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MANOR INK

SEPTEMBER 2020 | MANORINK.ORG

IN THIS ISSUE

SCHOOL REOPENS

LMCS students to make

in-person or virtual return

PAGES 4, 5

NEW TECHNOLOGY

An expert explains

concerns about 5G service

PAGE 9

HEMLOCK DRIVEN

Sullivan’s vast tannery

industry revisited

PAGES 14, 15

Real estate really ‘crazy’

Fleeing virus, buyers

leave NYC for Manor

By Jenson Skalda | Manor Ink

Livingston Manor, NY – With the CO-

VID-19 outbreak, many people have been

coming up to Livingston Manor and the

Catskills to take refuge. Manor Ink decided

to explore what is actually happening

from the perspective of three Livingston

Manor real estate companies: RM Farm

Real Estate, Carole Edwards Realty and

Country House Realty.

“It’s crazy. There have been a lot of people

buying and renting homes,” said Gina

Molinet, owner of RM Farm Real Estate.

“Both the vacation rental business

and the real estate business have really

changed since mid-March with the onset

of COVID-19,“ said Jennifer

Grimes. Grimes owns

Country House Realty as

well as Red Cottage Realty

vacation rentals. “We went

from low occupancy in

Gina Molinet

March and April, almost

straight vertical to 100-percent

occupancy. And it started suddenly.

In March, we would typically have people

who come up for a few days or a long

weekend from the city. And suddenly we

started getting week-long and two week

bookings, followed quickly by monthlong

bookings for some people.

“As soon as schools in New York City

were closed, people literally hightailed it

up here. They weren’t asking if the rental

has a hot tub, or whether it is close to

hiking or good restaurants. They were

all asking, ‘How is the Internet service?

Can we video chat, can we do video conferencing?

Can we Zoom?’” Grimes said

that people from the city don’t realize that

you can’t rely on satellite connections for

robust video conferencing. “We had to explain

that to them, and it meant that those

properties that were the last to rent are

still the last to rent even now.”

IN DEMAND Jennifer Grimes, owner of Country House Realty, says a priority for many clients

now is Internet access. “They aren’t asking if the rental has a hot tub.” Amy Hines photo

‘Livingston Manor, Roscoe and

Narrowsburg are hot spots.’

Gina Molinet

RM Farm Real Estate

Rentals now occupied by their owners

Part of the skyrocketing occupancy happened

where homeowners themselves

wanted to quarantine in their own houses.

“About 25 percent of our houses functionally

went off the market when the owners

decided to move in themselves. And that

also is still the case,” notes Grimes. Out of

her 56 rental properties, none is available

through Labor Day.

Looking at the window display of RM

Farm Realty, one might think there are

still lots of properties for sale in our area,

but many of the new listings are getting

sold really quickly. “Livingston Manor,

Roscoe and Narrowsburg are hot spots,”

said Molinet. “People are looking for

large parcels of land off the main roads.

Older listings for sale are left behind and

not bought.”

Some of the buyers are so eager to

purchase, they are offering over the listing

price. “People have been looking for

move-in ready,” said Ryan Edwards of

Carole Edwards Realty. Kassie Carlson,

new to RM Farm Real Estate, described

a tiny house on just two acres that had

three bidders. “When a new owner looks

out their home’s big picture window and

sees vast farmland and mountains, they

get the benefit of the country view, but

don’t have to take care of it. That situation

is very sought after,” she said.

Airbnb rentals changing market

With many people trying to move up to

the area because of the coronavirus, there

Continued on pg. 4

2 | SEPT. 2020 | MANOR INK

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 87

IN THIS ISSUE

LOCAL NEWS

COVID-19 real estate boom ........................1, 4

Broadacre Farm development .........................3

LMCS reopening plan .............................4, 5

Election Day preview ..............................6, 7

Town and school board reports .......................11

Rails-to-Trails coming to the Manor ...................13

FEATURES

Sullivan’s tanning industry ...................... 14, 15

Now & Then .....................................17

Film producer Laura Michalchyshyn ...................19

Inkwell of Happiness ........................... 20, 21

Back Page Profile: Scott Woolsey ......................24

SPORTS

Sports: LMCS fall season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

EXTRAS

Inklings Calendar .................................23

SUGGESTIONS

Have an idea for an

article? We’re always

looking for stories. Email

your suggestion to us at

editor@manorink.org.

You can put story ideas

in the Idea Dropbox at

the Livingston Manor

Free Library, now that

the library has reopened.

This issue: Real estate, school, tanning

Hello, readers of all ages! Manor Ink

is back with an issue full of exciting stories.

As I’m sure you’re aware, school

is coming up right

around the corner. A

survey was sent out for

parents to fill out. One

of the main questions

asked was whether students wanted to do

Osei Helper

Editor-in-chief

hybrid learning or not. Inside on pgs. 4 and

5, Associate Editor Demi Budd has the full

scoop on the school’s reopening plan and

all the information you’ll need.

Our cover story, by reporter Jenson Skalda, is on the recent

boom in home acquisition by those coming to Sullivan

County seeking shelter from the coronavirus. He talked

with realtors such as Jennifer Grimes in order to gain a

A fifty-fifty chance

To the Editor:

There is an environmental disaster

waiting to happen in Livingston

Manor, in my opinion, set close to

the Little Beaverkill in the center

of town. Known as the Riverview

Apartments, this building has been

condemned for a number of years.

The town has seen its share of flooding,

but if this building’s foundation

is washed out, it could end up in

the river where two things might

happen.

If the whole building fell in, it could

cause the water to back up and flow

over its banks like we’ve never seen

before. Water could flood the town

and destroy many homes and businesses,

with a potential loss of life.

If the building were to break apart

in the river, debris could flow into

IF YOU’RE A student in grades

7-12 and are interested in partcipating

in Manor Ink, let us know at

editor@manorink.org. We meet

outdoors or on Zoom all summer

every Wednesday at 2:45-4 p.m.

the Beaverkill, the Willowemoc

and as far as the east branch of the

Delaware River. That would affect

fishing, camping, boating and other

recreational activities. A costly cleanup

could be avoided now by spending

a few thousand dollars before it

becomes a few million.

Carl L. Davis, Sr.

Livingston Manor

FROM THE EDITOR

deeper understanding of why this is

happening and what potential effects

for the future the boom in real estate

will have.

A new writer has joined the ranks.

Nadine Osborne talked with television

producer Laura Michalchyshyn

to bring you a deep, behind-the-scenes

look into “John Lewis: Good Trouble,” a documentary

about the late civil rights activist and congressman. You

can dip your toes into this article on pg. 19.

You can also take a dive into the past with Associate Editor

Edward Lundquist’s recounting of the county’s onetime

thriving leather tanning industry on pgs. 14 and 15.

There are even more amazing articles (seriously, we’re

filled to the brim), so I won’t hold you any longer. We

hope you enjoy this issue and appreciate your support!

LETTERS

‘Jumping tree’ felled

To the Editor:

I’m an avid reader of Manor Ink,

and I have a potential story for your

young readers who would find it of

interest.

I`m a nature lover, and one of my

favorite places is the little park by the

Willowemoc Creek. I take my small

camera with me and snap pictures

of interesting things, such as the Canadian

geese, tree reflections in the

water and the “jumping tree.”

This morning I was appalled to

witness the brutal demise of the

jumping tree. This tree, with a tire

hanging over the water, was a favorite

challenge and joy for our and

visitors’ children. I confronted the

tree cutter and he informed me that

the owners of the park are concerned

that by jumping from the tree an

accident may occur, and they could

be sued.

Raphael Wettenstein

Livingston Manor

Editor’s note: See stories about the building

at 60 Main Street on pg. 10 and the

closing of Renaissance Park on pg. 8.

Send letters to editor@manorink.org.

Letters must include a name and address

and may be edited for length and clarity.

An article about the history of

LMCS’s building in the August issue

made erroneous reference to “the late

Larry Shaver.” Mr. Shaver is in fact

alive and living in Florida. He farmed

the land in up Turnwood, which is

CORRECTIONS

now the Shaver family’s Beaverkill

Trout Hatchery. The Ink regrets the

report of his premature demise.

MANOR INK STAFF

Osei Helper

Editor-in-Chief

Edward Lundquist,

Demi Budd

Associate Editors

Jessica Mall

LMCS School Advisor

David Dann

Art & Photo

Production Editor

Amy Hines

Business Manager, Mentor

Art Steinhauer

Sales Manager, Mentor

Henry Barish

Library Director

Kelly Buchta, Robin

Chavez, Diana Fredenburg,

Marge Feuerstein,

Audrey Garro, Taylor

Jaffe, Les Mattis

Mentors

Michelle Adams-Thomas,

Emily Ball, Cameron

Brightfield, Zachary Dertinger,

Hunter Krause,

Luca Larizzati, Nadine

Osborne, Jenson Skalda

Manor Ink Reporters

Carolyn Bivins,

Peggy Johansen

Founders

Manor Ink, a program of the Livingston Manor Free Library, is published monthly. Reach us at editor@manorink.org.

Our mailing address is Manor Ink, 92 Main St., Livingston Manor, NY 12758. Letters and story suggestions welcome.

NEWS

MANOR INK | SEPT. 2020 |

3

Elite team assembled for Hoag Rd. project

Developers: Plan will

address local concerns

By Marge Feuerstein | Manor Ink Mentor

Livingston Manor, NY – As reported in

our August edition, a major housing development

is planned for the 117-acre farm off

Hoag Road in this hamlet.

In a recent meeting at the site with cofounders

Joseph Satto and Stefan Martinovic,

Manor Ink learned more about the

proposed project, called Broadacre Farm,

and about the developers behind it. Satto

is the owner of Fresh Air Reality, based in

Accord, NY. Martinovic is a Westchesterbased

real estate developer.

In addition to Satto and Martinovic, the

project’s third partner is Jon Eklund, owner

of Ecostruct, a sustainable building firm in

Brooklyn. Tom and Anna Roberts, of the

Manor-based Homestedt store, will act

as Broadacre Farm’s key design partners.

They will work with Studio Tack, a New

York City-based development group who

are the team behind the upscale Scribner’s

Catskill Lodge in Hunter, NY, and many

other hospitality projects. Steve Gabriel,

an “agroforestry specialist” from Mecklenburg,

NY, will create Broadacre’s agricultural

program and Karin Ursula of Karin

Ursula Landscapes in West Kill, NY, will

develop the project’s landscaping and gardens.

When asked why the developers chose

the hamlet for their ambitious plan, Martinovic

said he had been skiing in Hunter

and going to Hawley, PA, for years. “That

led me to this corner of the map,” he said.

“I was taken with the natural beauty, culture

and fly fishing in Livingston Manor.”

In information distributed to the neighbors

of the project site, Broadacre Farm is

referred to as a “conservation subdivision”

that will “preserve open space and the

natural environment, develop an organic

farm that uses regenerative agricultural

practices and create publicly accessible

open space that promotes community engagement.”

Currently, the plan is to build three clusters

of nine three-bedroom homes on lots

with footprints of 1,500 to 2,900 square

feet. This would leave large tracts of land

as usable community space. Because much

of the project site experiences wetness and

cascading mountain run-off in the spring

FORMER FARM A large field, located on Hoag Road in Livingston Manor, is the site of a proposed “agri-residential community” called Broadacre

Farm. The developers, Joseph Satto, left, and Stefan Martinovic, below, were drawn to the area by its “natural beauty.” Marge Feuerstein photos

months and during heavy rains, the developers

intend to create a comprehensive

stormwater management plan that includes

a multi-acre retention lake as well as strategic

planting of orchards and tree varieties

A FIRST LOOK

Broadacre Farm’s developers plan to

present their proposal to the town’s

Planning Board at its meeting on

Monday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m.

with high water absorption properties.

The project’s sewers and access roads are

also a concern, but Satto and Martinovic

said they have been assured by Supervisor

Rob Eggleton that the town sewer line, recently

upgraded, would be able to handle

the increased flow. “We’re also well aware

that all internal roads will have to be built,

maintained and plowed by the development,”

Satto said. “We would consider upgrading

Hoag Road, if feasible.”

