Sullivan County Business Edge Winter 2016

W I N T E R

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INSIDE: President’s Message page 2

Our New Year’s Resolution: Change page 4 Local real estate market keeping steady page 5 Local breweries busy brewing new craft beers page 7

The Year of Investment Photos by Dan Hust

W

ith 2016 fast coming to an end, it is quite evident that 2016 will be remembered as the year Sullivan County’s economic resurgence began. With our signature project, the $1.3 billion Montreign Resort Destination Casino, making extraordinary progress toward its opening date it is quite evident that the intent of Proposition 1 just a few years ago in the fall of 2013 is coming to fruition. A considerable delay took place after the official passage of the measure while the rules and regulations regarding the legislation were drafted, and finally led ultimately to the official granting of the license. And in just one year the decision is having a positive impact on the Sullivan County economy and many firms from throughout the Hudson Valley region. A recent topping off ceremony, indicating a milestone where the last major piece of steel framing for the facility under construc-

Work is progressing on all fronts for the new Montreign Casino, including an impressive entranceway off Route 17’s Exit 106. Here the Adelaar sign and logo grace a stone wall. tion is set in place, speaks to the professionalism and pace at which construction firms are moving along. Now when traveling along I -86/ NYS 17 the building stretches into the skyline in a way foretelling of an activity filled, bustling 5 diamond destination for those seeking an entertainment getaway and the thousands of direct and indirect employees needed to support this extraordinary operation. And with the Entertainment Village, Reese Jones™ upgraded golf course and indoor hotel Water Park soon to follow, Adelaar will be a hub of tremendous activity, employment and commerce at the heart of Sullivan County.

The 131-room, $90 million dollar Veria Lifestyle Wellness Center is also being constructed at an extraordinary pace

Please see INVESTMENT, page 3E

The revivial of Callicoon’s Western Supper Club page 10 Skodas honored for commitment to community pages 14 Cornell Cooperative Extension works on getting kids healthy page 16 Two new providers join Crystal Run Healthcare page 17 New cookbook features ‘Good Food for Everyone’ page 18 Wayne Bank receives trio of awards page 19 A blue glass facade is enclosing the 18story Montreign Resort Casino which will allow workers to begin working inside during the colder months. The $1.3 billion building project is expected to be completed in 2018.

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BUSINESS EDGE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

DECEMBER, 2016

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE What a difference a year makes.

It was just one year ago that that work began in earnest on the Montreign Resort Destination Casino.

Not that work hadn’t already begun months before – clearing land, putting in infrastructure and getting ready for the heavy construction phase, but folks where still asking …what’s going on with the casino?

It was just a year ago that land had just been cleared at the Veria Lifestyle Management site and folks where asking …what’s going on with the spa project?

The anticipation is understandable since we have waited for so long for investments of this scale to take place here. Yet now the skyline clearly shows the enormity and complexity involved in such large-scale investments.

Empire Resorts just completed its topping off ceremony of its mega project with cranes working on site typically seen in major cities building sky scrap-

ers. The company is forging ahead as promised and making its vision to became THE premier destination resort casino facility in the Northeast a reality.

And there is yet much work to be done before the doors open on both projects.

It was just a year ago we were navigating potholes, while we passed dilapidated buildings on Jefferson Street in Monticello. Now the Village has doubled down on private sector investment along the street with a new roadway and sidewalks making a visual statement of its determination to be an integral part of Sullivan County’s economic resurgence.

It was just a year ago that the County was busy ironing out the details of moving forward with the construction of the long debated county jail. Now the land where it will be situated near Exit 104 on Route 17 is cleared.

It was just a year ago that several sites along the Route 42 Kiameshia corridor remained empty and abandoned.

Now retail development is well underway.

And while these examples speak to

the more urban center of our county, our surrounding towns and hamlets like Roscoe, Callicoon, CEO/President Marc Baez Narrowsburg, Rock Hill, Liberty and Wurtsboro are all investing in their own ways through small business development, updating comprehensive plans, investing in development plans, and applying for target specific grants all in an effort to keep the momentum catalyzed by the Empire Resorts project going.

The opaque picture of the Sullivan County economy is beginning to become much clearer as anticipated.

Optimism is high and opportunities are growing in Sullivan County.

We are just past Thanksgiving and well into our holiday season, but our list of people we need to thank is long indeed: • We thank the businesses and institutions that endured the tough times for so long; • We thank Sullivan County

Renaissance for focusing on on our community challenges; • We thank the Sullivan United economic development team for its steadfast business support and promotional efforts along with the members and sponsors of our respective organizations; and • We thank our elected leaders in county and local government, and the residents of the county for collectively helping making these developments happen.

