Start seeds at WSPL

NARROWSBURG, NY — Join the Western Sullivan Public Library (WSPL) and Anna from Unbroken Acres Farm, and learn the basics of seed-starting on Wednesday, April 19 at 5 p.m. at the Tusten-Cochecton Branch. 

The program is for people aged 18 and over.

The summer is quickly approaching, a library spokesperson said, so now is a great time to start your garden indoors, and Anna will teach you how to do that. 

For questions, call the library at 845/252-3360 or email wsplprograms@rcls.org.  

Registration is required; visit www.wsplonline.libcal.com/event/10530629.

Bus tour from Port Jervis

PORT JERVIS, NY — Due to the popularity of the D&H Canal Bus Tour from Port Jervis to Phillipsport, which takes place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, organizers will book a larger-capacity motorcoach if enough additional passengers make a reservation by Saturday, April 15.

The guided tour, which is sponsored by the Delaware & Hudson Transportation Heritage Council (DHTHC) costs $55 per person, and includes round-trip transportation, a restaurant stop for a sit-down lunch, and time to learn about and explore various canal locks, abutments, a telegraph house and other 19th-century features.

Guests should park and meet the bus by 10 a.m. on May 20 at the Walgreens shopping plaza at 76 Pike St. in Port Jervis, near the entrance to the Port Jervis Transportation History Center. 

 Mail the advance payment by check or money order to the Neversink Feeder and Canal Conservancy at NFCC, PO Box 172, Unionville, NY 10988. Write “D&H Bus Tour” in the memo.

To reserve seats or to learn more, call DHTHC secretary Laurie Ramie at 845/252-3022 or email laurie@upperdelawarecouncil.org by April 15. 

Tiny Brown celebrates her 100th birthday

GLEN SPEY, NY — Tiny (Lucy) Brown, daughter of Lillian and Albert Donahue of Glen Spey, was born on March 16, 1923. 

She is a life-long resident of Glen Spey, and is the retired postmaster of Eldred.

There she was co-postmaster with Christine Meyer. Christine  was called Teenie and Lucy was called Tiny, so they called it the Teenie Tiny Post Office. 

Tiny was married to Leonard Brown, who predeceased her. She has one son, Leonard Brown Jr., and daughter-in-law Sue, and a very large extended family. 

She celebrated her 100th birthday on March 16 at her home with family and friends. 

Contributed by her loving family.

Gathering draws firefighters from across New York

WATKINS GLEN, NY — Members of the Sullivan County Bureau of Fire traveled upstate recently to attend the New York State Fire Coordinators’ Association conference.

Those attending from the county included John Hauschild, Sullivan County fire coordinator; and deputy fire coordinators Tom Totten, Jack Halchak and Charlie Rampe. 

Also attending from Sullivan County was Liberty resident and former public safety commissioner Richard Martinkovic, who is currently treasurer of the Fire Coordinators’ Association.

Jackie Bray, commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Service, kicked off the conference with an update on parts of the governor’s proposed 2023 budget and discussed where the fire service fits in. Bray reported that there could be monies for firefighters taking basic and interior fire classes and firefighter officer’s courses.

One of the highlights of the conference, a county spokesperson wrote in a press release, was Sullivan County Court Judge and Lake Huntington firefighter James Farrell’s presentation titled “Social Media Dos and Don’ts.” 

Another presentation featured a full-size electric school bus, demonstrating what the fire service would encounter in the event of an emergency. 

Attendees also received an update on the cancer program in the fire service, plus a case study of the Rockville Centre gas tanker rollover fire on Long Island. 

The last presentation was the most concerning for conference-goers: lithium-ion battery fires. Many of these fires are caused by damaged batteries and non-UL (Underwriters Laboratory)-approved batteries found in common household electronics.

Geba Realty agent receives President’s Producer Award from Century 21

SPARROW BUSH, NY — Geba Realty, owned by Donna Geba, recently received the Century 21 President’s Producer Award.

The annual award is given to sales affiliates who both earn $320,000 in sales production (or who close 71 transaction sides) in a year, and who also receive completed customer surveys for at least 80 percent of their transactions—with an average score of at least 95 percent or better—over two years.

Century 21 Geba Realty is a full-service brokerage located at 386 Rte. 97. For more information, call Donna Geba at 201/874-6788 or email DonnaGebaRealtor@gmail.com .

Library fundraiser at Gina Lenz Photography a success

HONESDALE, PA — The Look Good, Do Good fundraiser, organized by Gina Lenz Photography, generated $1,170 for the Wayne County Public Library.

“The library does so much good for so many people, and holds a special place in my heart,” the photographer said. “My sons and I get to come each week for Toddler Time with Miss Betty. It’s such a wonderful program, my kids love it, and it’s free! I knew I wanted to give back, and this fundraiser was a great way to do just that.”

For the event, Lenz took business portraits and donated the money raised to the library. “Many made extra donations for the cause,” she said.

To learn more about the Wayne County Public Library, visit www.waynelibraries.org or call 570/253-1220. 

To learn more about Gina Lenz Photography, visit www.ginalenzphotography.com or call 570/253-4040. 

Gina Lenz Photography raised $1,170 for the Wayne County Publlc Library recently.