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.

Sullivan Striders Second Annual Rails to Trails Race/Walk Huge Success

This past Sunday, camera in hand, I was up and out of my camper at 6:30 in the morning heading into Mountaindale for the Second Annual Rails to Trails Run/Walk which started and ended in Mountaindale. The community was out in force to support the Sullivan Striders and the run, and a fabulous time was had by all!

The Mountaindale Fire Department was on hand, had set up cones to handle the traffic into and out of town, and the ambulanceman seemed like really nice folks. The Sullivan Striders had all their bases covered...great food on hand for their runners, plenty of water at the firehouse, and out on the trail, and more than adequate staff to handle the rush of people at the registration tables.

The race started a tad late, and for good reason...they were still registering people that wanted to run or walk our community's beautiful section of the trail that runs from Mountaindale to Woodridge.

Some of my own favorite highlights of the event included the students from Upstate Karate who seemed to have shown up in mass to participate in the event, all of them in their official Karate garb. Janet from Radiant Yoga leading those same students in some pre-event breathing exercises. Lastly, the awards ceremony, where it seemed like almost every participant received recognition, and a beautiful perennial plant from Manza Farm's nursery.

A lot of businesses sponsored the event, almost too many to mention, but one particular one stands out, deserves special recognition...Kohl's stepped up big time for the Sullivan Striders with five employees volunteering for the event, and the company making a very large donation to the event, so thank you Kohl's for being such an ardent supporter of the Sullivan Striders, our community, and the Rails to Trails.

All monies raised from this event are spent doing maintenance and improvements on the Rails to Trails, so thanks to everyone who participated! This year's Second Annual Rails to Trails event is over, but many of us are already looking forward to next year's event, are pleased that this event will be around now for decades to come.

Free Coat Giveaway at Upstate Karate in Mountaindale

Mountaindale, NY - With the sudden return of the icy breath of winter this week, the Mountaindale Community Development Project is coordinating a free coat giveaway with the help of two host organizations, Upstate Karate of Mountaindale and Fidelis Care.

Selections from this large assortment of winter coats and gloves can be picked up at no charge this Sunday, March 27th from 9:30AM to 12 noon at a free Health Fair during regular martial arts classes at Upstate Karate, located at 81 Main Street, Mountaindale, NY. Anthony Rodriguez, local Outreach Specialist of Fidelis Care New York, will also be on hand to discuss low cost healthcare solutions to families who are currently uninsured or underinsured. For more info, please call Barb Schmitt at 845-434-4747.

Upstate Karate of Mountaindale Celebrates Seventh Anniversary This Thursday

Anniversaries are always important milestones to commemorate, both in life, and in business. In these hard economic times we face here in Sullivan County, and across America, some of these milestone anniversaries are particularly noteworthy, and this Thursday, February 24th our very own Upstate Karate here in Mountaindale celebrates one such major milestone as they celebrate their seventh full year in business here in our small hamlet.

Upstate Karate of Mountaindale, which teaches the traditions of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan opened its doors back in 2004, and its student numbers, and presence in our community have grown ever since. The schools proprieter and Master Instructor Alexandra Th. Lalieu has flourished in the community for several reasons, including her love and passion for Soo Bahk Do, her desire to pass on and share that knowledge with our youth, and a host of programs aimed at helping our children become everything they can be as they move into Adulthood.

One such program is a self defense course for young women, called "Stand Strong" that has been shared with Girl Scouts throughout the region, where they are taught basic skills to avoid being attacked and/or abducted.

For More information, or to begin your own journey of enlightenment in the traditions of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan, please contact Alexandra at (845) 434-0500 today.

Master Instructor-Alexandra Th. Lalieu

Upstate Karate of Mountaindale

81 Main Street
Mountaindale, NY 12763
(845) 434-0500