When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going

O&W Historical Relic

It has been spoken, that how one deals with adversity defines the metal of the man (or woman), and in the past several weeks, and more specifically the last two weeks, our Sullivan Renaissance Project here in Mountaindale has faced a great deal of adversity through no fault of our own...it is what it is, and comes with the territory as they say.  Couple that adversity with the monsoon weather we have been getting, and our project is behind schedule.  

"Have no fear, UNDERDOG is here"...I know, dating myself again.

It is pouring down rain again today, and I do mean pouring, so spending my day catching up on all the office work that a project like this entails, and making a great deal of progress, as I wait on the letter from the Town of Fallsburg and Sullivan Renaissance which will clarify certain areas of our project that are in dispute.  We will simply go with the flow, and make whatever necessary adjustments need to be made, and who knows, in some aspects, it could work out even better.

1.  It looks like the landscaping at the entryway is going to be negatively impacted, and so we are already busy with alternative plans.  Rather than give away the opportunity to make a bold vision statement at the entryway, it is the projects intention to simply revamp, redraw our plans, and simply make a beautiful entry way on the inside of the posts that signify the gateway entrance, thus abiding by the terms of the newly draw deliverable s, while at the same time being true to the original artistic statement of the project.

2.  Work was started (on our one dry day) in earnest at the location of our first historic element, and if we can catch a break in the weather (Sunday and Monday), look for some WOW FACTOR to start creeping into the project area as soon as next week...this will be an EXCITING time for us on the committee, and for our intern.

3.  Arrangements were made this week to do a big volunteer day with the local Girl Scouts which will involve two troops, so very excited to have the opportunity to be working with them again on this year's project. 

4.  Clearing and clean up of the project area is almost done, and if we can get a few days of sun so that the area dries out, that portion of the project can be crossed off of our list.

5.  We are really excited that the GREEN ASPECTS of this project are pulling together as nicely as they are. It was our intention to use as much reclaimed materials in the project area as possible, and with a few very GENEROUS DONATIONS from people, pleased to announce that about 85 percent of the sculptural interpretation of the 33 Steam Locomotive will be constructed with recycled lumber and materials.

*CURIOUS...does any one have an old 6"-8" bell they are looking to get rid of?

6.  We have our barrels, and thanks to Raymon Elozua kind offer to use his welding equipment, we hope to get said barrels welded, and construction started on the train this upcoming week.

7.  Our fund raising plans are still in FLUX, though we have so far been very fortunate in receiving a lot of in kind donations.

So, we are digging in, and getting down to the tasks at hand, and hope to have a few more great photos to share next week...the one at the top of this articles is the beginning stages of work on our first historical element on the trail.

Latest News on Our Sullivan Renaissance Project-From Mountaindale News

Mountaindale Renaissance Project Moving Foward

Despite some disappointing, even childish local politics, our 2011 Renaissance Project is slowly moving forward, despite the efforts of some to derail our plans to build a sculptural interpretation of a train just inside the "Rails to Trails" corridor entrance. Wish someone could explain to me why all the in fighting is necessary, why all the various assorted factions in town cannot set aside their differences, and pitch in for the common good of the community...isn't that what this is all supposed to be about? Is it all about moving our small hamlet forward, or is it about who gets their name in the paper, who gets credit for what? If a flowering plant needs dead headed, and you are walking by, why not JUST DO IT, instead of thinking to yourselves, "It's not MY FLOWER BOX!" If a flower box needs repaired and planted, why not step forward as a volunteer, instead of stirring turds and trying to claim ownership of it?

I'm new to Mountaindale, and want to spend my time and efforts trying to make it a better place in which to live, want to work with any one that will work with me in trying to bring new businesses and citizens to our community. I'm stubborn, but I am giving, and willing to WORK WITH ANY ONE and EVERYONE...so please, can we set aside old animosities and grudges, and get on with the truly important tasks at hand?

On to more positive news about the Renaissance Project.

1. We are hoping to have water access to our site area by the end of this week (June 10th). Good thing with this heat wave we are experiencing.

2. Thanks to the generous donation of a local citizens (who chooses to remain nameless), last Saturday saw us bring in a great deal of rehab lumber...we are currently cleaning the nails out of this in preparation for building. This fits in with our overall GREEN THEME for the project, which includes creative re-use of materials whenever possible. This also saves our budget for use in other areas of the project. For those wondering, we could REALLY USE A) some treated 2x12's, B) Some four inch decking screws (guessing about ten pounds), and another sheet or two of plywood at the moment. Also, anyone have some rebar we could cut into three foot pieces?

