The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Kyle Barrett, trumpet, senior high band.

LAKE HUNTINGTON – Sullivan West Central High School presented their 7th Annual Senior High Winter Concert on Tuesday, December 15; just in time for the holidays.

Nadine Ramdhany, clarinet, senior high band.

The senior high band, under the direction of Ross Reynolds played five spirited works: “The Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key and arranged by Moffit; “Gypsy Dance” from “Carmen” by Bizet and arranged by Reed; “Magic Valley” by Watson; “Christmas Favorites, arranged by Swearingen; and the finale to the “William Tell Overture” by Rossini as arranged by Longfield.

Danielle Marion (section leader), Kendra Barker, clarinets, senior high band.

The senior high choir under the direction of Kim Eschenberg with Key Uy as piano accompanist, performed four works: “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light” By J.S. Bach; “This Little Babe” from “A Ceremony of Carols” by Benjamin Britten; “Grown Up Christmas List” by Foster/Jenner as arranged by Chinn; and “Fruitcake” by Hagemann/Leka.

In “Fruitcake” the choir rocked the house, as they had a blast performing the campy work that was as much fun to watch as doing the “Time Warp” from the modern day film classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, as the choir sang and acted out some wacky choreography for a real crowd pleaser.

Catherine Peters and Megan Calkin, senior high choir.

The Jazz Band, directed by Reynolds performed three works: “All’s Well That Ends Well,” by Phelps; Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” as arranged by Holmes; and “Watermelon Man” by Hancock and arranged by Kamuf.

The axe man cometh – as part of the jazz band’s hot licks show, a merry elf scampered out on stage to present Reynolds with his favorite Christmas toy, a spit-shined trumpet he used to perfection as he sat in with the band.

Ross Reynolds, director of the jazz band and senior high band.

The curtain on Sullivan West’s popular annual senior high winter concert drew to a close with a three piece rock band comprised of Jeffrey Yeung (guitar), Max Carmack (drum set) and Hannah Rettoun (bass guitar/vocals).

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Sullivan West Musicians on Parade visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Story and photos by Carol Montana

When you speak with Jeremy Gorelick, you get the feeling he’s never met a challenge he didn’t like.

The newly elected chairman of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, which just celebrated its 35th year, comes to the post with a solid background in business, finance and economics, having majored, at Johns Hopkins University, in International Studies with a minor in entrepreneurship and management for his Bachelor’s Degree, then getting his Master’s in International Economics with a minor in Eastern European Economies.  And he’s a Phi Beta Kappa, and he got his Bachelor’s in three years instead of the requisite four, and just to keep everything well rounded, he minored in music performance.

And yet, working in high finance, even while experiencing the accompanying glamorous nightlife, was not what Gorelick wanted to do. “I was somewhere in the Middle East and I’m thinking, ‘how did I get here?’ It was moving too quickly … which made me question some things and realize there were better opportunities for me to channel my energy …”

At that point in time, Gorelick’s father, Jerrold, founder of Emanon Equities, a well-established, successful development company on Long Island, asked his son to work with him. “I didn’t want to work with him immediately,” says the younger Gorelick, “so I did development and consulting for him and other developers on Long Island. And my dad realized that it would be smart for him to hire me to work with the company. I told him I’d only work if I was president of the company.”

Jeremy reports that, while it was a difficult adjustment for his father, the pair eventually “found their groove.” But, looking for new challenges, the younger Gorelick decided to come to Sullivan County where his family had property. “I came here with the idea of developing property in [the Town of] Fallsburg. We started with plans for 550 residential units and about 85,000 square feet of commercial property, then scaled it back to 350 residential and 45,000 square feet of commercial. It’s on Route 52 in Woodbourne right at the Sullivan–Ulster border.” …

To read the full story go to – New Chairman Brings His Can-Do Background to Sullivan County Chamber in the new Sullivan Faces Section of The Catskill Chronicle or just click on the link.

White Lake, NY – Despite tough economic times, Bethel and Sullivan County residents showed great generosity at the Friends4Friends benefit/party at the White Lake Firehouse on Saturday December 12.

The holiday celebration, aimed at helping Shepherd’s Food Pantry in Bethel, as well as the three local fire departments, raised $1,600 in cash and checks, $80 in gift cards, and many packaged food donations. Fifty percent of the proceeds plus the food will go to Shepherd’s Pantry.

The other half of the proceeds will be distributed among the White Lake, Kauneonga Lake and Smallwood/Mongaup Valley Fire Departments – all who responded to the devastating November 7 fire at Friends Pub in Smallwood.

Jim DiCarlo, owner of Friends Pub who spoke at the event, said, “I took for granted how much the fire companies do. They did a tremendous job at saving that building. They are the ones who deserve all the credit for what’s happening tonight. If it were not for the fire companies, who knows what might have been.”

Friends4Friends gave representatives of each fire department a Certificate of Appreciation that were presented by Town Supervisor Daniel Sturm.

The event was truly a “taste of Sullivan” with many delicious plates donated by many local restaurants and free beverages provided by County Fountain Supplies.

Rich Klein, a spokesperson for Friends4Friends, said, “We are thrilled at how everything turned out, from the amount of money raised and goods donated, to the great spirit of giving by individuals and businesses, and the holiday spirit that filled the room. The Friends4Friends committee was so inspired that, before the night was over, we were already talking about doing this every year.”

Klein added that many people volunteered to make the event a success, from middle and high school students serving food and supervising little kids at the drawing tables, and cleaning up, to senior citizens staying late to mop the floor.

Cobalt Studio’s Rachel Keebler, donated her face painting talents, while John Slaver and Louis Landon donated the musical entertainment for the entire evening.

The event was created by Friends4Frends, a small group of concerned citizens who wanted to support Friends Pub owners Jim and Mary Ellen DiCarlo as they rebuild in coming months and plan their grand re-opening for this spring.

Those who want to donate can continue to do so. Just email Jo-Ann Peabody at mrspeabody@hvc.rr.com, or call her at 845-798-5885. Donations can also be mailed to Friends4Friends, c/o Malek Properties, PO Box 567, White Lake, NY 12786. Checks should be made out to: BLDC.

DiCarlo also told the crowd that the demolition of Friends Pub in Smallwood is now complete and that new construction is about to begin this week, noting that the new Friends Pub will have some additional space when it reopens this Spring.

More information about the event, a list of restaurants that donated and progress about the rebuilding of Friends Pub, can soon be found at http://friends4friends.wordpress.com, http://twitter.com/friendspub, on the Smallwood, NY page on Facebook as well as on other pages/blogs/websites about Smallwood, Bethel, Sullivan County and the Catskills.

Founding Members of Friends4Friends: Carol Malek and Tina Guarini of Malek Properties; Jo-Ann Peabody of Jo-Ann Peabody Management; Lori Rubinstein-Fleck of RubyFlecks Creative Consulting; Rich Klein of LawFirmsPR; Paul Ciliberto of Bold Gold Media; Denise Frangipane, Town of Bethel Councilwoman and Daniel Sturm, Town of Bethel Supervisor.

Photos for this press release were provided by Lori Rubinstein-Fleck.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Erica Simone, soprano.

FALLSBURG – On Thursday, December 10, the Fallsburg Central High School Music Department presented their annual winter concert.

The junior chorus directed by Colleen Barber and accompanied by pianist Leon Hilfstein performed “Something Told the Wild Geese” arranged by Sherri Porterfield, and featured soloists Ashlyn Nardi and Christine Garcia; “The Tiger!” arranged by Porterfield based on the original poem by William Blake (1757-1827).

The junior band directed by John Lusk performed “Band on Parade” by M. Sweeney and L. Clark’s “Festival Chorale & March”.

The select chorus directed by Barber with accompaniment by Hilfstein, performed “The Winter Snow” arranged by Audrey Snyder and based on an original poem by Emily Dickenson (1830-1886); “I Am But A Small Voice” arranged by Roger Emerson, and featured soloists Susan Moody and Jeweliana Trujillo.

The senior chorus directed by Barber and accompanied by Hilfstein performed a trio of works: “Love Changes Everything” arranged by Ed Lojeski; “Elijah and Joshua” arranged by Sally K. Albrecht; “Winter, Fire and Snow” arranged by Emerson, featuring soloists Isabel Mejia and Janelle Laguio.

The combined chorus directed by Barber with accompaniment by Hilfstein, rocked the house with “Man in the Mirror” arranged by Lojeski, a work originally performed by Michael Jackson (1958-2009), and featured soloists Irvin Lemus, Sherrod Williams, Alex Orellana and Shakree Gibson.

The senior band directed by Lusk showcased their musical talents with five works: “March Militaire” by Schubert/Hubbell, “Song for Winds” by J. Edmondson, “Mini-Suite” by M. Gould, “sleigh Ride” by L. Anderson/Story, and “School Song” arranged by Yoder.

The 2009-2010 Fallsburg Central School’s Winter Concert drew to a finale with the audience singing the school song:

Fallsburg Central, Fallsburg Central, greatest in the land.

Colors flying, strength undying. Courage we will band together.”

Fallsburg Central, Fallsburg Central, greatest in the land.

March on to victory, hand in hand.”

Captions for photos from top to bottom –

Cody Vegliate, junior band.

Susan Moody and Jeweliana Trujillo, soloist altos.

Jeweliana Trujillo, Janelle Laguio and Marie Countryman, altos.

Danielle Stratton, junior band flute.

Zaira Pabon, senior band oboe.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Blowing Up a Storm… visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

WALLKILL – The Town of Wallkill Boys & Girls Club, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexis Eggleton as the organization’s new Executive Director. The agency serves the Town of Wallkill, Pine Bush and Sullivan County and provides recreational and youth development services to over 1,200 children annually. She will assume the duties of Executive Director on January 4, 2010.

Dr. Ivan Katz, Superintendent of the Fallsburg Central School District who co-chaired the Candidate Search, said, “The search process to find a new Executive Director was long and multi-dimensional. With more than 70 applicants from all over the country, this highly sought after position was competitive and made the search committee’s job exceptionally challenging. For Alexis to have risen to the top of this highly competitive field speaks volumes to the skills and enthusiasm that she brings to the table."

Ms. Eggleton has served as Legislative Aide to the Sullivan County Legislature for nearly four years, and spearheaded several legislative initiatives including serving as Chair of the 2009 Sullivan County Bicentennial Celebration. Ms. Eggleton was also instrumental in expanding the Boys & Girls Clubs into Sullivan County in 2007, and has served on the Board of Directors and as the Sullivan County Advisory Board Chair for the past three years. She brings with her many years of experience in government relations, community outreach and development.

Boys & Girls Clubs’ Board of Directors President Paul Anderson-Winchell said, “Ms. Eggleton will bring to this position her passion for the Boys & Girls Club Movement, along with her exceptional organizational abilities and a tremendous work ethic. Her leadership will ensure that we can move into the next decade confident that we will continue to grow and provide quality services to the children our communities.”

Ms. Eggleton is an alumna of the Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress Fellows program, and is a graduate of The Ohio State University and the Roscoe Central School District. She resides in Bethel, NY.

