pride awards 2015

Sullivan County Chamber of CommerceProudly Recognizing Sullivan County Pride for Twenty-four Years

PRIDE

A Special Section of the Sullivan County Democrat

2015

2015

2 PR IDE AWARDS 2015

457 Broadway, Monticello, NY 845-791-4303

Congratulations to the Van Etten Oil Familyon receiving the Pride Award

for Business Family of the Year!

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Fred Stabbert IIIFrank RizzoRosalie MyckaLiz TuckerCecilia Lamy, Barbara Matos & Tera Luty Petra DuffySue Owens Tracy Swendsen & Ruth Huggler

Publisher Editor

Design and LayoutDisplay Advertising Director

Advertising Sales

Advertising DesignBusiness Manager

Production

Published by Catskill-Delaware Publications, Inc., publishers of the Sullivan County Democrat, in cooperation with

the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce.

Pride

Story and Photo By Matt Shortall

t all started 75 years ago, whenRichard Van Etten relocated fromKingston to Monticello as an employee of the Texaco Oil

company. Four years after that, in 1944,Richard went into business for himself.

He set up shop with one truck andhad an office along the O&W Railroadon St. John Street, where he could receive oil delivery via the railway.Nowadays, the railway is gone, but theVan Etten family name remains.

Richard’s son, Jan, has kept the businessgoing strong for the last 44 years. He expanded VEO to include a chain of gasstations and convenience stores. He isalso known for his community involve-ment as president of the Monticello Rotary Club.

Jan was president of VEO through sometumultuous years of economic booms andrecessions. Through all that time, wifeAlyce has always been by his side.

Their son, Eli, came onboard in 1991

and has risen to the rank of vice presi-dent. Since then, Eli has expanded theVEO brand to cover propane sales, aswell as oil and gas.

“Business has gotten so good that ourpropane sales have doubled every year,”said Eli, who was named the “Man of theYear” in 2013 by the Hudson Valley OilHeat Council.

For the Van Ettens, family has alwaysbeen inseparable from business. Eli’swife, Jennifer, owns and operates a pilates studio, “Pilates Body” on the second floor of the VEO building.

Jan, Alyce andEli Van Etten

Van Etten Oil

IFrom left, Alyce, Jan and Eli Van Etten with “Eagle.”

Business Family of the Year


Congratulations Van Etten Family& All the Pride Winners!

• Level payments with our cap programs.• Quality service with our Maintenance programs.• No gimmicks - just old fashioned, honest

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• Propane Gas

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[email protected]

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The Van Ettens have extended thatsense of family to their customers, whichis the reason some of them have keptcoming back for decades.

“When Cathy Paty called and told us wehad won a Pride Award, I was completelytaken by surprise,” said Jan of the Chamber of Commerce president/CEO.

Indeed, the employees working at VanEtten Oil must feel like they’re part of anextended family. Without the skill anddedication of their tradesmen and techni-cians, the family business wouldn’t havethrived all these many years. It’s peoplelike Mike Foster, VEO’s Propane Opera-tions manager, and Service ManagerPatrick McGar that keep things runningsmoothly.

“Mike and Pat both have a tremendouslevel of expertise,” said Eli.

Thanks to this legacy and ongoing success, the Van Ettens will be among thetop awardees during the Pride Awards

brunch at the Villa Roma on May 3 as the“Business Family of the Year.

“We’re having all of our employeescome with us to the awards brunch at theVilla Roma,” said Jan, “because they’re asmuch a part of the award as we are.”

The invitation includes all 13 of them,as well as their spouses.

After a long and cold winter of provid-ing desperately needed heat and fuel tocustomers, it’s time for some much deserved celebration.

“We’re pleased and very humbled to bechosen for this award,” said Eli, “but thehonor truly belongs to our employeeswho work so hard, as well as all the customers who have kept their businesswith us for years.”

“They’re truly an upstanding family andrepresent everything that good businessshould be,” said Town of Thompson Supervisor Bill Rieber, who nominated theVan Ettens.


Congratulations to Glenn Pontier,

Executive Director of Sullivan Renaissance,

on your award for Distiguished Service.

We appreciate your enthusiasm, commitment

and dedication to the betterment of Sullivan County.

Your friends at Sullivan Renaissance

are proud! 2765

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Congratulations Glenn!

You are an inspirationto many people, but mostly

to your family...you’re the best!

LoveAri, Zac & Emily,

Bryan & Jane, Chris & Alanna, Elena, Nicole, Gregg & Deborah,

Sharon, Clara & Percy,and all the rest.

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Story and photo by Fred Stabbert lll

t’s easy to win a DistinguishedService award when you havethe whole county working foryou,” Sullivan Renaissance

Executive Director Glenn Pontier said,spinning an old Will Rogers’ quote.

Pontier said the success of Sullivan Renaissance is due in large part to the vision and inspiration of founder SandraGerry as well as the hard work and dedication of hundreds – if not thousands – of volunteers.

Sullivan Renaissance is a county-widebeautification program which was started15 years ago and has grown to includeevery community in Sullivan County.

“Clearly I had a role to play and playedit well,” Pontier said. “If Sullivan Countydidn’t look good I wouldn’t be winningthis award. That’s success.”

Pontier noted that Gerry, a formerschoolteacher, has taught the SullivanRenaissance staff to look at things from adifferent perspective.

Not one to rest on past laurels, Gerryhas continually challenged Pontier and his

staff to reach out to various sectors of thecommunity, including the Hasidics andHispanics and second homeowners.

And while some Renaissance projectsare just getting started, many communitiesthroughout Sullivan County “have graduated” the program.

“Roscoe has been through college, grad-uate school and beyond,” Pontier said, re-ferring to the high level of success thecommunity has had in recent years.

“I’m as proud as any teacher could be,”he said. “Does the teacher get the credit?Maybe the credit for unlocking the poten-tial and educating [the students].”