3. Thanks to the generous support of our Renaissance Project, we have had another member of our community, Marty Weiner step up big time...he is in the process of lining up ten 55 gallon drums that we need for the project. Wondering if anyone out there has some 8, 10 and 12 inch diameter pipe (three foot sections) laying around we could requisition for our steam stacks on the Locomotive? We would also LOVE LOVE LOVE finding an old bell.

4. We are trying to tracking down FOUR old wagon wheels of identical size that we can use as the back wheels of this project...anyone have leads on this item?

5. We have gotten much of the site area clean up done, and our intern for this year Aaron Schmitt seems very enthusiastic about the project...speaking of interns, as Committee Chair, I have to get more adept at the paperwork end of this project.

6. The first steps of the installation project are slated to begin later this week, so if you see us in the Rails to Trails area working, stop by and say hello.

Look for a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT about our July Fund Raiser soon...It will be a really fun evening of wine, food and music!

2011 Mountaindale Sullivan Renaissance Phase 1 Guide

Dear Mountaindale Community Stakeholders:

Please find attached to this letter a copy of the “2011 Renaissance Category B Project Implementation Guide Phase 1” document which outlines our goals and needs from now through May 14th, 2011 as we gear up for this year’s Renaissance project. Please review the document, share it with friends and family, and feel free to call me (845)693-4513 with any questions, suggestions that you might have. We are looking for volunteers and donors, and hope we can count on your support in making this year’s Sullivan Renaissance Project a grand success that Mountaindale and our neighbors are very proud of.

As we move forward, you can stay abreast of the project, and keep up on news and events for our community by visiting http://mountaindalenews.blogspot.com/ or our Mountaindale Renaissance Blog at http://2011mountaindalerenaissanceproject.blogspot.com/. The attached document has been posted on our Renaissance Blog to make it easier for all stakeholders to share/read the materials.

I look forward to meeting many of the people in town I have yet to meet, and looking very forward to working WITH ALL OF YOU in making our 2011 Mountaindale Renaissance Project a great success, and wonderful addition to our “Rails to Trails” corridor.

Sincerely,

Sherwood Martinelli
Committee Chair-2011 Renaissance Project

2011 Renaissance Category B Project Implementation Guide Phase 1

Mountaindale Community Development Project has received a grant from the Sullivan Renaissance for the purpose of implementing improvements and beautification in the area known as the “Rails to Trails” corridor here in our local community.  To facilitate the completion of our goals, the Renaissance Committee’s core group has put together this implementation guide where in we describe the tools, citizen involvement and tasks needing to be accomplish for successful conclusion of our multi-phase project in a timely fashion.

Citizen Involvement-Volunteers

First, we are pleased we our off to such a great start with our volunteer efforts this year.  We have already had the help of our local Girl Scouts in doing trail head cleaning in the area of our 2011 project.  April 30^th is a Community Involvement Day with commitments from both local citizens and business to help in doing maintenance/cleanup/staging work related to past Renaissance Projects, as well as helping in further pre-project tasks for this year’s project.  A special thanks to all those involved.

We are looking for some individuals or local businesses willing to step forward to chair two sub-committees for this year’s project, so if you are interested in chairing either of these sub-committees, please contact Committee Chair Sherwood Martinelli at (845)693-4513 or Barb Schmitt at (845)434-4747 for additional details and information.

Volunteer Recruitment and Coordination-The duties of this committee will include local/extended committee outreach to individuals, businesses and civic groups seeking volunteers, and then scheduling those man/woman hour commitments into the project calendar so that we provide our volunteers with a worthwhile and memorable experience as participants in our projects.  As committee chair, you will have the freedom to put together, build your own team, drawing on those already involved, and/or bringing in new members to join the team.