Following approval of the project by

the town’s Planning Board, a few months

for design refinement and permit acquisition

will be needed before construction of

Broadacre Farm can begin, likely in 2021.

Since much of the housing construction will

be done off-site, Satto and Martinovic hope

to be able to build and do landscaping and

infrastructure work at the same time.

“We hope to have a large chunk of the

houses occupied by the end of 2021,” Martinovic

said.

4 | SEPT. 2020 | MANOR INK NEWS

Plans in place, LMCS ready to

Start to school year

unlike any other

TIGHT MARKET Ryan Edwards of Carole Edwards

Realty says rental availability has been

affected by Airbnbs. Amy Hines photo

Now, few properties

Continued from pg. 1

has been an increase in Airbnb renting, removing

available long-term rental properties

from the market altogether. “There are

few, if any rental properties available now

in the Town of Rockland,” said Edwards.

“Property owners prefer Airbnb for shortterm

rentals for a number of reasons. First,

they can charge more, and potentially make

more profit if they fill most weekends. Second,

they can see reviews of potential renters

in advance so they can be confident their

properties will be treated with respect. The

downside for our community is that we have

almost no rental property available for families

who want to stay in the area but need to

make a change in their living arrangement

for any number of reasons.”

“While you might think that with the new

boom in people coming up to the Catskills,

the brokers have hit gold. But many deals

are not being made, or they are taking

months to go through,” said Molinet. It was

especially difficult to close a sale when realtors

were closed down completely. “We did

continue to have some closings that were remote,

where there were no walk-throughs.

And the buyers just had to be good with

that,” noted Grimes. “And there were no inperson

signing of documents. So it was kind

of incredible. A lot of lawyers were not really

set up to do that, but most of those we

dealt with were, and that’s how we closed

some deals during the pandemic.”

It makes sense that with low inventory

of houses for sale, new construction will

eventually increase. “I expect land prices to

skyrocket in the fall. Land will be in high

demand as new construction takes over,”

said Edwards.

By Demi Budd | Manor Ink

Livingston Manor, NY – On Aug. 7,

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the

reopening of New York’s schools would

be based on each region’s infection rates.

The decision between either an in-person

or hybrid model was to be made by each

local school district under strict guidelines

by the state Department of Health.

In an effort to gather as much information

as possible before making a decision,

Livingston Manor Central School’s administration

released a survey for parents.

It asked what type of

learning they would like

their child to participate

in – either hybrid, remote

or homeschooling. Along

with that were questions

John Evans

Chris Hubert

Lauren Marrero

about transportation, technology

access and meals

provided by the school.

After obtaining the results

from the survey,

LMCS announced its decision:

It will open with a

hybrid plan that includes

an all-remote option. Following

this announcement

were three community

reopening forums.

People could either attend

those meetings in person

or through the video-conferencing

app Zoom. The

meetings’ purpose was to

fill in the blanks and answer

any questions parents might have regarding

the 2020-21 school year at LMCS.

Three learning choices

The meeting, led by Superintendent

John Evans, along with Elementary Principal

Chris Hubert and Director of Special

Services Lauren Marrero, kicked off with

an announcement:

“The reality of it,” Evans stated, “is that

we don’t all have the ability to do the same

thing as the 700-plus New York school districts.”

With that said, Evans explained the plan

and how it was chosen, based on the responses

to the survey. Of those who filled

PREPARED As the sun sets over Livingston Manor Central School, the administration and staff

in-person, remote and homeschooling modes. School buses, below, will operate under strict health

‘While the change in the schedule

may be an inconvenience for a week

or two, the ultimate goal is to get to

an all in-person learning space by

October or even sooner.’

John Evans

LMCS Superintendent

surveys out, roughly 90 students will be

doing remote learning. A small handful

chose to do homeschooling, and the rest

chose in-person learning.

Evans has made room for change with

these choices. If any student participating

in in-person learning feels unsafe at any

time, he or she can shift to remote learning.

If any student participating in remote

learning feels safe enough to return to the

school building, they can make that choice

and shift at the end of the marking period.

With the hybrid plan comes a two-day

in-school and three-day remote schedule.

Students will be assigned to “cohorts,”

labeled A and B, that will attend school

on different days of the week. Cohort A

will attend on Mondays and Wednesdays,

while cohort B will attend on Tuesdays

and Thursdays. Fridays will be a remote

day for both cohorts.

By October, Evans said he would like to

accommodate entire classes, starting with

the lower grades, and shift the schedule to

attending school daily, Monday through

Thursday. This would be done only if the

parents and teachers are comfortable with

the increased attendance.

Observing health guidelines

The four-day-a-week plan can only be

achieved if staff and students diligently

follow the safety precautions that will be

enforced this year. This includes, but is not

limited to, mask-wearing, social distancing

and frequent hand washing.

“All health and safety protocols are addressed

through our code of conduct. If we

have students who refuse to wear masks

and social distance, we can put them

through remote instruction for a week or

two, due to their lack of compliance,” Evans

explained.

This would mainly apply to older students.

Elementary students will not be penalized

for not wearing a mask.

NEWS


5

reopen for 2020-21

The plans as currently configured

have completed a plan for the school’s reopening on Sept. 8. Options for students include

guidelines. Hunter Krause photo, above; Zachery Dertinger photo, below

In regard to testing, Evans said, “We do

not require any COVID-19 testing. We are

not a testing agency. Whether someone

gets tested or not is determined by the

medical professionals they see.”

As LMCS moves forward with this

plan, Evans is already looking into the future.

“We are willing, ready and prepared

to do in-person instruction with all 400 of

our students – if parents are comfortable,”

he said.

“While the change in the schedule may

be an inconvenience for a week or two,

the ultimate goal is to get to an all inperson

learning space by October or even

sooner,” Evans explained.

Upon answering all of the attendees’

questions, both in person and through

Zoom, Evans concluded the day’s meetings

of the day with a final comment.

“Let me throw this out there: These are

all plans. Plans change under the circumstances.

The reason they’re slow is because

we know that some will not work; we

need to tweak and change things. Some of

the things we have in place now may be

different the Monday after we start.”

The situation right now is very fluid.

Things are constantly changing, and

LMCS plans to adapt to those changes to

ensure that students get a proper learning

experience this year, whether it be in-person

or through a screen.

While the safety of students cannot be

guaranteed if they attend school in person,

LMCS is approaching the reopening

with many precautions. The various requirements

and restrictions planned may

all seem like too much to some, but these

– and the rest of the changes – are being

done in an effort to have a quick return to

normalcy.

IN-PERSON LEARNING

Transportation: Buses will be provided,

albeit a bit differently. Usually, buses

hold 50 to 60 students. Now, with social

distancing (one student per seat unless

they are sitting with members of the

same household), only 22 students can be

accommodated per bus. Masks are also required

to be worn by everyone on the bus

at all times. If a student comes without a

mask, the driver will provide one.

Bus routes are being modified as well.

Students do not have an option for after

school care such as at a friend’s house or

anywhere that isn’t their own home. They

will get on the bus from their home and

be returned there after school.

For parents who drive their students to

school, there will be designated drop-off

areas. Some students will enter through

the gym, some will enter through the cafeteria,

and some may enter through the

side auditorium door. Parents must stay

in their vehicles, and staff will be at each

location. In consideration of Pre-K and

Kindergartn students, accommodations

for parents to enter with their children

are being made.

Health precautions: Temperatures will

be taken via rapid-scan sensors before

staff and students enter the building. A

fever is considered a temperature above

100.4 degrees. Staff with a fever will be

sent home, and students will be escorted

to a quarantine area. Anyone found to

have a temperature must obtain a note

from either the Department of Health or

a doctor saying their quarantine period is

up in order to return to school.

Parents must answer a health questionnaire

daily via email before their child can

attend school. If anyone tests positive

while in school, LMCS will close for a

minimum of 24 hours, and contact tracing

will be performed.

Staff and students are not required to

be tested before school starts. LMCS also

will not require students to get tested if

they have a fever.

Classroom requirements: In the

building, classes will be modified so that

social distancing can be maintained. If it

cannot, students will be required to wear

masks. Teachers can tell students when

they can and cannot take off masks in

their classrooms. Students will not be

required to wear them 100 percent of the

time, though, and mask breaks will be

implemented throughout the day.

“Special area” classes like Band, Choir,

and PE have different social-distancing

protocols. All students must be 12 feet

apart. Instead of the usual designated

Band/Choir rooms, the auditorium will

be used. PE will take place outside when

possible, and then socially distanced

indoors as needed.

After-school restrictions: All group

gatherings and after-school activities are

“on pause.” This includes sports, extracurriculars,

student of the month, open

house, dances, concerts, etc. As students

will not be in the building as late, cleaning

procedures can take place as soon as

students and teachers exit the building.

Cleaning procedures will be much

more thorough. Sweeping and mopping

classroom floors will be done every day.

Touched surfaces will also be cleaned after

each use. Every classroom is equipped

with hand sanitizer, wipes and other

cleaning tools.

REMOTE LEARNING

Communication: For the remote days

(and for students who will be working

entirely remotely), LMCS plans to

increase communication. Currently the

website is being worked on to be more

user friendly, with a new school Facebook

page and an up-to-date database or parent

email addresses. LMCS will also utilize

the Remind app, phone calls and text

messaging. The school plans to provide

devices to students who do not have one

at home. Fully remote students can obtain

any non-digital materials by pickup

or through buses sent to their homes.

Accommodating grade levels: The

remote-learning experience will be tailored

to the age of the student. A first grader

will not be expected to sit in front of a

screen for seven hours every day. Paper

copies of work and activities will be sent

to students’ homes. Much of the remote

learning structure is up to the individual

teachers. They will determine how it will

be adapted to suit their curricula.

Tests and exams: Assessments at the

middle and high school levels will still occur.

The SAT is scheduled to be offered at

LMCS with social distancing. The Regents

exam and the 3-8 State Testing are determined

by the Department of Education.

Additional state testing decisions will

likely be made in spring.


FLOOD PLAIN

Polls, pols,

By Robin Chavez | Manor Ink Mentor

NO? MISSED AN ISSUE?

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Beaverkill Community Church

Outdoor services at

10 am on Sunday, weather permitting

Please wear a mask and bring a chair.

Lay Pastor: Mary Hall

101 Craigie Clair Road • Roscoe, NY 12776

INFORMATION POSTED AT BEAVERKILLFRIENDS.ORG

RISING WATERS On Tuesday, Aug. 4, Sullivan

County was hit by a day of heavy rains,

the remnants of Hurricane Isaias. By late afternoon,

the Willowemoc and Little Beaverkill

were swollen, and certain streets in Livingston

Manor were briefly closed off, including

the intersection of Pearl and Meadow streets,

shown here. Hunter Krause photos

County authorizes wireless broadband project

Monticello, NY – A week after legislators

learned Sullivan County’s ambitious wireless

broadband project could reach up to 60

percent of the local population using current

technology, the county’s Legislature

unanimously agreed to create the Broadband

Access Local Development Corporation

in preparation for the project’s launch.

Cell-based broadcast equipment is proposed

to be mounted on a total of 12 towers,

nine of which are county-owned and one of

which is privately owned. The remaining

two towers are planned to be built by next

year. The study took into account the signal

reach of each of the towers.

“We’ll be able to broadcast up to 200

Mbps service,” Information Technology

Services Commissioner Lorne Green said,

contrasting that with DSL service, which

typically offers 6-7 Mbps. “Our biggest

challenge is terrain and foliage.”

Legislators, who consider this concept a

top priority, authorized Green and his staff

to launch a pilot project later this year in the

Monticello area. Should it prove successful,

the county will roll out the service across

Sullivan, utilizing a mixture of grants and

revenue from subscribers. The LDC was

created to provide service to underserved

and unserved areas of the county.

Sullivan County, NY – With the general

election fast approaching, Manor Ink has

compiled what you need to know to vote

safely and on time. Included is a condensed

list of candidates representing the major

ELECTION

2020

races appearing on the Sullivan

County ballot for voters

in the Town of Rockland.

