The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

There’s a little bit of “Woodstock” in everybody.

In honor of the 40th Anniversary of the 1969 Aquarian Exposition, known around globe as Woodstock, local award-winning author Rilla Askew penned “By the Time We Got to Woodstock,” an original world that was unveiled during a world premier at the Liberty Free Theatre, August 20-23, as a staged reading in the First Hearings Series.

The reading starred Dana Priebe as Faythe, Richard Traviss as Ramon, and in the role of Aradhna, television and film actress Karen Young of “The Sopranos” fame.

The play started out a couple of years ago as a short story titled “Something Turning”, and as it was hammered out into a script for the stage, the central story line remained true to its roots, as it delved into real human stories of grief, loss and hope, emotions that reflect in the eyes and hearts of several generations that find themselves drawn to the Woodstock Memorial, called by some local folks, “the tomb of the unknown hippie,” albeit on the surface for different reasons, callings in the end that are essentially the same and resonant with a shared heartbeat. A convergence of journeys and emotions. All real, all from the soul.

In the final scene of Sunday’s matinee, Young as Aradhna “a middle-aged woman in blue jeans” reaches across the concrete slab to grasp the hand of the young girl, in a symbolic gesture spanning three generations and time, a movement that sparked tears in the eyes of several audience members.

The performances packed the house, as all four shows were sold out.

“Even as I was writing it, I visualized it as a play,” said Askew. “It’s about a woman who goes to the site to offer a remembrance to a friend of hers who’s gone, a friend who loved that site.”

It took Askew 20-some years to finally get to Woodstock, even though as a teenager living in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, she ran away from home, planning on hitching to White Lake with a friend passing through town, hitching from California.

“When I was a girl, I ran away from home because of Woodstock in the
summer of ‘69,” she recalled. “I remember being stuck in this little town, looking up at the moon and thinking ‘I’ve got to get out of here!’ The world was happening on two coasts, New York and California, it wasn’t happening in my little old town of Bartlesville.”

In 1990, Askew and her husband Paul Austin –founder of the Liberty Free Theatre – moved to nearby Kauneonga Lake, and the first folks they met were the Vasmers, a family who played key roles in the original music and art festival 40 years ago.

“Hold on to a dream for twenty years, and you’ll find a different Woodstock,” said Askew, the recent recipient of an Academy Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters in NYC for the body of her work. “It’s mythic…it’s emblematic of that generation.”

Brought up on jazz, Austin was staging a production of “Mother Courage” up in Vermont back in 1969, so he never made it to the famed festival. His take on the era that saw men set foot on the moon, Woodstock, a war in full and bloody bloom half a world away, and the unchecked emergence of civil rights and gay activism.

“There was a real sense of abandon to having a really good time, a real bust out from all the constraints of the conventionally understood ways of living, and the spirit of that time is part of our time.”

In a pre-show radio interview about “By the Time We Got to Woodstock”, Austin and Askew were interviewed over the airwaves of WJFF Public Radio, and Austin was asked by the host to describe the difference between a play and a fictional novel.

“The rhythm of behavior, the reflective behavior is different, the thought process of a character comes out in the tonality of the dialogue, [where as] in fiction, you can actually write out the thought process, while in a well-written play, the dialogue is carrying the thought process.”

As the play neared its final scene, Aradhna sat on the slab, and flinging her arms wide to the heavens, sang “We are star-dust! We are golden! We are billion year-old carbon! I Hate that goddamn song. No peace! No way to undo. No way to do what we didn’t get done,” and then returns to a ladder, closes it and with the help of Ramon and Faythe, eases it down to the ground, and “By the Time We Got to Woodstock” fades to black.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Woodstock Emotions and Reflections visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Leni Santoro

On Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22 Act-Up Teen Theater presented Venus Fly Trap, a radio play, at the CAS Arts Center in Livingston Manor. Written and directed by Ramona Jan with musical direction by Andre Turan, the radio play presents the daydream of an aspiring musical performer and the twists and turns that occur in her daydream. Reality eventually peeks in at the end and during the question and answer period following the performance when “all is revealed,” so to speak.

Act-Up Teen Theater is the brainchild of Ramona Jan.

“Ramona Jan is the writer and director,” began Kathryn Tufano, Staff/ Executive Director of the CAS Arts Center. “She is also the creator of the soft sculptural collection across the hall [in Gallery Two], and one of those twenty-eight dolls across the hall is Fly herself, the protagonist of this radio play and she has come to life.”

Jan explained that, “One day I got a call from Kathryn after the [doll] show was booked and she asked me if I would do a play related to the exhibit. The exhibit is autobiographical . One of the characters is named Fly. Basically it is a true story. It was a story about my adventures as a street busker. I did work at Harry’s Hardware Store…none of it was a day dream. We did get stranded and arrested in Europe. So basically that was that little segment…If you read the book in the next room you’ll see under “Fly” I mention the hardware store.” [to busk, for those who may not know the term, means to play music or perform entertainment in a public place, usually while soliciting money.]

Jan went on to tell how Act Up Teen Theater started a few years ago.

“The first performance was at the Jeffersonville Branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library,” she said. “I started it because my daughter was interested in the theater and I just didn’t think there was enough going on, so I thought I’ll make a theater group and it would be easier to do a radio play because no one has to memorize lines, you don’t have to memorize blocking…you can do it anywhere.”

The story of Venus Fly Trap centers on a young girl who daydreams that she and her friends have started a singing group that then goes on to tour Europe, eventually winding up with a record deal.

“When I was nineteen I moved to New York City and started a punk rock band,” said Jan. “These are actually songs I wrote when I was 19.”

The singers, Rosie played by 13-year old Cindy Zheng from Livingston Manor, Starla played by 13 year-old Kelsey LeLand from Ellenville and Lucky played by 15-year old Christine Troianello from Callicoon were amazing and put on a wonderful performance, crediting their music director Andre Turan with their success.

Cooper Zurad is 14 and lives in Honesdale.  He says that he has been in other theater productions, but says that even though he had less lines this time (speaking the few lines given to The Bobbie, Pedro and Bart), he explained he really enjoyed being a foley. A foley is a person that makes all the sound effects.

Zoe Curad aged 15 was the key foley.

“The key foley is the person that has to make sure all the other foleys are doing their sound effects in order,” she explained. “There were a lot of sound effects to keep track of, but it was pretty easy once you got used to who was going to make which sound effect.”

Jan explained that the director rehearses the sound effects as a third orchestra. The actors then become the audience and judge whether it sounds authentic.

Besides getting all the sound effects in order the actors also were treated to the experience of busking itself when Jan took the show to the streets of Livingston Manor.

“I did actually take them out on the streets to busk, because I felt they needed a little method acting – we made five bucks, which we promptly spent at the ice cream store. They were a little surprised by that. But, everyone enjoyed it,” said Jan.

And the cast agreed. “It was cool. We had fun!”

If you missed the opportunity to witness Venus Fly Trap and this remarkable group of young performers, they will be appearing at the Bethel Harvest Market in October.

To view more photos from The Once and Present Reality of Venus Fly Trap visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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This photo was taken in 2006 during the CSNY Concert when so many people showed up the parking lot at Bethel Woods wasn’t yet large enough to hold them. The years pass, but the spirit remains true.

Story and photo by Jason Dole

It’s hard to believe it’s been a week since it’s been 40 years since Woodstock happened. Time flies, maaan… It seems just like yesterday we were all watching Woodstock documentaries on TeeVee and visiting the happy hippie museum at Bethel Woods. Of course, it wasn’t yesterday. It’s been a full seven or eight days since Woodstock Weekend ‘09.

The historic anniversary and nice weather drew thousands to Sullivan County on August 14-17. Folks came for remembrances official and unofficial, represented by both the pre-packaged “Heroes of Woodstock” show at Bethel Woods and the shaggy dog gathering of the tribes at Hector’s Last Chance Saloon up the road from the original site…

To read the entire story just click the link – Woodstock at 40: Peace, Music, and Luck in Sullivan County.

