school scene 2013: suny sullivan

A look at activities in

Sullivan CountyCommunity College

A look at activities in

Sullivan CountyCommunity College

A Special Section of the Sullivan County DemocratApril 23, 2013 • Section S • Callicoon, New York

2S SCCC SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT APRIL, 2013

Published byCatskill-Delaware Publications, Inc.

Publishers o f the

(845) 887-5200 Callicoon, NY 12723

April 23, 2013 • Vol. CXXII, No. 88

Publisher: Fred W. Stabbert IIISenior Editor: Dan Hust

Editor: Frank RizzoEditorial Assistants: Kathy Daley, Jeanne Sager, Eli Ruiz,

Kaitlin CarneyAdvertising Director: Liz Tucker

Advertising Coordinator: Sue BodensteinAdvertising Representatives: Katie Peake, Cecilia Lamy

Marketing Director: Laura StabbertBusiness Manager: Susan Owens

Business Department: Diane Hess, Christina Gruenke, Jasmine Rivera

Telemarketing Coordinator: Michelle ReynoldsTelemarketing Assistant: Diane Hess

Classified Manager: Janet WillProduction Associates: Sue Conklin, Ruth Huggler,

Rosalie Mycka, Tracy SwendsenElizabeth Finnegan, Jacob Stein

Distribution: Richard Conroy

Proud Member of:

Serving the weeklycommunity newspapers ofNew York State since 1853.

National Newspaper Association

‘A Look at Activities at Sullivan County Community College’

Jazzed up about junior colleges

At some point during her careerin academia, Dr. KarinHilgersom realized she did not

want to spend her professional lifepublishing papers in obscure jour-nals or even teaching at a large uni-versity.

“I knew I wanted to teach the stu-dents who needed me most,” saidHilgersom.

Appropriately enough, SUNYSullivan’s new college president ispassionate about the need and thevalue of two-year colleges.

“I’m in love with community col-leges,” Dr. Hilgersom said. “I love thatcommunity colleges can focusentirely on teaching and learningexcellence. I like it that we really areopen access – that everybody can gethigher education and career training.I love it that a 35-year-old who alwayswanted to be a nurse can make thathappen here.”

She’s also a great believer in thesynergistic role that community col-leges can play in energizing a com-munity – a virtue that made her the

leading contender in the search for anew SUNY Sullivan chief.

“Her experience leading transferand workforce programs (preparinglocal talent for the real demands oflocal employers) will be an importantasset,” said the college’s Board ofTrustees Chairman Nick Speranzawhen Hilgersom’s hiring wasannounced. He also cited her back-ground in policy analysis, research,grants and supervising capital build-ing projects in the colleges she hasserved.

As a West Coast educator andadministrator, Hilgersom has alsowatched and participated in therevival of towns such as Bend,Oregon and Walla Walla, Washington.

Walla Walla, for example, moved inthe 1990s from a “boarded-up townwith nothing but a prison and wheatfarms” into a vineyard-and-winerytourist destination where the com-munity college offers an associate'sdegree in winemaking and grapegrowing through its 10-year-oldCenter for Enology and Viticulture.

“I hope we can do things like thathere,” Hilgersom said.

Her own education began as a com-munications major at CaliforniaState University. After earning herPhD in Educational Policy andManagement from the University ofOregon, she taught speech, publicspeaking and interpersonal commu-nication at Oregon’s SpokaneCommunity College and Gonzaga

University, where she also launchedwomen’s study courses.

She later moved up to college deanand then served as vice president forinstruction at Walla Walla Com-munity College and then at CentralOregon Community College.

SHORING UP BUDGETAt her new post, she’s impressed

with much about the half-century-old college in Loch Sheldrake, with its1,200 full-time students.

A strong liberal arts program, acommitted and talented faculty, thepower of the business and account-ing department, an enviable “infor-mation technology cluster” of cours-es – digital media, graphic arts,multi-media and communication --are all key strengths of the college,she said.

But supporting them is a budgetthat has sadly eroded over the last sixor seven years, and one of Dr.Hilgersom’s first steps will be to buildup a reserve fund. “We will start set-ting aside two percent each year untilthere is six percent of the budget inreserve,” she said. Currently there isno reserve.

In many cases, “faculty salaries areabysmal and absurd,” and she wantsto get the spending plan to a placewhere that can be mitigated.

