Welcome Back!

Glorious Fall by Rachel

Somehow, the past couple of months have positively flown by in a complete blur. I apologize for not having an opportunity to post for a while. I wanted to keep this site out of the election ruckus, but then got incredibly busy with all kinds of things going on in Mountaindale, Hurricane Sandy, wonderful new business developments, and all the community groups I support. I want to thank the many, many readers who still checked in regularly and went back to re-read some of the older postings that are archived on this site.

Some interesting things have been occurring locally.  We congratulate Chef Robert Uccelli of Uccelli Restaurant for reaching a one year anniversary in Mountaindale a few weeks ago. This is an important milestone for a Sullivan County restaurant. We also see a lot of growth in Mountain Charm Market Cafe on the corner, which is filling a big need we had in our community. Please stop in for coffee or lunch if you haven't already done so. Classes have resumed with Janet Gula of Radiant Yoga of Mountaindale. Upstate Karate of Mountaindale enjoyed a few very busy events. Studio owner, Alexandra Lalieu was recently promoted to 5th Dan Master level and celebrated by hosting the annual fall Region 2 Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Testing. It was held at the Fallsburg High School and brought between 100 and 200 visitors to the Town of Fallsburg last month. Upstate Karate also held a Buddy Week and it was wonderful to see so many friends and parents participating in classes all week. For anyone who comes to town to visit Evadne Gianinni at HospitalityGreen, she can be found in their new location at 58 Main Street in Mountaindale.

Lastly, please stay tuned for news from Louisa Pabon of Verde & Co, our local sofrito verde manufacturer. She is hoping to re-open the cafe and offer a special pre-order menu, with both single serving and family sized take out portions. I am also trying to convince her to offer some evening cooking classes for some of her special cuisine. The items would include delicious sofrito and might instruct in dishes like empanadas, eggrolls and soups. Please let me know if this would be of interest to you - 845-434-4747, so I can encourage her to schedule this sooner.

I hope you are enjoying the glorious autumn landscape above and to the right by Rachel. She is currently taking a Photography class at the Fallsburg High School with Pam Garritt. Ms Garritt is the wonderful teacher who previously helped Mountaindale build the flower planter boxes as part of a Technology Ed student class assignment. With Rachel's enthusiasm and assistance, we will be updating the photos on the blog for the season.

Main Street Matters

There are a lot of things going on with our Main Street Mountaindale neighbors that are worth sharing:

Photo by Vi Carpio, talented wife of
featured artist, Virgelio "Billy" Carpio

With the weather turning warmer, Uccelli Restaurant guests will be able to enjoy dining al fresco at the outdoor seating in front of the restaurant. Plans are underway to build a large deck before the summer for additional outdoor dining. Chef Robert is also busy creating an all new Lunch Menu that he will begin serving on April 24th. He will resume Sunday Brunch with a new menu and new daily hours. Please visit the Uccelli Restaurant site for updates this month.

We have been glad to welcome Ahleana back to Main Street with her Tuesday evening Bellydancing classes in 62 Main Street. The new time is 7 to 8:15PM. I have heard that her students are getting a very enjoyable workout while learning an exciting, exotic art form. Please call 845-436-8945 for more details about weekly classes. The suggested attire is comfortable, loose clothing and fun hip scarves may be purchased before class.

Alexandra Lalieu of Upstate Karate of Mountaindale and several of her advanced students will spend the day at the Sullivan County Community College tomorrow to participate in the 3rd Annual Health & Wellness Fair. They will be providing information and demonstrations of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan, the Korean martial art that they have studied at 81 Main Street for the past 8 years. Congratulations are in order for all of the champions of this karate school who attended the Mid Hudson Regional Tournament at the New York Military Academy last week and came back with loads of trophies and medals. Next, they will be attending the Soo Bahk Do National Festival in Cherry Hill, NJ in June.

The Look Up Cafe added a colorful banner on their railing to help you look up to find this charming place for breakfast and lunch at 6 Main Street. Speaking of banners, the Mountaindale Community Development Project will soon be installing all new banners along Main Street in Mountaindale. The new, larger banners and bracket hardware were purchased with a portion of the funding awarded by Sullivan Renaissance for our efforts to enhance the gateway to the Rails to Trails last summer.

