Working Together for Renaissance Beauty

The staff at Sullivan Renaissance is busily gearing up for its eleventh year of providing local community groups with seed money for beautification and spruce up projects.  Grant amounts range from $200 to $5000 depending on the size of the project. Those interested in participating are invited to attend the Sullivan Renaissance Annual Conference and Expo on Saturday, March 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the CVI Center in Ferndale.  “Main Street Success Stories” and “Enhance Your Storefront for Under $200” are free workshops geared for business.  Keynote speaker Joe Lamp, host of the TV series “Growing a Greener World,” will talk about the latest trends in eco-friendly living.  For information on how to register, go to www.sullivanrenaissance.org or call 845-295-2445.

Local businesses can support community beautification projects throughout Sullivan County by joining the Merchant Discount Program organized by the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce and Sullivan Renaissance. The discount program helps this money go farther, while encouraging local spending. “Everyone wins with this program,” said Chamber President and CEO Terri Ward.  “Merchants get an increase in business; community groups are able to stretch their resources while keeping the dollars local; and Sullivan County looks more inviting to visitors and residents alike.”

Merchants set the savings amounts typically 10% to 20% or more and are given a list of of participants.  Project leaders are given special cards to identify that the items they are purchasing will be used for community projects.  Stores are publicized in flyers, news releases and on the Sullivan Renaissance website.

To register for the program, individuals should contact the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce at 845-791-4200 or Sullivan Renaissance at 845-295-2452.  Businesses do not need to be chamber members to participate. Merchants are encouraged to attend the March 10th Expo as either a participant or they may inquire about becoming an exhibitor at the Expo.

Mountaindale will be proud to host the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce when they visit with their Mobile Office later in February. Please visit us again for more details.

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.

BEDS, BULBS & BEYOND...Seminar on Fall Planting October 5

BEDS, BULBS & BEYOND

Shorter days and cooler nights mean plenty to do in garden

[FERNDALE] – With the arrival of shorter days and cooler nights there is much to do to “put your garden to bed” for the winter and prepare for next spring. Sullivan Renaissance is holding a fall gardening seminar entitled “Beds, Bulbs & Beyond” on Wednesday, October 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the CVI Center in Ferndale.

The seminar will be presented by gardening experts Mary Lewis and Vivian Multari-Ginsberg. It will provide tips and advice for essential gardening tasks in the autumn months, including:

• Protecting and winterizing perennial beds
• Planting bulbs, shrubs and trees
• Mulching, pruning and composting
• Lawn care and repair
• Soil testing
• Dividing perennials
• Preparing new beds now

Lewis is a consultant for Sullivan Renaissance and had been a Renaissance judge for nine years. She is founder and principal of Barncroft, a garden design firm; chair of Zone III 2008 Annual Meeting of the Garden Clubs of America; and past president of Orange and Dutchess Garden Club. A Cornell University graduate, she studies botanical art at New York Botanical Garden.

Multari-Ginsberg is the Sullivan Renaissance Horticulturalist and an avid gardener with over 25 years of experience. She studied at the New York Botanical Garden and Master Gardener Program in Connecticut. She practices organic vegetable and ornamental gardening both personally and professionally.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Those interested in learning more about Sullivan Renaissance are also invited. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by October 3.

Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation. Additional funding has been secured by U.S. Representative Maurice D. Hinchey. Sponsors include Bold Gold Media Group/Thunder 102, Robert Green Dealerships, Sullivan County Democrat, The River Reporter and WSUL/WVOS.

For more information or to register, visit www.sullivanrenaissance.org or call 845-295-2445.

Mountaindale Scores BIG WIN in Sullivan Renaissance Judging

In big breaking news, Mountaindale has scored a big win in this year's Sullivan Renaissance judging, bringing home Second Place with our 2011 Rails to Trails gateway project, and with that win, a grant of seven thousand dollars. To everyone who helped (we had over 50 volunteers involved in this year's project), congratulations to you all. Your hard work and dedication to community service has paid off in a big way, and has provided the Mountaindale Community Development Project funding to implement new community improvement projects, and improve on some of those (like our hanging basket program) already begun.

We are looking into having some kind of a Thank You dinner here in our hamlet, so if any of you have some thoughts on this, please contact Barb at (845) 434-4747 or Sherwood at 693-4513 with your ideas. Maybe a pot luck dinner? Music? We, as a community, have worked hard for a big part of the spring and summer on our new "Train Garden" in our hamlet's section of the Rails to Trails and other improvements in our community, and we should celebrate our success. While discussing plans for the future, holding a hamlet-wide celebration dinner, in say September, seems like a good jumping off point as we set our collective eyes on tomorrow.