She also has designs on giving thebusiness and accounting program

New presidentinvigorates

SUNY Sullivan

College President Dr. Karin Hilgersom cameon board in February, selected for her back-ground in administration, grants, research,workforce development and supervisingcapital building projects.

APRIL, 2013 SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT SCCC 3S

5ypypyppppHaH papH pHapopeDetomoeR

RE k

SSuYNYNYUNUNSUSUyryryararsasarsrserrveveivivnininnnnAnAnhthth05050erehwynyAtsio - EEEERFFR knaBteneretInt

gki

!!!!!!nananvavaliivivlilivlllluSSuyPaaylliB& gnik

EEEERFFR e- metatSNeDetomoeRReF&tsaF

.cwww

ki

srgmm

s tnteme - iwgnikceheCnodeviaweFesiopeDstoMnoytilibaliavAyaDtxeN

sesseneisuBroffoerutpaCtisope - HBCylylaacoL,gnidndeLlaaicrememoCelbixelF

548mo.cyy.nbh.c - 97

tsiopeDtceriDhtis tsi

ppAenoPhoiHBdevorppA

4- 3029

CBOS-126757

RGRO-126866

Sullivan Pharmacy267 N. Main Street, Liberty, NY 845-295-5456

We Deliver Satisfaction

Open Weekdaysuntil 7 pm

Saturdays 9-3

Accepting No Fault, Workman Compensation &All Medicare Part D Insurance

Full Range of Over The Counter Medicines

• Diabetic Supplies • Home Health Care • Vitamins • Nutritional Care products

� Faster Service • No Waiting Time � Detailed Medication Counseling

Locally Owned & Operated for 20 Years Pharmacist Sonal Trivedi

SPHA-111314

SPHA-126272

enough financial capacity to assistsmall businesses in Sullivan County.

A wish that is more than a dream isthe construction of a new building tohouse the “workforce professions” –the programs taught in digital mediaand graphics, healthcare, green tech-nology and business.

Putting a signature building oncampus creates instant jobs for thecounty, solidifies strong programs,and most importantly would have ahealthy impact on enrollment, shesaid. “When you build a new building,the impact on enrollment is immedi-ate.”

Hilgersom pointed to $10.5 millionin capital project funds promised toSUNY Sullivan through the SUNY sys-tem in Albany.

“We have to come up with matchingfunds – but I do think there are donorsout there who want to fund work-force,” said Hilgersom.

CREATING A ‘COLLEGE TOWN’One way in which the local institu-

tion is an anomaly in the field of com-munity colleges is the size of its cam-pus. Built on what was 400 acres of

farmland, SUNY Sullivan uses only aportion of that land, and the collegepresident is working with the countyon how best to parlay some of theacreage into a win-win for both enti-ties.

“We are beginning to explore howwe can develop a private/public part-nership to use this land” to help withthe county’s economy and to developin students an appreciation for thecampus itself, she said.

Some possibilities are a health andfitness center, a coffee bar or a pubthat could spur more of a collegetown feel on that huge piece of land.Students could intern in the newbusinesses, Hilgersom noted.

In the meantime, the college presi-dent and her husband, web developerMatt Helmick, are busy exploring Sul-livan County’s own must-see ameni-ties.

“We discovered the Dancing CatSaloon (on Route 17B in Bethel),” saidHilgersom with a delighted smile,“where on Saturday afternoons, theyfeature songwriters playing theirmusic in the Distillery. Terrific!”


26 Years in Business

• COUNT ON US FOR ALL YOUR PRESCRIPTION NEEDS• 90 DAY SUPPLY OF SELECTED GENERICS FOR $11.99

• FREE DELIVERY •Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 6 pm

Sat. 9 am - 2 pmCLOSED SUNDAYFREE PARKING

IN REAR

524 Broadway,Monticello, NY 12701

845-794-2345Fax 845-794-0170

AN AMAZING SELECTIONOF UNIQUE GIFTS

Sweet Shop U.S.A. HandmadeTruffles Can Be Customized For

Any Occasion• Yankee Candles • Greeting Cards• Annalee Collectible Dolls• Handbags • Scarfs • New Arrivals• NYS Lottery Agent

FDST-125337

acoboince 1963, JS

Congratulations to SCCC!