Fund Raising Coordination-The duties of this committee will include local/extended committee outreach to individuals, businesses and civic groups seeking donations of cash, goods and/or in kind services.  Additionally, working with the full Committee, this sub-committees duties and responsibility will include the creation, planning and implementation of various fund raising events here in the Mountaindale Community.  As committee chair, you will have the freedom to put together, build your own team, drawing on those already involved, and/or bringing in new members to join the team.  Our goal this year is too A) involve our community (both local and extended) in finding/having donated most of the building materials for our sculptural installation, as well as raising enough money to not only cover the cost of installation, but to have money banked for long term maintenance/repair/improvement of this project over an extended period of time.  (IE-additional plantings, bulbs, replacement plants, fresh mulch)

Volunteer/Fund Raising Goals

Volunteers-Our goal is to simple…through community reach out, and creative thinking A) involve as many people as we can in our Renaissance Project, and B) include as participants as many civic and business groups as we can.  Volunteers and the retention of them once found is key to the success of any civic project.  We want volunteering in Mountaindale to be a fun memorable experience, the kind of experience that sees groups and individuals calling us to find out when they can come HELP AGAIN.

Of special need this year…there is going to be a lot of hard physical work involved in this year’s project, as well as some tasks that require some skilled tradesmen. 

Fund Raising Goals

Fund raising is divided into two specific areas of need.  First is an actual cash donation from private/public/civic donations.  Our goal benchmark for this year is $5,000.  This would allow us to successfully complete this year’s project, and have money set aside for future enhancements…as example, though not included in our Project Plan; we would like this fall to do some spring bulb naturalization in the project area, thus adding another bloom season.  IT is estimated that securing these spring time bulbs will carry a cost of $750.00 The second area of fund raising is the actual donation of goods or services…in this area, it is possible for the two committees to dovetail one another as businesses step forward to donate their skills to the process as an in-kind donation of services.  Below is a list of some (but not all) of the goods we are looking for this year.

Seeking Donation of Goods

Ornamental Flowering Trees-Trees of any size get very expensive very fast, but they also not only make a beautiful statement in a landscape, but they also help to anchor it.  Our plans call for seven of these trees.

Planting Materials…bulbs, scrubs, bushes, perennials, annuals of ALL KINDS, though we do have a particular list of MOST NEEDED PLANTS.

Top Soil-It is estimated that this year’s project needs 12 yards of HIGH QUALITY top soil (not fill).  We have secured two prices on this…we can get delivered, a total of 16 yards (four more than we will probably need) for $575.  If we have a way of picking up the top soil ourselves, the price is $28 per yard…a very significant savings.  A local business could donate the costs of the top soil; offer an in kind donation of pickup and delivery of the material, or both.

Lumber-we are in need of some lumber for building the skeletal bones of this project.  These materials can be (preferred actually) weathered.  If you are in construction and have old lumber you would like to donate to our project, please contact Sherwood at (845)693-4513.  Treated lumber would be idea, but not mandatory.  We have need of 2x4’s, 2x6’s, 2x12’s, 6x6 landscaping timbers, as well as several sheets of plywood.

As a subset of this…do you have 16 common nails, some number 8’s, and some 3-5 inch screws that maybe got rusted, cannot be used on a commercial/residential project, but would be perfect for a project like this out in nature?  We would love to have them.  Also, looking for a spool or two of wire that could be used to bind/twine elements together.

Old piping that could be used to turn the sculpture into a rain water collection and watering system for the garden.

30 and 55 gallon drums.

Birch branches, poles…these will be used as sculptural highlights.

Field Stone…self explanatory.

Large…I MEAN LARGE landscaping stones.  WE are looking for some statement pieces.

Project Priorities-Staging This Year’s Project-This year’s project includes three main elements.  Clean, rejuvenation and enhancement of the “Rails to Trails”, creation of a small landscaping element to showcase a historical relic from the old O&W Railway, as well as a major landscaping element (including the building of a significant sculptural element) in a historical location, and including therein a second historical element.

Pre-Project Clean Up and Staging

1.       Using florescent construction tape (pink and orange) mark off the area of the project.  Orange tape to define the area, pink tape marking trees/debris to be removed from the area.

2.      Working with the town of Fallsburg, clean up the woods and trail area for the project.  This will include thinning of woods to promote better tree growth, clean up of woodland and train floor.  Some grading work also needs to be accomplished, either with the town of Fallsburg, or using our own equipment and labor here in the hamlet.

3.      Find/Define materials staging area.  Begin task of gathering, finding and/or purchasing necessary materials to build the train.  Start pricing out plant materials needed for the project.

4.      Using spray paint, layout the project footprints so that these areas can be further shaped, defined and sculpted.

5.      Move/Transplant the large spruce to its new location.

*On-site meeting is scheduled for week of 2^nd with Henry from the town of Fallsburg to find out what they will be able to assist us with.

