The Livingston Manor Rotary Club was host to the Rotary Region 5 Meeting on May, 9, 2023.  Clubs from Rockland County up to Sullivan County joined together to celebrate successes of the Rotary year and to share in current club happenings.  The Guest Speakers for the meeting were Kara Passante, Carolyn Bivens, and Glorianne Ellison from Sullivan County Ride 2 Survive.  Ride to Survive provides much needed funds to assist in the transportation to and from to life saving medical appointments and treatments for cancer patients.  No cancer patient is turned away.  They made clear that no cancer patient should ever have to choose between being able to get to a treatment or food on the table or rent. The Rotary members were touched by the work done by this amazing organization and many Rotarians present donated personally to the cause. 

 

Food, fellowship, and friendship enhances the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.  That was certainly evident at this meeting!  Thank you to the Livingston Manor Club for hosting this wonderful evening. 

Monticello Rotary is showing heart in participating in The 45th Annual 98.3 WSUL Heart-a-thon to be held on Friday, February 17, 2023 from 6am - 5pm at the Epicenter at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello.  Heart Disease is the number once cause of death in the United States.  Sullivan County is ranked 61 out of 62 in NYS for poor health with Heart Disease following the national trend.  This year's Heart-a-thon has shifted forcus to ensure those concerns are being addressed for our community.  This year, the Heart-a-thon will be expanding the beneficiaries to focus on: Prevention, Education, and Treatment of Heart Disease in Sullivan County.  This year proceeds will benefit a Treadmill for the Cardiac Rehab and some portable Cardiac Monitors, both for the Garnet Medical Center Catskills Campus; The Warrior Teens Program and an Outdoor Fitness Pad in Monticello with Sullivan 180, A Singe Bite’s Real Food School Education Program, and Building Sullivan’s Healthcare Workforce Scholarships with Suny Sullivan.

 

To help us, help others, please consider donating today.  Donations can be made online at: https://www.givegab.com/p2p/45th-annual-98-3-wsul-heart-a-thon/lori-orestano-james or you can pledge by calling 845 798-1770.  

 

The Rotary Clubs of Sullivan County (Monticello, Liberty, and Livingston Manor) will be holding a Blood Drive during this event during the hours of Noon - 6pm.  Please use the following link to sign register and set an appointment time.  https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/303543 Any questions, call 845 798-1770

Members of the Fallsburg High School Interact and Leo Club joined forces to bake holiday cookies for those who serve others in our community.  They baked 12 cookie trays of goodness afterschool with the help of Advisors Shari Mednick and Kathryn Grodin, with assistance from Monticello Rotary Interact Liaisons Lynka Rivera and Lori Orestano-James.  Trays were then delivered by "Elves" Lynka Rivera and Lori Orestano-James to members of the Fallsburg Police Department, Fallsburg Fire Department, and Jodi Goodman from Garnett Catskill for distribution to the hospital staff.  The students had a great time and were excited to eat the calorie free broken cookies.  Teaching our youth Service Above Self is a priority of Rotary.  These students certainly showed how grateful they are to others who help them.  Happy Holidays to All!

 

Monticello Rotary will continue the annual tradition of holding its Thanksgiving Food Drive on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 9am – 1pm at the Ted Strobel (Neighborhood Facility) Building, Jefferson Street, Monticello, New York with pre-collection drop off locations available from Friday, November 9, 2022 until Friday, November 18, 2022 as noted below.

 

“Now, more than ever, our fellow neighbors are in need of food not only for Thanksgiving but to place food on their tables daily,” said Brad Rutledge, Monticello Rotary President.

 

According to Past Monticello Rotary President and Food Drive Co-Chairperson Lori Orestano-James, “We know how our community has always come through in the past to help us provide non-perishable food items to stock the United Way of Sullivan County Food Pantry and the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless Food Pantry during the winter months.  We are counting on your generosity once again to help feed those in need.”