ubits, LLP has beenwitz & Gacobo


ubits, LLP has been


ince 1963, J

ind out hoF

educational exas it celebrates pr

ullive salute SWWe

organizations thrting & rsuppor

our legal needs be can help with y

cellence to our communityeducational exviding 50 yoas it celebrates pr

an County Community College ulliv

udson oughout the Horganizations thresenting community-basedeprting & r

y calling our legal needs b

.mmunityy.ears of viding 50 y

an County Community College

. alleyy.VVaudson esenting community-based

VENUE | W 158 ORANGE A

JACOBOWITZ & GUBITS. BUIL

Check out our w1.866.220.8181

w wind out hoF

ALDEN, NEW YORK 12586 | 866.220.8181VENUE | W

T FOR YOU& GUBITS. BUILLT

witz.com acobo.Jwwww.ebsite at Check out our winfo@jacobo or emailing us at

our legal needs be can help with y

ALDEN, NEW YORK 12586 | 866.220.8181

T FOR YOUR SUCCESS.

today!witz.com . witz.cominfo@jacobo

y calling our legal needs b

JLLP-126810

Wrestling more dollars to pummel budget woesWhen colleges face financial

challenges, attracting morestudents is the obvious

solution – in SUNY Sullivan’s case,each in-county student translates toabout $9,000 in revenue, while anout-of-county student earns theinstitution some $12,000.

So the college’s Athletic DirectorChris DePew has come up a sportyway of grappling with enrollmentissues and shrinking dollars.

“When I learned of our financialdifficulties, I said, ‘I think I canhelp,’ ” Depew recounted.

His three-phased plan to attractbetween 100 and 130 new students tothe Loch Sheldrake campus by offer-ing more sports programs will beginin earnest this fall.

That’s when newly recruited stu-dent athletes will take to the mat andthe net respectively in the new men’swrestling and women’s volleyballprograms to be offered at the LochSheldrake campus.

Both sports were specifically cho-

sen because of the minimal outlay infinances required volleyball takesplace right at the gym, and wrestlingwill benefit from a “free” $12,000wrestling mat, courtesy of SUNYSullivan’s longstanding relationshipwith the New York City wrestling pro-gram called Beat the Streets.

Already, the college is hearing fromprospective new student athletes.

“We have several athletes in bothsports who will be coming there,”said DePew. “These are kids whowould have gone somewhere else”were it not for the new initiative.

How did they learn of SUNYSullivan’s new programs?

Each January, the college hosts theEastern States High School WrestlingTournament, and announcementswere made then. In addition, DePewserves as an officer with the NationalJunior College Athletic Association,and he’s gotten the word out that way.

And Beat the Streets is spreadingthe news. That inner-city programhad specifically asked SUNY Sullivan

to offer college wrestling for theirhigh school graduates, who wanted

to wrestle in college but found fewopportunities.

He’s clinching, grabbing and wrestling the college’s financial difficulties: Athletic DirectorChris DePew comes up with creative ways to get more kids into the college.


A Trusted Community Bank Since 1913.

BLOOMINGBURG • CALLICOON • ELDRED • JEFFERSONVILLE LIBERTY • LIVINGSTON MANOR • LOCH SHELDRAKE • MONTICELLO

NARROWSBURG • WAL-MART • WHITE LAKE • WURTSBORO

Helping Students Bank on the Future

(845)482-4000 • www.jeffbank.com • www.facebook.com/jeffersonvillebank

How to do your Bankingand Mandy & Randycourses are being taughtin several Sullivan Countyschools. They aredesigned to introducestudents to basic banking.

As a public service, JeffBank provides studentsand teachers with trainingmanuals and sendsrepresentatives from thebank to area schools tomake relevantpresentations.

Anna Milucky, Jeff Bank vice president and businessbanker, is pictured on a visit to teach financial skills toyoung people at one of our local schools.

JEBA-117872

Welcoming newly appointed

President Karin HilgersomLooking forward to working together.

Sullivan County. A great place to live. A greatplace to work. A great place to learn.

• Allan Scott, President • Michele Klugman Resnick, Director of Marketing

• Fred Stabbert III, Chairman of the Board

PFOR-126854

“Nationwide, there are only 20wrestling programs on the junior col-lege level,” said DePew. “We thinkwe’ve hit a market where there’s a realneed.”

Phase 2 of the new sports plan willbring men and women’s soccer to thecollege, and Phase 3 will introducemen’s lacrosse and women’s softball.

