Author Archive
February Marks the Start of the CAS Arts Center 2010 Exhibition Season
Friday, 22 January 2010 By leni
LIVINGSTON MANOR – The Catskill Art Society is a non-profit cultivating public interest, participation, and enjoyment of the arts. Through its multi-arts center, CAS explores contemporary art practices and facilitates creative and professional development for established and emerging artists.
The 2010 CAS Exhibition Season begins on Saturday, February 6, 2010 with an exhibit entitled “Shifting Perspectives,” featuring the works of Christine Gedeon and Joel Edwards. Opening day events include: an artist talk from 1 to 2 p.m. followed by an opening reception from 2 to 4 p.m.
On Friday, February 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. CAS will host “From Russia With Love,” an evening event that will include a special menu created by chef Rob Rayevsky of Rolling River Cafe.Dinner will be served in ceramic and antique bowls that guests can take home. Tickets are $50 and will include: • Delicious Russian menu by Rolling River Cafe • Take home bowl of your choice • Russian Beer sampler donated by Gasko & Meyer • Wine and other beverages • A mid-winter raffle with 1 chance included in your ticket price. Additional tickets will be available for purchase. • Screening of the film “White Nights” directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines, Helen Mirren, and Isabella Rossellini. For more information call 845-436-4227 or e-mail info@catskillartsociety.org.The 2010 CAS Exhibition Season
February 6 – March 14 – Shifting Perspectives, Christine Gedeon & Joel Edwards
March 20 – April 25 – At 85, Douglas Craft & Elizabeth Harms
May 1 – 23 – Sullivan County High School Art Show
May 29 – June 19 – CAS Silent Auction Benefit
June 26 – July 18 – CAS Summer Members Show
July 24 – August 29 – Cindy Shechter & Linda Sokolowski
September 4 – October 10 – Tillman Crane with Richard Barnett, Everardo Goyanes, Vivien Goldman, Dorothea Eiben & David Puig
October 16 – November 21 – Utopia & Wallpaper, curated by Joel Carreiro & Brett DePalma
November 27 – December 29 – CAS Members Show & Holiday Fair
On the opening day of each exhibition there will be an artist talk and reception that are free to the public.
The Catskill Art Society is a non-profit cultivating public interest, participation, and enjoyment of the arts. Through its multi-arts center, CAS explores contemporary art practices and facilitates creative and professional development for established and emerging artists.
Delaware Valley Arts Alliance Launches the Arts Alive Drive
Friday, 22 January 2010 By leni
NARROWSBURG – In response to the drastic cuts to the arts over the past two years, Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) is launching “Arts Alive Drive,” a yearlong $100,000 fundraising effort to sustain the arts, a core asset to our region. Starting now and ending at DVAA’s 35th Anniversary Gala in March of 2011, the Arts Alive Drive has many components that include the traditional raffles, donation boxes, and a 5K walk. DVAA is also introducing a new concept: dozens of simultaneous house parties held on April 10 under the banner “Savor the Arts.”
“We need community participation for all aspects of the Arts Alive Drive,” says Delaware Valley Arts Alliance Board President Robin McClernon. “But right now we’re asking the community to use their creativity and cooking skills to host dozens of simultaneous individual dinners and gatherings on Saturday, April 10 for the benefit of DVAA.”
“Savor the Arts” parties will be held in Sullivan County, the Upper Delaware River Valley, New York City, and wherever DVAA friends might find themselves on April 10. The party can be anything from barbecued beans and beer to a champagne and caviar event. It can be hosted in your home, place of business, a restaurant, or even at a public space. Your guests would know in advance that it is a fundraiser. You can set a suggested donation price or ask guests to contribute what they can. Then on Sunday, April 11, everyone’s guests will be invited to a gratis brunch, open house and silent auction at the Delaware Arts Center in Narrowsburg.
“We already have 14 commitments,” says Executive Director Elaine Giguere, “and the possibilities are endless. While these events can be very simple, we have one very creative party committed that will serve pasta on a handmade glass plate that guests can take home.”
Call DVAA at (845) 252-7576 for details on how to create and host a party.
The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance was founded in 1976 and serves as Arts Council for Sullivan County, New York. DVAA presents programs in the visual, performing, literary, and media arts and services a county-and valley-wide constituency of artists, arts groups and the general public.
DVAA sponsors an outstanding variety of arts and cultural programs in its facilities, the Delaware Arts Center and the Tusten Theatre, a fully-renovated 160-seat facility, both located in Narrowsburg, NY. The Delaware Arts Center building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
DVAA also publishes the ”Artsletter,” a bi-monthly publication, and maintains the www.ArtsAllianceSite.org website to serve its members and the general public.
There’s Still Time – Ensure Your Inclusion in the 2010 Visitor’s Guide
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 By leniFERNDALE - The Sullivan County Visitors Association has been accumulating information for the 2010 edition of their Sullivan County Catskills Visitors Guide. The guide features detailed listings of a wide range of tourism businesses including attractions, outdoor recreation, accommodations and restaurants. Over 150,000 copies of the guide are produced and will be used in response to all inquiries received as a result of the Association’s and the Catskill Region’s advertising campaigns. They will also be distributed at travel shows in which the Association and its members participate as well as at paid information centers in the northeast.
