Sullivan Striders Second Annual Rails To Trails Run/Walk Photographs Available

As reported earlier, the Sullivan Striders Second Annual Race/Wal on the Rails to Trails was a huge success. For those who participated, a great time was had, and I enjoyed taking pictures of the event and would like to make them available to any one who would like to download a picture I might have snapped of you! You can find the pictures over on my Picaso page for the event. Just click this link, and feel free to copy for your own personal use any pictures taken of the event.

Take a Ride On The O&W Railway With Woodridge Segway Tours!

The Mountaindale/Woodridge Rails to Trails is a beautiful stretch of pathway available for public use every day of the year...though winter traversing at times can be rather difficult. During the summer months, there is a unique opportunity available to those of us who live in the area, and who visit here. Stop by Mountaindale's entrance to the Rails to Trails, and you are most likely to see small groups of people circling around the parking lot of our Train Station/Visitor's Center on Segways before they make their way back to their starting point in Woodridge.

These tours are offered by Woodridge Segway Tours, and are a very fun, unique way in which to tour the Woodridge/Mountaindale Rails to Trails corridor. You can make your reservations today by calling (800) 979-3370. This is a ride you will not soon forget...beautiful scenery, a fun four mile plus ride, and doing it all on a Segway!

Benefits of taking a Segway Authorized Tour

• Tour operators have the latest Segway product information and training



• Tours follow Segway recommended safety guidelines promoting a smooth and safe experience



• Smaller guide-to-glider ratio enables more personal attention



• Tours are pedestrian-friendly and conform to all local regulations

Two Great Events on Saturday July 23rd Here In Sullivan County

There are two great events happening this Saturday, and we hope you will support both of them. First on the list is Mountaindale Community Development Project's fund raiser to support their 2011 Sullivan Renaissance Project...the train is almost completed, and you can see it just inside the entrance to Mountaindale's Rails to Trails corridor. The event hosted by Committee Chair Sherwood Martinelli will include fine food and wine selections from the Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville NY.

Saturday July 23, 2011 FUND RAISER-2011 Benefitting MCDP & Mountaindale Renaissance Project

You are cordially invited to join the Mountaindale Community Development Project on Saturday July 23rd, 2011 from 7-10 PM for a Gala Evening of fun, food and music here in Mountaindale, NY as we raise funds for our organization and this year's beautification project being orchestrated just inside the entry to our section of the Rails to Trails corridor.

Renowned organic Chef, and healthy foods Guru Marcus Guiliano, owner of the well known Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville, NY will be teasing our taste buds with a wonderful sampling of wines and tasty treats from his menu of healthy delicious slow foods from his and his wife's restaurant which is located at 165 Canal Street in Ellenville NY. For restaurant reservations, you can call Marcus or his wife Jamie at (845) 647-3000.

There will be a candle light tour of this year's Renaissance Project for those who would love to see the sculptural interpretation of the old O&W 33 steam locomotive which crashed here in Mountaindale back in 1904. Sherwood Martinelli, this years Committee Chair and project designer will be happy to take you on a walk about and answer any questions you may have, and share some of the unique history of the area around the project.

Tickets for this all inclusive evening of fun and community is $25 per person. For reservations, or to make a donation please contact:

Sherwood Martinelli (845) 693-4513 or 346-2345
Barb or Ken Schmitt (845) 434-4747

You can also get tickets by mailing in your check to: (Make checks out to MCDP)

Sherwood Martinelli
Committee Chair-2011 Sullivan Renaissance Project
PO Box 71
Mountaindale, NY 12763

Also on Saturday is the Third Annual Sullivan County Garden Tour with and event ending meet and greet at the Bashakill Winery! This event supports a very worthwhile cause...Sullivan Arc Horticultural Program.

End at Bashakill Winery:
GARDEN TOUR THIS WEEKEND
View Private Gardens in Sullivan County on Saturday, July 23

SULLIVAN COUNTY – The Third Annual Sullivan County Garden Tour features eleven private gardens between Liberty and Wurtsboro. The one-of-a-kind gardens will be open for visits only on Saturday, July 23 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The tour is sponsored by SullivanArc and Sullivan Renaissance to benefit the SullivanArc Horticultural Program.