The ZEN of NYC

Virgelio Carpio with Solitude Series at Uccelli Restaurant

New York City would seem like one of the least likely places to experience a moment of Zen. The are so many people and sounds and other things to over stimulate us. However, my good friend, Virgelio "Billy" Carpio, finds Zen images in his camera lens all the time. He's a commuter who works in the city and takes great advantage of the odd moment to capture unique vantage points. With his artistic eye, he shows us the beauty in a runner stretching in Central Park, or a homeless person dozing in the New York Public Library.

Virgelio Carpio has been photographing New York City since 2009. He uses HDR (high dynamic range) processing heavily, a digital technique for balancing lighting in high contrast scenes. HDR is typically suited to landscapes. It is not meant for moving objects. An HDR image is created from 3 to 5, sometimes more, exposures of a scene. When objects such as people move in the scene and across exposures, HDR software does its best but in the end, either “ghosts” are created or the moving objects are eliminated. Combining slow shutter speeds (small aperture openings) and HDR processing, moving objects such as people become nearly invisible in the original exposures and then are removed by HDR. What is left is the lone individual standing or sitting still, as the individual is unmoving across all 3 to 5 exposures.

Hanging one of my favorite pieces in the show

After enjoying Virgelio’s fascinating technique, I encouraged him to share them in Mountaindale in a gloriously vivid show in the Uccelli Restaurant dining room during the month of April. This unique collection of photos of New York City are from his “Solitude” series, which he hopes will allow you to experience New York City in an entirely new way. One in which the streets are devoid of crowds, save for the solitary figure in a seemingly Zen-like state. You will have the chance to meet Virgelio at an Artist's Reception at Uccelli Restaurant, hosted by Chef Robert, on Saturday, April 7th from 2 to 4PM. Billy (as he is known to friends) is a gentle, humble man, and I am sure you will find him just as delightful as his work.



Busy Upcoming Mountaindale Weekend

This weekend in Mountaindale is going to be exceptionally busy with a wide variety of things to do from Friday straight through to Sunday and beyond.  The Valentine's Day weekend romantic activities in Mountaindale begin on Friday night with a very special 4 Course Feast of Love Menu, created especially by Chef Robert of Uccelli Restaurant.  These special delectable dishes will only be prepared on Friday,

Romantic Tango - Harold & Betty Fried

Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday nights, and will include Chicken & Shrimp Alfredo, Paella Catalana, Chicken Gruyere, Shrimp Saag and Steak Pizzaiolla. Live entertainment will be provided during dinner by songstress, Marilyn Kennedy.  Reservations are encouraged by calling 845-434-4447.

Romance will be in the air as you stroll down the block to 62 Main Street in Mountaindale on Friday night for a  Valentine Lesson in American Tango and other romantic dances with the return of the wonderful dance instructors, Betty & Harold Fried. They will give the first lesson at 7PM, have Open Dancing from 7:45 to 10PM, and include an additional lesson sometime during the evening. Their class in Mountaindale last month was very enjoyable. They brought great music, but I honestly thought that the best part was seeing all the wonderful dancers, who just love a great party that allows them to dance in a nice room.  I observed some who were quite experienced, some not as much; some who brought a partner, and some who enjoyed the experience of dancing with a brand new partner. This dance workshop is hosted by Janet Gula of Radiant Yoga of Mountaindale. The event fee is $12/person or $20/couple and includes tea and a dessert tasting in the Sweets for the Sweet Valentine's Dessert Competition. You may RSVP by calling Janet at 845-866-7822.

Double Primary by Michael McKee

Should you happen to miss a visit to Uccelli Restaurant on Friday, you are also welcome on Saturday. From 2 until 4PM, there will be a wine & cheese reception for local artist, Michael McKee of Moydan Art. The display that he is exhibiting in the Uccelli dining room is based on "Intuition, Mathematically Composed." Michael's style is unique and this particular show of his work includes his realism, abstracts and color balanced geometric designs. After the reception, the Feast of Love menu will be available for dinner.

Another very special event will be taking place on Sunday at Upstate Karate of Mountaindale. After the usual schedule of classes, there will be the monthly Testing for eligible students - Adults & Red Belt Evaluations will take place at 12:15PM, and Children's Testing will begin at 1:30PM. However, what makes this day unique is the special event that begins at 3:30PM. Master Instructor Alexandra Lalieu will be hosting a Dan Promotion Ceremony for a hardworking, dedicated student who is only 8 years old, but has achieved her Midnight Blue Belt, which will be presented to her that day. This traditional ceremony will be conducted in the Korean Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan style. Her family, friends and fellow students will be there to wish her well as she continues her martial arts studies.