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

As you walked along the rows of rides and food stands, vendors selling their wares, and community organizations offering information, one thing became perfectly clear about the Little World’s Fair: it’s consistent and down-home, good country fun.

The Little World’s Fair, alternately known as the Grahamsville Fair, has been around for 130 years, missing just a couple of years along that way because of a flood and a war. This year it took place on August 13, 14 and 15.

And like every good country fair, this year there were all sorts of ways to have fun. Whether you liked  the carnival area with the rides and games, or you chose to mosey through the livestock and small animals area, the 4-H exhibits of clothing, vegetables, flowers, photos and other projects, there was something for every taste.

Speaking of taste, there was “fair food” in abundance – gyros and souvlaki, fried dough and funnel cakes, hamburgers and hot dogs, snow cones and ice cream, ice tea and soda, maple syrup products, and of course cotton candy.

Under the big tent and near the stage, vendors offered their wares. There were jams and jellies, dolls and doll clothing, knick-knacks and toys, leather goods and jewelry. And there was information on driver safety education, water quality, stoneware, home heating products, wood carvings, insurance, the Music Institute of Sullivan and Ulster Counties, local churches and consumer information from Cornell Cooperative Extension.

There was, of course, entertainment galore with music of all kinds, and even an exhibition by a local karate school. 

Up in the livestock and small animal building, children and adults alike delighted in petting the goats and calves, the rabbits and cows.

Small chicks huddled under the heat lamp for warmth, and the chickens and roosters preened themselves while cameras clicked away, recording another successful and fun Little World’s Fair at the beautiful Grahamsville Fairgrounds.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from The 130th Annual Little World’s Fair visit the The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Ted Waddell

On Saturday, August 15, the Manor was ‘the place to be in the local art scene’, as the village hosted two simultaneous opening receptions of  “The Book Show” at Hamish & Henry Booksellers” and just down the main drag a few doors, “Twisted Sisters” at the Catskill Art Society(CAS).

“Twisted Sisters” showcased the spellbinding and thought provoking photographs of Suzanne BeVier and Elizabeth Ennis and a collection of 28 quirky dolls by Ramona Jan.

“A common theme in the work of these local artists is the portrayal old dolls and/or plastic figures that are either found objects or memorabilia from their life,” said Kathryn Tufano, CAS executive director.

Artist, Suzanne BeVier left the East Village in NYC 15-some years ago, and explored the emerging world of digital media by studying at Sullivan County Community College.

“I started this series with the ‘Girl with No Mouth’ toy that I found…most of the toys were found at a local store or the Downsville dump,” she said. “I like using toys that I find or that find me…a little like playing as a child, but now in a different way because of the knowledge one has an adult…more questions with infinite possibilities.”

Ramona Jan never went to art school, but after running away to Manhattan to start a punk rock band, one day on a dare stopped by at the Meisner Art Gallery in SoHo with a sculpture she had made from eggshells, and promptly was invited to exhibit at the prestigious gallery space.

“For as long as I can remember, I had a disposition for reclaiming objects that had a certain magic for me, yet were discarded by other people,” she said. “However after decades of re-inventing surrounding articles of wonder, I found I needed more of a challenge, so I decided to resurrect something of my own making…[and] as a ‘foundry’, I chose the soft doll collection – left behind by my teenage daughter – which I had labored over for more than ten years.

“Wild abandonment of approach and complete detachment from the idea of anything as ‘unique’ or ‘fixed’ was a necessary to begin the process of work. As I re-dressed, re-named and re-invented the twenty-eight member doll collection, each of their true stories arrived, oddly enough, based on the chapters in my own life,” added Jan.

As a companion piece, viewers of her works are invited to sit at a small desk tucked into a corner of the gallery space and look through an album portraying each doll, each accentuated with an intriguingly introspective story.

Elizabeth Ennis, a painter, photographer, illustrator and art director, is currently designing garden handbooks for the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.

“I have been working on a series of photographs of the memorabilia of my life, creating tableaus using various fabrics, objects, slide projections, and video shots…my version of a movie still,” she explained. “I’m trying to create tension between the objects in the foreground and the image behind them, using stills from our trash culture…game shows, bad sitcoms, and grade B horror films.

“My medium is black and white 120mm film, printed archivally,” added Ennis. “I guess you could call me a practitioner of a dying art [and] that’s okay, since I’m pretty death-obsessed to begin with.”

“Twisted Sisters” runs through Sunday, September 27. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment. For information call the Catskill Art Society at 845-436-4227.

To view more photos from Warping Perceptions with Pics and Dolls visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Ted Waddell

What better place to have an art show about books, altered and those that alter, than a local independent bookstore? The Outsider’s Studio presented “Artist Books and Altered Books” at
Hamish & Henry Booksellers with an opening reception on Saturday, August15.

Andrea Brown, who founded the Outsider’s Studio, (bringing the arts to other spaces and places) with her husband Jeff Lackey, described the difference between an ‘altered book’ and a ‘book that alters.’

“An altered book is any book, old or new, that has been recycled by creative means into a work of art. They can be re-bound, painted, cut, burned, folded, added to, collaged in, gold-leafed, rubber stamped, drilled or otherwise adorned…and yes, it is legal.”

“On the other hand, a ‘book that alters’ – book arts, is a relatively new genre which celebrates the book as a vibrant contemporary art form that can take on many shapes. From the traditional crafts of papermaking, letterpress printing and bookbinding to experimental art-making and self-publishing techniques, there is a limitless creative evolution to the book arts movement,” said Brown.

Twenty-four artists participated in the book show: Pati Airey, Eric Baylin, Phylis Bilick, Tate Billings, Andrea Brown, Penelope Cake, Sherry Camhy, Claire Coleman, Vicki Ducham, Ann Finneran, Kathie Fitzgerald, Nick Forte, Elise Freda, Luis Garcia Jr., Kristin Gronbeck, Walter Gurbo, Joanna Hartell, Haile Ra Helper, Jim Karpowicz, Joan O’Connor, Taka and Bennett Rothenberg, Stacy Wakefield-Forte, Susan Ward, and the Women’s Studio Workshop.

During the opening reception, the bookstore was packed to overflowing, as the crowd ‘looked at books,’ while surrounded by shelves filled with works ranging from Shakespeare to Hillerman, and Burke to Cussler.

The not-to-be-missed show runs through Sunday, September 13. For information and hours call Hamish & Henry Booksellers at 845-439-8029, and/or visit the Outsider’s Studio website at www.theoutsidersstudio.com.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Tweaking Books visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Ted Waddell

It took Rilla Askew almost 20 years to get to Woodstock, but it was worth the wait.

As a 16-year teenager growing up in Bartelsville, Oklahoma, the future
award- winning novelist was going to meet up with a friend who was headed
out to the Aquarian Music & Arts Fair from California, but at the last minute her folks found out the journey and Rilla stayed home.

A few years down the road, with a couple of stops along the way, Askew
and her husband Paul Austin packed up their bags and moved to a home just
outside White Lake , and 20-some years ago she finally got her wish to
visit the fabled site of the ’69 Woodstock Festival.

It took almost four decades, but as the 40th Anniversary of the festival approached, Askew penned a play titled “By the Time We Got to Woodstock” which will take to the local stage at the Liberty Free Theatre as a world premier Thursday-Sunday, August 20-23.

Karen Young performs as Aradhna, “who finds herself face with a choice between a late-in-life marriage and a risky adventure with two strangers”, played by Dana Priebe in the role of Faythe and Richard Traviss as Ramon.

“The play tells the story of what happened when a woman of a certain age encounters two runaways, a young girl and a Mexican immigrant, at the famed Woodstock site on a globally-warmed hot day in November,” said Austin, in his role a director and founder of the Liberty Free Theatre.

Askew was recently honored with an Academy Award from the American
Academy of Arts and Letters for her body of work, which includes the novels “The Mercy Seat”, a finalist for the Pen-Faulkner Award, “Fire in Beulah”, which garnered an American Book Award, “Harpsong” and a collection of short stories titled “Strange Business”.

