferring to have the government support their children, a thought process which cannot be tolerated.”

If elected County Court Judge & Surrogate, McGuire pledged to insure that everyone who appears before his bench will be treated with respect and dignity, but issued this warning to defendants found guilty of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, “I’ll use all the tools which the law provides to protect this community from them.”

“Our streets are progressively being taken over by children turning to crime often to remedy the shortcomings in their own homes,” he said in addressing the complex issues related to juvenile delinquency and what drives kids to a life on the dark side of justice. He said he would work closely with community action groups and attorneys appearing before him who represent youthful offenders to “heal broken families and teach children that violence is never a path to success, and to teach mothers and fathers what it means to be a parent.”

“My only agenda will be the health and safety of our community, our senior citizens and our children,” said McGuire in closing.

Qualifications: Michael F. McGuire

• Education -  Bachelor of Science, Manhattan College, 1981 (graduated Magna
  Cum Laude); Master of Arts, University of Northern Iowa, 1983 (graduated
  Suma Cum Laude); Juris Doctor, Pace University, 2001 (graduated Magna Cum
  Laude).
• Family – The McGuires reside in Liberty and have three sons- Kevin, a
  senior at SUNY Cortland; William, an 11th grader at Liberty High School;
  and Carl, a 5th grader at Liberty Elementary School.
• Coaching Experience -  Former athletic director and baseball coach at Mount
  Saint Mary College in Newburgh, former athletic director at Sullivan
  County Community College (the men’s basketball team won three NJCAA
  Division III national championships); coaches youth baseball.
• Current Private Law Practice -  Family Court, juvenile delinquency cases,
  child support, criminal defense, civil litigation, and real estate.
• Community Service -  Vice President of the Liberty Central School Board of
  Education, Liberty Elks, Instructor with the Office of Court
  Administration’s Judicial Training Institute, and counsel to the New York
  State Police Troopers PBA.

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Joe Mellan, president, SCVFA presents Earle Poley with a certificate for his years of service, as Tom Bisig and Alan Welton watch.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

OBERNBERG – In the aftermath of the open house in celebration of Station 29’s 100th Anniversary on Saturday, March 20, the firefighters of the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department put away their shined-to-a-polish trucks and dusted off their dress uniforms for an honorary roast beef buffet dinner at the Little Texas Ranch.

Guest speaker Joseph F. Kelly, 2nd vice president of FASNY and anniversary chairman Bob Theadore.

The local fire department was founded on March 17, 1910 and a C-note later, folks turned out to celebrate their “One Hundred Years of Service: A Century of Dedication”.

After Robert Theadore, chairman of the 100th Anniversary committee welcomed the attendees, department president Tom Bisig stepped up to the podium for a few remarks.

Father Joseph Juracek presented the invocation, and later as the evening drew to a close, the benediction.

The keynote speaker was Joseph Kelly, 2nd vice president of the Fireman’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), which since it was established in 1872 has served to protect the interests of volunteer firefighters through legislative advocacy.

Corrine McGuire represented NYS Senator John Bonacic; Tom Bisig, president of the NBVFD; Alan Welton, chief, NBVFD.

Kelly talked about ramifications of the New York Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act (commonly referred to as the Consolidation Law), that was signed into law by Governor Patterson on June 3, 2009 and is
scheduled to go into effect in March 2010. In essence, the law provides a mechanism by which citizens can eliminate villages though a petition and village-wide referendum, or an act of county legislature and a countywide referendum.

NYS has four ‘general purpose’ governments: counties, cities, towns and villages, and in addition a myriad number of limited purpose governments called ‘special districts’ which provide a single governmental service within their borders including fire districts, water districts, and ambulance districts. While there are many critics of the law, the stated goal was to promote more efficient government at less cost to taxpayers.

Guest speaker Joseph F. Kelly, 2nd vice president, Fireman’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY).

Among the concerns raised by FASNY over the law is the potential loss of volunteer firefighters to local communities and heath insurance Kelly encouraged firefighters to get involved in the political process.

“If you’re going to survive anymore, you have to get involved in politics, and you have to have a common voice,” he said. “When you have a common goal, we band together,” he added, noting that of the 100,000-some volunteer firefighters in NYS, approximately 45,000 belong to FASNY.

Several notable figures attended the dinner; NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, Julie Allen (representing NYS Congressman Maurice Hinchey), Corrine McGuire (representing NYS Senator John Bonacic), Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff, Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell, candidate for Sullivan County Court Judge Mike McGuire, and a host of fire chiefs and firefighters.

“I’m a local gal from Roscoe…thank you for all your wonderful service,” said Julie Allen.

Theadore noted that in addition to special recognitions from the NYS Assembly, Congress and Senate, Governor Patterson and the Sullivan County Legislature honored the department for 100-years of service. “And we have an email from the President of the United States sending his regrets that he couldn’t be here tonight,” said Theadore.

Reflecting on a sense of tradition and history, Corrine McGuire said of behalf of Senator Bonacic, “Looking back 100 years to the founders, it was their sense of vision and commitment to the community that brings us here tonight…the community remains your focus.”

“The fire districts are the center of our community and they play an integral part in making our children and homes safe….for 100 years whenever the alarm has sounded, the North Branch Fire Department has responded.”

“These brave volunteers risked their lives to save the lives of others…when that alarm sounds, your local volunteers will leave their homes and come to the aid of their neighbors,” she added.

Sheriff Mike Schiff likened the fire service to the Minutemen, “It’s the one entity in the community that everyone knows that will respond.” He noted that since the days when he was a NYS Trooper, the level of required training in the fire service is “now just incredible”, but some things haven’t changed, such as the service provided by firefighters at the scenes of emergencies.

“You’re basically professional fireman who don’t get paid,” said Schiff. “You know what you’re doing. Thank you for the job you do, you’re always there.”

Earle Poley, 95, was called up to the podium to receive award after award for 82-years worth of service with the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department, and for a time it seemed as if could never sit back down alongside his wife Mae as recognitions keep coming his way. Born on March 16, 1915 Poley joined the NBVFD at the age of 13, and by the time he was 22 years old, was elected chief.

Several volunteers were honored for their decades of service to the local
department.

Honorary Members (50 or more years): Philip Banaut, John L. Ebert, Ludwig Graner, James Hahl, Harry Hust, Earle Poley, Ralph Sykes, Albert Priebe and Richard Vogler.

The dinner was hosted by, Jim and Rita Greier’s “Little Texas Ranch,” located in Fremont.

40-year members: Dennis Banuat, Frank Baurenfeind, John W. Brockner, Paul Brockner, Lawrence Knack, Thomas Knack and Ernest Reimer, Jr.

30-year members: William Brustman, Robert Hillriegel, Thomas Kaminski, Fred Hoffman, Robert Sykes, Robert J. Theadore and Kevin Zieres.

20-year members: Dennis Brockner, George Conklin, William Flynn, Charles Hahl, Michael Hahl and Alan Welton.

Jim and Rita Greier of Fremont, hosts of the 100th Anniversary dinner, own the Little Texas Ranch located at the “tail end of the fire district.” Addressing the crowd next to a framed picture of John Wayne and surrounded by a herd of stuffed deer heads and mounted long horns, Greier stood proudly in a pair of well-worn boots.

“You guys and gals are out there volunteering every day, and that’s what it’s all about…we live in God’s country, and it’s the people who make a difference. It’s about friends and neighbors working together.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Celebrating a Century of Service visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story, photos and video by Leni Santoro

LIBERTY – March is “Music in Our Schools Month” (MIOSM). On Wednesday, March 24, the Liberty Middle School Band and Jazz Ensemble traveled to the state capitol in Albany to celebrate MIOSM with performances by the Middle School Band and the Jazz Ensemble. It was a full day for these lively middle school students and their chaperones filled with music, fun and history.

As the day began, Gary Siegel, Liberty Central School Director of Music and the conductor of the band and Jazz ensemble, met the students and chaperones in the band room and went through last minute updates regarding what the day ahead held for the students and the chaperones. Then it was time to board the two Rolling V coach buses waiting outside the school and head up to Albany.

The LCS music department’s mission states that their goals include:

• To instill an understanding and appreciation of the various types of music…
• To develop better citizenship…To emphasize the ability to work with others as members of an ensemble…[To] teach the importance of cooperative effort…
• To contribute to and help broaden the cultural life of our community…
• To help as many children as possible achieve self-realization through participation in the music program…
• To strive to perform at the highest possible artistic levels…

Wednesday’s trip to Albany met all of these goals and in addition provided the students with an opportunity to show-off their musical acumen to a wider audience via their performances in South Concourse Lobby of the Empire State Plaza at the state capitol.

Once the bus arrived at Empire Plaza, the students and the chaperones headed to The Well and the grand staircase to meet with Senator John Bonacic and Assamblywoman Aileen Gunther, both of whom had only the highest praise for the Liberty Middle School students and their music director, Gary Siegel.

Both the Senator and the Assemblywoman took time out from their busy schedules to pose for a photograph with the students and the chaperones, as well as answering questions posed to them by the students.

In addition to Senator Bonacic and Assemblywoman Gunther several other local government representatives were on hand at the Capitol on Wednesday. Sullivan County Legislady Leni Binder, Legislative Chairman Jonathan Rouis and County Manager David Fanslau also stopped by to say hello to the students during their working day at the Capitol.

After the meeting with Senator Bonacic and Assemblywoman Gunther the students and the chaperones headed back to the Concourse for lunch before the performance which was scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m.

“Music in our Schools Month” is sponsored by the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA).

Before the start of the performances, Alexander E. Boschi, MIOSM – Chairperson, began by thanking Mr. Siegel for his many years of participation in NYSSMA and MIOSM and for his and his students, many performances at the state capitol over the years. He then spoke of the history of MIOSM before awarding a plaque to Mr. Siegel and the students.

