StoryWalk in Callicoon

CALLICOON, NY — The Delaware Free Branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library (WSPL) system offers a unique way to experience “The Mitten,” a picture book by Jan Brett.

Starting Friday, January 20, families can walk through Callicoon and find each page of the book displayed in a different store window.

Start at the library, which is located at 45 Lower Main St., to receive an activity sheet with a map of the page locations. The pages will be available until Monday, January 30.

Here’s another activity—at any branch of the WSPL, until Tuesday, January 31, bring in a gently used puzzle that has 500 pieces or more to donate or swap out for another puzzle.

Make sure it has all the pieces.

For more information on any of these events, visit www.wsplonline.org.

Roscoe author publishes short story collection

ROSCOE, NY — Jonathan Hunt grew up in the Beaverkill valley of New York’s Catskill Mountains, then moved to Los Angeles, where he ran an international consulting firm for many years.

Now he’s retired and back in the valley, and has published a book full of stories about the area. Titled “Beaverkill Road: An Odd Assortment of Tales From a Haunted Valley,” the collection contains loosely connected stories about the region, according to a press release from the publisher.

These semi-historical tales weave together a nonlinear picture of events that may or may not have happened in this special place, according to the press release. The stories also focus on how a long-established local community has been devastated by the gentrification of rural areas.

The book has recently been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. To purchase it, visit bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com.

Lee Karasik talks about understanding disability

MONTICELLO, NY — Lee Karasik is a musician, photographer, EMT, disability educator and a self-proclaimed foodie. He was born with a mild form of cerebral palsy and is on a mission to clear up misconceptions that are floating around regarding what it’s like to live every day with varying ability.

Karasik will be at the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library on Tuesday, January 24 at 6 p.m. for an educational discussion, followed by an open Q&A forum. All ages and abilities are welcome to attend.

The library is located at 479 Broadway.

Register at ebcpl.libcal.com/calendar.

For more information, call 845/794-4660.

The world in watercolor

MIDDLETOWN, NY — The North East Watercolor Society’s 2023 member exhibition will open on Tuesday, January 24 at Orange Hall Gallery and Loft, located at SUNY Orange.

The exhibit continues until Friday, March 17.

Watercolor artists from throughout the region have been coming together since 1973, led by the famous illustrator John Pike, who called the group the Orange County Watercolor Society. Eventually numbers grew, and the name was changed to the North East Watercolor Society (NEWS).  

With 50 years of artists—many local—you can see a wide range of subjects and techniques, and an abundance of color in our present gray landscape, a society member said.

To lift the spirits further, the society will hold a reception beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 26 at the gallery, featuring music, food and a watercolor demonstration.

Maryann Burton (NEWS signature artist) is a juror for the show and will give a watercolor demonstration commencing at 2:30 p.m.

The gallery’s regular hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. Days and hours could change when there are events at Orange Hall.

The Orange Hall is located at 24 Grandview Ave. Free parking is available in Parking Lot #1, adjacent to the hall.

For more information, email the cultural affairs office at cultural@sunyorange.edu.

‘Dream on the Farm’ supported by National Endowment for the Arts grant

DAMASCUS, PA — Farm Arts Collective will receive an award of $10,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Challenge America program. The grant will support the “Dream on the Farm” production in 2023.

Now in its fourth year, “Dream on the Farm” is a decade-long series of plays and workshops that focus on climate change and environmental health. The productions take place on Willow Wisp Organic Farm, the home of the collective, among other locations.

There are 262 Challenge America awards, totaling $2.62 million, announced by the NEA as part of its first round of grants in 2023.

“National Endowment for the Arts support gives our organization the financial means to create meaningful performances, and calls-to-action in our community,” said Tannis Kowalchuk, the founding artistic director of Farm Arts Collective. “This recognition also invites us into a national conversation, and connects us to other communities who are working tremendously hard to bring culture and betterment into the lives of fellow Americans.”