For more information about this press release, please contact the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Town of Wallkill, Pine Bush and Sullivan County, 845-361-2222.

*Photo credit: Danielle Gaebel

Story and photos by Carol Montana

Children squealed with joy as The Santa Express pulled into The Corner at Eldred on Saturday, December 12. And their parents and grandparents were delighted as well.

Brainchild of Lou Monteleone, general manager of The Corner at Eldred, The Santa Express is a 50-foot lighted, musical sleigh, complete with sound system, generator, GPS and nearly 5000 twinkling lights.

On board, the children found Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, The Gingerbread Man, The Christmas Mouse, lots of elves and the Snow Queen – singing sensation Alyssa Startup. Also onboard were lighted reindeer, trees and wreaths.

Every child received a toy from Santa, and reindeer food from the elves. And everyone got to accompany the Snow Queen in a holiday sing-a-long.

Also at The Corner in Eldred, the children and their families visited Santa’s Village.

After stopping in Eldred, The Santa Express headed down Proctor Road to Glen Spey, then made its way over to the Four Corners in Yulan and arrived for the final stop in Main Street in Narrowsburg. And along the way, hundreds of people lined the road or waved from their windows as they greeted Santa and his friends on their 50-mile journey.

At each stop, children were encouraged to put their letters to Santa in the onboard mailbox.

“It was the night I live for,” said Monteleone. “The kids with the smiles warmed my heart.”

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Santa’s Village at The Corner in Eldred on Tuesday, December 15, Friday, December 18, Saturday, December 19, and Sunday, December 20. All nights from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from The Santa Express, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Compilation and photos by Carol Montana

LIBERTY / MONTICELLO – Despite the first snow of the season, Thunder 102’s ThunderBlast, the holiday celebration and collection event for “Toys for Tots,” held at Monticello Casino & Raceway on December 5, collected hundreds of toys for the Marine Corps’ “Toys for Tots” campaign.

Rocking this year’s event were hometown boys and Nashville singers/songwriters, Somerville and special guest Alyssa Startup who performed The National Anthem during the US Marines’ special presentation of the colors prior to the event.

Paul Ciliberto of Ciliberto & Friends on Thunder 102 and New York Region Market Manager for Bold Gold Media said, “We are proud that our ThunderHeads braved the weather for a chance to help out Toys For Tots.” Mike Sakell of Sakell in the Afternoon added, “Our ThunderHeads donated several hundred toys to this worthy cause.” ThunderHeads is the name the radio station gives to its legions of fans.

This Toys For Tots concert even had the participating bands getting into the spirit of the holiday season by donating their time, talents and toys to be part of ThunderBlast. “It’s was all about the kids,” said Barry Somerville, “and whatever we could do to make their Christmas a little happier.”

The hundreds of toys collected at ThunderBlast — ten 30 gallon garbage bags worth — were picked up from Monticello Casino and Raceway by the Marine Corps Reserves on Friday, December 11 for distribution to Sullivan County children. On hand to assist with the pickup were (left to right): Cindy Nolan, Revenue Verification Clerk and Eileen Cavanaugh, Manager of Human Resources both from Monticello Casino and Raceway; Regina Hensley, Marketing and Promotions Director, Michelle Semerano of Ciliberto & Friends, Mike Sakell of Sakell in the Afternoon, and Paul Ciliberto of Ciliberto and Friends, all of Thunder 102; James Meyers, Commandant Catskill Detachment Marine Corps League, and Cliff Ehrlich, President and General Manager of Monticello Casino and Raceway, who also presented a check to the grateful Marines.

Following the toy pickup Bob DeMan, Catskill Detachment Paymaster and James Meyers explained that Marine Corps League distributes the toys to large charitable organizations, I.O.U. in Callicoon, CASA, Cache and all other individual parents who call 252-3549. 

Meyers explained that the program is running short right now for items for teenagers and children 10-12. Suitable items for older children include: MP3 players, CDs, sports gear, make-up and personal items for girls, and anything that an older child would enjoy. Items will be accepted through approximately December 19. Call the number above to donate. 

About “Toys for Tots”:

Since 1947, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve “Toys for Tots” Program has distributed more than 370 million toys to more than 173 million needy children. This charitable endeavor has made U.S. Marines the unchallenged leaders in looking after needy children at Christmas. If you would like more information on Toys For Tots, please go to www.toysfortots.org.

About Thunder 102:

Serving Sullivan, Orange and Ulster Counties in New York and Wayne and Pike Counties in Pennsylvania, Thunder 102 is a community-focused hot country station that has taken its listening area by storm through it promotions, concerts and fundraising efforts for local events. Thunder 102 is on Facebook and Twitter and streams live. To listen live, or for more information on upcoming events, please go to www.thunder102.com.

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MONTICELLO – The Sullivan County CARECORPS Anti-Drug Coalition held a press conference on December 3 at the Government Center in Monticello to announce the Safe Holidays STOP Sticker Campaign. Coordinators of the organization are Carolyn Massey and Bob Korabik of the Recovery Center.

Restricting sales of alcohol and tobacco products to underage youth in Sullivan County and promoting a Social Host Ordinance and Mandated Servers’ Training Ordinance are the main environmental strategies of the coalition. The latter two regulations would educate parents and retail establishments to be responsible and not provide alcohol to underage youth in private parties in people’s homes and in bars and taverns. Ordinances would bring the support of law enforcement and the larger community into helping prevent the tragedies brought on by abuse of alcohol among our young people.

Chair of the CARECORPS group, Larry Schafman, welcomed parents, students, and residents as well as members of the media. He explained the importance and timeliness of this campaign as the holiday season begins. He introduced the following speakers who reinforced the message; State Trooper Sergeant Michael Rushanski, Sullivan County Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, Fallsburg Police Chief Simmie Williams, Catskill Regional Medical Center CEO Steve Ruwoldt, students Jose Lemus from Fallsburg High School and D.R.E.A.M. Tank (pictured here at the podium in the government center lobby), Christina Neist from Tri Valley High School and the Catholic Youth Organization, Judge Josephine Finn and student Matt Sze from D.R.E.A.M. Tank, Rachel Lewis from Sullivan County Youth Alliance, Sullivan County Family Court Judge Mark Meddaugh, and District Attorney Elect Jim Farrell. Also Mr. Schafman read a letter of support from Terri Ward, President/CEO of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce.

Student volunteers are actively meeting with businesses throughout the County to place the STOP stickers in their windows and to create a consciousness of not serving alcohol or tobacco products to anyone they suspect of being under age.

If you would like to support the program and volunteer your service as a youngster or member of a youth group, please contact Larry Schafman at Fallsburg High School, 434-6800, ext 2213.

MONTICELLO – On Tuesday, December 1, Community Unity held their 4^th Annual Community Unity Luncheon and Dinner at Mr. Willy’s Restaurant in Monticello. The luncheon and dinner programs were held to honor one organization and two hard-working couples for their activism and generosity in the community.

The luncheon program honored the Cooperative Federal Credit Union (CFCU), an organization with a long and storied history, inextricably intertwined with the Sullivan County Catskills. CFCU is the sponsor of two $5,000 scholarships awarded each year to students with a demonstrated commitment to community service, one of which is dedicated to a student attending Sullivan County Community College.

The dinner program honored two ‘power couples’ in the field of community activism, Richard and Barbara Sush and Phil and Donna Vallone.

The Sushes were honored for their longstanding commitment to the community and for Richard’s leadership role in the community groundswell to save RISE (Rape Intervention Services and Education). 

The Vallones were celebrated for their exceptional service to a myriad of youth oriented and volunteer organizations in Sullivan County. 

The event was broadcasted on WSUL with Annika Sonic (lunch) and on WVOS with Chris Ingram (dinner).

*Community Unity is a coalition of four established organizations in Sullivan County, New York working to help break the cycles of abuse which harm our children and impair the quality of life in our county. Sullivan County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), The Federation for the Homeless, PPMHV RISE (Rape Intervention Services and Education) and the Recovery Center are effective and dynamic service organizations working with the courts and community structures to repair the fabric of lives. individually we provide meals, housing, intervention, prevention, education, treatment, counseling, support  and advocacy.

Saint Nick and his merry band of helpful elves: Sharon McMan, Jason Parks, Nick Cristino.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

WURTSBORO/WOODBOURNE – “It’s fulfilling a life-long dream,” said Jason Parks, who turned up at O’Toole’s Harley Davidson on Sunday in the guise of Saint Nick, before heading over to Woodbourne to hand out tons of toys to hundreds of needy kids in the county’s Head Start program.

As a ten-year old, Parks watched his father play Santa Claus, and now 30-some years later he got to don a bright red costume as Saint Nick, albeit with a longer custom made coat fashioned by “Mrs. Claus,” Becky Siruchek.

Along with a longer coat, the biker from Middletown sported a shorter beard with a touch of artificial white instead of Santa’s usual long white whiskers.

“I was going to get it bleached, but it would have turned orange,” he added of the whiskers dye-job in a move that probably saved a lot of kids nightmares if they sat on the lap of a big guy in a red suit with a face full of orange hair.

“I stopped shaving and cutting my hair back in September,” he added. “After three-and-a-half months, I can’t wait to get a shave and a haircut.”

On December 20, Saint Nick returns to the Wurtsboro-based Harley Davidson dealership to pose for pictures with kids from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. For information about pics with Saint Nick, who when not playing a jolly old fellow who hands out gifts on Christmas, rides a 2006 Harley-Davidson Ultra Glide, call O’Toole’s at 888-2426.

A couple of years ago, Parks fulfilled another dream and bought his first Harley-Davidson, only to total it in a collision with a run away deer at 45 mph. That bike was history, so two weeks later he was back on another Harley, a bike considered the icon of American freedom and independence two-wheeled iron.

As Saint Nick prepared to make the trip from Wurtsboro over the Woodbourne, he rode in a 1970 Mack fire truck owned by Walter Barrett, and was accompanied by two “elves,” 21-year old Sharon McMan and Nick Cristino, 18.

John O’Toole, founder of O’Toole’s Harley Davidson may have retired a few months ago, but the tradition of the yearly Harley Owners Group (HOG) toy run lives on. Twenty-four years ago, the motorcycle dealership and the Wurtsboro HOG Chapter joined forces to kick start the toy drive to benefit the Head Start kids. Over the years, tons of toys have been distributed to thousands of children, and 2009 was no exception, as an estimated 500 kids got a chance to meet jolly Saint Nick and get a few toys just in time for the holiday season.

After Tom “Tommy Vig” Verviglione and Dan Tandy hung up their Wall Street suits, they bought the motorcycle shop in July 2008, and in addition to selling Harleys, switched over the leathers and boots as they carried on the tradition of brightening the holidays for a lot of kids who might otherwise face a bleak Christmas.

“There’s nobody wearing a Honda tattoo, we love the lifestyle,” said Verviglione.

“The Wurtsboro HOGS are fantastic…they show up for everything. They are one of the best chapters in the country, and we’re lucky to have ‘em.”

