Pages Views Reach Milestone

Despite our brief absence while retooling, pleased to announce that the "Mountaindale NY News blog has reached the milestone of 10,000 page views. We zoomed from 5,ooo page views to 10,000 in less than 3 months as our readership continues to grow.

November 12, 2011 Artist Reception for Renowned Photographer Louis H Jawitz

For anyone who has enjoyed a meal in Mountaindale's new Uccelli Restaurant, you cannot help but notice the stunning photographs from around the world that adorn the walls of Robert's restaurant taken by renowned artist and photograph Louis H. Jawitz who now resides in our area. This Saturday November 12th, 2011 Robert will be holding an Artist Reception for the artist from 2:00-4:00 PM, and you are invited. Please stop by for some wine and cheese, meet Lou, and enjoy his beautiful photographic studies from around the world, including a breathtaking picture of the Twin Towers.

About The Artist

Artist Statement of Louis Jawitz

It was decades ago when I picked up my first camera, shot that first photograph that drew me into this mystical world that allows one with a simple lens to capture the essence of humanity, its foils, its toils and its triumphs.

I had gotten my first camera while serving on the nuclear aircraft carrier "Enterprise" and being in such close quarters found myself taking pictures of my shipmates, working at their assigned tasks, relaxing down below in the crew quarters. Back then, it was a waiting process, sending my film off to be developed, waiting with anticipation to see my first photographs. On the day the photos arrived, I carefully laid each one on my blanket, was amazed that the camera had not just captured the image of my friends, but had also caught the essence of who they were. Many of my ship mates started to buy my photos from me. They started to ask for shots of themselves and little did I know those early orders would lead not only to a lifetime love of photography, but would also set me on my life long career path.

All these years later and I'm still taking people shots, capturing the essence of them in my photographs.

Architectural Work of Little Known Architect Abraham Okun to Be Featured At Preservation Conference

WORKS OF LITTLE KNOWN MONTICELLO ARCHITECT TO BE HIGHLIGHTED AT PRESERVATION CONFERENCE

For each of the past ten years, the first Sunday and Monday in November have brought to the Liberty Museum & Arts Center the two day Main Street Forum, better known as Preservation Sunday and Main Street Monday.

The Forum, which attracts planning professionals, developers, and public officials, as well as interested property owners, to Liberty for the two days, is presented by the New York Main Street Alliance and is co-sponsored by the New York State Urban Council, the New York State Planning Federation, the New York Conference of Mayors, The Catskill Center, and the Liberty Museum & Arts Center.

This is actually the 15th year for the Monday event, which will focus on cultural centers—libraries, movie theaters, museums, art galleries and the like-- and how they can anchor and define a community’s main street.

The Sunday program, which focuses specifically on historic preservation, was added to the schedule in 2002, making it a two day forum, and some of this year’s presentations will highlight the buildings of longtime Monticello architect Abraham Okun.

Okun was active during the middle years of the 20th century, designing a number of interesting local buildings which seem to have distinct elements in common, including the Associated Mutual Insurance Building in Woodridge, and Bruce’s Garage in Liberty. This year’s forum will feature a panel discussion of his work moderated by developer Ken Schmitt of Mountaindale as well as a look at his buildings through the eyes of talented photographer Louis Jawitz.

The Preservation Sunday conference has traditionally provided participants—many contemplating historic preservation projects of their own-- with guidance and inspiration, and this year is no exception. Besides the programs on Okun’s work, there are sessions dealing with restoring cultural buildings from an architect’s perspective and from a contractor’s perspective, and on using preservation as an economic development tool. Another session details the restoration of the Roxbury Arts Center in neighboring Delaware County.

This year’s events are scheduled for November 6 and 7. Each day’s events begin at 8 AM and sessions run throughout the day both days, culminating with a reception each evening at 7 PM.

Advanced registration is not required but is appreciated for the conferences, and can be accomplished by calling the Liberty Museum & Arts Center at 292-2394, or at libertymuseum.com.

There is typically a charge for the Forum, but the Liberty Museum emphasizes that people should not let the cost stand in the way of attending if they are interested. “We do have several scholarships available to defray the cost of attendance,” they say. “People should call the museum to find out about them.”