Young appeared on HBO’s “The Sopranos” as FBI Special Agent Robyn Sanseverino, and has been a frequent guest star on “Law & Order”, along
with numerous other television productions. Recent film credits include “Betty Anne Waters,” “12:30 Bonne Annee,” shot in Argentina in which she portrayed a bar keep/gun runner, the lead in Amos Kollek’s “Restless,” “Torch Song Trilogy” and “Heading South” opposite Charlotte Rampling.

Priebe is a regular at the Liberty Free Theatre, where she has been seen in “Face Divided,” “Betrayed by Everyone,” “The Person I Once Was,” and last month in Claire Chafee’s “Why We Have a Body.”

Traviss is a singer/songwriter remembered for his performance as Harvey
White in “Dream”.

“We believe that a socially active theatre, which shares the common experiences of living, will be attractive to those who live and work in, and visit our community, and that it will make a valuable contribution to the character and culture of village, town and county…[the theatre] wishes to offer professional theatre to the people of Sullivan County, to serve as a gathering place where first-class productions of plays, music poetry and fiction will stimulate community dialogue while they entertain the public,” said Austin of the mission of the Liberty Free Theatre. The world premier of “By the Time We Got to Woodstock” opens this
Thursday evening at the Liberty Free Theatre, located at 109 South Main Street. Performances are August 20-22 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Sunday
matinee at 3:00 p.m.

As always, admission is free, but reservations are suggested as seating
in the intimate space is limited. For information/reservations, call 845-292-3788.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from By The Time We Got to Woodstock visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Katie Rudy, founder of RJR (Richard Jacob Rudy) Memorial Scholarship Fund (center) with friends and family helping raise money for the scholarship fund at 2^nd Annual RJR Car Show hosted by Orange County Choppers on July 18-19^th.  The RJR Memorial Scholarship Fund is also administered by the Community Foundation. – Provided photo

[NEWBURGH] – The Annual Richard Jacob Rudy Memorial Car Show was held on July 18^th and 19th, 2009 at the Orange County Choppers World Headquarters in Newburgh, NY. The car show fundraiser, which raised $6,500, is held annually to celebrate Richard Jacob Rudy’s passion for cars, motorcycles and helping others. The Orange County Choppers hosted the weekend event which featured a memorial bike ride, car show, live music, trophies, raffles, food, and children’s activities. Representatives from the Army National Guard, West Point, Tuxedo Ridge (sponsor), the Veterans Association, Lincoln Tech, and Monster Mini Golf were also on hand.

All proceeds from the event benefited the Richard Jacob Rudy Memorial Fund, which provides a scholarship to an Orange-Ulster BOCES student who participates in the C-TEC Automotive Technology Program, makes grants to the Brian Ahearn Children’s Fund and Make A Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley. The Richard Jacob Rudy Memorial Fund was established by Katie Rudy through the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, in memory of her brother, who was tragically killed in a car accident.

The Richard Jacob Rudy Memorial Fund is facilitated through the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, a 501(c)(3) public charity that was created to help individuals, organizations, and businesses establish charitable endowments within their community. To create your own charitable endowment or to make a contribution to this fund or another charitable fund within the Community Foundation’s umbrella, please visit http://www.cfoc-ny.org or contact Karen VanHouten, Executive Director at (845) 769-9393 or e-mail vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to assist donors in achieving their charitable intentions through the establishment of funds that collectively create permanent endowments, and thereby enhance the quality of life in the region.

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[ LIBERTY] – On Wednesday, August 12, members of the Sullivan County Adult Care Center (SCACC) Family Council held a reception at the facility to celebrate its 20th anniversary.   

The Family Council of the SCACC was established in 1989 by William Wallace, who was, at the time, a director of social services at the facility, and a former program coordinator for the Office for the Aging. He observed that “the council exists to work for and support loved ones.”  Mr. Wallace retired from the facility in 1994, but the Family Council continues in strength and purpose to work with staff, be the facility’s patient advocates and administration for the good of the patients and the entire center.

Over the years the Council has received memorial gifts, donations, dues, held raffles and other events. All money raised is used to improve the lives of residents in the facility. Recently, the Leidner family of Monticello presented substantial memorial gifts to be used to purchase new patio furniture. The Council especially wishes to thank Glenn and Jennifer Adamec, owners of American Storage Buildings, Inc. who produced the wooden patio tables specially constructed in the Amish country, and Gary Gottleib of Trading Post for the umbrellas and stands.

Because the facility is a county-run operation, all monetary donations to SCACC have to be put into the county coffers. However, because of the existence of the independent “Family Council,” donations can be made directly to the Council and used strictly for the benefit of the residents. The Council has held yard sales, bake sales, raffles and sales of their own cookbooks. They have purchased a big-screen TV, three pianos, sound systems, and many other items too numerous to list that otherwise would not have been able to be acquired due to county monetary restrictions.

Notables from the Family Council who attended the anniversary celebration included: Fred Robertson (Woodbourne) President; Robert Konvalin (Livingston Manor) Vice President; Gail Fredenburg (North Branch) Secretary; Barbara Konvalin (Livingston Manor) Treasurer; Jim Dirie (Youngsville) former FC President; Joan Dirie (Youngsville) former FC Secretary; Kathryn Robertson (Woodbourne); Jack and Roe Genovese (Smallwood); Beth Leidner (Monticello); and Pam DeFeo (Yulan).

County officials in attendance included: David Fanslau, Sullivan County Manager; Joshua Potosek, Commissioner of Management and Budget; Christopher Cunningham, Commissioner of the Division of Health and Family Services (Public Health, Office for the Aging, Community Services, Department of Family Services, S. C. Adult Care Center); Ron Hiatt, District 8 Legislator; and Michele Klugman, aide to the Honorable Aileen Gunther.

Also in attendance  were staff from the S. C. Adult Care Center: Pamela Hurley, Administrator; Debbie Spaulding, Assistant Administrator; Susan Knapp, Director of Nursing; Cathy Rauschendorfer, Director of Social Services; Heather Storms, Case Worker; Carol Ellmauer, Activities Department; Bill Wallace, retired Director of Social Services; and Joe Heilman, retired Director of Adult Day Health Services.

Other guests included: Glenn and Jennifer Adamec, owners of American Storage Buildings, Inc. (Parksville); Colleen Cunningham; the Durante family; and the residents of the S. C. Adult Care Center.

Family Council holds monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month in the facility’s Adult Day Health Services room, usually with one or more special guest speakers. They have been proud to welcome David Fanslau, county manager, CRMC’s Steven Ruwoldt, CEO and Barbara Gentile, VP/CNO, legislators Chris Cunningham and Jodi Goodman, representatives from Hospice and many others. Sharon Jones, current Director of Adult Day Health Services and her staff always welcomes those attending Family Council’s meetings with “homemade” goodies. 

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

Every August, residents and visitors in Sullivan County get to enjoy a very special show. For  the past 50 years “Antiques in August” has delighted both serious antique collectors and the casual browser. This year, the show -presented on August 9 and 10, was moved, due to construction, from its usual location at Monticello High School to the Rutherford Elementary School.  

“Antiques in August” is sponsored every year by the Catskill Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Co-chair Shirley Hornbeck has been involved with the show for about 25 years, and with the Auxiliary for 30 years. And, along with her co-chair Evelyn Haas, she put together over 22 dealers for this year’s show. “I’m just an organizer, I love seeing things completed. … I’ve loved what I’ve done.”                        

