The Catskill Chronicle

HURLEYVILLE, NY – At the Town of Fallsburg Lions dinner meeting in early October, Albee Bockman updated the group on the activities of Hurleyville’s Mobilemedic Emergency Medical Service that he administers.

This past August, a team of paramedics helped save the lives of a boater and a Morningside Park employee involved in the rescue of the boater and her child during a sudden lightning storm.

Mr. Bockman founded the company as the first paramedic-care unit in Sullivan County, and handled the first call on the very day that they were certified, July 1, 1991.

Under his guidance, the organization has now grown to 62 employees, including paramedics, EMT’s, and dispatchers.

Mr. Bockman acknowledged the excellent working relationship with Catskill Regional Medical Center, their quality of emergency room service and care, and their commitment to provide even greater care with a major renovation.

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 WURTSBORO, NY – Catskill Regional Medical Center’s (CRMC) Wurtsboro Medical Associates will support the U.S. troops in Afghanistan and promote healthy living by collecting unopened Halloween candy for the troops.

Children can take their trick-or-treat candy to Dr. Stuart Tashman at Wurtsboro Medical Associates on November 1 and 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

All candy will be sent to the U.S. troops in Afghanistan; children are also encouraged to send a kind note in support of the troops.

The child who donates the most candy in weight will win a $25 gift certificate to Toys R US. 

Wurtsboro Medical Associates is located at 2930 Route 209 in Wurtsboro,  For more information call 845-888-2200.

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JEFFERSONVILLE, NY – On October 22, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Sullivan County held their Annual Dinner Meeting at the Jeffersonville Fire House, where their first annual calendar project was unveiled.

The theme was “What Does Agriculture in Sullivan County Mean to You?”

CCE received well over 100 entries from all over the county, representing all aspects of farming in Sullivan County. At the dinner a gallery show of photos was on display and the sale of calendars was very successful.

CCE would like to congratulate the winning photographers. They were January: Ellen Neuman of Liberty (photo left), February: Marc Jaffee of Livingston Manor, March: Walter Garigliano of Grahamsville, April: Aimee Cutler of Forestburgh, May: Deborah Dagget-Murphy of Grahamsville, June: Geri Neuman-Duffy of Liberty (photo right), July: April Mc Arthur of Roscoe, August: The Glanstein Family of Woodbourne, September: Jane Chatot of Youngsville, October: Carol Montana of Grahamsville, November: Barb Schmitt of Mountaindale, and December: Steve Strauss of Callicoon.

Both front and back covers were photographed by Barbara Hahn formerly of Jeffersonville.

Numerous honorable mentions were also awarded.

If you would like to see the gallery of photos or purchase a calendar, please visit Cornell Cooperative at 64 Ferndale-Loomis Rd Liberty, NY.

Calendars will continue to be on sale for $10.00 each or three for $25.00 at CCE. They make a wonderful and unique holiday gift.

Please contact Susan Dollard at 845-292-5250 if you are interested in purchasing one.

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PIKE COUNTY, PA – The Pike County Chamber of Commerce recently held its 16^th Annual Community Awards Banquet. Hosted, in partnership with numerous service organizations throughout the area, the banquet was emceed by Arthur Ridley and Dingmans Florist presented flowers to all of the award recipients.

“Volunteers don’t give of themselves for accolades,” said Danielle Jordan, CEO of the Pike Chamber.  “It’s wonderful to acknowledge and celebrate the special people who give so much of themselves to our local community.”

Award recipients are: Terry Finlayson of the Pocono Environmental Education Center, Richard St. John of G.A.I.T., George Edward Moon from the The Pike County Developmental Center, Jacqueline Eadicicco of The Pike County Area Agency on Aging, David Swift from the Wayne Pike Adult Literacy Program, Richard Snyder (pictured at left in photo by Nuby Photography with his llama “Cadbury”) from the Historic Preservation Trust of Pike County and also named Pike Chamber Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Theresa Johnson of The Milford Garden Club, Laurel Bishow and Frank Morey of the Pike County Humane Society, Dotty and Nick Luca from St. Jacobi Lutheran Church, Arthur K. Ridley of Rotary International of Milford – Matamoras, Pat and Ken Corcoran from the Pike County Public Library, Susanne L. Wroblewski from the Center for Developmental Disabilities, Marie Hawkins of Pike County Advanced Life Support, Carol Markwalter of the Pike Chamber – named Director of the Year, Hampton Inn of Matamoras named Pike Chamber Outstanding Business of the Year.

“If you happen to see an award recipient around town, please thank them for what they do,” concluded Jordan. “It’s amazing how much saying thank you can mean to someone!”

For more information on the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, e-mail Info@pikechamber.com or call 570-296-8700.

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LIBERTY, NY – For the past 2 years the Liberty and Livingston Manor Rotary Clubs have teamed up to raise money for Rotary International’s Polio Eradication Campaign. This year the two clubs will be holding their third Annual Polio Eradication Campaign Dinner on Friday, November 5 at Albert’s Liberty House Restaurant.

The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a cash bar followed by a buffet dinner being served at 7:00.

This year the clubs will be honoring long time Liberty Rotarian and respected community member Bob Blank (photo left) who has actively supported Rotary International’s efforts to rid the world of polio, as well as numerous other international, regional and local community projects.

The evening will also feature a spectacular silent auction that will also benefit the Polio Eradication Campaign.

Rotary is a volunteer service organization of 1.2 million men and women worldwide who made a commitment to immunize the world’s children against polio in 1985, and became a spearheading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative three years later. The other partners are the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF.

Rotary’s primary responsibilities include fundraising, advocacy and volunteer recruitment. To date, rotary has already contributed more than $800 million to the polio eradication effort. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be matching the donation to the District 7210 Polio Eradication Campaign.