Tandy said they came to Wurtsboro and acquired the Harley-Davidson dealership in search of the similar passion they once felt for Wall Street. “This is a dream come true for both of us,” he said. “There is nothing better suited than the passion of Harley-Davidson…we sell a lifestyle, not a motorcycle.”

In 1953, Marlon Brando starred in “The Wild One”, a tale about rowdy motorcycles taking over a small town, and the legend of badass bikers was born. Although Brando rode a Triumph Thunderbird 6T in the film, and Steve McQueen had a thing for old bikes, Harleys are forever engraved in the American consciousness as statements of individuality; rendered in chromed steel.

Only a trio of bikers, all members of the local HOG chapter, braved the cold and lingering snowfall, as they put rubber to the road on the journey from Wurtsboro to Woodbourne: Ron Miller of Wurtsboro and his Harley-Davidson 2009 Super Glide, Stevew Pappas of Liberty astride his 2004 Heritage Softtail, and Brett Kronholve of Wurtsboro on his 1987 “customized and modernized” Sportster.

At O’Toole’s Harley Davidson, American Flags rule the day along with iconic American iron: Old Glory is seen through the front window as reflected off a new motorcycle.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Bikers Ride for Tots visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Members of SCVA and their families enjoy the festivities at Piccolo Paese Restaurante in Liberty

Story by Phyllis Andrews with photos by Leni Santoro

LIBERTY – The Sullivan County Visitors Association (SCVA) celebrated the holidays with its Annual Meeting held at Piccolo Paese Restaurante in Liberty on December 2nd.  Members and guests were treated to a fabulous array of fantastic food prepared by owner/chef Baco Vulaj, a brief business meeting and networking.

Paul Carlucci, Villa Roma Resort and Chairman of the Visitors Association, welcomed the members and addressed the dignitaries that were in attendance.

Special recognition was given to Senator John Bonacic and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther as Tourism Advocates for the Sullivan County Catskills. 

Jacob Billig and Pat Brown, representing the Stockbridge Munsee/Trading Cove Gaming Project, addressed the attendees of the progress of the proposed casino development in Bridgeville. 

Bill Liblick, representing the Seneca Nation/Rotate Black Gaming Project, addressed the membership of the progress of their casino development in the Town of Thompson .

The Stockbridge Munsee/Trading Cove and Seneca/ Rotate Black developments were sponsors of the Annual Holiday Meeting.  The Monticello Motor Club, Sullivan County Democrat, Fisher Mears Associates and Kenyon Press were also sponsors of the event.

President/CEO Roberta Byron-Lockwood discussed the vast accomplishments of the SCVA over the past year as well as outlining some of the marketing and goals the association will embark in the coming year. 

The results of the Board of Directors election were announced.  Norman Duttweiler of Forestburgh Playhouse, Elaine Giguere of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, Rick Lander of Lander’s River Trips, and Barbara Gref of Jeffersonville Hydroelectric were re-elected to serve another three years on the Board. The slate of officers for 2010 are Paul Carlucci of the Villa Roma as Chairman of the Board, Rick Lander of Landers River Trips as Vice Chairman, Michele Caltabellotta of Dead End Café as Secretary, and Norman Duttweiler of Forestburgh Playhouse as Treasurer.  Richard Delia of Ferndale Antiques Marketplace was also reappointed to the Executive Board. 

The Association also awarded their 7^th Annual TOAST (Tribute to Outstanding Associate Serving Tourism) Award to JoAnn Bowers from the Roscoe Little Store at the Annual Meeting.  Each year the Visitors Association honors an employee involved in the tourism industry who has shown outstanding dedication and hospitality to the industry.

Association members were asked to nominate someone who they felt met the criteria.  Carrol Adolf from the Little Store, nominated Ms. Bowers for her over 28 years of service during which she consistently remained a dedicated, most reliable, and exceptional worker.  Without being asked, she has always treated customers with the utmost respect, a cheery smile and ready to serve their needs.  The Visitors Association joins Carrol Adolph in extending to Ms. Bowers our heartfelt appreciation for her dedication and service.

The Association’s Ambassador Award was presented to Patricia Yelle from Morning Star Creations in Roscoe, recognized her for going above and beyond the call of duty in providing assistance to visitors.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from SCVA Annual Meeting Celebrates Tourism in the County visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Rev. Kit Robinson, pastor of the First Grace Lutheran Parish in Jeffersonville, lights several candles during the vigil.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

JEFFERSONVILLE – Sometimes one voice speaks for millions.

On Saturday night, December 5, the First Grace Lutheran Church of Jeffersonville held a World AIDS Day ecumenical service and candlelight vigil to raise awareness of the international pandemic and in Rev. Kit Robinson’s words, “Remember those who have lost and those who continue to fight.”

Based upon UNAIDS estimates, there are currently 33.4 million people living with AIDS across the globe, including 2.1 million children. In 2007, a reported 2 million lives were lost, including 270,000 kids.

Lynn Reno of Jeffersonville remembered a friend lost to HIV/AIDS in October.

At the local candlelight ceremony, in addition to the pastor’s family and a friend of the church, only one person walked through the doors of the parish to remember a friend who died of AIDS in October.

“I wanted to come to the vigil to pay my respects to a friend who lived  with HIV for 20 years and who just passed away,” said Lynn Reno of  Jeffersonville. “I think we could be could be much farther along helping individual people with HIV if we could let go of the shame and the stigma attached to it,” she added, in essence serving as one lonely voice speaking for a million and a half people living with HIV/AIDS around the world.

Rev. Robinson was joined in the parish candlelight vigil by his wife Christa, their two daughters, Heather, 9, and 16-year old Stephany, along with Catherine Scott of Hortonville, a friend of the church who last year suggested the idea of holding an AIDS Day remembrance at the local parish.

Rev. Robinson said the AIDS Day ceremony was appropriate due to area’s significant gay population and the fact that he offers support to a few folks living with HIV/AIDS. “There are a couple of people I know who have HIV and one guy who has AIDS,” he said. “I don’t even think about it any more, it’s all par of my calling…they have spiritual needs, and that’s why I’m here.”

Christa Robinson is a student nurse, and over the past year and a half, has worked with three AIDS patients, along the dispelling a lot of perceived notions about the disease. “I’m not bleeding, they’re not bleeding, we’re okay.”

Scott said that while attending the local community college, she wrote a couple of papers on HIV/AIDS for Professor Tom Russell’s class. “AIDS is something that affects all of us even if we don’t know anybody with it,” she said. “It doesn’t know any race, any gender, any age…it has no boundaries or countries. There is no longer a face of AIDS, [and] we have become very apathetic, there is a lack of education as to how AIDS is spread.”

“We talk about pregnancy in this country, but we don’t talk about how AIDS is spread…there is no adoption fix for HIV, how sad is that?,” added Scott.

Rev. Kit Robinson, pastor of the First Grace Lutheran Parish of Jeffersonville had a power-point presentation about World AIDS Day 2009.

World AIDS Day was conceived in August 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers (PIO) for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva Switzerland. Since then, December 1 has been recognized as World AIDS Day, and since 1995 the President of the United States has issued an official proclamation on World AIDS Day.

In his proclamation dated November 25, 2009 President Barack Obama said, “Our nation joins the world in celebrating the extraordinary advancements we have made in the battle against HIV and AIDS, and remembering those we have lost.”

“Over the past three decades, brave men and women have fought devastating discrimination, stigma, doubt, and violence as they stood in the face of this deadly disease…On World AIDS Day, we rededicate ourselves to developing a national AIDS strategy that will establish the priorities necessary to combat this devastating epidemic at home, and to renewing our leadership role and commitments abroad.”

“Though we have been witness to incredible progress, our struggle against HIV/AIDS is far from over. With an infection rate occurring every nine-and-half minutes in America, there are more than one million individuals estimated to be living with the disease in our country. Of those currently affected, one in five does not know they have the condition, and the majority of new infections are spread by people unaware of their own status.”

“HIV/AIDS does not discriminate as it infiltrates neighborhoods and communities,” added President Obama. “Americans of any gender, age, ethnicity, income, or sexual orientation can be and are contracting the disease…While the statistics are distressing, new medications and scientific advancements have given us hope.”

A lit candle remembers “those who have lost and those who continue to fight.

AIDS has taken the lives of more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which became operational in 1996 after taking over the planning and promotion of World AIDS Day.

The theme of the first Worlds AIDS Day of 1988 was “Communication”, and for each World AIDS Day from 2005 through 2010, the theme is “Stop AIDS,. Keep the Promise”, along with a yearly sub-theme, which for 2009 is  “Universal Access and Human Rights”, as violations against human rights help spread HIV/AIDS, as marginalized groups such as IV drug users and sex workers are put at a higher risk of infection.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from A Quiet Vigil for AIDS visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

By Carol Montana

 LIBERTY – The informational town-hall meeting held at the Liberty Senior Center on Tuesday, December 1 was fairly calm until the topic of the solid-waste user fee came up.

County Manager David Fanslau, Legislative Chair Jonathan Rouis, Legislator Jodi Goodman and Commissioner of Management and Budget Joshua Potosek began by explaining to the 50 or so people who attended how the Sullivan County budget is created.

Topics covered included not only the budget, but problems inherent in putting it together including: state pension increases, unfunded state mandates, loss of property-tax revenue due to the recession, and the high cost of tax exemptions.

For its part, the audience asked about furloughing employees rather than laying them off, the possibilities of getting grants, county airport expenses, what’s being done to attract businesses to Sullivan County and why weren’t we able to predict some of these problems.

When it came time to talk about the solid-waste user fee, the tension in the room became palpable. Discussion included new developments in getting rid of solid waste that are not allowed in NYS, repayments of debt, trying to blend the user-fee rate with recycling credits, costs to towns and what they should charge, elimination (or not) of tipping fees, less revenue or none at all for recycling certain plastics, policing to enforce recycling, a pay-as-you-go system per bag, the illegality of burning garbage, the possibility of out-of-county residents bringing garbage to SC, incinerators that produce ash that can’t be gotten rid of and more.

County Manager David Fanslau reiterated the general consensus that the county needs to enforce and step up recycling efforts, “We need to make recycling convenient and effective. People will recycle because they think it’s the right thing to do.”

Sullivan County First Recycling and Refuse owner Shirley Felder Morton reported that she has received some “serious phone calls about certain businesses that don’t use a local hauler.” She’s heard that they can apply to their town supervisor or town assessor under a section of the real-property to render the user fee null and void since they don’t use the service. “I got calls from about 10 residential customers saying either you take our garbage to PA or we’re going with someone else. I’m not buying a truck till I know what my costs are. … please, I’m begging you, my competitors have no clue what their costs are …”

Fanslau said that the “final price price per ton (of solid waste) has not been determined. …”

After the meeting, Felder continued, “It doesn’t hurt my fee structure, because I know what my costs are, it’s like the lumber business, we don’t have as much money to play with, I would be able to adjust them slightly, no more than $8 a home. I have people on the western side of the county, I have seniors and single mothers that call me every three weeks when they have a bag of garbage, and I charge them by the bag. So, how do I cut their bag rate of $6 by the 50% that this county – who has no clue what it means to run a garbage company, because if they did we wouldn’t be in the trouble that we’re in. It doesn’t hurt me.”