The 22 dealers came from all over. There were local dealers like the Antique Palace Emporium from Liberty, which had a beautiful set of furniture for sale. Alla Gershuni from A.G. Enterprise came from  New York City. Among her wares was a stunning set of vases. Terri from Terri’s Treasures in Freeland, PA brought all sorts of beautiful, sparkling jewelry.Christopher Glinton from Ros-Al Antiques in Forest City, Hawley and Carbondale, PA brought some items from his very own collection, including two ferocious looking oriental lions. “Anything in oriental that is yellow or green, with a hint of blue is very highly collectible. I would say these are late 1800 early 1900s – one of my prize pieces.” Glinton has been attending Antiques in August for 10 years. “You get to know your clientele after doing this for 30 years. Here they like a lot silver overlay and cut- and depression glass.”

Throughout the 50 years of Antiques in August, the Auxiliary has raised several million dollars for the hospital. This year’s show raised funds to purchase a telemetry system to provide wireless bedside monitoring for a 24 bed ambulatory cardiac unit.

The lunch at “Antiques in August” was donated by the Liberty and Blue Horizon Diners, Cohen’s Bakery and the Bagel Bakery, as well as Morrison’s Cafeteria at CRMC.

Along with admission and vendor fees, additional funds were raised with journal ads. The 2009 journal honored Dr. Don Simkin and his wife Ellen Singer, both of whom have long-standing reputations as philanthropic and community activists.

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[SULLIVAN COUNTY] – On Friday August 14, 2009, Liz Bucar and Leni Santoro will begin their road trip to light up the Delaware River Basin. "The two granny-somethings" are hitting the road to personally invite Delaware River Basin residents to a September 6 Labor Day River Party.

Beginning  in Philadelphia, PA on  Friday August 14 and ending in Hancock, NY on Sunday August 16, Bucar and Santoro will distribute River Party invitations to as many community organizations and activists as they can reach.

Bucar explained the purpose of both the Delaware River Road Trip and the Labor Day River Party.

"We have to focus national attention on the  dangers posed by drilling and fracking to the Delaware River Basin. We want as many people and media as possible to gather along the banks of the River on September 6, 2009.

“Fifteen million people depend on The River for their water. This Labor Day, it’s critical that we celebrate the works of the River, its culture  and people.

“Each river community can organize whatever complimentary celebrations they want along their stretch of the river. They can play baseball, camp out – whatever they like so long as they do it on the banks of the River.

"Beginning at 7 p.m., each person will pour a single cup of water into the River and then, at 7:30 p.m., each will light a candle. We want The Basin lit from Philadelphia to Hancock. It’ll be a brilliant beacon of conservation not exploitation.”

The two women will send updates from the road via  Bucar’s “Breathing Is Political” site and The Catskill Chronicle. Both sites will provide September 6 Delaware River Party updates as they occur.

River Community organizers can email their plans to ljbucar@earthlink. net or leni5s@yahoo. com for inclusion. A Twitter account has also been set up to follow their progress at: http://twitter. com/stopgasdrill ing

"We’re asking  River community organizers to do a lot on a tight schedule. First, they should email ljbucar@earthlink. net to meet up with us and receive the flyers during the river trip. They’ll need to alert their local media about The Delaware River Basin Labor Day Party and distribute the Party Invitations door-to-door or in front of their local post offices or do whatever will get them into the most hands. Folks who receive the flyer via email should forward it to all the river-lovers, water-lovers, community organizers, environmental groups and media they know."

The women echo the concerns of many conservationists. In a recent series of Breathing Is Political articles, Bucar wrote, "On July 15, 2009, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) extended the public comment period on Chesapeake Appalachia’s  application to begin withdrawing up to 30 million gallons of surface water per month for a ten year period. I’m afraid they’ll render approval at the end of September and open the door to what both  conservationists and drilling proponents predict will be thousands of  wells in the Basin."

In accord with Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (DCS), Bucar and Santoro want the DRBC to table all drilling and fracking applications until after an Environmental Impact Statement has been issued and independent, scientific studies evaluate the cumulative impacts of drilling, fracking and waste water disposal on the Delaware River Basin. 

To learn more and/or to follow along on the trip of the two grannies also be sure to check this brand new website just created for this purpose by Tanyette Colon – Light Up The Delaware River Party.

Many thanks to Tanyette for all her help.

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[SOUTH FALLSBURG]—The Honorable Anthony Kane and Mrs. Nancy Kane of Forestburgh are the recipients of one of Sullivan County’s highest honors—the 24^th Annual SYDA Foundation Community Service Award. The Kanes are being honored for their many contributions to the Sullivan County community over a period of nearly forty years.

Since 1986, the SYDA Foundation Board of Trustees has presented an annual award acknowledging local residents for their outstanding service to the community. The award includes a certificate of recognition and a $2,500 check.

The SYDA Foundation is the not-for-profit organization that disseminates the teachings and practices of Siddha Yoga Meditation worldwide. To learn more about the SYDA Foundation and the philanthropic work of the Siddha Yoga mission, including the PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program, visit www.siddhayoga.org.

Among their recent contributions to the community, the Kanes recently inaugurated the annual Forestburgh 5K Run to benefit and raise public awareness about Hospice in Sullivan County. Justice Kane serves on the Board of Directors of the Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties and Mrs. Kane is a founding member of the Hospice Auxiliary.

Justice Kane worked in the county’s legal services program early in his career as an attorney, providing free legal counsel in civil cases to low-income residents. Known for his high ethical standards, he eventually rose through the court system to his current position as Associate Justice in the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court.

He currently serves as co-chairman of the New York State Judicial Task Force on Family Violence and is a member of the Hamilton O’Dell Law Library Board of Directors.

In addition to his many contributions to the county and state legal systems, Justice Kane served for 20 years as a volunteer firefighter with the Forestburgh Fire Company and for 10 years as organizer and conductor of a local children’s orchestra.

Mrs. Kane is now retired from teaching English in Sullivan County schools, where she taught for 28 years. Since retiring, she has served on the Board of Directors of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, on the Sullivan County Youth Board, and on the Forestburgh Recreation Committee.

Currently, Mrs. Kane is a member of the Sullivan County Community College Foundation Board and its Gala Fund-raising subcommittee. She is also a member of Forestburgh First and serves on the Sullivan Renaissance Steering Committee, and on the Board of Trustees of the United Methodist Church of Monticello.

“We’re very fortunate to be recognized, and…there are many people who do things quietly in the background in this community”, said Justice Kane. “We accept the award on behalf of those people.”

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

It’s the night all the Renaissance volunteers wait for; the night when they hold their breath, waiting  to hear their county-beautification project acknowledged and hoping to hear their team announced as a winner in their respective category.

The award ceremony was held on Monday, August 10 at the Tri-Valley School Theatre in Grahamsville. Local troubadour Paul Lounsbury teamed up with Keith Edwards to present his “Catskill Mountain Trilogy,” accompanied by slides of his grandfather, the railroad and surrounding areas. He then led the audience in familiar songs he adapted to fit in the Renaissance theme, such as “From Where Have All the Flowers Come,” and “If I Had a Shovel.”  

Dozens of community volunteers completed projects this year, with a special emphasis on the “showing of flowers” and the interpretation and incorporation of historic elements in conjunction with the celebration of Sullivan County’s Bicentennial.

Award sponsors from The Chapin Estate, Thunder 102, Jeff Bank, the Kristt Company, The River Reporter, the Seneca Indian Nation, WVOS/WSUL, Rotate Black and others presented the framed certificates to the Renaissance volunteers. 

Special guests New York State Senator John Bonacic and New York State Assemblyperson Aileen Gunther, both of whom secured some of the major funding, were among the presenters.

In addition to the awards in the Categories A, B and C, scholarships and environmental stewardships were awarded, maintenance, seasonal, municipal and “Spice Up Your School” volunteers were all recognized.

Renaissance program founder Sandra Gerry was clearly pleased by not only the participation but the enthusiasm.

Ted Blowes, chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Communities in Bloom Program in Canada, which helped inspire the Sullivan Renaissance program, served as the head judge. He’s the only judge who has been here for all nine years. “Sullivan Renaissance is wonderful, caring people. I get very emotional when I go to judge these projects. It’s not just the beautification. There’s a lot of civic pride that it generates in the communities. They get together and improve the quality of life in their municipalities. … We (the judges) are just blown away … the improvements … the young people helping … This is an unbelievable program and this should be going on in every county in the United States. “

For a list of all the award winners, check out the 2009 Sullivan Renaissance Award Ceremony.

