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.

Flowers, Flowers Everywhere...Sullivan Renaissance Annual Conference This SATURDAY!

Keynote Address to be Webcast Live at www.sullivanrenaissance.org 

[FERNDALE] – The CVI Center will be filled with flowers and garden exhibitors for the 2012 Sullivan Renaissance Annual Conference and Expo on Saturday, March 10 at the CVI Center in Ferndale.  The public is invited and there is no cost to attend. 

The keynote address will be delivered by Joe Lamp’l (aka Joe Gardener), host and executive producer of the award-winning series “Growing a Greener World” on public television, who will talk about gardening trends around the country.  The talk will also be available through a live webcast by going to www.sullivanrenaissance.org. 

A special feature of the conference is the introduction of the Renaissance Collection, a group of annuals and perennials that meet the challenges of gardening in Sullivan County.  These nine plants will be displayed at the expo, and the collection will be available at local nurseries and garden centers in the spring.

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with a light breakfast and the expo.  The program starts at 9:00 a.m. and continues until 2:00 p.m.  Door prizes will be awarded at the conference conclusion. 

The conference features exhibits and workshops on the Renaissance Collection, garden maintenance, recruiting volunteers, cultivating leaders, cultivating leaders, Main Street success stories, enhancing storefronts, and the Catskill Edible Garden Project.  Workshop space is limited to the first registrants, so please RSVP.

Recipients of the 17^th Annual Sullivan First Achievement Awards will be recognized at the conference, which will also outline the new 2012 Sullivan Renaissance grant program and have applications available.

Check www.sullivanrenaissance.org for more details.  For more information and to register, call 845-295-2445. 

Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation. 

March 10th...Mark Your Calendars...Sullivan Renaissance Annual Conference

Yes, it is that time of year again, and for many community, like Rockhill, this time of the year means citizens ramping up their summer gardening plans as they prepare to apply to the Sullivan Renaissance grant programs for beautifying our communities.  Last year my own design for Mountaindale's Train Garden propelled our community, and its many volunteers into a Second Place finish in Sullivan Renaissance's Category B, and of course all of us here in Mountaindale are anxiously waiting to see what our $7,000 grant award will bring in new community beautification projects/infrastructure here in our hamlet.

This year's conference is a MUST ATTEND event for all serious gardeners, and for anyone who is planning on participating in Sullivan Renaissance...get your reservations in early, as many of the work shops fill up fast.

Saturday, March 10:

RENAISSANCE CONFERENCE

Expert on Gardening Trends to Give Keynote Address

[FERNDALE] – This year’s Sullivan Renaissance Annual Conference and Expo will focus on gardening trends around the country – and introduce the Renaissance Collection, a group of annuals and perennials that meet the challenges of gardening in Sullivan County.  The conference will be held on Saturday, March 10 at the CVI Center in Ferndale. 

The Renaissance Collection of annuals and perennials includes nine plants that do well in the Sullivan County climate and are designed to assist communities as the basis of new gardens or as additions to existing beds.  There will be a display of the plants at the expo, and the collection will be available at local nurseries and garden centers in the spring.

The keynote address will be delivered by Joe Lamp’l (aka Joe Gardener), one of the country’s most recognized and trusted personalities in gardening and sustainability.  In 2011 the American Horticultural Society selected him as the recipient of its B.Y. Morrison Communication Award, which recognizes effective and inspirational communication to advance public interest and participation in horticulture – through print, radio, TV and/or online media.  That passion was evident to the nationwide audience who watched Joe as host of the popular series “Fresh from the Garden” on DIY Network and “GardenSMART” on PBS.

Today, Joe Lamp’l combines his national television experience and expertise of gardening, environmental stewardship and eco-friendly living as host and executive producer of the award-winning series “Growing a Green World” on public television. 

“Growing a Greener World is a groundbreaking television series that delivers the latest trends in eco-friendly living mixed with traditional gardening know-how to a modern audience,” said Joe Lamp’l, “Each episode features the people, organizations and events that are making a difference in our world today by raising awareness and influencing others to better stewardship of the environment we all share.”

To view a full episode online, go to www.growingagreenerworld.com

 

Recipients of the 17^th Annual Sullivan First Achievement Awards – to be recognized at the conference – will soon be announced.  Door prizes will be awarded at the conference conclusion. 

The conference features exhibits and workshops on the Renaissance Collection of plants, garden maintenance, recruiting volunteers, cultivating leaders, cultivating leaders, Main Street success stories, enhancing storefronts, and the Catskill Edible Garden Project  It will also outline the new 2012 Sullivan Renaissance grant program and have applications available.

The conference begins at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast and registration.  The program starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs to 2:00 p.m.  Workshops include:

·         The Renaissance Collection: Learn how to use this unique collection of annuals and perennials that have exceptional ability to meet the challenges of gardening in Sullivan County.  Visit the collection in the Expo.

·         Getting Maintenance Support: Learn how this new support program can provide technical and financial resources to enhance the beauty and sustainability of your community garden.  Explore how a master calendar can optimize volunteer hours.

·       Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers: What makes a person volunteer and stay with an organization from year to year?  Hear about a professional’s experience in finding and working with volunteers.

·         Cultivating Community Leaders: Successful communities need one or more “spark plugs” to move a community to the next level.  Learn about the qualities of these “spark plugs” and how to cultivate talent in your community.

·         Main Street Success Stories: Using case studies from the central Catskills, including the communities of Margaretville, Roxbury and Fleischmanns, this session focuses on what it takes to create a successful and beautiful Main Street.

·         Enhance Your Storefront for Under $200: Beautiful storefronts enhance the appearance of the communities and invite customers.  Learn how the Sullivan Renaissance Mini Grant Program can help.

·         Catskill Edible Garden Project (Two Sessions): Edible gardens are a wonderful way to connect young people with their food, while helping them learn about nature, volunteering and nutrition. Include a presentation of edible garden programs that have succeeded.

·         Sullivan Renaissance Salon (Individual Appointments): Bring ideas for beautification projects and have a one-on-one conversation with staff, who will review grant paperwork and answer questions.  Sign up for one of seven 15 minute slots from 11:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Workshop space will be limited to the first registrants.  To sign up on-line, go to www.sullivanrenaissance.org.  To obtain a registration form, call Sullivan Renaissance office at 845-295-2445.  To return a form, email to sgonzalez@sullivanrenaissance.org; fax it to 845-295-2746; or mail to Sullivan Renaissance, c/o Gerry Foundation, PO Box 311, Liberty, NY 12754.