Felder actually believes a new fee structure will make it easier for her business. “Now I won’t have to collect $700,000 per year (and that’s before the economy got bad – because I used to give them $896,000. [Mine is] a company that gets no respect from these people – they treat us poorly, they give us a $25,000 credit limit, when I give them that in two days. So it saves me from having to collect that and collect that sales tax on it.”

When asked which of the three solid-waste scenarios – as detailed by Sullivan County management officials – she prefers, Felder answered, “I prefer none of these scenarios, because it hasn’t been thought out enough. How can you say that you’re going with this vendor when you don’t know what they’re charging. Stop spending our tax dollars on a whim, a hope, an area, a range. These are numbers. You add and multiply, it’s a formula. This is a no-brainer and I’m not a numbers person.”

The next informational town-hall meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mamakating Town Hall on Route 209 in Wurtsboro. 

Public hearings will be held on:

– Thursday, December 10 at noon in the Legislative Hearing Room, Sullivan County Government Center, Monticello.

– Monday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Legislative Hearing Room, Sullivan County Government Center, Monticello.

Click on the following link to view the 508-page Tentative Sullivan County Budget for 2010 online.

Click on the following link to view the Solid Waste Fee Evaluation Final Report done by Mid Atlantic Solid Waster Consultants.

Public comment on the budget in general or on specific topics related to the budget can be sent to publiccomment@co.sullivan.ny.us. The comments will be made available to all nine county legislators and entered into the official public record.

Melissa B., one of the drug court graduates shares the moment with a friend.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

MONTICELLO – “I can remember a time in my life when I didn’t care whether I lived or died. Praying to God for him to take me while asleep and hating him when I opened my eyes and was so broken,” said Vanessa Davis during the Sullivan County Drug Treatment Court Graduation ceremony held at the county courthouse on December 1.

Vanessa D. one of the proud graduates sheds a few years of joys after getting her diploma.

The single mother from Liberty was introduced on the program was introduced to the crowed courtroom as Vanessa D., but afterwards was proud to give her full name in front of her daughter Brianna, son Giovanni, sister Sarah, nephew Eugene and a best friend named Sarah, all of whom watched her proudly as she stepped up to receive her hard earned diploma from Sullivan County Court Judge Frank J. LaBuda, June Pato-Ryan, Sullivan County Drug Court Coordinator, and Sullivan County DA Stephen F. Lungen.

Davis said that getting through the drug court program wasn’t an easy road to hoe, but it certainly beat the alternative. She said she was put on probation for drinking and smoking dope, but broke the conditions of probation and wound up in the local drug court.

“I wanted to quit so many times, but I knew that my destructive ways would lead me to prison or worse – dead. I was broken down and they gave me a chance…it was worth it to see the change in myself.”

Sullivan County Court Judge Frank J. LaBuda addressed the six graduates and attendees to the ceremony.

Five-some years ago Judge LaBuda, DA Lungen and others teamed up to form the Sullivan County Drug Court, which now has about four graduating classes a year.

Members of the drug court: Sullivan County Court (Judge LaBuda, chief clerk Earl Lilley, Pato-Ryan), DA’s Office (DA Lungen, and ADA Joey Z. Drillings), Sullivan Legal Aid Panel, Inc. (Stephen Schick, executive director, and Mark Sherman), Sullivan County Probation Department (Kristy Sigelakis, probation officer), Sullivan County Department of Public services (Kathi W. Hitt, compliance director, and Rosemary Wolfe, coordinator intervention & outreach), Sullivan County Alcohol & drug Abuse Services (Melissa Stickle, coordinator), and from the Recovery Center (Julia Garay-Daniel, day rehab director).The mission statement of the Drug Court:

• “A program that brings together the justice system with the chemical dependency treatment system to assist substance abusers with criminal charges, who meet program criteria, to overcome their drug problem benefitting both themselves and the community.”
• “The Sullivan County Drug Court Team works with each participant to provide assessment of their chemical dependency problem, referral to an appropriate treatment provider, and management of their criminal case.”
• “The goal is to help participants break the drug-crime cycle through
  recovery from addiction and become productive law-0abiding members f the
  community.”

June Pato-Ryan, drug court coordinator.

The short version of the drug court ‘s mission is summed up in their motto, “Knowledge attained, change retained. Striving to live drug-free and alcohol-free.”

Judge LaBuda’s take on the role of the drug court?

“It’s so important to making our community a better place by taking people with drug and alcohol problems who violate the law, and giving them help, the chance to get over their problems and become productive citizens again.”

He noted that the graduating class of December 1, 2009 was with six grads, the second largest group to successfully compete the program, only two short of the record number of eight graduates.

The graduates of 12-1-2009:  Barry B., Melissa B., Kevin C., Vanessa D., Timothy F., and Jose V.

After the graduation ceremony, Timothy F. serenaded his fellow-grads and the courtroom filled with relatives, drug court alumni and well-wishers with a few holiday tunes.

Judge LaBuda described the county’s drug court program “as the good part of my job, it’s not blood and guts, it’s about positive people trying to turn their lives around.”

Timothy F., drug court graduate, serenades his fellow grads and guests with holiday songs.

According to Judge LaBuda, a veteran of Desert Storm, and retiring DA Lungen, a highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, they have been worked on establishing a Veteran’s Court in the County, which he expects to see operation by next year.

The idea for setting up a veterans court stemmed from an incident back on March 9 in Buffalo, NY when police responded to a disturbance call at the residence of a 59-year old U.S. Army veteran of the War in Vietnam, who in court said he confronted the uniformed officers with a loaded shotgun because he was drunk on vodka and was suffering wartime flashbacks. The incident was reported in USA Today by Matthew Daneman, who quoted the vet as telling Buffalo City Court Judge Robert Russell “I’m still in recovery, still facing myself”, as he recounted thinking the responding officers were Vietcong soldiers from 40-some years in his past. Judge Russell created Buffalo’s drug treatment court in 1995, and a mental heath treatment court in 2003.

In January, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Drug Court Institute (NDCI), this is the nation’s first veterans treatment court.

“Especially now will the record number of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder)…there is a crisis in the nation and the veteran’s administration,” said Judge LaBuda, adding he was recently faced with the difficult task of sending a Vietnam War vet with a drinking problem to prison.

Keynote speaker Sullivan County DA Stephen F. Lungen talked to the graduates about becoming productive members of the community.

Sullivan County DA Lungen was the keynote speaker, a slice of time Judge LaBuda called “a bittersweet moment”, as Lungen is stepping down as DA after 28-years at the helm and a total of 36 years in public service.

“I applaud each of you for your achievement as that is something that you can certainly be proud of,” Lungen told the graduates and alumni sitting in the jury box. “You each took paths in your life that led you in the wrong direction, away from success and happiness, eventually each of you got caught, wound up being arrested and came, either voluntarily or by fore, to this drug court…But after many months of hard work, sacrifices, some ups and downs,
six of you have made it to graduation. Today is a new beginning for all of you. You have begun to turn your lives around.”

Not one to talk a lot about his military service as a platoon leader and company commander of an infantry rifle unit in charge of 140 men during the heat of the Vietnam War, he told the assemblage these experiences helped him focus on the important things in life.

“The experiences that I had in Vietnam, the things that I witnessed, that I did, have affected every facet of my life to date…adversity makes you stronger and you learn to build on it, use it to your advantage.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Stories of Redemption and Hope visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

James Sullivan as “Stanley” and Dana Preibe as “Winnie” meet “Buster,” portrayed by Valerie Mansi (center).

LIBERTY – “Not Much to Say” a new play in three scenes by Paul Austin, founder and artistic director of the intimate-space Liberty Free Theatre, where the motto is “everyone welcome, always”, debuts this week for a run of eight performances.

“Not Much to Say” takes double billing along with Ara Watson’s acclaimed “Final Placement”, in Austin’s words about “Final Placement,”  “It is brutally candid and profoundly compassionate as it investigates the confrontation between a social worker and a young mother whose child has been taken away from her.”

In explaining the back story of “Not Much to Say,” Austin said he penned it as a homage to Nobel Laureates Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter. “When I was a young actor in the late 1950s and early 60s, Beckett and Pinter were just arriving in young theatre peoples’ awareness, and it was a real eye-opener for me,” he recalled.

“They were new authentic voices in a time of seminal changes…you couldn’t articulate it, but you could feel it, it did something to you, and it opened up a new way of thinking and looking at the world.”

As young actors ‘world turned’, Austin said the works of the two post-atomic era playwrights caused them to view the world at large as “at once more fascinating and more frightening…the realization that death is inevitable, and both these writers helped us accept that. They were the playwrights of the vast empty wasteland of nuclear disaster,” he added. “It’s not all Norman Rockwell paintings.”

“Not Much to Say” is a comedy caper with a dark side about a couple of young lovers nabbed stealing money from an “important person” a sinister presence who settles scores with a silenced semi-automatic pistol. As Austin fleshed out the characters and pared the dialogue to one-word-at-a-time, he selected their stage names based upon associations to Beckett and Pinter.

“Buster” is a sinister spectre portrayed by Valerie Mansi, and the character was named after Buster Keaton, who Beckett “considered one of the great comic artists of our time.”

Mansi has appeared at Liberty Free Theatre in “Goods & Guns,” “Off the Wall” and “The Universal Wolf”, along with productions staged by Way Off Broadway and RISE’s “The Vagina Monologues.” She studied at HB Studio in New York City, and recently participated in a staged reading of Andy Bloch’s “The Bellflower Sessions,” alongside Forbes March, Paula Ewin and T.J. Johnson.

“Buster’s” two henchmen, “Hal” played by Tom DelFavero and Michael “Friz” Frizalone as “Sam” derive their stage names from Pinter and Beckett, respectively.

DelFavero is making his debut at Liberty Free Theatre and takes to the stage with acting credits including roles with the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop such as  “Oliver!,” “Veronica’s Room,” “Noises Off,” “Dial M for Murder” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” He is a guitarist and vocalist with The Vantwistics, and is working on his second album of original music.

Frizalone is an actor/writer/singer, and has performed on stage from Bangor, Maine to New York City. He recently played in a new film by Peking Productions that was filmed locally, and his work at the Liberty Free Theatre includes “Goods & Guns,” “Off the Wall,” “Kinfolks and Mountain Music” and this season’s acclaimed “The Dumbwaiter”.

Priebe in the role of “Winnie,” in homage to a female lead in Beckett’s “Happy Days,” is a regular at the Liberty Free Theatre, where she has been seen in “Face Divided,” “Betrayed by Everyone,” “The Person I Once Was,” “Why We Have a Body,” and Rilla Askew’s “By the Time We Got to Woodstock.”

Sullivan appears as “Stanley,” in a character named after a male lead in “The Birthday Party” by Pinter, and in “Not Much to Say,” is making his sixth appearance at LFT, where he is well remembered for his leading performance in “The Death of Bessie Smith.” He played opposite Rebecca Robbins in Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop’s award-winning production of “Proof,” and he has received a TANYS (Theatre Association of New York State community theatre award) for his role as Nick in “Over the River and Through the Woods.”

