The Catskill Chronicle

Story by Carol Montana, Photos by Leni Santoro

HORTONVILLE, NY (April 18, 2011) – In its silver anniversary year, the Hortonville Talent Show raised close to $1000 for the Sullivan County Habitat for Humanity during a fun evening on Saturday, April 9. The range and level of talent rivals any talent show currently on television.

Organized by Kathy Aleschus and Jane Orcutt (photo right), who also acts as accompanist, this year’s show featured 17 acts and was standing room only at the Hortonville Presbyterian Church. One of the biggest crowds ever to see the marvelous group of local talent.

Young and old alike took part with acts that ranged from violin solos to comedy, and from spirituals to country and western music.

Emceed for the past 24 years by local celebrity (and comedian), Richard Ross (photo left), everyone wins at the Hortonville Talent Show.

The three “celebrity” judges were Leni Santoro – local photographer and writer, Minnette Kramer – legislative aide to Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, and Carol Montana – editor of The Catskill Chronicle. And this year, the certificates were “fancified” by local calligrapher (and husband to one of the judges) Larry Kramer.

The judges were tasked, not with choosing first, second or third place winners, but in coming up with creative (and hopefully funny) certificates of merit with titles that matched the performances.

Some of this year’s performers included Joe Careri, who, in honor of his Frank Sinatra-style  performance won the “Oh! Frankie! Award”; Amelia Brooks (photo right) who soloed on both the piano and violin – “The Amazing Amelia Award”; the Sturbridge Lions Quartet (who tried to bribe the judges with a paltry dollar each) – “The Sweetest Harmony Award"; and Joe Hoffsommer (photo at left) who played the pen (that’s right, the pen!) –what else but “The Pentabulous Award.”

Not to be outdone, organizer Kathy Aleschus teamed up with perennial favorite Ken Rodgers to do a hilarious skit about the Grisly Cannibal Cafe, which featured all sorts of roadkill and “gourmet” dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The two (photo left) won the “Don’t Go to the Cafe Award.”

To find out more information about Sullivan County Habitat for Humanity, contact them by mail at: Sullivan County Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 695, Harris, NY 12742; phone: 845-791-8305 or by e-mail at SCHabitat@gmail.com.