There are so many people to thank for this victory, almost too many to thank in one post. There is Steve Vegliante and all the employees of the Town of Fallsburg who lent us a hand in so much of the heavy lifting. Three Girl Scout troops participated, gave of their time and their talents this year; and almost every business in our hamlet participated with donations of time or money. Upstate Karate and Alexandra's students were such a big help, and Janet's students from Radiant Yoga gave of their time maintaining the hummingbird garden as well as taking up a collection to donate to our cause, and strongly supporting our Art Raffle. Marty Weiner was a rock, always there giving encouragement, and sourcing materials we needed in the building of our train. Raymon helped in our welding, played a major role in making the painting of buildings on Main Street; and the list goes on and on, the circle widening out as businesses and individuals from the larger circle that is Sullivan County stepped in, offered their help and resources in making our Train Garden what it is today...A heart felt thank you to each and every one of you, and we hope all of you can attend our celebration dinner.

In closing, would like to say a special "Thank You" to Erna Hutchinson, Cathy Farris and the Mountaindale Action Committee. Their involvements and actions as related to our project this year have taught me that a small group of dedicated volunteer citizens working together for a common goal can overcome any obstacles, adversities and problems and in the end bring something beautiful to our small hamlet. So thank you for inspiring all of us this year to come together as a team, thank you for inspiring us to redouble our efforts...the MAC's actions this year truly unified us behind the goal of seeing our dream of a Train Garden became a award winning reality, and looking at the fruits of our labors, it is a beautiful train, a beautiful garden.

MCDP Raffle Tickets Available...Win Some Beautiful Framed Art Work From Bird Photographer Ed Frampton

Mountaindale Community Development Project (MCDP) are pleased to announce that Raffle Tickets are now available, the three winners receiving signed and framed photographs from birding enthusiast and photographer Ed Frampton. The proceeds from this fundraiser will be used for MCDP's ongoing efforts here in the hamlet of Mountaindale. Tickets are $2 (two dollars) each, or six tickets for $10. (ten dollars)
Tickets are available and for sale through August 5th, 2011 and the drawing will be held on Saturday August 6th, 2011 at 12 PM...winners will be notified by phone or email, and you can pick your prize up at 51 Main Street in Mountaindale. Items can be shipped at winners expense.

First Place Prize (click each to enlarge images)







Second Place Prize









Third Place Prize












If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact Barb Schmitt at (845) 434-4747 or Sherwood at (845) 693-4513. You can also order tickets by mail:

Mountaindale Community Development Project
P.O.Box 333
Mountaindale, NY 12763

*Please make checks out to Mountaindale Community Development Project

Manza Family Farm a Gardener's Paradise

I learned the joy found in gardening early on in my life, planting marigolds in the front of our house in Jeffersonville Indiana, carefully putting them in the holes my Mom had pre-dug for them, her following behind me righting whatever I did not get quite right. I remember with fondness going out with the hose to water her flower beds, feeling so grown up when she praised her little gardening man. All these decades later, looking back, gardening has been one of those constants in my life, a touchstone that has kept me grounded even when my life seemed scattered and in disarray. There is something magical about digging one's hands into the soil, a purity found in the simple pleasure of digging holes and planting seedlings that will grow up into beautiful plants with beautiful blooms that could have only been designed in the heavens above.

It is the life long love affair with gardening that has me serving as this year's Committee Chair for the "Mountaindale Community Development Project's" beautification project for Sullivan Renaissance, and that responsibility comes with certain rewards that one cannot put a value on. One of those rewards occurred this past Saturday when Barb Schmitt and I loaded into her mini van and headed East on Route 17 as we made our way to the Manza Family Farm in Montgomery, NY.

If you are into gardening, landscaping, if you love trees, bushes, shrubs and a rainbow of beautiful flowers, you have GOT TO PLAN A VISIT to this spectacular gardening center. The staff is there to serve you. They are friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and PATIENT...trust me, me in a gardening center of this quality is like letting a kid loose in a candy store, and patience is an important attribute to possess, as I was jumping from pillar to post as this flower and that would capture my attention, my mind whirling at the possibilities, while another part of my brain was trying to get everything I wanted, while at the same time staying WITHIN MY BUDGET!

The employees took my enthusiasm in stride, traveled with me on my journey of joy through their stock, one of them making of list of everything I choose, while another one pulled out the plants, tagging each and every one, all the while, giving me the time I needed to see everything they had, answering my questions when they popped into my head. Imagine Barb and I in "Alice's Wonderland," each of us asking the other almost simultaneously, "Did you see this" or "Oh look at the colors of these Delphiniums" as we wrestled with important decisions, trying to find the perfect plants to give us that winning WOW FACTOR for our little project in Mountaindale.

