DVAA’s Salon Series returns

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) has brought back its Salon Series, featuring in-person programming, live-streaming and a theme of “building up.”

It takes place at 2 p.m. on select days—usually Saturdays—beginning February 5. The series will be held at the Krause Recital Hall on the second floor of the DVAA, which is located at 37 Main St. in Narrowsburg.

The Salon Series will be live-streamed on the DVAA Facebook page.

This year’s series will feature performances and events that focus on the concept of “building up“—the process of creative construction.

The first workshop, “Movement for Artists,” will be held on Saturday, February 5, at 2 p.m. Led by professional dancer and wellness coach Amanda McCormick, this hour-long movement workshop is intended for creative makers to physically re-connect with their creativity.

Attendance is free of charge and open to the public. Advance registration is required for in-person attendees.

For more information, visit the DVAA website at https://delawarevalleyartsalliance.org/ or call 845/252-7576.

Opera singers wanted

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Delaware Valley Opera is looking for opera singers for its 2022 and 2023 seasons.

The group is casting for “Rigoletto,” “Pirates of Penzance,” “Merry Widow,” “Faust,” and “Rape of Lucretia.”

Auditions will be held on Saturday, February 19 at the  Ripley Grier Studios in New York City and on Sunday, February 20 at the Delaware Valley Opera Center in Lake Huntington.  A pianist will be provided.

To register for a date and time, text or call Carol Castel at 646/335-2457.

Make tiny art and display it at the Crawford Library

MONTICELLO, NY — Ever want to paint something small?

The E.B. Crawford Public Library in Monticello is handing out 3-inch-square canvases for aspiring artists in the library district to paint. The works will be exhibited in a Tiny Art Show at the library.

All ages are welcome.

Pick up your canvas starting now and bring it back for display by Wednesday, February 16. Works will be displayed through the end of the month.

Artists can take their work home beginning March 1.

For more information or to reserve your canvas, call the library at 845/794-4660.

The art of heart

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Arts Alliance (WCAA) has announced its 2022 outdoor summer arts project, titled HeARTS ALIVE.

The arts alliance is looking for artists to paint and local businesses to sponsor and host 50 heart sculptures.

The project builds on the success of last year’s photo panels. “Some people made a point to visit all panels,” a spokesperson for the WCAA noted, “creating a great interactive adventure for the whole family.”

This year, the message is that Wayne County cares.  The goal is for businesses to sponsor 50 sculptures, which will be painted by local artists. A trail map will be posted online and a QR code will be on each piece so people can explore the county as they visit each sculpture.

The sculptures will be placed Memorial Day weekend, and will be on view through the summer. After Labor Day, the sculptures will be auctioned off.

Interested artists should contact Ellen Silberlicht at ellensilberlicht@gmail.com.

Local students thank veterans with valentines

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Veterans Service Agency (VSA) will once again present a “Valentines for Vets” exhibit in the lobby of the County Government Center, 100 North St., in Monticello.

The Valentine’s Day cards will be on display from Tuesday, February 8 through Tuesday, February 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The program is part of the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week.

“Every year, local students create special valentine cards to brighten the lives of our veterans,” said VSA director John Crotty. “Last year, thanks to the efforts of teachers and students, more than 1,500 valentines were delivered to our hospitalized veterans at the VA Medical Centers in Castle Point and Albany.”

For more information, call the Veterans Service Agency at 845/807-0233.

‘You’ve Got Hate Mail’ at Hawley Hub

HAWLEY, PA — The Hawley Hub will present a Valentine’s Day dinner-theatre event featuring the Ritz Company Playhouse in “You’ve Got Hate Mail’’ on February 11, 12 and 13.

The off-Broadway comedy takes a look at the world of online hookups and break-ups when an extramarital affair goes horribly wrong, thanks to an X-rated e-mail sent to the wrong mailbox.

A buffet-style dinner will be catered by the Wallenpaupack Brewing Company and is included in dinner-theatre tickets.  Wine and beer will be catered by the Three Hammers Winery and the Wallenpaupack Brewing Company.

Dinner will be served on the front ground-floor level of the Hawley Hub at shared tables. Seats are reserved in advance. The show will take place in the new event space at the Hawley Hub located on the ground level, to the rear.

On February 11 and 12, dinner begins at 6 p.m., with the show at 8 p.m. On February 13, dinner begins at 2 p.m. and the show begins at 4 p.m. Tickets for just the show cost $20 each, and tickets for dinner and the show cost $50 each. Tickets can be purchased online at https://thehawleyhub.com or https://www.ritzplayhouse.com.

The Hawley Hub is located at 318 Main Ave. in Hawley. For more information on the show, call the Hawley Hub at 272/336-0575.

