8/12/2010

Dear Editor,
As Chairman of the Central Catskills Collaborative, I was sorry to see that you printed the highly misleading piece regarding the Collaborative in your last issue of the Phoenicia Times.
You correspondent did not bother to attend the meeting he writes about, and statements he makes such as the town supervisors 'were asked to consider entering into an intermunicipal agreement' are way off the mark. As I tried to explain to your correspondent, the meeting was a series of exercises led by our wonderful intern Gabrielle Voeller. One exercise compared the structures of EXISTING byways. One byway was managed by an Intermunicipal Agreement. Another byway formed a non-profit corporation expressly for the byway. A third operated under the umbrella of an already-existing non-profit. Obviously work on the byway is still in its early stages. Any decision as to the type of structure to maintain it AFTER Scenic Byway designation by New York State is accomplished is still a ways down the road.
The only purpose served by this highly misleading article is to attack the Byway before it is even born by trying to create the impression that there is a lack of support for it. In fact, the towns and villages have been quite supportive, and many people besides the actual town supervisors and village mayors, or their representatives, have been coming to the meetings. Perhaps the Intermunicipal model may turn out not to be what works here in the Catskills. But that decision should be left up to the towns and villages, not to a 'reporter' intent on creating a false controversy to sell his story.
A major purpose of creating such a byway is to showcase an area's attractions, hopefully bringing in more visitors and visitor dollars. The series of sessions held in the 5 towns and 2 villages served to highlight the assets each would bring to the byway. THAT is the positive story you could run.
John Duda, Chair
Central Catskills Collaborative
Fleischmanns, NY
Editor's Note: Being supportive of all intermunicipal efforts everywhere, as well as all Scenic Byway projects, we were trying to highlight aspects of the ongoing story we felt could be reversed, and not trying to cast any added aspersions on the worthy projects the Collaborative is involved in. We hope to better convey this sense of regional advocacy, both in our objective news coverage AND our editorials over the coming term.
Dear Editor,
Congressman Maurice Hinchey has proposed to turn the Hudson Valley into a federal park. Mr. Hinchey has a long history of advocating extremist environmental policies that bestow dictatorial powers on government administrators. Repeatedly, he has painted such proposals as moderate. He did this with respect to a 1990s Adirondacks bill that he proposed when he was chair of the State Assembly's Environmental Conservation Committee. The bill that would have set up Soviet-style planning boards that would have limited if not ended construction. He managed to convince the previously skeptical Adironack Daily Enterprise that this idea was moderate.
Around the same time Hinchey said that he would like to restrain economic growth in the Hudson Valley. His plan involved setting up environmental regulations known as the "greenway". He and his fellow Democrats succeeded in their goal of deliberately restricting economic growth. Employment in Ulster County has grown at one fifth the national rate since 1992 when Mr. Hinchey assumed his Congressional seat (and by under two percent since 1990, less than one ninth the national rate of employment growth). Now, Mr. Hinchey aims to further destroy Ulster County's economy by eliminating the rule of law through a federal park that would serve as a Trojan Horse to introduce federal control of the region.
The notion of the rule of law is apparently unfamiliar to Mr. Hinchey's supporters in the Democratic media, which serves as a Hinchey-for-Congress publicity service. To refresh your memory, please allow me to explain how a federal park will eliminate the rule of law.
The concept of the rule of law is that law must be predictable and subject to change only through the gradual process of judicial decision making called stare decisis (judges' use of precedents to maintain a stable set of legal rules) or legislation. In America, the founders established a Constitution to establish but limit federal power. The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791 to clarify the limits. This was also done through the separation of powers across the branches of the federal government and federalism, the division of power between the states and the federal government. Under the Tenth Amendment, rights not delegated to the federal government are retained by the states and the people.
Establishing a federal park would hand dictatorial powers to a park adminsitrator and abolish the division of power between federal and local control. It might also eliminate the separation of powers between the legislative and the executive branch in the sense that a parks administrator potentially would have unlimited power to make rules. Although the law might initially restrain such arbitrary power, the US Congress, in which Ulster County residents have scant voice, could change the law at will.