 

Non-perishable food items may be purchased and dropped off the week of November , 2022 until November 18, 2022 at a local drop off spot.  “We are grateful to Kristt Company, Broadway, Monticello, for serving as an early drop off location starting on November 9, 2022 where you may drop off item(s) Monday thru Friday, 9am – 4pm until November 18, 2022.  All items pre-collected will be added to the items collected on November 19, 2022 at the Ted Strobel (Neighborhood Facility) in Monticello from 9am – 1pm, stated Peter Chester, event co-chair. “Julian Dawson, Executive Director of Sullivan County United Way and Kathy Kreiter, Executive Director for the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless will be on hand to pick up the donated items for distribution by the respective agencies”, according to Co-Chair Janet Kaplan.

 

Items most needed:

Canned veggies, canned fruit, cereal, pasta, gravy, sauces, canned meats, canned pasta, jam, jelly, peanut butter, rice.  (Any items non-perishable).

 

The Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” has never been more important in helping our community.  Please bring your non-perishable food donation items and help us to help others. 

   

What an amazing community turn out for the Monticello Rotary Childhood Cancer Blood Drive held at Resorts World Catskills on Monday, September 19, 2022.  The event was a huge success with 34 units of blood ultimately collected by the New York Blood Center.  Mary Kendell served as Honorary Chair and the Blood Drive was held in honor of Madelyn Bolduc, as brave little 3 year old girl in our community who, with along with her parents, Caitlyn and Christopher Bolduc are fighting hard to cure her leukemia.  According to Monticello Rotary Club Past President and Blood Drive Chairperson Lori Orestano-James, "With the help of our entire community, the Monticello Rotary Club was able to help collect enough blood through donors during this blood drive to help save the lives of 102 people."  Our next Blood Drive will be held in February.  Please remember to give the gift of life...DONATE BLOOD! 

 

 

 

 

Monticello Rotary had the unique opportunity to have a visit from Rotary District 7210 Governor Larry Palant.  The Governor shared with the club happenings from throughout the district regarding grant opportunities, the upcoming District Meeting and Projects, membership ideas and club project ideas, and other information concerning club and member opportunties.  Alway a pleasure to have Larry at our meeting.  Always great to hear his jokes, too. 

In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Monticello Rotary Club is holding a Blood Drive at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello.  We are proud to have Mary Kendell as our Honorary Chairperson.  Mary knows the importance of giving blood as she was a recipient as a child to deal with her illness.  Mary is humbled to serve in this role.  In addition, our club is making a challenge to all groups and organizations in our community to help us reach our goal.  We are holding this Blood Drive in honor of Madelyn Bolduc, the 3 year old daughter of Caitlin and Christopher Bolduc.  Madelyn is undergoing treatment for leukemia.  Leukemia is a blood cancer which hinders the body's ability to fight infection.  No person, let alone a child 3 years of age, should ever have to go through such a horrible disease.  But, Madelyn and her parents are braving this storm.  YOU CAN HELP! Giving blood is quick and simple. If you have questions or concerns regarding the process, please feel free to call 845 798-1770 and we will assist you.  Please sign up using the link below or scanning the QR Code on the flyer to schedule your appointment to donate blood giving Madelyn, and so many others, the true gift of life. Make a real difference and sign up today! 

 

     

 

  

A beautiful day on the golf course provided the ideal backdrop for the Monticello Rotary Club Scholarship Committee to ensure success during its Annual Monticello Rotary Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament. Friendship and fun was the theme of the day.  A great day was had by all.  Thank you to all those who supported the event.  A special thank you to Co-Chairs, Bob Ernst and Randy Katz as well as their committee and all those who volunteered their efforts that day to help.  Find out how well we did by attending our meeting on September 13th. 

 

We were so pleased to have Catskill Regional Medical Center CEO Jonathan Schiller speak to the Monticello Rotary Club at our meeting last week.  He shared with those present that CRMC takes a strong stance on the concept that "Wellness Starts At Home."  To that end, there are many positive happenings occurring at our community hospital.  

 

Mr. Schiller shared the work that the hospital is doing with Catholic Charities to help stop the opioid epidemic happening in our community.  He stressed that it has to be more than just Narcan training telling the club of the need for communicating with our children and parents.  We must develop the appropriate dialoge to ensure that our kids stay safe and have an understanding of the destruction of this horrible condition.  

