There’s Tons of Fun in Sullivan County’s Winter Catskills

When it comes to kids, families and the great outdoors Sullivan County always has lots to offer and winters in Sullivan County are no exception to the rule. From the Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival held in January to February’s annual Ice Fishing Contests and Derbies, to our frozen lakes, crystal clear steams and mountains and valleys covered with snow, there is something for every one to enjoy.

Holiday Mountain Ski and Fun Park, located just outside Monticello, is open Tuesday through Sunday for skiing and snowboarding fun. Holiday Mountain Ski Area has 7 slopes and trails of varying skill levels to satisfy everyone and offer 4 lifts and two Chalets. All 7 trails offer night skiing At Holiday Mountain they love Mother Nature, but they do not take her for granted or take any chances. With 100% snowmaking on their slopes, they are able to enhance what nature gives us. Then they put the finishing touches on the slopes using the latest grooming equipment. In February be sure to check out their special events also: Scouts Weekend – February 6 and 7, Presidents Week/Winter Recess – February 14 through 22, YMCA Wines and Cheese event – February 26 at 6 p.m. followed the next day by the YMCA Fireman’s Races on February 27 at 8 a.m.

For grown-ups, and kids alike, who just can’t wait for trout season to open in the spring, Sullivan County’s lakes offer the very best in ice fishing. And for those in a slightly competitive mood, the county offers several ice contests and derbies throughout the month of February.

On Saturday, February 6 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Loch Sheldrake Fire Department is sponsoring the Lunker of the Ice Fishing Derby. Adult Division entry ages are 16 and up – cost $8. There is also a Youth Division – cost $3. All participants must pre-register before February 6th. To pre-register stop at the Liberty Agway Home and Garden, Bon Jovi Lane, Liberty, the Loch Sheldrake Fire House, Route 52, Loch Sheldrake on Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. or call 845-434-2710 or 845-434-2724.

Also on Saturday, February 6, the Jerry Sheppard Memorial Free Youth Ice Fishing Contest will be held at Mitchell Pond West in Cochecton from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jerry Sheppard loved kids and after his passing in September of 2006, the Sheppard family along with many of Jerry’s friends, created the children’s ice fishing derby as a way to keep Jerry’s memory alive and continue his outreach to kids. The contest is for kids ages 16 and younger. Bait and refreshments will be supplied. For more information or directions call Randy at 845-932-8152.

Sponsored by the Hurleyville Fire Department and Town of Fallsburg Youth Commission the 22^nd Annual Ice Fishing Contest will take place on Saturday, February 13 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Morningside Lake in Hurleyville. Adults are $5, 14 and under are free. For more information call Jack Halchak at 845-436-5418, George Price at 845-434-3475 or Fred Turner at 845-434-7706 or visit www.hurleyvilleny.com.

On Sunday, February 21 head to Kauneonga Lake in the Town of Bethel where the Sullivan County Conservation Club will be holding the King of the Ice Fishing Contest. An annual event, not to be missed, often attended by over 300 hundred ice fisherman from as far away as New Jersey and Connecticut, it is a day filled with prizes, give-aways and good food and fun for the whole family. To pre-register in person contact Sports-Nuts in Rock Hill or pre-register by mail to Charlie Greenhouse, PO Box 64, White Lake NY 12786. It is also possible to register the day of the event, but no matter what you decide come early because available parking fills up rapidly.

February Marks the Start of the CAS Arts Center 2010 Exhibition Season

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

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

FERNDALE - 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

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 51^st 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