A long-time Sullivan County resident –

Glenn PontierSullivan Renaissance

Distinguished Service

‘ISullivan Renaissance is celebrating its 15thAnniversary in 2015, and Glenn Pontierhas been its only Executive Director.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6


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Congratulationsto all the

Honorees.You are the

Pride of Sullivan County

Les Kristt & Gene Kelly

369 BroadwayMonticello, NYwww.kristt.biz845-794-6639

16497

but not a native – Pontier points out howpeoples’ pride in their communities hasplayed a major role in the program.

Communities like Grahamsville/Nev-ersink, Kauneonga Lake and Hurleyville(with help from The Center for Discovery)also stand out as huge successes.

He also recalls his days as editor of TheRiver Reporter when one of his reporters,David Hulse, invented the idea of Litter-pluck, a county-wide clean-up effortwhich focused on picking up trash.

The River Reporter handed the programover to then-Sullivan County Clerk GeorgeCooke, who widened its focus to the en-tire county.

Pontier said that when he joined Renais-sance 15 years ago, “I was never thinkingyou could take it [beautifying the county]so much further.

“I had not seen the beauty part of it andcreating beautiful spaces,” he said. “Byplanting gardens we were appealing to

peoples’ sense of beauty.“I’m an organizer,” he said. “I’ve done it

all my life. First as an anti-war organizerduring the Vietnam War.

“Back then war was like gravity… it waseverywhere,” he remembered. “Many ofmy friends went into the service and I re-spect their choice.”

The son of a minister, Pontier eventuallywould spend time in jail for his decisionnot to fight.

Today he still stands by his decision andbelieves America has never done enoughfor its veterans.

“You can’t ask them to go to war andnot give something back to them,” hesaid. “We owe our veterans forever.”

This sense of fairness and balance in hislife has served Pontier well during his 69years and he is certainly proud of his lat-est effort at community organizing – Sulli-van Renaissance.

“That I’m connected to all these people,it’s easy to look good,” he said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5


Story and photo by Matt Shortall

harlie Degliomini may havegrown up in the city, but he’s

got the country in his heart.Degliomini has been the

Executive Vice President of Governmen-tal Affairs and Corporate Communica-tions at Empire Resorts Inc. sinceFebruary 2008. Empire Resorts is a part-ner in building the Montreign Casino atthe site of the former Concord ResortHotel. It is expected to open in 2017.

Outside of Empire Resorts, Degliominiis a director in several organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Wallkill (which has a strong componentin Sullivan County), the New YorkState Gaming Association, and the Hudson Valley Economic DevelopmentCommittee (HVEDC).

The best part of Degliomini’s job is, without a doubt, the people he gets tomeet. Degliomini immediately noticed Sullivan County’s small town charm.

“I have met the most fantastic people,”said Degliomini. “People who havenever given up on Sullivan County andwho have taken me under their wing.People like Alan and Sandra Gerry, Philand Donna Vallone, Steve Vegliante andDali Levy, Ira and Ruby Gold. All thefamilies who have, and continually look

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Charles Degliomini

Empire Resorts, Inc.

Distinguished Achievement

CCharlie Degliomini was the celebrity “FirstCaster” at Roscoe’s Junction Pool in the annualceremony to mark the opening day of trout season.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8


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for, opportunities to help improve everyday life in the county. During thetime I have worked here, this entirecommunity has welcomed me with openarms. For that, I am eternally grateful.“

Degliomini has high hopes for what Empire Resorts can do for SullivanCounty. “There’s a lotof interest in this area,”said Degliomini. “We’recommitted to investingin this $1 billion projectthat’s expected to driveover four million peo-ple to Sullivan Countyevery year.”

But Sullivan Countyhas something that

other places with more money don’t.Degliomini looks at what we have tooffer and sees untapped potential.“Whether it’s the rivers running throughRoscoe, the lakes, golf courses, skiing atHoliday Mountain, hiking, boating andkayaking – Sullivan County has fourseasons of outdoor experience for visitors and guests,” said Degliomini. “It’s

an amazing overallamenity that we plan onvigorously promoting.”

Degliomini, who holdsa degree in political science from QueensCollege, is also a familyman. He and his wife,Nidya, have two chil-dren, Eric, 22, andNicole, 17.


“I have met the mostfantastic people, peoplewho have never given upon Sullivan County andwho have taken me under

their wing.”


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Melinda Ketcham-Meddaugh in her

element – a greenhouse at

Cornell Cooperative Extension in Liberty.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Young Emerging Leader

MelindaMeddaugh

CCE, Sullivan County

Planning


Melinda,

Thank you for all you dofor Rock Hill.

The Rock Hill FireDepartment

Melinda,

Thank you for all you dofor Rock Hill.

The Rock Hill FireDepartment

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Story and Photo by Allison Ruef

hrough her role as Agriculture and Natural

Resources leader, MelindaKetcham-Meddaugh pro-

vides a basic and essential function toagricultural industry and production inSullivan County: Coordination.

A shared position between Cornell Cooperative Extension and the County ofSullivan, Meddaugh can be found work-ing with agricultural educators, studentsand farmers to provide training, imple-ment new projects and help grow busi-nesses through diversification andpreservation.

She was instrumental in helping create

the county’s new Farmland ProtectionPlan, designed to evaluate the currentstate of agriculture in Sullivan Countyand outline initiatives to further promoteand enhance it. Working with membersof the new Agriculture Task Force, Meddaugh helps guide a planning, zoning and the prioritization of strategiesin the plan for agricultural economicdevelopment throughout the county.

Meddaugh is a co-founder of the RockHill Farmers Market and is president ofthe Rock Hill Business and CommunityAssociation, an organization that worksto encourage new business and fostercommunity through annual events, concerts and beautification projectsthrough the Rock Hill Renaissance.

She is also a member of the Town of Thompson Planning Board.