New Michael McKee Art Exhibit in Uccelli Restaurant

Vi Carpio Photo of Murals

Michael McKee and his wife, Martha, have supported the growth of the arts in Mountaindale since they day they moved in. Technically, even earlier if you count the Visioning Workshop they attended in 2004. Martha joined the Board of the Mountaindale Community Development Project and volunteered countless hours in our Mountaindale Art Center. She helped coordinate a very successful exhibit by her talented sister, Esther Vanderpot, as well as the wonderful exhibit of Michael's work that so many have enjoyed in our Main Street gallery for an extra long time.

Several years ago, we had an extra ambitious Sullivan Renaissance Project that included creating the Mountaindale Meditation Labyrinth and five 8'x8' full color Murals. Michael painted all five of them singlehandedly every afternoon for several weeks. Thanks to his hard work, along with all of the other many volunteers on the Labyrinth, we were very pleased to have won that summer. If you have not yet seen the Murals, they are part of the Sandburg Creek RiverWalk behind the former Mountaindale School. Just follow the path through the Art Garden at 105 Main Street, next door to Upstate Karate.


Moydan's Chair

Starting Friday, you will be able to see a very different collection of Michael McKee's paintings. His work will be on display in the Uccelli Restaurant Dining Room. There will be an announcement of the official Artist's Reception by Chef Robert, but anyone is welcome to have an early preview if you stop in tomorrow night for the Taste of Spain menu, including Tappas & Paella, or even if you just stop in to pick up a gourmet pizza. There will be a price list for the art if you would like to own any of the pieces. Here is an excerpt from Michael's personal Artist's Statement on this new show:

 "Each artist’s own individual memories, preferences, and physical capabilities combine into a unique perspective which shapes his or her style. My goal is to create unique images that are aesthetically pleasing and in harmony. I hope to convey to viewers my outlook on the human experience and invite them to see how it compares with their own"

Although Uccelli Restaurant will seem very different without the beautiful photographs by Lou Jawitz, I am looking forward to stopping in to see the new show and have a delicious meal with the new atmosphere a different artist will create. If you are an artist who would like to display your work in Uccelli Restaurant later this year, please contact Chef Robert at 845-434-4447.

Hot Salsa in Mountaindale

Betty & Harold Fried

Janet Gula of Radiant Yoga has come up with a wonderful way for us to heat up this Saturday night. She is hosting a terrific event with that dynamic dancing duo, Harold & Betty Fried. These professional dance instructors will be teaching the basics of Salsa dance as well as offering more advanced steps for those already familiar with this very popular style of Latin Dance. The lesson will begin at 7PM at 62 Main Street in Mountaindale. There will be plenty of time to practice what you've learned during the Open Dancing from 7:45 to 10PM. I understand that there will be a second lesson sometime during the open dance. You may come with a partner or come on your own and make a new friend. The cost is only $12/person or $20/couple and includes tea and dessert refreshments.

For a delicious meal beforehand, please visit Chef Robert at Uccelli Restaurant just around the corner at 4 Post Hill Road in Mountaindale. Please visit this blog again for information on the new art that is about to be hung in the Dining Room tomorrow by one of Mountaindale's favorite local artists, Michael McKee.

In case we get hit by some of the snow that is predicted for Saturday, we have a snow date for this Hot Salsa Dance Event on Sunday, January 22nd from 2 to 5PM. If in doubt, you may verify with Janet by calling 845-866-7822 or email her at RadiantYoga.NY@gmail.com or visit this site for an event update. To see just how exciting Salsa Dance can be, please click here for an excellent performance by Rafael Barros and Carine Morais, who also performed at the World Salsa Open in Brazil.

Sunday News On The Run

Libya...Gadhafi son to be tried at home.

Huge Outcry after police pepper spray students...it is despicable.

Spain elections dominated by their economic woes.

Chicago mayor rallying Obama supporters in Iowa...GOOD LUCK.

In Sports USC holds off No.4 Oregon 38-35 dashing their hopes for National Championship.

