Learning fire safety from one who knows and more

What's going on in your community November 25 to December 1

Posted 11/24/21

Columnist Tony Bonavist wins OWAA award

NARROWSBURG, NY — Anthony Bonavist, who writes the “Ramblings of a Catskill Fly Fisher” column for the River Reporter, has just won third …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Learning fire safety from one who knows and more

What's going on in your community November 25 to December 1

Posted

Columnist Tony Bonavist wins OWAA award

NARROWSBURG, NY — Anthony Bonavist, who writes the “Ramblings of a Catskill Fly Fisher” column for the River Reporter, has just won third prize in the Excellence in Craft column competition from the Outdoor Writers Association of America.

The prizewinning River Reporter columns were “Dramatic changes in a six-mile difference,” “A fishing tale from another time” and “Another Catskill fall.”

Congratulations, Tony! We absolutely expect more prize-winners in the future.

Read the award-winning columns here:

https://www.riverreporter.com/stories/dramatic-changes-in-a-six-mile-difference,39880

https://www.riverreporter.com/stories/a-fishing-tale-from-another-time,40352

https://www.riverreporter.com/stories/another-catskill-fall,40088

Learning fire safety from one who knows

MONTICELLO, NY — Students at the George L. Cooke Elementary School received an important lesson about fire safety from a familiar face—Deputy Michael Barrett.

In addition to serving as the school’s resource officer, Barrett volunteers as an EMT, firefighter and fire investigator.

During his presentations in individual classrooms, he discussed the importance of community service and how each of these roles plays a vital part in community safety.

The students got a literal look at the many hats Barrett wears, as he transformed from deputy to firefighter in front of their eyes, stopping to demonstrate each piece of the firefighter uniform and its purpose. Students also learned practical information about fire safety, such as how to check smoke detectors, create an evacuation plan and how to get a firefighter’s attention in an emergency.

“We’re grateful for the work Deputy Barrett does here every day, but we’re particularly grateful for his willingness to always go above and beyond in creating positive and engaging experiences for our students,” Principal Virginia Gallet said.

Free online suicide prevention training

ONLINE — Sullivan County has the highest suicide mortality rate in the Hudson Valley.

It’s time to learn how to help someone in crisis.

SUNY Sullivan’s Community Learning Program, in partnership with Sullivan 180, presents a free online course in suicide prevention training for the community at large.

QPR Suicide Prevention Training will teach you how to recognize the warning signs of suicide and employ the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) method. The long-range goal is to train several hundred Sullivan community members in this life-saving intervention.

Think of it, organizers say, as a form of CPR—an invaluable and potentially life-saving emergency response aimed at those in crisis.

The two-hour course is being offered, via Zoom, on the first Wednesday of each month, beginning December 1, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The course will run through May 2022.

For more information, contact Jenny Sanchez, Sullivan 180’s mental health program manager at JSanchez@Sullivan180.org. To register, go to https://bit.ly/3HHpwnJ.

Krysta Kelly appointed lead technical director of microbiology at Sullivan County Labs

FERNDALE, NY — Krysta Kelly, a lifelong resident of Sullivan County, was named the lead technical director of microbiology at Sullivan County Labs on October 28.

Kelly graduated from Liberty Central School in 2012 and went on to study at SUNY Sullivan, where she graduated in 2014 with an associate’s degree in liberal arts and science. She is a 2021 graduate of SUNY Cobleskill, where she received a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology.

She has worked at Sullivan County Labs (SCL) since 2019.

Her parents are the late JeanAnne Kelly of Ferndale and Jim (Stephanie) Kelly of Bethel.

Sullivan County Labs is a division of AG Environmental RSC, LLC. It focuses on environmental testing.

Originally opened for the convenience of local well owners and businesses who need to determine their water safety and evaluate potential contaminants, today it is a state-of-the-art lab, a news release notes, that offers a wide range of water analyses for potable, recreational, and process water (wastewater sewage treatment plants).

Public water system suppliers, which are regulated by the New York State Department of Health (or the PA DEP), have a local business to test their water and satisfy government water quality compliance requirements. A.G Environmental/Sullivan County Labs is certified by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program and CDC’s Elite program for legionella testing.

Aktion Club members and advisors proudly display Thanksgiving baskets. Kiwanians Jane Sorensen, left, Sheila Lashinsky and Sue Kasofsky, Aktion Club members Gary Walling, Willie Conklin, James Santinelli and Aktion Club advisor Kim Loucks.
Aktion Club members and advisors proudly display Thanksgiving baskets. Kiwanians Jane Sorensen, left, Sheila Lashinsky and Sue Kasofsky, Aktion Club …
Federation for the Homeless director Kathy Kreiter, left, Aktion Club advisor Kim Loucks and the Federation’s Ruby Ehlers display a Thanksgiving basket from Aktion Club members.
Federation for the Homeless director Kathy Kreiter, left, Aktion Club advisor Kim Loucks and the Federation’s Ruby Ehlers display a Thanksgiving …

Aktion Club of Sullivan helps needy families, veterans

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — These days, it seems like people need help more than ever.

The Aktion Club of Sullivan is doing its share to make people’s lives easier.