The donation for the event is $40 per person. “This will be a great night to share Rotary friendship, honor a fine community member and have a good time, while helping eliminate the scourge of polio from the world,” said Bob Freedman, Livingston Manor’s Rotary Foundation Chairman.

For more information or to make a reservation, please contact the event co-chairs Sue Kraycer Liberty Rotary Polio Eradication Campaign Chairperson at 845 701-1799 or suekraycer@hotmail.com or Bob Freedman, at 845 439-5708 or mrfreed@aol.com.

For more information on Rotary’s Polio Eradication Campaign go to:

http://www.rotary.org/en/EndPolio/Pages/ridefault.aspx

http://www.rotarypolioplusindia.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_International

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Compiled by Jeremy Gorelick

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, NY – Brian Bunce, Master Falconer, visited Monique’s Book Boutique in White Sulphur Springs on Saturday, October 23, to talk about the sport of falconry. Guest contributing writer, Jeremy Gorelick, had the chance to ask him some questions about this challenging sport for The Catskill Chronicle (TCC):

TCC: Brian, your birds are beautiful and so well behaved. Do you often bring them to events like this?

BB: Actually, no. These birds are not rescue birds nor are they pets. They are bred specifically for hunting and are not domesticated animals. They are used in the sport of falconry, which is defined by the DEC [Department of Environmental Conservation which also oversees hunting permits for other game animals] as a sport of hunting using trained raptors. 

TCC: I had no idea that falconry was managed by the DEC. Do they have any specific restrictions?

BB: Yes, they do. In fact, it requires years of patience and practice to be called a falconer. The process is pretty specific. First, in order to be a falconer, you need to follow all of the guidelines that the DEC sets forth, including building a mew, (an old British word for a bird enclosure) that is a minimum of 8-feet wide, 8-feet long and 8-feet high with an eight-foot-by-eight-foot outdoor area, and buying a whole host of different paraphernalia that costs, on average, $1,500. You also need to convince a local falconer to be your sponsor as you act as an apprentice, and capture either a juvenile red-tailed hawk or kestrel for training. After two years of apprenticeship, you are eligible to take a test in front of two people (one being your sponsor and the other a General Falconer) in order to receive your accreditation as a General Falconer. After that, you have the option of working as a General Falconer for five years and taking an additional exam to be certified as a Master Falconer, in front of three Falconers, which enables you to have additional rights as a Falconer.

TCC: It seems like a pretty involved process. What made you interested in falconry?

BB: I always had a love for birds, and for hunting, and this is an impressive combination of the two. I spend a minimum of two hours a day with my birds, and I enjoy every minute of it.

TCC: A dumb question – if your birds are hunting birds, what do you do for food for them in the winter?

BB: That’s not a dumb question at all.  My birds hunt wild turkey and, since they don’t eat the whole turkey in one go, I will often take the remainder and freeze it so that they can enjoy their prey during the whole winter.

TCC: Are there many Falconers in Sullivan County?

BB: The whole list is available through the DEC, but I have to say that one of the most interesting events that we have each year is our annual statewide meeting in Cobleskill. This year, it will take place on November 5, 6 and 7, and I am very much looking forward to it.

TCC: Brian, what advice do you have for someone interested in the sport of falconry?

BB: Monique (of Monique’s Book Boutique) has access to some of the best books on falconry. Other than asking me directly, that’s probably the best place to start.

For more information on the sport of falconry, and many other topics, contact Monique at Monique’s Book Boutique at 845-292-BOOK. Or visit the Monique’s Book Boutique page on Facebook.

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LIBERTY, NY – Back by popular demand, Sullivan County’s 4-H Program is adding a November 5 and 6 E-Scrap recycling event to its autumn calendar. Partnering once more with Advanced Recovery, Inc. and the Sullivan County Division of Solid Waste, the 4-H Program is working to raise funds as well as awareness for educational programs.

Friday, November 5 is set to collect E-Scrap from businesses, schools, municipalities and institutions, marking Sullivan County’s second commercial electronic scrap recycling initiative. The following day, Saturday, November 6 is devoted solely to the collection of residentially generated electronics from homes.

Collection will take place at the Cornell Cooperative Extension building on 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road in Liberty.

Commercial E-Scrap generators must pre-register by contacting Bob Travers at Advanced Recovery 845-858-8809 or e-mail rtravers@advancedrecovery.com prior to the event. Organizations will be invoiced $10 per monitor, laptop, LCD or plasma television; all other electronic equipment will be accepted free of charge.

Cost to the general public will be $15 per carload of residentially generated materials such as monitors, printers, keyboards, VCRs, batteries, cell phones, terminals, cables, fax machines, radios, modems, CPUs, telephones, TVs and stereos.

Significant savings can be made by families taking advantage of this opportunity and a portion of the proceeds benefits Sullivan County 4-H.

E-waste often contains hazardous materials. Advanced Recovery is a recycling company that will collect the materials, salvage for reuse or otherwise recycle for recovery plastics, glass, ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Each component of your electronic equipment will be reused or remarketed with no hazardous materials being sent to your landfills.

For information on how to participate or help promote this noteworthy event, please contact Marylin in the 4-H office at 292-6180.  

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MONTICELLO, NY – County Manager David P. Fanslau is asking Sullivan County residents to participate in a process that will contribute to New York State’s efforts to increase high-speed Internet access by testing the speed of their broadband Internet connection.

A newly launched website, www.nyspeedtest.org, allows residents to partake in the speed test that will help New York map unserved and underserved areas. The mapping will facilitate deployment of high-speed Internet access across the State, increase digital literacy programs, and spur economic development.

The speed-testing initiative is being conducted as part of New York’s Broadband Mapping Program. The State has received approximately $2.5 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, for broadband mapping and planning activities. Governor David Paterson has designated the New York State Office of Cyber Security (OCS) as the lead agency for broadband mapping in New York State.