We look forward to a year from now as we welcome more investment, new projects, and opportunities yet to be determined.

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday season and a very prosperous and Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Marc Baez President, Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development

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To the People:

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

INVESTMENT, from front page with a soft opening expected a year from now in 2017. In just one year an environment of investor confidence, both externally and organically has taken over Sullivan County. The general attitude in the county has gone from one of malaise to one of optimism for what the future will bring. This is evident in the ‘bricks and mortar’ investment taking place throughout the county. From the Western Hotel in Callicoon to the refreshed look of Jefferson Street in the Village of Monticello, from the new Jeff Bank and Catskill Urgent Care Center in Kiameshia, to the Metcar manufacturing facility in Glenwild, investment is proliferating throughout the county and poised to take off in 2017. A recent Sullivan County real estate report indicated home sales are again on the move with median sales prices increasing. Sales tax collections are up significantly. Unemployment is down 1% year to year and holding.

So what is in store for the future? Based on the behind the scenes activity being completed by engineers, land use attorneys and other development professionals there will be a significant uptick in development in 2017. Proposals for mid market hotels, craft micro distilleries, agribusiness, distribution and metal fabrication are just a few among many that

BUSINESS EDGE

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This aerial photo of the Veria Lifestyle Health Spa building project near Monticello was taken by Keith Newman with help from pilot Ron Hiatt. Anawana Lake can be seen at the top of the photo while Bailey’s Lake would be at the lower right.

are in the project pipeline. And once Montreign is close to opening the expectation is that investment will have already accelerated dramatically. Meanwhile planning and economic development officials are conducting research and hiring professional firms to help best pre-

pare for expected growth and future opportunities. A corridor analysis and development plan is under way for East Broadway in Monticello from the east end of the Village to exit 107 in Bridgeville. This effort being led by the Sullivan County division of Planning will

look to manage the type and quality of investment that will be taking place in the corridor to represent the best fit in terms of size, aesthetics, resources and other factors ultimately producing development that fosters higher caliber investment opportunities in that area. An effort to attract diverse investment along the Old Route 17 corridor geared to businesses requiring easy access to the highway among other factors is also underway. Located between Sullivan County’s two largest urban centers the area is ripe for small manufacturing, distribution and specialty fabrication industries seeking to operate in low cost environment relative to areas closer to New York City yet have easy access to the metro are market for end product.

With activity taking place across many sectors of our economy and investment projected to continue at least in the immediate future 2016 ends with a bullish outlook into the future and as the year that our turnaround began.

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BUSINESS EDGE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

DECEMBER, 2016

BOARD CHAIR’S MESSAGE Our New Year’s resolution: Change Change. Politics and Monday morning quarterbacks aside, if there’s one thing on which we can all agree as we look toward 2017, change is it.

As we’ve seen in the five weeks since the presidential election, there are those of us who thrive on and welcome change— and others who retreat from and fear it.

We cannot become what we want, by remaining what we are. We must embrace change. In Sullivan County, that is what we’re doing. Whether you run a big corporation or a small family business; work at a for-profit or a not-for-profit company; own a new start-up, or are planning a business expansion; change and optimism are in evidence from one end of the county to the other.

Slowly but surely, Sullivan County is attracting new demographics and adapting to market changes. Look at Bethel Woods (Mysteryland USA and performers like Pitbull); Foster Supply Hospitality (The Arnold in Shandelee, North Branch Inn and 9 River Road in Callicoon); and Jeff Bank’s new Anawana Lake Road branch in Monticello, just to name a few.

We’re embracing change at the Partnership for Economic Development, too by gearing up and adapting. In 2017 we intend to rebuild and rebrand our organization. We will do it thoughtfully and purposefully, and we will start small by introducing a new logo in the coming months. With a renewed focus on business attraction and expansion, we will strategize and plan a new integrated marketing campaign across all our platforms.

We won’t stop there because there’s

much more to accomplish. We will seek to attract businesses to our economy that will create a diverse and, balanced landscape.

Board Chair Karen Fisher Ultimately, we see a business environment in which no single industry sector shall be more important than another. Not tourism over healthcare, not light manufacturing over the arts, not enterprise level firms over small businesses.

We currently have 63 available sites and buildings suitable for office space, light industry, and other commercial ventures.

But we need to up our game. More shovel ready sites in our inventory is a fundamental component to bringing more jobs and improve our economy. We will continue to work with our town and county officials,

and we’re especially excited about developing the Liberty-Thompson corridor.

As always membership education and networking opportunities will remain center stage to keep you connected to more opportunities to grow your business and ultimately improve our quality of life in Sullivan County.