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Sullivan County Democrat file photo

Story written and compiled by Leni Santoro

When I was in college, not so long ago at that, a man came to talk to my Journalism class about what it was like to be the son (and grandson) in a family run newspaper business. The man was Fred Stabbert III. his grandfather was Fred Stabbert Sr. and his father was Fred W. Stabbert Jr.

A newspaper is like a family; itself with its own obligations, joys, rewards, concerns and sorrows. The Sullivan County Democrat has experienced great joy as in when they have garnered awards, made it through tough times or seen the birth of a new generation. Yesterday, August 10, it experienced a sorrow, and it is a sorrow to us all, no matter what paper or news source we write for.

The Sullivan County Democrat, located in Callicoon, was founded in 1891 and has been independently owned and operated by the Stabbert family since 1927. Stewardship of the county’s oldest, continuously operating news source has passed from father to son through the generations.

Now once more the paper has passed from father to son.

According to his obituary in the Democrat, “Fred W. Stabbert Jr, passed away peacefully at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris on Monday morning, August 10, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. He died at the age of 81, following a short illness.”

“Fred Jr. was the patriarch of the Stabbert family and his was a life very well lived.” said the statement released after the death. “We feel very blessed that he was able to enjoy so much time with us and his large circle of friends. Spending time with those he loved meant everything to him. He was happiest when he was either behind the grill cooking his famous chicken barbecue for us or visiting with his many close friends. He lived life to the fullest and all who met him could sense his love of life. He also liked to meet new people and always made it a point to tell them he was from Callicoon. While our hearts are heavy, we know that he is now at peace, and that his strength will continue on in all of us.”

He is survived by his life partner of 58 years, Shirley Kohler Stabbert of Callicoon. Also his daughter Kathy and husband John Werner, of Hurley; daughter Laurie and husband Dick Sanford of Bloomville; daughter Billie and husband Peter Finch of Riverview, Fla.; daughter Mary and husband John Hope-Ross of Naugatuck, Ct. and son, Fred Stabbert III and wife Regina of Callicoon.
Also his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Michael Werner; Abby, Corey and Dickson Sanford; Christian, Amy and Brian Finch; David, William and Stephen Hope-Ross and Laura, Claire and Andrew Stabbert. Also, two great grandchildren, Emily and Peyton Finch. Also a sister, Anne Foland of Middletown and a brother, Robert Stabbert of Miami, Fla. Also, three nephews, Tim Robisch, David Robisch and Clifford Stabbert; and two nieces, Anne Marie Willi and Elaine Ernst.
He was predeceased by a brother, Edwin, of New York City.

Visiting for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, August 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Callicoon. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 13 at the United Methodist Church, Route 97, Callicoon. Burial will be in the Callicoon Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Callicoon Fire Department, P.O. Box 806, Callicoon, New York 12723; the United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 235, Callicoon, New York 12723 or the charity of one’s choice.

To learn more about this one of a kind gentleman read the Sullivan County Democrat article by Dan Hust or his Obituary, also in the Democrat.

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

 Barbara Bell has been planning this day for quite some time. And even though her butterfly house has only been open to the public for a year, she still managed to pull off a beautiful day full of exhibits and music and fun.

Barbara’s son Austin is a 15 year old with autism. And in an effort to educate the public, as well as do some fundraising, she decided to hold an event called Butterflies for Autism. “We started with a butterfly house because we thought it would be soothing for autistic children,” said Bell, “Then it grew into ‘let’s have a fundraiser.’ “

So on Saturday, August 8, she gathered some friends, some vendors, and some volunteers. The day was beautiful – sunny with a nice breeze. A lovely day to watch the butterflies, listen to some great music and buy a butterfly cookie, a t-shirt, pet a lamb or feed a calf.

“There’s a lot of autism awareness information here,” said Bell, “a petting zoo, raffles, we’re going to do a butterfly release, we have the Judith Tulloch Band playing. She’s a friend of a friend, and she has a real heart for autism.”

Peggy and Leif Johansen were selling cookies and pastries for Flour Power Bakery. The butterfly cookie was the most popular, but certainly the peace-symbol cookie was a close second.  >>>

And Kelly Giminiani represented Sullivan County Autism Awareness Network (SCAAN), a new group made up of parents of children with autism, and service providers. The group is trying to bring more awareness about autism to Sullivan County. Kelly’s 8-year-old son Ryan has autism, but with her help, and the assistance of his school counselors, he’s learned how to control some aspects of his disability. “It affects me with meltdowns … When I get annoyed, when I’m angry … I just calm down … I learned how to do that when I was 5.”

Kimberly Wragge has two children with autism and she started a Web site to connect with other parents. Now, along with her mother, Arlene Smith, who designs and manufactures t-shirts and mugs to promote understanding and awareness, they go to different events to spread the word. <<<

One of the most beautiful parts of the day was watching Cheri Stalter signing Somewhere Over the Rainbow with the Judith Tulloch Band, featuring Judith Tulloch on guitar and vocals, and Steve Franchino on flute.

Stalter explained that Austin Bell (Barbara Bell’s son) is her godson. As a service provider for the deaf and hard of hearing, Stalter is naturally empathetic. But the heartfelt feeling she brought to the song deeply moved everyone in the audience. >>>

The petting zoo was very popular, and that’s where Ryan Giminiani introduced his little sister Kayla to a lamb. In addition, there was a calf, a peacock, ducks and goats, and, of course, lots and lots of butterflies. <<<

In the meantime, back at the butterfly house, spectators were treated to an indoor rainfall and pre-recorded sounds of thunder and rain. Painted lady butterflies and monarchs flitted about, and caterpillars munched on their favorite (and only) food – milkweed.

And Hurleyville residents, Sue and Ken Kantor were introducing their grandchildren, Nicole and Alexis Lavere, to the butterflies and caterpillars.

To see more photos or to purchase prints visit Butterflies for Autism or the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Leni Santoro

When Ben Halpern left Livingston Manor he must have left a piece of his heart behind, for he has been returning ever since to recapture those illusive pieces of a town’s spirit on bits of film which, when printed, become the photographs now on exhibit at the Livingston Manor Free Library. His photographs, only a small portion of which are presently on display, show the essence of one small community within the larger whole, and without meaning to he gives a glimpse into his own nature as well.

The exhibit entitled, “Celebrating a Century of Jewish Presence in Livingston Manor,”  pays homage to that presence. It also pays homage to the synagogue and the congregation of Agudas Achim in Livingston Manor and Halpern’s grandparents and the store that many grandparents, parents, children and visitors still recall with fondness – Sorkin’s Department Store, remembered by all simply as Sorkin’s. 

“In the late nineteenth century,” writes Halpern. “Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe began to settle in Sullivan County. Some came to farm, some came as merchants or peddlers, and others offered a skill they learned in their native lands. In January, 1909, Max Schwartz, a butcher brought his family to Livingston Manor…In April of that year my grandparents, Mottel and Manya Sorkin arrived with their infant daughter, [Halpern’s aunt] Leya.”

“As a teenager in his native Russia,” Halpern’s grandfather had learned the trade of tailor. His mother became a dressmaker. Having contracted tuberculosis and subsequently having recuperated in Liberty where he was cured the family moved to Livingston Manor. Their first store was on lower Main Street, but when they opportunity came along to move the business to Upper Main Street, where the threat of flood damage was less, they so. From 1953, until his father’s death in 1995, Halpern’s parents owned and operated Sorkin’s Department Store. Included in the exhibit at the library are many fine photographs of the store and the town.

But the main focus of the exhibit is the Jewish community and especially the synagogue located on Rock Avenue.