More importantly, a park would eliminate state level rule of law, handing all decisions to a federal bureaucracy, in crucial areas like construction, land ownership, well digging, septic construction, fishing, hunting, wood burning, driving, smoking, eating, agriculture, establishing a business, building a camp, and virtually any other activity with any imaginable environmental impact. The park administrator could arbitrarily change the law. Even if that is not true in the beginning, Congress could endow the park administrator with new powers over residents' protests. That is precisely what Congressman Hinchey has repeatedly tried to do with respect to the hapless residents of the Adirondacks and Utah (he has repeatedly proposed a bill that would end development in 20% of the state of Utah) . Now he aims to do it to Ulster County. Take a drive up to the Adirondacks and notice the poverty of the local residents there, courtesy of Congressman Hinchey, the Democratic Party and Mr. Hinchey's boosters in the Democratic Party media.
Given Mr. Hinchey's recidivism in advocating poverty-inducing, radical environmental restrictions elsewhere there is no reason to believe that he has become moderate now. Moreover, there is reason to believe that the parks proposal is a Trojan Horse. During Mr. Hinchey's 18 years in Congress employment in Ulster County has grown at one fifth the national rate. You might ask yourself whether your economic welfare is of concern to him or to the radical environmentalists who motivate the parks proposal and have been happy to see the people of the Adirondacks starve.
But even if Mr. Hinchey is sincere that the legal effects would be minimal (which is a contradiction, for why else would he go through the trouble of establishing a park? To make up for the 15% of employment that he has destroyed since 1992?), the bill would effectively abolish the Constitution, federalism, stare decisis and local control of the land. Should Mr. Hinchey retire and radicals lobby for stricter restrictions, the Hudson Valley Park could become a footnote to a major national environmental debate. Park regulations, laws, rules and dictatorial authority could be imposed without regard for Constitutional protections to which most Olive residents are so used that they cannot imagine life without them.
I have students who grew up in the Soviet Union and Communist China. If you want to learn about life where there is no rule of law, you can ask them. Or ask Mr. Hinchey's radical supporters in the environmental movement who likely have quite a few ideas about how to wreck your property's economic value and turn you into a serf. Just ask the long time residents in the Adirondacks (as opposed to the environmental radicals who have moved there in recent decades) about how wonderful Mr. Hinchey's parks proposals are.
Sincerely,
Mitchell Langbert
West Shokan, NY
Dear Editor,
Face it: among all 20 or so NYS counties with an executive and charter, Ulster bottom-feeds on inefficiency: sixteenth "most efficient." Yeah, you'll hear plenty of excuses, reasons why.
Fact of the matter is this unnecessarily-BLEEDS Ulster taxpayers who have NO ACCESS to top rungs of county government. What? "Three minutes" to TALK AT the legislature? A laugh.
Why do we hear nothing about this from the legislature or the executive? Anyone who attended at least one, public, candidate-for-executive debate in 2008, at all of which I asked the candidates to define,
or was there when I urged the legislature to adopt ludicrously-simple, but on-the-mark definitions for the words, "effective" and "efficient," knows why.
Though the writers of the charter juxtaposed at least a dozen times those two words, giving tacit significance to measurement of government productivity, no two members of that body agree on the definition of even one of the terms. The legislature brushed off the need to define; none of the candidates had the foggiest notion of how to apply those two key metrics so revered in "the outside world" of business and commerce. And, now, one of our counties comes along and challenges state mandates (http://ocgov.net/node/751) and nobody tells us. Nobody points to any other example of productivity.
Why is it that a taxpayer must point out that our media seem loath even to allude to widespread Ulster County mis- (read "non") management?
Allan Wikman
Kingston, NY
Dear Editor,
On the news this evening yet another "expert" said the only way to fix Social Security was to cut benefits. These people are so myopic they can see only one solution - cut benefits. What will it take to make these people realize that is not the solution?