SPORTS AS STUDENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Athletic Director DePew is quick topoint out that participation in sportsis not all play. Academically, studentsmust keep good grades and, in fact,they tend to outperform the generalstudent population.

“A sport teaches teamwork, disci-pline and following directions,” hesaid. “When you’re a student athlete,you’re held to higher standards. Wehave over a 94 percent retention rateof athletes (in other words, in thosewho stay in college for the full twoyears.) That’s a much higher rate thanthe college as a whole.”

Unlike most community colleges,Sullivan provides dorms for students,which helps to foster a sense of cama-raderie among athletes and with theircoaches.

“We have 126 student athletes, 126kids that we follow,” said DePew. “Ifsomeone is not in class, I know it. Ifsomeone fails a test, I know it.”

Struggling athletes work on aca-demics in study halls, with computerhelp and by means of tutors.

A robust athletic program alsoboosts the college in other ways.

“Athletics on the college level is adraw, a way of life — look at NotreDame, Alabama, Michigan, where

you’re bringing 100,000 people toyour games,” said DePew. “Thatimpacts the institution. Of course,we’re smaller than that but we’ve beenfortunate to have great coaches andadministrators, and we’ve built asports program of national promi-nence.”

The wider community benefits aswell. “In winter, our basketball gamesare the only game in town,” saidDePew, referring to the throngs of

locals and others who cheer lustily forSUNY Sullivan’s nationally rankedmen’s and women’s basketball teamsand who attend the National Men’sBasketball NJCAA Tournament, heldthe past three years on the Loch Shel-drake campus.

Tournament teams stay at the VillaRoma Resort in Callicoon, and eatlocally at Liberty Diner and at manyof the fast food restaurants in Libertyand Monticello.

Into the future, DePew looks for-ward to more wins all around –including boosting enrollment evenfurther by means of athletics. “Studiesshow that for every one student who’sactively recruited to play a sport at acollege institution, that brings twoothers to the college.”

Specifically with regard to volleyballand wrestling, decisions on newcoach hiring are expected shortly.

And DePew said he particularlywould like to get the word out aboutthe new sports programs to local kids.

“We are full steam ahead and excit-ed about adding these sports to ourprograms,” he said. “I’d like to say toprospective students ‘We’d love tohave you as part of our inauguralteam. Give us a call.’ ”

For each one student who’s actively recruited by the college, studies show two others follow,according to Athletic Director DePew.


PROMPT,

PROFESSIONAL,

PERSONALIZED

BUS SERVICEContract Work and Charter Work

We travel over 2 million miles encompassingover 1 million student rides per year.

GREAT PEOPLE TRANSPORTING GREAT KIDS!

ROLLING VBUS CORPORATION

POST OFFICE BOX 110Rt. 42 at BUSWAY PARK DRIVESOUTH FALLSBURG, NY 12779TELEPHONE 845-434-0511

718-894-2943FACSIMILE 845-434-0259

Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y

S E R V I N G

Family-Owned and Operated, Now & Forever!

ROLL

-126

730

FACSIMILE 845-434-0259

1175 Rte. 52, Loch Sheldrake, NY

Next to Sherman’s Service Center

We don't just sell cars, we are aFull Service Dealership. We

Service what we sell. We Inspectwhat we sell. We warranty whatwe sell, and we offer extendedwarranties up to 48 months.We also do oil changes, car washing, detailing and NY

State inspections.S & M Auto Sales is a Full ServiceAuto Dealership. We have been in

business for over 15 years and all we do are cars & trucks.And if we don't have it on our lot, we can get it for you!!!

845-436-9447www.sandmautosales.com

SMAU-122993

Garage - 18’x21’ All Metal

$3,540 Installed10-Year Warranty

Starting at$895

Standard Carports

Crucial role for respiratory therapists‘We control the

patient’s airway’

Jacob Crawley wants a professionas a flight nurse, and credentialsas a respiratory therapist are

mandatory.Lori Mallia works as a medical

assistant at the Center for Discoveryin Harris, and wants to move into thefield of respiratory therapy there,assisting sick children who have lungproblems.

Marilyn Bacchus’s husband is a res-piratory therapist who relates vividstories about affecting people’s livesfor the better.

“He saved the life of a person whohad carbon monoxide poisoning,”said Marilyn. “That’s what I want todo: help people. I have a passion forthat.”