Information about each candidate

in the major races is not intended

as a complete profile, but to give voters a

sample of policies and other information.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. To find

out if you are registered to vote and your

polling location, go to voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.

To register to vote, go to voterreg.ny.gov/motorvoter.

DATES TO REMEMBER

n Friday, Oct. 9: Last day to register

to vote

n Oct. 24-Nov.1: In-person early voting

at the Sullivan County Government

Center (hours below)

n Tuesday, Oct. 27: Last day to apply

for an absentee ballot by mail

n Monday, Nov. 2: Last day to apply

for an absentee ballot in person at the

Board of Elections

n Tuesday, Nov. 3: In-person voting

at polling locations and last day to

postmark or return ballots to the Board

of Elections

Voting by mail: Absentee ballots are

now available during the pandemic. To

apply, go to sullivanny.us and check

the box on the absentee ballot application

for “temporary illness or physical

disability.” You must reapply for an absentee

ballot even if you voted absentee

in the primary election. You may also

request an absentee ballot by sending a

letter to the Board of Elections, Sullivan

County Government Center, 100 North

St., Monticello, NY, 12701.

EARLY VOTING HOURS

Saturday, Oct. 24: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 25: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 26: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 27: noon-8 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 28: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 29: noon-8 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 30: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 31: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 1: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

NEWS


7

poles: It’s election time National races

n PRESIDENT

Federal, state and local races

n 19TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

ANTONIO DELGADO

Democrat (Incumbent)

Biography: Born in Schenectady,

NY, 1977; resides in

Rhinebeck, NY; married with

two children

Education: Colgate University, BA; Rhodes

Scholar, Queens College, Oxford University,

MA; Harvard Law School, JD

Employment background: Musician;

litigator

Policies: Paid family leave; family farm

relief; job creation and investment in small

business; increasing the minimum wage;

universal healthcare through a public option

to Medicare

STEVEN GREENFIELD

Green

Biography: Born in The

Bronx; resides in New Paltz,

NY; married with 3 children

Education: Columbia University,

BS; New York Police Academy’s Citizens

Police Academy

Employment background: Musician

Policies: The Green New Deal; address

climate change; build a post-fossil fuel

economy; restore the Constitutional separation

of powers; immigrant rights

VICTORIA ALEXANDER

Libertarian

Biography: Resides in

Dutchess County; married

with one child

Education: City University of

New York, Graduate Center, PhD; Fulbright

Scholar, St. Petersburg, Russia

Employment background: Director, Dactyl

Foundation; novelist; researcher; farmer

Policies: Cut military spending; affordable

health care and full coverage for catastrophic

illness; decriminalize drugs; end

debt-based currency

KYLE VAN DE WATER

Republican

Biography: Born in Rhinebeck,

NY; resides in Millbrook;

married with four children

Education: University of

Massachusetts, Amherst, BS; Albany Law

School, JD

Employment background: Litigation attorney;

United States Army, judicial advocate

general; Millbrook Village trustee

Policies: Lower prescription drug costs;

open markets for farmers; balanced budget

amendment; end the Affordable Care Act

except for pre-existing conditions; free

coronavirus vaccine for all; fewer laws for

responsible gun owners; simplify tax code

n NY STATE SENATE, 42ND DISTRICT

JEN METZGER


Biography: Born in New

York, NY, 1965; resides in

Rosendale, NY; married with

3 children

Education: Oberlin College, BA with High

Honors; Rutgers University, Ph.D.

Employment background: Instructor,

Rutgers University; Instructor, Walt Whitman

Center for Culture and Politics of

Democracy; United Nations Association,

Public Affairs Coordinator; Rosendale Town

Councilwoman

Policies: Balanced statewide education

funding; flexible regulations that accommodate

farms and businesses; environmental

preservation; property tax relief; revitalize

small towns; campaign finance reform; ban

corporate contributions in Albany; support

for opioid and addiction treatment

MIKE MARTUCCI

Republican

Biography: Born in Suffern,

NY, 1985; Resides in Minisink;

married with three children

Education: Orange County

Community College, graduated with honors;

Marist College, BS, MBA

Employment background: Founder, Quality

Bus Service; farmer; philanthropist

Policies: Cut taxes; more affordable and

accessible healthcare; safe and properly

funded schools; local jobs and a strong

economy; sustainable communities and

clean environment

n NY ASSEMBLY, 100TH DISTRICT

AILEEN GUNTHER


Biography: Born in Orange

County; resides in

Forestburgh; widow of Jake

Gunther; mother of three

children; grandmother of one

DONALD J. TRUMP

Republican (Incumbent)

Biography: Born in

Queens, NY, 1946; resides

in Washington, DC; married

with 5 children and

10 grandchildren

Education: University of

Pennsylavania, BA

Employment background: President,

CEO, Trump Organization; TV host

n VICE PRESIDENT

MIKE PENCE

Republican (Incumbent)

Biography: Born in

Columbus, IN, 1959;

married with 3 children

Education: Hanover College,

BA; Indiana University Robert H.

McKinney School of Law, JD

Employment background: Vice president;

governor, Indiana; Congressman

Education: Orange County Community

College, RN; attended SUNY, New Paltz

Employment background: Director

of Performance Improvement and Risk

Management, Catskill Regional Medical

Center; Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Counselor

Policies: Expand access to health care;

improve education from pre-K to college;

create and retain first-rate jobs; lower

the local tax burden on working families;

improve the local economy; attract and

retain volunteer firefighters; end mandatory

overtime for nurses; opposes New York

Regional Interconnect’s power line proposal

and eminent domain seizure

n SULLIVAN COUNTY COURT JUDGE

E. DANIELLE JOSE-DECKER

Republican

Biography: Born in Troy, NY,

1968; resides in Thompson;

married with 2 step-children

and 4 grandchildren

Education: State University of New York,

Plattsburgh, BS; Albany Law School of

Union University, JD

Employment background: Partner, Ricciani

& Jose, LLP; municipal attorney, Lumberland,

Forestburgh, Tusten, Wurtsboro

and Monticello; adjunct professor, SUNY

Sullivan; assistant district attorney, Sullivan

County District Attorney’s Office

JOSEPH R. BIDEN

Democrat

Biography: Born in

Scranton, PA, 1942;

resides in Wilmington,

DE; married with 3 children

and 5 grandchildren

Education: University of Delaware;

Syracuse University Law School

Employment background: Former

vice president; US senator; attorney

KAMALA HARRIS

Democrat

Biography: Born in

Oakland, CA, 1964;

married with 2 children

Education: Howard

University, BA; University of California

Hastings College of Law, JD

Employment background: Senator;

attorney general, State of California

n SULLIVAN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

MEAGAN K. GALLIGAN


Biography: Grew up in

White Sulphur Springs and

Forestburgh; resides in

Forestburgh; mother of one

Education: New York University, graduated

with honors; Georgetown Law, JD

Employment background: Chief assistant

district attorney, acting Sullivan County

district attorney, Sullivan County District

Attorney’s Office

FRANK J. LABUDA

Republican

Biography: Born in 1949

Education: City College of

the City University of New

York, BA, Phi Beta Kappa;

Case Western Reserve University, JD

Employment background: Judge advocate

general, US Army; chief assistant

district attorney, Sullivan County; justice,

Sullivan County Court; acting justice, Sullivan

County Supreme Court

n OTHER RACES

TOWN OF ROCKLAND JUSTICE

Karrie A. Jara, Democrat

Scott Steingart, Republican

Richard E. Dame, Conservative


Popular Manor park closed to public

By Audrey Garro | Manor Ink Mentor

Livingston Manor, NY – No trespassing

signs were recently posted at

the site of past gatherings that included

Labor Day celebrations, the annual

Trout Parade, free outdoor movies and

many community events. Formerly

known as Fulton Park, the location at

the convergence of the Willowemoc

and the Little Beaverkill and the intersection

of Pearl and Main streets, is

known today as Renaissance Park.

Greg Goldstein, owner of the park,

said he purchased the former Fulton

Building property on Main Street

from Marty Schwartz and Jim Farrell,

co-owners of Sullivan County Realty

and Jim Farrell Insurance. That building

is now home to The Misner Agency,

and the adjoining 1.7-acre parcel

was lent to the hamlet by Goldstein

and his wife, Linda, for use as a public

space and was considered part of

Renaissance Park.

Although the Town of Rocklandowned

parking lot adjacent to the

park continues to be accessible to

the public, the park’s landscape has

changed. An old tree, equipped with

a rope swing that was popular with

young swimmers, has been cut down

because it was deemed unsafe. The

park’s pavilion, the site of increased

illicit and unwelcome activity, has

POSTED

Renaissance

Park, the site of

many hamlet

events in past

years, has been

closed due to

safety concerns.

The “jumping

tree,” below,

has also been

removed.

Art Steinhauer

photo, top; Daniel

Feuerstein photo,

bottom

also been removed.

While the decision to restrict access

to the area was that of the property

owner, the hamlet also has an interest.

“We would like to discuss future

plans for the area,” said Supervisor

Rob Eggleton. “It is an important asset

to the community.“ The location

had been a focal point of a possible

“Riverwalk,” a ramble that would run

along the Willowemoc behind shops

on Main Street and connect to Renaissance

Park. Proposed as an addition

to the town’s Comprehensive Plan

that would include stream bank restoration,

the idea is now on hold due

to state and county funding freezes.

Goldstein indicated he would be

open to allowing future access to

the property. “We would of course

consider allowing the community to

utilize the location for projects and

events,” he said.

Manor Ink reporter Luca Larizzati

helped with this story.

In the

Aro Tradition

via Zoom

Instruction and Practice:

Beginning Meditation

or Yogic Song & Sit

The Kaatskeller | 39 Main St., Livingston Manor | 845-439-4339

Naljorma Chatral A’dze

(845) 439-4332

khajong@gmail.com

Promote and Protect The Catskills • Join Mountainkeeper Today.

catskillmountainkeeper.org

NEWS

Is 5G a threat? An expert weighs in


9

By Hunter Krause | Manor Ink

Sullivan County, NY – In a letter to the

editor in the August edition of Manor Ink, a

reader raised concerns about the introduction

of 5G technology in our area to expand

broadband access to more residents. She requested

that the paper look into the issue.

This is what we’ve found.

5G is generally defined as the standard

technology for cellular networks. To help

understand what that means, the Ink spoke

to Dr. Kathy Nolan, director of research for

Catskill Mountainkeeper.

“It’s not that simple. 5G technology, or

fifth generation technology, is not a very

well-defined entity.

‘The Federal

Communications

Commission has

actually mandated

that we not

look at medical

impacts of this

technology.’

Dr. Kathy Nolan

Catskill

Mountainkeeper

It’s designed to be

the next generation

of communications

technology, but different

companies approach

that in different

ways,” she said.

“And it’s a combination

of different

types of equipment

in different places.

So from the beginning,

we know that

the question about

the health impacts

of 5G is going to be

complicated because

the technology is complicated.

“As a pediatrician, and somebody who’s

looked at research design, I am concerned

that we don’t know enough about 5G to say

that it’s safe,” Dr. Nolan said. “Communication

technology uses electromagnetic

waves to carry information. And we know

that electromagnetic waves at different frequencies

have different impacts on humans

and other animals and even on plant life –

on their cells.”

Multiple research studies conducted over

the last few decades looked at whether cell

phone usage is linked to cancer, and while

a low risk seems plausible, no definitive

results have emerged. Studies on related,

but not directly linked subjects, are what

experts rely on at the moment.

Joe Kirschvink, a biophysicist specializing

in magnetics at California Institute of Technology,

reports, “Radio wave transmissions

above 10MHz from radio transmission antennas

(including cell phone towers) are not

known to harm birds.” A group of biologists

in Germany found that low-level magnetic

radiation, such as AM radio waves, could

interfere with birds’ ability to orient themselves

with the earth’s magnetic field. Although

they found that birds were able to

compensate, the scientists proposed restricting

the AM frequency band.

Nolan offered, “It’s kind of a patchwork

system that we’ve put together to evaluate

new technologies. And we don’t in the United

States operate with the ‘precautionary

principle,’ which is explicitly used in Europe

and by the World Health Organization. The

precautionary principle is an articulated, explicit

part of their review of technologies.”

