Forestburgh Playhouse announces 2022 season on main stage

FORESTBURGH, NY — The 2022 main-stage lineup is ready at the Forestburgh Playhouse.

The season begins with comedy from Fully Committed, followed by “Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits.” In the latter, the long-running off-Broadway musical revue is a tribute to the greatest stars and songwriters of theatre past.

That’s followed by glitz, glamour and Abba, with “Pageant, the Musical” and “Mamma Mia!”

After that, audiences can enjoy “Something Rotten” and the Broadway hit “Kinky Boots.”

The season wraps up with the play “Constellations.”  

Subscribing offers discounted tickets, preferred seating and a summer of live theatre. A season pass is a ticket to all seven shows, or the Flex Six Pack offers six vouchers to be used for any show in any combination through the season.

To learn more, visit https://www.fbplayhouse.org or call 845/794-1194.

Nonprofits can apply for hotel tax funding

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Tourism Promotion Committee and the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) jointly announced the open application period for funding from the hotel room tax in 2022. The deadline for applications is January 7.

The PMVB supports nonprofit organizations and events along with the county’s tourism promotion committee and the Wayne County commissioners. Funding recipients bring overnight visitors to the county each year, providing additional revenue for area businesses.

Organizations can reach out to PMVB and other community organizations to combine efforts and maximize marketing potentials. Applications can be submitted electronically, a copy can be sent by mail, or can be delivered to the courthouse.

Applications are available now. Email Wayne County CFO Vicky Botjer at vbotjer@waynecountypa.gov, use the PMVB website or at https://www.waynecountypa.gov under the Open Bids tab, to find an application.

Awards will be announced by March 4, 2022.

Greater Pike board members finish terms

MILFORD, PA — Four members of the Greater Pike Community Foundation just completed nine years of service.

Jim Pedranti, Roseann Kalish, Dave Chant and Kirk Mackey finished their nine-year terms of office and stepped down this month from the board of the Greater Pike Community Foundation (GPCF). They were celebrated at a reception at the Tom Quick Inn on December 8.

 “I don’t want to feel sad that you’re stepping down,” said Jenni Hamill, executive director, “but thankful for what you’re leaving behind.”

As a co-founder, Jim Pedranti had a substantial role in the formation of GPCF and served as the board president. Secretary Rosann Kalish joined the board when GPCF was incorporated in 2012 and said, “I watched it grow and it was a treat for me to see it become this entity that people are familiar with now, knowing all the good the foundation does for nonprofits… it’s been very special.”

Dave Chant cited the way the foundation brought people together, both full-time residents and those with second homes, to support various nonprofits and scholarship programs. “People were creative and wanted to be involved.”

“I never fully realized the impact the Greater Pike has and can have on our community until the day I saw a friend of mine on line at a local food bank,” Kirk Mackey said.

Noting that the GPCF reached a milestone of gifting $1 million since it began, Pedranti predicted, “There will be a time when a million dollars will come a lot quicker and it will be that much easier for the foundation to help the community build better lives.”

Nesin Cultural Arts announces spring 2022 programs

MONTICELLO, NY — Nesin Cultural Arts will begin registering students for its performing and fine arts classes on January 3.

Their spring 2022 semester runs from January 31 through May 15.

Programs will operate in person in Monticello, following COVID-19 safety protocols. However, virtual options are available by request.

The group offers professional and affordable arts programs for students of all ages, a spokesman said.

The spring courses include:

Chorus

• Young Children’s Chorus, pre-K through first grade
• Treble Makers Chorus, grades 2-5

Both are directed by Emily McConnell and Jeff Yeung is the accompanist.

• The NCA Chorale, grades 6-12

Directed by Amy Phillips with accompanist Jeff Yeung.

• Honors Chorus, ages 8-18

Directed by Amy Phillips. Students must audition to be accepted into the honors chorus.

Nesin Cultural Arts (NCA) Younger Children’s Chorus students sing with the help of older students from the Treble Makers Chorus and NCA Chorale …

Dance

• First Steps, pre-K-1
• Tiny Dancers, grades 2-5
• Ballet I/Jazz I, grades 6-12
• NCA Dance Company, ages 8-18.

Students must audition to be accepted into the dance company program.

Theatre

• Play Production Practicum, grades 4-12

The NCA theatre program is directed by Alexis Costa.

Visual Arts

• Children’s Art and Crafts, grades K-5
• Drawing, Painting, and Mixed Media, grade 6 and up.

The visual arts programs are directed by Laurie Kilgore.

