April Record Month For "Mountaindale After Dark"

Always like to thank our readers, even more so when a new record is set.  Thanks to visitors from 77 different countries around the world, many of them from right here in Sullivan County, "Mountaindale After Dark" blog reach some impressive goals during the month of April.  We went over 10,000 visitors earlier this month, and are fast approaching 13,000 visitors in our goal of reaching 15,000 visitors.  We also have shattered our previous best total traffic month of just over 2500 visitors.  With the last day of April still not over, our visitor count for the month stands at 3357 visitors.  

A very special thanks to everyone who has made this happen.  

Volunteers Doing Litter Pluck

For those who follow us, would like to also share with you a link to a new blog.  Last year, working with the folks at Mountaindale Community Development Project, we created the award winning Sullivan Renaissance Train Garden here in Mountaindale at the entrance to our "Rails to Trails" corridor.  I am sure that garden will be well taken care of, and this year I have moved on to other projects...one of those projects is the "Rock Hill Sullivan Renaissance Category C project over in Rock Hill.  If you would like to watch this new 43,000 square foot project, and new location for the Rock Hill Farmers Market, you can check out a blog put up just for the project here.

We will also be launching two other blog projects soon:

Woodridge-Spotlight on Litter

Save The Pond Eddy Bridge

Again, a very special "THANK YOU" to all of our readers who make it all possible.  If you would like to help us continue to grow, please Plus 1 your favorite articles, Tweet a link too articles, leave us comments, and if you have a blog of your own, or are on Facebook, please share a link to us.

It's New Year's Eve...Our Top Ten News Stories

First, Happy New Year everyone...not sure this is going to be my last blog post of 2011, but it is defiantly one of my last ones. Thought as we close up shop for the year would share a few of my own top news stories for the year.

First up, is Japan, and from my point of view, three top news stories come out of one event, or series of events. There was a MONSTER earthquake, coming in at 8.9 on the Richter Scale, which makes it one of the biggest earthquakes the world has seen in modern times. That singular event was is news worthy. Second news story was the Tsunami that was caused by this massive earthquake...these two events combined saw over 16,000 people lose their lives. You can find pictures here. Though hard to imagine, these two natural disasters caused a far more dangerous and long lasting disaster at the Fukushima reactor site, and leave no doubt about it, the meltdowns (yes, plural) make this the largest nuclear accident ever known to mankind.

Last year had barely started when a lone shooter opened fire at a strip mall in Arizona, one of his victims Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords...thankfully, she survived, but many there to see her on that fateful day did not. There were far more deadly events in 2011, but seeing one of our elected officials so savagely attacked shocked us all.

Time named the protester person of the year, and though police forces all across America have used BRUTAL FORCE in trying to crush our own Occupy Movement here in America, it is still alive and well, and look for MAJOR HEADLINES from them in the new year. As the Washington Post says, "The Occupy Movement lives" and they have some great links in their article on this subject.

America leaves Iraq...notice here that I did not say the Iraq War is over, because it is not, though pundits and the networks did their best to paint our departure from Iraq as the end of the war, our troops PROUD VICTORS...we did not win that wrong war, Iraq is still at war and the cost in blood and treasure WAS NOT WORTH IT. We are out of the conflict, and that is about all we can say. As 2012 looms on the dawn of a new day, let us pray we do not find ourselves and our troops involved in a war in Iran in the coming new year.

Straight and simple...The Great Recession continues on, and the group hurt worst by this fact is the Baby Boomers who find themselves out of work.

For Americans, and especially for us NYers, Bin Laden being killed has to be on the list of top news stories in 2011. If there is a hell, may this man reside there for eternity, the souls of those whose deaths he caused haunting him forever. If there is a God, may Moammar Gadhafi find himself sharing the same cell with Bin Laden in that eternal hell.

For many of us, the passing of Apple's Steve Jobs deserves a mention as one of the year's top news stories. This visionary will be missed. Even though we all knew this day was coming, its arrival was too soon, and still came as a shock.