“Prior to the building of the synagogue religious services were held in a privately owned pavilion on the site now occupied by Livingston Manor Central School,” explains Halpern. “…in 1924 the synagogue shown in these photographs was erected…built by Max and Izzie Brooks, father and son who were charter members of the congregation. Worship services were conducted in Hebrew and followed Orthodox practice. However, most families of this community were not themselves practitioners of Orthodox Judaism.”

After World War II, many children of the Jewish immigrants began to leave the area for jobs and education elsewhere. By the time he reached adolescence, says Halpern, a lot had changed.

“My grandparents and most of their peers had passed on; the boarding houses, hotels and Jewish businesses were closing…a once flourishing congregation was now facing the bleak possibility of extinction.”

Eventually it became almost impossible to attract the necessary number of ten males over age thirteen required to conduct Orthodox services on High Holidays. Then between 1970 and 1985 young Jewish families from the city arrived and a “few young Jewish men and women who had grown up in Livingston Manor returned.”

They banded together and began holding services in the synagogue, but followed the liturgy of Reform Judaism.

In 1993, on a visit to the synagogue with his daughter Sarah, Halpern decided to photograph the building “in its entirety and in its context within Livingston Manor.” On subsequent visits he has photographed the schul, the cemetery and added to his photographs of the village and the surrounding area.

“Though the project is far from complete,” says Halpern. “I have decided to share with you those photographs which are dearest to me and will form the nucleus for future work pertaining to Livingston Manor and Sullivan County.”

The exhibit officially opened on Thursday August 6 at the Livingston Manor Library. A reception was held and many lifetime citizens of the Manor were present. In addition to the photographs on exhibit, Halpern – who was present with his wife Olga –  also brought along a book containing copies of many of the photographs he has spent the past twenty or more years taking. Within its pages were a life history of Livingston Manor, the town and its people. Over and over residents exclaimed when a familiar face appeared. And there were many familiar faces bringing joy and sighs of contentment to those who perused its pages.

“Celebrating a Century of Jewish Presence in Livingston Manor” will be on exhibit at the Livingston Manor Free Library located at 92 Main Street, Livingston Manor throughout the summer. The library is open Monday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday 1-5 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 .m., Thursday 1-5 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Returning to His Roots visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Leni Santoro

Roscoe’s “All Aboard the Trout Town Express” Festival was a celebration to remember.

Though the rain came down heavy for two days before, Saturday August 1 was one of those glorious Catskill Summer days with just enough clouds drifting by in a brilliantly blue sky to give one the idea they were oddly shaped high flying balloons and not clouds at all.

Stewart Avenue was closed to traffic for the day and vendors lined the streets and filled the parking lots. There were eats and treats enough for all. Besides the vendors, the SPCA was on hand as well as the Sullivan County Longbeards, the Lions Club and many more worthwhile organizations. At the O&W Railroad Museum the newest train car was getting quite a look see and across the street the Trout Town Express itself was standing proud as parents took photos of the children beside it. 

At 2 o’clock everyone gathered at the far end of Stewart Avenue nearest the Highway overpass for a large group photo. Everyone was invited to join in. The photo will mark the Bicentennial and will hang above a Roscoe Time Capsule “for the next fifty years,” according to Lilly Constant.

In addition to the vendors and the organizations, there was live entertainment in the form of song and dance. Besides the vocalists and musicians who performed on Saturday, several of the Creative Expressions Dance Studio groups wowed the audience with their graceful movements, high flying leaps and all around high stepping style.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from the Roscoe Bicentennial Street Festival visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

You have two more chances to catch a wonderful walk down memory lane. The Sullivan County Bicentennial Committee and the D&H Canvas are presenting a tribute to former Sullivan County resident and songwriter extraordinaire Sammy Fain.

The show was recently presented at Lanza’s Country Inn on Shandelee to a sold-out audience. Narrated by Orange Country arts supporter Chris Farlekas and featuring baritone Tom Caltabellotta, mezzo-soprano Amanda Speer, tenor Mariano Vidal and soprano Julie Ziavras, the show is a compilation of some of Fain’s best known songs. Jake Lentz provides musical direction and piano accompaniment.

Fain moved to Sullivan County as a three year old. His father was one of the founders and the original cantor at the South Fallsburg Hebrew Association. At the same time, his family ran the Fain Lodge on what is now Route 42. After graduating from high school, Fain returned to New York City where he pursued a songwriting career. Along the way he teamed up with Artie Dunn, Irving Kahal and Paul Francis Webster. Fain had a hit with "Let a Smile be Your Umbrella” in 1927.

After achieving fame as a songwriter of such songs as Dear Hearts and Gentle People, Tender is the Night and I’ll Be Seeing You, Fain frequently returned to Sullivan County to visit with friends and entertain.

“The Many Splendored Songs of Sammy Fain” is a celebration of this multi-nominated and two-time Academy Award winner. The show is filled with such a wonderful variety of music: the sweet and lyrical melodies of Love is a Many-Splendored Thing (from the movie of the same name) and Secret Love (“Calamity Jane”) – the two songs for which Fain won his Oscars; the upbeat and fun Wedding Bells are Breaking Up That Old Gang of Mine; the heartfelt Someone’s Waiting for You (Disney’s “The Rescuers”); and the buoyant You Can Fly (Disney’s “Peter Pan”).

There’s something for everyone here including April Love, You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me, A Certain Smile and the little known but stunningly beautiful I Never Meant to Fall in Love from the Broadway show “Christine.”  

The next performance will take place on Sunday, August 9 at 3:00 p.m. at the Seelig Theatre of Sullivan County Community College (845-434-5750).

And the final performance will be hosted by the NACL Theatre on Saturday, September 12 at 8 p.m (845-557-0694).

You owe it to yourself to catch this one-of-a-kind show. Guaranteed you will exit the theatre with a smile on your face and a song on your lips.

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Photos by Leni Santoro

[MONTICELLO] – Helping to beautify communities while learning leadership skills is what the Sullivan Renaissance Intern Program is all about. Last week leadership took on the form of a stream clean-up of the stream that runs behind Burger King and the Bank of America at the end of the WalMart parking lot on Anawanda Lake Road in Monticello.

Along with specific gardening and landscaping training, this year’s interns have explored topics such as the history of Sullivan County, environmental issues and the role of the media. Meeting sessions have included: a visit to Bethel Woods, an interactive workshop led by county historian John Conway and a visit to the Center For Discovery’s “Thanksgiving Farm.” In addition, the interns have also attended a Sullivan County employment orientation and an introductory “Gardening 101” session presented by Tri-Valley teacher Robert Hayes and horticulturalist Vivian Ginsberg.

While their primary job involves assisting community projects with flower gardens and beautification projects, as part of the Sullivan Renaissance Intern Program’s inaugural leadership initiative component found this year’s young people cleaning planning and managing the clean-up of the stream on Anawanda Lake Road in Monticello.  

The interns formed committees, each with a different task, and got to work analyzing the problem of dumping in the stream. Their plan for the clean-up began with a brainstorming list that included the problem – the stream does not have a name, litter and pollution, appearance is saying – “Throw your garbage here. Nobody cares.”…It is a reflection on Sullivan County.

They then analyzed what could be done, including: making people aware, naming the stream, adding improvements such a meditation garden and getting the businesses in the area to be more involved by suggesting they encourage people to use recyclable bags instead of plastic and getting carts with wheel locks or coin slots as other businesses have done to prevent carts from ending up in the stream. Of all the trash removed last week plastic, cans and carts were some of the biggest offenders.

The stream and the surrounding area is now looking much improved thanks to the time and commitment of these young people. And it has a new name. Formerly known only as an un-named stream on county maps the interns considered several names before deciding on Anawandakill. Anawanda was chosen because it is located on Anawanda Lake Road and “kill” because it means river in Dutch. the new title of Anawandakill was recently supported by resolution of the Town of Thompson Town Board. Federal approval is next.

Now in its fifth year, the Sullivan Renaissance Internship Program collaborates with the Center for Workforce Development (CWD) and the Sullivan County Personnel Department to provide internships to 21 students whose work supports community development projects in Categories B and C of the Sullivan Renaissance Program. Sullivan Renaissance funds the program through the CWD, which administers it. Interns are supervised by the Renaissance groups that hire them.