 

In addition, Mr. Schiller spoke about the philanthropy within CRMC including The Annual Heat-a-thon, Golf Outing and RISE Walk a Mile event.  We heard about the new CT Imagining machine which will allow state of the art medical testing in our own back yard. The hospital was just awarded the American Heart Association Stroke Gold Plus Award for its service/response to stroke patients and the new Urgent Care just treated its 10,000 patient in the first year it has been open, 

 

We have so much to be grateful for in our community and CRMC is one such "jem" in our community.  Thanks for all of the information and keep up the great work! 

 

CRMC CEO Jonathon Schiller shares the good happenings at the hospital with Monticello Rotary Club

 

  

Monticello Rotary President Lori Orestano-James introduces the CEO of CRMC Jonathan Schiller.

 

Monticello Rotary Members listen closely to Catskill Regional Medical Center CEO Jonathan Schiller about the great things happening at our hospital. 

 

Monticello Rotary President Lori Orestano-James with CRMC CEO Jonathan Schiller.  

Our club is joining forces with the Liberty Rotary Club to aid victims of Hurricane Harvey.

 

Local groups are headed to Texas to assist the regions affected by Hurricane Harvey, according to a press release from the Liberty Rotary Club and Monticello-based nonprofit Operation Endeavor.

The groups are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to plan a response for areas that aren’t receiving as much assistance as the urban areas. Aid efforts are also being coordinated through Rotary Clubs in the Houston area, the release said.

The five-member team includes Stuart Hirsch, director of operations for St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Services in Connecticut. The other members on the team are Naval Corpsman Lawrence Smira and paramedical and rescue professional Charles Atwell, Charles Lee Miller and Thomas Andryshak.   Hirsch, a Liberty Rotarian, is also the president of Operation Endeavor. Gary Silver, Susan Kraycer and Gary Siegel are other Liberty Rotarians on Operation Endeavor’s board of directors.

The Liberty Rotary Club has contacted thousands of Rotarians in the New York region to donate to the effort. 

Monticello Rotary is proud to join the effort!  We're asking members and friends to contribute to Operation Endeavor by making a donation online via this link:

https://www.youcaring.com/hurricanevictimsoftexasusa-914276

OR you can make a check payable to Monticello Rotary Club with "Operation Endeavor" noted in the memo space and bring it to a meeting.

THANK YOU for your support!

Operation Endeavor is a nonprofit that provides rescue, emergency medicine and trauma training and supports disaster preparedness in developing regions of the world.

Officers from the Monticello and Fallsburg Interact Clubs were recognized at the June 6th meeting.   Congratulations to the clubs for an outstanding year!

 

 

 

Oh what a night!!   On Thursday, May 25th, the annual Polio Plus Dinner was held at the Eagle's Nest in Bloomingburg.  What a great joint effort by the Monticello, Liberty and Livingston Manor Clubs.   Kudos to Helen Diehl, chair o the event!    Mike McGovern, Chairman of the National Polio Plus Committee, was the keynote speaker and he delivered a powerful and moving message to the group.   And Les Kristt did an outstanding job as Emcee for the evening!

At the "Night Out" held at the Ethelbert B Crawford Library, a donation of $750 was made to the Sullivan County Veteran's Coalition in the name of Jeff Bank.   This donation was part of a donation to the Rotary Club from Jeff Bank for their sponsorship  of our Annual Monster Race.   Jeff Bank employees will participate in the race, either walking or running, as part of Jeff Bank's Healthy Work Environment initiative.   

After the presentation, we were entertained by Dylan Foley, Irish Champion Fiddler.  

Rotarian Randy Katz was the guest speaker at our February 28th meeting.  He gave an amazing presentation with lots of interesting details and stunning photos of his recent trip to South Africa, that included a safari.  
 

The following discussion reviews the recent presentation of China City by Ms. Sherry Li. As part of the review, I have included some cursory research that I conducted, which may be helpful in providing you with some historical background as to how China City has evolved over the years.

On January 10, 2017, Sherry Li, the CEO of China City (also known as the Thompson Education Center), made an oral and slide presentation before the Monticello Rotary Club¹. The proposed 575-acre development, called China City², is on a parcel of land that is off Route 17, Exit 112, which borders Wild Turnpike in the Town of Thompson and extends to the town of Mamakating. China City will be an educational institution that offers college level courses to students primarily from China. It is expected that the student body will also include Americans, as well as non-Chinese foreign students.

