The Catskill Chronicle

LIBERTY, NY (November 4, 2011) – Not one child in Sullivan County should go without a new toy during the holidays.

It’s that strongly held belief that has driven M&M Auto Group owners Donna and Howard Braunstein to once again spearhead a toy drive in their Mill Street, Liberty showroom to benefit the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Those toys will then be distributed to needy children throughout the Sullivan County area before Christmas Day.

“Supporting our area’s youth is a commitment we made as a family years ago, and we are pleased to have such dedicated supporters behind this effort,” said M&M Auto Group owner Howard Braunstein.

The official kick-off for the drive will be on Saturday, November 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thunder 102, a strong supporter of the effort, will be broadcasting live from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the M&M Auto Group showroom. The public is welcome to attend; a new unwrapped toy is the only admission requirement.

“We understand the importance of supporting our area’s most needy, especially during this holiday season, so we welcome the opportunity to promote the efforts of our area businesses and organizations,” said Thunder 102’s Paul Ciliberto. “M&M has always been community-minded so anything they’re behind at this point, we’re proudly behind.”

Last year’s M&M Toy Drive brought in donations of roughly 1,500 new, unwrapped toys. Howard and Donna Braunstein matched the donation with the purchase of an additional 1,500 toys in support of the campaign. The goal for this year’s campaign is 2000 donated toys, with the Braunsteins once again committed to matching the final tally.

M&M Auto Group has decided to expand its efforts this year to include the collection of cash donations to support the Sullivan County Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (CASA), which provides volunteers who are appointed by the Family Court Judge to speak up for the needs of abused and neglected children.

To benefit CASA, M&M Auto Group will be selling “Paper Angels,” which will be posted throughout the showroom during the holidays. The campaign has been named after a novel penned by country star Jimmy Wayne, a Sullivan County favorite and national spokesperson for CASA. Last year Wayne walked 1,700 miles across America through his “Project Meet Me Halfway” in an effort to raise awareness about the needs of foster children, and particularly those who are aging out of the foster care system without any additional support.

To widen the community involvement, M&M Auto Group is inviting Sullivan County service organizations interested in collecting toys and donations to set up individually decorated Christmas trees (generously provided by Hilltop Homes) in the showroom. Each display will act as a drop point for their organization’s supporters to deliver toys. If you are an interested organization, please call Thunder 102’s Regina Hensley at 845-292-7535 for more information. The participating organizations will be invited to decorate their trees during the kick-off festivities on November 12.

“We thought a little healthy competition among these organizations might add a bit of fun to the whole effort,” M&M General Manager Gary Samboy said. “Watching the piles of toys grow as we get closer to Christmas is half the fun.”

For more information about Sullivan County CASA, visit www.sullivancountycasa.org or call 845-807-0672. For more information about M&M Auto Group’s Toys for Tots drive, visit www.mmautogroup.com or call 845-292-3500. Donations will be accepted in the M&M Auto Group showroom during business hours until Christmas.

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LIBERTY, NY (November 6, 2011) – The Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation Department will host its first annual Town of Liberty Holiday Parade in conjunction with the Town’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony. Join in the fun to celebrate the holiday spirit by entering a float, decorate a vehicle, or march with your group/organization. We are also looking for anyone who has trucks and trailers who would be willing to allow groups to decorate them for a float and you drive them through the parade.

The parade will be held Friday December 2 at 6:00 p.m. Line-up will begin at 5:00 p.m. at the municipal parking lots behind the Elks Lodge.

The parade will [ass through Main Street and end at the Liberty Elementary School. Snow date is December 3.

Following the parade the Annual Tree Lighting will take place at the Town Hall and Liberty Main Street Stage.

Light refreshments will be served. Bring your children to the Liberty Fitness Center November 28 – December 1 from 3 – 6:00 p.m. to decorate ornaments for free that will be hung on the Holiday Tree.

The Liberty Chamber of Commerce will also be announcing the winners of the Liberty Merchants Holiday Window Decorating Contest.

For further information, register a float, or offer a truck and trailer, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 845-292-7690.

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WASHINGTON, DC (November 4, 2011) – Yesterday, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) praised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for releasing its final research plan for the study on hydraulic fracturing. Hinchey authored the legislative provision to authorize the study and worked with EPA to ensure its commencement.  He released the following statement:

"I applaud the EPA for releasing a final research plan for its study on hydraulic fracturing. I wrote the legislative language that initiated this study and, as I had intended, the final study will look at the full cycle of water used in the hydraulic fracturing process. Our country is in the middle of shale gas rush, but unbiased, scientific research into hydraulic fracturing is almost non-existent. This EPA study will provide invaluable information to the public and policy makers interested in understanding the impact of hydraulic fracturing on our water resources."

