Sullivan Renaissance Annual Conference HUGE SUCCESS

Steve Vegliante and Randy Resnick

First, do apologize (I do that a lot) for being AFK from the blog for a few days, but with the onset (almost) of spring here in Sullivan County, there are a lot of goings on.  This past Saturday I attended the Sullivan Renaissance Annual Conference over at CVI, and walked out of the event at the very end so excited and ready to get to work on the Rock Hill Category C project that I forgot my camera...if you know me, you know I had to be pumped up to forget my camera.

 First up on the list for myself was taking a peek at the new Renaissance Collection.  This new collection of perennial plants have been chosen by Sullivan Renaissance staff for their ability to not only survive, but thrive in the challenging growing conditions of Sullivan County.  My own favorites are the Salvia and Russian Sage...what can I say, am a big fan of purple here.

Next up on the day's agenda were the Sullivan First Awards.  Recipients included Spencer Daniel Agency, Aero Star Petroleum,  the Eagle Plaza Mall, Berni's Holiday Restaurant in Rock Hill, Jim & Betty Lund of the Woodbourne Action Committee, Dave & Phyllis Moore from Neversink, Laurie Kilgore a mural painter from the Monticello area, Barbara Sush,  Saint James Episcopal Church of Callicoon, and last but not least, Keith Gilmore and the Recovery Center in Monticello.  All of these folks, businesses and organizations have contributed a lot to making Sullivan County a better place to live.

 

The highlight of the morning was the Keynote speaker, Joe (Gardener) Lamp L' from the television show, "Growing a Greener World".  First, it was very refreshing to find a star of his caliber to be so personable with everyone there, his words and actions both genuine  and from the heart.  He shared a lot of wonderful ideas with all of us using both video and clips from his show, the audience captivated by his words...Joe has all the qualities one looks for in a great storyteller, and his address was an enjoyable one that I would have liked to have seen go even longer than it did.  One site he shared with us that I want to pass along is for Ample Harvest where the concept is pretty simple..."Plant a row for the hungry."  In these hard economic times with our food pantries hard pressed to keep up with the demand, it is advice all those who garden should take and implement.

The workshops were as always, entertaining, educational and well attended. 

It was a great event as everyone prepares for spring, puts the finishing touches on their own applications for the 2012 Sullivan Renaissance.