T


Congratulations Melindaon being awarded as the

Sullivan PrideYoung Emerging Leader

We are grateful you are our leader!

Rock Hill Business& Community Association 27

449

Melinda,Congratulations

on all youraccomplishments.

We areso proud of you!

Cheers to all the other Pride Winners!

Mom, Dad,Robin & Mark

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The Board of Directors and staff

would like to congratulate

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“If you want things tochange and you want good

things to happen, you have togo for it”

A graduate of Sullivan County Commu-nity College, SUNY Purchase and theVermont Law School, where she earneda Master’s in Environmental Law andPolicy, Meddaugh and her husband Joshreside in Rock Hill.

According to Meddaugh, the key tochange starts with two things: involvement and optimism. “If you wantthings to change and you want goodthings to happen, you have to go for it,”she says. “It starts with a single action.That action inspires others and can ultimately have a huge impact. It’s important for young people in SullivanCounty to be involved and be active intheir communities. With involvementand a sense of optimism, we can andwill make change happen.”


Congratulations to all of the honorees!

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Dr. Jamie,We are very proud of you.

Congratulations!Barbara, Pat & Carrie

27949

Bethel Pride Winner:Dr. Jamie Noeth

&Young Emerging Leader:

Melinda Meddaugh 2802

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Bethel

Dr. Jamie NoethBody, Mind & Spirit

Wellness Center

r. Jamie Noeth has beenworking in holistic chiro-

practic care for nearly 23years, 19 of them based at

Body, Mind & Spirit Wellness Center, 12Plank Road in Mongaup Valley.

When Jamie was young, her mothersuffered from severe asthma and spent manyyears undergoing hospital visits and medicaltreatment.

With few options left she turned to chiro-practic. Within a matter of months, she wasoff all of the prescribed pills and showing signs of being completely cured.

Dr. Noeth was so inspired by her mother’stransformation that she decided to dedicateherself to helping others in the same fashion.

Noeth graduated from Monticello HighSchool in 1984 and then pursued her dreamof becoming a chiropractor. She graduatedfrom Adelphi University in 1988 with aBachelor’s of Science in biology/pre-med.She was awarded a Doctorate in 1992 fromLife University in Atlanta, Georgia, wellrenowned for its innovative research in chiropractic care.

After completing her internship in Florida,Noeth returned to Bethel to open up herown practice and to breathe in the fresh airof the Catskills once again.

Body, Mind and Spirit Wellness Center offers a wide range of services, includingYoga, massage therapy, psychotherapy, homeopathy, vitamins, herbs and aromather-apy products.

“It’s a great local business for Bethel,” saidSupervisor Daniel Sturm. “I’ve been into Dr.Noeth’s store before for orthopedic shoes

that are good for your back. They actuallywork, and most medical insurers will coverthe cost of them.”

“It’s not just something I do for a job,” saidNoeth. “It’s the way I live my life.”

That doesn’t simply stop at holistic treat-ment, of course. It begins with good preven-tative care. That means exercising regularlyand eating healthy natural foods. “We arelucky that we live so close to a lot of farmswhere we can get fresh, locally sourced,healthy, organic food,” said Noeth. “That’sone of the many benefits of living in SullivanCounty.”

When she’s not healing the bodies, mindsand spirits of Sullivan County, Dr. Noethtakes a hands-on approach to communityenrichment. She’s been involved with theSullivan County Renaissance since the beginning, helping to build the gazebo inWhite Lake. Noeth is also an AYSO soccercoach, a Sullivan County Child Care Councilboard member, and is currently working onorganizing a 4-H club in Bethel.

Jamie has three children: daughter Katynaattends Rutgers University, son Alexander attends Franklin University Switzerland, andson Jack is a first grader.

Noeth proudly describes herself as a product of Sullivan County. “A lot of peoplego away to school and don’t come back,”she said. “I really wanted to come back andmake a difference here.”

D

Dr. Jamie Noeth practices holistic chiropractic, incorpo-rating nutrition, herbs,homeopathy, acupres-sure and massage.The aim, she said, is“to get your bodyback into balance and functioning at its optimum.”

Story and Photo by Matt Shortall


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Callicoon

George & Tammy Shakelton

Shakelton Auto Parts

eorge and Tammy Shakeltonare proof that fulfilling the

American dream is still possible.Married for 36 years, George and

Tammy have built up a chain ofauto parts stores with nearly a dozen locations in Sullivan, Orange and Pike (Pa.)counties.

George and Tammy are originally fromHancock, where his grandfather and fatherowned a garage. George was put to workthere at an early age and found he likedthe parts end of the business most. In 1983,

he opened a parts store in his father’sgarage. He partnered with NAPA, begin-ning an association that has lasted to thisday.

Seven years later he sold that locationand bought a different store in Roscoe.

At that point, George and Tammy triedtheir luck with two locations. “We were

GStory By Matt Shortall

Contributed PhotoGeorge and Tammy Shakelton have reason tobe proud of their chain of stores.

delivering a lot to the Jeffersonville area,”said George. “When it got to the point that40-50 percent of our business was deliver-ing in Jeffersonville, we decided to put astore down there.”

After seven years operating both hisRoscoe and Jeffersonville locations, Georgebought what is now Shakelton Auto &Truck Center on Pleasant Avenue in Monticello. With three locations, businessbegan to pick up, and George and Tammywere able to buy NAPA Auto Parts stores inLiberty and Port Jervis.

What made the difference for the Shakel-tons was the range of advanced servicesthey offered, especially in Jeffersonville. Atthat location they did much business deliv-ering parts for farm vehicles.

“If we can offer a higher level of serviceto the construction companies and farmsaround here, that’s really going to set usapart from our competitors,” said George.

Outside of his auto parts franchise,George was a track and cross countrycoach for many years at Sullivan West. “Notonly did I love doing that 100 percent,”said Shakelton, “it’s a great way to meet alot of families and really become local.” Infact, Shakelton would often recruit his athletes as part-time summer employees inhis auto parts shops.