“This program [MIOSM] started 38 years ago in NYC when a couple of band directors decided to showcase their school’s performing organizations in a concert in the city,” said Boschi. “Today, all over the USA, schools during the month of March are performing in state capitols, shopping centers, school auditoriums and state parks in celebration of Music in Our Schools Month.”

“One thing I have to say about this group,” he added. “Gary has a crew that works for him that I can’t believe…I wish I had these guys when I was teaching.”

Following the performances the students and their chaperones were treated to tours of the State Capitol Building and the Governor’s Mansion. The 5^th, 6^th and 7^th graders toured the Capitol while the 8^th graders toured the Governor’s Mansion.

The tour of the Capitol building included both a tour of the Senate and the Assembly. Thanks to the efforts of Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, some of the students were able to get a closer look, via a view from the floor of the house, while others watched from the balcony.

This reporter was with the group that toured the Capitol and was heartened by the interest that the students took in both the Senate and the Assembly proceedings. Truly citizenship was alive and well in this group of talented young musicians. But, their interest didn’t stop there. They asked questions of the tour guide about everything around them from how the government works to what type of architecture surrounded them.

All in all it was a wonderful day for the students, the chaperones and for those they met, whether their jobs are to represent them in our government or to help them in their enjoyment of our Capitol.

To view more  photos or to purchase prints from Liberty Middle School Bands Head to Albany visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

*The Catskill Chronicle is attempting to add video coverage to our news reporting. Please be patient as we learn this new technology. We hope you enjoy the Liberty Middle School Jazz Band’s performance of “Freebird” by Allen Collins/Ronnie Van Zant as arranged by Paul Murtha and conducted by Gary Siegel.

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Bob Theadore looks on as veteran firefighter Earle Poley and his wife Mae look at memorabilia.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

NORTH BRANCH – The firefighters of Station 29, the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department, celebrated their 100th Anniversary with an open house at the fire station on Saturday, March 20.

Carol Welton, wife of Chief Alan Welton and Dawn Sander show off the special U.S. Postal Service commemorative cancellation.

The department was organized on March 17, 1910, and in the words of Earle Poley, their oldest serving member, was set up “by a bunch of men who realized the necessity of some kind of organization to fight fires as well as helping in any other emergencies.”

A few years down the road, Poley and his beloved wife Mae sat inside the firehouse looking over albums of photos and newspaper clippings collected over the decades, stories that told of fires striking the local community, and tales of the community banding together to help their neighbors.

Poley signed up to be a fireman at the age of 13, and by the time he turned 22, was elected chief.

“They needed firemen, and in my days the chief did everything, you was everything, he recalled.

Billed as “A Century of Dedication, One Hundred Years of Service”, the 100th Anniversary featured demonstrations of firefighting techniques and equipment, games for the kiddies and commemorative tee-shirts.

Deputy R.J. Ramos of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office was on hand with the  DARE car, a hot rod Corvette confiscated from a local drug dealer, while K-9 Deputy Eric Breihof showed up with his K-9 partner, “R.C.”

Station 29 insignia.

“It’s real nice, a lot of people came out,” said Chief Alan Welton, a 25-year member of the local volunteer fire department.

While joking that he joined the department “for the beer,” Welton said the 70-degree weather and sunny skies sure beat minus-20 degrees and three feet of snow during the unpredictable early spring in the Catskills.

Asked if the department was already planning for their 200th Anniversary, he replied, “we’re going to leave it up to them guys.”

Meanwhile outside the firehouse, Mike Sakell was joined by Thunder “Lightning Hot Country” 102 radio folks Paul Ciliberto, Michelle Semerano, Corey Ciliberto and Regina Hensley in interviewing firefighters and providing a live broadcast.

The vintage 1928 Chevrolet apparatus attracted a lot of attention.

The department’s classic 1928 Chevrolet apparatus attracted a lot of attention from young and old alike, including a couple of teenagers who sat in the drivers seat.

Ruth Elliott is a 16-year old volunteer firefighter from Hortonville.

“It’s hard work, but fun…the guys are polite, they treat you like you’re their brother, it’s very cool,” he said, adding that her father and grandfather are members of the local fire service. Jessica Welton, 15, is proud of the fact that her grandfather serves as chief of the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department.

During the course of the afternoon, hundreds of folks made their way through the firehouse, and paused to watch a slide show created by Brittany Flynn,, a visual presentation of vintage photographs inter-spliced with 100th Anniversary photographs donated by The Catskill Chronicle.

Ruth Elliott is a 16-year old firefighter from Hortonville, while 15-year Jessica Welton’s grandfather is chief of the NBVFD.

She hails from a long line of firefighters and members of the ladies auxiliary, including her father, brother, cousin, uncle, mother and aunt.

”Everyone sticks together, they’re not just firemen, they’re friends,” Flynn said of that band of brothers (and sisters) serving their local community.

Dennis Finley has been a firefighter with the Callicoon Center Volunteer Fire Department ever since he moved to the Upper Delaware River Valley.

“We all refer to ourselves as first responders and when we get a call, no matter what’s going on in our lives at that particular moment, we stop and respond to the emergency,” he said.

“You step out of your own life and focus on how you’re going to be able to help…it’s a rewarding experience at the end of the day. There’s a sense of personal honor in being a firefighter…it’s a good feeling being part of the community.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Happy Birthday Station 29 visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Sarah Riegel as “Dorothy” and Molly Stahl as “Lion.”

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Taylor Lamerand as “Scarecrow.”

LIVINGSTON MANOR – The Livingston Manor Central School Drama Club presented “The Wiz,” a musical retelling of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” in three performances last weekend, Friday-Sunday, March 19-21.

In 1939, the film “The Wizard of Oz” featured Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, a 12-year old Kansas farm girl who longs for “a place where there isn’t any trouble,” but after being knocked for a loop when her house it hit by a tornado, she dreams of being swept away with her little dog Toto to the magical Land of Oz.

In her fanciful journey, Dorothy travels the Yellow Brick Road and along the way encounters a Scarecrow (played by Ray Bolger), a Tin Man (Jack Haley), a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), along with numerous other characters including the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Rachel Barnhart as “The Wiz.”

In 1975, “The Wiz” took to Broadway as a musical in the context of African American culture, and was example of mainstream acceptance of works featuring an all-black cast. It opened on Broadway with Stephanie Mills as Dorothy, Hinton Battle as Scarecrow, Tiger Haynes as the Tin Woodman, Ted Ross as Lion. The original production won seven Tony Awards, including best musical, and closed in 1979 after 1,672 performances.

In 1978 a film adaptation of “The Wiz” was released starring Diana Ross as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as Scarecrow, Nipsey Russell as the Tin Man, Ted Ross as the Cowardly Lion, and Richard Pryor as the Wiz.

The Livingston Manor Central School Drama Club’s staging was presented in two acts with a total of 15 scenes and was notable in the quality of the sets as well as spirited songs including “He’s the Wiz”, “Soon As I get Home,” “Ease on Down the Road,” “So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard” and “Believe in Yourself,” under the direction of Chad Miller.

“Munchkins”

The cast of characters: Sarah Riegel (as Dorothy), Taylor Lamerand (Scarecrow), Danielle Fredenburg (Tinman), Molly Stahl (Lion), Rachel Barnhart (The Wiz), Ariel Galvez (Addaperle), Victoria Davis (Evillene), Rheanna Fiddle (Glinda), Alyssa Vilela (Auntie Em), Cody Wilkins (Uncle Henry), Melanie Reisner (Lord High Underling), Ami Jo Calo (Messenger), Tabitha VanWagner (Royal Gatekeeper).

Taylor Lamerand as “Scarecrow,” Danielle Fredenburg as “Tinman,” Molly Stahl as “Lion,” Sarah Riegel as “Dorothy,” and Rachel Barnhart as “The Wiz.”

In supporting roles: Ocean Heintz and Matthew Janik as the “Evil Monkeys,” Ashlynne Ratner and Christina Rodroques portaraying the “Yellow Brick Road,”  and Gail Lynn Wilson and Crescent Heintz as the “Mouse Squad.” Munchins: Ayssa Viela, Tabitha VanWagner, Cindy Zheng, Farrah Mills, Rheanna Fiddle, Ami Jo calo. Kalidahs: Farrah Mills, Ami Jo Calo, Nina Zheng, Melanie Reiner; Poppies:
Jenna Zayas, Alyssa Vilela; Emerald Citizens: Brittany Fuller, Ami Jo Calo, Jenna Zayas, Cindy Zheng; and the Winkies with Farrah Mills as the Head Winkie along with the rest of the cast.

Danielle Fredenburg as “Tinman.”

“I wanted to find a musical that featured the strengths of our cast,” said Miller, Manor’s K-12 vocal and K-6 general music teacher. “Right now we’re still trying to build a male population in our second year drama program. Last year in ”Little Shop of Horrors” a couple of guys stepped up, and “The Wiz” gave us the opportunity to cast females in certain parts.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Wiz Wows ‘Em in Manor visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

Callicoon, NY – Last year on Saturday, August 22, over $64,000 was raised in the first-ever Home of the Free Because of the Brave Radiothon held at the Sullivan County International Airport. One hundred volunteers participated by answering phones, tallying pledges, putting out food, organizing and entertaining. 

This year, the event is taking place over two days – Saturday and Sunday, August 28 and 29 – at a new location, the Villa Roma Resort and Country Club.

The Radiothon, which will once again be broadcast on Thunder 102, was started by Ray McCarthy who saw the need to help the families of the veterans who were killed or disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan. McCarthy and several other people started the Sullivan County Committee for the Families of Iraqi and Afghanistan War Veterans, a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.