(Photo by Carol Montana)

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LIBERTY, NY (November 3, 2011) – “Ghosties and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night” were very much in evidence at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center this Halloween season.

The facility’s advocacy group, The Family Council, provided donuts for all shifts on Halloween Monday.

The staff on their own time, and with their own funds, decorated all units for the enjoyment and delight of the residents.

Family Council Vice President Robert Konvalin, Secretary Gail Fredenburg, Ann Kowalik and Treasurer Barbara Konvalin made the winning selections and presented certificates to those judged best of the best.

In photo above (l-r) Robert Konvalin, Family Council Vice President, Kelly Edwards, S. C. Adult Care Center Program Coordinator, Phoebe Torres, S. C. Adult Care Center Domestic Aide, and Barbara Konvalin, Family Council Treasurer.

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AARP invites military personnel to take a driver safety class, free of charge, this November.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (November 2, 2011) – In honor of Veteran’s Day and in recognition of their dedication and commitment to service, the AARP Driver Safety Program (DSP) is waiving entrance fees to its classroom courses for veterans in New York and across the country in November.

All military personnel, active duty or retired, are eligible to receive a free DSP classroom course during the month of November (November 1 – 30, 2011). Military personnel include those individuals who serve or have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard/Reserves or Coast Guard.

Military spouses (including widows and widowers) and dependent children are also eligible to take the class, free of charge, as long as they present valid military spouse, widower or dependent identification, such as a dependent ID card or a membership card to organizations such as the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars. The classroom course normally costs $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members.

Since 1979, the AARP Driver Safety Program has helped over 13 million drivers learn safety strategies and adapt to physical and cognitive changes related to aging. The course teaches valuable defensive driving skills and provides a refresher of the rules of the road. Plus, participants may qualify for an automobile insurance discount by completing the classroom course. (The insurance premium discount is not available in all states for the online or the classroom versions of the course. Requirements vary from state to state. In some states, separate rules may apply to online driver improvement courses. Please consult your insurance agent for further details.)

With classes offered in communities throughout New York state, veterans should have little difficulty finding a class that’s conveniently located. Classes are limited in size, however, so those interested should call early to find a class that fits their needs. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

After signing up for a course, participants should bring a valid military identification to the classroom—such as discharge papers (DD Form 214), American Legion cards, dependent ID cards or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) cards. Participating veterans will be asked to complete a Veteran Participation Form as part of the course, which will be provided on site by the instructor.

Locate a course near you by visiting DSP’s online course locator at www.aarp.org/findacourse or by calling 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669). Please note that this promotion is for the classroom course only. It does not apply to the AARP Driver Safety Online Course.

For more information, visit http://www.aarp.org/veterans or email drive@aarp.org.

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LIBERTY, NY – “Identifying Family Caregivers” is the theme of November 2011 National Family Caregivers Month shared by the Sullivan County Caregiver Resource Center program. Caregiving facts, provided by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), include:

· More than 65 million people in the United States provide care for chronically ill, disabled or aged family members or friends during any given year.

· Those 65 million people spend 20 hours a week providing that care.

· That care is valued at $375 billion a year, which is almost twice as much as is spent on homecare and nursing home services combined.

The Caregiver Resource Center of Sullivan County (a co-partnered program of Cornell Cooperative Extension and Office for the Aging) thanks family caregivers for providing dedicated help to family members and friends and reminds our communities to extend a helping hand during the upcoming holidays. In honor of National Family Caregiver Month the CRC invites all caregivers to the annual celebration on November 30 (Wednesday) at 6:00 p.m. for free dessert and coffee at the Liberty Diner. A caregiver package consisting of gift-giving tips and caregiving through the holidays will be shared, as well as other treats.

The CRC also invites caregivers to three free ongoing support groups; a caregiver can join any or all groups each month – no reservations are required. All meetings offer educational materials as well open discussion for caregivers to share their concerns or thoughts on caregiving. Coffee and refreshments are always served.

Share the Care (Hortonville group) meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 10am in the historic Presbyterian Church. Caring for the Caregiver (Grahamsville group) meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6pm in the second floor board room within Daniel Pierce Library and Caregiver Conversations (the Liberty group) meets on the last Wednesday of the month at 6pm within Cornell Cooperative Extension. (Please note: no December meetings for the Hortonville and Liberty groups will be held).

Caregivers can contact the CRC at Cornell Cooperative Extension at 845-292-5250 for further questions.

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