Shakelton just retired from coaching twoyears ago. “When we opened our fourthlocation it just became too much to leaveat 2:30 every day,” Shakelton laughed.

George and Tammy are very proud oftheir three children; Jonathan, Joy and Jennifer, as well as their 11 grandchildren.

“He won’t tell you himself, but he’s wona lot of awards for quality and sales,” saidTammy.

Indeed, out of 3,500 NAPA Auto Partsstores nationally, Shakelton Auto Parts haswon five-star ratings for 13 years in a row.There are only three other NAPA AutoParts stores in the country with a similarrecord.

Among their honors, Tammy and Georgewere guests of the NAPA Racing Team atDover International Speedway for theNascar AAA 400. NAPA recognized Georgeas a recipient of the Honorary Pit CrewMember program.

“It’s been quite a ride, looking back allthese years,” said Shakelton. “We’re proudto have served this community and raiseour family here, and we’ll continue to dojust that.”


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548 Broadway, Monticello, NY 12701Call for appointment

28085


Cochecton

n a time and place where you canstill buy fresh farm eggs, and whereall the neighbors are congenial to-wards each other, Cochecton Oil fits

in perfectly.“When people call us, they know they’re

talking to an owner rather than an em-ployee,” Peter Pierce says proudly.

As if on cue, the phone rings and NormaPierce helps a customer with politenessmixed in with a knowledge of the oil deliv-ery business.

Cochecton Oil has been operating since1959 and was started by Melvin and Henri-etta Pierce, Peter’s parents. His fatherworked as a rural postal carrier part timeand ran the oil business part time.

When the advent of propane delivery,the company was transformed into a full-time operation.

“We incorporated and took over in 1993,”explained Peter.

Norma runs the office and Peter wearsmany hats, from “dispatching to deliveriesand everything else.”

The company’s two employees fit in withthe philosophy of Cochecton Oil. Betweenthem, James Mosher and Todd Jay have 48years experience with the local, but highlytouted company.

The customers know who they are deal-ing with, and feel comfortable enough tolet them in if a stove needs repairs, saidPeter.

“We have a four-wheel drive vehicle.When some area oil companies can’t make

it up a snowy driveway, they’re directed tocall Cochecton Oil. So that’s a little nichewe have for ourselves,” Peter said.

Both Peter and Norma are experts in thefield. However, even they cannot predictthe market which Peter describes as“volatile.”

“It used to be you knew the prices wouldgo down in the summer and up in the win-ter. In the last 10 years that phenomenahas fallen by the wayside,” he said. “Theprices now are low compared to last win-ter. Any international event can escalate theprices. The prices are not consistent.”

He went on to say that what happens inthe Middle East impacts prices on theglobal market. When the prices get veryhigh, it becomes economically feasible forthe United States to get oil out of theground.

“When the price of a barrel of oil hits$100, the companies will make money;below the threshold of $50 a barrel, thecompanies break even,” Peter said.

Norma is particularly proud of her twosons – Michael is in the Army, based atFort Campbell, Kentucky with his wifeRegina. Patrick attends SUNY Sullivan andplays on the Generals’ baseball team.

IStory and Photo By Guy Charles Harriton

Peter & NormaPierce

Cochecton Oil

Peter and Norma Pierce took over CochectonOil from his parents Melvin and Henrietta. Itwas started in 1959.


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Kohler Lumber& Building Materials, Inc.

ESTABLISHED 1907

LICENSED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORSLic. #M-285

Gary M. Erlwein, Owner

P.O. Box 252, Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759(845) 434-7839 • Fax: (845) 434-1199

The Kubenik FamilyRte. 52, Jeffersonville, NY 12748

5352 State Route 52Jeffersonville, NY 12748

Call Eric845-798-1280

Cell:845-798-1371

Email:[email protected]

(845) 482-5290 • 482-5117 � Fax 482-4270

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BMK Designs of New York, Inc.~ Beatrice Kubenik-Erlwein ~

Congratulations Henry and Eric!Thank you for your dedicationtowards helping your family,

friends, Kohler Lumberand our surrounding communities!

Mom and Dad, Liz, Jared, Melissa,Kevin and Lila, Aimee and Ethan,

Cody and Jordan, Bea, Gary and the Kids, Nicole, Andy and Aurora, Anna,

Kristen and Amanda, Pat,Ciara, Vincent and Scarlett.

Love you guys!

2789

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Delaware

Henry & EricKubenik

Kohler Lumber

Story and Photo by Frank Rizzo

wo families only haveoperated the lumber-

yard on Route 52 whichhas been an integral part

of Kohlertown since 1907:the Kohlers, who founded KohlerLumber, and the Kubeniks, who havebeen running the lumber, hardware andbuilding supply company since 1975.

Henry and Eric Kubenik will representDelaware at the Pride of Sullivan CountyAwards on May 3. They will also representtheir family – after all, Kohler Lumber isthe epitome of a family business.

Family patriarch Henry occasionallyshows up for work, as does his wife of 67years, Anna, who kept the books until recently. Sons Henry and Eric manage thebusiness and get help from Bea, the oldestdaughter, who designs kitchens, andyoungest daughter Anna, a CPA, who doesthe accounting. Younger Henry’s son Jaredand Patrick Hammett, a close family friend,are also part of the firm.

It’s no secret as to how Kohler Lumberand other such firms has survived whilemany mid-sized chains and “mom andpop” hardware stores have been decimated by the rise of a certain boxstore chain.

“Because of our service and the knowl-edge that comes from 41 years in the business,” said Henry.

The firm caters to a diverse clientele,from experienced contractors to week-

end residents working on “do it yourself”projects.

Since September 11, noted Henry,“we’ve seen a lot of new people” as thecounty became a second-home magnet.

The series of floods and hurricanes during the past decade have also introduced new customers to the business.The rough winter that just ended has created demand for roofing and deckingmaterials.