Outside my window weather support at just before 10...BEAUTIFUL, but nippy.

Chef Robert is not open today...he is looking to hire kitchen help, so if anyone knows of an experienced line cook out there, might want to send them in his direction.

Saturday November 12 2-4PM Artist's Reception

For anyone who has enjoyed a meal in Mountaindale's new Uccelli Restaurant, you cannot help but notice the stunning photographs from around the world that adorn the walls of Robert's restaurant taken by renowned artist and photograph Louis H. Jawitz who now resides in our area. This Saturday November 12th, 2011 Robert will be holding an Artist Reception for the artist from 2:00-4:00 PM, and you are invited. Please stop by for some wine and cheese, meet Lou, and enjoy his beautiful photographic studies from around the world, including a breathtaking picture of the Twin Towers.

About The Artist

Artist Statement of Louis Jawitz

It was decades ago when I picked up my first camera, shot that first photograph that drew me into this mystical world that allows one with a simple lens to capture the essence of humanity, its foils, its toils and its triumphs.

I had gotten my first camera while serving on the nuclear aircraft carrier "Enterprise" and being in such close quarters found myself taking pictures of my shipmates, working at their assigned tasks, relaxing down below in the crew quarters. Back then, it was a waiting process, sending my film off to be developed, waiting with anticipation to see my first photographs. On the day the photos arrived, I carefully laid each one on my blanket, was amazed that the camera had not just captured the image of my friends, but had also caught the essence of who they were. Many of my ship mates started to buy my photos from me. They started to ask for shots of themselves and little did I know those early orders would lead not only to a lifetime love of photography, but would also set me on my life long career path.

All these years later and I'm still taking people shots, capturing the essence of them in my photographs.

Profession Bio of Louis Jawitz

I am a veteran professional photographer now living fulltime in Sullivan County, with many years of experience in various aspects of Fine Art and commercial photography. I have built my career doing Fine Art, advertising, travel and editorial assignments for major clients in New York City, and nationally for which I have won both recognition and awards including:

· 43^rd annual Clio award magazine cover shot.

· Numerous awards from the Art Directors Club of New York.

In addition to assignment work, I have long been involved with fine art photography as well as producing stock photography. My work has been marketed throughout the world by every recognized Stock Photo Agency including:

· The Image Bank (TIB)

· Age Foto Stock in Spain

· Digital Vision of London

· Getty.

My personal work has been exhibited at many New York advertising firms including Gray Y&R, J Walter Thompson BBD&O. My work has been represented in numerous Gallery Shows, including one-man shows at Nikon House in Rockefeller Center, The Bonnet Museum in Ft Lauderdale Fla, The Catskill Art Society, Liberty Museum Arts Center, and the Old Stone House Gallery.

My editorial work has appeared in Nikon World, Popular Photography, Shutterbug and numerous other magazines.

I have been a adjunct professor at Sullivan Community College and guest lectured at both SVA & the New School of Social Research. Along the way I have adopted and added digital talents to my photographic skill sets.

"His photos range from quietness to scariness. Mr. Jawitz uses special effects lenses with results that are eccentric, moody and eerie."

New York Times

November 11th-Sound Therapy and Singing Bowl Concert with Peter Blum

Celebrate the cosmic and therapeutic potential for transformation on this pivotal 11/11/11 day. Support personal and global peace.

Begin the evening with Deep and Gentle Partner Yoga (for singles too) 5:30-7 pm on the comfortable radiant-heat yoga studio floor. Follow with a delicious dinner at Uccelli's Restaurant around the corner. And, return to savor our healing concert and sound exploration with Peter 8-10 pm, as he plays his collection of bells, chimes, gongs and 35 Tibetan singing bowls. Tone and create healing sounds together; relax and meditate seated or lying down. Sound Therapy and Singing Bowl Concert: $18. RY Cardholders: $13. Yoga and Concert: $25. Reservations: (845)866-7822 or email Janet at radiantyoga.ny@gmail.com You can find out more about Peter’s music: Sounds of Healing

Opening Night For Uccelli Restaurant Plays to Packed House

Last night Mountaindale's newest business, Uccelli Restaurant, opened its doors, and it was a grand night of fun, good conversation, and great food from Chef Robert's native Northern Italy. By seven in the evening, the place was packed, hardly a chair to be found as patrons enjoyed the warm welcoming atmosphere, the smells of delicious food being prepared in the kitchen, laughter and conversation filling the air.