Other notable roles include Billy Einhorn in “House of Blue Leaves,” Jonathan in Way Off Broadway Too’s “Dracula,” and for the Little Victory Players, the portray of Christian in “Cyrano deBergerac.” Film credits include an appearance in Ron Littke’s “Murder at the Stone Arch Bridge,”  and in Littke’s radio play “No U Turn.”

“Not Much to Say” is not recommended for kids or folks with overly sensitive ears, as the terse language is at times a bit salty.

Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at
3:00 p.m., December 3-6, and December 10-13. Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended. For information/reservations, call 292-3788. The Liberty Free Theatre is located at 109 South Main Street, Liberty, NY.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Paul Austin’s “Not Much to Say” Debuts at LFT visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Barbara Hadden, 3^rd from left, presents a check for $10,000 to Susan Diamond of the newly formed SullivanArc Foundation. She is joined by daughter Susan Hadden, far left, and son Steven Hadden, far right. Both are recipients of SullivanArc’s services.

MONTICELLO -  SullivanArc, a not-for-profit organization supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Sullivan County since 1949, concluded its 60^th anniversary celebration with the formation of the SullivanArc Foundation.

The Foundation’s Executive Director, Susan Diamond states, “Our purpose will be to provide a source of long-term financial support to help supplement the organization’s traditional funding streams allowing development of new and innovative programs and services.” The Foundation will concentrate on developing resources that will enhance the sole needs of people with developmental disabilities.

Barbara Hadden, of Liberty, a parent of two long time recipients of SullivanArc’s services has helped initiate the creation of the Foundation fund with a donation of $10,000.

A group of dedicated volunteers, all Sullivan County residents have joined together as a Board of Directors and are committed to help raise funds for the SullivanArc Foundation. The board members are Luis Alvarez, Howard Braunstein, Dan Briggs, Cheryl Dorn, Steven Drobysh, Alana Goldstein, Bernita N. Kimble, Lynn McDonald, Kirk Orseck, Keri Poley, Glen Pontier and Wayne Zanetti.

Susan Diamond stresses that the success of the SullivanArc Foundation will play a key role in improving the quality of life for individuals served by SullivanArc as well as the community. “It is a tough year for everyone, but you don’t have to be a millionaire to make a difference” she concludes, reminding us that cash, life insurance, stock, real estate are all assets that can contribute to achieving SullivanArc’s mission and help the SullivanArc Foundation grow.

Ms. Diamond can be contacted at 845-796-1350 ext. 1003 for information regarding tax-deductible gifts, IRA charitable rollovers, charitable gift annuities, planned giving or corporate giving. Or visit their website at www.sullivanarc.org.

* Editor’s note – On the occasion of SullivanArc’s 60th Anniversary the following video was made by Geraldo Rivera. It tells of the extraordinary accomplishments of this dedicated organization and is included here to give a glimpse into what can be done with love and dedication of service. Way to go SullivanArc!

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Dana Priebe as “Luellen” a young mother trying to get her son back from ‘the system’, lashes out at “Mary”, a social worker portrayed by Rebecca Robbins.

LIBERTY – “Final Placement”, a one-act play by Ara Watson made it’s debut at the Humana Festival, and in the years since has played all over the world.

The Humana Festival of New American Plays is produced annually in Louisville, Kentucky by Actors Theatre of Louisville, and is an internationally renowned festival that celebrates the contemporary America playwright. It was founded in 1976 by Jon Jory, former Actors Theatre producing director. Starting this week, it takes double billing for eight performances at the Liberty Free Theatre alongside Paul Austin’s “Not Much to Say” a new work in three scenes.

“It is a brutally candid and profoundly compassionate as it investigates the confrontation between a social worker and a young women whole child has been taken away from her,” said Austin.

“No Much to Say” is by Paul Austin, founder and artistic director of the Liberty Free Theatre, who said of his own work, “It was written as an homage to Nobel Laureates Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter, and the language is one of the more unusual features of the play in that no line of dialogue is longer than one word.”

While teaching the art of acting and directing at Sarah Lawrence University for 18-years , Austin assigned “Final Placement” to his graduate students, as it explores the often contentious relationship between the poor and social workers, in a sense the never-ending battle between folks who don’t have a couple of pennies to rub together and society at large.

In “Final Placement”, a young poor mother with abusive husband battles with a social worker to regain custody of her son, who was taken away from her after she abused him.

Asked how the play spoke to him, Austin replied, “I grew up poor, so I recognize the fierce effect poverty has on people, and the kinds of pressures it creates on their lives…the battle for survival is constant. Poverty makes people angry, and they’re hustling all the time…if you’re really poor, you’re on the fringes of society…[and] you’re dangerous because you’re so needy, and poor people are dangerous because they have been wronged.”

Austin described “Final Placement” as “packed with resonance, it’s a powerful examination of all the things that are involved in our culture, the unequal distribution of wealth.”

The play stars Dana Priebe as “Luellen” the abusive mother fighting ‘the system’ for her so, and Rebecca Robbins in the role of “Mary”, the newly minted social worker.

Priebe is a regular presence on stage at the Liberty Free Theatre, performing in Rilla Askew’s “By the Time We Got to Woodstock,” “The Person I Once Was,” “Betrayed by Everyone” and “Face Divided.”

Robbins, who is making her debut as the local theatre known for “everyone welcome, always”, has a long list of award-winning acting credits including Catherine in “Proof” (TANYS Outstanding Performance Award), Girl in “Veronica’s Room” (TANYS Outstanding Festival Performance Award), and Shelby in “Steel Magnolias” (TANYS Outstanding Performance Award). Directorial credits include “Negative” which garnered a TANYS Meritorious Achievement Award, “The Female Odd Couple” and “The Night of January 16”. TANYS are community theatre awards bestowed by the Theatre Association of New York State.

Neither play is recommended for children, as at times the dialogue would make a U.S. Marine Corps drill sergeant blush. Probably not, but you get the idea that some of the language is rather raw.

Performances are Thursday through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at
3:00 p.m., December 3-6 and December 10-13. Seating is limited, so reservations “as always” are suggested. For information/reservations, call 292-3788. The Liberty Free Theatre is located at 109 South Main Street, Liberty, NY.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Ara Watson’s “Final Placement” Comes to LFT visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Left to Right – Employees Sarah, Michael Ramlochan, Alana, Stewart and owner Dave Ramlochan on Thanksgiving night.

Story and photos by Leni Santoro

PARKSVILLE – On Thanksgiving Day traveling from one place to another on the highways and byways of America has become almost as traditional as the turkey itself. Many travelers will stop in at one gas station/convenience store or another to gas-up and grab that last minute item that is a must have at the dinner table. But in Parksville this year, patrons were able to do more than just grab an extra loaf of bread.

For the second year in a row, the owners of Fiddle’s Wally Mart, located at the light on Route 17 in Parksville, served up a Thanksgiving dinner complete with all the trimmings to members of the local community. Anyone who came in the door on Thanksgiving afternoon was offered a full course meal to enjoy with their family either at one of the tables in the store or as a take-out meal.

Chandra and Dave Ramlochan started the tradition last Thanksgiving because they wanted to be able to “give back to the community” that has welcomed them, and their management of the Fiddle’s Wally Mart in Parksville.

Donations from many of their distributors such as Sysco, Weston Bakeries, Pepsi, Manhattan Distributors and Daisy Cakes, as well as local businesses such as McCabe’s in Liberty and even Liberty Mayor Rube Smith enabled the Ramlochans to match their generosity and provide meals to those who wished them.

The menu included turkey, dressing, mashed and sweet potatoes, vegetables, ham, rolls and dessert. At the end of the evening meals were also brought to the State Trooper’s offices in Liberty and to Daytop Village in Parksville.

Last year too, the Ramlochan’s invited Santa Claus to come for a special visit. They are also continuing that tradition again this year and invite the public and their distributors once again to help Santa by donating a new un-wrapped toy and placing it in the special gift box provided in the store. Monetary donations are also being accepted and may be placed in the jars on display near the cash registers.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Fiddle’s Wally Mart Continues Thanksgiving Tradition visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

14-year old Harrison Whitford.

NORTH BRANCH – Open Mic Night is a regular Friday evening feature at the historic North Branch Inn.

Last Friday was no exception, as 18-year old Graham and Harrison Whitford, 14, the teenage sons of Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford and Karen Whitford, a photographer, took center stage at the local inn to perform several guitar works and sing a couple of songs.

Graham Whitford was a finalist in Guitar Centers “King of the Blues” competition, placing in the top five out of 4,000 entries.

In August he played with his father and Aerosmith at a concert on Sturgis, South Dakota, and last year on tour with his dad during the band’s “Experience Hendrix” tour.

Earlier this month, he performed at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, but missed out on Aerosmith’s playing at a Formula I motor race in Abu Dhabi.

Both boys attend Elizabeth Irwin High School in New York City, and reside in NYC and Callicoon.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Sons of Aerosmith Perform at NBI visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio .

Story and photos by Carol Montana

A new business in Liberty is getting to the root of it all in more ways than one.

Root 52 Gallery at 87 Mill Street (Route 52) specializes in functional art made from the roots of trees that originate in Costa Rica. And so, owner Tiffany Moore decided to go for the root / route play on words for the name of her business.

As artistic as she is clever, Moore has taken the huge space that once housed a craft store, and turned it into a striking display of hundreds of beautiful wood pieces – vases, benches, dishes and more.

The walls of the room feature life-size photos of Moore’s staff harvesting the roots from the farms in Costa Rica. And Moore intends to have a video made that will show the process from start to finish.

Moore is the mother of three children. After she saw these wood products in Costa Rica she fell in love with them. “I love wood, I always loved the look of trees and wood, my house is full of pieces. I saw these products and decided to open a gallery.”

There are over 20 different types of woods represented in the gallery including Rosewood, Purple Hearts, Fustic, Tigerwood and Blackwood. And every single piece comes from a tree that is either threatened or endangered. 

“Most of these trees are protected by the Costa Rican government,” said Moore. “That’s why the trees are not cut. The tree has already fallen from natural causes, and the pieces are made from the root. They can be trees that were cut 50 years ago before there was a protection order on them, and the roots are still in the ground. A lot of these roots come from farmlands, and the farmers want to get the roots off their ground. But the roots are plentiful.”

Moore also said that she is looking into donating a percentage of the sales toward the replanting of these endangered trees.

While 20 or so different kinds of trees are represented, the number and variety of pieces they yield is endless. But how does the sculptor decide what the final product will look like? “The root decides what form it’s going to take,” said Moore, who spends a lot of time in Costa Rica. “There’s myself and one other man, we look at the pieces and kind of see what form it’s going to take.”

Choosing to open a business during this risky economic time takes a lot of courage. Moore said she gave that a lot of thought. “People are very careful about what they spend their money on,” said Moore. “It’s pieces they fall in love with or feel connected to … And I think a lot of people will think these pieces are beautiful. And every single piece is different.”