The three college students, alongwith five others, are pioneers in a new

Respiratory Care program launchedat SUNY Sullivan last January. Theyare being trained in a profession thathas exploded in recent years to thepoint that Sullivan County’s healthfacilities have begged for help meet-ing their employment needs.

“There’s the baby boom generationcoming into older age and livinglonger,” explained Respiratory CareProgram Director Lisa Shultis. “Weneed to provide them with servicesfor emphysema and chronic bronchi-tis, for COPD (cardio-pulmonary dis-orders).”

Furthermore, today’s medicaladvances allow doctors to save thelives of very young premature babies,but the tiny infants suffer fromunderdeveloped lungs and needservices.

“Respiratory therapists work inlabor and delivery rooms, burn units,intensive care units,” noted Shultis.

They also find jobs in doctor’soffices, nursing homes, rehabilitationcenters, outpatient clinics and patients’ own homes. They work with people in sleep clinics, and they

Respiratory Care Program Director Lisa Shultis, seated at right, consults with Colease Palmer,director of clinical education for the program.


Our outstanding beef is:all natural, pasture raised, corn-finished, federally inspected, flash frozen,

and contains No hormones, antibiotics or additives.

Check out our prices at www.thunderviewfarms.comCall Ric or Karen at 845.985.2189 or tvangus@thunderviewfarms. com

THUN-126862

provide care to victims of heartattacks, drowning or shock. Theyride helicopters, keeping alive seri-ously injured individuals who arebeing transported to specializedhospitals.

Shultis, a respiratory therapist her-self who has taught for 23 years, isalso a member of the MedicalReserves. She was deployed duringHurricane Sandy to a hockey arenawhere she cared for patients on ven-tilators after their hospitals wereflooded.

The SUNY Sullivan course requirestwo years of full-time study in orderto earn an Associate in Applied Sci-ence Degree in Respiratory Care.Students must be good in scienceand math – they study humananatomy and physiology, microbiol-ogy, cardiopulmonary physiology, toname just a few of the academicsubjects they must master.

During their second year, studentsspend 81⁄2 hours each day, Monday toThursday, as interns at one of nineclinical sites, which include CatskillRegional Medical Center, CrystalRun Healthcare, Orange RegionalMedical Center and Wayne Memori-al Hospital.

As a health care profession, Respi-ratory Care is practiced under amedical director, Dr. Rajan Subbiah,a pulmonary disease and criticalcare specialist.

All of this rigor is necessary, saysDirector Shultis, because of theimportant role played by RTs.

“If you can’t breathe, [respiratorytherapists] have two minutes tomake the right decision," said Shul-tis. “RTs control the airway.”

After completing the program, stu-dents are awarded their degree andare eligible for the National Board ofRespiratory Care Credentialingexam. Students first take the Certi-fied Respiratory Therapist exam andthen, on passing, they may take themore advanced Registered Respira-tory Therapist exam. In order to

Posing with their mannequin “babies,” students from SUNY Sullivan’s first Respiratory CareProgram are, from left, Marilyn Bacchus, Jacob Crawley, Dominick Abato, Ryan Hilton, LoriMallia and Tracey Beltran.

practice in New York, graduates arerequired to apply for a permanentlicense.

Salaries for respiratory therapistsare excellent, as are the job opportu-nities. The U.S. Department of Laborprojects that employment for respi-ratory therapists is expected toincrease faster than most other

occupations through the year 2018.Word is out about the program –

which can admit 20 students eachspring semester – and excitementhas mounted.

“Next spring,” said Shultis, “wehave 50 students waiting for 20seats.”


Dull committee? Not for this group of ‘changemakers’

It all began last year when the col-lege’s re-accrediting agency, calledthe Middle States Commission onHigher Education, said SUNYSullivan must create a strategic planfor the future. The college thenhired consultants in a techniquecalled Appreciative Inquiry (AI) tobegin the brainstorming processthis past January.

In order to make organizationalchange, AI concentrates on what isgood now about the organization –illuminating its strengths, peakexperiences, creativity and impor-tant accomplishments, and thenbuilding the future on those phe-nomena.

“It looks to where you are strongand how to leverage what’s positive

What began as the rather drybut necessary requirementfor SUNY Sullivan to sit

down and develop a strategic planhas galvanized the college commu-nity into a happy, zealous love festin which people are saying someamazing things about their work-place and its future.