Precaution would dictate going slowly until

more research becomes available.

“The Federal Communications Commission

has actually mandated that we not look

at medical impacts of this technology,” Nolan

said. “And the reason appears to be that

they don’t want to go through a lot of analysis

in multiple sites that might hold the technology

back. The result is that the industry

then has free rein to basically go wherever it

thinks there’s a profit to be made.

“Fiber optic technology, which carries

electromagnetic waves, contains those

waves within a structure, and may be much

safer for the environment and for humans,

than electromagnetic radiation distributed

through the air, and water and soil. The 5G

wireless approach would be much less expensive.

It seems to me that 5G should be

evaluated as one potentially helpful technology

among other potentially helpful

technologies.”

So Nolan poses the question, “What do

we want?” She adds, “Communities should

be able to weigh in on the answer, and new

research and testing should be a priority.”

Most studies on the effects of electromagnetic

waves emitted from cell phones contradict

each other or only associate a very small

risk to human health. Uncertainties exist and

it’s not irrational to have concerns. More research

will certainly be conducted over time,

but for now, the preponderance of evidence

is that 5G towers pose a very small threat,

if any, to human health or the environment.

LISTENING Dr. Kathy Nolan says the verdict is

not in on the effects of 5G, and she wants local

communities to have input. Provided photo


Livingston Manor’s hometown paper is

now also available online at NewsAtomic:

ECOLOGICAL

WORRY

The building overlooking

the Little Beaverkill

on Main Street has

been slated for demolition

following structural

damage to its

foundation from flooding

over several years.

The concern is that unless

removed, a future

flood could cause the

building to fall into the

river. Below, a detail of

the degradation to the

structure’s foundation.

Marge Feuerstein photos

info@newsatomic.com • 845-647-9190 • newsatomic.com

60 Main removal efforts ongoing

From staff reports | Manor Ink

Livingston Manor, NY – The condemned

apartment building at 60

Main Street, known as the Riverview

Apartments, has been slated for removal

for more than a year. But that

work has been delayed by circumstances

beyond the town’s control.

A small amount of asbestos was

found in a section of the building’s

siding, complicating the demolition

process, and removal of the foundation

must be done with precision to

prevent it from falling into the creek.

Efforts to find a suitable contractor

have proven difficult for these

reasons, but another estimate for the

work is currently being sought.

Further hampering the effort is the

withdrawal of $20,000 the county

was going to contribute toward the

removal of debris.

Residents have expressed concern

over the possibility that the building

might collapse into the Little Beaverkill,

causing serious flooding and

polluting the famed fishing stream

and other waterways downstream.

“Only a Scone’s throw away”

66 Main Street

Livingston Manor, NY 12758

Open 3 days a week:

Fridays and Saturdays from 8am-5pm

and Sundays from 8am-3pm

www.brandenburgbakery.com

TOWN & SCHOOL BOARD UPDATES

MANOR INK | SEPT. 2020 | 11

County imposes energy tax hike of 4%


TOWN BOARD MEETING OF AUG. 6

Minutes: The minutes of the previous

meeting were unanimously approved.

Correspondence: Sullivan County is

requesting federal aid. The O&W Trail

feasibility study is now complete with

information on a USB drive. The Catskill

Art Society will reopen on Saturday, Aug.

29. Kathy Fries from Manor Renaissance

noted that trash was all emptied last week

and there were no complaints.

Old Business

The issues with the oxidation ditch at

the Roscoe sewer plant continue. A new

engineering firm will be asked to determine

what is required to demolish 60 Main

Street safely. NYMIR Cyber Security training

is required for all departments. Sexual

harassment training for all departments

must be concluded by October.

Resolution Required: The following

resolution was passed by the board:

n Accept the new date for Antrim Streamside

noise ordinance as Sept. 18, 2021.

New Business

The new Verizon contract will increase

each line charge by $4.

Resolutions Required: The following

resolutions were passed by the Board.

n A 30-day waiver for a liquor license for

The Junction, 60 Stewart Ave. in Roscoe

n A 30-day waiver for a liquor license for

Van Smokey, 87 De Bruce Rd. in Livingston

Manor.

n Authorized a local match for Grant

#90507

n Supervisor Rob Eggleton was designated

as representative for Grant #90507

n SEQR Type II Action for Grant #90507

was accepted.

n The town will lower the speed limit

on a section of Beaver Lake Rd. Town will

install and maintain signage.

n The speed limit will also be lowered

on part of Goff Rd., #15, with new signage

installed.

n Resolution #52-2020: Local law #1 of

year 2020, entitled “A local law to amend

the Town of Rockland zoning law,” was

introduced. The proposed law includes

the addition of comprehensive provisions

to the zoning law within Article V

(supplementary regulations) for review of

camping-related uses of private camping,

commercial tent camping, accessory camping

(primitive and modern) and the use

and storage of recreational vehicles. Nonconforming

uses have been substantially

revised. A public hearing will be held on

these revisions at 7 p.m., Aug. 20, at Town

Hall. The town clerk will publish a notice

of this meeting.

Department Heads: Ted Hartling, Highway

Superintendent: A call for bids has

been put out for stone, and a help wanted

ad has been posted. Glenn Gabbard, Code

Enforcement: There have been numerous

requests for all kinds of permits.

Approval of Bills: The bills on Abstract

#15 were approved.

Public Comment: Sheila Schultz asked

about the sorts of building permits that

are being issued, and also whether the

sexual harassment training is required of

the members of the planning and zoning

boards. The applicants from The Junction

introduced themselves and thanked the

board for granting the waiver.

Details of all dollar amounts can be

found at townofrocklandny.com under

the minutes of Aug. 6. Specific details of

the proposed local law #1 will also be

found there.

TOWN BOARD MEETING OF AUG. 20.

Public Hearing on Local Law #1: After

Supervisor Rob Eggleton listed a few

changes to the new law that were suggested

by the county and with no public

comment, the public hearing on Local Law

#1-2020 was closed.

Minutes: The minutes of the previous

meeting were unanimously approved.

Financial Statement: Sue Peters of Cooper

& Arias presented the 2019 Financial

Statement.

Helicopter landing site: Paul Stock and

John Evans, representing the Roscoe Fire

Department, came to discuss the paving

of the helicopter landing pad that was

denied. Supervisor Eggleton once again

stated the town’s position that since a firehouse

was never built on the site it should

revert to the town and go back onto the tax

rolls. A new site will be looked into.

Correspondence: The Association of

Supervisors sent a letter to Gov. Cuomo

requesting that Resorts World Catskills

casino in Monticello, with 1,400 local jobs,

be allowed to reopen. County schools plan

to reopen with various options for families.

The county is imposing a new energy tax

of 4 percent for all energy users, including

those with tax exemptions, beginning Sept.

1. The county’s Discretionary Fund will

be on hold for the remainder of the year.

Polling places will remain the same as in

previous years; there will be no mail-in

ballots (changed since this meeting).

Old Business

An RSTP update was given. Jessyca

Wolcott passed Civil Service exams and is

now the full-time Water/Sewer clerk.

REACHING TOWN OFFICIALS

The Town Hall is now open Monday

to Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

for local business transactions only.

Town officials, however, can still be

contacted by phone:

Town Assessor: 439-3730, ext. 107

Town Clerk: 439-5450, ext. 101

Code Enforcement Officer:

439-5450, ext. 106

Town Supervisor: 439-4399, ext. 102

Resolution Required: A resolution to set

the Fall Cleanup for September 12, 2020

from 8 a.m.-noon was passed. Decker Carting

will be available.

New Business

All 2021 budgets must be submitted

to budget officers by Sept. 15. Local Law

#1-2020 will not be passed until further

contact with attorney Ken Klein.

Resolution Required: A resolution to

pass a modification to the 2020 budget for

the Roscoe sewer entries was passed.

Department Heads: Ted Hartling,

Highway Superintendent: Bid requests for

stone are still being advertised. Silverman

Mechanical will install an air-conditioning

unit for $3,700, including wiring and

installation. Crews are winding down sealing

roads.

Resolution Required: Board voted to

accept the quote from Silverman Mechanic

for $3,700 to install an AC unit at the town

barn.

Approval of Bills: The bills on Abstract

#16 was approved.

Supervisor Eggleton mentioned they

were once again checking into roofing for

Town Hall for leaks.

Details of all dollar amounts can be

found on the town website at townofrocklandny.com

under the minutes of Aug 20.

State aid to LMCS for summer months falls short by $30,000


SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF AUG. 18

Correspondence: Included was a thank

you note from retiree Vicki Cummings.

Superintendent’s Update and Presentations:

Retirement plaques were presented

to teachers Julie Bauer, Diana Fredenburg

and Debra Lair.

Sullivan County BOCES is allowing

Vo-Tech students to drive with written

parental permission. This is temporary for

the current school year.

State aid for July and August was reduced

by 20 percent, falling about $30,000

short. It is not clear whether the 20 percent

is delayed or whether it will not be paid.

Action Items: The following items were

voted on and unanimously passed:

n Minutes of the previous meeting, treasurer’s

reports, revenue status and budget

appropriation reports

n Warrant #A-21 in the amount of

$1,732,129.66

n CSE-CPSE and Section 504 recommendations

n The list of non-working electronic items

was approved for disposal or recycling

n The LINKS Integrated School Improvement

Plan/Plan Range 2020-2021

n The Placement Agreement (Public

School) with the Liberty Central School

District, which has warranted that it is

capable of and willing to provide the level

of services identified in the IEP to meet

the needs of pupils. The sending school

district agrees to pay tuition at the nonresident

rate for the 2020-21 school year.

n Accept the tax warrant for the collection

of taxes in the amount of $8,996,732

(School Tax $8,854,185; Library Tax

$142,547) for the 2020-21 school year.

The Consent Agenda was approved as

presented. All dollar amounts and all the

details of the action items and the consent

agenda can be found at lmcs.k12.ny.us on

the Board of Education page under minutes

of Aug. 19.


County OKs transfer of Care Center

Monticello, NY – By an 8-to-1 vote,

legislators agreed on Aug. 13 to transfer

the Care Center at Sunset Lake to the Sunset

Lake Local Development Corp., the first

step in a process to lease the 146-bed longterm

care and short-term rehabilitation facility

to a private operator while retaining

county control and oversight. Dist. 6 Legislator

Luis Alvarez cast the dissenting vote.

“Leasing the County nursing home is

not solely about resolving our difficult

fiscal challenges but also about smoothly

transferring the facility’s operations to an

operator who will do business with our

residents’ needs foremost in mind,” said

Legislature Chairman Robert Doherty.

The Sunset Lake LDC, a nonprofit corporation

created by the county to handle

the lease of the nursing home, will be

overseen by five members of the community.

They will be tasked with identifying

and recommending a suitable company to

manage the Care Center. Legislators will

make the ultimate decision based on the

track record of the lessee and the quality

of care they promise to provide.

BWCA offers alternative events

By Amy Hines | Manor Ink Mentor

Bethel, NY – What is a nonprofit arts organization

to do during COVID-19 when

live performances are out of the question?

In response to the continued risk posed by

the coronavirus, Bethel Woods Center for

the Arts cancelled all pavilion concerts for

the entire 2020 season, leaving a hole in its

finances, but also a painful separation from

its supporters and friends who enjoy visiting

the venue.

To overcome the limitations imposed

by the pandemic, Bethel

Woods has gotten creative.

There’s online art and video

projects from teaching artists.

In July, the Museum

at Bethel Woods opened at

Jasper Alivia

25-percent capacity with

reservations recommended,

and the grounds, monument and Bindy Bazaar

Trails are now open to the public daily.

In August, the team at Bethel Woods presented

“Meals & More,” a series of dinners

held for fewer than 50 people under the

open-sided market sheds that featured special

dishes prepared by accomplished chef

Jasper Alivia. “Spiels with Neal” were the

“more” part of the meals, and featured a

short talk by Senior Curator Dr. Neal Hitch,

a historian, preservation architect, museum

specialist and musician.