Roberta Byron-Lockwood, President of the Sullivan County Visitors Association who was one of those present at the grand opening remarked on the variety. “The inventory is just absolutely incredible. I’ve picked out all my holiday gifts for the next ten years. The layout and presentation are stunning.”

That sentiment was echoed by Jodi Goodman, Sullivan County Legislator for District 6, which includes the gallery site. “This is a magnificent addition to Liberty. To look at this and how magnificent it is, it’s a plus for my district. The concept is incredible, the name of the business is fabulous. I’m so excited that Tiffany chose Liberty. It’s a museum, and an art studio and a retail shop all in one. There’s an element of warmth and belonging. You can have a lot of fun in here. I’m telling my husband we have to re-do a room for one of these pieces. Tiffany can be very proud.”

And Susan Jaffe, Vice President for the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development said how wonderful it is “to welcome a new business, there are some beautiful pieces of functional art. I want everyone to know that we’re going to have the Holiday Harvest Market in Liberty soon, and this business is a wonderful addition, and I encourage everyone to walk on down and do some shopping.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Root 52 Gallery Opens in Liberty visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Miss New York State 2009 Alyse J. Zwick caught a ride in Dick
Herbert’s classic 1960 Corvette.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Santa rides a big V-Twin.

JEFFERSONVILLE – Talk about a lot of Santas!

Dancing Santas, sitting Santas, prancing Santas, Santas riding on fire trucks, and Santas throwing candy to kids in the crowd. Santas on sleighs, a Santa on a big V-Twin motorcycle, and a Jolly ‘Ole Santa handing out presents after a parade. The 15th Annual James Dworetsky Memorial Holiday Parade of November 27, had more Santas than you could toss a reindeer at.

The first parade in 1994 was a joint fire prevention effort between four local volunteer fire departments: Jeffersonville, Youngsville, Kenoza Lake and Callicoon Center.

A fireman all decked out in Christmas tree lights helped brightened spirits.

Bill Thony, chairman of what became known as the James Dworetsky Memorial Holiday Parade said the deceased firefighter was instrumental in planning for the inaugural fire prevention committee parade, but tragically passed away only two days before the parade stepped off down the main drag in Jeffersonville.

“It’s done in the spirit of fire prevention and the holiday season,” he said of the popular annual parade. “Jim was a very dedicated firefighter and an excellent educator in fire prevention. He could stand in front of a group of third or fifth graders and have them shaking in their boots before he broke out with in a big
grin on his face.”

The Dworetsky Family wished everyone “Happy Holidays.”

According to Thony, approximately 50-55 fire departments and floats were in the line of march.

“People had a really good time, and it brings all the community together,” he added proudly.

Laura Dworetsky, Jim’s mother, was the 2009 Grand Marshall, and several of his beloved nieces and nephews rode on the first float, a float by the Dworetsky Family wishing everyone “Happy Holidays.”

Alyse J. Zwick, Miss New York State 2009, a contestant in the Miss America Beauty Pageant, caught a ride in Dick Herbert’s classic 1960 Corvette, but the vintage American icon nicknamed “My Peach” had a few mechanical problems, and rather than a trip to the pits, was pushed down the road by a few spirited volunteers.

Alyse J. Zwick, Miss New York State 2009 paid special attention to a young beauty pageant fan waiting in line for an autographed photograph.

After the parade, Miss New York autographed photographs of herself for scores of enthralled youngsters.

Even with more Santas than you could count, Thony declined to reveal who was who under all the fuzzy white whiskers and big red suits.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from 15^th Annual James Dworetsky Parade Dazzles Crowds visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Left to right (back row) Heinrich Strauch (Liberty CDC) and Jeremy Gorelick (incoming Board Chair/SC Chamber and President Emanon Equities). Left to right (bottom row) Jacquie Leventoff (Kohls/Chamber Foundation Member), Barbara Sush (Body, Mind & Spirit Wellness Center Office Manager), Rich Sush (Sullivan Renaissance and SC Chamber Board Member), Grandma Moses, and Rich Klein (Law Firms PR). – Photos courtesy of RubyFlecks Creative Consulting

CALLICOON -The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce recently marked its 35^th year of serving businesses in Sullivan County through a gala Annual Meeting and celebration at the The Clubhouse at Villa Roma on Thursday, November 19.

To a crowd of more than 100 business colleagues, Chamber President/CEO Terri Ward recalled the Chamber’s beginnings.

“It was 35 years ago during the gas crisis that this Chamber of Commerce was created by a group of small business owners joining forces to make a change.”

She later added that, “It will be especially important to preserve and reward the special genius of capitalism. We need to stay focused on what’s best about our economy, and be sure we continue to unleash its potential. We also need to get back to basics.”

The Outgoing Board President then introduced keynote speakers and honorees Patrick Dollard and Dr. Theresa Hamlin who proudly represented The Center For Discovery.

Both keynote speakers described the center as “an extraordinary place to work.” The Center spans more than 900 acres with more than 1,500 employees and serves more than 1,000 people annually.

Outgoing Board Chair, Susan Hamlin, introduced and welcomed incoming Board President, Jeremy Gorelick, who will begin his tenure on January 1^st.  “I look forward to serving Sullivan County businesses and working closely with our Board of Directors and our affiliate organizations,” said Gorelick.

The 35 Annual Meeting and Celebration was sponsored by Thunder 102, WSUL/WVOS, RubyFlecks Creative Consulting, The SC Partnership for Economic Development, and Heaven’s Door Event Planning.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter Panzarino, Larry Schafman, Past President Judge Bart Rasnick and Treasurer Sy Berenson with the $3000 donation check.

FALLSBURG – The Fallsburg Lions Club appreciates the services offered to the community by the Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC). Chief Operating Officer Steve Ruwoldt recognized the Club’s support for as soon as he took over management of the facility, he became an active member of the Lions.

This year the Fallsburg service group donated $3000 to the hospital and an additional $1000 to Rape Intervention Services and Education (RISE) that is now under the auspices of CRMC.

Lions President Larry Schafman presenting certificates of service to left to right, Gregory Bedik, Amanni Sitz and Stephen Bedik (Brooke Rappaport was unable to attend the dinner).

Mr. Ruwoldt was unable to attend the hospital sponsored dinner at CRMC on November 19 and had his Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter Panzarino, ably stand in for him as to receive the $3000 check from Treasurer Sy Berenson, former President Judge Bart Rasnick and current President Larry Schafman of the Fallsburg Lions Club. Mrs. Dale Berenson organized the event with hospital staff.

Dr. Panzarino thanked the Lions for their ongoing support of the hospital and for their commitment to service in the Sullivan County community.

The future for service was ably represented by four students from Fallsburg High School – Stephen and Gregory Bedik, Amanni Sitz and Brooke Rappaport, who were special honored guests of the Lions in recognition of their efforts in serving club functions in the community.

Story and photos by Carol Montana

About 50 people attended the Senior Legislative Action Committee (SLAC) meeting on November 20 to hear about the New York State budget crisis.

Representing NYS Senator John Bonacic was Joanne Drake. Reading from a prepared statement from Senator Bonacic, Ms. Drake said, “One of the most important things we can do for seniors is to reduce and eliminate school property taxes. The senate has passed legislation that I have cosponsored to both freeze school taxes … and also to allow for their complete elimination.”

Ms. Drake also read Senator Bonacic’s statements about senior housing and affordable apartments for seniors, and saving hospitals and beds in Achieve Rehabilitation. Bonacic is especially proud of his fight against the NYRI powerline. And Ms. Drake also spoke about Bonacic’s part in the recent legislation strengthening drunken driving laws.

For her part, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther criticized some of the media for saying nothing was getting done in Albany. “You have to listen and be engaged in order to understand what’s going on in Albany or what we do in our office and there’s absolutely no interest. Once every election cycle they’ll come and they’ll ask you a few questions. Other than that they don’t want to be insightful as far as writing the appropriate and accurate story.” 

As far as what has been going on in Albany, “There’s been a lot of negotiations. and we did pass a few great bills — the ignition interlock law. We also passed a significant piece of legislation … it has to do with the public authorities. We have over 700 public authorities in the state of New York, at this point they are $152 billion in debt, there is no oversight, nobody watching what they’re doing, where the money is going. When we bond money in NY, we’re bonding for the public authorities and it’s time to get rid of them, to merge some of them. This particular piece of legislation is going to save billions of dollars. We need a smaller, more efficient government.”  

Gunther said that unless the state reins in spending and property taxes, “people will leave NYS, it will be a mass exodus …”

Calling the leadership of some of her fellow Democrats “an absolute disgrace,” Gunther stated that “It’s not time for partisan politics.”

She also talked about a bill designed to eliminate consultants who spend as much as 20-30 years working for New York State. “Now those jobs will be filled by residents of New York who will pay income taxes to New York.”

Gunther and Drake entertained questions about charging non-profits for fire and police, natural gas drilling, education, consolidation of municipal services, saving hospitals and many other topics.

Regarding the new recommendations for mammograms at 50 instead of 40 years of age, Gunther said that “it was an attack on women. I think it’s driven by the insurance companies. We need to make our own decisions.”

Responding to the issue of budget cuts, SLAC co-chair Priscilla Bassett said, “There are concrete things that can be done to create other revenue streams.” Gunther agreed that “it’s not about cuts, it’s about reducing costs.”

Additionally, Gunther talked about freezing property taxes, the MTA tax and state unfunded mandates. “We’re at a point where people have a feeling of hopelessness. As much as you save, as much as you cut back, it doesn’t seem like the end of the day you can pay your bills.”

“I might be spending Thanksgiving eating a turkey sandwich up there, but that’s okay as long as they figure it out,” Gunther joked. “You want to clear the slate, go to a new year and hope for the very best.”

Sullivan County Legislator Leni Binder also spoke. And at that point, the meeting got a little heated as audience members questioned her about the new Sullivan County Solid Waste User Fee. “I’m agreeing with you. There is a lot of controversy about this. I’m not saying there isn’t. However, would you have preferred a 17-percent increase.”

Referring to the ongoing problem with the county landfill, Neversink resident Joe Inghrim commented,  “It didn’t just happen overnight.”

Binder put a solid responsibility on county board of supervisor who were the predecessors to the county legislature, responding that “I never understood, nor did I run to be legislature to deal with garbage.”

“There are inequities for seniors,” countered Bassett, “because seniors produce less waste.” 

Binder pleaded with the audience to attend the public hearings. “One of the things we’re looking at is to give you a credit if, in fact, you do recycle. You folks have to come and tell the county government. Call up the county government at 807-0435. Please give them lists of what your suggestions are. Write them out. Talk to them. You’d better voice these concerns,” she warned, “because I don’t have all the answers and I’m only one vote.”

SLAC co-chair Roz Sharoff then told the audience that “Town Hall meetings on the budget and the waste fee will be held on December 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Liberty Senior Center in Liberty, and on Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mamakating Town Hall. The public hearings will then be Thursday, December 10 at noon and Monday December 14 at 7:00 p.m.” Both public hearings will take place in the legislative hearing room of the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello.

Binder also mentioned that there will be a public announcement about a night meeting when the Commissioner of Corrections comes down to discuss the jail.