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Story and photos by Leni Santoro

It was difficult getting around the county today. State Route 52 is a major thoroughfare in Sullivan County and large chunks of it were closed today. But as I traveled around the county this afternoon I was struck not so much by the devastation or the bad road conditions, but by the steadfastness and good humor with which the DOT and the common man and woman in the county attacked the flooding problems.

The first time I started my journey, I began in Parksville, headed west on Route 17 to Fox Mountain Road, then took Dahlia Road into Youngsville. It was pouring rain. Water was rushing down the right side gully on Fox Mountain Road as I traveled up it. The road was starting to erode in spots and I slowed down as a man in a pick-up and I shared what narrow road space there was, I going one way and he the other. At the bottom of Fox Mountain Road there is a beautiful yellow house, and there is a small creek that runs, through a culvert, under the road. It was trying its utmost to ignore that culvert and was starting to cross the road on its own. The day before, water, possibly rushing down from Fox Mountain had already carved mini canyons just to the right of my side of the road. I made a mental note not to return that way, just in case.

The damage to driveways along Dahlia Road was everywhere to be seen. Wherever the rushing waters found an easy outlet to lower ground, such as a driveway, they took full advantage, much to the detriment of the driveway and in some cases the road surface. On the far side of the Dahlia Road hill, any low-lying lawn or driveway was flooded. I was glad to reach White Sulphur Springs. I turned right towards Youngsville. But, before I got to Youngsville I was turned back, just before the bus company. The roadway was flooded and cars were not allowed to pass. I went home to plan a new route and grab a baggie for my camera to protect it from the rain.

The next time I started out I decided to go through Livingston Manor, over the Shandelee Road. Manor looked surprisingly calm when I passed through about 3 p.m. Cleaning from the flooding the day before was still going on and people were wary of what might still be coming. Peck’s Market had closed, as had the JeffBank. I proceeded up the Shandelee Road and down again into Youngsville.

In Youngsville, friends and neighbors were helping to place sandbags in front of the Youngsville Garage. A minor landslide had blocked a portion of the road at the intersection of Route 52 and the Shandelee Road, but by the time I arrived in Youngsville at 4:30 it had been mostly cleared away and Brian Knack and friend were on their way to to the North Branch Road to see what could be done there.

Traveling further on down Route 52 to Jeffersonville I couldn’t help but notice that Lake Jeff looked like the Big Muddy. The water coming over the dam was running fast and furious. I stopped just outside Jeff, where the first bridge to “the island” was already closed to traffic. Venturing further I was stopped just beyond the JeffBank Building.

Due to the enormous strength of the rushing waters,  a portion of the sidewalk to the left – as you enter Jeff- in front of the Blue Victorian, had been undermined and road crews were working diligently, and as quickly as possible, to remove the imperiled sidewalk and repair the damage as best they could in the pouring rain. Cars, at that point, were being re-routed around Jeffersonville and pedestrian traffic was asked to wait till the crews had finished. I stayed about 20 minutes and watched as the first chunk of sidewalk fell into the giant hole beneath it as the backhoe attempted to lift it away. It was retrieved and hauled away and work begun on the next section.

Leaving the men to their work, I made my way over to “the island” via the Schadt Memorial Bridge. I didn’t get far. Water covered the roadway as, the river, free of its banks, ambled through one wooded area on the left, creating lake filled backyards, on its way to the other wooded area on the right. People stood in the roadway or walked around their houses, some sat on porches wondering when the rains would end.

With one last check to see how the men at the Blue Vic were proceeding, I got back in my car and took the very long way around to North Branch. All was well. On to Callicoon, where the sign by the Callicoon Creek read five feet. The Delaware looked muddy and large, but no flooding there this afternoon.

Leaving Callicoon and trying to get back to Parksville was another matter. Route 52, I knew would be closed in Jeff, still I wondered how far I could get before I had to take a detour and so I headed out on 52 past Hortonville. At the junction of 52 and the road to Fosterdale I was stopped again. This time there was flooding across the road in the low lying areas between where I was, on 52, and the Diehl Farm. I was directed to take the turn off toward Route 17B.

Traveling just a little ways up the road, at Kessmer Road, I noticed that the road was closed. Water, almost a foot deep in one spot, (and getting deeper by the minute) was washing across the road. Beyond the water, a car had gone off the road and was stuck, one-third of it submerged, with the water still rising across the field an inching further and further up the road. I took a photo but was unable to speak to those involved, though it was not for lack of trying. The water between myself and the vehicle was crossing the road so swiftly it nearly swept me along with it.

Tired, hungry, and now wet to my bottom, I decided to head for home. The sun started to come out just as I got to White Lake. Kauneonga Lake was filled with the usual Friday night traffic and I headed on to Swan Lake. In Swan Lake the fishing spot, so beautifully landscaped, was cordoned off. There appeared to be some slight damage, but the rushing water was dangerously close to the bridge. Across the street, the park area was submerged and as I drove past the Swan Lake Hotel it was difficult to imagine that just the week before I had stood in the parking lot photographing the Daytop volunteers removing water chestnuts from the lake, for this evening the lake was making a valiant attempt to follow the proverbial chicken and “cross the road.”

Safe at home at last I check the Little Beaverkill rushing past my backyard. I am ever so glad I moved the picnic table before I left for my adventure, for sure enough I can see by the debris left on the lawn I would have been minus a table when I got back if I hadn’t. Well, here’s hoping for a drier tomorrow. Good-nite Sullivan County – Sleep tight (and dry.)

To see more photos or to purchase prints from Flood 2009-Day 2 check out the Chronicle at Zenfolio.

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Story by Leni Santoro – Photos by Van Morrow

Once again Livingston Manor has been hit by a major flood. This time the flooding occurred in the wee hours of the morning catching many residents sleeping in their beds.

From eye witness accounts the flooding began around 1:45 a.m. Many residents had been watching the rain come down all evening and finally decided to get some sleep when they were awakened by the fire alarm going off and shortly thereafter friends ad neighbors were calling each other or knocking on doors sounding the alert. But as quickly as the residents and the fire companies responded it was still not quick enough. At least two cars were destroyed in the flooding on Maiden Lane. 

The waters rose to a little over four feet at the Mayflower Warehouse on Pearl Street and signs of mud could be seen at the CAS Arts building on Main Street. Luckily there is an alleyway between the ice-cream shop and the CAS building and much of the water was able to rush past, leaving huge craters, on its way back to the river.

Please note that this is just a brief report. A fuller more detailed story will be posted. Meanwhile, to view more photos of the early morning flood conditions from the Flood 2009 – Livingston Manor go to the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story by Leni Santoro with Photos by Leni Santoro and Sharon Space-Bamberger

Johnny Caesar Cicero Darling was born in 1809. He wasn’t a very tall man, but he made up for it with his adventures and the “tall” tales he told about them. If he were alive today he would be 200 years old; same as Sullivan county and the Town of Rockland in which he resided. Some say he still wanders the woods around Livingston Manor waiting for an opportunity to tell one more tale.

On Saturday, July 18 a few of his friends and relatives threw a birthday party in his honor. Donors to the event included local artist Diane Atkins, whose Johnny Darling Coloring Book was created 20 years ago and has captured the minds and hearts of children ever since. Other donors were Ken and Carol Bloom of Bethel, Melvin and Jan Darling of Ilion, Domesticities and the Cutting Garden of Youngsville, George and Shirley Fulton, Mac and Marilyn Lamoreau, Dick and Mary Lanza, Sharon Jones, the Lazarre and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation, John Johnson, C. Joseph Koerner, the Livingston Manor (LM) Community Center, the LM Chamber of Commerce, the LM Lion’s Club, the LM Public Free Library, the LM Rotary Club, Dottie McNamee, RN, Terry Miller, Shirley Newman, Russel and Pat Olsen, Pro-Build of Liberty, Richard Robinson, the Roscoe/Rockland Chamber of Commerce, Leni Santoro Photography, Staples, Thunder 102’s Mike Sakell, Harold Van Aken – Webmaster Livingston Manor Home Page, Bud Wertheim and the Woodbourne Correctional Facility Print Shop.