High school student exhibition at Peters Valley School of Craft

LAYTON, NJ — Students from Delaware Valley High School and more will exhibit their work at the annual High School Student Exhibition at the Peters Valley School of Craft.

The exhibition will take place from Saturday, February 5 through Sunday, February 27, at the Sally D. Francisco Gallery. An opening reception will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m on February 5.

The exhibition showcases 2D and 3D craft media art by students in grades 9 through 12.

Work ranges from ceramics, painting, photography, collage, textiles, jewelry and mixed media sculptures.  

This year Peters Valley is awarding additional scholarships to high school students at the Teen Arts Festival and the Wallkill Valley Invitational Art Show. Apply for scholarships on their website at https://www.petersvalley.org.  

The gallery at the Peters Valley School of Craft is located at 19 Kuhn Rd., in Layton, NJ, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masks are required to enter the gallery.

For more information, visit https://www.petersvalley.org.

Celebrate regional foods with a roadside marker

SYRACUSE, NY — Quick: name our regional foods.

Pigeon pie?

Colcannon?

Smoked eels on toast?

Probably none of those. But if you can identify a dish that really embodies our area, you might want to connect with the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

The organization’s Hungry for History™ grant program pays for the creation of roadside markers that celebrate the history of America’s most iconic and beloved food dishes.

 Launched in 2021 to help communities showcase their unique foods, the program looks at the role regional food specialties have played in defining American culture and forging community identity.

To qualify for the grant, the regional food must be a prepared, ready-to-eat dish that originated before 1960 and is composed of at least two ingredients. The dish must still be available to eat today and have historical significance in the surrounding community. All applications must also include primary source documentation that proves the food’s authenticity and significance to the region.

Hungry for History letters of intent are due online by Monday, March 7, with the grant application deadline set for Monday, April 11. The foundation will award marker grants in July 2022. Prospective applicants must apply through a local 501(c)(3) organization, such as a historical society, nonprofit academic institution, or a local, state, or federal government entity.

 “We look forward to helping communities across the country celebrate their unique—and delicious—regional food specialties that are part of the fabric of our collective identities and heritage,” said Deryn Pomeroy, Trustee and Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Pomeroy Foundation.

 For more information about online application requirements or to submit a letter of intent, visit https://www.wgpfoundation.org/history/hungry-for-history/.

Farm Service Agency webinars return

ONLINE — A series of free webinars will be presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New York State. FSA Fridays in February will cover a variety of programs and services that FSA offers agricultural producers in New York. Topics include an overview of available programs and loans, facility loans, disaster programs and loan programs.

The hour-long webinars will be held every Friday in February at 12 noon, beginning Friday, February 4. The webinars are free of charge; pre-registration is required to get a link to each webinar. Please register at https://fsafridays.eventbrite.com or email lynnette.wright@usda.gov.

The first webinar introduces the loans, programs and services offered.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/32IzJ3D.

Party like it’s the 1920s

HAWLEY, PA — The Foundation for Harmony Presents is holding a 1920s-themed party on Friday, February 25 at the Hawley Bank. It features the South Side Five, a dance, gypsy-jazz, swing and western-swing band.

Partygoers are encouraged to dress in their best 1920s clothing for a chance to win a $150 value gift card to Harmony In The Woods summer shows.

“The foundation values showcasing incredible talent at our home venue, Harmony in the Woods and elsewhere,” said creative director Jill Carletti. “We’re fortunate to have such a wonderful band in our own back yard, and we are very excited for this event.”

Cocoon Catering’s cash bar will mix up Prohibition-style cocktails and more at the teller desks. The lower floor will be open for seating and dancing, with the band set up on the balcony above the dance floor.

Tickets cost $15 each. Participants must show proof of full vaccination prior to entry and masking is highly encouraged. Prizes for best 1920s dress and mask will be announced at the end of the event.

For more information, to check out the band, or to buy tickets visit http://www.harmonyinthewoods.org.

To reach the Foundation for Harmony Presents by phone, call 570/588-8077. If any tickets are left, they can be purchased at the door.

Love, hope and poetry with Sullivan County’s poet laureate

ONLINE — Find love, hope and perhaps a little romantic writing inspiration just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Sullivan County Poet Laureate Eric Baylin will hold a Zoom poetry-writing workshop on Thursday, February 10, beginning at 6 p.m. The theme is “Love and Hope.”

Baylin is a poet and visual artist with more than 50 years of experience in teaching students of all ages. Participants will meet other poets and those interested in learning more about poetry in this online workshop. Participants are invited to bring a poem that they consider successful to our theme, perhaps a poem of their own or a work by another poet.

People with all levels of experience are welcome to join this workshop, which is sponsored by the Western Sullivan Public Library.

For more information, and to register for the Zoom link, visit the calendar on the library’s website, https://www.WSPLonline.org, or call 845/252-3360.