In my 35 years as a resident and 20 years as a business owner in Sullivan County, I can honestly and optimistically say, change is good for business and life.

Stay tuned.

Karen Fisher

Board Chair Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development

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BUSINESS EDGE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

DECEMBER, 2016

Local real estate market for October steady

Siinnc Since Sin nce c 194 19947 944477

By Lynne Freda President, Sullivan County Board of Realtors

A

s we finish the final quarter of 2016, the numbers show the real estate market in Sullivan County has remained steady throughout the year. We’ve experienced a fairly comfortable pace of activity, thanks to low mortgage rates and relatively low unemployment. The one basic drag on market acceleration has been the declining inventory rates.

Because winter is here, sellers are hesitant to list their properties until spring, so the low inventory situation probably won’t be resolved until then.

With that in mind, new listings in Sullivan County were down in October about 25%, to 81. Pending sales

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decreased nearly 24 percent. Inventory shrank 14% to 1,060 units throughout the county.

Good news, though for sellers: prices were higher—the median sales price was up 30.2% to $126,250, though they had to wait a bit longer to sell—245 days on the market. That’s up about 4 percent.

Builder confidence is as high as it’s been in nearly a decade, despite slower economic growth. First-time home buyers dropped a bit. But predictions are as older residents retire, they’ll downsize, so single-family listings are expected to rise. The waiting is the hardest part!

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This poster highlighted the Catskill3 tasting on November 25 which was very successful – and tasty. The three companies which combined to make the beer all have Catskill in the their names – Catskill Mountain Sugar House, Catskill Distilling Company and Catskill Brewery.

New craft beers released

By Willow Baum

Roscoe Beer brews a new batch Whitetail Pale Ale, released by The

Roscoe NY Beer Company, is the fifth beer in the Trout Town line-up available now in bottles in stores. The new pale ale differentiates itself from other Trout Town beers with its ever so lightly toasted flavor and gentle hop finish, making it an easy, smooth everyday drinking beer.

A “sessionable” beer, Whitetail Pale Ale comes in at only 4.7 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). In beer vernacular, “session” is widely accepted to be any beer with 5 percent or less ABV. The term

which could explain why many Session beers today are still British styles, like the IPA. Trout Town craft beer brew master Josh Hughes calls the Whitetail Pale Ale “a true ‘everyone’s beer’ – perfect for all beer lovers.”

“I hope everyone who tastes this beer finds it evocative of a refreshing and relaxing day at their favorite place in the woods, by a lake, or just on their back

Please see BEER, page 8E

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harkens back to the days of WWI-era England when workers – even those manufacturing weapons – drank alcohol on the job.

According to the American Craft Beer website, “workers were allotted two drinking periods (or “sessions”) of 4 hours each workday. This called for a lighter beer than your everyday stout or porter, allowing workers to drink more beer without getting too pissed, in the English sense.”

The law remained in effect until 1988

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ur two local breweries – Roscoe NY Beer Company and Catskill Brewery in Livingston Manor – have been hard at work recently unveiling three new brands. Whitetail Pale Ale, Eye of the Newt, and BourbonMaple Imperial Stout are three new brews to tap this month while small batch supplies last.

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

DECEMBER, 2016

BEER, from page 7E

of a heftier brew with 8.9 percent ABV. Bourbon-Maple Imperial Stout, released November 25, represents collaboration among Catskill Distilling Company, which provided bourbon barrels, Catskill Mountain Sugar House, which provided maple syrup barrels, and Catskill Brewery.

“We call the Bourbon-Maple Imperial Stout Catskill (cubed) because Catskill is in the name of each collaborator,” said Lofaro.

Aged in bourbon barrels five months, the batch of Imperial Stout was divided into three parts and aged again in plain oak, bourbon and maple syrup barrels.

Blending all three produced a well-balanced flavor in this beer.

Strong aroma of the bourbon and underlying sweetness of maple syrup balanced with roasted malts Lofaro describes as “a magical combination.”

The Imperial Stout was enjoyed so much at the release party that much of the small-batch run sold that one night in the tap room. The rest of the beer was split into kegs and shared with collaborators, select customers and is on tap at the Catskill Brewery while supply lasts.

Catskill Brewery aims to re-release Bourbon-Maple Imperial Stout again next year.

porch,” says Hughes.

Whitetail Pale Ale is available now for a limited time on draft and in 12 oz. sixpacks in stores.

Eye of the Newt untapped

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Eight miles east in Livingston Manor, Catskill Brewery finished labeling 1,000 bottles of their rare Flanders red-style ale, Eye of Newt, on Wednesday, December 7. This is the brewery’s first ever bottled beer and is available for sale in the tap room in limited quantities now.

