Veterans support Metzger, Pike COVID relief funds and more

What's new in the community October 8-14

Posted 10/9/20

COVID-relief grants from Greater Pike Fund cover wide categories

MILFORD, PA — Greater Pike Community Foundation awarded more than $20,000 through five grants to area nonprofits in the final …

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Veterans support Metzger, Pike COVID relief funds and more

What's new in the community October 8-14

Posted

COVID-relief grants from Greater Pike Fund cover wide categories

MILFORD, PA — Greater Pike Community Foundation awarded more than $20,000 through five grants to area nonprofits in the final round of funding from the Greater Pike COVID Relief Fund. 

Pike Autism Support Services of NEPA was among the recipients. Executive Director JeanneMarie Passaro said the grant “will help keep our doors open” and provide services to families and individuals with autism in northeast Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. Passaro explained her organization seeks to inform and educate the public on many fronts, working with law enforcement personnel for example, to help them better interact with an autistic individual. Pike Autism also provides scholarships to parents for workshops and training. 

The Milford Fire Department also received a grant. Fire Chief Jeff Christensen said, “We will be using the money to help ease the impact from being unable to hold our fundraising events by purchasing much-needed fuel for our emergency vehicles.”

Others receiving grants include the Center for Developmental Disabilities to help purchase distance learning equipment, Dingmans Ferry Theater for its inaugural performance and Pocono Environmental Education Center for daycare services.

This latest round, totaling more than $20,000, concludes the Greater Pike COVID Relief Fund’s awards.  However, donations to help local nonprofits with emerging needs can be made to the Fund for Greater Pike online at www.greaterpike.org.

Sullivan 180 recruiting new volunteers

FERNDALE, NY — Sullivan 180, a nonprofit organization with a mission to build a healthier Sullivan County, is now recruiting for its fall class of volunteers to become trained as Community Health Champions (CHCs). CHCs receive online training and certification through Talance, a nationally recognized e-learning platform, in four core areas, including health education and health coaching techniques.

Community Health Champions work on areas such as tutoring and mentoring youth, smoking cessation, improved diet and exercise regimes or stress reduction in their own neighborhoods, schools, churches, worksite, and civic organizations. They can also offer peer health education, tips and motivation for those who want to take proactive steps in improving their health and lives; they also assist in various volunteer projects.

For more information, or to sign up, contact Sullivan 180’s Director of Health and Wellness Meaghan Mullally-Gorr via email at mmullally-gorr@sullivan180.org or call 845/295-2680, and visit www.Sullivan180.org.

Monticello Rotary’s first ‘Cop of the Month’ luncheon

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County Sheriff’s Deputy Markus Pratti was on his way to deliver COVID samples from the Sullivan County Jail to the lab in Albany on August 17. While driving up an Albany street, he was flagged down, and he saw two figures slumped in the seats of a sedan. He called 911 for assistance before pulling the two gunshot victims from the car. After helping the victims before EMS arrived, Deputy Pratti assisted his fellow deputy by maintaining crowd control.

Monticello Rotary President Todd Grodin, inspired by Jamaica Queens Rotary Club’s “Cop of the Month” luncheon, introduced the idea and then created the Monticello Rotary’s first T.A.C.T.I.C.A.L. award; it stands for “Thank A Cop That Is Compassionate And Laudable.” On September 22, Deputy Pratti was selected to be the club’s ambassador for the inception award of this plaque. The plaque and the dinners for the sheriffs and state police in attendance were sponsored by Carmine Ribaudo’s business, Riggs Plumbing and Heating.

DHC announces ‘Nature Heals: Restore, Renew, Reconnect’ photo contest winners

REGION — Through summer 2020, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC) held its third annual juried photo contest, “Nature Heals: Restore, Renew, Reconnect.” The contest invited local photographers to capture striking nature photos from the Upper Delaware River region in five categories: landscape, wildlife, macro, water and, new this year, a youth category for photographers under 18.

The Conservancy is pleased to announce the winners of the contest: In the landscape category, the winner is Jeffrey Sidle of Hawley, PA. Runners-up are Pat Ashley of Mt. Laurel, NJ and Laurie Lobbregt of Milford, PA. In the wildlife category, the winner is Kathleen Colligan of Beach Lake, PA. Runners-up are Cristina Marchello of East Stroudsburg, PA and Kathe Williams of Hawley, PA. In the water category, winners (tie for first place) are John Musick of Gloucester, VA and Stacy Cohen of White Lake, NY. The runner-up is Peter Kolesar of Yulan, NY. In the macro category, the winner is Melissa Olivo Heller of Matamoras, PA. Runners-up are Jonathan Fox of White Lake, NY and Ann LeFevre of East Stroudsburg, PA. Youth category winners are Jesse Berman, age 12; Lorelei Maerz, age 6; and Reilly Mooney, age 16. The People’s Choice winners are Jeffrey Sidle of Hawley, PA and Kathleen Colligan of Beach Lake, PA; the Conservancy Staff Pick is Milicent Wightman, Beach Lake, PA.

The ARTery Gallery in Milford, PA will host the conservancy from Thursday, November 12 until Monday, December 7 in an exhibition featuring the winning photographs as well as artwork created by the gallery’s member artists.

For more information, call 570/-226-3164 or 845/583-1010 or visit www.DelawareHighlands.org.

Veterans gather to support Metzger

REGION — On September 25, local veterans, along with veteran advocates, elected officials and community leaders, came together at the Town of Wallkill Veterans Memorial Park to endorse Sen. Jen Metzger’s reelection campaign for New York State Senate. The event, led by Ulster County Executive and United States Army veteran Pat Ryan, included speakers and attendees who served in the Korean, Vietnam and Iraq wars and in the National Guard. 

Ulster County Executive and U.S. Army Iraq War veteran Pat Ryan said, “I am really proud to support Jen... The new funding Senator Metzger worked to secure for the Vet2Vet program in Ulster County, and also in Sullivan County, will help veterans who need it most. I enthusiastically endorse Jen and look forward to working hard to keep her in office.”

For more information, visit www.jenmetzger.com.

Monticello Kiwanis install new officers and directors

MONTICELLO, NY — The Kiwanis Club of Monticello held its 74th annual Installation of Officers on September 21. This was the first time it was held virtually due to the pandemic. Newly elected Hudson River West Division Lieutenant Governor Hazel Goldstein installed the following club officers for 2020-2021:  president Marvin Rappaport, vice president Karen Ellsweig, treasurer Linda Barriger and secretary Kathy Garlick.  New directors installed are Jeff Siegel and Ellen Nesin.  

Rappaport said he is honored to be elected to a second term. Despite the adversities that the Club faced this year, Rappaport stated that the purpose and mission of the club remains the same: “To help and give back to the community that we all care about.”

For more information, contact president Marvin Rappaport at 845/701-1655.  

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