The Johnny Darling Frolic was held under a tent on the Livingston Manor School grounds. Originally the island of Purvis, it is here that Johnny would hold sway for hours on end telling tales of his adventures up in Shandelee.

Mia Koerner has been researching Johnny Darling for over twenty years. It was when the LM PTSA was trying to raise funds to build the fitness court that lies on the grounds of LM school, that she approached Diane Atkins to create the original Johnny Darling Coloring Book. But she was not the first to discover the appeal of Johnny and his “marvelous adventures.” Out of print now is a book written by M. Jagendorf entitled, “The Marvelous Adventures of Johnny Darling written in 1940. Jagendorf, a researcher of folk tales and children’s stories, compiled an anthology of over twenty-seven stories told by Darling and remembered by friends and relatives at the time. He believed that Johnny Darling was in fact the model upon which the tales of Paul Bunyan were created. A copy of Jagendorf’s book can be seen in the Livingston Manor Public Free Library.

In addition to the vendors of quilts, pies and more, under the tent thanks to the Sullivan County Historical Society and Johnny Darling descendents Mimi Marion Darling Glancy  and Bridget Biggs from Arizona, visitors were able to peruse photographs and memorabilia of Johnny and his family collected over the years. Mimi and Bridget’s cousin Mel Darling from Ilion, NY was ill and could not make the trip, however the girls made sure he was included in the day’s adventures by having their photo taken with a cut-out of Mel which they sent to him.

A stage was also set-up, re-creating the facade of an old mountain cabin. Here the Kurpil Family Fiddlers, The Happy Footers of Youngsvile, Iris Gillingham – Scottish High Steppers, representatives from the MountainTones marching band and the Back Porch Gang performed throughout the afternoon.  Included in the performances was a play adapted from the Johnny Darling stories and presented by the LM Free Library Players directed Carol Montana of Big Sky Productions. John Deck also gave a performance as Abraham Lincoln. And, the Emcee for the afternoon was none other than the Honorable Lawrence Hall McAvoy. 

Johnny Darling makes rare appearances, but two places you can always catch a glimpse of him are the LM Trout Parade – where his likeness has been re-created by artist Bud Wertheim in a giant puppet that always rides down Main Street surrounded by his supporters and fans. Of course, everyone is encouraged to come back next year to the Johnny Darling Frolic. Meanwhile, to learn more about this remarkable folk hero check out the Livingston Manor Home Page. If you would like to see this event continue, or if you have any information on Johnny Darling, please E-mail: shandeleebrk@hvc.rr.com .

To see more photos from the Johnny Darling Frolic visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

As part of their internship program, 15 interns from Sullivan Renaissance got to meet the media recently. And in a reversal of the usual roles, the interns got to pepper the journalists with questions of their own.

The media panel consisted of Betsy Woolf and Mitch Ellmauer from the WJFF Youth Radio Project, Fritz Mayer, editor of The River Reporter, and Leni Santoro, co-editor of The Catskill Chronicle.

Denise Frangipane, Program Officer for the Gerry Foundation and coordinator of the internship program at Sullivan Renaissance facilitated the seminar, encouraging the students to ask questions of the panel, reminding them, “You are the next generation’s leaders. We’re not waiting for you to arrive. You’re here.”

The students came up with some interesting questions and ideas. They asked about finding story sources, getting grief from a company when you run a story about them, the media’s handling of the swine flu and the recent death of Michael Jackson. 

For their part, the journalists talked about the role of the media. Mayer told the students about keeping an eye on the powerful people in the community “to make sure that they’re behaving the way the rest of us would like them to behave.” And Santoro spoke about having more than one news source in an area. “It’s a gift,” she said, “You can read everybody’s take on the same story. But the important thing is that they’re there for you to make up your mind.”

Woolf and Ellmauer talked about how important it is for everyone to be heard. “I think a lot of young people think their lives are not very interesting or extraordinary and we disagree,” said Woolf. “We encourage you to look at your lives and some of the very small things you do every day can be made into a story.”

Frangipane reminded the students that letters to the editor are a way to challenge the media when you disagree with the way an issue was handled, and Santoro mentioned that you may also be able to write an opinion (or commentary) piece on something you feel strongly about.

Both Mayer and Santoro spoke about  journalism’s future role. “We’re finding that people your age don’t read the newspaper, they read online, but they don’t pick up the local newspaper,” said Mayer. “We’re having to come to terms with that. We’re losing subscriptions – it’s a problem we’re going to have to figure out along with everyone else.”

And Santoro certainly gave the students something to think about when she said. “Every time a newspaper folds, there’s one less voice for democracy. If you guys don’t read them, we wonder why we’re fighting for democracy.”

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Sullivan Renaissance is beautification and community development program. On July 29, 2009, the interns will be involved with a stream clean up in the Town of Thompson.

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Story and photos by Carol Montana

When parents get divorced, it is often difficult for them to understand what their children are going through. As part of their continuously developing mission, The Dispute Resolution Center of Sullivan County (DRC-SC) is involved with a program called Parents Apart, which looks at the experience of divorce or separation “from the perspective of the children.”

Recently, Kathy Kreiter, Executive Director of DRC-SC, held an  informal luncheon meeting for an advisory community council. She explained the program and then asked for ideas on how the program can be funded and staffed.

The DRC-SC is an approved provider for Parents Apart, but like several other New York State programs, it’s an unfunded mandate.

Parents Apart is overseen by the Unified Court System of New York State, and is based on research created with input from surveys of parents who have experienced divorce or separation.

“In some states,” said Kreiter, “this program is mandatory before you can even file for divorce. In NYS, it’s not mandatory, but judges do have the discretion to mandate it, and they do. A lot of our referrals come from Family Court, but any judge can mandate or make a referral.”

The program consists of two three-hour sessions. Divorcing parents do not attend the same sessions. And the program may not be appropriate when domestic abuse is present.

Each attendee receives a Parent Handbook that includes topics like: What Parents Can Do to Help Their Children; Ways to Reduce Conflict; Legal Processes, and more. In addition, the handbook has an appendix that contains a Reading List, a section on Frequently Asked Questions, and a Bill of Rights for Children Whose Parents are Separating of Divorcing.

Classes are presented 10 times a year, explained Kreiter, and DRC-SC uses volunteer presenters. “It’s sometimes a fight to get qualified people when you’re going to them with your hat in your hand.” said Kreiter.

“Parents Apart teaches about communication. How they can interact with their kids, working with your ex, make it as tolerable as possible,” explained Kreiter. “But we don’t want a victim of domestic violence to think we’re telling them to cooperate with their abuser.”

So, after explaining the program and how it works, Kreiter asked the advisers for ideas on how to fund the program and attract volunteers.

Several ideas were tossed around. They involved partnering with like-minded organizations, putting together a consortium of organizations that do similar work to enable a collective funding opportunity, asking the local Retired Senior Volunteer Program for office assistance, contacting the local bar association to find out who might offer pro-bono services, and contacting local politicians to ask whether economic stimulus funds might be available. 

“I’m very passionate about Parents Apart,” said Kreiter, “But day-to-day, it’s difficult to present a program without money. Every time I present the class I learn something. It would just be great if we had some more support.”

The DRC is a registered non-profit entity and can accept monetary donations. The organization is also looking for volunteers who can help out with special events, office tasks, running a table at a special event, and several Communities that Care projects. “There’s a niche for anyone here who would like to help,” said Kreiter.

The Parents Apart program is open to residents of Sullivan County and surrounding counties. For more information about the program, go to New York State Unified Court System Parent Education site or call 794-3377, ext. 14, where you can also get information on volunteering or donating.

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