Complex and indulgent, the Flanders red ale comes in at 6.5 percent ABV. Once aged in oak barrels for about eight months, the barrels were re-blended then repackaged and conditioned in bottles for another five months.

Eye of Newt is “refined and delicious,” says Greg Lofaro, Director of Operations of Catskill Brewery, “with an easy balance of fruit and malt character.”

Eye of Newt is available on draught and in bottles in the Tap Room. For Eye of Newt official release party details, visit catskillbrewery.com.

Bourbon-Maple Imperial Stout a big hit

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DECEMBER, 2016

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

SDECEMBER, 2016

The Revival of the Western Supper Club & Inn S

oon after opening Callicoon Trading on Upper Main Street in 2014, proprietor Irene Nikolai imagined a revival for a Callicoon landmark built in 1852.

As then-president of the Callicoon Business Association, Nikolai got to know the former owner of the historic Western Hotel, who was kind enough to host events in the closed inn for such town-wide happenings as Callicoon Country Fair, Callicoon Artwalk and Dickens on the Delaware.

Nikolai visualized restoring The Western – a four-story Victorian mansion with mansard roof – could, as it was in its heyday, be “a place for community gatherings and a platform to showcase local food, music and art.”

Reviving it is. Just 25 days after closing on the property July 5, The Western Hotel & Supper Club began serving craft cocktails and a farm-to-fork fine dining menu created by local chef Henning

Nordanger. On the bluestone terrace and in the updated bar area guests enjoy Berkshire pork schnitzel with caper mashed potatoes, beef goulash, trout almandine with spaghetti squash. The menu features fresh, seasonal ingredients from such local purveyors such as Beaverkill Trout Hatchery and Willow Wisp Organic Farm.

A Halloween dance concert featur-

ing three local bands, re-introduced The Western’s Harmonie Hall ballroom as a live entertainment venue. The ballroom also hosted a dance party fundraiser for NACL Theatre in November and offers free lindy hop swing dance classes Friday nights at 6:30 p.m. New classes including line dancing, ballroom, waltz or salsa are planned once instructors are found.

How has the Partnership helped you?

“A loan through the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development was instrumental in the financing of the property, build-out and start-up costs so The Western Supper Club & Inn could open during high season. Our financing partners understood the urgency, and were so responsive that we closed on the property July 5th, 2016 and opened for business July 30th, just in time for the Callicoon Country Fair.”

This month the long awaited fireside dining room re-opens. The hunting lodge atmosphere invites patrons to sink into leather chairs and savor signature cocktails before a crackling fire on a bluestone hearth. Dining room upgrades emphasize historic mahogany architectural details, stained glass, a spiral staircase and gallery of oil paintings by local fine artists. Reservations are being accepted now for the New Year’s Eve gourmet five-course surf & turf dinner including entertainment by Kentuckybred honky tonk singer-songwriter Cliff Westfall.

Reservations can be made at www.westerncallicoon.com.

With progress in the bar and restaurant, renovations over winter will focus on rooms.

“It’s a big project,” says Nikolai.

“We’re taking things one step at a time.”

At left: Soon after opening Callicoon Trading on Upper Main Street in 2014, proprietor Irene Nikolai imagined a revival for The Western Hotel, a Callicoon landmark built in 1852. Farm-to-fork fine dining, craft cocktails, dance classes and live entertainment in the ballroom harken back to the historic hotel’s heyday as a place for community gatherings over local food, music and art.

Above right: You won’t find Rose’s Lime Juice or Grenadine at The Western. Mixers, cordials and syrups are hand-made from fresh-squeezed fruit and botanicals sourced locally.

Far right: A Halloween dance concert featuring three local bands, re-introduced The Western’s Harmonie Hall ballroom as a live entertainment venue. The ballroom also hosted a dance party fundraiser for NACL Theatre in November. Free lindy hop swing dance classes are offered Friday nights at 6:30 p.m. New classes including line dancing, ballroom, waltz or salsa are planned once instructors are found.

Right: Proprietor Irene Nikolai decks the halls of The Western Hotel & Supper Club preparing for a booming December: Dickens on the Delaware, re-opening of the fireside dining room and hosting a New Year’s Eve gourmet five-course surf & turf dinner including entertainment by Kentucky-bred honky tonk singer-songwriter Cliff Westfall. Reservations can be made at www.westerncallicoon.com.

Story by Willow Baum Photos courtesy of The Western

Fated to Come Together Over a Bourbon Lift (an over-21 craft cocktail twist on an egg cream) in the Tap Room of The Western, Nikolai described how The Western Hotel & Supper Club felt “fated” to go from concept to soft opening in just six months.