**Additional leg work needs to be done to track down and get some kind of commitments on access to water…Ken is handling this.

*** Verify with Raymon his commitment to be available for welding work…furthermore, discuss with him best practices for turning the four barrels into a water collection/storage and disbursing system so that our sculptural element is also a rain garden.

Target Goal for completion of Phase one goals as outlined above is May 14^th, 2011.

Please feel free to add your comments or suggestions to this plan by emailing Sherwood at marcwoodsocialimaging@gmail.com or calling me directly at (845) 693-4513

Small Business/Entity Mini Grants From Sullivan Renaissance

Sometimes, something sticks in your head...one of those things sees us here in Mountaindale reaching out to our various business owners in the hopes of seeing all of us as a community kicking it up a notch with the help of Sullivan Renaissance.  Our committee, the Mountaindale Economic Development Project have sent out the following email on the Sullivan Renaissance Mini Grants Program.

Dear Mountaindale Business Neighbors,

For the moment anyway, the rain has stopped & the sun is shining, the grass is green & verdant and I can see brilliant yellow daffodils from my office windows.  This makes me think about how beautiful our Main Streets will look in a few weeks when we put the flower planters out.  However, what if we were to work together to kick things up a notch?  Sherwood pointed out to me that Sullivan Renaissance is offering $200 Mini Grants that can be used for a business' storefront beautification.  I am attaching a copy of the description & application to see if we might work in a coordinated effort to garner a few of these so that we have a very dynamic display this year.  For example, what if some of the funding went toward lush hanging baskets in front of all the businesses that could be started from seeds in the greenhouse?  Plz let me know if you would consider this initiative for us to work on cooperatively & then Sherwood & I will help us to submit for a few grants and we'll see what kind of an impact we might make w/ a collaborative effort over the next several months.

BTW, we are starting our maintenance work this Saturday from 2 - 5 PM & would love to see you as volunteers either behind the school or at one of our other community flower beds.  Tea & homemade cookies will be served as light refreshments.

Thank you all!
Barb

 

Sullivan Renaissance Press Release-THE REAL DIRT ON SMART GARDENING

THE REAL DIRT ON SMART GARDENING
Working Smarter to Create Gardens with the "WOW FACTOR"

[FERNDALE] – Want more color and variety in your garden, but not sure what to plant where? Horticulturalist Vivian Multari-Ginsberg will discuss plant choices and flower combinations to help achieve beautiful, sustainable gardens with the “wow factor.”

Want to work smarter this year?  Gardening expert Mary Lewis will demonstrate cool tools and explain time tested tricks to make gardening time more fun.

Sullivan Renaissance is holding its spring gardening seminar entitled “The Real Dirt on Smart Gardening” on Wednesday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the CVI Center in Ferndale. 

Bring your enthusiasm and questions!  There will be time to answer specific questions.

Pre-registration is requested.  Refreshments will be provided.  For more information or to register, contact Sullivan Renaissance at http://www.sullivanrenaissance.org/ or 845-295-2445.

Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation.  Sponsors include Bold Gold Media Group/Thunder 102, Sullivan County Democrat, The River Reporter and WSUL/WVOS.

Saturday April 30th...Volunteer Opportunity...Mountaindale Maintenance Day

This article appeared today in our Mountaindale NY News Blog...worth bookmarking.  This up coming Saturday, April 30th is our Mountaindale Maintenance Day...we will be sprucing up Renaissance Projects from past years, and doing some site prep work for this year's project.  Time is 2-5PM.  Also in the first article is news on Fallsburg's Spring Clean Up Weekend...May 20-22, 9-5PM.  In the second shared article is a run down of the events over at Radiant Yoga...including Janet's workshop on "Fool Proof Composing"! Do hope you will come join in the fun, attend one or all of this wonderful offerings and volunteer opportunities.

Rainy Monday Mountaindale Announcement of Clean Up/Maintenance Days

Greetings to everyone on this rainy day Monday in April. Trust everyone enjoyed their holiday(s) during this past week? Wanted to bring some important announcements and important dates to your attention.

First Up-Mountaindale Maintenance Day
Saturday April 30, 2011
2-5 PM...meet up in front of 60 Main Street.

The purpose of this event is two fold in purpose, and gives volunteers OF ALL AGES a chance to lend their hands to the task of keeping Mountaindale the beautiful little hamlet that it is. As said, the purpose of this Mountaindale Work Day is two fold.