The speed-test website is hosted by the University at Albany’s Center for Technology in Government (CTG), which is partnering with OCS to independently test and collect the speed of broadband service available to New York residents.

CTG is recruiting residents from all areas within the State where broadband Internet service is available to take the speed test from their home computers. Taking the speed test is fast and
simple. The test measures the time it takes for a resident’s computer to send (upload) and receive (download) information. Residents will be able to view real-time information about the quality of their broadband connection, as well as information about the speed they need in order to access the types of Internet services of most interest to them.

CTG will collect, analyze and report the results to OCS, which will use the data within state-of-the-art electronic mapping systems to increase the overall accuracy and completeness of the statewide broadband map.

“Increased broadband access and faster speeds are critical tools for enabling citizens to better connect with government, creating jobs, promoting public safety and education, and delivering essential services such as healthcare,” said Fanslau. “Sullivan County has a number of areas that currently don’t have broadband access or service, and the County has received a federal grant to study the broadband needs of our residents and businesses,” added Fanslau.

By 2015, New York State has set a goal to achieve an average network connectivity speed of at least 20 megabits per second for both uploading and downloading, and 100 megabits per second in each direction within the Digital Corridor, which includes the greater New York City region and areas near the Thruway. The speed test results will help New York State to obtain a richer, more detailed picture of the current broadband environment.

"The Office of Cyber Security is the lead for New York State’s broadband mapping program and we’re pleased to move into this phase of broadband speed verification," said Thomas Smith, OCS Director. "We encourage New Yorkers to participate in this speed testing initiative, which will provide valuable input and assist us in furthering the State’s efforts to enhance broadband access."

"According to surveys, most New York State residents don’t know the speed of their internet connection," said Donna Canestraro, program manager at the Center for Technology in Government. "Knowing their speed and why it matters can help support a whole new level of innovative Web-based applications that can have enormous benefits to consumers, but will require download and uploads speeds much faster than what most consumers are currently experiencing."

New York State residents are encouraged to take the speed test by visiting: www.nyspeedtest.org.

For more information about the broadband mapping program, visit the NYS Office of Cyber Security at http://www.cscic.state.ny.us/broadband/.

For more information about the Broadband RBOG grant, please contact David Fanslau at 845-807-0450 or Planning Commissioner Luiz Aragon at 845-807-0527.

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Editor’s note: We strongly encourage you to read the NYS Speed Test Privacy Policy before you conduct the test.

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MONTICELLO, NY – From whimsical to elegant and everything in between, Come to the Table 2010 had something for everyone.

A resounding success for the Orange and Sullivan County offices of the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC), Come To The Table 2010 showcased the talent of local designers who created original table settings that were auctioned off through silent bid.

The evening gala, held in the Events Gallery at Bethel Woods, saw guests mingling among the table designs while bidding to take home their favorite. Tables were judged by a select panel with award presentations at evening’s conclusion.

Dr. Jamie Noeth and Barbara Sush garnered several awards for their offering “Girls Night Out” including Best Use of Theme and the coveted People’s Choice.

“Green By Going Purple” was a treasure in tie-dye donated by Sullivan First Recycling, and took home the award for “Most Original.”

Also up for bid was a gourmet dinner for six at the home of this year’s Come To The Table co-chairs Jacy Ricciani and Robert S. Green.

The night of fun and fundraising also featured Amanda Galigher Speer along with Sullivan County legislator Alan Sorensen, who wowed the crowd with a touching rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine.”

Event sponsors included First Federal Savings of Middletown, Catskill Hudson Bank, Frontier Communications, Orange & Rockland Catskill Regional Medical Center.

Come To The Table exists to raise funds for the agency, but more importantly, to raise awareness of DRC within the community. DRC is a nonprofit agency providing low- or no-cost mediation and related services.

Private or business participation and support, at any level, will help DRC reach the important and vital goal: to continue its mission to “promote the peaceful resolution of conflict . . .”

For more information, contact Kathy Kreiter at 845-794-3377 or Donna Ramlow at 845-294-8082.

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NARROWSBURG, NY – On Sunday, October 24, Delaware Valley Arts Alliance and NACL present an afternoon of short local films: documentary and dramatic stories with a connection to the Upper Delaware Valley. Screening starts at 2:00 p.m. at the Tusten Theatre, 210 Bridge Street, Narrowsburg, NY.

The works to be presented include:

Mary Last Seen (2010) by Sean Durkin, a short film beautifully shot on location in Sullivan County, which screened at this year’s Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals. A pre-cursor to Durkin’s feature film Martha Marcy May Marlene currently in production in Lew Beach and Monticello, the short traces the journey of a young woman (Alexia Rasmussen) who embarks on a trip to the Catskill Mountains with her boyfriend (Brady Corbet). But we soon suspect that her destination is not what she had in mind. Never shown before in the area.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Callicoon Center Band (2010, work in progress) a documentary work-in-progress that celebrates 75 years of the beloved Sullivan County band and the community that makes it possible. Directed by Academy-Award-nominated filmmaker Alice Elliott.

Home (2010), a documentary portrait of performer, organic farmer, and mother Tannis Kowalchuk, who co-founded NACL Theatre in Highland Lake 10 years ago. Directed by Narrowsburg’s Tina Spangler.

Demon on Wheels (2010, work in progress). Meet Mike, a master mechanic who grew up in the small Catskills town of Margaretville, and who’s rebuilding a classic muscle car. In the process, he finds a vehicle to renew his connection to his community. Fresh from the editing room, this documentary is a work in progress directed by Christina Eliopoulos.

Lucky Lake (2009), Tina Spangler’s historic documentary short about Narrowsburg’s little-known African-American vacation community, a place where the American dream came true… until the water was stolen.