These beautiful and unique sites include: flower and shade gardens, traditional gardens, whimsical creations, pathways, water features, enclosed yards and an orchard. Individuals may follow the predetermined route or select their own route – visiting as many or as few gardens as they prefer and time allows. A wine and cheese reception for ticket holders and garden owners follows the tour at Bashakill Vineyards in Wurtsboro.

A limited number of tickets will be sold on the day of the event. Cost is $25 per person. They are available between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. at the following locations along with self-guided garden tour maps [with addresses and directions to each of the gardens].
Catskill Harvest Market, State Route 52 and Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty
The Cutting Garden, State Route 52, Youngsville
Delaware Valley Farm & Garden (Agway), 30 Viaduct Road, Callicoon
Everlasting Spring, 3195 State Route 52, White Sulphur Springs
Hillside Greenhouse, 1 Kaempfer Lane, Liberty
Monticello Greenhouses, 217 E. Broadway, Monticello
Stephenson’s Garden Center, 1706 State Route 52, Liberty
Vita’s Farm Market, 4789 State Route 52, Jeffersonville

Advanced tickets may be purchased at these garden centers or directly from SullivanArc at 845-796-1350 ext. 1050 or online at http://www.sullivanarc.org and click on “Buy Tickets"

SullivanArc is a not-for-profit agency dedicated to providing support and services to over 850 individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and to their families. Sponsorship for the tour is provided by Key Bank. 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.

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.

Saturday July 23, 2011 FUND RAISER-2011 Benefitting MCDP & Mountaindale Renaissance Project

You are cordially invited to join the Mountaindale Community Development Project on Saturday July 23rd, 2011 from 7-10 PM for a Gala Evening of fun, food and music here in Mountaindale, NY as we raise funds for our organization and this year's beautification project being orchestrated just inside the entry to our section of the Rails to Trails corridor.

Renowned organic Chef, and healthy foods Guru Marcus Guiliano, owner of the well known Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville, NY will be teasing our taste buds with a wonderful sampling of wines and tasty treats from his menu of healthy delicious slow foods from his and his wife's restaurant which is located at 165 Canal Street in Ellenville NY. For restaurant reservations, you can call Marcus or his wife Jamie at (845) 647-3000.

There will be a candle light tour of this year's Renaissance Project for those who would love to see the sculptural interpretation of the old O&W 33 steam locomotive which crashed here in Mountaindale back in 1904. Sherwood Martinelli, this years Committee Chair and project designer will be happy to take you on a walk about and answer any questions you may have, and share some of the unique history of the area around the project.

Tickets for this all inclusive evening of fun and community is $25 per person. For reservations, or to make a donation please contact:

Sherwood Martinelli (845) 693-4513 or 346-2345
Barb or Ken Schmitt (845) 434-4747

You can also get tickets by mailing in your check to: (Make checks out to MCDP)

Sherwood Martinelli
Committee Chair-2011 Sullivan Renaissance Project
PO Box 71
Mountaindale, NY 12763

Event Details

Date: Saturday July 23, 2011
Time: 7-10 PM
Location: 62 Main Street, Mountaindale NY

August Events-Art in the Garden Workshop

Hope you can join us for this workshop!

Cornell Cooperative Extension Hosting
Garden Sand Casting Workshop!

Ferndale NY, - August 6th at 10am Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County will be hosting their second “Art in the Garden Workshop” taught by Susan Dollard. Susan is a local artist and art teacher, whose art work has been exhibited in Sullivan and Orange County. She and her husband, Tim, own a studio and gallery called “Off the Beaten Path”, in Smallwood, NY.

The Sand Casting workshop is fun for all ages, and an especially great summer activity for children. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Learn how to embed or make imprints of your favorite found objects such as leaves, shells, pebbles, sticks, tiles or even broken pieces of glass and pottery. Be as imaginative as you’d like and create a unique piece of art for your home and garden.

This program is made possible with funds from the 2011 Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by Delaware Valley Arts Alliance. It will be held at Cornell Cooperative Extension at 64 Ferndale Loomis Rd., Liberty, N.Y. on August 6th, 2011 at 10:00- 12:00.