Bassett asked Binder about a provision in the budget to possibly sell the Adult Care Center, saying that SLAC is very concerned about that. Binder said that selling the Care Center is not in the budget. “I am a senior, and I face every issue that you do,” reminded Binder. “And I understand that everybody in this room is one critical illness away from total poverty, one social security check away from losing their home. … And by the way, if you have county insurance, they’ll pay to pull your teeth, they won’t pay to pull them. So I had to pay for my own teeth.”

To end the meeting, Sharoff read a piece against the Solid Waste Fee from county Legislator Alan Sorenson’s Web site.

The next meeting of the Senior Legislative Action Committee will be on December 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center on Jefferson Street in Monticello.

Tanya Cohen as Molly Calvin and Bill Moloney as Grant Lerner reveal their relationship.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

JEFFERSONVILLE – “The Bellflower Sessions,” a highly quirky and intriguingly convoluted story of a self-proclaimed victim of life who seeks help from a rather unbalanced psychiatrist in the guise of Dr. Wendy Bellflower is a play in two riveting acts by Andy Bloch, formerly known as Rooster Mitchell.

On Saturday, November 21, the staged reading of Bloch’s work was debuted before close to 50 folks at Samba Café on the main drag in town, under the artistic direction of Tim Corcoran, one of the founders of NYC’s famed 29th Street Rep.

Forbes Match as Jack Calvin and Tanya Cohen as Molly Calvin in a moment of marital discord.

The reading featured soap opera star Forbes March as Jack Calvin, Tanya Cohen in the role of Molly Calvin, Paula Ewin as Dr. Bellflower, Bill Moloney as Grant Lerner and Thelonoius Johnson in the portrayal of Derek Coles.

March first began acting in Vancouver, where he landed his first series, “Northwood,” and then rapidly moved on to a career in modeling, doing print work for Armani, Tommy H., and Marlboro Clothing. He quit the role of a high-end clothes horse to attend the prestigious Lee Strasberg Acting Institute, followed by his first big acting role as Scott Chandler on ABC’s daytime soap opera “All My Children”. Then came a role in the indie film “Campfire Stories”, the portrayal of Jesse Kilmartin on the Canadian TV sci-fi series “Mutant X”, and a brief stint as Nash Brennan on ABC’s “One Life to Live”. In July 2009, March originated the character of Mason Jarvis on “As the World Turns,” a daytime drama series.

Asked his take on Jack Calvin, “an angry, unhappily married victim of the recession,” March replied, “I still don’t have an answer to describe the character…he’s trying extremely hard to keep it together when everything around him is falling apart. He’s desperately seeking order, and everywhere he goes to find order, he finds more anarchy which eventually pushes him over the edge.”

Tanya Cohen is partners with her spouse Ken as owners of the Janice Center in Jeffersonville, where she is also musical director.

At the age of ten Cohen began performing in several local groups such as the Callicoon Center Band, the Livingston Manor Band, the Sullivan Symphonic Band, later branching out to the Orange County Orchestra and the Northeast Music Festival. Over the last decade, Cohen has been active in theatre, appearing in “The Lamb,” “The Glass Menagerie,” “A Shayna Maidel” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” Not content with ‘the boards,’ her film credits include “The Food Chain,” “Four Deadly Reasons,” Nickelodeon and a Mariah Carey documentary.

Forbes March as Jack Calvin and Paula Ewin as Dr. Wendy Bellflower, along with Tanya Cohen as Molly Calvin and Bill Maloney as Grant Lerner.

Paula Ewin is a graduate of the William Esper Studio in the city, and a founding member and long time player in the acting ensemble of the award-winning Off Broadway theatre company 29th Street Rep, where she has performed leading roles in over 27 New York and World Premier productions since 1988.

In additions to numerous theatre and television credits, in 2000 Ewin produced and co-directed “Look Here! A Portrait of Sylvia Sleigh”, a documentary short profiling the life of the realist painter known for her male nudes and feminist contributions. In playwright Bill Nave’s epic “Necktie Breakfast”, she played a charming Southern Belle menaced by her abusive KKK husband in Depression era Kentucky.

Ewin is the recipient of an OOBR award for her performance in “Night of Nave”, the Irene ACTF Irene Ryan award for Excellence in Acting, and is listed in Who’s Who in American Women and Theatre World.

At present, the accomplished vocalist is touring with “Party of One,” a musical tribute to the immortal Julie London, which she showcased a couple of years ago to a wild reception at Samba Café.

Ewin is active in The Hive – The Women of 29th Street Rep, a re-invention
of the award-winning Off Broadway theatre. The Hive invites and provides artists with an environment of networking and resources for boundary-breaking projects in all mediums.

Tim Corcoran, artistic director, and founding member of the 29th Rep in NYC, introduces the staged reading.

Her view of portraying Dr. Bellflower?

“She’s a very intelligent psychiatrist, high strung, crazy, wacko, making a fortune…I don’t totally understand her, but she thrives on it. It’s heightened reality.”

Bill Maloney, A NYSP Trooper/BCI Investigator brought his fan club with him, as at the end when someone commented upon the earthy dialogue, a call was heard from the back of the house, “Spoken like a real Trooper.”

Moloney is an avid actor in his spare time, and recently appeared to rave reviews in the Forestburgh Theatre Arts Center’s adaptation of “Inherit the Wind” opposite Norman Duttweiler in the leading roles.

Forbes Match as Jack Calvin and Thelonious “TJ” Johnson as Derek Coles.

Thelonoius Johnson, better known as T.J., was named after the famous American jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk by his father, a jazz musician and mother, an artist.

An actor, model and personal trainer with elite clients including CNN’s Anderson Cooper and celebrity hairstylist Roque Jiminez, as a model he has been featured in Vogue, Italia, Details, scoring the cover shot on Maximum Fitness. Acting highlights embody roles on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “One Life to Live” and “All My Children.” Named one of 2008’s Most Eligible Bachelors by “Extra,” T.J.’s most recent credit is being selected as the face of Capcom Viral Videos, a series of comedy viral videos promoting the popular video game Bionic Commando.

Valerie Mansi read the stage directions.

Valerie Mansi, stage director.

Mansi studied acting at HB Studio in NYC, and is a member of the Liberty Free Theatre, where she has appeared in “Goods & Guns,” “The Universal Wolf” and “Off the Wall,” along with “The Vagina Monologues” at Sullivan County Community College.

The playwright, Andy Bloch, is perhaps best known for his stage play “The Killer and the Comic,” while his follow up play, “Never the Same Rhyme Twice,” about four con women in a prison in upstate New York had successful runs in Chicago.
Later, they moved ‘in tandem’ to NYC’s 29th Street Rep, in an evening of one-acts Off Broadway called “Buffalo Bill: Two Brutal Comedies.”

Concoran said of “The Bellflower Sessions,” the play in two acts by Bloch, “This is a chance to bring something up here for a reading and get a little feedback, it’s never been read before…it has a dark undertone, it’s comedy noir.”

As one of the five founding actors of 29th Street Rep, he was the voice of Spiderman for Marvel Comics, appeared for eight years on “The Guiding Light”, and has acted from Maine to California. At the 28th Street Rep, he directed the first revival of Sam Shepard’s “Fool for Love,” which enjoyed a 19-week run of 122 performances, ranking as the company’s most successful production at the box office.

The NYC-based company’s motto is “29th Street Rep – Where Brutal Theatre Lives!” and this reputation carried over well to “The Bellflower Sessions,” as at times it’s pithy dialogue could have put a seasoned salty sea dog to shame.

To view more photos from A “Rooster” Crows at Samba Café visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Jimmy Blake receives award from Sullivan County Legislature. – Provided Photos

MONTICELLO – Jimmy Blake knows how to retire.

A custodian in the Fallsburg Central School District for over 19 years, Blake spent 16 of those years as an active member of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 853.

Jimmy decided to celebrate his retirement by hosting his friends and colleagues at a buffet dinner at Mr. Willy’s Restaurant in Monticello on October 24.

Almost 100 attended and applauded County Legislators Ron Hiatt, David Sager, and Leni Binder as they presented Blake with a Certificate of Special Recognition for his wonderful and inspiring leadership as President of Local 853.

Jimmy and Sharon Blake will be moving to south Florida to be closer to their children and to enjoy the year round sunshine. Sharon will continue her work with Head Start in the new location.

Story and photos by Carol Montana

Tara Berescik believes in being a role model for her students. So, when the opportunity came along to apply for an award, she took it. “I tell my students that they should go for this award or that scholarship. So I’m being hypocritical if there’s one that I’m eligible for that I don’t apply for.”

And so, the nine-year agricultural sciences teacher at Tri-Valley Central School (TV) in Grahamsville finds herself the recipient of the National Outstanding Agricultural Teacher for 2009.

It’s not the first time Berescik has won an award. “In 2008 I won the New York Outstanding Agricultural Teacher Award, which is what made me eligible to win the national one. The national award is actually six winners.” The National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) chooses a winner from each region in the United States. TV is in the Northeastern Region, which encompasses 18 states. Berescik also won Outstanding New Teacher in NY in 2002 — her second year teaching.

The ag program at TV has had its share of honors, also. In 2008 it was named the Outstanding National Program, which came about because it had won against 30 other programs in New York in 2007. “We were recognized as an Outstanding National Program, too, through the National Future Farmers of America (FFA),” says Berescik. “We’ve been recognized pretty much every year for the ag program – that’s not me, that’s the students and what I do with them.”

What she does with her students is very impressive. For the past eight years, the TV FFA chapter has run the haunted house at the Giant Pumpkin Party, put on to raise funds for the Daniel Pierce Library in Grahamsville. A food drive in 2008 collected over 5000 items for area food pantries, and the ag students have worked with Sullivan Renaissance for community beautification with the program’s other teacher Robert Hayes.

“If you can’t be a member of your community, there’s no point in living in the community,” said Berescik. “Since I’ve been here – I’ve stopped adding them up – I’ve done over 10,000 hours of community service, because when the kids are in something, I’m in something. There’s no reason for us not to try to give back just as much as the community is giving to us.”

That community support is very important to the TV ag program. It includes support from parents for trips and fundraisers, from businesses for intern and work possibilities, and from fellow educators who teach the students what they need to know about math and computers and business – all of which figures into the ag program, which, Berescik says is “different from traditional education.” …

To read the full story go to – Teaching Her Students to Seize Every Opportunity in the new Sullivan Faces Section of The Catskill Chronicle or just click on the link.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Teaching Her Students to Seize Every Opportunity visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Best Residential Construction over 2500 square feet –  Ferndale/Loomis Road in Ferndale – Provided Photos

MONTICELLO – Homes and businesses that enhance the appearance of Sullivan County were recognized at the 2009 “Sullivan Showcase Awards” on November 12 at the Eagle’s Nest in Bloomingburg. 

The annual awards are sponsored by the Sullivan County Board of Realtors and Sullivan Renaissance. 