Kohler Lumber continually surprisesthose who venture in.

“They don’t realize how much we have,”said Henry.

“We have a bit of everything,” said Eric.The Kubeniks contribute much to their

community and especially St. George’sChurch in Jeffersonville.

Avid golfers all, they will play most Sun-days at the Villa Roma course nearby before gathering at Henry Sr. and Anna’shouse for dinner.

TBrothers Henry “Hank” and Eric “Kubbie” arethe second generation of Kubeniks to operateKohler Lumber. The business was founded byWilliam Kohler in 1907 and then run by PercyKohler until he sold it to Henry Sr. and AnnaKubenik in 1975.


Fallsburg

Zane Morganstein

Associated Mutual Insurance

By Allison Ruef

y the time this journal is published, Zane

Morganstein, president andCEO of Associated Mutual

Insurance company, will have cleanedout his desk and turned over the reinsto incoming President and CEO RobertWong.

“While I am honored to be nomi-nated, it’s rather misguided,” he explained. “As a cooperative, our business isn’t about a single person – itis about the policyholders, the staff andBoard of Directors. They are directly responsible for the success of the company.”

Although modest in discussing hispersonal accomplishments and contri-butions to his community, Morgansteinis an unabashed champion of the company he has been a part of for thepast 42 years.

“Associated Mutual, as a cooperative,has served Sullivan County for 102years, so by its very essence, it isn’tabout an individual. It was here beforeme and will be here after me. The organization is better than a single person – by our very nature we areabout community – neighbors helpingneighbors, working together to solve a

problem.” This philosophy is ingrained deep in

the roots of the company, which wasformed by Jewish immigrant farmerswho had difficulty obtaining insuranceand accessing banking services. Whatbegan with insuring farms, bungalowcolonies, hotels and other small businesses has grown and expanded as times and needs change.

Today, the company has stayed true to its mission and works with smallbusiness owners, many of whom are21st century immigrants. Businessesserved by Associated Mutual includerestaurants, bakeries, independent retailers, distilleries, breweries, boutique/value-added farm productsand of course, farms and agribusinesses.

“We do good work, provide goodjobs and our bottom line is the greatergood. Our customers, staff and ourBoard of Directors truly deserve thisrecognition. Without them, we wouldn’texist, so we gratefully accept this honoron their behalf.”

“Zane is a good, community-mindedguy, and this honor is more than justified,” said Town of Fallsburg Super-visor Steve Vegliante. “The companyhas been helping people for a longtime, and with Zane’s [pending] retirement, it was just the right time.”

B


Forestburgh

oy, if the walls at the HartwoodClub clubhouse in Forestburgh

could talk. Question anyone inthis bucolic hamlet about this pri-

vate hunting and fishing club and the sto-ries abound – “the one that got away,” orthe slight exaggeration about the size of thetrout caught in the lakes.

Perhaps Justin Evans, recipient of thePride of Forestburgh Award, knows moreabout and takes great pride in this venera-ble club founded in 1893.

But this isn’t just any hunting club. Likeeverything in Forestburgh it’s classy, but ina decidedly woodsy way. Consider its di-mensions: 7,000 acres with three lakes forswimming and fishing, deer and bird hunt-ing. And, oh yes, the magnificent clubhouseset back amongst coniferous trees thatblends in harmoniously with the homesthat are on park grounds and you have away of life understood perhaps only byForestburgh residents.

It’s been said, some men fish there wholelives without realizing it’s not fish theirafter. It has always been about the cama-raderie, and bonding that lasts a lifetime.

However, the Hartwood Club takes it onestep further, noted Evans: “In addition todeer and bird hunting at the club, whichhas three lakes, and nature observations,the members logged in over 3,000 hours ofvolunteer forest management work on theirwoodlot last year.”

Again, what sets the Hartwood Club apartis activities such as hosting wood walks forother forest landowners to view forest man-agement projects.

Perhaps what Evans is most proud of hasnothing to do with fishing or hunting, butthat last year the club was named the NewYork State Outstanding Tree Farmer of theYear.

“We regenerate hardwoods, which is sohard to do around here because the deereat the saplings,” said Evans. “Also, we letthe DEC do some training on our grounds.”

According to Forestburgh Supervisor BillSipos, Evans was a shoe-in as the town’sPride pick because of the hard work as theclub’s forester.

The Hartwood Club, he said, was notedfor its efforts to enhance and sustain theirforest and for spreading the practice of sus-tainable forestry.

Paul Kowalczykop, who is a tree farm in-spector and the Hartwood Club consultingforester, thanked the club for developing aland ethic for both timber and wildlife re-sources.

The 50 families who make up the club,Evans noted, enjoy outdoor living which iscompatible with both wildlife and timbermanagement.

BBy Charles Guy Harriton

Justin EvansThe Hartwood Club

Matt Shortall photoOne of the three lakes at the Hartwood Club, aprivate hunting and fishing preserve, has beenawarded for the stewardship of its acreage.

Fremont

sk around Fremontabout the Long Eddy

Hotel and Saloon andyou’ll hear the same resound-

ing opinion – they’ve got the best foodand drinks within 50 miles.

Fred Sherman and Debbie Kazmarkhave run the Long Eddy Hotel as partners for the past 15 years.

“I’ve known Fred and Debbie for avery long time” said Fremont SupervisorGeorge Conklin. “Fred’s quite the chef,and he’s very active in the community asa Fremont Fire Commissioner.”

The building that houses the LongEddy Hotel was built around 1850 andwas originally used as a blacksmith’sshop. Then Steve and Carrie Porterbought the building and converted it intoa hotel and saloon. Back then, the localsknew the place as “The Pig’s Foot,”

because the Porters served pickled pigs’feet at the bar for free. As the hotel’s success grew, more renovations weremade and it became attached to the surrounding buildings.