Plus, local historical footage from Narrowsburg’s 1953 bicentennial parade, celebrating the 200-year anniversary of the town, shown courtesy of the Tusten Historical Society. And Sullivan County logging industry footage (circa 1930), shown courtesy of Alice Elliott.

Also, time-lapse video studies from Narrowsburg’s SkyDog Farm by Kevin Vertrees and Andrea Reynosa, artists and co-founders of Brooklyn’s Smack Mellon Studios. (5 min)

Tickets are $8. For more information, visit www.ArtsAllianceSite.org or call 845-252-7272.

The 80-year old art deco-style Tusten Theatre is located at 210 Bridge St, Narrowsburg, NY and features an eight-month schedule of cultural programming including jazz, opera, performance art, folk music, and theatre. This event is funded in part by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State’s 62 counties.

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Story by Carol Montana and Jeremy Gorelick, photos by Carol Montana, photo of Mr. Hilfiger provided

LIBERTY, NY – The Liberty Mall on Sullivan Street in Liberty was open to the public on Friday and Saturday, October 15 and 16 as it housed the Annual Home & Business Expo 2010.

Sponsored by Superior Building Supply of Neversink, and arranged by the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce and the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, the Expo featured 40 businesses and area organizations. Participants included banks, business organizations, media outlets, health care and educational agencies, furniture and office supply stores, and more.

A ribbon cutting was held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, officially opening the Expo. Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Jeremy Gorelick, began the ceremony with a special presentation to Dorothy Shapiro, wife of the late Irving Shapiro, owner/operator of Sullivan’s Department Store, the site of the current Liberty Mall. Mrs. Shapiro was then given the honor of cutting the ribbon.

According to Mrs. Shapiro, Sullivan’s was opened in 1948 by brothers Irving and Sidney Shapiro. Originally selling war surplus in a barn in Liberty, over the years the business dealt in soft and hard goods, and became a merchandising innovator, adding a Gourmet Shop and Contemporary Art Gallery. Employing hundreds of people during its 46 years in business, the Liberty store was closed in 1994.

Mrs. Shapiro was very emotional as she cut the ribbon and later said, “I am so pleased to see this beautiful reconstruction of our building, and my wish and my sincerest hope is that Liberty Mall will be become a very successful mall and service the community the way the former Sullivan’s serviced the community.”

Inside the current Liberty Mall, the welcome table for the Expo was set up in the downstairs atrium, a large area big enough to hold the Chamber, the Partnership, the Monticello Booster Club food cart, and Prudential Peters Realty, which is marketing retail space for the Mall.

In the upstairs atrium, the business sponsor, Superior Building Supply, had a large display including a banner visible from the parking lot through the wraparound windows. 

Downstairs and upstairs, tables surrounded the open areas in front of large and small retail spaces, as business owners and their employees, and representatives of organizations, passed out canvas bags, lollipops, water bottles, magnets and, of course, pens.

Chamber of Commerce President Terri Ward is hoping that word of mouth will bring businesses to the Liberty Mall. “… just by us being here and holding the Expo here is going to be the best way” to get the word out. Prudential Peters is here, they have all the specs, everything that’s available, and the Partnership has the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation coming and some people looking around to hopefully recruit some businesses here.” And best of all, said Ward, the owner of the Liberty Mall, Sam Backer donated the space for the Expo “just to get people in the door.”

At 6:00 p.m. on Friday, attendees enjoyed a presentation by designer Andy Hilfiger of the Tommy Hilfiger line. Shown at right with Jeremy Gorelick and Terri Ward of the Sullivan County Chamber, Hilfiger opened with a brief introduction about his family and its role as middle-man in the clothing market in Elmira in central New York state. There they sold samples direct from the streets of Manhattan, before launching their trademark classic American look. 

A brief computer-aided slideshow showed, through carefully chosen pictures, the growth and development of the Hilfiger line from a small boutique shop to a household name using innovative marketing techniques and outreach to specific markets.

After an explanation of his new line, Andrew Charles, and the demographics that he seeks to attract, Hilfiger opened up a brief question and answer period, where he discussed the particular reasons for the success of the Tommy Hilfiger line, as well as general ideas for how to market and grow a small business. 

Since Hilfiger is a Sullivan County resident, plans are underway to bring him back for a more in-depth discussion and case study of how to successfully design and implement a marketing plan to transition from an in-home “cottage industry” to something more significant, particularly in a troubled economy.

For further information about leasing retail space in the new Liberty Mall, call Prudential Peters Realty at 845-292-6333.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from the Home & Business Expo 2010, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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GRAHAMSVILLE, NY – Helping to celebrate New York State’s Archives Month, the Town of Neversink and the Time and the Valleys Museum invite you to Follow the History Trail to Grahamsville.

The program will be held on Saturday, October 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Neversink Town Hall on State Route 55 in Grahamsville, NY.

Activities include:

• – Self guided tour of Neversink Barn Quilts – a self guided map to large and colorful quilting designs painted on local area barns will be available that day.
• – Self guided tour of nine area cemeteries – a project to help stabilize and restore historic cemeteries (funded through Sullivan County Renaissance), also produced a self guided cemeteries map available that day.

– The gallery photo show: Saved by the Camera: Functional Farm Buildings of the Past

– Opportunity to do research in the Museum’s archival holdings, including burial records, census records , new records from the Town of Denning and 50 years of the local newspapers.

Volunteers will be available to help plot the tours and to assist with research.

Admission is free and open to people of all ages.

For more information, please contact Carol Smythe, Registered Historian, Town of Neversink at 985-2262 ext. 313, or write to her at historian@townofneversink.org.

