Fundraiser for fire victim; New Pond Eddy restaurant to host

Anya Tikka
Posted 8/21/12

POND EDDY, NY — When Ana Arvela, the owner of the newly opened 97 Bar and Grill, heard that one of her customers had lost his house in a fire on November 14, she wanted to do something to help. She …

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Fundraiser for fire victim; New Pond Eddy restaurant to host

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POND EDDY, NY — When Ana Arvela, the owner of the newly opened 97 Bar and Grill, heard that one of her customers had lost his house in a fire on November 14, she wanted to do something to help. She said, “I want to thank all the locals for coming in my restaurant. It’s been wonderful meeting my neighbors, a great experience, I really enjoy it. I’ve established new friendships.” Among those is Kenneth Van Tuyl of Van Tuyl Road, Pond Eddy who narrowly escaped the fire with only the clothes on his back, and without shoes—a big deal for the almost seven-foot-tall man whose shoes have to be replaced by special order because of the unusual size.

Another local who stops in frequently is Rosie Gubitosi, who’s also Van Tuyl’s neighbor. She recounted how she first learned about the fire.

“I woke up to a loud bang at 1:30 in the morning,” she said. “I was sure it was a bomb.”

Gubitosi called her friend who also lives nearby; she was at work, and asked Gubitosi to go check on her family.

“When I went out, the road was blocked, fire trucks were out, and Kenneth’s house was burning,” she said. There had been a gas explosion in the house that went up in flames.

Van Tuyl is currently staying with friends, and needs all the help he can get to start anew. He’s reportedly doing okay, but obviously a little shaken by the unexpected events.

Gubitosi is helping Arvela to organize the fundraiser and doing some of the cooking.

Arvela opened the restaurant, bar and motel complex in the beginning of October this year. It sits at the crossroads of the historic Pond Eddy Bridge and Route 97, and both bar and outdoor patio area have views over the river. The site is still known as Nolan’s after the restaurant that used to be there.

Arvela explained how she came to open the place.

“I used to drive through here on my way to see houses in Narrowsburg,” she said. She stopped for lunch at the restaurant, and remembers thinking, “If this was for sale, I’d like to buy it.”

A few years later, her wish came true. Leaving behind her career as a realtor in West Chester County for over 20 years, she decided it was time to try something new. She gave the place a full facelift, remodeling the interior with new colors and furnishings, and updating the menu. Currently it serves pizza, burgers, steak, seafood, pastas, salads, and many specials on the weekend at affordable prices, Arvela said.

Already drawing a steady clientele of regulars, Arvela saw the perfect opportunity to give back to the community she already feels part of.

“I’m happy to be able to help,” explained Arvela.

The fundraiser will take place Sunday, December 14. Doors open at 2 p.m. There will be a cash bar and food, including turkey and assorted dishes, and a jukebox for music. A suggested minimum donation of $15 will go toward helping Kenneth Van Tuyl. For more information call 845/858-4611.

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