1. We will be picking up the town (litter, branches and the like) and doing some spring maintenance work on past projects. Raking, turning the soil, trimming off die back on some of our perennials as they get ready to start their spring growth.

2. Sharing plans for this years Renaissance Project, and doing some Pre-Project clean up in the area (Entry to Rails to Trails Corridor) where this years project is to be installed.

We hope you can plan to attend this Work Day, and if you or your organization would like to schedule a Volunteer Day here in Mountaindale, please contact Barb at (845)434-4747 or Sherwood (Committee Chair of this year's Renaissance Project) at (845)693-4513.

We also would like to remind everyone that the "Fallsburg 2011 Spring Clean Up" weekend is scheduled for May 20-22, 2011. This is a PERFECT TIME to clean up those hard to get rid of items, and see that they are disposed of properly so we keep our pristine community looking beautiful.

Residents of Fallsburg
2011 Spring Clean Up

Dates: May 20th-22 Hours 9:00AM-5:00PM

Will be held ONLY at the
*South Fallsburg Sewer Plant

1 Pickup Truck Load PER HOUSEHOLD

All material must be separated.
PIPE MUST BE CUT INTO FOUR FOOT SECTIONS
DRUMS AND TANKS MUST BE EMPTY AND CUT OPEN
OR CRUSHED...PAINT CANS MUST BE EMPTY
NO BRUSH, YARD WASTE, OR BAGS OF LEAVES
NO STUMPS OR ROCKS, NO HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE

ONLY *2* TIRES OFF RIMS PER HOUSEHOLD

NO COMPUTERS, MONITORS, LAPTOPS OR TV'S
NO FLUORESCENT BULBS

PROOF OF RESIDENCY REQUIRED!!!!!

 

Some Don't MISS Events/Classes Weekend of April 29th at My Radiant Yoga With Janet

Janet at "My Radiant Yoga" has some really great things on the calendar this upcoming weekend as we say goodbye to April and its shower, and welcome May. In addition to being a fabulous Yoga instructor, she also happens to be VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE about organic gardening, and will be hosting a great workshop on the timely topic of "Fool Proof Composing" as we all prepare to put our hands in the ground, feel the rich dirt as we start our own plantings, begin preparing our own gardens. Make sure to RSVP for this one as it is a great way to start off the Spring Gardening Season.

This Coming WEEKEND'S HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, April 29

Relax and Recharge with Restorative Yoga
5:30-7 pm

Great for many in reducing the occurance of migraines, lowering blood pressure, and releasing
tension in neck, shoulders, and lower back...A treat on the radiant-heat floors.

Saturday, April 30 Tone and Strengthen
8:45-10 am
Free for Newcomers!

Composting Made Easy-A must attend workshop for ALL GARDENERS!
10-10:45 am

Learn Full-proof Composting in the yoga-studio garden $5 donation benefits Community Gardening Projects.

Manure for your garden and non-resin wood chips...to start your compost pile...will be available to take home (by donation to benefit neighborhood gardening projects)Bring buckets or bags.

For non-composters:

Your non-fatty vegetarian kitchenscraps welcome in our yoga-studio garden pile.

Community Cleanup in Mountaindale
2-5 pm

Help Create Beauty where it's Really Needed: Weed, Prune, Divide Plants, and Mulch Together
in Our Community Effort in Back of the Former High School Learn Gardening tips from My Secret Gardener (that's me!)

Enjoy a special, radically relaxing floor-yoga class after
FREE to all Volunteers!

Sunday, May 1

Celebrate May Day in Mountaindale!
8:30-10 am

Yoga for Gardeners Create strength AND ease in hips and lower back with Anusara Principles of Alignment Intermediate Level.

Plant and Seed Exchange
10:15-11 am

Bring seeds and/or clumps of perennials and herbs to share. Take home what you can use.

Yoga Therapeutics for Gardeners
11:15-12:30

(Create ease in the hips and lower back with Anusara Yoga Universal Principles of Alignement)
ALL LEVELS WELCOME

 

 

Catching Up, Laying Ground Work For Spring and Summer

Sure those following visiting this blog have wondered, "What happened to Sherwood?"  Well, I have been busy with various things, including working  behind the scenes as we prepare our official launch of this years Renaissance Project on our segment of the "Rails To Trails".  That said, has been a lot of things going on, and thought it time to update everyone...though some updates have already appeared in Mountaindale NY News.  Shall paste those three articles here so you can bring yourselves up to date.