Couples, foursomes and entire families

SAFE DINING

Though its concert

season has been

cancelled, one of

the events Bethel

Woods has created

to comply

with coronavirus

restrictions is

“Meals & More,”

an outdoor dinner

and lecture series.

Amy Hines photo

Manor Ink appreciates that not all

nonprofits have Bethel Woods’ capacity

for resiliency. However, we want

to know how your nonprofit is doing,

and what creative strategies you are

trying in these difficult times. Send information

to editor@manorink.org.

clearly enjoyed the chance to get out in a

safe way and in such a beautiful and open

place. The dinners were beautifully organized

with tables situated well apart. One

waitperson was Maureen Michulski, who

serves as Director of Corporate Partnerships.

CEO Eric Frances helped out with

food prep behind the scenes.

Although there would be no way to

make up the lost concert revenue, the organization

decided it would not close down.

Seasonal staff were not hired because

there was no activity for them to support.

Instead, the year-round staff were not furloughed

or laid off but rather asked to assist

with any and all work that needed to

be done to maintain the landscaped venue

and to help with special events like Meals

& More.

The Center’s Harvest Festival is on Sundays

from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through mid-

October. In addition, the Big Eddie Film

Festival will take place outdoors and online

in September.

Rail trail to join

P’ville, Manor

But extension several years off

By Zachary Dertinger | Manor Ink

O&W Rail Trail

This map shows completed portions of the trail and those that remain

undeveloped. The finished routes will run from Monticello to Orange

County and from Livingston Manor to Wurtsboro.

NEWS


Undeveloped

Existing

Courtesy of Sullivan O&W Rail Trail

Parksville, NY – Have you taken a walk or bike ride

on any of our county’s rail trails? These trails, built on the

former O&W Railway beds, are being developed in many

parts of Sullivan County. Recently, Manor Ink had the opportunity

to sit down with Rob Eggleton, the Town of

Rockland’s supervisor, to talk about the possibility of the

trail extending from Parksville to Livingston Manor.

According to Eggleton, there is a plan to extend the trail

to the hamlet, but the time frame hasn’t been laid out fully.

He said the trail project is probably a couple of years away

from the extension.

The biggest part of the project now is acquiring easements

from all the landowners whose properties the

railbed traverses. Although some of the defunct rail rightof-way

is owned by New York State, a substantial portion

is privately owned. Easements would be required for the

land to be used by the public.

Another challenge in the development of the trail is the

physical condition of the railbed itself. There is a large section

that runs from Parksville almost all the way to Dahlia

Road in the Manor that is in very good shape. That is not

the case, however, with the section that runs from Dahila to

the Manor’s Rotary Park. There was a lengthy trestle bridge

that used to cross over the Little Beaverkill that no longer

exists, and the cost of building another would likely be prohibitive.

Erosion has also been an issue on this one-and-a-half to

two mile section of the railbed. Portions of the railbed have

been washed away by heavy rains. The plan for the immediate

future is to have Old Rte. 17 become part of the trail.

People would then be able to walk or bike all the way to

Livingston Manor on the road.

“The section on the opposite side of the Little Beaverkill

CHALLENGES The railbed between Livingston Manor and Parksville

is interrupted by washouts, above, and a bridge over the

Little Beaverkill near Dahlia Road, below, was removed long ago,

making crossing the creek for hikers an issue. Manor Ink photos

that runs all the way to Rotary Park could be an in-and-out

section of the trail, once the washouts have been repaired,”

Eggleton said.

These trails add much to the community in terms of enjoyment

and healthy living, both for local residents and for

visitors. Walking is great exercise and a completed O&W

Rail Trail would provide a great way to enjoy our beautiful

surroundings.


CAS main gallery reopens

By Robin Chavez | Manor Ink Mentor

Livingston Manor, NY – When the

Catskill Art Society closed its gallery space

in January, it was with the anticipation of

renovations to the second floor of the building

which would allow for a new, long-term

exhibition space. But when the pandemic hit,

the promised New York Economic Development

Grant of $250,000 was put on hold and

so, too, were the planned renovations.

CAS had been using the Laundry King

on Main Street as a gallery in the interim,

but with uncertainty as to when the funding

will be made available, CAS reopened

its main gallery on Aug. 29, with an exhibit

of new work from two artists, Suzanne Joelson

and Liza Phillips, and is continuing its

CAS Kids online arts education program.

“We are confident in knowing that we

can best serve our community by coming

back to CAS and putting

on our usual arts program

which allows us to serve

our community and present

artwork in a more desirable

and safer space for our

Sally Wright

NOW SHOWING

As we know, CAS closed earlier this year to begin renovations

to the center’s second floor. Because that work has since

been held up by the pandemic and state budget issues, the

gallery at 48 Main St. has been reopened. Works by Suzanne

Joelson, whose “Reign DRain” is seen right, and Liza Phillips

are currently on display through Oct. 25. For more information,

visit catskillartsociety.org.

visitors, our artists and our

staff, and get back to what

we do and what matters most to us,” said

Executive Director Sally Wright. “So, during

this time, we are remaining patient, the

money is not going anywhere, and it’s just

a matter of when.”

There will be some changes to procedure

for the sake of safety. In addition to masks,

social distancing and limiting the number

of patrons in the gallery, an online talk by

the artists will take the place of a traditional

artist opening and reception.

“Similarly, our Dance Gallery Festival

residency, which would be our fourth year

of participating with the group, is going

to go online,” Wright said. “The choreographer

and dancers will be producing individual

films that will show us both the

process of work being created as well as a

FUNDING

DELAYED

Because its

building renovation

grant

has been held

up, the Catskill

Art Society has

decided to reopen

its gallery

space on Main

Street. CAS expects

the funds

will be awarded

later this year

or next.

Manor Ink photo

final piece.”

The annual gala will take place on Sept.

12 at the Beaverkill Valley Inn with appropriate

social distancing and safety procedures

in place. Their biggest fundraiser of

the year, the CAS gala will honor Martin

Smith and Marcela Gaviria, Frontline journalists

for PBS and supporters of CAS Kids.

For those who are uncomfortable attending

the event, it will be possible to view online

the films specially created to spotlight the

careers of both Smith and Gaviria as well as

the work of CAS.

On the to-do list this month: Get a card

Did you know there is a month specifically

for library card signups? Every

September, to coincide with the start of the

new school year, libraries

urge students and lifelong

learners to register for a

library card. How do you

sign up during a pandemic?

The same way you

Henry Barish

always did.

Though we are still urging

patrons to schedule an appointment,

as long as there is no wait we will allow

walk-ins. All you need to bring with you is

a photo ID with your physical address. If

your driver’s license lists a PO Box, please

bring a document such as a phone bill with

LIBRARY

NOTES

your street address listed.

If your child would like a

library card, please come

with him or her and we will

use your identification to register them. All

patrons must live within the Livingston

Manor School District.

Having a library card gives you access

to all the library’s books and movies, as

well as access to Rosetta Stone technology,

the language, literacy and brain-fitness

software. We are also currently working

on getting guest passes to the Museum at

Bethel Woods for cardholders, so be sure

to check in for any updates.

Did you know you can also sign up for

a digital library card? Visit rcls.overdrive.

com and click on “Get one instantly.” You

will have access to all of the ebooks in the

RCLS collection. Physical library cards also

grant you access to the ebook collection.

Do it today!

FEATURES


USEFUL LMFL SERVICES

n Printing, copying and faxing

n Curbside pick-up; call 439-5440 or

email livcirc@rcls.org

n Interlibrary loans (restricted to Sullivan

County libraries)

n Story Time on Facebook Live,

facebook.com/Livingston-Manor-Free-

Library-562210404288352

n Book Club on Zoom, email livcirc@

rcls.org to register and join

Henry Barish is director of the Livingston

Manor Free Library. For more information,

visit livingstonmanorlibrary.org.

LIBRARY BOOK CLUB REVIEW

Dewey, the Small-Town

Library Cat

By Vicki Myron

SEARCHING FOR SOME-

THING to read until the

book club made another

choice, I remembered a

book I had bought at a library book sale

a number of years ago. I was lured by

the picture of an adorable cat on the

cover and had read it as soon as I got

home. So, eager to get some relief from

the tragic news we are faced with daily,

the news of mounting American deaths,

I picked up Dewey, the Small-Town

Library Cat to read again.

On the coldest night of the year, with

the temperature falling well below zero,

someone stuffed a tiny kitten into the

returned book slot at the Spencer, Iowa

library. Was this an act of cruelty or an

attempt to save the little kitten’s life? No

one knew, but when he was found the

next morning by the library’s director,

Vicki Myron, Dewey, as they named him,

began a 19-year odyssey as the library

cat known around the world.

Hungry and frightened, with frostbitten

feet, this tiny, adorable ball of fur

clung to Ms. Myron, happy to feel human

warmth and loving words. Dewey

soon began to recover and flourish

in his new home with his new family.

Quickly adopted by the library’s staff

and patrons, and finally by the whole

community, he gave as much as he got.

Always knowing who needed him most,

Dewey brought joy and comfort to

young and old.

Ms. Myron’s story is not just the story

of this truly remarkable feline, but is also

a snapshot of the author’s difficult life

and of the struggle of a small agricultural

community as America transitioned

from small family farms to industrialscale

agribusinesses.

While not the best

written story ever told,

Dewey brings a smile to

your lips and makes you

feel “warm and fuzzy”

It is the kind of thing we

Vicki Myron

all can use right now.

For those who love and understand

cats, the book is an affirmation of what

we know. Cats may be independent

and even demanding, but they are also

loving and loyal. For those who don’t really

understand felines, or haven’t given

them a chance, Dewey might just make

you rethink how you feel about them. If

nothing else it will make you feel good.

Marge Feuerstein

The Livingston Manor Free Library has

reopened, and the weekly meetings of

the book club will soon resume. If you

are interested in joining, please contact

the library at 439-5440 for more information.

Can you or your organization become a sponsor of community journalism?

Learn how you can support Manor Ink by emailing ahines@alford.com

PARTNER SPONSORS

Charter Communications, Inc.

Community Reporting Alliance and the Ottaway Foundation

Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation

Livingston Manor Central School

Barbara Martinsons • Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation

Sullivan County Youth Services Bureau

ADVOCATES

Apple Pond Farm • Brandenburg Bakery • CAS Arts Center

Foster Supply Hospitality • Rolling V Bus Corp.

Upstream Wine & Spirits

CHAMPIONS

Chatral A’dze • Sue Barnett & Jeff Christensen • Carolyn Bivins

Rose Brown & Lester Mattis • Catskill Abstract Co., Inc.

Catskill Brewery • David Dann • Dette Flies • Vic Diescher

Carole Edwards Realty • John Fawcett • George Fulton

Amy Hines & Dave Forshay • Inside the Blue Line • Marilyn Kocher

Sen. Jen Metzger • Gina Molinet, RM Farm Real Estate

Main Street Farm • Van Morrow, Mountain Bear Crafts

Peck’s Markets • Sheila & Terry Shultz • Snowdance Farms

Beth Sosin Jewelry • Art Steinhauer • Don & Vinny Simkin

Town of Rockland • Barbara Trelstad • Upward Brewing Co.

Remembering Bud Wertheim (and the Giant Trout)

Manor Ink thrives on community support! Please consider becoming a supporter at one of

the following levels: Partner, $1,000 and above; Advocate, $500; or Champion, $250. We

also welcome and are grateful for contributions of any amount. Manor Ink is a program of

the Livingston Manor Free Library, a nonprofit 501(c)3. Please send your gift or pledge to

Manor Ink, 92 Main St., Livingston Manor, NY 12758. Thank you!

16 | SEPT. 2020 | MANOR INK FEATURES

TOWERING

REMINDER

The Claryville

tannery factory

chimney still

stands today

and is deemed

a historical

site, though it

is overgrown

by bushes and

trees. Below, a

postcard of the

chimney shows

it in the early

1900s, several

decades after

the factory

closed.

