Big things are happening in Tiny Town!

MONTICELLO, NY — Monticello families, district leaders, school board members and folks from the Every Person Influences Children (EPIC) program—including Chase third-grade student and EPIC student liaison Josephine Marotta—stopped by the St. John Street Community School on January 18 to celebrate the grand opening of Tiny Town.

The new initiative is aimed at equipping children from birth to age three—and their families—with the skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. 

For the educators in the room, this means helping children develop fine motor skills, and to give kids familiarity with reading and numbers. 

For the families and their young children, this means a fun afternoon of play and socialization.

The district first implemented the Tiny Town program in 2019 at the Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary School. The brainchild of district staff members Sarah Mootz and Jill Yanetta, the program gave the tiniest Panthers and their families a place to play, learn and connect.

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and the district’s restructuring at the two village schools, Tiny Town closed its doors at the Rutherford School. 

However, when the district’s new preschool program opened at the St. John Street Community School, it seemed a natural fit for Tiny Town’s new home.

The new Tiny Town is managed by a partnership between the Monticello Central School District and the EPIC program. There are two to three scheduled sessions per week. Each session begins with 45 minutes of unstructured playtime for children and their families, and there are plenty of age-appropriate toys to play with, a district spokesperson said. 

After playtime comes activity time, and kids and families can explore learning together.

Registration is required, and Monticello families can register or learn more by emailing EPIC family engagement program manager Jane Sorensen at JSorensen@k12mcsd.net or calling 845/807-6332.

Tiny Town is a place where kids and their families can play, learn and connect.

Changes, new leadership at Greater Liberty Chamber of Commerce

LIBERTY, NY — Jack Bodolosky will take over as acting president of the Greater Liberty Chamber of Commerce.

He is the founder and president of Companion Coffee, a nonprofit group that raises money for veterans and their pets. Bodolosky is also affiliated with the Animal Hospital of Sullivan County in Ferndale.

The chamber’s board unanimously voted him in on January 20. 

Long-time president Russell Reeves highlighted the chamber’s many accomplishments, which include 25 years of the Fouth of July festival, business grants during the pandemic to help its business members remain open, and its establishment of the Sullivan County Soap Box Derby, just to name a few. 

Reeves will remain on the board.

Members of the chamber look forward to assisting Bodolosky in serving the greater Liberty area businesses, a spokesperson wrote, and continuing the chamber’s goals and activities. 

Chamber meetings will resume in February. and will be announced on its website and social media, and via email.

The Greater Liberty Chamber of Commerce is a 100 percent volunteer organization, and is funded entirely through its own efforts. For more information, or to learn how to join the chamber or volunteer, call 845/292-9797 or email libertynychamber@gmail.com. You can also visit the Greater Liberty Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

The Greater Liberty Chamber of Commerce supports member businesses. Pictured are board members Jean Dermer, left; Russell Reeves; Verna Spina; and …

The importance of children’s dental health

LIBERTY, NY — February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and PRASAD is using the time to raise awareness.

The professionals behind the kids’ dental health program (PRASAD CDHP) know all too well the impact that oral health can have on the lives of children. 

In the U.S., a spokesperson said, over 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental health problems or pain. Dental cavities are the single most common chronic childhood disease—five times more common than asthma. 

The daily reality for children with untreated oral disease is often persistent pain, inability to eat comfortably, damaged teeth and distraction from play and learning—all issues that are detrimental to a child’s overall health, self-esteem and general well-being. 

Parents can take simple but effective steps to set children on the right path. They should make sure that children brush their teeth twice a day and see a dentist every six months. Good oral hygiene techniques and consistent dental care will lead to healthy, happy smiles, boosting confidence and positively impacting overall health. 

Since 1998, PRASAD CDHP has provided excellent preventive and restorative dental health care for children, filling a serious need in the community. For more information, visit www.prasadcdhp.org or call 845/434-0376.

Cooperage to launch mobile farm market

HONESDALE, PA — It’s an accessible, affordable and more equitable way for people to buy fresh, local food. For some, it could arrive right on their doorsteps.

At the end of 2022, the Cooperage Project received grant funding to create the Northern Poconos Mobile Farm Market. 

A system that brings food closer to people reduces barriers to access and provides greater purchasing power, a spokesperson for the Cooperage said. 

“While the mobile market will reach underserved consumers, it will also benefit small businesses and producers by reducing product loss and increasing market opportunities,” he added.

The market aims to launch in early June of this year, and will serve residents of Wayne County. 

Market sites will initially be senior centers and senior/disabled housing complexes. Additional locations could include libraries, community health centers, and other areas where people gather. Products available will include a variety of greens, root and storage vegetables, seasonal fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, meats, honey, syrup, and other products made, grown, or harvested in the Northern Poconos region.

And it’s a job opportunity. The Cooperage is now accepting applications for a manager to head up the program. A full description of the job is available at the link below. Applications are due Friday, February 17.

To learn more about the mobile market, visit thecooperageproject.org.