“This is the most productive thingI’ve done in 32 years.” (Mike Fisher,chairman of Division of Profes-sional Studies)

“We couldn’t be more excited.”(Dr. Susan Rogers, assistant profes-sor of psychology)

“This is fun!” (Dr. PaulReifenheiser, chairman, Division ofLiberal Arts & Humanities).

And the magic has spread. “I’vebeen around a long time and havehad a lot of interaction with the col-lege,” said Scott Samuelson, chair-man of the County Board ofLegislators, “and I don’t think I’veever seen this kind of energy flow-ing.”

Planning a vibrant future for SUNY Sullivan enlisted the expertise and energy of collegeleaders and faculty members including, from left, Dr. Paul Reifenheiser, Mike Fisher, Dr.Stephen Mitchell and Dr. Susan Rogers.

BOCE-124011

&

If someone you love has been diagnosed with a mental illness,

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

NAMI of SULLIVAN COUNTY CAN HELP!

Family Support, Education, Advocacy, Empowerment, Referral to Clinical Services

(845) 794-1029 e-mail: [email protected]

FFOR-126726


and good,” said Mike Fisher, whohelped spearhead the AI process.

At a series of forums, students, fac-ulty and community members fromtown supervisors to regular citizenscontributed knowledge, experienceand ideas. The college, participantssaid, began uncovering new ways tolive out its future as a dynamic insti-tution that cares about its constituen-cies.

The strengths of the college, andtherefore the direction to go in thefuture, wound up revolving aroundfive themes: enhancing relationshipswith students; encouraging commu-nity engagement; supporting “sus-tainability” in terms of farming andgreen technology; developing pro-grams to provide careers for students

and to foster economic development;and ways to provide a more invitinglearning and work environment onthe campus.

Student Government leader JohnMiller participated as a facilitator inFebruary, leading a packed room ofstudents at the college dining hall.

“The school has been around forawhile, but I felt like we were still try-ing to get a name for ourselves – notmany people know about us,”explained Miller. Personally, “I wantto better SUNY Sullivan not just formyself but for others, not just now butfor the future as well.”

Students at the forum were mostinterested in new programs andinternships; upgrades to campus, res-idence halls and cafeteria; and accessto more adult advisors and mentors.

“The energy in the room was sur-prisingly very positive and enthusias-tic,” Miller said.

Other ideas generated at forumsranged from a new course offering onSullivan County geology and naturalscience, to the construction of an out-door amphitheater and a sculpturegarden, to avenues for small busi-nesses to offer ideas to the college.

Fisher said the ball is now in thecourt of the larger and more formalStrategic Plan Institutional Assess-ment Committee, which is chaired byDr. Stephen Mitchell, dean of Work-force Development, Continuing Edu-cation and Lifelong Learning

But the work of the AppreciativeInquiry players is already bearingfruit.

“The five themes (distilled from theAI sessions) will be used in the col-lege‘s upcoming budget delibera-tions,” said Fisher, noting that thework of the 200 participants “has thepotential to make positive change

that reaches for decades.”And literal fruit bearing is in the off-

ing as well.Spurred by an idea at one of the

forums, campus soil is now sproutinghumulus lupulus, the hardy climbingplant known as hops, that is used inmaking beer. The project involvesstudents and SUNY Sullivan’s Sus-tainability Committee chaired byteacher and director of SustainabilityHelena Le Roux.

Le Roux wrote a mini-grant and wasawarded funds from Sullivan Renais-sance to get the hops project started.

Microbreweries such as one plannedfor Livingston Manor by CatskillMountain Director Ramsey Adamsare interested in which variety ofhops can grow locally.

The link between students, learn-ing, farming, and local business andeconomy sounds good to those in theknow.

“The whole agriculture-tourismbusiness connection is starting togrow in the county,” said County Leg-islator Samuelson. “Growing hops –that’s exciting. That’s cool.”

The two-year college at SUNY Sullivan offers students an opportunity to attend courses clos-er to home to prepare for an associate’s degree, or to gain credits toward a bachelor’s degreethrough a transfer to a 4-year college or university, or just to enhance and better their per-sonal and professional skills.

Credits:All photographs and stories

for this special School Scene

are by Sul livan County

Demo crat Photo -

grapher/Reporter Kathy Daley.

The Democrat would also

like to thank the faculty and

staff of the State University of

New York (SUNY) at Sullivan

for all its cooperation in this

project.