Since the Radiothon will take up twice as much time as last year, and since McCarthy wants to raise twice the money, he’s putting out the call for twice the number of volunteers – 200 to be precise.

Treasurer of the organization, Irene O’Leary, needs volunteers “to tally pledge cards, to log them onto our computers, to make out invoices for those who have called in their pledges.” She also needs a few people who are proficient in Microsoft Excel, since the best way to keep track of the pledges is to enter them into an Excel spreadsheet. If you’d like to be a financial volunteer, call Irene at 845-583-5252 or e-mail her at Irene@familiesofwarvets.org.

Telephone coordinator, Ron Borella, is looking for people to take a one-hour time slot and answer phones. “If they’re a member of a group, they could bring their membership list with them and call some of their members …,” says Borella. “I need 90 volunteers a day. People can take two time slots or sign up for both days. We’ll be needing people from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.” And there are perks that go along with volunteering, cajoles Borella. “In return we’ll feed you breakfast, we’ll feed you lunch and you can use the pools at the Villa Roma, a beautiful place.”

Borella suggests you call soon to get your choice of “any time slot you wish.” He can be contacted at 845-583-7488 or         e-mail him at rborella@earthlink.net.

For general information about the Radiothon or the Sullivan County Committee for the Families of Iraqi and Afghanistan War Veterans, call Ray McCarthy at 845-794-0060.

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Chris Murphy of Sullivan West High School as “Danny Zuko”.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Dillon Cerullo as “Kenickie”, Christine Lazar as “Betty Rizzo.”

LIBERTY – Return with us to the days of sock hops, burger joints, drive-in movies, hand-jivin’ and the ‘greasers’ of the late 1950s, as “Grease,” the ever-enduring story of teenage angst, romance and rebellion takes to the stage at Liberty High School for two performances on Friday and Saturday, March 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.

It is a production of Liberty Performing Arts and the Liberty High School Music Department, and based upon the classic 1972 musical with the words, music and lyrics of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. It takes place in 1959 at the fictional Rydell High School, and is loosely based on William Howard Taft High School in Chicago.

Melanie Downing as “Teen Angel.”

The show’s original production of 1971 was a known as a gritty musical, or a play with incidental music, and was staged as “Grease Lightning” in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, before taking off to Broadway a year later. By the time the curtain drew to a close in 1980, “Grease” had run for 3,388 performances, and to this day remains Broadway’s 13th longest-running show in history. The title of the musical comes from the name of the 1950s working-class subculture in the United States known as the ‘greasers’. In 1978, John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing and Jeff Conaway starred in the film “Grease” directed by Randal Kleiser.

The main players of Liberty High School’s production: Adrianna Rubio as Miss Lynch, Nikole Snyder as Patty Simcox, Joshua Lieberman as Eugene Florczyk, Sydney Goldstein as Jan, Taylir Lorino as Marty, Christine Lazar as Betty Rizzo, Drew Maier as Doody, Franklin Carcamo as Roger, Dillon Cerullo as Kenickie, Tiago Mastrogiovanni as Sonny, Shaina DiVita as Frenchy, Kirsten Sauer as Sandy Dumbrowski, Christopher Murphy (a senior at Sullivan West) as Danny
Zuko, Chris Lockwood as Vince Fontaine, Gary Siegel (Liberty’s music director) as Johnny Casino, Priti Samant as Cha-Cha DiGregorio/radio voice, and in the sparkling role of Teen Angel Melanie Downing.

Tiago Mastrogiovanni as “Sonny”, Christine Lazar as “Betty Rizzo”, Franklin Carcamo as “Roger.”

The ensemble: Jenna Atkins, Sophia Cohen, Alyssa Corbett, Stefani Davidson, Paige Doria, Kylee Funcheon, Tiffany Keesler, Tori Kleinberger, Danielle Lake, Victoria Norwich, Danielle Strassman and Amber Wallgren.

“Grease” features two stage directors (Emily Ford and Scott Glasser), Timothy Hamblin (musical director), Daniel L. McConnell (pit orchestra director), Michael Diehl (set design and construction), Laurie Burke-Maier (costumes and props), Elizabeth McConnell (sound design) and Ariana Burd (stage manager).

Liberty’s production follows the original as it presented in two acts, and is filled with numerous numbers solos, duets and full company numbers such as “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightning,” “Look at Me, I’m Sandra
Dee,” “Shakin’ at the High School Hop,” “Born to Hand Jive” and “Alone at
the Drive-In Movie.”

Taylir Lorino as “Marty.”

Christopher Murphy, a senior at Sullivan West High School, appears in the lead male role of “Danny Zuko”.

“We choose it [Grease] because we know the show,” said Emily Ford, co-stage director. While noting this is her first production as Liberty High, she added, “The kids like working together and they really created a tight ensemble.”

“Grease” is Scott Glasser’s third show at Liberty; in his first year he directed a Broadway review and in the next season followed up with a staging of “Charlie Brown”.

“This year we wanted to go a little bit larger and still keep in an upbeat show,” said Glasser, who works alongside Ford as co-stage director. “Grease just called out to me, and the kids are definitely ecstatic, they’ve worked really, really hard.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from All “Greased” Up at Liberty High visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story by Carol Montana, Photos by Stephen Lavelle

LIBERTY – Following upon the heels of the biggest snowstorm in years came torrential downpours and howling winds. But nothing could dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of several hundred people who turned out to support the quest to find a cure for pediatric cancer.

The event was the 4^th Annual St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser organized by Fay Cerullo of Liberty whose son Ryan was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2005 at the age of 15. During Ryan’s treatment, Cerullo met other patients and their parents who were involved with fundraising for St. Baldrick’s. “At the time, five other kids in our area were also sick or recuperating from cancer,” said Cerullo. Those circumstances got her involved with St. Baldrick’s, a non-profit organization that raises and donates funds for pediatric cancer research. One of the ways people raise funds for St. Baldrick’s – emphasis on Bald – is to solicit funds while promising to shave their heads.

And so, on Saturday, March 13, there wasn’t a parking spot available at the Liberty Firehouse as lots of people came out as shavees or supporters of shavees. Inside the firehouse pandemonium reigned as four volunteer beauticians – Kimberly Kimball, Erin Allan, Beth Bernitt, Melanie Polomcean – created designs on people’s heads with their razors, while spectators hooted and hollered their support.

Egging everyone on was Lord of the Trout Lou Monteleone of Eldred, who was taking on-the-spot donations from people to either leave the design on the person’s head or continue with the shaving. “We’re getting money to get them to stop or keep them going. It’s all about money. Cash talks,” said Monteleone as cheers and shouts and unbridled enthusiasm filled the firehouse.

Radio station Thunder 102, which had been promoting the event for several weeks, was on hand, not only to help out, but also to participate. Both Paul Ciliberto of the morning show Ciliberto and Friends, and Mike Sakell of Sakell in the Afternoon decided to participate in the most personal way they could, by getting their heads shaved. “This is the first time I’ve been at a barber that has an audience,” said Ciliberto whose co-worker Regina Hensley said he looked like Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers movie. “What can I tell you, Erin usually cuts my hair so it’s not like I’m nervous or anything,” said Sakell as his hairdresser carved a big 102 on his head with her electric razor. Both Sakell and Ciliberto have been participating for several years now.

Ciliberto said that his hair will grow back in about two months, in time to come off again at the Conga Line Across America event that Monteleone is running in September. At the Saturday event, Ciliberto said, “I’m always amazed at the turnout, but more than that, what impresses me about this is just what you feel in this room. The spirit in here is incredible. Everybody from all different ages, you got a group of kids hanging out having a good time, everybody cheering for people they don’t even know getting their heads shaved. Even before dollar one is raised, it’s the awareness and the spirit that makes things like this so special.

Thunder 102’s Sakell says his hair grows back more quickly, in about a month or so and says that he won’t mind being bald because he wears his Thunder hat most of the time. His wife Sue is very supportive. “Listen,” Sakell continued, “the last few years I’ve been losing a lot more hair anyway, so it’s not real stretch to go from that to this.”

Champion fundraiser this year was Sullivan County Democrat columnist Jeanne Sager who raised $1030. “I asked everyone on my Facebook list, everyone I e-mailed. I sent out so many.” Sager, who has been shaving her head for several years got a couple of really big donations including $200 from her young daughter, Jillian, who got some help from her daddy with writing the check.

Mary Edwards, who was getting her head shaved for the second time for the cause, was proud of her young son who was sitting in the chair beside her getting his locks shorn. Charlie Barbuti was a supportive spectator there for his good friend Corby Coney. And Geri Ellen Neumann was there, not only as a spectator, but also as a donor and a concerned mother. Neumann donated in honor of her daughter Ellen Rose, “who is going through chemo. She was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia), a cancer of the white blood cells on 11/3/2008. Ellen Rose is still undergoing treatment and her cancer is treatable and curable. “She is a survivor,” said Neumann. “These organizations are important for the research to cure children of these life-threatening diseases.”

Peter Hare was there, too, along with his son, Justin, and his father, Joseph. Hare, who goes hairless all summer and then grows it back for the St. Baldrick’s event, became a supporter several years ago through a friend from the Livingston Manor Rotary Club. “Last year we collected in the name of my friend Pat Casey, who had cancer and who passed away, and now we collect it in his memory,” reported Hare.

As the organizer of the event, Cerullo was extremely happy with the turnout. “This is a hard year for people. The weather is terrible, people are coming out anyway, they’re excited, they’re happy, they’re turning something horrible into something really positive.

Cerullo explained that there were two more events following Saturday’s. Cast members from the Liberty High School musical Grease will be having their hair shaved following the final performance, and an a cappella event at Liberty High School in April will donate 50% of the proceeds to St. Baldrick’s. The Saturday event raised $11,000.