Top stories for our own little community in 2011

Sherwood Martinelli acting as the Creative Force and Committee Chair saw the MCDP win a $7,000 grant by winning Second Place in Category B in the yearly Sullivan Renaissance Beautification program. He will be taking his talents to Rock Hill in 2012 as they work towards competing for a Category C award.

Uccelli Restaurant opens in our small hamlet...any business opening in our small hamlet is big news.

Disaster was narrowly averted at the Upstate Karate Studio thanks to the fast action of the Mountaindale Fire Department.

New Banners Coming To Mountaindale...Design Discussion Underway

As many of our readers know, our community's "Train Garden" set just inside the entrance to the "Rails to Trails" corridor here in Mountaindale won second place, and with that we received a $7,000 grant to help with other projects here in the community. This past week we met with Sullivan Renaissance and have our winnings in hand, and plans are afoot to use some of the monies for new banners.

New banners has opened up a lot of discussion about what the banners should look like, as well as what our hamlet's slogan should be. Raymon Elozua has suggested the words "opportunity" and "community" should play a key part in whatever replaces, "A growing business and arts community" on our banner. That suggestion has ignited a lively discussion about branding, that in some ways resembles a visioning workshop/seminar, and it is inspiring to see how many people have jumped into the conversation, showing their own passions and love for Mountaindale.

There will be a meeting to discuss new banners next week. If you have suggestions or ideas for a new banner, have some input on the creation of a new town slogan or motto, we would love to have you share them. Feel free to email your ideas and suggestions to news@mountaindaleproject.org

Mountaindale Scores BIG WIN in Sullivan Renaissance Judging

In big breaking news, Mountaindale has scored a big win in this year's Sullivan Renaissance judging, bringing home Second Place with our 2011 Rails to Trails gateway project, and with that win, a grant of seven thousand dollars. To everyone who helped (we had over 50 volunteers involved in this year's project), congratulations to you all. Your hard work and dedication to community service has paid off in a big way, and has provided the Mountaindale Community Development Project funding to implement new community improvement projects, and improve on some of those (like our hanging basket program) already begun.

We are looking into having some kind of a Thank You dinner here in our hamlet, so if any of you have some thoughts on this, please contact Barb at (845) 434-4747 or Sherwood at 693-4513 with your ideas. Maybe a pot luck dinner? Music? We, as a community, have worked hard for a big part of the spring and summer on our new "Train Garden" in our hamlet's section of the Rails to Trails and other improvements in our community, and we should celebrate our success. While discussing plans for the future, holding a hamlet-wide celebration dinner, in say September, seems like a good jumping off point as we set our collective eyes on tomorrow.

There are so many people to thank for this victory, almost too many to thank in one post. There is Steve Vegliante and all the employees of the Town of Fallsburg who lent us a hand in so much of the heavy lifting. Three Girl Scout troops participated, gave of their time and their talents this year; and almost every business in our hamlet participated with donations of time or money. Upstate Karate and Alexandra's students were such a big help, and Janet's students from Radiant Yoga gave of their time maintaining the hummingbird garden as well as taking up a collection to donate to our cause, and strongly supporting our Art Raffle. Marty Weiner was a rock, always there giving encouragement, and sourcing materials we needed in the building of our train. Raymon helped in our welding, played a major role in making the painting of buildings on Main Street; and the list goes on and on, the circle widening out as businesses and individuals from the larger circle that is Sullivan County stepped in, offered their help and resources in making our Train Garden what it is today...A heart felt thank you to each and every one of you, and we hope all of you can attend our celebration dinner.

 Again, we learn that a small group of dedicated volunteer citizens working together for a common goal can overcome any obstacles, adversities and problems and in the end bring something beautiful to our small hamlet. So thank you to everyone for inspiring all of us this year to come together as a team, thank you for inspiring us to redouble our efforts.