The pieces “just came together,” said Nikolai.

In January 2016 a commercial real estate lease, over a year in the making, materialized. At the same time she began writing the business plan for The Western. Thanks to Advanced Certified Business Advisor Sam Kandel out of Kingston, a connection made through the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management (DPEM), Nikolai finalized the plan.

Next step: presenting the project to potential partners including the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, the Industrial Development Agency and the County Division of Planning.

“I was really nervous,” said Nikolai of presenting at the meeting convened by DPEM Planner Heather Jacksy and Commissioner Freda Eisenberg. “I felt

like I talked for an hour.” At the end, the room fell silent and Nikolai held her breath. Finally Marc Baez of the Sullivan County Partnership suggested all three entities “back the project.”

Through the county and state, the project also landed a small Sullivan County Workforce Development grant to offset salaries during startup phase of the project.

A regional search for mortgage lenders enlisted Dime Bank of Honesdale, PA. When Nikolai walked “star banker” Commercial Lending Officer Chase Holl around the property, Holl instantly saw the potential in the business. Holl recommended Nikolai apply for a

Please see WESTERN, page 12E

BUSINESS EDGE

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How important is it to do business locally?

“Local sourcing is key to our business model.

Wherever we can, we buy from local growers and makers: Beaverkill Trout Hatchery, Brandenburg Bakery and fresh and seasonal produce from Willow Wisp Farm to name a few.

Hotels soaps are handmade by Mount Pleasant Herbary in Honesdale.

Also, customers are telling us ‘we really want you to succeed. We’re going to support you during the tough (winter) months.’”

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BUSINESS EDGE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

DECEMBER, 2016

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

SDECEMBER, 2016

The Revival of the Western Supper Club & Inn S

oon after opening Callicoon Trading on Upper Main Street in 2014, proprietor Irene Nikolai imagined a revival for a Callicoon landmark built in 1852.

As then-president of the Callicoon Business Association, Nikolai got to know the former owner of the historic Western Hotel, who was kind enough to host events in the closed inn for such town-wide happenings as Callicoon Country Fair, Callicoon Artwalk and Dickens on the Delaware.

Nikolai visualized restoring The Western – a four-story Victorian mansion with mansard roof – could, as it was in its heyday, be “a place for community gatherings and a platform to showcase local food, music and art.”

Reviving it is. Just 25 days after closing on the property July 5, The Western Hotel & Supper Club began serving craft cocktails and a farm-to-fork fine dining menu created by local chef Henning

Nordanger. On the bluestone terrace and in the updated bar area guests enjoy Berkshire pork schnitzel with caper mashed potatoes, beef goulash, trout almandine with spaghetti squash. The menu features fresh, seasonal ingredients from such local purveyors such as Beaverkill Trout Hatchery and Willow Wisp Organic Farm.

A Halloween dance concert featur-

ing three local bands, re-introduced The Western’s Harmonie Hall ballroom as a live entertainment venue. The ballroom also hosted a dance party fundraiser for NACL Theatre in November and offers free lindy hop swing dance classes Friday nights at 6:30 p.m. New classes including line dancing, ballroom, waltz or salsa are planned once instructors are found.

How has the Partnership helped you?

“A loan through the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development was instrumental in the financing of the property, build-out and start-up costs so The Western Supper Club & Inn could open during high season. Our financing partners understood the urgency, and were so responsive that we closed on the property July 5th, 2016 and opened for business July 30th, just in time for the Callicoon Country Fair.”

This month the long awaited fireside dining room re-opens. The hunting lodge atmosphere invites patrons to sink into leather chairs and savor signature cocktails before a crackling fire on a bluestone hearth. Dining room upgrades emphasize historic mahogany architectural details, stained glass, a spiral staircase and gallery of oil paintings by local fine artists. Reservations are being accepted now for the New Year’s Eve gourmet five-course surf & turf dinner including entertainment by Kentuckybred honky tonk singer-songwriter Cliff Westfall.

Reservations can be made at www.westerncallicoon.com.

With progress in the bar and restaurant, renovations over winter will focus on rooms.

“It’s a big project,” says Nikolai.

“We’re taking things one step at a time.”

At left: Soon after opening Callicoon Trading on Upper Main Street in 2014, proprietor Irene Nikolai imagined a revival for The Western Hotel, a Callicoon landmark built in 1852. Farm-to-fork fine dining, craft cocktails, dance classes and live entertainment in the ballroom harken back to the historic hotel’s heyday as a place for community gatherings over local food, music and art.