SCCO Educates

• Aspiring Young Musicians (AYM): Private lessons and ensembles.
• AYM Orchestra: Open to all, enrollment in AYM private lessons is not required. Contact akiko@sccoplayers.org for more information.

Most NCA classes cost $90 per class per semester. Discounts are available when you register for multiple classes. To register or inquire about any NCA chorus, dance, theatre, or visual art classes contact fiona@nesinculturalarts.org or call 845/798-9006. For scholarship information,  contact akiko@sccoplayers.org.

Funding for NCA programs is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts, Episcopal Charities, St. John’s Episcopal Church, New York Life, Laura Jane Musser Fund, Sullivan County Catskills, Stewart’s Shops, M&T Bank, and the Associated Chamber Music Players.

For more information about Nesin Cultural Arts, visit https://nesinculturalarts.org/.

The nonprofit Monticello Elks Lodge raises funds at bingo and other events to provide local elementary school children in Monticello and Fallsburg …

Monticello Elks raise funds for kids’ coats

MONTICELLO, NY — There’s fun and food every Tuesday at the Monticello Elks Lodge on North Street. And it’s all for a good cause.

Weekly bingo can get players some extra cash, but it’s all part of a larger Elks project: collecting and donating coats for kids, as well as supporting other important causes.

Bingo takes place at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Through events like the bingo games, the lodge supports local veterans, Scouts, Little League and the Federation for the Homeless. But considering that temperatures are dropping, it also, importantly, provides coats and gloves to elementary school students.

For more information, contact bingo chair and past Exalted Ruler Ronni Scannell at 845/701-0695.

United Way Chief Professional Officer Julian Dawson and Treasurer Linda Barriger from the Monticello Kiwanis display donated games and toys.

Holiday spirit from the Monticello Kiwanis

MONTICELLO, NY — Members of the Kiwanis Club of  Monticello donated games and toys to be distributed to local families in need by the United Way of Sullivan County.

Since the club canceled its annual holiday dinner once more, United Way Chief Professional Officer Julian Dawson met club treasurer Linda Barriger at her office to pick up monetary donations and a variety of games, dolls, basketballs and more.

The mission of the Monticello Kiwanis Club, club members say, is to improve the world one child and one community at a time.  

For further information, contact President Marvin Rappaport at 845/701-1655.

The exterior of the Catskill Art Society building; the capital project will expand the space for more exhibitions and events.

Work is ongoing inside the Catskill Art Society building. A new grant will help finish the project.

Catskill Art Society receives grant

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — The Catskill Art Society will receive a grant of $49,500 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

The grant is part of an overall $105 million investment in the arts by the state, meant to help the arts and cultural sector recover from pandemic-related impacts.  

The society cultivates interest, enjoyment and participation in the arts in the county, and helps artists develop professionally. They hold art-related events throughout the year and their venues allow artists to showcase their work.

“On behalf of the CAS Board of Directors and staff, we would like to say thank you to the New York State Council on the Arts and Governor Hochul for recognizing the positive impact CAS has on our community,” said Robyn Almquist, board vice president and interim director.

Their main building at 48 Main St. in Livingston Manor is undergoing an extensive renovation project and is scheduled to reopen in fall 2022. The expanded space will host exhibitions of artists of international repute, making the CAS a regional arts destination, according to a news release.

The society will host a long-term presentation of James Turrell’s light installation “Avaar” from 1976 and a site-specific wall drawing from Sol LeWitt in the new space.

A new second-floor gallery and performing arts spaces will offer a variety of single-artist presentations, live performances and film screenings for larger audiences.

For more information, or to learn more about the Catskill Art Society, visit http://www.catskillartsociety.org/.

Connecting everyone at Sullivan Renaissance

ONLINE — Get ready to Renaissance.

Sullivan Renaissance will host G2R Winter Symposium Get Ready to Renaissance! at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 19, via Zoom.

The event explores how we’re connected. Learn more about the O&W Rail Trails in a talk from County Historian John Conway, Planning Commissioner Freda Eisenberg and Heather Jacksy from the Sullivan County Planning and the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance.

Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development initiative of the Gerry Foundation.

G2R is the kick-off event for the organization’s 2022 grant season. Renaissance program staff will discuss beautification grants and funding for business assistance, neighborhood revitalization, municipal partnerships. You can learn more about volunteer and intern opportunities too.

“The G2R event is a great way to get caught up on some exciting projects happening in our County,” said Denise Frangipane, Sullivan Renaissance executive director.

Visit https://www.SullivanRenaissance.org to register.

To learn more, see its website above, follow it on Facebook or Instagram at SullivanRenaissance, or call 845/295-2445.