A listing in this guide is free of charge. All a tourism business needs to do in order to be included is to fill out the association’s Tourism Business Profile. Although the deadline for submission of information has passed, the Visitors Association wants to be sure to list as many as possible of the county’s tourism businesses in the guide. In order to ensure your inclusion in the 2010 Sullivan County Catskills Visitors Guide, please contact the SCVA at 747-4449.
Livingston Manor Rotary to Hold 51st Annual Ice Carnival
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 By leni
LIVINGSTON MANOR – For those of you who have never attended the annual Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival you just don’t know what you are missing. A much beloved tradition for 51 years, the carnival comes complete with a Queen, a King and (in the past) some of the most famous figure skaters ever to take to the ice, including past Olympic Medalists and National Champions Elaine Zayak, Jo Jo Starbuck, Arik & Akop, Charles and Beata, Dmitri Gromov, Emily Hughes and Rohene Ward.
This year’s 51st Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival takes place this coming weekend, January 16 and 17, at Rotary Park in Livingston Manor.
The First Annual Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival was held on January 18, 1959 at Scudder’s Pond. Over the years the carnival has grown considerably and yet some things remain the same.
From the beginning there was an Ice Carnival Queen and her court of ice princesses. Over the years the court has come to include princes and a King, as well.
The Ice Carnival Dance, always a part of the festivities is held at the Livingston Manor Central School. The crowning takes place at 9:15 p.m. and while the dance is primarily attended by the younger folk, the public is encouraged to attend the crowning and meet the new Ice Carnival Queen before she is escorted around the rink by her court on Sunday.
But, before the crowning on Saturday evening, over the years an Ice Sculpture Contest was added. The task of making sculptures from ice and snow begins at 9 a.m. at Rotary Park. Classes from Livingston Manor School, in grades 9 to 12, create ice and snow sculptures that are artistic, fun and oftentimes elaborate, witty and even profound, which are judged later on that afternoon. Winners are announced the following day during the Ice Carnival itself.
On Sunday the Ice Carnival officially gets underway at noon with sign-ups for the ice-skating races to be held after the end of the exhibition skating. At 1 p.m. the Carnival begins with the arrival of the Queen and her King, escorted by their court, for a ride around the rink at Rotary Park. Then it’s time for the exhibition skating to begin. The exhibition skating features nationally and regionally ranked amateur figure skaters from Ice Time in Newburgh, the Skating Club of Boston as well as members of New York Metropolitan Area skating clubs.
Throughout the day there will be free hot dogs and hot cocoa for the kids, Snow Shoeing sponsored by Morgan Outdoors, a Dogsled Demonstration, and Horse-drawn Sleigh-rides (conditions permitting).
Parking is available near Rotary Park, but people are advised to come early as space is limited. In addition Rolling V Bus Corp. is providing shuttle buses throughout the day.
This program is funded in part by grants from the Lazare & Charlotte Kaplan Foundation, NYS Office of Children and Family Services, the Sullivan County Youth Bureau and the Town of Rockland.
(See Schedule below or go to http://www.icecarnival.com/ and click on Schedule)
Thanks to the all the sponsors of the 51st Annual
Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival/Skating Program
Major Benefactors
Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation
Rolling V Bus Corp.
Sullivan County Youth Bureau
Town of Rockland
Major Patrons
Beaverkill Valley Inn
Time Warner Cable
Herbert C Bryant Funeral Home
Major Sponsors
Babich Auto Service Beaverkill Foundation Inc.
Catskill Delaware Publications,Inc. Catskill Hudson Bank
Catskill Shopper Cooper, Niemann & Co. LLP
Dr. Don Simkin, DDS Dr. Alan & Mary Fried
George & Shirley Fulton Graphic Design
Hoos Truck Company Harvey & Jane Susswein
Hot Corner Sports Collectibles Internet Solutions
Jeff Bank Jovic Enterprises
Lanza’s Country Inn LM Community Center,Inc.
Manor Hose Company #1 Morgan Outdoors
Peck’s Market of Livingston Manor The Misner Agency, Inc.
RM Farm Real Estate Will Hardware
The Meyer Family WSUL/WVOS Radio
Thunder 102 Radio
The Country Stores Youth Foundation, Inc.
Price Rite Boat and Camper Sales
Race Sponsors
Beth’s Headquarters
Cornerstone Community Church
County Petroleum Products, Inc.
Fur, Fin & Feather Sport Shop
Jim Rose Electric
Kevin & Peggy Michaud
Lori Bertsch-Brustman, PLLC
Medicap Pharmacy
RE Shaver Inc.
Martin & Shirley Schwartz
The Douglas Smith Family
The Lazy Beagle, LLC
White Sulpher Springs, Inn
Willow & Brown
SCVA Annual Meeting Celebrates Tourism in the County
Thursday, 10 December 2009 By leni
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 7th 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.
Click here to view more photos from SCVA Annual Meeting Celebrates Tourism in the County.