Above right: You won’t find Rose’s Lime Juice or Grenadine at The Western. Mixers, cordials and syrups are hand-made from fresh-squeezed fruit and botanicals sourced locally.

Far right: A Halloween dance concert featuring three local bands, re-introduced The Western’s Harmonie Hall ballroom as a live entertainment venue. The ballroom also hosted a dance party fundraiser for NACL Theatre in November. Free lindy hop swing dance classes are offered Friday nights at 6:30 p.m. New classes including line dancing, ballroom, waltz or salsa are planned once instructors are found.

Right: Proprietor Irene Nikolai decks the halls of The Western Hotel & Supper Club preparing for a booming December: Dickens on the Delaware, re-opening of the fireside dining room and hosting a New Year’s Eve gourmet five-course surf & turf dinner including entertainment by Kentucky-bred honky tonk singer-songwriter Cliff Westfall. Reservations can be made at www.westerncallicoon.com.

Story by Willow Baum Photos courtesy of The Western

Fated to Come Together Over a Bourbon Lift (an over-21 craft cocktail twist on an egg cream) in the Tap Room of The Western, Nikolai described how The Western Hotel & Supper Club felt “fated” to go from concept to soft opening in just six months.

The pieces “just came together,” said Nikolai.

In January 2016 a commercial real estate lease, over a year in the making, materialized. At the same time she began writing the business plan for The Western. Thanks to Advanced Certified Business Advisor Sam Kandel out of Kingston, a connection made through the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management (DPEM), Nikolai finalized the plan.

Next step: presenting the project to potential partners including the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, the Industrial Development Agency and the County Division of Planning.

“I was really nervous,” said Nikolai of presenting at the meeting convened by DPEM Planner Heather Jacksy and Commissioner Freda Eisenberg. “I felt

like I talked for an hour.” At the end, the room fell silent and Nikolai held her breath. Finally Marc Baez of the Sullivan County Partnership suggested all three entities “back the project.”

Through the county and state, the project also landed a small Sullivan County Workforce Development grant to offset salaries during startup phase of the project.

A regional search for mortgage lenders enlisted Dime Bank of Honesdale, PA. When Nikolai walked “star banker” Commercial Lending Officer Chase Holl around the property, Holl instantly saw the potential in the business. Holl recommended Nikolai apply for a

Please see WESTERN, page 12E

BUSINESS EDGE

11E

How important is it to do business locally?

“Local sourcing is key to our business model.

Wherever we can, we buy from local growers and makers: Beaverkill Trout Hatchery, Brandenburg Bakery and fresh and seasonal produce from Willow Wisp Farm to name a few.

Hotels soaps are handmade by Mount Pleasant Herbary in Honesdale.

Also, customers are telling us ‘we really want you to succeed. We’re going to support you during the tough (winter) months.’”

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WESTERN, from page 11E

845-794-6639 Ask for Les or Gene

A Generous Spirit The areas pristine natural beauty and clean air first drew Nikolai to make a home in Western Sullivan County in 2011, but the generous spirit of the region’s people keep her.

In her first two years -- first as a week-

The outdoor terrace is a great spot to enjoy a bite to eat or a drink while getting a great view of downtown Callicoon. ender in 2011, then as a property and business owner of Callicoon Trading Company -- Nikolai “met more friendly people and built closer relationships in this area than in sixteen years living in

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“Banking on Business” (aka “BOB”) loan, offered through a Pittsburgh bank.

Fortunately Dime Bank of Honesdale services western Sullivan County thereby qualifying The Western for such a loan typically available only to Pennsylvania-based businesses.

“The BOB program has three or four funding rounds a year,” said Holl. “We just made the cut-off.”

Financing partners’ responsiveness allowed Nikolai to close on the property on July 5th and open the bar area and terrace July 30th in time for the Callicoon Country Fair.

In 25 days, friends and local contractors scrambled to inventory and test kitchen equipment, refrigerators, freezers and systems dormant for eight years. Cosmetic upgrades such as replacing drop ceiling tiles with custom cut and painted wood were made since the mahogany bar, terrace, stained glass in the ceiling over the bar were beautifully preserved.

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in the area to draw more people to all of us.”

Sealing the Deal

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Energy is infectious in Callicoon, driven by new and expanding businesses like Cafe Adella Dori, the eightroom boutique hotel Nine River Road, and boutique retailers The Lazy Fox and Lee Hartwell Antiques.

Nikolai is grateful for momentum You won’t find Rose’s Lime Juice or Grenadine at The Western. building in what she Mixers, cordials and syrups are hand-made from fresh-squeezed calls a “gem of a town.”

A producer from fruit and botanicals sourced locally.