We left the Manza Farm tired, happy, knowing our choices will be cared for until Friday when we can pick them up. As a man who has done professional landscaping, I left impressed for several reasons. First, I was impressed with the staff, appreciated them letting me think as I strode about their beautiful kingdom being dazzled at one of the best inventories of planting stock I have seen in years...not since I worked for Scarff's Nursery in New Carlisle, Ohio some three plus decades ago have I seen such a wide variety. Secondly, their stock is healthy, vibrant, lush, ready to make a statement in your garden this year, and for years to come.

If you and your family are planning a garden, or just looking for a few statement pieces to enhance what you already have, encourage you to take a drive over to Manza's Family Farm. You will be happy you did!

MANZA FARMS
730 Route 211
Montgomery, NY 12549
Phone: (845)692-4364
Fax: (845)692-4109

Rainy Monday Mountaindale Announcement of Clean Up/Maintenance Days

Greetings to everyone on this rainy day Monday in April. Trust everyone enjoyed their holiday(s) during this past week? Wanted to bring some important announcements and important dates to your attention.

First Up-Mountaindale Maintenance Day
Saturday April 30, 2011
2-5 PM...meet up in front of 60 Main Street.

The purpose of this event is two fold in purpose, and gives volunteers OF ALL AGES a chance to lend their hands to the task of keeping Mountaindale the beautiful little hamlet that it is. As said, the purpose of this Mountaindale Work Day is two fold.

1. We will be picking up the town (litter, branches and the like) and doing some spring maintenance work on past projects. Raking, turning the soil, trimming off die back on some of our perennials as they get ready to start their spring growth.

2. Sharing plans for this years Renaissance Project, and doing some Pre-Project clean up in the area (Entry to Rails to Trails Corridor) where this years project is to be installed.

We hope you can plan to attend this Work Day, and if you or your organization would like to schedule a Volunteer Day here in Mountaindale, please contact Barb at (845)434-4747 or Sherwood (Committee Chair of this year's Renaissance Project) at (845)693-4513.

We also would like to remind everyone that the "Fallsburg 2011 Spring Clean Up" weekend is scheduled for May 20-22, 2011. This is a PERFECT TIME to clean up those hard to get rid of items, and see that they are disposed of properly so we keep our pristine community looking beautiful.

Residents of Fallsburg
2011 Spring Clean Up

Dates: May 20th-22 Hours 9:00AM-5:00PM

Will be held ONLY at the
*South Fallsburg Sewer Plant

1 Pickup Truck Load PER HOUSEHOLD

All material must be separated.
PIPE MUST BE CUT INTO FOUR FOOT SECTIONS
DRUMS AND TANKS MUST BE EMPTY AND CUT OPEN
OR CRUSHED...PAINT CANS MUST BE EMPTY
NO BRUSH, YARD WASTE, OR BAGS OF LEAVES
NO STUMPS OR ROCKS, NO HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE

ONLY *2* TIRES OFF RIMS PER HOUSEHOLD

NO COMPUTERS, MONITORS, LAPTOPS OR TV'S
NO FLUORESCENT BULBS

PROOF OF RESIDENCY REQUIRED!!!!!

WANT A GREAT GIFT FOR MOTHER’S DAY?

Get tickets to the Sullivan County Garden Tour held on July 23

SULLIVAN COUNTY – Tickets for the Third Annual Sullivan County Garden Tour are now on sale – in time to be purchased as Mother’s Day gifts. The tour will open several exclusive and private gardens for public viewing on Saturday, July 23.

Limited numbers of tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Cost is $25 per person. The tour is sponsored by SullivanArc and Sullivan Renaissance and the proceeds go to the SullivanArc Horticulture program.

Tickets can be purchased online at Sullivan Arc Sullivan County Garden Tour or by calling 845-796-1350 x 1050.

The approximately eight beautiful private gardens will be open for visits between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on July 23. A reception for ticket holders and garden owners follows the tour.

The self-guided garden tour map [with addresses and directions to each of the gardens] will be available on the day of the event between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. at several garden center and nursery locations. Individuals may follow the route or select their own – visiting as many or as few gardens as they prefer and time allows.

Photos of previous tours are available here.

SullivanArc is a not-for-profit agency dedicated to providing support and services to over 800 individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and to their families.

Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation.

Help Roscoe New York Become the ULTIMATE Fishing Town and Recieve $25,000!

Can Roscoe, NY Win National Contest and Receive $25,000? With the help and support of our Greater Sullivan County community, YES THEY CAN! Doing our own small part here in Mountaindale, we are sharing their Press Release that outlines what you can do to help them out in this magnificent quest. Here in Sullivan County, there is a tremendous amount of neighbor helping neighbor, and this fits right in.

www.wfnfishingtown.com

Help us make the finals and WIN!!!

VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN!!!

You can vote 4 times PER DAY for EACH of your email addresses

HELP ROSCOE WIN!!!

Press Release...please feel free to share this, pass it along to your friends, post it on your own websites, or print up copies to put in your stores and shops.