In November, the members made cards for veterans. They collected nonperishable food items from club members, agency reps and Kiwanis co-advisors and had fun decorating and filling baskets that were distributed to needy families in several school districts in the county as well as to the Federation for the Homeless and United Way of Sullivan County.    

Members of the club, which is co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Clubs of Monticello and Woodridge, are individuals with various disabilities and who are affiliated with ARC—Greater Hudson Valley, the New Hope Community and the Center for Discovery.  

Junior Dabashi, owner of Key Food Marketplace, works with community organization. Here he receives an award from the Greater Pike Community Foundation's Maryanne Monte.
Junior Dabashi, owner of Key Food Marketplace, works with community organization. Here he receives an award from the Greater Pike Community …
Centa Quinn receives award from Greater Pike Grants Committee Chair Maryanne Monte.
Centa Quinn receives award from Greater Pike Grants Committee Chair Maryanne Monte.

Greater Pike honorees featured in video

MILFORD, PA — Two area residents who embody the spirit of philanthropy and inspire others to do the same are being honored by the Greater Pike Community Foundation in a new video production.

“The video will be a well-deserved tribute to two individuals,” said Jenni Hammill, executive director of Greater Pike, “who have given back to the community in a large way.”

As honorees, Dabashi and Quinn received $1,000 each, which they will donate to the nonprofit of their choice. Dabashi has chosen the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Milford and Quinn will give to Milford’s Community House and the Milford Public Library.

“I’m happy and honored that people appreciate what we do,” said Dabashi who, as the owner of Key Food Marketplace, works with local businesses and customers to support many different community events.

Quinn, with Pike County roots that go back many decades, has served the community through jobs and volunteerism. Perhaps best known as the familiar face of the Pike County Commissioners office since 1955, Quinn continues to serve the library and Community House.

“I am very proud of this award,” she said, “but I don’t blow my own horn.”

If you’d like to make a donation to honor Centa Quinn and/or Junior Dabashi, you can do so online at greaterpike.org/funds then scroll down to the Fund for Greater Pike, or send a check made out to Fund for Greater Pike and mail to PO Box 992, Milford, PA 18337; write the honoree’s name in the memo field and your donation will be acknowledged.

For more information contact Jenni Hamill, Executive Director, at 570/832-4686, jennihamill@greaterpike.org, or visit https://www.greaterpike.org and Facebook.com/GreaterPike.

Monticello Kiwanis donates turkeys and funds to United Way

MONTICELLO, NY — Members of the Monticello Kiwanis club donated and presented Julian Dawson, chief professional officer of the United Way of Sullivan County, with two turkeys and a check for $350 to purchase additional turkeys and Thanksgiving food trimmings.  The food items were distributed to families in need in the community for their Thanksgiving enjoyment.

Volunteers honored for service on Older New Yorkers’ Day

NEW YORK STATE — The state Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) celebrated Older New Yorkers’ Day with a video presentation recognizing approximately 90 honorees for their service.

Two were from Sullivan County. They were honored for their exceptional service to older adults and others in the community.

Jane Luchsinger of Narrowsburg and Sue Kasofsky of Woodridge were nominated by their county offices on aging for recognition at NYSOFA’s annual Older New Yorkers’ Day celebration.

The virtual celebration premiered on November 5 on social media.

Luchsinger, a Tusten Town Councilwoman, has donated her time to Sullivan Renaissance; Bethel Woods; the Narrowsburg Beautification Group; the Western Sullivan Public Library,Tusten-Cochecton Branch; the Tusten Historical Society; the Lions Club and many other organizations.

Kasofsky has spent more than 10 years serving her community through Kiwanis, including many years as chair of its scholarship committee, which provides financial support to college-bound graduates of Fallsburg High School for acquiring books.

For a more detailed profile of each exceptional honoree, please see the award program book and get a link to NYSOFA’s video presentation on our Older New Yorkers’ Day landing page at https://aging.ny.gov/older-new-yorkers-day-2021-epk.

Lise-Anne Deoul, director of Sullivan County’s Office for Aging, said: “Susan Kasofsky and Jane Luchsinger embody what makes Sullivan County a special place. A sense of community—the bond of neighbors helping neighbors—is demonstrated strongly by all that they do. Their commitment to volunteerism is an important extension of the services offered by Sullivan County’s Office for Aging, increasing program capacity in ways that allow older adults in our community to remain safely at home, especially during these uncertain times. The work of volunteers like Susan Kasofsky and Jane Luchsinger shows that flexibility and coordination are key to the success of programs offering support. People of all ages are positively impacted by their volunteer efforts, which help build multi-generation-friendly communities.”

Throughout New York State, over 935,000 individuals age 55 or older contribute approximately 495 million hours of service to their communities annually. This translates into an annual economic output of $13.8 billion.

People over the age of 50 also account for the majority of volunteering, philanthropy, and donation activities in the U.S. Older New Yorkers and Baby Boomers make up 63 percent – $379 billion – of all the household income generated in New York State, supporting local businesses and schools while contributing significantly to the local and state economy.

Tony Bonavist, fly fishing, fire safety, George L. Cooke Elementary School, suicide prevention, Sullivan County Labs, microbiology, biotechnology, Aktion Club of Sullivan, Kiwanis Clubs of Monticello and Woodridge, Greater Pike Community Foundation, Older New Yorkers' Day

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here