Donations are still being accepted. Go to www.StBaldricks.org, click on “find an event” type in “Liberty, NY” and you will be see donations button. Or, you can call Cerullo at 845-707-3618 – for information about St. Baldrick’s and donation. To donate to Monteleone’s September event go to the St. Baldrick’s Web site and type in “conga.”

One person who didn’t get her head shaved was Michelle Semerano of Thunder 102 who said “I think my mother dropped me on my head when I was a kid. I think I have some dents that aren’t too pretty, and it’s my civic duty not to inflict the site of those dents on the world.” On a serious note, however, Semerano did say she would shave someday and added, “The most important thing is raising awareness for this great foundation that is trying to cure pediatric cancer, which is something that is close to my heart. Watching my mom go through breast cancer, there were kids in the room on the days she had chemo. My mom would look at me and say ‘I’m an adult and I can handle this, but no child should have to go through this.’”

To see more photos or to purchase prints from Shaving It All Off for St. Baldrick’s, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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The 1928 Chevrolet.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

NORTH BRANCH – “A Century of Dedication, One Hundred Years of Service” –a few proud words that sum up the mission of Station 26, the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department (NBVFD) as they gear up to celebrate their 100th Anniversary on March 20, 2010.

Mae and Earle Poley - at 90, Earle is the oldest member of the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department.

The local volunteer fire department was organized in 1910, and in the words of Earle Poley the department’s oldest member at 90 years of age, it was organized on March 17, ’10 “by a bunch of men who realized the necessity of some kind of organization to fight fires as well as helping in any other emergencies.”

On Saturday, March 20, from 1 to 3 p.m., the NBVFD will celebrate their “Century of Dedication” with an open house at the firehouse, located at 20 North Branch-Callicoon Center Highway, right in the heart of the little community tucked away in the Upper Delaware River Valley.

The event will feature demonstrations and displays of firefighting equipment, freed prizes and games for kids, refreshments, and special demonstrations by the NYS Police, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sullivan County Fireman’s Association’s smoke trailer. Thunder Country [radio] will be doing a live-remote radio broadcast, and Beth Hahl, postmaster of the local post office will be on hand to present a unique first-day-of-issue commemorative postal cancellation.

After the open house, the department will host an invitation only 100th Anniversary ceremonial dinner at the Little Texas Ranch in Obernberg, at which several local dignitaries are expected to honor the department for its 100 years of service.

1st assistant chief, Phil Banuat and firefighter Tom Keminski.

Robert J. Theadore, joined the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department, joined in 1981, and over the years served as chief, president, commissioner, and treasurer, while this year as an active member he took on the job of chairman of the Anniversary Committee, assisted by Tom Bisig, John Brockner, Larry Knack, Ernie Reimer, John Theadore and Chief Alan Welton.

“Of our 123 members, 59 are deceased,” said Theadore, who described himself these days as a “chief cook and bottle washer.”

Asked about the changes he’s witnessed in firematics over the years, Theadore replied, “I think it’s more efficient, and there’s better equipment with modern training requirements…but it’s tough to get volunteers these days, there’s a lot going on and a lot of training. A lot of people gripe about the training, but you don’t want to be fighting a fire with somebody who doesn’t know what the heck he’s doing…if you’re not, you’re putting everybody in jeopardy.”

Poley joined the department at the age of 13, and by the time he was 22 years old, was elected chief.

“They needed firemen, and in my days the chief did everything, you was everything,” he recalled while standing next to the department’s vintage 1928 Chevrolet apparatus.

Husband and wife commissioners, Jack and Joann Brockner.

Looking back in time, Poley said he answered calls for wires down, floods, structure fires, motor vehicle accidents and “some things you try to forget about” like the fatal fire of July 1997 that claimed the life of 59-year old Frank Hawkins and left 11 others including seven children homeless.

On September 24, 1971, the department that covers the towns of Callicoon and Fremont, responded to a motor vehicle accident in which six people perished and eight injured near the old Buck Brook School.

Later, on a New Year’s Day, a fire in Buck Brook killed three men at the former Novet Farm and Boarding House on County Road 95, while four others narrowly escaped the flames.

“Anything I couldn’t get out of they made me,” added Poley, noting he also served as president and commissioner.

“It’s been very interesting being a local fireman here in North Branch,” added Poley, a graduate of the Delaware Valley High School Class of ’37. “They’re a good bunch of guys, not a bum in the bunch.”

A Brief History of the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department –

Based upon the 1980 recollections of Earle Poley and updated by Joan Kern (2001) and Bob Theadore (2010).

The North Branch Volunteer Fire Department was organized on March 17, 1910.

At the first meeting a century ago, the 38 men in attendance appointed Dr. Adolph Schonger as secretary/treasurer and at the next meeting on March 16, R.C Goegel was elected chief, Herman Goodman foreman and Johon Garry assistant foreman.

One of the first orders of business was an alarm system, so the membership acquired three old railroad engine wheel rims, which they suspended from two wooden posts and when struck with a sledge hammer, alerted the volunteers that a fire had broken out.

According to Poley, in October, 1910 the early firefighters voted to have a “fire wagon built which carried about 24 pails with round bottoms to use for a bucket brigade or just carrying water to throw on the fire.” “This wagon was pulled by horses. A gentleman next door to the firehouse had a beautiful pair of black horses which was nice for a show but not practical since it took a long time to hook horses to the wagon, so the fireman would pull the wagon by hand.”

Later on, the firefighters gave up on pulling the wagon around town and the horses took a back seat, as they started hooking up the fire wagon to automobiles.

In 1927-28, the firefighters went out to local taxpayers for approval to purchase a mechanized fire apparatus for the at-the-time grand sum of $1,200.

“I remember my dad promoting a yes vote and one of his arguments was ‘if it saves one house it’s worth it, it might be your house,’” said Poley.

“We thought the truck was pretty cool, it had a bell with a rope to ring it, an exhaust whistle that sounded like a train horn, it had a vacuum prime from the engine and a pump that took over when engaged by pulling a lever, also a soda and acid tank which was filled with water, you dumped the soda and acid into the water which created a pressure for the hose reel.”

Poley recalled that one day several firemen came to the house he shared with his wife Mae (they’re still married and live in the same house) and asked him to run for chief of the department at the next election. “After a long discussion I said I wanted to ask my wife what she thought,” he said. “She said ‘I guess you could do it if you wanted to, but I know one thing; those men aren’t going to leave until you say yes’.” Poley accepted on one condition; that he could name his running mates (Malvin Wood as assistant chief, Francis cram as secretary and Robert Welsh as treasurer).

“I won the best attended election I guess we had in a long time.”

In his recollections of the department’s early years, Poley recounted a few lighter moments of the fire service: while responding to a chimney fire on Stewart Road, the firefighters got sprayed by a skunk while shielding the driver “nobody but the driver thought it was funny, [but] we extinguished the fire”; and the time a resident went out to the outhouse after a few drinks of hard cider and inadvertently lit off a can of gasoline when he tripped while carrying a lit kerosene lantern “of course the lantern ignited the spilt gas and immediately we had a full engulfed house…it was kinda funny but it was lucky it was only the house. It could have been Mike’s life.”

A few years down the road Poley “realized now I was getting past the time to let the young firemen take over which they did and did a great job handling the whole situation.”

Bob Theadore, past chief, past president, and a 30-plus year member of the department, picked up the story from there. “The next 20 years of the department’s history were marked with good times and effective firefighting,” he said.

In the wake of WWII, trucks were still hard to come by, but the department eventually bought a 1947 Ford pumper through Carl’s Motor Sales, and at about the same time struck a deal with the JR. O.U. American Mechanics Association to purchase they building they had been renting as a firehouse.

During the 1940s, the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department held its first annual fundraising supper, which started out as a spaghetti and meatball dinner, with silverware and dishes borrowed from local churches – all for the princely sum of 40-cents a plate.

Not long afterwards, the department switched from pasta to chicken barbecues. It is believed that this was the first such event in Sullivan County”, and continues today after the chickens took flight only to be replaced by an annual roast beef dinner fundraiser.

“The 1980s were a good decade for the department,” said Theadore. “Membership was very strong and the department served the community of
North Branch very effectively.”

In 1985, the department celebrated its 75th Anniversary with festivities in town.

As the mid-1990s rolled around, it became clear the old firehouse has outlived it’s day, and was eventually sold to an internationally-known artist.

The new firehouse was erected on the site of the old Antler Hotel, the scene of one of the largest structure fires in local history, and the building was completed in 1999.

“The 21st Century has thus far seen the department modernize and expand its ability to serve the community more than at any other time in its history,” said Theadore in his role of chairman of the 100th Anniversary Committee. “As the North Branch Fire Department looks toward the dawn of a new century in its history, its members remain proud and ready to serve the community of North Branch, NY and welcome the opportunity to provide yet another ‘Century of Dedication’.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from One Hundred Years of Service visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Click this second link to view more photos from A Brief History of the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department.

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LIBERTY, NY – Jeremy Gorelick, Treasurer of Habitat for Humanity of Sullivan County, and chairman of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, is running the National Marathon in Washington, DC on Saturday, March 20 to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Half of all proceeds raised will be put towards local efforts to build a new home in the Town of Fallsburg, and the other half will be donated to rehabilitation efforts in Haiti.

Currently, over $1,000 have been donated to Habitat for Humanity of Sullivan County on behalf of Gorelick’s participation in this 26.2 mile race.

Habitat for Humanity of Sullivan County has completed two homes in over the past five years, one in Monticello and one in Liberty, and is currently working on the construction of a third house in South Fallsburg. 

If you would like to donate money to this fundraising effort or to participate in a Habitat for Humanity project in Sullivan County, please contact Habitat for Humanity of Sullivan County at 791-8305, by mail at PO Box 695, Harris, NY 12742 or via their Web site at http://www.sullivancountyhabitat.com/.