The Time and the Valleys Museum is a living and interactive resource that preserves the past, educates the present and ensures the uniqueness of the Rondout and Neversink watersheds for all generations. Currently located in the Neversink Town Hall, the Museum provides educational programming for the public and is actively raising funds to install exhibitions in the Museum’s future home, co-located in the new addition to the Daniel Pierce Library.

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MONTICELLO, NY – The Kiwanis Club of Monticello held their 65^th Annual Installation Dinner at the Blue Horizon Diner & Restaurant on September 20.

In the photo at left, newly elected President Sharon Jankiewicz receives the gavel from past President Jack Leshner to the applause of all, including Rose Raimond, 2nd V.P.

The new officers for 2010-2011 were sworn in by Lt. Gov. Pat Flynn. They are: President Sharon Jankiewicz, 1^st Vice President Lori Benjamin, 2^nd Vice President Rose Raimond, Treasurer Janet Siano and Secretary Kathy Garlick.

Several members were recognized for their dedication and support. Rose Raimond was presented with the Kiwanian of the Year Award ,and Bill Lane and David Kaufman were both presented with the Legion of Honor Awards for 35 years of membership and service to Kiwanis. The accounting firm of Cooper and Nieman received the Distinguished Community Service Award.

The Club is busy planning many new community service activities for the upcoming year.

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Highland Lake, NY – Basket Landing is a local treasure! These talented blue grass and folk musicians from Hankins, New York combine eclectic folk music, blue grass, spirituals, and live folkloric dance for an extremely entertaining and inspiring event for people of all ages.

Basket Landing will be performing an all-ages show this afternoon, Sunday, October 17, at 3 p.m. at the NACL Theatre in Highland Lake. Call 845-557-0694 to reserve tickets or just show up at the door. Tickets are Pay What You May and Children are free. NACL is located at 110 Highland Lake Road, Highland Lake, NY.  For more information, go online to www.nacl.org

About Basket Landing

Based in Hankins, New York, the group’s name is taken from a beautiful spot where the Basket Creek enters the Delaware River.

Basket Landing performs a mix of traditional American folk music and songs from the British Isles, Canada, and Australia – sweet Appalachian folk ballads, lilting Irish melodies, seafaring tunes, Ozark Mountain bluegrass, and vibrant spirituals.

The music selection is drawn from the repertoire of a group of families who have gathered every Saturday night for the past 45 years, on a mountaintop farm in Hankins to sing and play music for themselves, their friends, and neighbors.

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ROCK HILL, NY – The September 26 Sullivan County Memory Walk to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association was a huge success.

The walk, which started at the Frontier Insurance Building in Rock Hill, was chaired by Sheila Lashinsky and Marcia Fink, who were thrilled by the turnout of walkers.

Enjoying a large increase from 85 walkers in 2009 to 238 walkers this year, the event raised over $26,500. And contributions toward this year’s walk are still being accepted through November 30.

The Memory Walk is the only national fundraising event for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Funds raised at the event help to support the free services of the Alzheimer’s Association.

For more information about the free services of the Alzheimer’s Association or to make a donation, please call Janet Troia at 845-794-3774.

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Photos by Leni Santoro

PARKSVILLE, NY – The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is holding a public meeting to discuss improvements in and around the hamlet of Parksville. These improvements are the second phase of the  larger NYS Route 17/I-86 Parksville project currently under construction in the area. The public meeting will be held on October 21 at 7 p.m. at the NYSDOT field office (formerly the Dead End Cafe) located at 6 Main Street, Parksville.

As part of the project development process for the NYS Route 17 Parksville upgrade project, NYSDOT committed to make a variety of landscaping and enhancement improvements, which were necessary to satisfy requirements set forth by various state and federal agencies and the community. Many of these improvements will be included under Phase I; however, some work was split from the larger project to be done as a second phase. Phase II was split from Phase I to allow more time to meet with stakeholders and to open bidding to potential contractors specializing in streetscape, landscape and trail work.

In 2009 students from Cornell University met with Parksville residents to talk about a vision for the future of Parksville.

Phase II will include landscape and trail improvements and provide fishing access along the Little Beaverkill. As part of Phase II, NYSDOT also committed to seek public input from the community to help establish the vision of Parksville and identify specific enhancements that complement this vision. That process began with a public workshop held on February 17, 2010. From that workshop, the Department developed a variety of landscaping and enhancement options that are consistent with the vision of Parksville that was identified at the workshop and that satisfy the requirements of the Parksville Project as agreed upon by other state and federal agencies.

The public meeting will begin with a presentation of the alternatives that have been developed based on previous commitments and on the  priorities identified by community members at the workshop and in previous outreach. The presentation will be followed by a question and comment session, during which meeting attendees will be encouraged to share their ideas. 

After the question and comment session, there will also be time for meeting attendees to discuss their ideas, concerns or questions with project team members one-on-one or in small groups. NYSDOT will use input provided at this public information meeting, along with other project information, to select and refine the preferred alternative which will then be presented to the public at a subsequent meeting.

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ROCK HILL, NY – The Board of Directors of the Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation honored longtime Livingston Manor resident and civic leader Mary Fried at a recent dinner held at Bernie’s Restaurant in Rock Hill.

In the photo at left, taken at the dinner to honor Ms. Fried are the Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation Board of Directors. Front row (l to r) Foundation President Lee Siegel, Mary Fried, Paul Rouis – Foundation Accountant; Back row (l to r) Tom Guarino, Foundation Financial Advisor, Peggy Schleiermacher, Dr. Don Simkin, Patti Casey and Gary Siegel. Absent from photo is George Kaplan, son of Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan who serves on the Foundation Board of Directors.

Mrs. Fried was honored for over 40 years of service as a charter member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Mary has been an asset to our board and we wanted to show our heartfelt thanks for her efforts through the years,” said Foundation President, Lee Siegel.

The Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation came to fruition through the generosity of Lew Beech residents Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan. Mr. Kaplan was a diamond cutter known to make his fortune by cutting the Jonker Diamond to perfection. He and his wife Charlotte left their estate to the Foundation whose mission is to “help keep kids off the street” by supporting youth programs and providing scholarships to those students who might not be able to attend college without the foundation’s support.

The Foundation provides over $80,000 grants and scholarships annually to local graduating students and civic organizations. “Mary served as secretary and has been a dedicated member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors since the beginning and has provided untiring efforts in providing the opportunity for individuals and civic organizations from our community to thrive and succeed,” said Siegel.

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HARRIS, N.Y – The Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) Blood Donor Center has been awarded accreditation by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), based on a recent survey.

Accreditation follows an intensive onsite assessment by specially trained AABB assessors and establishes that the level of technical and administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the standards set by AABB.

By successfully meeting those requirements, CRMC joins similar facilities located throughout the country and around the world that have also earned AABB accreditation.  AABB’s accreditation program contributes to the quality and safety of collecting, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood and cellular therapy products.

The CRMC Blood Donor Center was also recently awarded the Life Share Platinum Level Achievement Award from the American Red Cross for outstanding employee participation in 2009 blood drive donations. CRMC hosts monthly blood drives in collaboration with the American Red Cross and sponsors its own fundraiser, ‘Dracula’s Pub,’ every Halloween to raise money for the hospital’s Outpatient Oncology Fund.

For more information on the CRMC Blood Donor Center, please visit www.crmcny.org or call 794-3300 extension 2269.

In other news, Catskill Regional Medical Center announced that its Community Service Plan for 2010 is now available on the CRMC website (www.crmcny.org). The report highlights CRMC’s activities addressing the healthcare needs of Sullivan County residents.

The Community Service Plan is a requirement of the New York State Department of Health, and includes information about the implementation of CRMC’s community service plan during the past year, and information on future community initiatives. Interested community groups and individual residents who would like to provide input or receive a copy can contact Marc Mendelsohn, AVP Administration at 845-794-3300 ext. 2376.

An affiliated member of the Greater Hudson Valley Health System, Catskill Regional Medical Center is dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare to residents in the Sullivan County region. For more information, call 845-794-3300 or visit www.crmcny.org.

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WOODRIDGE, NY  – In conjunction with more than one hundred events nationwide commemorating the National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, BUZZ Equipment Company and Kantrowitz Brothers Auto Repair will be joining forces on Friday, October 15 to host an informational ride and drive in Woodridge.

Anyone visiting the companies’ 49 Roosevelt Avenue location between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. that day will be able to drive a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle manufactured by Miles Electric Vehicles of Santa Monica, California, and have their questions about alternative fuel vehicles answered by experts.

Participants can also view interactive displays designed to demonstrate the workings of an all-electric vehicle. These displays were developed by Joe Conway, partner in BUZZ Equipment Company and owner of Kantrowitz Brothers Auto Repair, for use in the course, “An Introduction to Electric Vehicles,” which is offered at Sullivan County Community College.

The fall semester course starts Thursday evening October 14, and runs for five consecutive Thursdays. Registration for the class is through the college’s Office of Continuing Education, Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning, 845-434-5750 ext. 4398.

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles are a special class of electric low-speed vehicle that have been certified as Standard 500 compliant, or meeting the requirements of that provision of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. In New York and most other states, these vehicles are legal on roadways where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour or lower. Their top speed must be no more than 25 m.p.h., and their gross vehicle weight cannot exceed 3000 pounds.

The ride and drive and information session is part of the biennial National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, conceived by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) based at West Virginia University in order to promote cleaner choices in transportation. The NAFTC undertook this project because of the critical need to support the alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) industry.

The Consortium states: "More public awareness is necessary to help ease our dependence on foreign oil, and we must support those manufacturers that are making AFVs a viable option for individuals everywhere. With everyone joining together on one day, working toward the same goals, we cannot help but compound the effect of our individual efforts. Such unity will further increase the impact of each individual site’s program and will catalyze the momentum for the advanced transportation movement nationwide. Together, we will bring national attention to AFVs and advanced technology vehicles and promote them as a cleaner and more efficient choice for transportation."

BUZZ Equipment Company and Kantrowitz Brothers Auto Repair have been selling and servicing alternative fuel vehicles, including flex-fuel, biodiesel, hybrid and all-electric drive for more than ten years. They have also collaborated to create The Sullivan County Electric Bus Project, to provide a cleaner, healthier, quieter ride for school children.

For more information on the ride and drive event, call Joe at 845-434-5710.

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BETHEL, NY – The Eighth Annual Chili Cook-Off at The Harvest Festival, sponsored by Jeff Bank and M&M Auto Group, attracted about 4,500 hungry guests to Bethel Woods on Sunday, October 3 for a chili day in October. 

There was spirited competition among the participating groups: the Sullivan County SPCA (teamed with Dutch’s Tavern), the Culinary Program of Sullivan County Community College, the Culinary Program of Sullivan County BOCES, the Culinary Program of Delaware Valley Job Corps and Frost Valley YMCA, but in the end the Delaware Valley Job Corps received the most votes, taking home the coveted plaque and bragging rights.

Delaware Valley Job Corps Culinary Arts Instructor Alice Guss said, “The students that prepared the chili – some are beginners, some are intermediate – but they just had their heart in cooking their chili. They used all simple, fresh and best quality ingredients, with one secret ingredient!”

Through a $2 suggested tasting donation, the event raised just over $2,000 which will be shared among the 5 participating organizations. In addition, ShopRite Supermarkets provided gift cards to offset the cost of their food. 

Thunder 102 was on-site all day emceeing the event and providing participants the opportunity to talk about their programs on-air.