Unfortunately, no one is looking at the problems with Social Security from the correct perspective. The Social Security and Medicare trust funds have been raided so many times by the Government and the money has never replaced! In fact, the trust funds became "petty cash" whenever money was needed for whatever purpose and it was not "politically correct" to get it from any other source. The Government needs to stop raiding the trust funds!
But aside from that - look at the taxes that are collected on current salaries. These figures have not changed since 1990: Total FICA tax collected = 7.65%; tax on wages = 6.2%; Medicare tax = 1.45%; Total taxable wages = $106,800
They are talking about raising the cap for Medicare in 2013. What about raising the cap, or better yet, removing the cap for both wages and Medicare now?
Right now the maximum contribution made to the SS trust fund from wages is $6621.60 per year. People in the high wage brackets can pay that from the first paycheck of the year (or at least in the first month of the year) and not pay another dime in FICA tax on wages for the balance of the entire year. But they sure file for Social Security when they retire!
The wage cap of $106,800 was good for 1990, however, it is far out of date in today's financial picture. There are many, many people who make well over that amount today. Leaving the tax rate the same if the cap was raised to $500,000, a total of $31,000 per year would go into the SS trust fund. That's a difference of $24,378.40. If the cap was raised to $1,000,000 a total of $62,000 per year would go into the SS trust fund, a difference of $55,378.40. Multiply that by the number of people in these wage brackets and the trust fund would soon be in a far healthier place.
I've tried to point this out to both senators and house members but no one listens! Heaven forbid the wealthy be asked to pay their fair share! Who would contribute to the political campaigns?
Time for us to begin making some noise and make the legislators look at the whole picture instead of continuing their myopic viewpoints and focusing their "fix" on the lower and middle class!
Rev. Blanche Duffy
Saugerties, NY
Dear Editor,
I want to respond to Fred's Nagel and Liam Watt's comments made about Israel. It is important to get some facts through reliable sources. Here is one you may check: Myth of Middle East written by Joseph Farah, hopefully you'll appreciate the writing of this American- Arab journalist.
For the moment, here are some facts that need to be presented; Israel has always and only acted in self defense, surrounded by fierce enemies including terrorists who do not hesitate to sacrifice their children as human bombs, the crimes against humanity you describe are committed by the Hamas and their followers who are dedicated to the destruction of Israel. Their school curriculum are injected with hatred and violence taught from the earliest age .Should Israel be pressured to engage in peace talks with a people who do not acknowledge them as a nation or their right to exist? Can you even start to negotiate when your very existence as a human being or as a people are denied? As I said again Israel has the right to exist and defend itself.
That is what they did on the flotilla in May; the IDF went down to check the ship to make sure that no weapons were on board, in the goal to protect their own citizens. as they landed on the ship they were violently beaten (check some video on you tube)it speaks for itself. It is amazing that you qualify self defense as ''fascist brutality''.
Countless historical digs reveal Jewish presence from biblical times; many Moslems want to claim Jerusalem as the Palestinian State Capital. And although the Koran does not mention Jerusalem even once, it is referenced 669times in the Old Testament alone.
In attempts at peace, Israel gave the Palestinians the Gaza strip in order to show its willingness to create a solution. None of the promises made to Israel were kept on the contrary, as soon as they were given Gaza they used it to launch rockets into neighboring Israeli towns, resulting in many deaths and an ordeal which is still going on.
Should Israel give more land for more promises of ''peace''?
The prisoner Gilad Shalit had been held for close to 4 years now, without rights of visitation from family or the Red Cross, while hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been released. I could go on to describe the suffering caused by Israel's enemies and their unwillingness to stop their terrorist acts.
Remember, the freedom we enjoy in America and Israel to coexist together in peace , would not be tolerated under Muslim rule, the Palestinian Christians (less than 1%) has been under severe persecution from Gaza strip.
I hope that these verifiable facts might bring a bit of light to your present perspective.