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MONTICELLO – “Due to storm related phone outages, residents in the Frontier Communications service area of Sullivan County may have difficulty calling 9-1-1 if necessary.    For the duration of this outage, Emergency Responders will be standing by at the following firehouses if needed:

· Highland Lake Fire Department: 557-8788

· Yulan Fire Department:  557-8483

· Lumberland Fire Department:  856-2041

· Narrowsburg Fire Department: 252-3328

Frontier Communications is working to resolve the issue.  Please contact your phone provider for information regarding restoration times.

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The Pink Ladies –  Jackie Ellmauer as Jan, Margaret Bruetsch as
Marty and Hannah Rettoun as Betty Rizzo.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Anthony Zelenka as Danny Zuko and Catherine Peters as Sandy Dombrowski.

LAKE HUNTINGTON – The Sullivan West High School Musical Production Club will present “Grease”, the classic rock ‘n roll musical in three performances at the auditorium: Friday and Saturday, March 12-13 at 7:00 p.m. followed by a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee on March 14.

Based upon the book, music and lyrics of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, the 1972 musical is named for the 1950s American working class subculture known as the “greasers.”

The show was first staged as “Grease Lightning”, and the script was loosely based on Jacob’s experience at William Howard Taft High School in Chicago.

“Grease” is set at the fictional Rydell High School during 1959 and tackles relevant social issues impacting the lives of young adults such as gang violence, teenage pregnancy, rebellion, sexual awakening, love and friendship.

A fight breaks out between rivals Betty Rizzo,(Hannah Rettoun) and Sandy Dombrowski,(Catherine Peters).

The underlying tones of class consciousness and class conflict resonate through the production, as three of the main characters interact on stage: Danny Zuko, the protagonist, cocky leader of the Burger Palace Boys (later on the T-Birds), as portrayed by Anthony Zelenka; Sandy Dombrowski, the new girl in town, pure, kind and innocent, but with a bit of the devil in her heart as played by Catherine Peters; and Betty Rizzo, the tough and sarcastic leader of the Pink Ladies, portrayed by Hannah Rettoun.

In a closely guarded secret that has to be revealed, superintendent of schools Dr. Kenneth Hilton, appears as Teen Angel, the guardian angel from heaven who tries to offer advice to Frenchy (played by Kate Bunch) after she drops out of beauty school.

Chris Murphy as Johnny Casino.

“They wanted me to be Teen Angel because I’m the only one around here old enough to remember the 50s,” quipped Dr. Hilton. “I’m the only one who knew what a malt shop was.”

Presented in two acts, “Grease”, which in its record-breaking original Broadway production was raunchy and raw, but has since been toned down, will be presented in two acts and a finale, all filled with spirited songs and dance routines, choreographed by Jamie Ward.

The local high school production is directed by Nick Iacovitti, assisted by Kim Eschenberg (vocal director), Ross Reynolds (pit orchestra director), and Patricia Ellmauer (producer).

Dr. Kenneth Hilton as Teen Angel with Kindra Barker, prom singer

The cast (in order of appearance): Sommer Johansen as Miss Lynch, Allie Ellmauer  as Patty Simcox, Brian Recktenwall-Calvert as Eugene Florczyk, Jackie Ellmauer as Jan, Margaret Bruetsch as Marty, Hannah Rettoun as Betty Rizzo, Sam Satanovsky as Doody, Brendan Creegan as Roger, RJ Smith as Kenickie,  Artie Norden as Sonny LaTierri, Kate Bunch as Frenchy, Catherine Peters as Sandy Dombrowski, Anthony Zelenka as Danny Zuko, Austin Erlwein as Vince Fontaine, Chris Murphy as Johnny Casino, Adina Fadis as Cha-Cha DiGregorio, and Dr. Kenneth Hilton as Teen Angel.

Alma Mater Ensemble: Amanda Bercze, Taylor Brockner, Leeann Bruetsch, Kaylan Cemelli, Melissa Goggin, Olivia Grady, Elaine Gwathney, Chrissy
Lare, Lizzie Nicoletti, Gracie O’Conner, Maggie Paciga and Lillie Wheaton.

Hannah Rettoun as Betty Rizzo, RJ Smith as Kenickie, Adina Fadis as Cha-Cha DiGregorio, Anthony Zalenka as Danny Zuko.

Magic Changes Ensemble: Leeann Bruetsch, Melissa Goggin, Olivia Grady and
Gracie O’Conner.

Prom Singers: Kendra Barker, Katie Dnistrain, Rianne Erlwein and Morgan Hawkins.

“My background was in the music business for quite a number of years, then I switched to teaching,” said Iacovitti, director of Sullivan West’s staging of Grease.

“They asked me to direct a musical, and for years the seniors wanted to do [Grease] ever since 7th grade…it just caught fire.“

“The kids were just great, and the work they put into it was just unbelievable…a lot of people think it’s about a good girl going bad, but it isn’t. It’s about trying to be who you are, and yet fitting in with your peers, something that is timeless no matter what age,” added Iacovitti.

To view more photos from Greased Lightning or to purchase prints visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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LIBERTY – Fay Cerullo has organized a St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser for March 13th at the Liberty Fire House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

Every year, tens of thousands of volunteer “shavees” shave their heads in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family.

This is Liberty’s 4th annual St. Baldrick’s fundraiser, started after Cerullo’s son Ryan was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.

“Our involvement with St. Baldrick’s began in 2005, when Ryan, then 15years old, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,” said Cerullo. “While in treatment at Westchester Medical Center, we met a family whose son had non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. They had already been involved with St. Baldrick’s fundraisers in Nanuet. That spring, we were invited to be special guests by the organizer, Vinny Garrison, who now runs St. Baldrick’s Fundraisers at Dominican College in Orangeburg, NY. The spirit and energy of the volunteers was so contagious that I decided to bring St. Baldrick’s to Liberty.”

“At the time, five other kids in our area were also sick or recuperating from cancer,” added Cerullo. It moved her to action, and so far over $50,000 has been raised for pediatric cancer research.

St. Baldrick’s is a non-profit organization that raises and donates funds to pediatric cancer research. One of the amazing things that I learned is that St. Baldrick’s had previously donated to Ryan’s hospital and to the group that developed the chemotherapy protocol that helped to save Ryan’s life. With a connection like that it seemed like fate that I should be so involved with St. Baldrick’s.

“This year there’s a new twist,” said Cerullo. “Since Ryan left for college, my son Dillon has taken the lead as the student organizer. Liberty High School is presenting the musical Grease on March 19 and 20, and Dillon has the role of Kinickie, the second rough and tough guy. Drew Maier has the role of Roger, another Greaser. Dan McConnell, Liberty High School band director, Dillon, and Drew will all need their hair for the play. So, we’ve arranged for them to shave on stage immediately following the last performance on Saturday night. We’re hoping that the audience will help donate and stay to see the Greasers shave their hair for pediatric cancer research!”

Cerullo would like folks to understand that while times are tough and people are struggling more than in the past, the sad truth is that kids are still getting sick with cancer.

“Cancer knows no boundaries. It strikes indiscriminately,” Cerullo said. “That’s why I keep fighting this battle. Ryan’s well now. Thank God he’s been in remission for four years, but this is not the time to sit back on my laurels and take it easy. Not only do we have to be vigilant to watch his health, but we have to continue to fight for all kids who are sick or could get sick with cancer. The nightmare is still very real in my memory. I won’t let it fade for all the other children who could benefit from my energy.”

This year the event at the Liberty Fire House includes two barbers so far. The lead barber is Erin Allen from Image of Beauty. The other barber is Melanie Polomcean from Beauty Control.

If anyone is willing to volunteer their time, please contact Fay Cerullo at 845 707-3618.

You can also learn more, donate or register to shave directly on our St. Baldricks website page http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/eventid/4050/eventyear/2010

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Story and photos by Ted Waddell

LIBERTY – The folks who organized the Sullivan County Music Educators’ Association (SCMEA) 56th Annual All-County Music Festival had a musical field day as they packed the house at Liberty High School for two soul-stirring concerts on Saturday, March 6.

As a 4th grader at Livingston Manor, Gary Siegel participated in his first all-county music festival, and for the last 45 years has been involved with the popular festival, either as a music student until graduating in 1976, or a few years down the road as chairperson.

Siegel is now the director of music at Liberty High and served as chairperson of the 2010 music festival that featured approximately 450 students representing Sullivan County schools.

Concert I – Music: The Universal Language

“Today you will hear hundreds of students from all eight Sullivan County school districts as we carry on a 56-year musical tradition,” Siegel said during his opening remarks… “in times like these, advocacy of music and arts programs is essential”, and encouraged parents to step up to the plate for their kids’ total-package education to let board members and administrators “know how essential music education in a child’s life to make them a whole person.”

“Music teaches kids to critically think and problem-solve, and as you have probably heard studies show that students who participate in music in school score better on standardized tests.”

In addition to family and friends of the students and teachers, in attendance were several dignitaries who addressed the assemblage and who attended the first round of the concerts: John Bonacic. NYS Senator, 42nd Senatorial District; Aileen Gunther, NYS Assemblywoman, 98th Assembly District; and Jodi Goodman, Sullivan County Legislator, District 6.

“Whatever sunshine we have today and tomorrow, it will pale in the light of the  talent of these young men and women that you will hear today,” said NYS Senator John Bonacic in addressing the crowd assembled in Liberty High School’s auditorium before the start of the 56th Annual Sullivan County Music Educators Association’s (SCMEA) All-County Music Festival.

