The Catskill Chronicle

In this group photo from left to right are members of Fallsburg Communities that Care – Charles Davis, Barbara Durbak, Sue Kasofsky, Bertha Williams and Beth Gilmore.

Story and photos by Larry Schafman

FALLSBURG, NY – It takes more than just a “village” to raise kids in Fallsburg. It takes hamlets, towns, other villages, agencies, businesses, parents, kids themselves, and a whole host of generous folks. That is who came together to plan, create and present a beautiful evening for National Night Out at Brian Ingber Park in South Fallsburg on August 3, 2010. With dark clouds threatening to open up all day, blue skies shone brightly through the grey within an hour of the beginning of the night’s festivities.

The main organizers of the program was Fallsburg Communities that Care (FCTC) led by Charles Davis, Bertha Williams, Barbara Durbak, Aleta Lymon, Beth Gilmore, Sue Kasofsky, Larry Schafman, Leni Binder, Brenda Miller, Bob Korabik, and Richard Royse. This group partnered with Fallsburg Police Department spearheaded by Officer Robert Noller and Chief Simmie Williams for the sixth year of running this event as part of the National Night Out program in many cities and towns throughout America.

The focus of the event is to inspire young people to make good choices in their life, to stay drug free, and crime free. The main speakers of the evening addressed this issue on the basketball court where the youngsters had just competed in contested three on three games.

Family Court Judge Mark Meddaugh praised the community for being proactive as part of a strong nationwide effort to steer our children in a positive direction. Events like this foster the maintenance of a safe community free of gangs and the violence that comes with them. Seeing all the parents and older youngsters working with the kids on the basketball court helps to keep them from showing up at his court with lives at risk.

Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell followed Judge Meddaugh and asked everyone to pat their own backs for a job well done. He was happy to see so many young people having fun and being constructive. As with the judge, he did not want to have to relate to these youngsters in his role as D.A.; he asked them to think about the decisions they have to make and to make good ones. (Pictured above are participants on the winning basketball team left to right Cheryl Pinder, Rakkir Watson and Suede J. Taylor.)

At the very end of the formal part of the evening, DJ Norris Gilmore, who donated his services as he so often does for Fallsburg children, asked every kid to recite a pledge with him. With great enthusiasm and unity, they all shouted out that they would remain drug free, crime free, and respect themselves and others for the coming year until they meet again next August to renew their pledge.

The FCTC thanks all the people that helped make the night memorable, and they have begun planning for next year’s event already. In addition to the people mentioned above, some of the main donations and contributions of time and energy came from the following: County Legislady Leni Binder, Fallsburg PBA, Fallsburg Parks & Recreation (led by Henry Lesczynski), Hurleyville Fire Department, Hostess Company for all the buns, Kagan Meats for hot dogs and hamburgers, Kohl’s Warehouse for a generous $500 donation and 5 volunteers, John Silva and Kathy Kreiter (the cooks in charge of the barbecue hot dogs and hamburgers), McDonald’s, Nardi’s Restaurant, New Hope Community, Mary McNeil, Recovery Center Care Corps for potato and macaroni salads, Sullivan County Community College, SC Sheriff’s Department, Stewart’s Shop in Fallsburg, SC Head Start of Woodbourne, NY State Trooper Parks from Liberty Barracks, and Zakarin’s of Fallsburg that donated all the paper goods and utensils.

Over twenty exhibitors set up information booths providing helpful materials on special services, such as dental and health, parenting, and financial needs, from the town, county and state.

There are others that participated behind the scenes and at the event as basketball referees, servers of food, running the games and other activities, setting up the two tents, picnic tables, signs, directing traffic, etc. If not mentioned by name, their contribution made for an evening of family fun and community spirit that will keep its glow for the coming year until all come together once again in August 2011.