Rose-line Simon
Mt. Tremper, NY
Dear Editor,
We must all applaud the bravery of Governor Paterson in trying to save the state from financial meltdown. The easy way would have been to tax millionaires, big banks, and Wall Street a little more. But that would have been picking on a very small, unpopular minority. Nobody likes that one percent of the population that owns everything and continues to make million dollar salaries during this prolonged recession. In fact, about 90% of U.S. citizens want to tax the rich and big corporations more.
So you have to hand it to Paterson, going against the popular sentiment to do the right thing. How noble his purpose as he cuts budget spending for public schools, healthcare, retirees and the handicapped.
Paterson's selfless crusade seems to be spreading. Candidate Cuomo has stated flatly that no matter what gets cut, the salaries and profits of billionaires won't be touched. Even President Obama is getting into the act. After giving a trillion to Wall Street, and several trillion to the corporations involved in the invasions and occupations of the Middle East, the federal government is just about broke.
It would be so easy demanding that the bankers give the money back and that our soldiers return home from any number of military adventures abroad. But Obama, with his audacity of hope, is going to take the knife to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, education, etc. Bush tax cuts for the very rich will almost certainly be extended. What courage!
Fred Nagel
Rhinebeck, NY
Dear Editor,
I am pleased to let everyone know that St. John's Roman Catholic Church of Woodstock/West Hurley is please to announce a Gala Dinner to be held October 10 (10/10/10) 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at the Wiltwyck Country Club, Kingston. The cost is $55 per person and includes cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres and cash bar; full dinner with a choice of four entrees; coffee/tea and dessert; dancing to the Kingston Lion's Club Roarin' Pride Swing Band. Ticket reservations can be made by contacting Dolores Kelly at 679-9924. Ticket info is available after each Mass for the next few weeks. This event is part of the year long celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of our parish. For more information call Colleen Mountford at 594-5913. Hope to see you there.
Janine Mower
Woodstock, NY
Dear Editor,
During the course of its investigation into the current Gulf of Mexico oil spill, The Associated Press was given information from the then-office of Mineral Management Services that was not making a lot of sense.
As millions of gallons of crude spewed into the gulf waters and the oversight by MMS officials on BP's well was being called into question, an anonymous source in that office told reporters far different stories than what they had been initially told. This anonymous source set the record straight by coming forward and speaking out, and suddenly the world knew that this was more than a mechanical failure; it was a full system failure. The people hired to keep these events from occurring were ignoring their responsibilities.
At times, anonymous sources provide crucial information to the press. Stories of oil disasters may be the latest, but without citizens coming forward and sharing vital information, Americans would not know about steroids in sports, excessive military spending, or food and drug hazards. We would never have been told about Watergate.
A bill currently in the U.S. Senate will help assure such stories continue to reach the public. S. 448, The Free Flow of Information Act, will protect the sources on whom journalists rely from having their identities exposed in all but a few circumstances including where national security concerns are raised. Five years in the making, the current version of this bill is supported by more than 50 journalism organizations, the White House, the Justice Department and most of your Congressional delegation.
Most states have laws that can protect a source's identity from overzealous prosecutors and judges, but there is no such protection yet at the federal level. S. 448 would change that and extend the same protections offered through statute or common law in 49 states to the national government. Without it, stories focusing on the federal government will not be told because reporters are faced with threats of jail time and fines if they do not turn on their sources.
Subpoenas against the press numbered more than 3,000 nationwide in 2006 with 335 issued by federal prosecutors seeking the identities of news sources, according to a survey conducted by a Brigham Young University law professor. More than a few journalists have spent time in jail, and some have been forced out of the profession all together by heavy fines that crippled them financially. These are all heavy-handed tactics to illicit the names of people who can then be identified and retaliated against. Media companies large and small faced with the enormous expenses of fighting such legal battles to protect sources are turning their backs on compelling stories.
