The Catskill Chronicle

Story, photos and video by Leni Santoro

HORTONVILLE – On Saturday, April 10, the Hortonville Presbyterian Church hosted the Annual Hortonville Talent Show. In addition to being a wonderful night of fun, the show also raises much-needed funds for Sullivan County Habitat for Humanity.

Truly one of the most lively and endearing events to be held in Sullivan, or any other county, the talent show has been a hit for 24 years running, with many local performers returning year after year. For instance, Walter Egner, whose solo operatic performance of an aria from Tosca ala Luciano Pavarotti, complete with beret and signature handkerchief, brought applause and cheers of delight from the audience, Egner’s act has been a part of the magic for all those years, as have others including emcee Richard Ross.

“This is a real talent show,” said Ross as his opening monologue got underway. “And I have to make a distinction here because; the idea of talent shows has been totally corrupted by television. We have American Idol, we have Dancing with Stars, and even Survivor is kind of a talent show; if you live to next week. But, in all those shows there’s something terribly wrong – they need to come back into “the source.” We started it – here … In our show, nobody gets booted out,” Ross continued, as he addressed audience and performers, “We welcome tea-baggers, carpet-baggers, lunch-baggers; whatever you are, you got talent, you like talent, you’re in the right place,” said Ross. “…we love you.”

Over the years, performers have included solo vocalists, barbershop quartets, solo musicians, bands and even poets. Each performer receives an award; there are no first place, second place or third place winners, everyone is a winner; especially the audience. And, as for its popularity, the Hortonville Talent show remarkably fills every pew in the Hortonville Presbyterian Church and even seats folks in the “crying loft.”

The awards are created on-the-spot by Hortonville’s collection of “celebrity judges.” Past judges have included Jeanne Sager, journalist from the Sullivan County Democrat and Laurie Stuart, publisher of the River Reporter. This year the judges were Carol Montana and Leni Santoro editors, of the Catskill Chronicle and Minnette Kramer, legislative aide to Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. The titles of the awards reflect the performer and the selections presented. (See list below)

Among those performing in this year’s talent show was Amelia Brooks. Amelia, a 9-year-old pianist and violinist, has charmed talent show audiences for the past several years with her musical accomplishments. Having started to play the violin at the ripe old age of three, she has lately added several piano pieces to her repertoire.

Joe Hofsommer, another long-time participant in the talent show played several well-known pieces such as an excerpt from the “1812 Overture” on the pen, a truly unique talent and one that was oh, so appreciated by the audience.

Other performances included: soloists Kathy Bernitt and Nancy Hobbs, piano duets and trumpet solos by Harris Myers, “Shawn Squared” comprised of Shawn Bailey and Shawn Bailey Jr. on guitar, who then went on to accompany vocalist Shannon Bailey, The Sturbridge Lions Quartet, a duet by Betty Knack and Henry Herman, and guitar and vocals by Steve Fleckenstein.

Each year Kathy Aleschus and Company has surprised the audience with clever skits. This year was no exception as Kathy, Ken Rodgers and Dennis Bernitt brought forth tears of joy and laughter from the audience as the group sang songs and told jokes that would make any Irish mother blush.

The Sturbridge Lions Quartet traveled from Pennsylvania to take part in the talent show. Perhaps they did not understand how the judging was to go. For before starting their performance, in an attempt to make sure they won first place, they gave a bribe of three dollars to Judge Carol for her to split with the other two judges. It’s hard to say which brought more applause and laughter, the bribe or the acceptance. For when presented with the option of keeping the bribe or donating it to Habitat for Humanity, Judge Carol said, while tucking the cash into her shirt, “It’s already in the best habitat I got.”

However, when it came time for representatives from Sullivan County Habitat for Humanity to speak to the audience, Judge Carol quickly rose and “donated” the money to the cause. In all, Sullivan County Habitat for Humanity was presented with a little over $400 to further their efforts in constructing their next home (possibly two homes) in Fallsburg. For more information contact: by mail: Sullivan County Habitat for Humanity, Post Office Box 695,Harris, NY 12742; phone: (845) 791-8305 or e-mail SCHabitat@gmail.com.

Presenting the 24^th Annual Hortonville Talent Show Awards

Amelia Brooks – Piano and Violin – On Your Way to Carnegie Hall Award

Kathy Bernitt – Solo – Song of Peace Award

Harris Myers – Piano Duets – Special Duet Award

Walter Egner – Aria from “Tosca” – 24^th Anniversary Opera Lovers Award

Kathy Aleschus and Company – Skit with Song – Irish Drunks Are Dizzy Award

The Sturbridge Lions Quartet – Barbershop Quartet – Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Da! Award

Joe Hofsommer – Pen – Most Ornate Instrument Award

Betty Knack and Henry Herman – Duet – Two Shy Violets Award

Harris Myer – Trumpet – Louis Armstrong Award

Nancy Hobbs – Solo – Way Off Broadway Award

Shawn and Shawn Bailey – Guitar and Vocal – Einstein’s E=MC ^Shawn Award

Shawn and Shannon Bailey – Guitar and Vocal – Song of Praise Award

Steve Fleckenstein – Guitar/Vocal – You Can Quit Your Day Job Award

Jane Orcutt – Musical Accompanist – Bestest Accompanist Award

Richard Ross – Emcee – MC with the Mostest Award

To see more videos from The 24th Annual Hortonville Talent Show including performances by: Harris Myers and Jane Orcutt, Betty Knack and Henry Herman, Joe Hofsommer, Walter Egner, Kathy Aleschus and Dennis Bernitt and Steve Fleckenstein visit the Chronicle on YouTube.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Hortonville and Habitat – A Winning Combination visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.