Following in the footsteps of that success, Fred and Debbie have madesome renovations of their own, whilemaintaining the building’s classic saloonatmosphere.

They’ve added additional dining space,as well as a new game room.

“They’ve done great work, especiallywith the game room,” said Conklin. “It’sa great place for the kids around here tohang out.”

Fred and Debbie attribute their successto hard work and the loyalty of their regular customers. “We have great neighbors and townsfolk here,” saidDebbie. “The same people come inevery week for something to eat or justto catch up.”

“There’s not a whole lot of other busi-nesses around here,” said Fred, “so ifyou treat people to a good time once,they’ll probably come back.”

A Fred Sherman and Debbie Kazmark have kept thetradition of running a hotel/saloon in a buildingthat dates back to 1850.

Story and Photo By Matt Shortall


Fred Sherman &Debbie Kazmark

Long Eddy Hotel & Saloon


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Highland

he North American CulturalLaboratory (NACL) brought the

Weather Project to over 700 resi-dents and friends of the Town of

Highland through a culminatingevent at the Yulan Ballfield last summer.

The community play featured actors,singers, dancers and stilt walkers in a per-formance highlighting the necessity of hon-oring the earth and recognizing the manythreats to its health and sustainability.

The project was truly a community event,explained Tannis Kowalchuk, co-founderand artistic director for NACL. “Supervisor(Andy) Boyar was such a big part of theWeather Project. And the Yulan Fire De-partment was so open to working with us.It was a big deal for the community to ac-commodate us, from electric at the ball-field, traffic control, space, rehearsals. Itwas a great community experience.”

This year Kowalchuk and NACL will behonored as the Pride of Sullivan Countyfor the Town of Highland.

“We were really, truly honored. We heardthat we were nominated…it was a reallynice surprise and a great honor,” Tannisexplained.

The project helped NACL bring theatre tothe community, but also brought many in

the community to their theatre,based in Highland Lake. NACL, now cele-brating its 15th anniversary, started as asummer program.

A native of Canada and graduate of theUniversity of Winnipeg theatre department,Tannis has created and performed in overa dozen NACL productions, including“Struck.” The latter was a multi-media pres-entation, staged in NYC and Cleveland,based on a stroke she suffered in 2011.

Kowalchuk co-founded NACL with BradKrumholz and works with Brett Keyser asproduction manager and “Zoot” fromWoodstock Stage and Screen as technicaldirector. They are developing another com-munity production for the upcoming sum-mer, dealing with the idea of courage andsocial justice.

She and husband Greg Swarz own Wil-low Wisp Organic Farm in Abrahamsville,Pa., and are the parents of Simon, 6.

T

ContributedPhotoTannisKowalchukdirectingtheNACL’sWeatherProject lastsummer.By Kaitlin Carney

Tannis KowalchukNorth American Cultural Lab

Liberty

onald and Jeanne Tulp hadn’tplanned on becoming propri-

etors of a bed and breakfast,but what began as “a few

projects” soon became a way of life. Theowners of the Lazy Pond Bed and Break-fast in Liberty, the Tulps opened for busi-ness in 2000 and haven’t looked back.

There wasn’t always a pond at LazyPond. According to Jeanne, “It was allDon’s idea. We purchased the adjacentparcel and with family cleared it and dugthe pond. It was lovely to relax in thepaddle boat or gazebo. But soon we felta bit lazy, so the next project began. Ba-sically it’s a hobby that got out of hand!”

Renovating the house on the same parcel came next, and Lazy Pond wasborn. Donald (who is not at all lazy)continued to build – adding rooms, pur-chasing and renovating the house that isnow the main house (the West Wing),building a log cabin and cottage for a

total of 28 rooms.“We try to do something each year,”

says Jeanne. “We enhance the rooms,add something new. We have a lot of repeat customers, so we try and keepthings fresh.”

Active in their community, the Tulpsare members of the Chamber of Commerce, the Sullivan County VisitorsAssociation, the Greater Liberty Chamberof Commerce and are supporters ofBethel Woods.

“There is something magical about themountains. They keep our guests comingback,” says Jeanne. “Sullivan County isbeautiful. We are honored to be chosenfor this award because we are trulyproud to live here.”

Married for 21 years, The Tulps are delegating more tasks to their son Matt,who is the bed and breakfast’s generalmanager.

“Matt has been great. This gives usmore time to do what we originally intended to do – be lazy!” says Jeanne.

DStory and Photo By Allison Ruef

Donald & Jeanne Tulp

Lazy Pond Bed & Breakfast

A Beautiful Country Setting in theHeart of the Catskill Mountains

Innkeepers Jeanne & Don Tulp79 Old Loomis Rd • Liberty, NY

845.988.7061www.lazypond.com

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Jeanne and Donald Tulp have kept busy andbeen anything but lazy at their Liberty bed andbreakfast.



hristine Smetaniukwas introduced to

Lumberland as a vacationer, andshe and her husband Igor relo-

cated to Glen Spey full time in 1987.There they raised daughter Alana, now astudent at Syracuse University.

Since then, they have been active and in-volved in the Ukrainian enclave of GlenSpey and the Town of Lumberland as awhole in varied capacities.

Christine owns and operates Color TekDesigns in Glen Spey. She is creative direc-tor and designer, with a client base span-ning the tri-state area. “Color Tek Designsis a creative art, design and screen printingstudio I founded. I design screen prints,brochures, programs, posters, event flyersand other design-related materials,” Smeta-niuk explained.

She also often volunteers her talent as anhonorary member and publicist of theTown of Lumberland Cultural Series, andannually decorates the Town Hall for theChristmas and winter holidays.