As S. 448 awaits permission from key senate leadership to come to the floor for a full vote, all senators, representing the interests of American citizens, need to hear from their constituents. Citizens who value the importance of transparency in governance and think the American press needs to continue to serve as the watchdog on the federal government should tell their senators to support this measure.
The clock is ticking as Congress will recess in August. Tell your senator to have the bill moved to a full Senate vote as soon as possible and support its passage.
Without this bill, stories that affect lives, like the oil spill in the Gulf, will never get the detailed attention they need to bring about change. Without this bill, your government has a better chance of operating in darkness or lying its way out of trouble. Help bring this to an end by voicing support for S. 448.
Only when there is a free flow of information from the government to its people can we truly appreciate the beauty and power of a democracy.
Kevin Z. Smith, President
Society of Professional Journalists
Washington, DC
Dear Editor,
The current insufferably hot weather brought to mind the old Philosopher Frog.
On a terribly hot summer morning the valley lay quiet, dog-tired and dusty, trying to conserve enough energy to survive the murderous heat that was baking things so badly that by noon Trout swore that his fins were beginning to curl, even though he'd sought the deepest shade in the deep pool.
From downstream Fisherman came. Slogging slowly and a bit unsteadily up the little brook, lackadaisically flicking his fly here and there, now and again. He was clothed and accoutered in the highest angling fashion and carried the finest tackle that money could buy. His lissome rod was as a graphite blacksnake. His tippets were transparent as the web of spider. And his flies, just purchased at $50 the dozen, were the feathery creme de la creme.
At the fly-fishing school from which he had graduated the week before (having matriculated four days before that), it had all seemed so sensible--this business of angling--and he had been filled with an inner conviction that stream and river, lake, even ocean, would hence forth be his personal domain, to command as he saw fit.
But for all this resolve and perfect equipment, he had so far caught nothing but a willow leaf (Sucker had been resting near the willow and had snickered), and a low hanging hemlock branch (behind which Trout breathed slowly and took no notice at all). Later Fisherman might tell his friends what a tremendous leaf and huge thick branch they'd been, for he was apt to exaggerate like all of us. But for the moment he was feeling just a bit dizzy, just a bit queasy. The residues of last night's revel at the lodge and the unfortunate remnants of this morning's huge country breakfast were locked in a gaseous contest for dominance over his lower body tracts. The heat was affecting his thinking processes too, and it would come to pass that the morning's brain-frying would have lifelong consequences for him.
Oh, the night before--the river of Scottish single malt smoothness, and the cloudbanks of delicious blue smoke de Habana, all consumed in an atmosphere filled with epic trout fishing stories and tales of beautiful women. What warm camaraderie! What fine fishermen fellows!
But, oh this morning--with its required early rising, and its obligatory breakfast of overcooked eggs and grease-bursting sausages the size of hand grenades, and the thick coffee from Hell that could stand a spoon to attention!
In such a state it is no surprise that Fisherman, alone on the stream in the hot valley, would commence talking with any living thing he might meet. Sweat gushing from every pore, he came upon a flat roseate colored rock in the middle of the water, upon which sat a small frog.
Frog said nothing and stayed motionless as Fisherman splashed up and sat down opposite him with a groan. Breathing heavily, Fisherman said, "Well little froggy, I'm surprised you didn't jump away in fright, since I'm so massive, and superior, and could obviously smash you to a pulp if I wanted to--not that I have the stomach for it just this moment."
Frog said nothing. A minute passed and Fisherman slowly wiped the pearling sweat from his brow. He was impressed by Frog's contemplative and stoic manner, and though he'd never actually met a deep thinker before, he'd heard that they did exist. Believing Frog to be one, he decided to take advantage of the situation and seek his advice. Surely a serious, cold-blooded philosopher such as this unblinking amphibian could give him some of the answers he'd been seeking all his life. Slowly at first, and then all in a tumble, Fisherman spoke of frustrations, his disappointments and failures, his awful misgivings.