Art Steinhauer

photos

When the Catskills were

An industry built on a ‘limitless’resource

By Edward Lunquist | Manor Ink

Tanneries have played a huge

role in the Catskills and for the

people who lived here. During

the Civil War, hemlock tanneries

in Sullivan County produced leather for

boots, holsters and straps for the Union

Army. Leather made by the tanneries here

was, according to John Conway, Sullivan

County historian, known as “sole” leather

due to its durability and fitness for boots.

It was said that “the Union Army marched

on Sullivan County boots.”

One hundred years ago, our area

produced more tanned leather than

anywhere else in the country. In 1860, Sullivan

County had 39 tanneries, and Ulster

County had 30. Overall, over $7 million

worth in tanned leather was produced in

the Catskills, with Sullivan accounting for

half.

The Catskills were the perfect place to

produce tanned leather. According to Conway,

tanneries migrated over to Sullivan

from Ulster as it was cheaper to move the

tanneries than ship the wood to them.

“Sullivan was rich in hemlock trees,

which were good for tanning, but had been

disdained by early settlers of the county as

unfit for logging,” Conway explained.

The process involved using acids to

break down protein in leather, allowing

it to be soft and pliable – acids commonly

found in once-abundant hemlock trees. So,

as builders and explorers looked out across

the sea of green from the county’s hilltops,

they saw a different green: money.

Exploiting Catskill resources

They gathered men to work in the

factories (many from Ireland), to go off

into the woods, chop down the great trees,

strip them of their bark and leave the

logs to rot in the woods. Because most of

the logs took so long to decompose, they

were burned by people who settled on the

cleared land.

Over the years, tanning factories inhaled

hemlock bark and exhaled tanned leather

and pollution. The furs and hides came

from as far away as South America, were

tanned in New York, and then were distributed

all across the nation.

It was hard work, particularly for the

bark peelers. They were paid a very small

salary, about 75 cents a week, and spent all

their time in the woods using “spuds” to

strip the trees. Hooked blades attached to

hardwood handles, spuds were the perfect

tool for shaving logs, scraping off wide

pieces of bark to bring back to the factory.

To those taking a stand against racial injustice:

We see you, we hear you, we stand with you.

#BlackLivesMatter

Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay connected!

Fine Upstate Vacation Rentals

Since 2007

redcottageinc.com

America’s leather capital

FEATURES


‘Sullivan was rich in hemlock trees,

which were good for tanning, but

had been disdained by early settlers

of the county as unfit for logging.’

John Conway

Sullivan County historian

Most of the men felling these behemoth

trees didn’t even have shoes, and had

little in the way of safety. They would

start work each year in early May and

would end the stripping process later in

the year when the hemlocks no longer

were soft. They would stack the bark to

dry in the woods, later drawing it out in

the dry days of summer, fall or even in

the winter.

The main process began when the bark

strips were taken back to the tanning factories.

The bark was ground up in waterpowered

mills, then the mashed substance

was mixed with boiling water to produce

the main tanning fluid. The liquid was

left to “steep” for about a week, then was

taken to the main tanning yards. The cleanliness

of modern factories was unknown in

tanneries. They were made of weathered,

unpainted lumber, with mountains of bark

outside and a stench from the hanging

hides inside.

First, the hides were dunked into vats

and left for about a week. After that, they

were taken out, cut into “sides,” beaten

until soft and left to hang in what were

called “sweat-pits,” giving the tanneries

their characteristic stink. After some time,

depending on the heat, workers would test

the hides to see if they were ready for the

final process by rubbing some of the fur

between their fingers. If it fell off easily, the

hide was ready for the next step.

Hides were then milled, or scraped to

remove all the fur or flesh left behind.

Next, they were plumpened, opening up

the pores so the leather would tan. They

were put into a weak vat of liquor solution,

with a scattering of crushed bark on top of

each “side,” stopping them from bumping

into each other. After three weeks, the

sides were turned over and the concoction

was made stronger.

Lastly, they were put into a final vat of

very strong liquor for three months. Now

the tanning process was complete, and the

skins were put to dry in lofts. The leather

was then scraped one more time, and

then treated with fish oil. Throughout this

entire process, a horrible mix of stenches

filled the air, making the work a truly foul,

eye-watering experience.

A limited supply exhausted

To tanners, the hemlock bark supply

seemed truly endless. They thought it

would last them for ages, but it actually

ran out pretty swiftly, forcing tanneries to

move around. After the Civil War, many of

them closed as the demand for the leather

produced in this area lessened. Only one

tannery – in Monticello – survived into the

20th century.

Today, our environment is still recovering

from the effects of the tanning industry.

Hemlock wood is much rarer than it used

to be, and one can still find old piles of

GRUELING WORK Horse-drawn

wagons head off for another load

of tan bark for a tannery in Nordmont,

PA. Left, workers strip the

bark from several huge hemlocks.

Their immense size is typical

of the trees in the old growth

forests of Sullivan County before

the arrival of the leather tanning

industry. SullivanCountyHistoricalSociety.com

photo, above; northernwoodlands.org

photo, left

bark left to dry out in remote spots in the

mountains. Pollution from tanneries often

ran off into the county’s lakes and rivers,

waters that were typically right next to the

factories. Our environment is still recovering,

slowly, from the destruction of these

ecosystems. While leather was a big part

of early life in the Catskills, its production

took a toll on our environment, one that it

may never recover from completely.

Now showing

Suzanne Joelson and Liza Phillips

Paintings, through October 25 at the Arts Center

Matthias Neumann

“Basics,” a site-specific sculpture on view through September

7, at 24 Main Street, next to Chinatown Kitchen.

The CAS gallery and Laundry King have now reopened.

18 | SEPT. 2020 | MANOR INK FEATURES

You’re invited to gather at the Upward to celebrate the Ink

Livingston Manor, NY – Manor Ink will hold its annual

Open House and Awards Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 6, at

11 a.m. on the grounds of the Upward Brewing Company,

located at 171 Main St. in the hamlet.

Each year, the paper invites friends, family and the public

to a gathering to meet the paper’s student staff members

and their mentors, to share in the yearly distribution

of journalism awards to the staff and to enjoy delicious

refreshments provided by the paper’s former production

manager, Carolyn Bivins, and by the Brandenburg Bakery.

Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Osei Helper, this year’s event

will be outside to facilitate social distancing, and masks

are required by all attending. We hope you’ll join us in

celebrating the county’s only youth-driven newspaper.

PRIZE

WINNERS

Manor Ink’s

staff display

their awards

at last year’s

Open House.

Manor Ink

file photo

FEATURES


Producer’s work a ‘passion project’

Sullivan film maker documented John Lewis

By Nadine Osborne | Manor Ink

Laura Michalchyshyn is an accomplished film producer living in Sullivan County. She

was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She discovered her passion for documentary

filmmaking in college, and soon became a network producer in Toronto. Since moving to

the US, her portfolio has expanded to include television productions such as “Bobby Kennedy

For President,” “Momentum Generation,” the recent “John Lewis: Good Trouble”

and the upcoming “The Rossellinis.” In the following interview (edited for clarity and

length), Michalchyshyn speaks about the evolution of her career, the intricacies of filmmaking

and, most importantly, the life and legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis.

What are some unique aspects of documentary

filmmaking?

I think it’s the amount of research

when you make a documentary. People

think, “Oh, you just start shooting,” but

there’s a lot of research, there’s a lot of

work done behind the scenes, work with

photos and video and news footage. And

then there’s researching

history, as with

MORE ONLINE

“John Lewis: Good

Read Nadine

Trouble.” We had

Osborne’s review

four researchers,

of “John Lewis:

story producers and

Good Trouble” at

archivists working

manorink.org/

while Dawn Porter

current-issue.

was directing, so it

was pretty intense.

What about documentary filmmaking

intrigues you personally?

When I was in school, I took an anthropology

degree, and we watched a lot of

films. A lot of them were documentaries,

and that’s when I really fell in love with

the form. I was 18, 19 at university in first

year, and I realized there’s something

incredible about storytelling that dives

deep into the factual and tells of real

HISTORIC

MARCHER

The late Congressman

John

Lewis, seen here

third from left,

leads a protest in

the 1960s with

Dr. Martin Luther

King. Lewis is

the subject of a

recent documentary

by Magnolia

Pictures.

wikimedia.org

photo

incidents. That really appealed to me

when I was young. But I knew I was not a

filmmaker; I knew I was a producer right

from that day. It was kind of a calling in

a weird way, but I’m also a media exec as

well, so I have a day job. I make documentaries

as a passion project. Like, some

people knit, some people play sports, I

make documentaries as a passion hobby.

What are some challenges you’ve encountered

working on “John Lewis: Good Trouble”?

I guess that would include his recent

death.

Yeah. It’s been an emotional couple

of nights. The biggest challenge is that

we had stories and people who were

filming in Washington, DC; New York;

Los Angeles; Atlanta and Austin. I think

the logistics can be the most challenging

– getting people to and from – because

there’s so many stories you want to tell,

and you have to choose. So I think one of

the challenges is how you narrow down

your focus. Because in doc, you can film

150 hours for a ninety-minute film. So

that’s a big challenge.

Upon getting to know John Lewis during

the filmmaking process, what are some ways

in which you identify with him as a person?

Congressman Lewis was – is in heaven

– the most kind person. That was the one

thing: he had time for everyone. The last

big film day, we had a crew dinner. There

were 25 or 30 of us, and I invited the

congressman and his staff. He had been

in the studio with us for eight hours – a

long day for a 79 year old. I said, “He’s

never gonna come,” and, lo and behold,

there he came marching up the stairs.

And he walked around the table thanking

every single person and sat with

them for two or three minutes, just to

have a chat. That’s exactly who he was –

kind, warm-hearted, and with a sense of

humor. So not only was he an amazing,

brilliant strategist and political leader, he

was also compassionate. He jokingly said

in the film that he didn’t always practice

such great non-violence, but I think he

was just kidding. Truly, he was one of the

most calming influences.

Have you had any prior experience in documentary

filmmaking? What other films have

you produced?

I worked for Robert Redford of Sundance

Channel for four, five years. Then

I went to Discovery, and then I started

Sundance Productions with Redford, so

we were partners and created a lot of

documentary programming. But in the

last few years, I was one of the executive

producers on “Momentum Generation,”

which is a documentary on HBO. I produced

film for our docuseries for Netflix

called “Bobby Kennedy for President.”

I also did a film, probably in 2014, on

the fiftieth anniversary of the March

on Washington, that actually led me to

where I am today. It was called “The

March” and it was on PBS.

What exactly is the role of a producer in

documentary film?

It’s a combination of helping shepherd

the creative vision for the director.

But my job really is production. There’s

finance, raising the money, hiring, getting

the crews, helping Dawn when she says,

“I wanna shoot in seven cities, I wanna

go back to Troy, Alabama, where the

congressman was born.” My job is helping

her organize all of that. Making sure

we have enough money in our budget,

making sure we have schedules. I do a lot

of the administrative work, and it’s not

always the fun work. She gets to go to the

location and film; I stay in an office alone,

working long and late nights. It’s also

LABORS OF LOVE Though there’s not much

remuneration in documentary film making,

producer Laura Michalchyshyn is passionate

about her film work. imdb.com photo

collaborating and knowing how to help

the artist’s voice. I’ll say one thing about

documentary filmmaking – there’s no

money in it. I always say to people, I have

a day job at Blue Ant Media, and that

facilitates my ability to make documentaries.

It’s just documentary filmmaking

is a passion, it’s a career, but it’s not one

where you will, frankly…

Profit heavily?

That’s right. But I’m working on a film

– actually, this is news. It’s called The Rossellinis.

I’m very close to Isabella Rossellini,

and it’s about her father, Roberto. We

just found out it got into the Venice Film

Festival. And we’re not finished, so we’re

madly trying to get it ready for early

September. It’s a documentary on him

and the whole family. And it’s fun and

crazy and coo-coo, and we have to finish

it in three weeks! Also, you can report

that we’re very thrilled. We think over

250,000 people have seen “John Lewis:

Good Trouble” so far. We just know by

the downloads. That means people at

home with their families are downloading

it and watching it, and we’re very

proud of that.