Denise Frangipane, Harvest Festival Manager said, “This Chili Day in October has always been a favorite among our festival goers. We were very pleased to offer this popular event as a venue for community organizations to promote their programs and mission.”  

The Harvest Festival at Bethel Woods is supported by sponsors who share a commitment to the community and regional economic development. Generous support of The Harvest Festival Children’s Area provided by ShopRite Supermarkets. Additional support of the 2010 Harvest Festival season provided by Grey’s Woodworks.  2010 event sponsors also include Majek Furniture Warehouse, Thompson Sanitation, Jeff Bank, M&M Auto Group, Catskill Regional Medical Center, and Van Gorders’ Furniture.

For more information please visit www.BethelWoodsCenter.org.

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MONTICELLO, NY – Monticello Motor Club, an automotive country club a located in the Town of Thompson, recently hosted a unique event to help police officers raise money for local charities on the four-mile road racing circuit.

In the first annual “Cops For Kids” race, officers representing three Police Benevolent Associations put their driving skills on the line for the benefit of three very worthy charities and raised over $37,000.

The Cops for Kids race was conceived by Monticello Motor Club as an exciting way to recognize the hard work and dedication of local and state police officers, while allowing the PBAs to support their chosen charities.

Five officers each from the New York State Troopers PBA, Sullivan County Sherriff’s Department PBA and Monticello Police Department PBA competed on the club’s challenging road course for fastest lap. After practice sessions working with MMC’s professional racers in the morning, the officers each got three hot laps in the club’s Pontiac Solstice racecars. Each officer’s single fastest lap time was counted and averaged together with the other team members to determine the winners.

During breaks in the racing action, there was fun for all with an exotic car show, face painting, racing simulators and a barbecue.

Monticello Motor Club Chairman Bill McMichael was surprised with the speed shown by the officers. “The police officers did really well on the track. Our instructors were quite impressed with their skill and how quickly they picked up the line of the course. We also invited the kids from the charities and those in attendance were able to go for hot laps with the instructors. Ultimately, this day was about helping the kids. Our members showed their generosity by adding to the prize money from the club and we were able to donate a significant amount. Everyone had a great day and we were able to help some very worthy causes. We’re already looking forward to the next one.”

At the end of the competition, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department took first place with their prize money benefiting Monticello Gymnastics.

The other two charities also received donations: The Monticello Police Department helped MAFCO – Monticello Area Football & Cheerleading Organization MAFCO (www.monticello-afco.org/), while the NY State Troopers donated their winnings to the Signal 30 Benefit Fund, which supports the members of the New York State Police in extraordinary circumstances such as illness, injury and loss of residences to fires or floods (www.signal30.org).

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About Monticello Motor Club:

Opened in 2008, Monticello Motor Club, the closest motorsports venue to Manhattan, is a private automotive resort for its members. With a limited number of coveted memberships still available, MMC caters to driving enthusiasts, from beginners with no track experience to professional racers. Between laps, members relax in an exceptional new clubhouse that features classrooms, dining area, bar, kitchen, members-only lounge, private locker rooms, pro-shop and attached temperature-controlled garages. To learn more, please visit www.monticellomotorclub.com, e-mail info@monticellomotorclub.com, or call 877-578-RACE (7223).

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MONTICELLO, NY – SullivanArc has announced the recipient of the 2010 Ruth Bennett Humanitarian Award is Jeffrey R. Gray, M.D. of Crystal Run Healthcare in Rock Hill.

SullivanArc presents the award, named after their founder, to a person who has shown outstanding service to the community and to individuals with developmental disabilities. Dr. Gray, who exhibits exceptional professionalism, has befriended many of SullivanArc’s consumers through his practice by showing considerable compassion and patience.

The award will be presented to Dr. Gray at SullivanArc’s annual Community Recognition Event to be held on Friday, October 29 at The Eagle’s Nest in Bloomingburg. To attend the event or for more information, contact SullivanArc Public Relations at 845-796-1350.

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NEW PALTZ, NY – On Tuesday, October 12, from 9:00am to 12:30am, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and the SUNY New Paltz School of Business will host a Hudson Valley Region Small Business Forum to highlight federal and state tax credits, and programs now available for small businesses, including those established by the Affordable Care Act and Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act.

The event will be held in Lecture Center #102 on the SUNY New Paltz Campus located at 1 Hawk Drive in New Paltz.

The schedule of events will be as follows.

Registration – 9:00 a.m.

Welcome: Hadi Salavitabar, Ph.D., Dean School of Business, SUNY at New Paltz / Opening Remarks: Congressman Maurice Hinchey – 9:30 a.m.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. – Panel Discussion: Federal and State Tax Credits, Services and Products for Small Businesses. Panelists will include:

· Jorge P. Silva-Puras, SBA Regional Administrator, Region II (NY, NJ, PR and USVI)

· Jaime R. Torres, DPM, MS, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Regional Director, Region II (NY, NJ, PR,VI)

· Arnaldo Sehwerert, Director, Mid-Hudson Valley Small Business Development Center

· Susan Jaffe, Empire State Development Mid-Hudson Regional Director

· Thomas Kane, IRS, Governmental Liaison & Disclosure, Northeast Area

· John King, Vice President, New York Business Development Corporation

· Suzanne Reusch, Taxpayer Service Specialist III, NYS Dept. of Taxation & Finance

· Richard Torres, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, Internal Revenue Service

Open Discussion/ Q&A – 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.

This event is co-sponsored by SUNY at New Paltz School of Business, Business Alliance of Kingston, Dutchess County Regional Chamber, Kingston Uptown Business Association, Gateway to Entrepreneurial Tomorrows, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, New Paltz Region Chamber of Commerce, Orange County Business Accelerator, Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Orange County Partnership, Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, Ulster County Development Corporation, Ulster County Industrial Development Agency, and Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The event is free and open to the public, and media are invited to attend.