Brooklyn in the final phases of house huntManhattan.” ing stayed at The Western recently. She The collaboration with Henning called dinner in the restaurant “the best Nordanger, local chef and founder of meal she had in three months.”

Hennings Local in Cochecton, to create “Having the Tap Room lights on and the farm-to-fork menu for The Western, more restaurants and bars open in town evidences such community support. help drive the local economy and seal the “I can think of nothing more generous deal for newcomers imagining making a than the fact that Henning has his own home here,” said Nikolai. restaurant and helped us develop ours,” The Western Hotel’s restaurant is says Nikolai. “Henning understands the open Thursday through Sunday. Bar opens value of having another good restaurant at 3pm. Dinner from 4-10pm.

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DECEMBER, 2016

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

From the left, the 2016 CFOS Annual Reception Honorees:] R.J. Smith, Rosemary Skoda and Gerald Skoda.

Skodas and Smith honored for ‘Commitment to Community’

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M

ore than 400 key community and business leaders, friends and family gathered on November 16 at Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor to see R.J. Smith and Gerald & Rosemary Skoda receive the David T. Cocks Award for Commitment to Community, presented by the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.

The evening celebrated the accomplishments of the honorees, as well as the Foundation’s milestone of exceeding $21 million in assets spread over 250 charitable funds that the Foundation administers. It also celebrat-

ed the 10-year anniversary of the Foundation’s expansion into Sullivan County.

As a testament to the honorees, the event broke all previous fundraising records. More than $135,000 was raised to support the foundation’s operating budget.

The Skodas, of Woodbourne, though officially retired, remain exceptionally active across Sullivan County and beyond. Mr. Skoda now runs a farm and a second business, while serving many boards, including Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan. He is a founding member of the Sullivan

County Partnership for Economic Development and was past Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension. Mrs. Skoda now dedicates her time primarily to the United Way of Sullivan County.

Mr. Smith, of Pine Bush, is a respected member of the Orange County business and civic community. A commercial realtor, he helped establish a community health center in Pine Bush, and has served as town councilman, county legislator, and school board member.

Among the many boards he serves, Mr. Smith is founder, past president, and current board member of Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.

Sponsors for this signature event were: Crystal Run Health; The Kaplan Family Private Foundations; Bonura Hospitality Group; Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc.; Orange Bank & Trust Company; Orange Regional Medical Center; Focus Media; Rand Commercial; Wallkill Valley Federal Savings and Loan; BNY Mellon Wealth Management; Empire State Bank; Focused Wealth Management; Wilmington Trust; M&T Bank; Lakeland Bank; Orange & Rockland; The Rowley Family; Walden Savings Bank; Advent

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Valuation Advisors; Jay and Carol Anthony Foundation for Autism Support; Blustein, Shapiro, Rich & Barone, LLP; Boyce Excavating; The Bratton Family; Central Hudson Gas & Electric, PLLC; Drake Loeb; GiveGab; Jacobowitz and Gubits, LLP; Jeff Bank; Susan D. Najork; Optima Environmental Services; Mary Etta Schneider; TD Bank; Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine; Times Herald-Record; Bold Gold Media Group; and Fox Radio.

Established in 1999, the Community Foundation empowers local people and organizations to make a profound difference in the quality of life in our region by helping them establish charitable funds that will forever provide grants and scholarships to causes important to them. To date, the Foundation and its component funds has awarded more than $8 million in grants and scholarships in support of animal welfare, arts & culture, education, the environment, and health and human services. To learn more about the work of the Community Foundation please contact Elizabeth Rowley, President and CEO at elizabeth@cfosny.org or visit www.cfosny.org.

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MINDING OUR BUSINESSES

F

CCE is good friend to Fallsburg Schools

C

ornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and Fallsburg Central School District's (FCSD) working relationship includes CCE’s Healthy Schools Coordinator Mrs. SueAnn Boyd becoming a member of the District’s Wellness Committee. SueAnn and others at the agency have been participating actively in a number of good health related initiatives at FCSD. A major involvement has been collaboration on a Healthy Community Grant awarded to FCSD by Sullivan

Continued on page 17E CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

In front of the moveable salad bar at Benjamin Cosor Elementary School Cafeteria are, left to right, BCES teacher Phil Motl, CCE Healthy Schools Director SueAnn Boyd, FCSD Athletic Director Suzanne Lendzian, and BCES teacher Leah Exner. All of these people are members of the FCSD Wellness Committee, chaired by Ms. Lendzian.

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MINDING OUR BUSINESSES

From page 16E Renaissance to renovate and reconstruct a hiking trail behind Benjamin Cosor Elementary School (BCES), for which CCE has donated several park benches and will be providing signage along the trail.