The workshop will cost $40.00 per person which includes all casting supplies and materials. Preregistration and payment are a must to hold a spot in this popular class. Call Susan Dollard at 845-292-5250 for more information.

Leni Binder/Jodi Goodman Bethel Woods Ticket Scandal...Much Adieu About NOTHING

Was in Tony's over in Woodridge last night getting a bite to eat when I became aware of a supposed scandal involving local politician Leni Binder...she was born here in our small hamlet of Mountaindale, NY. After reading one article on the matter in the Riverkeeper, I am left shaking my head, wondering what the big deal is, why something that should not be an issue at all became news worthy.

Any one who has met me has little doubt where my own political leanings lay, and they are not beliefs that could ever see me residing in the Republican tent...that said, sometimes one should simply stand up for what is right, and this scandal seems to be the proverbial tempest in a teapot, certain people trying to cast suspicions where none reside, and as a person with left of center liberal leanings, feel compelled to speak up. I've met Leni Binder, she seems to be a very straight shooter, a commonsense, find compromise person...what she is not, is a woman, a politician who would accept a bribe, could be bought off at any price. Taking a tempest in a teapot and making it a front page news article is just wrong, and one has to wonder the political motivations driving it so close in on our own election season here in Sullivan County.

The gist of the scandal...Sullivan County Legislators Leni Binder and Jodi Goodman have been accused of sitting in box seats at certain concerts compliments of well known orchid dealer and philanthropist Stuart Salinger...the guy is LOADED. Some are claiming that sitting in those box seats compliments of Stuart Salinger could be portrayed as payback for previous support when he wanted some of his land included in Agricultural District No. 4 (see article). The vote to include those lands in District 4 was 7-2 in favor...even if Binder and Goodman had abstained from voting, the measure in question would have passed. Others are claiming the value of the gift exceeded the $75 gift limit...Do they?

If you visit the Bethel Woods website, those box seats start at $5000, and head north... if you look at the way things are set up, the price of box seats would seem to escalate based on the number of these special reserve seats you want...a block of two costing less than say a block of six or eight. Two box seats for $5,000 is for THE ENTIRE SEASON. Now, some might want to argue that certain events and the seats for them have more value, but the simple reality is, buying box seat tickets guarantees you tickets for EVERY EVENT/CONCERT held at Bethel Woods during the season...all FIFTY ONE OF THEM if you go too the Bethel Woods calender and count they up from May through to the end of the season. Doing some simple math, dividing the $5,000 by 2, then by 51 events quickly shows one that the value of these tickets based on a per event amount is about fifty bucks. Also sure we can all agree that most of us would not go see every event...IE, how many people holding say season tickets of any kind would want to go see all three nights of Phish?...well, how many people beside me would want to go see Phish all three nights? Point being, sure almost any one holding season tickets, from the lawn up through these supposed coveted box seats has tickets to give away, rather than seeing them wasted.

In addition to living in Mountaindale, I am a seasonal camper in the area. Many of the friends I camp with have seasonal tickets to Bethel Woods, some on the lawn, others under cover, and some may even have these box seat tickets similar to the ones purchased by Stuart Salinger. These friends of mine have on numerous occasions offered me FREE TICKETS, asked me if I wanted their seats for certain events...I doubt seriously they were offering me those tickets to curry favor, or to get preferential treatment at my campsite Tiki Bar, better placement around my campfire, and I doubt seriously that Stuart Salinger offered any one including Sullivan County Legislators Leni Binder and Jodi Goodman seats in the hopes of purchasing their votes, or currying favor.

Rails To Trails Project Making Great Strides Forward

First, a reminder...don't forget to put this upcoming Sunday, July 17th 2011 on your calendar! The Sullivan Striders are hosting the Second Annual Rails to Trails Run and Walk here in Mountaindale, and we hope all our readers will join them in the walk or run, with the proceeds benefiting the Rails to Trails corridor, the money being used for maintenance and improvements.