Bonacic then read a legislative resolution that recognized the 2010 music festival. “The young people of Sullivan County…have demonstrated exceptional talent in musical pursuits…the Sullivan County music educators have come together to form the [SCMEA) in an effort to improve and expand the many talents of the young people…”

“This festival is illustrative of the commitment of the administrators of all eight Sullivan County schools district to provide a full and comprehensive music programs in their districts,” he added.

NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther called for a round of applause for the festival and then told the crowd that music education played an important part in the life of her son Jacob, as after learning how to play the trumpet and piano in high school, “now he has a wonderful career as a teacher.”

“The young people of Sullivan County have developed exceptional talent in music,” she said before reading a proclamation from the assembly, which said in part, “It is the sense of this legislative body that music contributes significantly to the cultural enrichment and quality of life” in the state, [and} music has evolved to be an important part of the education of the young people.”

Concert I took place at 3 p.m. and featured the string orchestra, the elementary chorus and the middle school band.

The string orchestra was conducted by Christine Gero, who has studied and performed in various setting, from Carnegie Hall to CBGB’ in New York/ Her work in alternative musical genres include studies with acclaimed jazz violinist John Blake, Jr as well as performances and recording with rock groups in NYC and Seattle. Gero currently is orchestra director at Nyack High School, liberty and Valley Cottage Elementary Schools.

The string orchestra performed “Folk Tune with Fiddle Dance” by Percy Fletcher, “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair” by Claude Debussy (arranged by Deborah Baker Monday), and Alan Lee Silva’s “The Spirit”.

The elementary chorus was conducted by Naomi Katz Cohen, currently in her 16th year of teaching vocal and general music. In the wake of teaching for 11 years at The Chapin School of Music in the city, she now serves as music director at the SAR Academy, a Modern Orthodox co-ed Yeshiva in Riverdale, NY. Cohen was recently the featured soloist with the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra and was featured as a soprano soloist singing the Vivaldi Gloria and the Shubert Mass in G with the Glass Menagerie.

The elementary chorus performed Bob Chilcott’s “Can You Hear Me?”, “Cold and Fugue Season” by J. S. Bach (arr. by Ellen Foncannon), “Al Schlosha D’Varim” by Allan Naplan, and “Sansa Kroma, an African folksong arranged by Michael Scott.

Richard Johnson, a graduate of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potdam, was guest conductor of the middle school band. After working as director of instrumental music and musical activities at Roscoe Central School, Johnson had the opportunity to live and study composition in Melbourne, Australia where he studied under the renowned Australian composers Brenton Broadstock and Stuart Greenbaum.

The middle school band performed a wide range of works including “fanfare and Flourishes” by James Curnow, three classic miniatures as arranged by Leroy Jackson (a German dance by Joseph Haydn, a minuet by George Philipp Telemann, and a trumpet tune by Henry Purcell), what was billed as a ‘Dixieland Spectacular’ by John Edmondson (“Dinah”, “Tin Roof Blues,” “High Society”) and from “Indiana Jones,” one of the most rousing adventure films of all time, John Williams’ “Raiders March” as arranged by Jack Bullock.

Concert II – The Illuminating Light of Music in Our Hearts

After the conclusion of Concert I, Concert II, held at 5:30 p.m. featured performances by the junior high jazz ensemble, junior high women’s chorus, junior high mixed chorus, and the senior high band.

Frank Petrocelli, a graduate of Liberty Class of 1985 returned to his high school alma mater as guest conductor of the junior high jazz ensemble. As an active freelance musician who performs with big bands, jazz trios, and wind ensembles, he has also been a soloist and performed with the Kalamazoo Symphony, West Shore Symphony and Greater Newburgh Symphony.

The junior high jazz ensemble performed four spirited works: “”Stolen Moments” by Oliver Nelson (arr. by Mark Taylor), “Cubano Chant” by Ray Bryant (arranged by Mike Story), “My Funny Valentine by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers (arr. Sammy Nestico), and Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island” arr. Mike Kamuf.

Janiece Kohler, founder of the Halcyon Singers and music director of the Orange County Classic Choral Society and Orchestra, conducted the junior high women’s chorus. She is also director at the First Presbyterian Church of Washingtonville and minister of music at the Blooming Grove United Church of Christ.

The junior high women’s choir, accompanied by Leon Hilfsten on piano, performed “Gloria Deo (arr. Mary Lynn Lightfoot, “When I Close My Eyes” (arr. Jim Papoulis & Francesco Nunez), “Ding-A Ding-Ding”  )arr. Greg Gilpin, “Firefly” (arr. Andy Beck), and Aaron Copeland’s “Zion’s Walls” (arr. Glenn Kopenen.

Penelope Cruz directed the junior mixed chorus, which was accompanied on piano by Dominic Daurio. She is currently the choir director at White Plains High School and serves on the NYS board of the American Choral Directors Association as the repertoire and standards chair for multicultural and ethnic
perspectives, as a member of the NYSSMA diversity committee, and as area all-state chorus co-chair for Westchester County.

The junior high mixed chorus performed G. F. Handel’s “Hallelujah, Amen” (arr. Liebergen), “I’ll Say it Anyway” (Je le vous diral!) by Pierre Certon, “My Heart’s in the Highlands” by Lon Berry, a Sephardic folk song titled “Durme, Durme” (arr. Snyder), and “The Storm is Passing” by Charles Albert Tindley (arr. Baker).

Michael Williams returned to Liberty High after a decade as the school’s band director in the role of guest conductor of the senior high band, and in a noteworthy sidebar, his daughters Brittany and Gillian both took center stage during the all-county music festival. Williams is a founding member of the Anthracite Brass Quartet, and in the past has worked with heavy hitters in the music biz such as Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis and Frank Sinatra.

The senior high band performed “Pentland Hills March” by Capt. James W. Howe, “Chorale and Alleluia” by Howard Hanson,”Fantasy On American Sailing Songs” by Clare Grundman, and in honor of out recent record snow storms, Robert W. Smith’s “Into the Storm”.

Gary Siegel, chairperson of the 56th All-County Music Festival, quoted Victor Hugo as he reminded the crowd, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”

“Music is truly the universal language,” said Siegel. “Let there always be music in our hearts and music programs in our schools.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from the 56th Annual All-County Music Festival visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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BETHEL – On Monday, March 8, 2010, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) visited the Bethel Senior Citizens Center in Sullivan County to unveil legislation he’s pushing through Congress that would quickly lower prescription drug prices for seniors by allowing Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for bulk discount deals. Hinchey outlined his plan to seniors during their weekly lunch at the Bethel Senior Citizens Center and then took questions from them about Medicare and other issues of concern. 

Current law, which Hinchey has long opposed and voted against, specifically forbids the federal government from trying to get the best deal for Medicare recipients. The legislation that Hinchey is pushing along with Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) and dozens of their House colleagues, known as the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate prescription drug prices on behalf of Medicare Part D beneficiaries for the first time since 2004, a move that could save taxpayers $156 billion over ten years.  Hinchey and his colleagues are calling for swift action on the standalone drug price negotiation bill, even as Congress works with President Obama to finalize and pass comprehensive health reform legislation. 

"Today we seek to finally put an end to the outrageous policy enacted by the previous administration that for no good reason prevents the federal government from negotiating with pharmaceutical companies for discounts on drugs that are being bought in bulk for the Medicare Part D program," said Hinchey. "While Congress continues to work toward a final health care overhaul, this bill would ensure seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries don’t have to wait any longer for reduced priced drugs. This bill would put the government on the side of seniors, instead of the drug industry by enabling the government to finally negotiate with drug companies for better prices."

Taxpayers fund more than three-quarters of the cost of the Medicare Part D drug benefit, accounting for $50 billion worth of drugs in 2009 alone. Yet the program, which serves 28 million seniors, has been barred from negotiating rates with the pharmaceutical industry since 2004.  The Department of Veterans Affairs has reduced costs significantly by negotiating rates. One Families USA report found that the top five Medicare Part D insurers charged prices 58 percent higher than the VA for 20 commonly prescribed drugs.

In 2007, the House passed a bill with Hinchey’s support similar to the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2010 by a vote of 255 to 170 with strong bipartisan support and 198 cosponsors. The measure gathered further momentum last November when it was included in the Affordable Health Care for America Act and passed by the House with Hinchey’s support.

"No one walks into a car dealership and asks for the most expensive car at sticker price, but that’s exactly how the federal government is being forced to deal with the drug companies," Hinchey said. "It’s outrageous.  With such a large number of drugs being bought by Medicare, the federal government should receive a significant bulk discount, which would save a lot of money and lower the costs of this critical health program.  This is a common-sense piece of legislation that would end an enormous subsidy to greedy drug companies."

Hinchey also highlighted how the broader health care bill being debated in Congress would benefit seniors in other ways, including through the closing of the so-called donut hole — which is a gap in prescription drug coverage that forces Medicare Part D enrollees to pay 100 percent of the cost for drugs once they exceed $2,700 in annual drug costs.  Approximately, 7,200 seniors living in the district that Hinchey represents are forced to spend $3,454 in out-of-pocket expenses, on top of their monthly premiums, before the donut hole closes and they can begin receiving drug coverage again.  Hinchey has helped lead the effort in Congress to close the donut hole and such efforts are critical to a successful health care reform bill.  

The congressman also discussed his support of a bill that was recently signed into law that protects seniors’ access to their physicians by blocking a 21 percent fee reduction that was scheduled to occur on January 1, 2010.  Without the legislation, many doctors would have stopped treating Medicare patients because the reimbursement rates would have been too low.

Hinchey also talked with seniors about his efforts to strengthen the economy and to ensure that the children and grandchildren of older Americans have good, well-paying jobs.  Last week, Hinchey helped the House pass a bill to create hundreds of thousands of new small business and construction jobs this year, spur private sector hiring, and help rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. The bipartisan Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act is part of a larger congressional agenda Hinchey has been supporting to create jobs and strengthen the economy. 