What brought you to Sullivan County?

We had friends. Actually, one of them

is Jason Tougaw, who has a show on

WJFF, and his husband, David Driver.

They are friends from New York, and in

2008 we came up for a weekend, and we

fell in love with the place. We went to the

Callicoon Market, and we started checking

it out weekends. We bought a place

in 2009. We were here for weekends, and

now we’re here forever.

20 | SEPT. 2020 | MANOR INK INK WELL OF HAPPINESS

Simple food, complex tastes

THE NORTH BRANCH INN

This is the first in a series of Manor Ink

restaurant and recipe reviews.

Since 2017, there has been a delightful

inn on North Branch Road. This property

has so much to offer, from great food

to a nice peaceful place

to stay, it’s perfect for

the whole family. Called

the North Branch Inn, it

is one of the properties

owned by Foster Supply

Michelle

Adams-

Thomas

Hospitality. The Inn’s

Bar Room & Restaurant

offers a menu with simple

ingredients and simple

food. But Executive Chef Jean Paul (or JP)

Medina’s food is far from plain.

JP started loving food when he was

very young, inspired by his mother. Even

while employed as a plumber and an

electrician, he always cooked as a hobby.

He consequently has lots of skill, and

makes every dish with love.

When visiting the restaurant, you are

allowed to watch JP cook, and it’s fascinating.

The kitchen is smaller than others,

but thanks to his speed and skill, he does

not need too many people to help. You

feel very surprised when your food is

served, because it looks so simple but

tastes so complex.

When JP thinks of what he wants on a

menu, he is inspired by the seasons. So,

THE INN’S HOUSE SALAD

Here is what Executive Chef JP Medina

says about this dish.

This gives the diner a little bit of everything

we look for when we eat. Radishes

and arugula tend to be spicy or a bit of intense

bitterness. The sunflower shoots add

a bit of sweetness while the

RECIPE

kale, broccoli and pea shoots

add a bit of freshness. The only thing missing

is a bit of nuttiness. We use sunflower

shoots in the mix, sunflower seeds are

added to the salad to provide a crunch and

that desired nuttiness.

Ingredients

These microgreens are available from

Agrarian Feast in Livingston Manor

Daikon radish shoots

Sunflower shoots

for fall it’s nice red, orange and yellow

foods, and for winter – fluffy white, dark

and whimsical presentations. He loves to

take plain dishes and put a funky twist

on them. With every spoonful is a hint of

different flavors.

The setting at the Inn is calm and

peaceful. The outdoor sitting areas are

beautiful, and so is the north branch of

the Callicoon Creek that runs behind

the property. At night the lights twinkle

and glow so brightly, they make the sky

light up. There is a special feeling you

get seeing children running around or

adults falling back in love all over again.

JP makes sure that every person feels

appreciated. And during these uncertain

times, the North Branch Inn makes sure

every person is safe by staying apart and

wearing a mask while walking around.

To learn more, visit northbranchinn.

com.

Broccoli shoots

Red Russian kale shoots

Arugula and Pea shoots

1 clove garlic, finely diced

1/2 Tbsp each chives, parsley, chervil

and cilantro, chopped

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup Champagne vinegar

Salt, pepper

Directions

1. Wash and trim the shoots

Michelle Adams-Thomas photo

2. Add the herbs to the oil, mix well and

then, while stirring constantly, slowly add

the vinegar

3. Arrange shoots on a platter. Drizzle

the dressing over them and stir until the

shoots are lightly coated. Add salt and

pepper to taste, and serve.

WORD SEARCH

By Zachery Dertinger | Manor Ink

Find this month’s hidden words, selected especially for the start of school.

Pens

Paper

Pencils

Computers

Notebooks

Remote learning

Camera

Art

Science

Gym

Fitness

Painting

Knowledge

Calculators

Lockers

Lunchbox

Textbooks

Microscope

Binders

Zoom

Homework

Singing

Backpack

Color pencils

Crayons

In Phlebas, a quest quickly

By Edward Lundquist and

Demi Budd | Manor Ink

Consider Phlebas is quite renowned in

the sci-fi genre. It’s the first book in what

is dubbed the “Culture Series.” It hosts a

large, mostly forgettable cast of characters,

but the main focus is on Bora Horza

Gobuchul – simply known as Horza. He

is a Changer, a human subspecies with

the ability to transform into other human

species.

The story follows his quest to find

the lost “Mind” of a spacecraft, a sort of

artificial intelligence that fled from the

Culture. The Culture is a formless totalitarian

society, without one symbol, language,

or race, that tries to take over the

universe. Horza is tasked by the Idirans,

a non-human species, to retrieve it before

the Culture does. The Culture and the

Idirans are enemies with very different

beliefs and ways of living, the Culture

being a grand, future society, and the

Idirans a more primitive, warlike society.

In the timeline the story takes place, an

intense war between them is happening.

On his voyage to reach the Mind,

Horza encounters a group of rag-tags

that could best be described as space

pirates. He ventures with them on his

voyage – then we spend 300 pages completely

disconnected from the original

plot, pursuing the whims of the characters,

exploring worlds and

PAGE

TURNERS

getting lost, and almost

being gorily devoured by

a disgustingly, too-well

described obese man on a desert island. I

would say you would understand if you

read it, but ... you really wouldn’t.

Edward’s comments: As someone who

is an avid sci-fi reader, this book was

something I had very high hopes for. It

was something that was recommended

to me by my uncle, and I trust his

judgement, correctly so. I also saw some

reviews of it online, so my hopes were

high. I wasn’t disappointed, either.

The characters are hateable, an odd

INK WELL OF HAPPINESS


Our take? It’s ‘Kissing Boo’

Awful teen romcoms seem to be a recurring

theme with these reviews. I know,

it’s not the genre known for its quality.

Though there is a certain charm to the

never-ending re-use of cliches.

“The Kissing Booth 2”

is a great example of how

the formula never changes.

But unlike romcoms,

Media Probe is open to

Osei Helper

change. New Ink reporter,

Nadine Osborne, is joining

me to review this movie and, hopefully,

future movies and TV shows. I’ll give my

views first, then Nadine will go. We’ll

MEDIA

PROBE

REVIEW

join up at the end to offer

our thoughts together. Well,

enough dilly-dallying, it is

time to review “The Kissing

Booth 2.”

Osei’s comments: You may be wondering

why we would review the sequel

instead of the first movie? I’ll take care of

that. The first one was bad. Boom. How

surprising. Moving on. “The Kissing Booth

2” is nothing special at all. It’s your typical

romcom sequel. The couple from the

previous movie is doing great until a new

hot, sexy hunk arrives and stirs the pot.

This could be a man or woman – or, in this

movie’s case, both. As usual with these

movies, the ending was ever so unsatisfying

and ever so predictable. From an objective

standpoint, the movie was pretty bad.

Though, that’s not to say I did not enjoy

it. There’s a reason I still watch movies

like these – it was fun to watch. Laughing

at the stupidity and pointing out obvious

flaws and inconsistencies was the only saving

grace for “The Kissing Booth 2.” Every

bit of awful cool-kid lingo that was spoken

chipped away at my soul like an ice pick

chipping away at, well, ice.

But I couldn’t help wishing I could

smack those 20-something “teens” for their

awful life choices. And this movie wasn’t

quick torture; it was a 2-hour-long waterboarding

session. God, I hate romcoms.

Let’s see what Nadine has to say.

Nadine’s comments: While “The Kissing

Booth 2” is easily the most trite and

cliched film of the decade, it has a surprising

amount of redeemable qualities that

help salvage the audience’s sanity. One of

those qualities is its tone; the film doesn’t

take itself too seriously and isn’t afraid

The Kissing

Booth 2

Netflix 2020

Rated Teen+

HHHHH

to acknowledge its

predictable nature. It

sprinkles in pop culture

and social media

references that, while

incredibly cringeworthy,

reinforce its role as

a fun and lighthearted film.

The post-credit bloopers depict the actors

laughing and playfully jostling each

other, which proves that they thoroughly

enjoyed their time on set. Despite being incredibly

predictable, its awkward hilarity

and jovial atmosphere somehow manage

to keep audiences (relatively) engaged.

However, I’d be portraying this movie in a

dishonest light if I completely glossed over

its flaws – and believe me, there are plenty.

The main one that comes to mind is

PUCKER UP

Jacob Elordi

and Joey King

exchange cool-kid

argot in a moment

from “The

Kissing Bug 2.”

netflix.com photo

its runtime: a whopping 2 hours and 11

minutes. The movie tries to justify this

length by cramming in pointless plotlines

and last-minute twists, but ultimately just

shoots itself in the foot. If this film had

been, say ... half an hour shorter, I think it’d

sit more comfortably with me. But truthfully,

its unnecessary length only detracted

from my enjoyment. There were plenty

of sequences that contributed absolutely

nothing and could have easily been cut,

but no. A two-hour movie – this is fine.

Osei again: After a bit of discussion,

we’ve come to an agreement to give this

movie two-and-a-half stars. “The Kissing

Booth 2” is not a good movie. Enjoyable

does not equal good, but since it kept us

watching, it added brownie points to an

otherwise cliche and predictable movie.

turns into a slog, taking the reader on a quest to finish

trait that I’d never seen before. Instead of

making you root for likeable characters,

Banks forces you to root for dislikable

characters, which leaves you at the end

feeling like you’d gone through a really

challenging experience, and drawing

you closer to the world of the Culture.

Strangely enough, I actually like the way

that Banks made his characters, giving

you a fresh look at the way books can be

written, and exposing tropes we didn’t

even know were tropes.

Consider Phlebas, in my opinion, is a

great example of the way that the writing

medium can be used to the fullest potential,

creating an engaging world with

fresh characters and believable interactions.

It is a masterpiece.

Demi’s comments: As someone who

isn’t an avid sci-fi reader – the genre is

one I tend to stray away from in favor of

practically anything else – I wasn’t expecting

much from Consider Phlebas. I can’t say

this novel changed my view on science

fiction, because it hasn’t. I still won’t willingly

read it.

For me, the characters in a work are

equally as important as the plot. For me

to enjoy a book, I have to appreciate and

connect with whoever I’m reading about.

This isn’t the case with Consider Phlebas.

I feel like I would have gained a stronger

appreciation of and attachment to the characters

had they been more three-dimensional,

and at the bare minimum, likeable.

While they definitely weren’t unbearable,

they either annoyed me or didn’t live up

to the one personality trait that came with

their page-long physical description.

The characters, though many of them

have less personality than even the sentient

drones, bounce off of one another

naturally. Their banter was a nice turn

from the incredibly drawn-out monologues,

excessive descriptions and entire

book’s worth of oddly grotesque filler.

Comments from both: The worldbuilding

in the book is definitely something

to appreciate. Iain Banks took even

the smallest intricacies into consideration

when creating not only the Orbitals in

which the characters travel through and

inhabit, but the species of each character,

the languages spoken, etc. He has an incredible

sense of scale that just sucks you

into the book.

A major issue with this novel was the

pacing. In the beginning especially, things

were incredibly slow. We had to encourage

ourselves to keep reading, and the

book should be the one doing that, not

us. We became so bored within the few

first chapters that a small fight scene that

lasted maybe a page or two excited us far

more than it should have.

Once you trudge through the first 300

pages, the rest almost makes up for it

– but that’s being generous. It becomes

more fast-paced, matching with the genre

much better, and we found ourselves

wanting to read more, not having to take

breaks between chapters as we did before.

Banks seems to be writing this book for

himself. He has a style of writing where

he’ll mention something once, twice, and

then the third time,

only to explain it

about 100 pages too

late for the reader.

This style gives

the impression

that it was written

for someone who

already knows

Consider Phlebas

By Iain M. Banks

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

HHHHH

(Lundquist)

HHHHH

(Budd)

everything about the world; not the case

for a newly-minted reader of the series.

It also gives the impression that he really

doesn’t care about the opinions of the

people reading his books, as they are his

metaphorical children, whom he loves

with biased irreverence.

To Parents: There are many scenes of

death, overly-detailed violence, drinking,

mentions of sex, etc. One thing to note is

that this book is a slogging experience, and

can be draining physically to understand.