After what seemed like an hour, Frog finally spoke. "Prancing prepubescent pollywogs, Mack! You've come to the wrong guy. What you obviously need is a shrink. Trek upstream about twenty-five yards and ask for Weasel. He's the local stream psychoanalyst. Just a tip though, he charges too much and he tends to short-change patients on their hour."
"Oh no, Doctor Frog, I already have an analyst who over-charges me. Please, give me the benefit of your great wisdom and insight," the feverish Fisherman begged.
And again, after another long silence, Frog gave Fisherman the benefit of his thoughts.
"Okay, Jack. Do these things and you might be better off. Numero uno, get yourself a good woman and settle down. I'm a family man myself and speak with some authority on the subject. Take that fancy fishing knife and cut yourself off a handful of those daisies on the far bank. Take them into town to Sweet Sue's Cafe and give them to her. I happen to know that Sue has a weakness for daisies. If you do as I say, you and she will fall in love, marry, and start a family. Best thing for you. Oh, here's another tip. Give up fishing. You're not a fisherman. Take up something more restful like golf. Yes, you're more suited to golf."
Then, Frog turned to a more elemental task--he spied his lunch and ate it. An early hatching May Fly fluttered out of the stream and slowly flew just in front of him. In a second he'd swallowed it, and in the next second--kersploosh--he jumped into the brook and swam slowly downstream to join his wife and their 1,696 tadpoles.
The local paramedics arrived soon after, having received a phone call from an anonymous weasel. They took the unconscious, heat-exhausted Fisherman, clutching a freshcut bouquet of oxe eye daisies in an unrelenting grip, to a nearby hospital where he soon recovered.
Eventually, everything that Frog had said came true. Fisherman and Sweet Sue married and moved to the suburbs where she now prefers to be called Suzannah. They have three young tadpoles they've placed in proper schools (prepping for Princeton, Harvard, and Yale respectively). Upon swearing off fishing forever, he took up golf. He is now President of the 19th Hole Bonnie Brae Club, where he officiates at gatherings that last well into the gloaming, where rivers of single malt beverages flow and cloudbanks of heavenly blue smoke de Habana waft and perfume the cool night air. He never overdoes it, and is admired throughout the community for his great self-control.
President has never mentioned his streamside encounter with his chief mentor, Frog, to anyone. Frog, likewise, treats his counseling session with the former Fisherman as if it had never taken place. And they both, essentially, are living happily ever after.
Mike O'Neill
Woodland Valley, NY

Dear Editor,
The flowers are gone from part of my garden: the same varieties that were taken this time last year: the red phlox, the yellow daisies, the purple phlox, the bee balm and white hydrangea, all gone.
This year, the thief had brought clippers: the stems had all been systematically cut long-stem, straight across, clean and sharp at the same height, at the end of the weekend, late afternoon Sunday, August First, in the short time I was away from home.
Worse. Some of the plants maturing to flower next had been trampled to get at the ones that were cut.
I've had enough.
If you are the thief, I have an excellent surprise for you next time.
I can hardly wait.
P. S. If you are the man who parked his car in my garden last month in order to contemplate the beauty of nature on the big flat rock in the creek below, I presume the thief is not you, since you offered me a "couple of dollars" for the damage.
Earl Hatleberg
Chichester, NY
Dear Editor,
The poker playing community in and around the Woodstock area is attempting to stage a large Texas Hold 'em tournament for the benefit of the INDIE program which recently had its funding ended because of the necessary cutbacks at the Onteora school system. This was a truly valuable entity in the ongoing battle to provide as many teenagers as possible with exciting learning alternatives to keep helping them raise their future hopes during the sometimes difficult course of young life. Details are still developing and I will notify all of you poker players out there as things are cemented into place. These are the times to do whatever we can to help young people navigate through a tough world. For info call me at 679-8117.
Lenny Kislin
Woodstock, NY
Dear Editor,
School will be open in a couple of months. At the Domestic Violence Shelter (The Washbourne House) the kids will head off to school each day, just like the children in your neighborhood. But for most, it's a new school with unfamiliar faces and unknown routines. A new outfit and/or school supplies may help boost their confidence.