First article announced the fact that the Mountaindale Community Development Project was successful with their grant application!  A special thanks to some of our local businesses (My Radiant Yoga, Diversified Realty, Upstate Karate) for being such a source of support and knowledge. The Sullivan Renaissance Spring Conference was well attended, and the guest speaker, Katy Moss Warner was insipirational...you should visit America In Bloom.

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.

 

Next up...two Saturdays ago, we actually had our FIRST Sullivan Renaissance Project Volunteers working on a cold, overcast and blustery April day...WHAT FUN.  I would like to extend a very special thanks to the girls and troop leaders from Fallsburg's Troops 738 and 580.

 

Fallsburg Girl Scout Troops 738 and 580 Earn Spirit Day Badges

Looking out the window of my apartment here in Mountaindale at the cold, overcast, blustery sky as I sipped my morning coffee early this morning, I was wondering if the planned Volunteer kick iffevent for our 2011 Sullivan Renaissance Project would need to be canceled. It was under forty degrees, and the sky was threatening rain at any moment...as I contemplated this thought the phone rang...it was one of the Girl Scout Leaders letting me know they were planning on being out front of 62 Main Street at 11 O'clock sharp, informing me that the girls were really excited about the chance to be the first volunteers for this years project, which is located inside the entrance to our "Rails to Trails Corridor. Pouring my second cup of coffee I went in search of a HEAVY COAT.

As promised, the three Scout Leaders arrived right on time, charges in tow, full of energy, and excited to get started on doing some trail clean up in the area of our project, so one large wheel barrel wagon and a rake in hand, we all set off for the walk over to the trail head to get started. On the walk over, everyone introduced themselves. Gina Marie Colombo, Donna Lent, and Jennifer Simms were the three Scout Leaders, and as we walked I found out that this was a special day for the girls, as it was "Girl Scout Spirit Day" and the four girls would be earning their Spirit Day badges as a part of their community service work on this day..."How cool is that?" Even better, the theme of this year's Girl Scout Spirit Day as the Girl Scouts celebrate their 100 Year Anniversary is, "Forever Green." What better project could there be for the theme "Forever Green" than doing trail cleaning on a bike path in the "Rails to Trails Corridor" here in our small hamlet? The four girls were ready to work, full of more energy than I was able to muster at eleven in the morning on a almost wintry day, but being around them would get even the most hardened of souls in a great mood, and soon I found myself smiling ear to ear at their zest for the task at hand. Where does all that energy come from, and could I have a bit of it? There was Kaitlyn Simms, dressed in a hot pink jacket, who had on the greatest winter hat. Arianna Gonzalez, the youngest member of our troupe was wearing a vivid purple winter coat, had on a pastel striped hat with a pom pom you could not miss, and she had dug into her own piggy bank to purchase a box of Tagalong peanut butter patties so we had snacks to eat as we worked. There was Madison Lent with her off white fishing hat on, and rounding out the group was Brittany Lent in a pink hat featuring Sponge Bob Square Pants on it...yes, we were quite the sight as we strolled down Main Street pulling along behind us our big yellow wagon as we made our way to the Entrance way of "Rails to Trails." The next couple of hours were a LOT OF FUN as the girls raked up leaves, and began picking up branches and limbs that had fallen onto the trail over the long winter. The Mountaindale Community Development Project wants to thank the members of Troops 738 and 580 and their leaders for stepping up so early in our 2011 Sullivan Renaissance Project, for lending us a hand as we begin our pre-project clean up of the area in which we will be working this spring and summer. Everyone involved had a great time, and I would like to thank the troop for awarding me an "Honorary Girl Scout Spirit Day" badge, the icing on what turned out to be a beautiful day to be out in the woods doing trail clean up on our "Rails to Trails Corridor" here in Mountaindale.

Very excited about our project this year, and for those of you who have not heard yet, we are going to build a sculptural interpretation of the O&W Railway's old number 33 Steam Locomotive, and we could not have asked for a better official kick off to this year's event than having the Girl Scouts here in town to lend us their support. Their hard work today cleared off a nice patch of the trail we are going to be projecting in. If you or your organization would like to be involved in this year's project, or would like to schedule a day to volunteer, we would love to have you. Just give Barb a call at (845) 434-4747 or contact our Committee Chair Sherwood (that would be me...) at (845) 693-4513. My answering machine is on 24/7 so if I am not in, please leave me a message, and will get right back to you.