During the summer, she is the art coun-selor for the Town of Lumberland YouthProgram, a position she looks forward toevery year. Christine is also secretary of theTown’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

“I love living in Lumberland and I’m veryproud of our town. Some people say that Iwear many hats in the community andthat’s because I try to give back when Ican. Whether it is decorating or promotingan event or running the Children’s Christ-mas tree decorating or a Christmas Concert

among others… I’mthere,” she said. “Itis hard work, ittakes time, but myefforts are alwaysappreciated and

that is rewarding to me in the end!”As a woman of Ukrainian heritage, Chris-

tine has deep ties to the large communityin Glen Spey. She is a member of theUkrainian Women’s League of AmericaBranch No. 62 , a group that coordinatesfundraisers and help people in need.

“Our efforts have been focused in Eu-rope with the war that has been going onfor a year after Russia’s invasion ofUkraine. There are thousands of displacedmen, women, and children who have losteverything… many of us have family there.It is a very sad and tragic situation,” shesaid.

Christine’s community involvement, bothprofessional and volunteer, led to her nom-ination and honor as the Pride of SullivanCounty for the Town of Lumberland. “Iwas surprised by the honor. I never eventhought of it as a possibility! I am honoredand humbled….it is gratifying to think thatpeople appreciate what you do,” she said.

Dr. Joseph Lazaro, PTDr. Jessica Lazaro, PT

DOCTORS OF PYSICAL THERAPY

111 Sullivan AvenueFerndale, NY

845-292-0890www.excelphysicaltherapy.com 27

830

LumberlandContributed PhotoChristine Smetaniuk isa small businessowner with a deep commitment to her community.

ChristineSmetaniuk

Color Tek Designs

CBy Kaitlin Carney


Mamakating

aul Deninno wasn’t satis-fied with being the firstfull-fledged commercialvineyard in Sullivan County.

No, the Wurtsboro entrepreneur decided it was about time BashaKill

Paul Deninno hoists a glass of SullivanCounty grown and bottled wine.

Story and Photo By Dan Hust

Paul DeninnoBashaKill Vinyards

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Congratulations!

Leisure shopping in aturn of the century atmosphere

The area’s finest selection of gifts anddecorative accessories from penny candyto handcrafted furniture, with candles,lamps, fine country preserves, brass,

pewter, and a pickle barrel, too.

Featuring the region’s largest and finestyear round Christmas Shop

Open 7 days a week 10 A.M.-5 P.M.107 Sullivan St., Wurtsboro, NY

(845) 888-2100visit us at www.canaltowne.com 1702

9

Paul & Bashakill Vineyards Congratulations on your

achievements!

ww

w.w

urtsboro.org 2752

9

P


Vineyards expandedbeyond wine’s deli-cate flavor into beer’sfull-bodied taste.

So once again, he’sahead of what’s be-come a crowded pack.

“We just got ourfarm brewing license,” Paul affirmedearlier this spring.“We’re the first winery in the HudsonValley to hold both licenses.”

Not that he’s giving up the wine-making that’s brought fame, accoladesand visitors to the Bashakill Valley formore than five years.

“I just planted another acre of a redhybrid from Cornell [University] called‘Arrindel’,” he said, bringing the totalacreage in production to just overfour.

Nearly 8,000 pounds of grapes areharvested annually by Paul and crew,who then press them and age thejuice in barrels stored in a wine cavebuilt into the slope of the Shawan-gunk Ridge.

BashaKill Vineyards’ red and whitewines can be found for sale in variousrestaurants and stores throughout theregion, but a visit to the winery itselfis a treat.

“It’s definitely a beautiful spot,” saidPaul. “I love working outside, and Ilove the area.”

He shares that love with peoplefrom around the world, who drive andbike down South Road to visit thevineyards, viewable from the parkinglot, the winery’s back patio, and adeck perched atop the wine cave’s en-

trance.Paul couldn’t be

happier about win-ning the Pride of Sulli-van County Award inhis home Town ofMamakating.

“I wish my grandfa-ther were alive to seeit,” he mused, speak-ing of longtime town

councilman Phil Sicuro.He’s happy to carry on his grandfa-

ther’s local legacy.“It’s a really nice community,” Paul

remarked. “The people are reallyfriendly!”

Thanks, surely in some degree, tothe fine spirits to be found withinBashaKill Vineyards ...

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“We just got our farmbrewing license. We’rethe first winery in theHudson Valley to hold

both licenses”


www.bloominggreenlawnandlandscape.comwww.bloominggreenlawnandlandscape.comNeversink, NY (845) 985-0516Neversink, NY (845) 985-0516

Ben Knight

BLOOMING GREEN LAWN SERVICE

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Spring Cleanups • Complete Lawn Care25 Years Experience � Fully Insured

Residential ~ Commercial 27747

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• Fully Insured

Our Communityis Grateful to have you.

DALE & DEBBIESHAVER

shaver enterprises, inc.845-985-2904

1653

9Story and Photo By Allison Ruef

Ben Knight, center, withsons Brady, 6 (left) and

Briar, 11 (right).

ouwould

think BenKnight’s thriving

landscape and firewoodbusiness, BloomingGreen Lawn and Land-scape Service, would beenough to fill his days,but according to Knight,“I like to keep busy.”Keeping busy includes

Y

Neversink

Ben Knight

Blooming Green Lawn &

Landscape Services


SHORT-TERM REHAB, LONG-TERM CARE.

www.AchieveRehabNY.com

Achieve Rehab and Nursing are proud to honorthis year’s

Sullivan County’s best and brightest leadersin our community.

Private Rehab Suites

Rehab 7 Days A Week

170 Lake StreetLiberty, NY

845-292-4200

Facebook:Achieve Rehab

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recently planting 12 acres of Christmastrees, raising honey bees and chickensand making maple syrup. “Those are justhobbies, really,” he explains, modestly.

Knight began his business shortly aftercollege, part time at first, while workingat the prison-run farm at Eastern Correctional Facility and at Tri-ValleyCentral School District. He then decidedto make Blooming Green his full timejob, and twenty years later, he has no regrets.