There are some families who are facing the reality of homelessness and poverty due to domestic violence. Family Domestic Violence Services is looking for individuals, family groups or groups of co-workers who would like to adopt a child/children for school clothes/school supplies.
The donor would provide either a gift card or new clothes to a child whose family is recovering from the trauma of domestic violence and adjusting, possibly to a dramatic reduction in income and standard of living. You can help put a smile on the face of a child this year. If you can help out please call me at 845-331-7080.
Kathleen Moretti,
Family Domestic Violence Services
Kingston, NY
Dear Editor,
UlsterCorps and the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum would like to thank everyone involved in making Arts for Ulster (collaborative exhibition, auction, and events) such a success. Coordinated by UlsterCorps and hosted by WAAM this summer, the project generated almost $20,000 in sales for local non-profits and artists, while raising awareness about the wide-range of critical services offered to our community, and the many dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to support such a range of good work.
Thanks to our sponsors, Ulster Savings Bank, Chronogram and Hudson Valley Credit Union, and to the many local businesses that donated food and wine for the Opening Gala and Live Auction: Adams Fairacre Farms, The Alternative Baker, The Big Cheese, Bread Alone, Cascade Mountain Winery, C'est Cheese, Deitz Stadium Diner, Emmanuel's Market Place, Empire Merchants North, Evan Spingarn Wine Events, Hickory BBQ, Home Plate Deli & Caterers, Hurley Ridge Market, Jen Redmond, Kingston Wok, Le Canard Enchaine, The Liquor Cabinet, Lori's Creative Cafe, Miron Liquor & Wines, The Red Onion, Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits, Sunfrost Farms, Ugly Gus Cafe, The Village Market, The Wine Hutch, Woodstock Meats, Woodstock Wine.
Thanks also to the many local business who donated items to the silent auction, and to Maya Horowitz for coordinating Woodstock donations: Anatolia Tribal Rugs & Weavings, Antiques of Woodstock, The Common Thread-One of a Kind Handwoven/Deeber Berk, Dharmaware, Earthly Bodywork, The Golden Notebook Bookstore, Hudson Valley Wine Country, Jaritas Florist, Lily's of Woodstock, Loominus Handwovens, Lynn Duvall Lisc Massage Therapist, Mirabai of Woodstock, Modern Mythology, The Rare Bear Children's Toys, Rock & Snow, Shellie David The Woodstock Jeweler, Tibetan Arts & Crafts, Wild & Sweet, Woodstock Framing Gallery and Richard Segalman.
Special thanks to our auctioneer James Cox and to all the artists who contributed their work, many giving 75% or more of the proceeds from their sales to benefit local organizations. Many of these artists were already volunteers with the agency their piece supported; some became volunteers through Arts for Ulster, and others had benefited from critical services like the Oncology Support Program and Woodstock Meals on Wheels. For a complete list and statement from individual artists about the agencies, go to www.ulstercorps.org and look under "Collaborations" for more details about Arts for Ulster.
Much appreciation to all our volunteers, the coordinating committee, the WAAM staff, and Board members of both UlsterCorps and WAAM for recognizing the importance of this project and their support over the last several months.
Josephine Bloodgood, WAAM
Beth McLendon, UlsterCorps
Dear Editor,
I have just finished reading Cally Mansfield's column in the July 29th issue of your paper.
I must admit I always read Cally's column! I am a big fan of Cally! She never fails to make me smile, even when she writes about things that may hurt. What a wonderful, wise child Cally is , to know that "ouches" are unavoidable in life and sometimes you just have to deal with them and find a way to make yourself feel better. Cally is a very delightful columnist with the insight of a philosopher. If we all read Cally's wise words and take responsibility for our own happiness I am sure we will live in a happier place. We are indeed a very lucky community to have talented young people living amongst us and Cally is one of those very talented young persons.
Keep on writing Cally! And thank you for giving me the opportunity to smile!
Linda Burkhardt
Olive, NY