The 2009 Residential building judges were Diane Deutsch of Preferred Homes & Properties, Joe Freda of Freda Real Estate and Glenn Pontier of Sullivan Renaissance. Outside of being a judge for this year’s awards, during the award ceremony, Diane S. Deutsch received a special Certificate of Appreciation “For her selfless service and her dedication to maintaining the highest standards in the production of the Sullivan Showcase Awards and the Architectural Awards.”

The 2009 Commercial building judges were: Melissa Lanza Drajpuch of Century 21 Lanza Realty; Diane Butler of Eagle Valley Realty and Susan Boersema of Ulster Savings Bank.

The 2009 Municipal building judges were: Glenn Gidaly, senior project manager with Barton & Loguidice of Ellenville, and Scott Wohl, director of government affairs at Orange County Association of Realtors in Goshen.

Van Morrow put together the PowerPoint presentation; Saraid Baez of Sullivan Renaissance created the award certificates; and Fritz Mayer, Lori Malone, Jennifer Bitetto, Emily Grillo and Danielle Gaebel of The River Reporter produced the journal.

Board of Realtors President Susan Hemmer, who emceed the awards, encouraged everyone to begin thinking about nominations for 2010.  For more information about the awards, call Ada Cole at 845-794-2735, scbr@verizon.net.

________________________________________________________________

And the 2009 Sullivan Showcase Award Winners are:

· Best Residential Spruce-up: Bayer Road of North Branch

Owner: John Mather and Kevin Dwyer, North Branch

Contractor/Builder: Ed J. LeRoy, Damascus, PA

· Best Residential Renovation: Little Hollow Road in Grahamsville

Owner: Jan Van Nostrand, Grahamsville

Architect: Jaime  Stankevicius, Livingston Manor

Contractor/Builder: Jim Krupp, Krupp Contracting, Livingston Manor

· Best Modular Construction: East Hill Road in Youngsville

Owner/Contact: New World Home, Youngsville

Contractor/Builder: Ruby Construction, Goshen

· Best Residential Construction (under 2500 sf): Heinle Road in White Sulphur

Owner: Will Foster, White Sulphur

Contractor/Builder: Catskill Harvest, Liberty

Architect: Catskill Harvest, LLC

·  Best Residential Construction (over 2500 sf): Ferndale/Loomis Road in Ferndale

Owner: Maurice Gerry, Ferndale

Contractor/Builder: Lynn Dowe, Mountain Construction, Ferndale

· Unique/Most Interesting Residential: Bobolink House in North Branch

Owner: Jeff McMahon and Lizanne Haimes, Bobolink House, North Branch

Architect: Jeff McMahon

Contractor/Builder: Jeff McMahon

·  Best Commercial Spruce-up: Jeff Bank on Forestburgh Road, Monticello

Owner: The First National Bank of Jeffersonville

Landscaping: Mountain Valley Landscaping, Monticello; Landscape Architect: KALA-Karen Arent Landscaping Architect

· Best Commercial Renovation/Mixed Use: “On the Mat” Yoga Studio on Main Street, Mountaindale

Owner: “On the Mat in Mountaindale Yoga,” Main Street, Mountaindale, Ken and Barbara Schmitt

Contractor/Builder: Diversified Realty Services, LLC, Mountaindale

· Best Commercial Renovation: “Café Devine” on Lower Main Street, Callicoon

Owner: Patti Devine

Architect: MJ Chojnicki, Architect PC, Callicoon

Contract/Builder: Ed LeRoy, LeRoy Construction, Damascus, PA

· Best New Commercial: “Rock Hill Healthmart Pharmacy” on Rock Hill Drive, Rock Hill

Owner: Scott and Diane Mace

Architect: John Horton, Wurtsboro

Contractor/Builder: Built to Last, Inc./Aaron Salovin, Rock Hill

· Unique/Most Interesting Commercial: “Catskill Mountain Sugar House” on Glade Hill Road, Grahamsville

Owner: Catskill Mountain Sugar House, LLC

Designer: Woodstone-Toronto Development LLC/Steve Dubrovsky, Bethel

Contractor/Builder: Garigliano Contracting LLC, Grahamsville

· Best Municipal/Public Building Project [awarded $2000 grant for beautification by Sullivan Renaissance]: Bloomingburg Fire House on Godfrey Road, Bloomingburg

Owner: Bloomingburg Joint Fire District

Contact: Harold Baird

Architect: David R. Wieboldt Architect/ McGoey, Hauser & Edsall Engineers

Contractor/Builder: Verticon Ltd.

After 25 years on the bench, it’s time to relax!

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

MONTICELLO/ALBANY – Not bad for the son of a sausage maker.

Judge Anthony T. Kane recently announced he was stepping down from his position as an Associate Justice of the New York State Appellate Division, Third Department, after a total of a quarter of a century dedicated to serving the public.

“I come from a blue collar background, and although my father was not a formally educated man, he owned a company…and my mother was born in Budapest who came to the United States as a 13-year old,” he recalled, adding that while living with his parents in Mount Vernon, he helped stuff Italian sausages during the summer in the Bronx.

Kane said that under the ”steady guidance” of their mother, his brother was the first in a large Hungarian/Irish family to earn a college degree, and Judge Kane was the first to attend graduate school.

After deciding that a career in economics wasn’t his cup of tea, Kane took the Law School Admission Tests (LSATs) “and by some twist of fate I did well on them” and after graduating from Iona College “by another strange twist of fate” was admitted to Cornell Law School.

“When I graduated in 1969, there was a lot of social movement, social unrest going on at that time…[and I decided} I wanted to do some kind of public service law.”

Upon learning there was an opening as a legal services attorney in Sullivan County, Kane and his wife Nancy packed up a few boxes of law books, moved to Liberty.

He started working for Nat Hand while she landed a teaching job at Eldred Central School. The couple eventually settled in Forestburgh where they have  lived for the last 35 years, along the way raising their two sons Mathew and Timothy.

Later as a public defender, Kane worked alongside Ira Cohen and Gary Greenwald. He then joined the law firm run by Steve Oppenheim and Ted Drew, which later became Oppenheim, Drew and Kane, but in 1980 went out on his own as a private practice attorney, also serving as legal counsel for the Town
of Forestburgh.

In 1984, Kane tossed his hat into the political arena in a bid for Sullivan County Family Court Judge, got elected and took the bench in 1985…

To read the full story go to – Judge Kane Hangs Up His Robes in the new Sullivan Faces Section of The Catskill Chronicle or just click on the link.

To view more photos from Judge Kane Hangs Up His Robes visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

Story and photos by Leni Santoro

MOUNTAINDALE – The story of trains is also the story of our nation. The railroads built the country and shaped its future in a way that no other event has done.

In celebration of all things railroad, and the birth of a new old train station, folks gathered in Mountaindale early on Saturday morning, November 14, to give credit where credit was due and to say thanks for a job well done; in the 1800s and now.

Although the new train station-slash-visitor center is a state-of-the-art new construction, its design is based on the original 1920 architectural plans for the New York, Ontario & Western Railway (O&W) building proposed for Mountaindale that was never built.

The new train station was originally proposed for Mountaindale by then County Planning Commissioner Alan Sorensen and local architect Robert Dadras sometime around 1998. It was Ken Schmitt of the Mountaindale Community Development Project, Inc. that recalled having seen the old blueprints for a train station in the O&W Railway Historical Society archives in Middletown, NY. All in all the names of those involved might well encompass the entire town.

Located on Railroad Station in Mountaindale, across from the Post Office, the new building features public restrooms and lots of parking access for the trail head of the Rails to Trails to Woodridge and beyond.

Both the interior and exterior have been painstakingly modeled after actual O&W stations of decades past. Inside, visitors to the station will find a permanent exhibit of dozens of black and white photographs of trains that ran along the O&W rail lines through Mountaindale, as well as other railroad memorabilia.

On Saturday among those there to celebrate and help with the ribbon cutting ceremony were Senator John Bonacic, Sullivan County Legislator Alan Sorensen and Legislady Leni Binder, Town of Fallsburg Supervisor, throughout the project, Steve Levine, Will Illing, architect and engineer, County Historian John Conway, members of both the Mountaindale Action Committee and the Mountaindale Community Development Project, John Taibi, renowned author of numerous O&W books, Helen Budrock from Sullivan Renaissance and Paul Lounsbury who gave a moving performance of his musical, multimedia tribute to the railroad era entitled, “A Catskill Trilogy.”

Refreshments were provided by the Mountaindale Community Development Project and the Mountaindale Action Committee, which also provided the flowers.

Serving the refreshments was chef Paul Vignolesi, creator of several of the items on the dessert table, and owner of Nonni’s Trattoria just down the street from the Post Office in Mountaindale.

Both the Mountaindale Community Development Project and the Mountaindale Action Committee have received numerous Sullivan Renaissance awards for their efforts to beautify Mountaindale and its Rails to Trails.

The emotions of many of the speakers were visible as they surveyed the room and those in attendance and often recalled the many years it took to get to this day.

“We decided we were going to do this project; no matter what, said Steve Levine, recalling a twenty year dream. “I’m just grateful the project is completed and it’s in Mountaindale.

Others recalled the history of the railroads the advantages the era of rail travel would bring to areas previously difficult to reach by other means.

Speaking of how the railroads changed the towns they ran through or near and how people would turn out to celebrate the coming of the railroad, John Taibi  said, “The fact is that what we are doing here today is very similar to what they did a hundred years ago…It developed a pipeline…a magic carpet…through all the years it was the depot…it became the heart of the community. Today we can still walk along the trails we have set up and still feel the thunder and hear the laughter and the giddiness of people who came to this area.”

He spoke of the golden age of the health resorts and the entertainers that followed creating a new industry, inspiring those gathered with hope for the future of Mountaindale and all of Sullivan County when he said, “ I can tell you this is something that doesn’t happen every day…they built the depot first..but maybe there will be the need for the railroad again.” To which those listening responded with oohs and aahs and whispers of “Don’t you wish it were so?”

When Senator Bonacic spoke he told of what the new visitors find when they come to Sullivan County, the things people don’t often find in big cities, the Rails to Trails, the peace and quiet, the friendliness and the welcome ways of the people here. Then summed it up by saying, “Congratulations, Town of Fallsburg,” and taking a look around at the faces of those gathered, the photographs hung upon the walls and looking out the window as if he was waiting, as everyone seemed to be for the sound of a train whistle.

Also speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony was County Historian John Conway, whose expertise in all things historical regarding the county has no equal.

As Paul Lounsbury set up and the screen came alive with images of trains and the mountains that held them close not a sound was heard other than the music and the song of a man from Hurleyville whose grandfather and father could recall when trains were an important part of the daily existence in the county.

Listening were young people with wide-eyed wonder staring at images of trains they’d only heard about or seen in books and middle-aged folks wishing they were perhaps a bit older, older enough to have ridden upon or been visited by these magnificent dragons of the past And standing off to the side, two gentlemen who could stand there and recount the times they had.

Trains had brought people to the county. Saturday, people dedicated a new old train station that will bring future generations of people to the trains.

To view more photos from A Brand New Old Train Station Opens in Mountaindale visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.

To view Paul Lounsbury’s video presentation just click the play arrow in the center of the YouTube video below. Enjoy!