“I’m incredibly lucky to have the career, clients and support that I do.Most of my work is in the Town of Neversink, and working locally, in mycommunity, is amazing. I look at eachproperty I take care of as a work of art,and I’m proud to create something beautiful.”

The 1992 Tri-Valley CS graduate

attended Sullivan County CommunityCollege, majoring in Environmental Studies. It was there that he met hiswife of 15 years, Elena, kindergartenteacher at Liberty Elementary School.Together they have two sons, Briar, 11and Brady, 6.

In addition to his business and hob-bies, Knight enjoys fishing and playingsoccer with his boys. He is also an activemember in Neversink Renaissance and ison the Board of the Neversink Agricul-tural Society, the force behind the annualLittle Worlds Fair, now in it’s 136th year.

Working outside can have its down-side, but you’d never hear about it fromBen. “I love it,” he explains. “It keeps mehealthy. I am grateful to be able to live,work and be active in my home town.It’s truly an honor to have been chosento receive this award.”


Rockland

Sims & KirstenFoster

The Arnold House

ess than a year in, TheArnold House sits atopShandelee Mountain asone of Livingston Manor’s

top attractions.“We’ve been tremendously ex-

cited by what we’ve seen,” saysKirsten Harlow, who with husband SimsFoster operates the inn, tavern and spa.

“We’re very encouraged,” adds Sims,whose family has made fine hospitality atradition in the Town of Rockland.

Named after Sims’ grandfather, TheArnold remains faithful to the good-timesgathering spot its predecessor Lanza’sperfected, but it also has infused a freshsense of modernity to an unapologeti-

L

ContributedSims and Kirsten

Foster have ambitiousplans for The Arnold,

an inn, tavern and baratop Shandelee

Mountain.

Now AcceptingMother’s Day Brunch

Reservations

Lunch on WeekendsDinner • Private Events

839 Shandelee Road, Livingston Manor(845) 439-5070

thearnoldhouse.com

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

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1• Top Home Appliance Brands� Kenmore & Craftsman� Tools, Lawn & Garden Products

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Join Mountainkeeper Today.

27292

Congratulations Kirsten & Sims!

2787

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cally rustic locale.That merging of city and country has

tapped into a tourist market eager toexperience the Catskills all year long.

“There are people we’ve found whoare attracted because of the winter, notin spite of it,” marvels Sims. “There really is the potential for four-seasonbusiness in northern Sullivan County.”

Spring promises a return to outdoordining, to the beginnings of a gardenthat will supply the tavern with outstand-ing menu choices, to memorable activi-ties for guests – from picking ramps (adelicious wild onion) to partaking in thebirth of lambs at a nearby farm.

Summer will bring with it concerts inan airy barn next to the inn, showcasing the talents of local groups.

And fall, in addition to a bountifulgarden harvest, will witness several

weddings amidst the greenery of TheArnold’s expansive back field.

The inn itself has been expandedwith a three-bedroom suite, conve-niently located above the spa and designed to accommodate the growingnumber of people falling in love withthe area.

“We’ve probably helped sell a handfulof houses,” says Kirsten.

The couple is proud to play a role ina hospitality trend both new and long-established, thanks in part to peoplelike Sims’ late father Barry, who was aprimary welcoming force in LivingstonManor.

“It feels good to keep that going,”Sims nods.

“He’d be proud of you,” Kirsten tellshim.

As is an entire county ...


The staff of the Sullivan County Democratwould like to Congratulate all the Sullivan County

Chamber of Commerce Pride Award Winnerson a fantastic job.

Your Commitment to our Communitiesmakes Sullivan County a great place to live.

From all your friends at the

Hometown Newspaper of Sullivan County, Since 1891

With Offices in Callicoon & Monticello 845-887-5200

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528

247


www.combinedenergyservices.comDependable Propane

Gas & Fuel OilServices Since 1968

794-6226

28266

Congratulations to all the

Pride AwardWinners!

Congratulations to all the

Pride AwardWinners!

845-796-1032

THOMPSONSANITATION

845-796-1032

CongratulationsMelinda Meddaugh

and all the

Pride Winners

Thank you

for your dedication

Paul Walsh 28022

1908 Old Route 17, Roscoe, NY 12776 (607) 498-4405 www.theroscoediner.com

Welcome to the

23923

Tusten

ou fall deeply in love with arestaurant for more than its

food, delicious as it is.You become a regular, a true afi-

cionado, when you feel welcomed – evenembraced – time after time, when everyvisit is cause for celebration, reconnection,and warm gestures of friendship.The Heron has made its mark on Nar-

rowsburg and the surrounding Town ofTusten with just such an approach, thanksto owners Marla Puccetti and Paul Nanni.Three years after joining the Main Street

renaissance, The Heron has become a cher-ished meeting spot, not simply for the lo-cally-sourced food amidst the cozily relaxedinterior but for the friendliness and warmthradiated by Marla, Paul & their employees.“We value the fact that we live and work

in the same town,” says Paul.“It’s not just about us,” adds Marla. “It’s

about the county.”Indeed, they want to do more than invite

people to visit The Heron. They encourageone and all to return and visit the otherMain Street businesses, the other down-towns, the other attractions, even the otherrestaurants throughout Sullivan County.“There is a lot to do, and people need to

be aware of that,” says Marla. “There is al-ways something going on.”And they’re leading the way, as The

Heron is preparing to open a brand newlounge later this year.Close to 750 square feet of what was The

Heron’s basement is being renovated into aflexible space for performances, conversa-tions, drinks and small-plate meals.With a deck overlooking the Delaware

River, it will be the perfect spot to wait foran upstairs table for dinner, or just to comeand listen to local musicians, poets andfilmmakers.

YBy Dan Hust

Paul Nanni &Marla PuccettiThe Heron Restaurant

Contributed PhotoMarla Puccetti and Paul Nanni have madeThe Heron a must-visit destination in theriverside hamlet of Narrowsburg.


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pride awards 2015

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