[ROSCOE] – Roscoe, New York is vying for the title "Ultimate Fishing Town" in the United States in a contest sponsored by the World Fishing Network. The winning town will receive $25,000 for improving the town and fishing associated items, as well as having a cable TV episode produced about the town.

Already known as “Trout Town, USA” – Roscoe is considered the birthplace of the American Dry Fly Fishing. It was Theodore Gordon and his followers who developed a distinct Catskill Style fly still recognized and used today. For over a century, Roscoe has been a destination for those enjoying the outdoors. In about a two-hour drive from New York City, Roscoe is home to the junction of two trophy trout streams, The Willowemoc and the Beaverkill, in addition to many nearby lakes, ponds and reservoirs.

Voting is done via email by going to www.wfnfishingtown.com and following a simple procedure. Individuals may vote every six hours and may cast votes from separate email addresses.

Roscoe is presently in second place of Round One with voting totals increasing every few seconds. This round of the contest ends on May 3.

Elaine Fettig, President of the Roscoe-Rockland Chamber of Commerce, said the organization can help individuals cast regular votes, “You can give us permission to vote for Roscoe on your behalf, by using your e-mail address to cast votes four times daily. This will take the burden off you, while allowing Roscoe to receive the maximum number of votes.”

For information on how to participate with the Roscoe Chamber, contact Elaine Fettig at 845-439-4039 or ElaineMFettig@aol.com

Roscoe has been a participant in the Sullivan Renaissance program since it began in 2001, and has received awards for several of its yearly projects, including two $50,000 Golden Feather Grants from New York State secured by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther.

Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation. For more information, call 845-295-2445.

Here’s a chance to do something positive for our beautiful county!! Hope we can count on your vote.

VOTE FOR ROSCOE, NY AS THE ULTIMATE FISHING TOWN!!!
Follow the link… WFN Ultimate Fishing Town

Breaking News...Mountaindale Awarded Grant To Build Train Locomotive!

In BIG Breaking News for our hamlet, we have just learned that the Mountaindale Community Development Project (MCDP) has been awarded a $1500 Community Beautification Grant from the Sullivan Renaissance. The formal announcement and awards presentation will be this Thursday night.

SPRING FORUM & GRANT AWARDS 7:00 pm CVI Building, Ferndale, NY

Sullivan Renaissance (845) 295-2445 This year's Mountaindale Beautification Project will be centered around and in our connection spur to the "Rails to Trails" bike path. The primary elements will include enhancement of the entrance area, as well as a new garden spot that will feature a half size re-creation (artistically) of the O&W's old 33 steam locomotive. It should be a lot of fun, and there are going to be lots of opportunities for volunteers to get involved and get your hands dirty. For information, or to find out about volunteer opportunities for yourself or organization, please get in touch with Sherwood at (845)693-4513.

Sullivan Renaissance Hosting Seminar, "Gardens Start to Finish"

This is a rescheduled event from February 2nd, 2011

From this writer's perspective, there is no better time to plan your garden than right now, "in the dead of winter" as the snow buries us into our warm cozy homes. So finding out that the Sullivan Renaissance is hosting a seminar on Wednesday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the CVI Building in Ferndale titled, "Gardens Start to Finish!" has me excited, and would encourage every one involved with their grant programs to attend.

This seminar is being presented by Mary Lewis, founder and principle of Barncroft, a garden design firm. She is was also chair of Zone III 2008 Annual Meeting of the Garden Clubs of America, and past president of Orange and Dutchess Garden Club and a graduate of Cornell University, and she studies botanical art and illustration at New York Botanical Gardens. She has also been a Sullivan Renaissance judge for the past nine years.

The core concepts of this seminar will help both individuals and groups begin gardening projects in their own communities by providing a check list of the necessary elements to consider when designing and planning a garden, such as garden location, soil testing, soil improvements, garden layout and design, as well as plant choices and arrangement.

For anyone who loves gardening, this is a MUST ATTEND event, and for those considering applying for a Sullivan Renaissance grant, keep in mind that they place a strong emphasis on good design, and in 2011, all grant recipients must, for garden and landscaping projects, summit a garden design plan and plant list to receive said grant.

Everyone is welcome to attend, so grab your favorite gardening friend and plan to attend. Refreshments will be served (oh GOODY!).

Those who signed up for the original February 2 date have been re-registered for February 16. If you would still like to register, please do so by February 15 by visiting Sullivan Renaissance or calling 845-295-2445.

Also...in Breaking News of sorts:

Individuals wishing to attend the Sullivan Renaissance Winter Conference and Expo on Saturday, February 26 can register and sign up for workshops directly on-line.  Go to www.sullivanrenaissance.org and click on the Sullivan Renaissance Rooster at the top of the page.