Rails to Trails Sullivan Renaissance Time Capsule...Contribute Items

Early this year I attended the Sullivan Renaissance Winter Conference, and one of many things that stuck with me, is the fact that Sullivan Renaissance has seen it's way through ten successful years of beautification projects, is now in its eleventh year. Quite a bit of history involved in a decade of public beautification projects.

As our own project here in Mountaindale is rapidly reaching a point of completion an idea has germinated in the minds of those involved in the project...what if we took our small storage area of the train now sitting proudly in it's siding, and turn it into a time capsule to be open up ten years from now as the Sullivan Renaissance begins its 21 year of service to our community here in Sullivan County. A poll of those involved in the project including our volunteers shows a great deal of support for this idea, so we are going to go ahead with it.

If you have a small item you would like to have placed into this time capsule, please contact Sherwood Martinelli at (845) 693-4513 or Barb at (845) 434-4747. You can also drop items off at 51 Main Street, Mountaindale NY. Please drop off all items no later than July 31, 2011. The capsule will be closed and placed into the train on August 1st, 2011 and opened again on August first, 2021!

Two Great Events on Saturday July 23rd Here In Sullivan County

There are two great events happening this Saturday, and we hope you will support both of them. First on the list is Mountaindale Community Development Project's fund raiser to support their 2011 Sullivan Renaissance Project...the train is almost completed, and you can see it just inside the entrance to Mountaindale's Rails to Trails corridor. The event hosted by Committee Chair Sherwood Martinelli will include fine food and wine selections from the Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville NY.

Saturday July 23, 2011 FUND RAISER-2011 Benefitting MCDP & Mountaindale Renaissance Project

You are cordially invited to join the Mountaindale Community Development Project on Saturday July 23rd, 2011 from 7-10 PM for a Gala Evening of fun, food and music here in Mountaindale, NY as we raise funds for our organization and this year's beautification project being orchestrated just inside the entry to our section of the Rails to Trails corridor.

Renowned organic Chef, and healthy foods Guru Marcus Guiliano, owner of the well known Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville, NY will be teasing our taste buds with a wonderful sampling of wines and tasty treats from his menu of healthy delicious slow foods from his and his wife's restaurant which is located at 165 Canal Street in Ellenville NY. For restaurant reservations, you can call Marcus or his wife Jamie at (845) 647-3000.

There will be a candle light tour of this year's Renaissance Project for those who would love to see the sculptural interpretation of the old O&W 33 steam locomotive which crashed here in Mountaindale back in 1904. Sherwood Martinelli, this years Committee Chair and project designer will be happy to take you on a walk about and answer any questions you may have, and share some of the unique history of the area around the project.

Tickets for this all inclusive evening of fun and community is $25 per person. For reservations, or to make a donation please contact:

Sherwood Martinelli (845) 693-4513 or 346-2345
Barb or Ken Schmitt (845) 434-4747

You can also get tickets by mailing in your check to: (Make checks out to MCDP)

Sherwood Martinelli
Committee Chair-2011 Sullivan Renaissance Project
PO Box 71
Mountaindale, NY 12763

Also on Saturday is the Third Annual Sullivan County Garden Tour with and event ending meet and greet at the Bashakill Winery! This event supports a very worthwhile cause...Sullivan Arc Horticultural Program.

End at Bashakill Winery:
GARDEN TOUR THIS WEEKEND
View Private Gardens in Sullivan County on Saturday, July 23

SULLIVAN COUNTY – The Third Annual Sullivan County Garden Tour features eleven private gardens between Liberty and Wurtsboro. The one-of-a-kind gardens will be open for visits only on Saturday, July 23 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The tour is sponsored by SullivanArc and Sullivan Renaissance to benefit the SullivanArc Horticultural Program.

These beautiful and unique sites include: flower and shade gardens, traditional gardens, whimsical creations, pathways, water features, enclosed yards and an orchard. Individuals may follow the predetermined route or select their own route – visiting as many or as few gardens as they prefer and time allows. A wine and cheese reception for ticket holders and garden owners follows the tour at Bashakill Vineyards in Wurtsboro.