The HIRE Act includes a payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers to create some 300,000 jobs and an income tax credit of $1,000 for businesses that retain these employees. It also includes tax incentives to help small businesses invest, expand, and hire more workers; provisions to make it easier for states to take up infrastructure projects such as school construction and energy retrofitting; and an extension of the Highway Trust Fund that allows for billions of dollars in infrastructure development around the country.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Hinchey actively supported and helped pass last year, has already saved or created more than 2 million jobs – rebuilding our infrastructure and economy for global competitiveness. Through the Recovery Act, 95 percent of working Americans continue to see the benefit of one of the largest tax cuts in history in every paycheck.  With Hinchey’s support, the House also passed the comprehensive Jobs for Main Street Act to make targeted investments in areas that will grow our economy over the long term – including highways, public transit, construction, small businesses, job training, and hiring and retaining teachers, police officers, and firefighters.

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

HARRIS – In spite of four days of snow, snow and more snow, volunteers turned out in force for the 32nd annual WSUL / WVOS Heart-a-thon, held at the garden level food court at Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Harris, NY.

On this 32nd year of the Heart-a-thon, the planning committee decided to honor longtime volunteer David Kaufman. Although receiving a standing ovation as he entered the food court with his wife Shirley, the former supervisor of the Town of Thompson was typically humble. “I’m not sure what this is all about. I suppose I’ve been attending these for 32 years. I was at the first one and … I’m out of words, I don’t know what to say, other than I’m greatly honored, and I’m sure there are many people out there who have given as much or more. But this is truly an honor for me and I’m very, very pleased. I’m a past chair of the event. I served most of those years on the executive committee. I was the regional president of the American Heart Association. I hope I have the opportunity to continue to do this for more years.”

General Manager of WSUL / WVOS, Helena Manzione has been working on the event for more than 20 years. She explained the theory behind not setting a monetary goal for the event. “You can set a goal and totally knock yourself out, and for one reason or another not achieve it. But it doesn’t minimize the effort of the volunteers, the people who donate. Because circumstances make things different. Now we’re in a very bad economy. If I was to set a goal, I wouldn’t want the people who count on us to be disappointed. So anything that we have is more than we had if we didn’t do the event. I don’t think it’s necessary to put that kind of pressure on people when they’re working as hard as they can work, and getting as much as they can get.”

Manzione also talked about the evolution of the event. In the beginning, 100% of the proceeds went to the American Heart Association (AHA). Then 10% went to the hospital and 90% to the AHA, and in later years, the split was 50-50. “… and then we said ‘We need it here,’ said Manzione. With the Heart Association, some goes for research. This way it goes 100% to serve Sullivan County. I made that decision when Watermark Communications bought WSUL, and then we bought WVOS. So once we had those stations under our umbrella, we decided we needed to change this. We got so much support.” So now 100% of the funds collected goes to the Cardio Pulmonary Department of CRMC.

Throughout the years of the Heart-a-thon, Manzione explained, the young people of the community have become more and more involved. “They’ve sold the cardboard hearts all over,” said Manzione, “sold them at basketball games to raise money. It’s given them a sense of community that will take them into the future. We’ve had girl scouts, Fallsburg school students, and they challenged Liberty and then Monticello.” As Manzione spoke, a group of young nursing students from BOCES took blood pressure readings in the corner of the room. 

An astonishing 95% of pledges are collected. “It’s not just people having their names read on the air,” said Manzione. “They’re putting their money where their mouth is.”

This year, the co-chairs of the Heart-a-thon were Jacquie Leventoff of Kohl’s Distribution Center and Howard Braunstein, owner of M & M Auto Group.

Leventoff has a personal interest heart disease. “My mom died of heart disease, my father had a massive stroke, and my 34-year-old brother died of a massive coronary. It’s something very near and dear to me. This is the fourth time I’m chairing this event.” Leventoff chaired the event 18 years ago also. “It’s a lot of coordination with groups coming in to man our phones, getting the pledges in prior to the event, so that they’re not just sitting here waiting for the phones to ring.” She explained that the team is out in the community at least two months ahead of time. She praised the local service groups including the Monticello and Woodridge Kiwanis, Mamakating Lions, Bethel First, Bethel Lions Club and many others. “A lot of groups are here every single year,” said Leventoff. “They call us and ask when is it and how soon can we start gathering money. Whatever we get we’re grateful for. This is our community hospital, and when people come here they want us to have the latest equipment. This is our backyard and we have to take care of our own.”

In contrast to Leventoff’s many years on the job, Braunstein calls himself “the new guy on the block. My business has been supportive for 20 years … collecting money at the dealership … My dad and mom, my wife and I we’ve all supported the Heart-a-thon by writing a check, but I’ve never been involved with the organization before. This year Jacquie was back at the helm and she talked to Helena and they liked my energy.

Braunstein said that being asked to co-chair this year was great timing. “I was looking for something where I could help give a little more back to the community in some other way than just writing a check. This year we instituted a new heart system – we sold those cardboard hearts for $1.00, but we also put $10 gold hearts out there. And I joked with our group and I said, ‘Women will give from their heart because they want to give $10. But guys think with their bravado, and it’s almost embarrassing for a guy to give a dollar, so they’ll reach in their pocket and give $10. And then you think that there’s somebody who might not want to spend $10, but they may buy two, three, four or five. So we’ve seen that the total dollar volume that we’ve generated from heart sales which is really the grass roots part of this, I think the totals will be this year better than they’ve ever been.”

Crediting his contacts and customers, Braunstein said, “I’m so blessed to have such a great customer base and my customers are stepping up on my behalf and I think I’ll end up doing it for a couple of years.

Throughout the day, different people were asked to speak on the radio whether as community representatives or acknowledged experts. Les Kristt of The Kristt Company is the person in charge of coordinating the speakers. “I make sure they’re in cue properly and make sure they’re getting interviewed when they should be. It’s kind of pre-arranged. We have about two or three an hour that we schedule throughout the day, and then there’s a variety of other dignitaries and such that we pick out of the audience and we get up here to talk when there’s a lull in the action. For the last two years I was one of the co-chairs.”

Kristt said that it’s not only an important event for the hospital but, “but it’s a fun event for the entire community to participate in and we’re all joking and laughing and we’re really having a good time.”

When so many people come together in one place for so long, they have to be fed. And Mark Siezcek sales promotion director for WSUL / WVOS is the person who was in charge of that and many other things. “They call me the radio guy,” said Siezcek. “My function with the Heart-a-thon is to make sure that everything goes smooth. Everything from printing to signage, to food to setting this place up. You name it, I’ve been doing it for 12 years.”

Siezcek is from Orange County but has been working in Sullivan County for 20 years. And in case anyone doubts his dedication, Siezcek was one of the few people on the road during the blizzard, driving 70 miles one-way to make sure everything was set up in time for the Heart-a-thon to run smoothly. The food for the multitude of volunteers was donated by the following businesses: ShopRite of Monticello, Cohen’s Bakery of Monticello, River’s Edge Restaurant and Bakery of Mongaup Valley, Blue Horizon Diner of Monticello, Dutch’s Tavern of Rock Hill, Mr. Willy’s of Monticello, Carmine’s Monticello Meat Market, Charlie’s II Restaurant and Pizzeria of Liberty, and County Fountain of Monticello.

The spirit of volunteerism was rampant. Avid volunteer, former Monticello School Board member. teacher and local actor, Jack Leshner was answering phones with his brother. “We’ve lived in this community for our entire 81 and 82 years, and we’ve got to give back, and this is the way to do that,” said Leshner. “Even with this very depressed area, we love this area, we were born and raised here. We’ve lived our entire lives here except for our college and service time, and we feel it’s very important for citizens of our community to do their very best to help their community.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from the 32nd Annual Heart-a-thon, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Sky and Kiley Asher-Stalbaum of Goshen attend the Homestead School in Glen Spey and were among those in attendance at the meeting on February 20, 2010.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

CALLICOON – A lot of folks think the pristine beauty of Upper Delaware River Valley is under attack by corporate interests, and instead of widespread development, believe it should be preserved for future generations, while some companies are convinced the area’s natural resources are the solution to the nation’s energy crisis and represent potential ripe pickings for corporate profits.

A few years ago, New York Regional Interconnection (NYRI), a Canadian-based energy gorilla, wanted to erect giant towers throughout the region including portions of the federally protected Upper Delaware River Scenic & Recreational River to transmit high-voltage electricity to the metro area.

On March 31, 2009 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) turned down NYRI’s request to review the recently approved rules on the NYS Independent System Operator (NYSSO) for transmission tariffs, in a move that NYRI said  “created an unacceptable financial risk” for their investors, and on April 3 issued a press release stating it had suspended participation in the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC) Article VII process for the 1200MW HVDC project.

About 18 months ago, several natural gas drilling companies began to show  up in the region, both to tout the benefits to the national/local economy and get landowners to sign leases to allow gas drilling on their property.

On Saturday, February 20, the Delaware Youth Center was packed with a standing room only crowd as they turned out to hear the mayor of a small town in rural northern Texas talk about his first hand experiences with gas drilling.

Also on the program was Nancy Janyszeski, Pa. chair of the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River, an environmental advocacy organization, and chairman of the board of supervisors in Nockamixon Township, Pa.

Mayor Calvin Tillman of Dish, Texas.

Calvin Tillman, mayor of Dish, Texas said that while he wasn’t opposed top gas drilling, local residents should be aware of problems associated with the complicated extraction process, and said that in his view landowners should get their legal ducks in line before it’s too late. “If you do it wrong, ain’t nobody gonna want to live here,” he said. “This is a delicate process that has to be regulated…” Proving that in addition to being a straight shooter from Texas, as well as a master of understatement, Tillman said the issue to gas drilling in the valley “seems to be a top topic up here.”