China City will offer four majors: business; movie, media and arts; culinary; and nursing. Depending upon their majors and career goals, some students will matriculate for four years at the college, while other students will be at China City for only one year, while spending the other three years in China where they will graduate. Ms. Li indicated that China City has executed several letters of understanding. One is with Catskill Regional Hospital, regarding the nursing program; and another is with Phoenix, a Chinese media company that is educating 80,000 students. The college will grow in stages, and at its final phase will have a 2,500-student body.

The guest speaker at our Nov. 29^th meeting was Tony Poli from the Sullivan County ATV Association, a non-profit organization that holds ATV (4-Wheeler) trail run fundraising events twice a year throughout the woods of Sullivan County. The proceeds from their events benefit families with children with special needs.

Mr. Poli gave a very interesting account of how the Sullivan County ATV Association and its fundraising events started in 1999 at Mr. Willys restaurant with about 90 participants. It was so successful that people asked if it could be held again on an annual basis. The ATV trail Poker Run event has remained very popular over the years and is now held twice a year. Although the attendance at the events has dropped recently from its peak of over 700, the ATV trail events still draws 300 – 400 people. The Sullivan County ATV Association has given out over $240,000 to children with disabilities since it started.

Mr. Poli tried to explain how difficult it is to hold the ATV trail run events. “It’s a lot of hard work”, he said. New York State does not provide any places to use ATVs, so private owners are asked for the use of their properties. Tony is involved with contacting property owners for permission to go through their land, setting up contracts where necessary, clearing and cleaning the trails, as well as putting up and removing the signage along the trails for the events. He said that they’ve gotten pretty good at running the things, but most of all, he loves being out in the woods of Sullivan County. People come from all over the United States to participate in the ATV trail events.

Mr. Poli said that he wished more people in Sullivan County would realize what a wonderful and beautiful place they live in.

Angela Dutcher, Executive Director of the Literacy Volunteers of Sullivan County, was the guest speaker at our November 1^st meeting. Ms. Dutcher has spoken at our club before and our club is a long-time supporter of her organization. She began her presentation by announcing that the Literacy Volunteers has embarked on a program to work with Ideal Snacks, a major employer in our area, to improve the literacy levels of their employees. The Literacy Volunteers is willing to work with any employer who wants assistance with tutoring ESL employees.

The Literacy Volunteers also has a program that helps Monticello High School student dropouts earn their GEDs. The graduation rate of Monticello high school is only 77%. Being a high school dropout is no guarantee of failure. Ms. Dutcher herself was a high school dropout, but she went and got her GED and then went on to college to get her degree.

The Literacy Volunteers works very closely with B.O.C.E.S. They are often called upon to help tutor B.O.C.E.S. students who are having difficulty with reading.

Most shocking is the continued high rate of illiteracy in Sullivan County and more specifically in the village of Monticello. The link between illiteracy and continued poverty is clear. Ms. Dutcher read a series of statistics that supported her statements. The median income for per capita in Sullivan County from 2010 – 2014 was approximately $25,000. In the village of Monticello is was $18,000.

The coming of the Casino to our area highlights the need to have a more literate workforce and people capable of being trained to do the jobs that will be available. Ms. Dutcher fears that many people in our area won't be qualified enough to get the jobs due to poor reading skills and a lack of education. She cited a similar circumstance that occurred when Walmart first came to our area.

The bottom line is that the Literacy Volunteers is a volunteer organization that wants to help people who want to learn to read in order to better themselves and create opportunities for a better life. The problem is... They desperately need volunteer tutors to help with their programs. Ms. Dutcher said that she could hold GED and ESL classes every day of the week, but she doesn't have enough volunteer tutors. Tutors are needed one to two days a week for 2 hours, to tutor a student. Tutor training is much easier now because the training is done online at the Literacy New York website, at your own convenience... and it's free.

During the discussion/Q & A period of the presentation president John Greenbaum suggested that perhaps senior citizens with time on their hands could be a source of tutors. Ms. Dutcher agreed and thanked him for the suggestion.

If you know anyone willing to become a tutor for the Literacy Volunteers of Sullivan County, please contact Ms. Dutcher at 845 -794-0017.. Please help.