A limited number of tickets will be sold on the day of the event. Cost is $25 per person. They are available between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. at the following locations along with self-guided garden tour maps [with addresses and directions to each of the gardens].
Catskill Harvest Market, State Route 52 and Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty
The Cutting Garden, State Route 52, Youngsville
Delaware Valley Farm & Garden (Agway), 30 Viaduct Road, Callicoon
Everlasting Spring, 3195 State Route 52, White Sulphur Springs
Hillside Greenhouse, 1 Kaempfer Lane, Liberty
Monticello Greenhouses, 217 E. Broadway, Monticello
Stephenson’s Garden Center, 1706 State Route 52, Liberty
Vita’s Farm Market, 4789 State Route 52, Jeffersonville

Advanced tickets may be purchased at these garden centers or directly from SullivanArc at 845-796-1350 ext. 1050 or online at http://www.sullivanarc.org and click on “Buy Tickets"

SullivanArc is a not-for-profit agency dedicated to providing support and services to over 850 individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and to their families. Sponsorship for the tour is provided by Key Bank. Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation. Additional funding has been secured by U.S. Representative Maurice D. Hinchey. Sponsors include Bold Gold Media Group/Thunder 102, Robert Green Dealerships, Sullivan County Democrat, The River Reporter and WSUL/WVOS.

Saturday July 23, 2011 FUND RAISER-2011 Benefitting MCDP & Mountaindale Renaissance Project

You are cordially invited to join the Mountaindale Community Development Project on Saturday July 23rd, 2011 from 7-10 PM for a Gala Evening of fun, food and music here in Mountaindale, NY as we raise funds for our organization and this year's beautification project being orchestrated just inside the entry to our section of the Rails to Trails corridor.

Renowned organic Chef, and healthy foods Guru Marcus Guiliano, owner of the well known Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville, NY will be teasing our taste buds with a wonderful sampling of wines and tasty treats from his menu of healthy delicious slow foods from his and his wife's restaurant which is located at 165 Canal Street in Ellenville NY. For restaurant reservations, you can call Marcus or his wife Jamie at (845) 647-3000.

There will be a candle light tour of this year's Renaissance Project for those who would love to see the sculptural interpretation of the old O&W 33 steam locomotive which crashed here in Mountaindale back in 1904. Sherwood Martinelli, this years Committee Chair and project designer will be happy to take you on a walk about and answer any questions you may have, and share some of the unique history of the area around the project.

Tickets for this all inclusive evening of fun and community is $25 per person. For reservations, or to make a donation please contact:

Sherwood Martinelli (845) 693-4513 or 346-2345
Barb or Ken Schmitt (845) 434-4747

You can also get tickets by mailing in your check to: (Make checks out to MCDP)

Sherwood Martinelli
Committee Chair-2011 Sullivan Renaissance Project
PO Box 71
Mountaindale, NY 12763

Event Details

Date: Saturday July 23, 2011
Time: 7-10 PM
Location: 62 Main Street, Mountaindale NY
Your donations are Tax Deductible.

Free Coat Giveaway at Upstate Karate in Mountaindale

Mountaindale, NY - With the sudden return of the icy breath of winter this week, the Mountaindale Community Development Project is coordinating a free coat giveaway with the help of two host organizations, Upstate Karate of Mountaindale and Fidelis Care.

Selections from this large assortment of winter coats and gloves can be picked up at no charge this Sunday, March 27th from 9:30AM to 12 noon at a free Health Fair during regular martial arts classes at Upstate Karate, located at 81 Main Street, Mountaindale, NY. Anthony Rodriguez, local Outreach Specialist of Fidelis Care New York, will also be on hand to discuss low cost healthcare solutions to families who are currently uninsured or underinsured. For more info, please call Barb Schmitt at 845-434-4747.