For all of our summer visitors (waving to all my friends from Skyway), want to let you know you can rent bikes from the Cinder Track Bike Shop in Mountaindale. Charlie is a great guy, and his rental bikes ARE TOP OF THE LINE! He also has a full service repair department, and can tell you from first hand experience that he does wonderful work...he tuned up both of my bikes this year, and they have never pedaled better.

It's been awhile since I have done a update on Mountaindale Community Development Project's Sullivan Renaissance project, so let's jump right into it.

Yesterday we had a volunteer work day, and it was a huge success with lots of work getting done on the trail, and around town as we race to put things in pretty good shape for all the guests we are expecting on the trail this upcoming Sunday. People young and old showed up at various times throughout the day to lend us a hand on various projects, and when we put our tools away at around seven in the evening, you could see the bounty of everyone's efforts. *A special thanks to Eric Lynch, a fellow camper at Skyway and a New York City Fire Fighter who showed up and worked on the difficult task of figuring out how to attach certain additions to our train. We also want to thank Master Instructor Alexandra Th. Lalieu and her Upstate Karate students for all the help they provided yesterday in the task of spreading yards and yards of mulch...their discipline and ability to stay focused were very apparent and appreciated.

A check list of sorts...

1. We have already put out ten hanging baskets on Main Street to compliment the flowers boxes. Hanging baskets are a experiment in progress as we learn what does best hanging seven feet up in the air...some plants do a lot better than others, and all the baskets require a lot more watering than the flower boxes do.

2. Thanks to some of our local Girl Scouts, who were in attendance yesterday, we were able to complete a new flower bed on the side of our community Mountaindale Art Center located at 58 Main Street. The girls were fast learners, and as always, their help invaluable as we move through our projects this year. Cannot wait to get the mulch down this morning so that this item can be crossed off our to do list as completed.

3. The BASIC TRAIN is now officially up on the trail in the old O&W siding across from the old lumber yard.

4. We HAVE WATER! A very special THANK YOU to Steve Vegliante, Will Illing, the Water Department, and the entire Town of Fallsburg government for making this happen. We appreciate all the help we are receiving in doing some of the heavy lifting that needs to be done, and water was a crucial component! *Another special thanks goes out to Allen Frishman for his work on the trail this past week.

4. The basic framework for our Litter Control station is in, and with luck that part of our project will be completed and in use just in time for the Second Annual Rails to Trails Run and Walk on July 17th.

5. The workout station areas have been completely weeded (Aaron Schmitt, our summer intern can be thanked for this) and re-mulched...we are hoping to start repainting and staining this week at some point.

6. One of our O&W Railway relics is now surrounded by a beautiful new flower bed, and we have brought in some beautiful stones that beautify the area, while at the same time make it harder for all terrain vehicles (which are NOT allowed on the trail) to access/exit the trail from our Mountaindale entrance.

As of right now, we are hoping to be doing a MAJOR PLANTING on Tuesday afternoon evening, so if you are looking to volunteer, you can call Sherwood at 845 346-6523 (cell), or just show up with a shovel or trowel. Again, thanks to our many volunteers...you are the force that makes community improvement and beautification possible.

WINDOWS ON BROADWAY Student Artwork Exhibit to Open this Sunday

[LIBERTY] – The work of area high school student artists will soon be on display in the windows of the Strong Building on Broadway in Monticello. An opening "Sidewalk Reception" is scheduled for Sunday, July 10 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

The Windows on Broadway Project is a collaboration of youth and adult volunteers who came together through a series of discussions about Monticello, the County Seat. Last fall the "12701 Youth Summit" was held at the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello. Students from Monticello gathered for the day to talk about their community, what they liked and what they would change. From the summit emerged the Youth Appearance Corps and the idea of doing something to enhance and clean-up Broadway in Monticello. In February, the Monticello community meet at the fire house to hear about the progress on projects in Monticello and to "sign on" to volunteer. From that event emerged several committees, including one that would focus on storefronts.

A call for submissions went out to all Sullivan County high schools. The work was photographed, mounted and hung in the windows creating a sidewalk art gallery. The initial installation showcases the work of students from Monticello, Eldred and Liberty High Schools. Artwork from Livingston Manor and Roscoe schools will be included during the summer.

