Life-affirming Relay
On May 18, for the eleventh consecutive year, the Cantine Veterans Sports Complex was the host venue for the Saugerties contingent of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. For those same 11 years I have had the pleasure of working with and attending each and every Relay event.
I use the word “pleasure” with emphasis, and this year’s event and experience was no different; if anything, it was better than ever. Prior to the start of the very moving and touching opening ceremonies, the folks from Relay had realized more monetary donations than ever before. Further, more participants and teams took part in this year’s than any previous. Both of these feats are quite astonishing considering our neighbors to the south, Kingston, was staging their Relay on the very same day.
This all doesn’t just happen; there is a great deal of preparatory work leading up to the day of the event, during the event and after the conclusion. Although, there were many people involved, there are always the “leaders” who pull everyone and everything together, along with taking care of the many necessities behind the scenes that very few see.
This past year was no different and a very good example of, with two superb leaders who co-chaired the event, Melinda Esposito and Kelly Umana. I commend both Mindy and Kelly for the exceptional job they did. Mindy and Kelly’s displays of commitment, pride, initiative, caring, dedication and hard work, along with cooperative efforts, among many, were key ingredients in the highly successful outcomes and are but a few of Mindy and Kelly’s fine attributes.
Additional accolades to John Anthony (JA) Bruno, for the exceptional job JA did as director of special events, in conjunction with Mindy and Kelly.
Then, there was the phenomenal job young Nikki Metcalf did with the singing of the National Anthem at the opening ceremony. In this day and age when many, on the national stage, make a mockery of our Anthem, it was indeed an honor and pleasure to hear Nikki’s rendition, with pride, of our Star Spangle Banner, so precisely, so elegantly, so professionally, the way it is supposed to be sung. Finally, I commend the Town Board with their foresight in recognizing, through proclamation, two of my staff, Keith Hartrum and Rob Kleemann. Mr. Hartrum has served as liaison to the event for all 11 years and when the Relay event was relocated to the Ice Arena and adjacent grounds, several years ago, Mr. Kleemann teamed with Keith as a co-liaison.
It was a great day and congrats to all for your unprecedented achievements, along with the big winners of the day—the American Cancer Society—Thank you!
Greg Chorvas
Superintendent, Cantine Sports Complex
Baseball sponsors
As we begin our 2013 baseball season we would like to take a moment to thank those who have made it possible. Costs rise every year and it is through various fund-raising activities that we are able to garner the necessary money to keep our program strong. Individuals and businesses throughout the community are gracious in giving and we really appreciate the support. If you are reading this list and not on it but would like to join our contributors please feel free to do so by mailing a check made out to the American Legion to Jerry Malgieri, 19 Hemlock Lane, Saugerties, NY.
Individuals and businesses: Donna Mehalak, Cliff & Carolyn Breithaupt, James Gage, Gladys Hutton, John & Bev Harris, Lawrence & Margaret Mangan, The Exchange Hotel, Lezette Express Inc., Sal & Rita Misasi, Dolores Brink, Ken Flicker, Marty & Pat Keenaghan, Jeff Markle, Cliff & Flo Snyder, Bill & Donica Ball, Terry & JoAnne Parisian, Joe & Ethel Pilz, Ray & Carol Scally, Robert & Faye Quirk, Russell Scally Financial Services, Marie & Claude Post, William Brinnier, John & Joni Granwehr, Robert Howe, Priscilla Ritz, Larry Marcus, Praetorius & Conrad, Jim Griffis, Pete & Slyvia Kramer, Betty Jorgensen, Holley & Denise Carnright, John & Kim Jorgensen, Art Russell, Saugerties Carpet & Linoleum, Saugerties Animal Hospital, Dave & Cathy Fuller, Bob & Deb Lawless, Charlotte Wilson, Stewart’s Shops, SAA, Saugerties Sports Hall of Fame, Greg Chorvas, Good Guys Auto, Vince & Ruthann Buono, Alfred & Anna Westergard, Electronic Control Concepts, Shirley Dederick, Ray & Lucy Stagich, Fritz & Pat Beckert, Lawrence & Sally Traube, Don & Alicia McCaig, Vince & Jen Hackett, Mary & Stephen Beckert, Vince & Sharon Brennan, Joe & Mary Roberti, Bob Kraft, Gerard Brice, Lou & Winifred Honecker, Joe & Kris Mayone, DBA Lawless Tree Service, Saugerties Fire Department, Franklin Clum, Sawyer Leasing Corp., Kenbenco Inc., Charles & Maryanne Marullo, Robert & Claire Schnell, Mike & Denise Dittus, Shane Ellis, Robert & Agnes Gardner, Saugerties Babe Ruth, Central Hudson, Kathleen Reynolds, Dennis & Mary Beaver, Michael Saporito Photography, Dr. Debra Koehn, Sawyer Motors, Hrdlicka Law Firm, Ward Backhaus Collision, The Reis Group, Gail Thornton D.D.S., William & Irene Geick, Eleanor Snyder & Nancy Lavallee, John L Brink, Joe Stopinski and Saugerties Lions Club.