Jim’s AutomotiveService Center

JIMS-126714 74 Jefferson Street, Monticello, NY

KETCHAMFENCING INC.

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

Complete Installation By

COMPLETE LINE OF QUALITY FENCE• All Types of Maintenance Free

Vinyl Fence• Chain Link - Galvanized or Vinyl Covered• Decorative Aluminum Fences• Wrought Iron Fences & Gates• Railings

Established1967

• Custom Wood • Paddock Fencing• Dog Kennels• Tennis Court Enclosures• Swimming Pool Enclosures• Electric Gate Openers

386-1161 or 791-431119 Borden St. • Otisville, NY 10963 www.ketchamfence.com

Complete Installation By Trained Technicians

KETC-126660


College celebrates womenSTORY AND PHOTOS

BY SHARON SPACE-BAMBERGER

On April 1, a multitude ofwomen converged on SUNYSullivan for the 17th Annual

Celebration of Being a Woman. Thisyear’s theme was “Finding The BestYou: The Confidence Connection.”The conference fee included break-fast, a keynote speaker, two work-shops (from among a multitude),lunch with brownies to die for, shop-ping, raffles, a bag of gifts and time tonetwork.

Some of the women had attendedprevious women’s celebrations at thecollege. They looked forward to anenriching day.

Carol Milewski of Liberty, whoattends every year, spoke of her plansfor the day: “I’m taking a morningworkshop about healing crystals andI’ll do ‘Adventures of Decluttering’ inthe afternoon. It’s a very good feelingto get rid of that stuff or finding ahome for it.”

The women filled the Seelig Theatreto hear Keynote Speaker NancyLombardo, a comedian who hasappeared on Saturday Night Live, All

My Children, and Comedy Tonight.The women began laughing as thecomedian outlined highlights of hercareer. Throwing a black shawl overher head, Lombardo hunched hershoulders like an old lady. She gavepiercing moans and explained, “I’mthe consummate Italian Mourner;I’ve played that part on ‘Law andOrder’ and in the movies.”

Lombardo’s snappy one-liners keptthe laughing ladies in danger ofneeding the ladies’. “I’m the motherof two, one is my husband!” “We’re inthe Middle Ages, everything heads tothe middle.” “A man is like a shoe, buy

a good one and break it inand it will last.” “What doyou call people who usethe rhythm method?Answer: Parents!” MaryTodd Lincoln to her hus-band, “Would it kill you togo to the theatre with me?”“What’s the furthest dis-tance between two points?A man’s underwear andthe hamper.”

The women shared theirexperience during a won-derful lunch catered byChartwell’s and MichaelWeintraub. All agreed theworkshop presentersdelivered on their promis-es.

Theresa Geed ofCallicoon enjoyedCephora’s “The HealingCrystal Connection” classand planned on buyingcrystals after lunch.

Sue Long took “ArtfulGlass Painting” but was

not too sure about her painting tal-ent. She sighed, “Maybe it will lookbetter after it dries.”

Alberta Hillriegel said she plans toteach her grandchildren the minia-ture garden techniques she learnedfrom Master GardenerSusan Dollard.

Cynthia Crisp, BA, LMT,a massage therapist andCeltic Shaman with a pri-vate practice in bothJeffersonville and NewYork City led two work-shops. The morning ses-sion was “Steps toEmpowerment” in whichparticipants practicedaligning their physical andenergy bodies, envision-ing what they wanted fortheir lives. They learned anancient form of prayer tohelp them achieve the lifethey always dreamed of.

In Crisp’s afternoon ses-sion “Circle of Healing,Circle of Power,” Crisp ledher students as theydrummed and shook rat-tles to attract healing spir-its for their journeys to amagical world.

Conference co-chair,

Hillary Egeland, SUNY Sullivan direc-tor of Special Events and CampusActivities was pleased with theConference. “We had one hundredand fifty women sign up and it wentsmoothly,” she said.

Callicoon Center resident Theresa Geed checked out the healing crystals and jewelry offeredby “Cephora” the leader of “The Healing Crystal Connection.”

Comedian Nancy Lombardo’s one-liners had the womenlaughing helplessly at the Seelig Theatre.

Alberta Hillriegel of Callicoon shows the miniature gardenshe created in a class presented by Master Gardener SusanDollard of Cornell Cooperative Extension of SullivanCounty.

This year’s theme was

“Finding The Best You:

The Confidence

Connection.”


SCCL-124212