The evening was a sterling success, the opening almost flawless, those gathered having high praise for the food, as well as the wait staff. Many of the people in attendance are very anxious for another big event at the restaurant...next week, Chef Robert will fire up his pizza oven and share with us his Northern Italian Pizza...some of the offerings on the pizza menu sound really inviting.

This writer indulged my own taste buds starting off with the Portobella Mushrooms...the sauce was perfect, and was completely devoured with the Italian bread that was in liberal supply at our table. Next, a Caesar Salad followed up with the Artesano Steak...Expresso after dinner was the perfect finish to what was a fine dinner. Congratulations to Chef Robert and his staff...it was a perfect first night.

If you would like to make reservations at Uccelli Restaurant, give Chef Robert or his hostess Star a call at (845) 434-4447. Chef Robert also caters, so keep that in mind when you start planning your next corporate event, or Christmas/New Year's party. You can see his catering menu here.

Uccelli Restaurant Grand Opening October 27, 2011

Chef Robert Uccelli has announced the "OFFICIAL" Grand Opening of his Uccelli Restaurant, and on October 27th our community's wait for a full service menu is over as he brings his menu of delicious treats from Northern Italy and Spain to our hamlet of Mountaindale. His menu in addition to some very traditional pizza pies from his homeland includes 18 different pasta dishes, as well as some of our favorites from forest and field.

Stop by, say hello; give Chef Robert a warm welcome to our community and sample his fine offerings on this special night. His doors will open at 4:00 PM, and you can see his menu at Uccelli Restaurant.

Mountaindale Downtown Filling Up

Mountaindale is experiencing what can only be described as a population explosion of sorts. As we enjoy the fall color, get ourselves ready for the coming winter, we are seeing a LOT of new faces here in town. We in the past couple of months, and moving towards November have seen five apartments get committed to new neighbors here in town. That is exciting news for our small hamlet. Believe it or not, right now we are running out of space at the proverbial Inn with just four apartments available in our downtown right now...THAT IS EXCITING.

In other news, Robert Uccelli, also a new neighbor is going will be holding a soft opening on the 27th of October, with a more formalized Grand Opening two weeks later.

In the department of musing...am wondering if it would be a good idea for all of us in the hamlet's downtown area to get together for sort of a "Meet and Greet" time? If any one is interested in putting together something like this with me, give me a call at (845)693-4513. Would give all of us a chance to meet one another, and forge stronger community bonds.

*Note...for our new neighbors...Mountaindale has some of the GREATEST snow removal in the entire state of New York. The snow crew does ask all of us though to move our cars off of the streets if a storm is coming so that they can keep our Main Street and its sidewalks free of snow this winter.

Opening in Mid October...Uccelli Restaurant at 4 Post Road

Mountaindale is a small hamlet, and like the rest of America, we are struggling through what the experts call a "Down Economy"...yet, if you have been watching our small community with a discerning eye, you see us growing, new citizens coming in, taking up residence as our population base moves in a forward direction. We welcome all of our new families, but are especially excited about one new neighbor in particular, and that neighbor is Robert Uccelli who immigrated to America from Northern Italy (Florance) back in the mid eighties.

Robert Uccelli is a chef, and sure all of us will soon be smiling as we savor the treats he will be preparing for us at his new restaurant here in Mountaindale, "Uccelli Retaurant". Chef Robert specializes in fine cuisine from his native Italy.

As a part of the work he is doing in preparing for his Grand Opening, his online presence is being created, and a big part of that is his menu. Now, a lot of folks here in Mountaindale and the surrounding area have been begging to know what is on that menu, what kind of food he will be serving...well, we here at Mountaindale NY News are pleased to announce a scoop...even though the website is not ready for PRIME TIME, and even though Chef Robert's full menu is not fully up on his website and officially launched, we were able to get the link to his UNDER CONSTRUCTION SITE where everyone can peak in on his menu, get a fairly good idea of the wonderful foods about to come our way.

Don't tell anyone, but here is the link! Uccelli Restaurant in Mountaindale

Stay tuned for BIG NEWS about a special GRAND OPENING!

Note-Special thanks to Suzannah Gold for the photography in this post.