Even for advanced readers, this book

needs to be read with 100 percent attention

and focus to even break the surface of

comprehension. Ages 16-plus, tentatively.


SPORTS

MAIN

STREET

FARM

MARKET

CAFE

OPEN

DAILY

ON HOLD The combined LMCS Varsity Football team, seen here in a scrimmage from their 2018 season, must wait until the end of

this month for the start of the 2020 season. Manor Ink file photo by Alex Rau

LMCS fall sports season delayed

Football, cross-country,

girls soccer to start Sept. 21

By Art Steinhauer | Manor Ink Mentor

Livingston Manor, NY – The New York State Public

High School Athletics Association has announced significant

changes to the sports calendar for the year due to the

COVID-19 epidemic.

First, the start of the fall sports season is pushed back

a month, from Aug. 24 to Sept. 21. The NYSPHSAA announcement

stated, “As the state considers reopening

schools, it is unrealistic to believe athletic seasons can start

on Aug. 24 as originally planned.” Paula Harrica, the Association’s

president, added, “The priority will continue to

be on the educational process and a return to learning in the

safest way possible.”

The announcement will affect LMCS’ cross-country,

girl’s soccer and modified football teams.

Further, the NYSPHSAA announced that there would

be no regional and state championship events. The Association

also said that it is prepared to implement a condensed

sports schedule, starting in January 2021, for all

three seasons if high school sports is prohibited during

the rest of this year due to the coronavirus. In that case,

the winter sports calendar would run Jan. 4 to Mar. 13,

2021; the fall sports would be rescheduled for Mar. 1 to

May 8, 2021; and the spring sports season would be April

5 to June 12, 2021.

Adam Larson, LMCS’s athletic director, shared his

thoughts about the changes. “First and foremost is the

health and safety of our athletes, so erring on the side of

caution is the right thing to do.” He noted that the possible

condensing of the seasons would have a particular impact

on a small school like LMCS. “Many of our athletes play

two to three sports, so the overlap in the backup schedule

would create an issue that we’ll have to address if we do see

a January start date.”

But Larson noted that he was glad to have some direction.

“I hope we can get these young men and women back

out there safely as soon as possible,” he said.

These NYSPHSAA guidelines are only recommendations.

On Monday, Aug. 24, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced

that “low contact” sports, such as cross-country

and soccer, may proceed with their fall seasons, starting on

Sept. 21. But other sports, such as football, may for now

only start practice but not yet play.

However, following this announcement, Cedrick Dedrick,

executive director of the NYS Council of School Superintendents,

sent a letter to Cuomo asking for a delay of

all sports until Jan. 1, 2021 so the situation continues to be

murky as of press time.

CALENDAR


SEPTEMBER

CLOSURES & REOPENINGS

Livingston Manor

Free Library

Reopened with regular hours

but limited access and health

precautions. Visit the library’s

website for additional information.

Tuesdays in September,

Storytime, 11:15-11:45 a.m.

92 Main St., Livingston Manor.

livingstonmanorlibrary.org

Ethelbert B. Crawford

Public Library

Now offering curbside services;

please call 794-4660 to arrange

a pick-up; visit the library’s website

for hours; 479 Broadway,

Monticello; ebcpl.org

Liberty Public Library

The library is now back in its

newly expanded building. Patrons

can place holds on items via the

library’s website and pick them up

curbside. 189 N. Main St., Liberty.

libertypubliclibrary.org

Hurleyville Arts Centre

Yoga and dance classes are cancelled

until further notice; check

the HAC website for updates;

219 Main Street, Hurleyville.

hurleyvilleartscentre.org

Bethel Woods

Center for the Arts

All main stage concerts have

been cancelled for the 2020

season. Please check website for

other events and updates. 200

Hurd Rd., Bethel. bethelwoodscenter.org

Delaware Valley Arts

Alliance

Galleries reopened with safety

requirements; please check

website for updates. Offering

virtual exhibits on Facebook

and Instagram; 37 Main St.,

Narrowsburg; delawarevalleyartsalliance.org;

facebook.com/

DelawareValleyArtsAlliance;

instagram.com/dvartsalliance

Catskill Art Society

Now reopened with safety

requirements; also offering art

activities for children online;

48 Main St., Livingston Manor.

catskillartsociety.org

FARMERS MARKETS

Barryville Farmers Market

Saturdays in September; 10

Inklings

A LISTING OF FUN THINGS TO DO

Send your event to editor@manorink.org

PLEASE NOTE Due to the ongoing effects of the coronavirus

pandemic and mandated social distancing, many events listed here

have new safety requirements. Please check websites for specifics.

Farmers Markets listed here are open, but social distancing rules

apply and masks are recommended.

a.m.-1 p.m.; 3405 State Rte. 97,

Barryville; barryvillefarmersmarket.org

Callicoon Farmers Market

Sundays in September; 11

a.m.-2 p.m.; 8 Creamery Rd. in

Callicoon; callicoonfarmersmarket.org

Liberty Farmers Market

Fridays in September; 3-6 p.m.;

119 North Main St., Liberty;

439-1230

Livingston Manor

Farmers Market

Sundays in September; 10

a.m.-2 p.m.; Main St. Livingston

Manor. facebook.com/Livingston-

Manor-Farmers-Market

Mamakating Farmers

Market

Fridays in September; 4-7

p.m.; 298 Rte. 209, Wurtsboro.

facebook.com/MamakatingFarmersMarket

Narrowsburg Farmers

Market


a.m.-1 p.m.; 7 Erie Ave., Narrowsburg;

NarrowsburgFarmers-

Market.org

Rock Hill Farmers Market


a.m.-1 p.m.; 223 Rock Hill Dr.,

Rock Hill; rockhillfarmersmarket.

com

Roscoe Farmers Market

Sundays in September; 10 a.m.-

2 p.m.; Niforatos Field, 1978 Old

Rte. 17, Roscoe; roscoeny.com

Harvest Festival

Sundays in September; 11 a.m.-4

p.m.; Bethel Woods Center for

the Arts, 200 Hurd Rd., Bethel.

bethelwoodscenter.org

SEPTEMBER 1-30

Scout Museum Virtual Talk,

“Backpacking the Trails of

TMR”

Tuesday, Sept. 1; 7-8 p.m.; Ten

Mile River Scout Museum, 1481

Crystal Lake Rd., Narrowsburg.

tmrmuseum.org

Community Yard Sale

Saturday, Sept. 5; 8 a.m.-1 p.m.;

The Narrowsburg Union, 7 Erie

Ave., Narrowsburg. narrowsburgunion.com/events

Catskills Pride Summer Tea

Dance

Saturday, Sept. 5; 3-6 p.m.;

CAS NEWSMAKERS

This year, the Catskill

Art Society’s annual

fundraising gala will

honor Marcela Gaviria

and Martin Smith, a

Lew Beach and New

York City-based husband

and wife duo, for

their immeasurable contributions

to journalism

and leadership support

towards CAS Kids. The

Frontline journalists have delivered independent hard hitting

coverage of such disparate topics as Al Qaeda, Bernie

Madoff, the opioid crisis, the rise of ISIS and, most recently,

our government’s failings with COVID-19. The Saturday,

Sept. 12 gala will include cocktails and dinner followed by

a film showing at the Beaverkill Valley Inn. For tickets and

information, visit catskillartsociety.squarespace.com.

Forestburgh Playhouse, 39

Forestburgh Rd., Forestburgh.

catskillspride.com

Scout Museum Virtual Talk,

“An Introduction to the

Classic Car Hobby”

Tuesday, Sept. 15; 7-8 p.m.; Ten

Mile River Scout Museum, 1481

Crystal Lake Rd., Narrowsburg.

tmrmuseum.org

The Cameos featuring

Joey & Doreen Arminio

Tuesday, Sept. 15; 2-4:30 p.m.;

Villa Roma Resort, 356 Villa

Roma Rd., Callicoon. villaroma.

com

Mr. Entertainment,

Bobby Brooks Wilson

Monday, Sept. 21; 2-4:30 p.m.;

Villa Roma Resort, 356 Villa

Roma Rd., Callicoon. villaroma.

com

Big Eddy Film Festival

Friday, Saturday, Sept. 25, 26;

7 p.m.; Terrace Stage, Bethel

Woods Center for the Arts, 200

Hurd Rd., Bethel. bethelwoodscenter.org

Tribute to Neil Diamond

Tuesday, Sept. 29; 2-4 p.m.; Villa

Roma Resort, 356 Villa Roma

Rd., Callicoon. villaroma.com

51 Main St., Livingston Manor • 6 am-10 pm

845-439-5430

Your “Local” Source

for Your Bucket List

Alaskan

Adventure

Don & Vinny

Simkin

&

Real Estate & Custom Modular Homes

“If we can’t find your dream home, we’ll have it built for you.”

CAROLE

EDWARDS REALTY

(914) 799-5075 Mobile

cedwardsrealty@gmail.com

(845) 439-3620 Office

On the web: LivManor.com

ifishhainesalaska.com | glacierviewlodgealaska.com

7 MAIN STREET , LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY 12758


FEATURES

Art that transforms before your eyes

Look once, and

then look again

By Michelle Adams-Thomas | Manor Ink

Have you ever looked at a

piece of art and not understood

it, and then as you

looked for a while longer,

the image changed? That’s the effect

of work by a brilliant artist like Scott

Woolsey.

Woolsey has worked his whole life

building objects, pulling ideas out of

LOCAL

ARTIST

PROFILE

his brain and putting them on

a canvas. It is his nature. He

explained what attracted him

to art. “The creative process is

what nurtures me. In a way, it’s

like a self defining reality that I create

for myself, and then there’s a product

that you get that’s tangible, that you

can look at and share

with other people. But I

kind of do it as a way to

learn about myself, the

world and others.”

He started his journey

Scott Woolsey

as an artist when he

was young. As a child,

Woolsey would enjoy the feeling of

building and being imaginative, so that

when he grew older, he went to college

to follow a career in art. Soon after that,

he started making out-of-this-world

pictures and began getting recognized

for it.

“I went to college to study art, then

I went to graduate school, and I got a

teaching job at a state university after

that for a short time, and so I had a

certain amount of confidence,” he

said.

Woolsey has made amazing pieces

that inspire high levels of creativity in

his viewers. They are made with lots of

color and many different shapes. One

of Woolsey’s pieces called “Shifting

Ground” has his face swapped for that

of a bird. The shapes and the dimensions

are extraordinary. It is very striking

to look at.

Woolsey mostly paints animals; they

fascinate him. The outdoors is also a

big inspiration. Even when he is not

working on a piece, he is involved with

the environment. “In the wintertime

I’m a skier; I downhill ski,” he said. “I

do hiking, mostly outdoor things. I’m

kind of a naturalist, so I want to explore

the environment around here. It’s why

I chose to live here.”

Woolsey plans on doing art forever.

Even when he is not working in his studio,

he has other projects that require

experience and patience. Right now he

is working on an addition to his house.

Every artist has his or her own

techniques and processes. Woolsey

FEAST OF IMAGES Examples of Scott Woolsey’s

work include, clockwise from above, “Shifting

Ground,” “Second Looks,” “Know One Pair” and

“Crossing Ground,” all oil on canvas or panel.

Photos courtesy of Scott Woolsey

either starts with a photograph, or he

draws a sketch on a piece of paper

and then paints from it on canvas.

“The painting tells me what to do, in

a kind of way,” Woolsey said. “It’s

very process-oriented because one

element changes the whole thing, and

the beauty of painting is that it can

change things totally. You can work

on something for a very long time, and

then you can cover it up because it’s a

layered kind of process.”

When Woolsey is done with a piece,

he does not like to do too much more

to it, although he will make small

adjustments. He always has something

to do, like finish another piece, but occasionally

he’ll just take a day off and

do nothing. Sometimes he’ll go back to

pieces he thought he’d finished years

ago, but decides to either add new

details or completely change them.

To learn more about Scott Woolsey,

and to see other examples of his

artwork, visit his Facebook page at

facebook.com/scott.a.woolsey.

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