Casino Bowling Fund Raiser: Saugerties Bowlers Club
Sign Contributors: Ten Broeck Commons, Mullen Construction, Sinnott’s Plumbing & Heating, Naccarato Insurance Agency, Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home, Village Apothecary, Helsmoortel Insurance Agency, Dall Vechia & Kraft LLP, H.L. Snyder and Son, Inc., KWH Builders Inc., Benson Steel, Benson Crane Service, H & S Environmental, Murphy Law Office, Mirabella’s Restaurant, Greco Motors.
Golf Fund Raiser- Hole Sponsors: Aerus/ Electrolux, Murphy Law Offices, H.L. Snyder and Son, Inc., Sawyer Motors, Dall Vecchia & Kraft LLP, Polaski Dental, Greg Chorvas, SAA, The Stone Pony Deli, Saugerties Little League, Mirabella’s, Leighton Enterprises, Sue’s Restaurant, Town and Country Liquor, C & J Plumbing, Dutch Ale House, Northeast Data Destruction, PC Smith & Son Inc., Sawyer Savings, Sickler, Torchia, Allen, and Churchill CPA’s, Ray Mayone Construction.
Golf Courses Donating Green Fees: Apple Green, Rondout, Woodstock, Blackhead, McCann, Red Hook, Wiltwyck, Twaafskill, Christmans Windham, Rainbow, Thunderhart, Sunny Hill, Rip Van Winkle, Lazy Swan, Catskill, Windham, Mohawk, Kutchers, Evergreen, Sycamore and Saratoga National.
Additional contributors: Dutchess Beer Distributors
Thank you!
Jerry Malgieri
American Legion Baseball
Animal Shelter yard sale success
On behalf of the Friends of the Saugerties Animal Shelter and its staff, I thank everyone who attended our yard sale on Saturday, May 18 and all who donated items to be sold. Because of you, the sale was a huge success! Donations poured in from all the surrounding communities. From below Port Ewen to Phoenicia. And such a variety. There was truly something for everyone. Men women, seniors, children, babies and pets. For those who came just for home baked goods, the “church bakers” were there. We are so grateful for their support. Some folks came just to give a donation to the shelter as they are as anxious as we are to see the shelter building being enlarged and improvements made. We thank the Blue Kats Organization for the use of their tables and for delivering and picking of the tables for the event. A thank you to the staff of the Transfer Station for storing the donations as they were brought in and for all their help. We are appreciative of the support we have received from the media , including the Saugerties website, Saugerties Lighthouse Public Access TV Channel 23 and the Woodstock Public Access Channel. To the volunteers who worked so tirelessly under the leadership of Jean Fellows, you did a fabulous job keeping things moving, talking with the customers, putting out the articles to sell, which seem to take hours, and then, with the help of the Transfer Station staff, cleaning up the area and storing away left over items for the next sale in October. We could never have done it without you. A bonus was the adoption of three cats from the shelter! If I have forgotten anyone or anything, I apologize. We are truly blessed.
Marie Post
Shelter Manager
Urge Gibson to support gun control bill
On May 23, Organizing for Action (OFA) members from Ulster and Dutchess counties met with staff from the office of U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson to urge him to support gun violence prevention measures. One such measure is the HR1565 bill, which calls for universal background checks. The group has asked Gibson to co-sponsor the bill in the House of Representatives. While staff members confirmed the congressman does indeed support universal background checks, they did not say whether he has decided to support the bill.
The group also delivered a petition of approximately 3,100 signatures supporting universal background checks from New York’s 19th district. District Director Steven Bulger said of Congressman Gibson: “The Constitution – versus some kind of poll – is what he goes to to determine whether something should be a law.” Still, staff members and Organizing for Action representatives did find common ground over concern for keeping the community safe, and making sure tragedies like Newtown do not happen again. The question, according to Dutchess team leader Ed Kinkade, is “how do we step up and address the violence in our communities and not violate the Constitution?” To him, the answer is HR1565.
The May 23 meeting is part of a larger push by Organizing for Action surrounding gun safety. According to OFA’s mission statement, the organization, a 501(c)(4) non-profit, aims to “mobilize citizens of all parties and diverse points of view to speak out for speedy passage and effective implementation of [the legislative agenda we voted for in the last election], including gun control, sensible environmental policies to address climate change and immigration reform.” OFA team member Gregory Bull, for example, has visited the Congressman’s office a number of times to address the issue of gun violence prevention. With continued pressure, OFA hopes to see Congressman Gibson reflect the view of a vast majority of his constituents in taking action to end gun violence.
Alexandra Smith
Organizing for Action, Kingston Team Leader
Enemy combatant or criminal?
Apparently President Obama cannot distinguish between a criminal from an enemy combatant. A criminal is essentially self-serving whereas an enemy combatant is serving a second party espousing either a cause or an ideology. The second party, in this case, happens to be at war with the USA and has made this known by certain attacks of the USA, such as 9/11 and a well organized radical Muslim jihad where the major form of action is covert terrorism and whose agents are enemy combatants of this nation. If a criminal cannot be distinguished from an enemy combatant means that we are not engaged in war such as the president’s fuzziness in the matter implies. This is not good news for our armed forces or the nation at large if it is maintained that the enemy is composed of self-serving criminals rather than combatants dedicated to a cause.
Bernard X Bovasso
Saugerties
Join the family! 
