February 26th-Sullivan Renaissance 2011 Winter Conference and Expo

SULLIVAN FIRST ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Sullivan Renaissance 2011 Winter Conference and Expo

FERNDALE–Nine individuals, businesses and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to improving the appearance of Sullivan County will be recognized with “2011 Sullivan First Achievement Awards” during the Sullivan Renaissance Conference and Expo on Saturday, February 26 at the CVI Building in Ferndale, NY.

This year’s “Sullivan First Achievement Awards” will be given to:

Upper Room Farms – For the aesthetics of its property and participation as an agri-tourism business

Butterfly Botanicals – For its community and educational contributions, and support of Sullivan Renaissance projects

Rock Hill Diner – For its innovative approach to landscaping the front and back of its building

Wendy Levinson – For her outstanding and ongoing commitment to engaging youth in volunteer activities including Sullivan Renaissance

Al Frangipane – For his long-term volunteerism to Bethel First, Sullivan Renaissance and his leadership in the seasonal luminary

Daniel Ratner, Jr. – For his dedication and volunteerism in the Town of Liberty

Highland Renaissance – For its perseverance in overcoming adversity and relocating an entire park

Ashley Machera – For going above and beyond her role as a Sullivan Renaissance Intern

Meg Goble – For going above and beyond her role as a Sullivan Renaissance Intern

This year’s Sullivan Renaissance Winter Conference and Expo will focus on the positive effects of community beautification on economic development and tourism. The conference features exhibits and workshops on garden design, trees for public places, community gardens, recruiting volunteers, cultivating leaders, partnering with young people and economic development.

All are welcome. There is no fee for this conference, but please RSVP by February 22. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast and expo. The program starts at 9:00 a.m. and continues until 1:00 p.m.

Details of this year’s Sullivan Renaissance grant program will be announced and 2011 applications will be available. They are also on-line at http://www.sullivanrenaissance.org/.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Peter Tarlow, an international consultant on the positive effects of community beautification. In addition to the keynote, Dr. Tarlow will present a workshop on “Making the Most of Your Assets.”

Workshops and presenters include:

The Experience of Volunteering – Ellen Lutvak

Cultivating Community Leaders – Elaine Fettig, Matt Migliaccio, Matt Dorcas

Community Gardens/CSAs – Olivia Lightle, Greg Schwartz

Trees for Public Places – Tom Manza, Paul Manning

Garden Design I – Design is FUNdamental – Mary Lewis

Garden Design II – The Real Dirt – Mary Lewis

Reaching Out Through Your Windows – Alan Sorensen, Vivian Multari-Ginsberg

Making the Most of Your Assets – Dr. Peter Tarlow

Youth-Adult Partnership: What Does It Take? – Amanda Galigher-Speer

Dig Art! Cultivating Creativity in the Garden – Susan Dollard

Workshop space will be limited to the first registrants. To sign up on-line, go to http://www.sullivanrenaissance.org/ and click on the Sullivan Renaissance Rooster at the top of the page.

To obtain a workshop registration form, call Sullivan Renaissance office at

845-295-2445.

To send in a registration form, email to sgonzalez@sullivanrenaissance.org; fax it to 845-295-2746; or mail to Sullivan Renaissance, c/o Gerry Foundation, PO Box 311, Liberty, NY 12754.

Conference attendees will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite exhibit. Door prizes will be awarded at the conference conclusion.

This is a recycling event; appropriate receptacles will be provided for attendees.

Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation. Additional funding has been secured by NYS Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther.

For more information, call 845-295-2445.