Register by contacting the SUNY New Paltz School of Business at 845-257-2930 or e-mail Dr. Hadi Salavitabar at salavith@newpaltz.edu with your name, address, telephone number and email address.

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LIBERTY, NY – Autism is a disorder that is becoming more common among children. 

On October 9th the Sullivan County BOCES and the Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Services Office will be hosting an Autism Awareness Day from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Seelig Theatre at the Sullivan County Community College.

This workshop is a great forum for anyone to learn about Autism and especially good for parents of children with Autism. Alyson Beytien, a popular national/international speaker, parent/teacher trainer and mother of three sons with Autism will be the Keynote Speaker for the event. Beytien is a consultant and trainer on educating individuals with autism, working with school systems throughout the country. She has a degree in Early Childhood Special Education and is currently in the Masters Autism program at the University of Kansas.

Beytien is the moderator of a DVD training series, "Family to Family: A Guide to Living Life When a Child is Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder." She is also a columnist for the Autism Spectrum Quarterly magazine and host of the web/radio program “Family to Family” on AutismOne.org.

Admission is free for parents of children with Autism being educated in Sullivan County and child care will be available for those who preregister. For all others a $25 registration fee will apply. Please preregister for the workshop ASAP. For more information or to register, please contact Faith Dymond at Sullivan County BOCES 845-295-4046.

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SOUTH FALLSBURG, NY – On Saturday, October 2, 8 pm, Flute Force comes to South Fallsburg to play classical and contemporary music for wind instruments. The four flutists Elizabeth Brown, Sheryl Henze, Rie Schmidt and Wendy Stern will perform Pastorale by Igor Stravinsky, Suite of Dances by Hieromus Praetorious; Jours d’ete a la Montagne by Eugene Bozza; Travelogue (1995) by Elizabeth Brown; Georg Philipp Telemann’s Quartet in D minor; and Jacob’s Ladder by Richard Arnest (NY premiere) that features antiphonal effects.

The concert, which concludes the series’ ninth consecutive season, is free and open to the public and takes place in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, located at 5277 State Route 42 in South Fallsburg. Reservations are required; call: 845-292-8967.

Chamber Music at St. Andrew’s offers two free chamber concerts a season, performed by outstanding musicians that enrich, inspire and bring pleasure to Sullivan County audiences. All are invited to come and bring their families and neighbors. The series depends on the generosity of the community, and tax-deductible contributions are urgently needed. Checks should be made out to: St. Andrew’s Mission and sent to Ms. Cynthia Johnston, Treasurer, St. Andrew’s Mission, PO Box 55, Woodbourne NY 12788.

These concerts are made possible in part with funds from the 2010 Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, administered in Sullivan County by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance; by a Sullivan County Arts and Heritage Grant funded by the Sullivan County Legislature and with the special help of legislator Leni Binder; and by the generosity of local businesses and individuals, as well as St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

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Story by Leni Santoro, Photo and video by Joanie Stein

HANKINS, NY – The sun is shining today, Saturday, October 2, making it hard to believe that this time yesterday floods throughout the region were wreaking havoc upon Sullivan County and pretty much the entire eastern seaboard. It’s good to have the sun back. Already the massive puddle that was my driveway is down to pint size, the Little Beaverkill running at the base of my backyard is running less rapidly, reflecting the blue skies above and the weather is perfect for the Pumpkin Parade in Grahamsville.

But before we say goodbye to yesterday there is one more photo to post of the flood. This one and the accompanying video come from Joanie Stein near Hankins, NY. Joanie was working and didn’t have a chance to e-mail her photo during the day.

“I got down to the river around 5 p.m. They say it crested a few hours before, but it’s still very high!” said Joanie Stein in her note to the Chronicle last night.

Joanie also sent in a video she took at the Red Barn Campground in Hankins yesterday in which she compares conditions at the campground yesterday and the June 2006 flood.

The Chronicle would like to thank Joanie and all the folks who sent in photos. We would also like to extend our thoughts, prayers and best wishes to all those affected by the flooding.

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LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY – The following additional photos of the flood situation in Livingston Manor are courtesy of Raphael Wettenstein.

1.   2.

3.    4.

5.    6. 

7.    8.

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Captions:

1. Directing traffic on Main Street.

2. CAS basement is flooded.

3. Residential house basement is flooded.

4. Two rivers converge and park is flooded.

5. Park is flooded.

6. The rapids.

7. Water under the school bridge.

8. Media coverage.

9. Local input.

10. On the edge of the flood.

*For more information about the flood situations throughout the Catskill area be sure to check out the flood coverage on the Watershed Post.

*To our readers – If you or anyone you know has images to share please send them to catskill.chronicle@yahoo.com.

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ROSCOE, NY – The brook that runs along Sandy Acome’s property on Dutch Hill Road in Roscoe was up four feet by 8 a.m. this morning.

“The brook was completely dry yesterday,” said Ms. Acome. During last night’s storm boulders were heard crashing down into the brook. She woke to find the normally dry brook filled with rushing water.

Ms. Acome stopped by The Chronicle this morning to drop off the following photos taken at 8:06 a.m. this morning.

*To our readers – If you or anyone you know has images to share please send them to catskill.chronicle@yahoo.com.

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LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY –  Livingston Manor resident Raphael Wettenstein sent in these photos of the flooding situation in Livingston Manor as of 7 a.m. this morning.

The first two images show the Willowemoc Creek behind the buildings on Main Street. In image two the Livingston Manor Central School can be seen in the distance. The third image shows Main Street looking toward the junction of Main and Pearl Streets.

Our thanks to Mr. Wettenstein for sending us these photos.

*To our readers – If you or anyone you know has images to share please send them to catskill.chronicle@yahoo.com.

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