“Sullivan County has a wealth of young artistic talent. It is important to showcase their talents and work, and nurture and support them whenever we can. These pieces reflect the voice of our youth, and our contemporary culture,” said artist Laurie Kilgore, one of the project coordinators. In addition to the prepared artwork, the Youth Economic Group of Rural Migrant Ministries will use an area to document their work through images and photographs.

The installation is being done at the Strong Building on the corner of Broadway and Landfield Avenue. The space has been made available by Mark Vrancich, who owns the building and Nature Lounge, along with his brother Scott. “We were happy to see something go into that space that would add to the changes happening on Broadway," Mark Vrancich said.

The public is invited to attend the opening reception to see the work and meet the artists, some who will be in attendance. Refreshments will be served, catered by Nature Lounge. For information or to RSVP to the reception, contact Sullivan Renaissance at 845-295-2445 or info@sullivanrenaissance.org.

Sullivan Striders Practice Run-Rails To Trails

First, a reminder...a week from this Sunday on July 17th, come out and be a part of it all as the Sullivan Striders host the Second Annual Rails to Trails Run and Walk. You can find more information, and print up the application form here.

Last night while working on this year's Mountaindale Beautification Project along the trail, we were fortunate to be on site when the Sullivan Striders showed up in force for a practice run for next week's BIG EVENT. Let me tell you, these people are serious about their sport, and I was amazed at how quickly they made the run.

Also pleased to announce, that they were the first group EVER to have their group picture taken in front of Mountaindale's new train as it takes shape, comes to life on the trail...thank you Sullivan Striders for taking a few minutes to let us capture the photographs we are sharing here! Looking forward to being there next Sunday to lend you a hand, and take photographs of your event. Again everyone, make sure to come down and be a part of the Second Annual Rails to Trails Run and Walk...proceeds to benefit improvements to the trail.

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

FARMSTOCK 2011...Visit Your Local Farmers

When it comes to food, it is a natural resource we just cannot live without, yet so many of us really have no clue where our food comes from, nor the work involved in getting it onto our plates when it comes to dinner time. The Sullivan County Farm Network, founded in March 2010 hopes to change that reality, is working diligently with those who produce food here in Sullivan County, and those who consume it, the end line users. To that end, they have started a very interesting program called Farmstock, a chance for people to actually visit a working farm, take a tour, get a first hand look at where our food comes from, and meet some of the people who grow it!

So, if you live in Sullivan County, or are visiting Sullivan County, are looking for a wonderful weekend day trip, the Farmstock Experience is one HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Pack up the picnic basket, load the family into the car, and make a day out of visiting the farm. There are different farms to visit every weekend of the summer, with each one a different and unique experience for one and all. Admission to the farms is just $6 for adults, and $4 for children, you cannot ask for a better family bargain, and visiting a farm is truly a Kodak Moment for you and your family.



Farmstock 2011 Calender


June 19 Sun. – Silver Heights Nursery & Gorzynski Ornery Farm, Cochecton Center

June 25 Sat. – Rafters Farm, Roscoe

July 2 Sat. – Apple Pond Farm. Callicoon Center

July 16 Sat. – Gieger Dairy Farm, Jeffersonville

July 23 Sat. – Neversink Farm, Clareyville

July 24 Sun - Dirie Dairy Farm, Livingston Man

July 31 Sun. – Rivendale Farm, Jeffersonville

August 13 Sat. – Rafters Farm, Roscoe

August 20 Sat. – Oak Ridge Farm, Jeffersonville

August 27 Sat. – Channery Hill Farm, Callicoon Center

September 3 Sat. – Bridle Hill Farm, Jeffersonville

Easy Raisin Loaf...Great For Lite Summer Meals

One of my hobbies, or at least something I get a lot of enjoyment out of, is cooking...more specifically, I enjoy baking, though do not get as much time in the kitchen these days as I would like to have. Thought it might be fun to share an occasional recipe here on the blog with our readers, and being one who likes sometimes to eat a lite meal, perhaps some fresh fruit, cheese, a nice bread with a glass of white wine, thought I would share a fun old recipe.