He likened natural gas drilling to drugs or a game show, “It’s a lot like heroin because you get addicted to it…I’ve got a deal for you.” Tillman called for local regulations “you’re local officials need to get back that control” and the imposition of a severance tax that would pay for damages to the infrastructure caused by heavy truck traffic, adding, “there should be some places that are off-limits.”

“You don’t have to put a well in a schoolyard or pipelines in somebody’s front yard.”

According to Tillman, when residents of his 180-folks town complained about noxious odors, the drilling operators hired a couple of guys to drive around town in a Toyota Rav 4 for a few hours during a time “when there was still some trust there.”

After being told the results showed “no natural gas leaks were found detectable to the human nose, Tillman said he decided to spend 15-percent of his town’s annual budget to conduct their own study conducted by Wolf Eagle Environmental.

Nancy Janyszeski, Pa. chair of the Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic River

“They came back with 16 others toxins that were above the effect stream level…and also confirmed the presence of multiple recognized and suspected human carcinogens (such as benzene)….now that you know, you can’t not know.”

The Dish health assessment tallied the answers to a questionnaire filled out by 31 citizens and former residents, and according to the report,  61-percent of the health effects reported “are known health effects of the chemicals detected…(and include) difficulty in breathing, brain disorders, chronic eye irritation, dizziness, frequent nausea, increased fatigue, muscle aches, severe headaches, sinus problems, throat irritations, and allergies.”

Tillman called his little town the ”Grand Central Station of the Barnett Shale”, and said mineral leases range from $75 to $30,000 per acre, and 12% to 3)5 royalties, and then cautioned the audience to be cautious of “moles” in their midst, folks who get a small percentage of mineral leases.

On the subject of hydraulic fracturing – a technique used to increase (or restore) the rate at which fluids, such as oil, natural gas or water, can be produced from a reservoir (including shale rock or coal beds) with reported environmental concerns such as contamination of aquifers with fracturing chemicals or waste fluids – Tillmam said, while noting that in Dish, Texas most drillers use horizontal drilling methods, hydrofracking is exempt from the Clean Water Act (and amendments).

“I was a complete mystery for a while what was in the fracking fluid…[now] we know there are over 250 chemicals used [and] over 90-percent of them have adverse health effects…each well site will have a different mix, and they (the gas drilling companies) don’t have to tell you what’s in your mix.”

Tillman said that of the 32 states in the country where there is oil and natural gads drilling, 30 of them have imposed a severance tax on the companies to pay for damages: NY and PA are the exceptions.

“Based upon my experience in Texas, I was shocked to find that the local governments did not develop ordinances….it needs to be brought back to the local level…together we bargain, divided we beg.”

Tillman never called for banning gas drilling, but rather said the area should establish baseline air and water tests, impose severance taxes, and advocate for greener drilling techniques.

“There’s folks who want to paint me as some environmental wacko,” he said. “Don’t assume nothing will happen, prepare ahead of time. “You have an opportunity to do this better than we did.”

“New York has an opportunity to do this a little better than we did,” added Tillman, advising people to visit Dimock Township in Susquehanna County, PA to get a firsthand idea of how gas drilling can impact a community “whether you’re for against drilling, are on the fence, or just have questions…go, it will become clear what the risks are.”

Janyszeski said, “We need to be educated and on top of exactly what gas drilling means to the Upper Delaware River.”

“I think everyone understands there will be drilling, we just have to make sure it’s done responsibly,” she added.

Fred Peckham is a quarryman from Hancock, NY.

“I’m in favor of responsible drilling, and I think New York State should jump on the boat like any other state in making sure the environment is protected.” he said. “Nobody in Hancock basically has jobs…the logging industry is down, the stone industry is down, basically that’s all you have…most people are self-employed, so there’s no unemployment benefits.”

Noel van Swol,(l) president of the Sullivan-Delaware Property Owners Association and Fred Peckham, (ctr) a quarryman from Hancock speak with Calvin Tillman, (r) mayor of Dish, Texas.

Noel van Swol, of Long Eddy, president of the Sullivan-Delaware Property Owners Association  “representing 70,000 acres in the Marcellus Shale”, called the February 20 information forum “a propaganda meeting” and said that according to articles appearing on the internet, Tillman “is rumored to be running for the Texas Railroad Commission”, an allegation Tillman later denied.

“The railroad commission regulates the oil and gas industry, and everyone is convinced that I’m going to run for that office, but I’m not,” said Tillman, an aviation consultant who serves as the unpaid mayor of Dish, Texas.

Von Swol said the newly added NYS DEC draft regulations “will take care of all the problems that have been raised” with the first 800-some page document.

“If you can’t regulate this industry with these kinds of regulations, then every bureaucrat in Albany that has anything to do with the environment or with oil and gas drilling should be fire and replaced.”

Barbara Arrindel of Damascus Citizens for Sustainability and Josh Fox, winner of the special documentary jury prize for his film “Gasland.”

Josh Fox, of Milanville, PA, winner the special jury prize for documentary films at Sundance for his film “Gasland” attended the meeting, and the day before the gas drilling meeting won the special jury prize at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.

“I am convinced having been in 34 states with gas drilling sites all over America, that if it starts in this area I will not be able to live in my home. I know what happens to the air, what happens to the water…I won’t be able to live in my house.”

“The one thing I would like to say in response to this meeting is that drilling is not inevitable…we will do everything in our power to stop it, and we will win.”

“The rabbit hole keeps getter deeper and deeper…and the dangers are too great. People must realize it will mean the destruction of the Catskills as they know it,” added Fox.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Hundreds Turn Out for Gas Drilling Meeting visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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GRAHAMSVILLE – Branson, Missouri in early March will be the setting of a lifetime for 16-year-old Tri-Valley Central School sophomore Ariana Kaminski. 

Presently the holder of the title of Miss New York High 2010, Ariana will compete with 50 other high school girls for the title of Miss High School America 2010.

The Miss High School America 2010 pageant takes place March 3-6.

The local 16-year-old is no stranger to pageants as she has been competing since she was 9 years old. 

She started out with the Sullivan County Pageant and won Miss Sullivan County Pre-Teen 2004 and went on to win the Miss Sullivan County Teenager title in 2008.

In 2008 her reign as Miss Sullivan County Teenager was shortened due to her winning the Miss Teen New York International 2009 pageant.

Miss Kaminski then went on to compete for the title of Miss Teen International in Skokie, Illinois.

The daughter of Jamie and Monica Kaminski, Ariana is a member of the Tri-Valley Varsity Cheerleading squad, historian of Senior Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter, a member of the high honor roll each quarter since the 5th grade, an Art Club member, a set designer with the Stage Crew, a flutist in the Senior High School band, an Agricultural floral planner with FFA, a Children’s church worker, a volunteer at St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen, a public speaker on platform " Appreciating Diversity", a summer camp counselor and a participant in Hip Hop dance.

Ariana will be among 51 outstanding high school girls from across the United States when she travels to Branson to compete for the title of Miss High School America at the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater.

These 51 beautiful young women will be representing their high schools and state as they compete in three phases of competition. They will all have a five minute interview with the judges and compete onstage in both the Fashion and Evening Gown portion of the competition.

The new 2010 Miss High School America will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship, a photo shoot with designer Tony Bowls, a photo shoot with the leading prom and pageant manufacturer Jaszy Couture along side a prize package totaling over $20,000.

The top 5 contestants will be chosen to be the lead fashion models for the 2011 Cool Book whose publications are distributed to every junior and senior girl in high school.

Over a million people will see the face of the top 5 contestants of the Miss High School America Pageant.

During their stay in Branson, Ariana along with all the delegates, will attend an array of activities that will make their week more than a pageant. One of the week’s highlights will see the contestants as special guests at Legends In Concert, said to be the best show in Branson.

The Miss High School America production will also include some of the best entertainment that Branson has to offer.

Miss Kaminski is also in a contest where the girl with the most votes can win a bracelet that she will design from a sponsor and everyone can help Ariana out by voting as many times as you like, everyday from now until March 6. Voting is free and the link to vote for her as Miss New York High is http://beautyandthebling.com/miss_high_school_america Just hit vote and refresh.

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LIBERTY, NY – Over 450 music students from eight Sullivan County School Districts will be participating in the 56^th Annual Sullivan County Music Educator’s Association’s (SCMEA) All-County Music Festival to be held at Liberty High and Middle School March 5 and 6.

According to Festival Chairperson, Gary Siegel, students are selected on the basis of teacher recommendations to the chairpersons of each performing ensemble.

The top music students from all eight Sullivan County school districts participate in the festival. with a total of approximately 450 being involved countywide.

Ensembles in this year’s festival are Elementary Chorus, Middle School Band, Junior High Chorus, String Orchestra, Senior High Band, Women’s Chorus and Jazz Ensemble. Each ensemble is chaired by a member of SCMEA and is directed by a guest conductor from outside the Sullivan County districts who are prominent in the music education field.

All groups will gather at Liberty High and Middle School on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6 for rehearsals, with the festival culminating with two concerts on the afternoon of March 6 in Liberty High School’s David E. Panebaker Auditorium on Buckley Street in Liberty, NY.

Concert 1 will begin at 3:00 p.m. and feature the Elementary Chorus, String Orchestra and Middle School Band. Concert 2 starts at 5:00 p.m. and will feature the Jazz Ensemble, Junior High Mixed Chorus, Women’s Chorus and High School Band.

Tickets will be available for purchase on Friday, March 5 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 6 in the Liberty High School lobby while they last.

Donation is $6 and all proceeds go to SCMEA to defray the costs of the festival. For more information call 292-5400, ext. 5117 or e-mail Gary Siegel at siegelgar@libertyk12.org.

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