Let's Get Ready to Renaissance!

It's that time of year again!...time to plan your Renaissance Projects...

An Overview of the 2012 Grant Program and How to Apply

[FERNDALE] – Volunteers interested in learning about the 2012 Sullivan Renaissance grant program and getting help in planning their projects and completing their applications should attend the “Get Ready to Renaissance” seminar on Wednesday, February 1 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the CVI Center in Ferndale. 

The seminar will review the basics of the Sullivan Renaissance program, including how to apply for grants, deadlines, youth involvement, design and maintenance changes and other requirements.  Staff will discuss project ideas and review paperwork with potential applicants.  Refreshments will be served.

Beginning February 1, applications are available for download from the Sullivan Renaissance web site  in a portable document format (PDF) with fillable form fields.  Applications can be completed electronically and e-mailed to Sullivan Renaissance (along with required documentation) or printed and mailed before March 23.

If requested, Sullivan Renaissance representatives will visit communities at their convenience to explain the program, review the garden design plans and assist with the application process.

Beautification and community development grant applications are due by Wednesday, March 21.  These grants will be awarded at the Spring Forum on April 19 at the CVI Building in Liberty.  Projects must be completed in August.  Some Sullivan Renaissance grant programs have different deadlines, including: environmental and seasonal grants; and scholarships.  Intern applications are due on April 7. 

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

SIGN UP FOR WINTER CONFERENCE

Individuals wishing to attend the Sullivan Renaissance Annual Conference and Expo on Saturday, March 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the CVI Center in Ferndale will be able to register and sign up for workshops directly on-line beginning February 1.  Keynote speaker Joe Lamp’l, host of the TV series “Growing a Greener World,” will talk about the latest trends in eco-friendly living. 

To register or for information, visit www.sullivanrenaissance.org or call 845-295-2445.

MCDP Raffle Tickets Available...Win Some Beautiful Framed Art Work From Bird Photographer Ed Frampton

Mountaindale Community Development Project (MCDP) are pleased to announce that Raffle Tickets are now available, the three winners receiving signed and framed photographs from birding enthusiast and photographer Ed Frampton. The proceeds from this fundraiser will be used for MCDP's ongoing efforts here in the hamlet of Mountaindale. Tickets are $2 (two dollars) each, or six tickets for $10 (ten dollars) and your donation is tax deductible.

Tickets are available and for sale through August 5th, 2011 and the drawing will be held on Saturday August 6th, 2011 at 12 PM...winners will be notified by phone or email, and you can pick your prize up at 51 Main Street in Mountaindale. Items can be shipped at winners expense.

First Place Prize (click each to enlarge images)








Second Place Prize









Third Place Prize












If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact Barb Schmitt at (845) 434-4747 or Sherwood at (845) 693-4513. You can also order tickets by mail:

Mountaindale Community Development Project
P.O.Box 333
Mountaindale, NY 12763

*Please make checks out to Mountaindale Community Development Project

Creative Re-Use Mountaindale Renaissance Scavenger Hunt

Greetings Sports Fans!

What a beautiful day it it outside...the air smells like spring, the grass is green, and the leaves are about to burst forth on some trees, while others are in full bloom. Simply stated, this time of the year both rejuvenates and invigorates the soul. So, seems like a perfect day to announce a Community Challenge...

The Great Mountaindale Renaissance Scavenger Hunt

This year, the Mountaindale Community Development Project, and the Mountaindale Sullivan Renaissance Project Committee have settled upon a GREAT BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT for our small hamlet...we are going to enhance the entrance to our "Rails to Trails", and just a bit further in on the trail we are going to create a sculptural interpretation of the O&W Railways 33 Steam Locomotive that met it's demise in our town at the turn of the 20th century over 100 years ago.

We would like our project to include some Environmentally Friendly Green Aspects, and one of these green aspects is the creative re-use of materials in the building and construction of this project, taking both found and hanging around stuff that might otherwise end up in a landfill and turning into art, landscaping with these found items that people, businesses just might have hanging around taking up space.

Thus the Great Re-Use Mountaindale Renaissance Scavenger Hunt...this is where our community comes in. We need Scavenger Hunters...individuals and groups that could help us in finding materials that we can creatively Re-Use in breathing our Steam Locomotive into reality. There are no prizes, this is not a contest, but instead a challenge, an opportunity to do community service in a very unique and different way. Have planting materials that need thinned out, or maybe some perennials in an overgrown and abandoned bed? We would love to have them. Perhaps you have some old nails, screws or even bailing wire laying around? Again, we would LOVE to have them. Are you a nursery with some overstock that needs some Tender Loving Care? Give us a call.

What are we looking for you ask? Anything and everything is up for consideration, but we do have some very specific needs.

• Plywood 1x4x8...treated is preferable, but beggars cannot be choosy.


• 2x4x8's...again, treated would be IDEAL, but again, any 2x4x 8 will suffice.


• 2x6x8's (or longer!) Yes, you guessed it, treated would be a bonus.


• 2x10 or 2x12...any length from 8-16 foot would be ideal.


• 6x6x8 landscaping timbers.


• Fallen Birch trees/limbs...will be used for accent details on train.


• 3-5 inch decking or other screws.


• Number 8 and 16 common nails...we are not picky at all when it comes to nails, so rusty ones are fine.


• 55 Gallon Drums...we need a total of ten, and have three right now.


• 30 Gallon Drums...we could use at least two of these.


• Old Pipe in say 8-12 inch diameter.

Some DREAM ITEMS ON OUR LIST

• 4 Old Wagon Wheels that are say 24-36 inches in diameter as the back wheels of the train.


• 4 Smaller spoked wheels of 12-15 inches in diameter.


• 7 Flowering Ornamental Trees


• Any Perennial (preferably native plant species) plants that could be easily transplanted into our garden spaces being created.


• A Brass BELL for the train...maybe about eight-twelve inches!

This is by no means a comprehensive list, so if you have something you think we could use or incorporate in some fashion, give us a call. We have a staging area for these found materials, so if you have things, just let us know when you would like to drop them off. We are also ALWAYS looking for volunteers, so if you or your group would like to participate, are looking for a change to do community service work, please give us a call so we can work with you.

Sherwood Martinelli
Renaissance Committee Chair
(845) 693-4513

Barb Schmitt
Mountaindale Community Development Project
(845) 434-4747

If you would like to make a donation to our project please send check too:

Mountaindale Community Development Project (MCDP)
PO Box 333
Mountaindale, NY 12763
(Be sure to put in Memo that the donation is for 2011 Renaissance)

Breaking News...Mountaindale Awarded Grant To Build Train Locomotive!

In BIG Breaking News for our hamlet, we have just learned that the Mountaindale Community Development Project (MCDP) has been awarded a $1500 Community Beautification Grant from the Sullivan Renaissance. The formal announcement and awards presentation will be this Thursday night.

SPRING FORUM & GRANT AWARDS 7:00 pm CVI Building, Ferndale, NY

Sullivan Renaissance (845) 295-2445 This year's Mountaindale Beautification Project will be centered around and in our connection spur to the "Rails to Trails" bike path. The primary elements will include enhancement of the entrance area, as well as a new garden spot that will feature a half size re-creation (artistically) of the O&W's old 33 steam locomotive. It should be a lot of fun, and there are going to be lots of opportunities for volunteers to get involved and get your hands dirty. For information, or to find out about volunteer opportunities for yourself or organization, please get in touch with Sherwood at (845)693-4513.