Easy Raisin Loaf (Pre-heat oven to 350)

2 cups pancake mix
1/4 brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
4 tablespoons shortening (or butter)
2 eggs (beaten)
1 cup of milk...I recommend whole milk.
3/4 cup seedless raisins (you can also add chopped pecans if you like)

Combine all your dry ingredients. Cut in shortening until your mixture is coarse crumbs. Add eggs and milk, beating just enough to to combine ingredients. Fold in raisins (and nuts). Grease a one pound loaf pan (once done, line bottom with wax paper, also greased) and pour prepared batter into pan. Bake for 50 minutes, testing with toothpick...if necessary leave in a few extra minutes till toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool.

This bread is BEST if stored for a day before slicing. Goes wonderfully with assorted fresh fruits and some Brie Cheese...I personally enjoy sprinkling brown sugar and pecans over the brie cheese, and putting it in oven for a few minutes to get spreadable soft.

Great Opportunity For Mountaindale Photographers To Show Off Their Talents!

Attention local photographers and gardening enthusiasts. Now is your chance to show off your talents, and if lucky even become PUBLISHED! It is that time of year again, time for the Cornell Cooperative Extension's annual photo contest. Twelve lucky submissions from the entries that are received will have their photograph featured in the Second Annual Calendar that will be sold this fall as a fund raiser! Good luck to everyone who enters, and you can count on this writer entering a shot or two of his own.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Announces: Their Annual Photo Contest

What does Gardening/Horticulture in Sullivan County mean to you?

Send us your best photos.

Ferndale,
NY-Enter a photo of a Sullivan County garden/horticulture. Start snapping away. It can be trees and scrubs, flowers or vegetables or even people working at gardening/horticulture; let us know what kind of gardening you enjoy. Everyone is welcome to send in photos. We prefer they are sent electronically as a jpg file. The 12 best will appear on our second annual calendar to be sold this fall by CCE, as a fund raiser. All entries must arrive by August 31, 2011 to be considered. If you have questions please call Susan Dollard at 845-292-5250. Entries are to be sent to smd243@cornell.edu

Private Garden Tour Tickets Still Available

Tickets on Sale Now:

GARDEN TOUR ENDS AT WINERY

View Private Gardens in Sullivan County on Saturday, July 23

SULLIVAN COUNTY – The Third Annual Garden Tour of private gardens in Sullivan County will end with a reception at Bashakill Vineyards in Wurtsboro on Saturday, July 23. Bashakill Vineyards is Sullivan County’s first farm winery license, starting in spring 2005. The vineyard sits across from the Bashakill wetlands, which provide ideal conditions for growing grapes.

The tour is sponsored by SullivanArc and Sullivan Renaissance to benefit the SullivanArc Horticultural Program.

A limited number of tickets will be sold on the day of the event. Cost is $25 per person. They are available between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. at the following locations along with self-guided garden tour maps [with addresses and directions to each of the gardens].

• Catskill Harvest Market, State Route 52 and Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty
• The Cutting Garden, State Route 52, Youngsville
• Delaware Valley Farm & Garden (Agway), 30 Viaduct Road, Callicoon
• Everlasting Spring, 3195 State Route 52, White Sulphur Springs
• Hillside Greenhouse, 1 Kaempfer Lane, Liberty
• Monticello Greenhouses, 217 E. Broadway, Monticello
• Stephenson’s Garden Center, 1706 State Route 52, Liberty
• Vita’s Farm Market, 4789 State Route 52, Jeffersonville

Advanced tickets may be purchased at these garden centers or directly from SullivanArc at 845-796-1350 ext. 1050 or online at http://www.sullivanarc.org and click on “Buy Tickets"

The 8 to 10 gardens are open for visits between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. They are located between Liberty and Wurtsboro and feature flower and shade gardens, traditional gardens, water features and landscaped grounds. Individuals may follow the route or select their own – visiting as many or as few gardens as they prefer and time allows. A wine and cheese reception for ticket holders and garden owners follows the tour at Bashakill Vineyards.

SullivanArc is a not-for-profit agency dedicated to providing support and services to over 850 individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and to their families. Sponsorship for the tour is provided by Key Bank. 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.