The Catskill Chronicle

CALLICOON, NY (May 14, 2012) – The 39th Annual Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Recognition Day Luncheon was held today at the Villa Roma Resort & Conference Center in Callicoon.

Deborah Allen, Director of the Office for the Aging, welcomed the 275+ crowd that gathered to honor the seniors. The guest speaker was Sullivan County Historian John Conway.

A total of 305 RSVP volunteers performed over 60,000+ hours during 2011. Nine volunteers served over 1,000 volunteer hours during 2011 and received a special award certificate presented by Elaine Finkle, RSVP Specialist. Members of the “1,000 Hour Club” Ruth Auerbach – 1,440, Barbara Burns – 1,093, Claudia Chaiet-1,009, Margaret Ippolito – 1,237, Robert Conner – 1,911, Patricia Curtis-1,853, Theresa Roach – 1,296, Marcelle Wagner – 2,432, Sonny Smith– 2,996.

Marie Zalesky received a Special Gift for being the eldest RSVP Volunteer. Marie is 104 years young, with 136 hours of volunteer time served at the Grover Hermann Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center.

RSVP member Mae Kratz celebrated her 101^st birthday on the day of the recognition.

Special awards were presented by Caryn Mathews RSVP Program Director with honor to the I.O.U Thrift Shop: Marcia Bauer, Florrine Bauernfeind, Herbert Bauernfeind, Janet Burino, Christy Curran, Gladys Manzolillo, Patricia Massa, Julianna Maxwell, Ida Rosenberger, Alice Schlichting. A Certificate was presented to Director; Herbert Bauernfeind I.O.U Thrift Shop for willingness to serve and the difference you make in the lives of others.

A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Michelle Semerano and Mike Sakell; WDNB Thunder 102.1/Bold Gold Media Group for announcing the RSVP volunteers birthdays each morning on the radio and their on-air support of the RSVP program. During 2011 there were 316 RSVP volunteers’ birthdays announced.

Each township chose a “RSVP Senior of the Year.” From these 15 nominations, one senior was chosen as the Sullivan County RSVP Senior of the Year.

Bethel – Lillian Hendrickson

Callicoon – Freda Pericho

Cochecton – Olga Viruet

Delaware – Herbert & Florrine Bauernfeind

Fallsburg – Sonya “Sonny” Smith

Forestburgh – Carl Amaditz

Fremont – Edith “Edie” Downs

Highland – Robert Grab Sr.

Liberty – Liliam Stettner

Lumberland – Catherine “Cathy” Sterling

Mamakating – Joseph Stifano

Neversink – Phyllis “Penny” Coombe

Rockland – Sister Grace Therese Murray

Thompson – Laura Solomon

Tusten – Betty Crandall

Sullivan County Legislature, Cindy Kurpil Gieger presented Laura Solomon from the Town of Thompson with a plaque as the Sullivan County “RSVP” Senior of the Year for 2011.