Boyd and Emily Devore of CCE have donated time to help clearing the trail, painting railroad ties alongside the elementary school, and will soon be helping put together bird houses, with all materials donated by Brian Brustman, owner of Brustman Land Services in Obernburg. Brustman is the District Manager for Soil and Water Conservation District which is located in the same building as CCE. This past fall, Boyd presented Fallsburg High School with two refillable water bottle filling stations located in the school building and Zip 2 Water Station, donated by Pam Gallaher, owner of Zip 2 Water, Inc. for use outside the building for physical educational classes and athletic events.

As part of the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities, and Eat Smart New York grants for Sullivan County Schools, CCE has provided signage in the cafeterias at both BCES and Fallsburg Jr/Sr High School for the new salad bars in use this year. The signs encourage healthier eating by making healthy food choices such as fresh vegetables and fruits.

At the monthly Wellness Committee meetings, ideas for grants and projects are often on the table. The common goal is to provide the healthiest environment for the children of Fallsburg and Sullivan County.

Two new providers join Crystal Run C

rystal Run Healthcare announces the addition of two new providers to the practice. Joining Crystal Run Healthcare are the following: Manveen K. Dassan, MD, earned her Medical Degree

Manveen K. Dassan, MD

from American University of Antigua, College of Medicine in Antigua, West Indies and completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and completed fellowship training in Critical Care, also at Maimonides Medical Center.

Emily McCarthy, PA-C, earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Marywood University in Scranton, PA. She is a Board Certified Physician Assistant in Urgent Care and is seeing

Emily McCarthy, PA-C

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Natural Contents releases new cookbook: ‘Good Food for Everyone: Farm Fresh Clean Eating’

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atural Contents’ co-founders Danielle Gaebel and Jennifer Bitetto are self-proclaimed fast food junkies turned real food lovers. After a lifetime of conventional eating and being plagued with certain health issues, the duo (along with their two children), transformed their family’s health following a clean, farm fresh, gluten, grain and soy free lifestyle.

Together, they’ve devoted the past five years to finding their place as food entrepreneurs, lifestyle bloggers and (now) cookbook creators.

With artful food photography and more than 80 recipes, Good Food for Everyone reveals a glimpse into the lifestyle of these two radical homemakers, their story and experiences.

From simple creations like Kale and Onion Frittata and Raspberry Brownies to recipes worth the extra effort like Gnocchi with Garlic Sage Butter or the decedent Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls, you’ll quickly notice the common thread – farm fresh flair inspired by the local growing season.

As a special treat, Danielle has released some of

her sought after recipes like the Cilantro Cashew Cream, Rosemary Roasted Nuts and the ever special, Chocolate Beet Mini Muffins.

“It’s not about giving up food, it’s about revamping, recreating and reconnecting to it,” says Gaebel.

Whether you’re looking to become a more mindful eater – or you already follow a grain free diet, this book will provide a great base to work from to further your journey along. Anyone who dives in will quickly come to realize, it’s simply about Good Food for Everyone.

“Over the years, we’ve come to realize – there’s no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to eating. You can find value and truth in many different diets. But one thing for sure, across the board, everyone will benefit from eating CLEAN farm fresh food,” says Gaebel.

For more information, or to order, please visit NaturalContents.com or call 888-551-8625.

The duo is also available for book signings, cooking demos and classes.

Danielle Gaebel unveils some secret recipes in her new book.

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Wayne Bank receives trio of awards Wayne Bank, which is headquartered in Honesdale, PA and has six branches throughout Sullivan County, was recently honored with three industry awards. From the left, are Lewis J. Critelli, President and Chief Executive Officer; Eli Tomlinson, Information Technology Manager; and Robert J. Mancuso, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, with the awards.The Bank was presented with the 2016 Happenings Magazine Happie Award for “Best Bank.” The Institute for Extraordinary Banking Banky Award, and the 2016 Pocono Record Reader’s Choice Award. “I am delighted to accept these awards on behalf of the Board of Directors and staff at Wayne Bank, who work so hard every day to serve our customers and our local communities,” said Lewis J. Critelli, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank. “We are committed to our mission of helping the community grow and it is an honor to be recognized for our dedication to this endeavor.” Winners of Happenings Magazine’s third-annual “Happie Awards” were chosen in over 100 categories by satisfied customers who voted for businesses and organizations that made them most “Happie.” The Institute for Extraordinary Banking Banky Award is given to the top one percent most extraordinary banks in the United States while the Pocono Record Reader’s Choice Awards celebrate the best of the best in local businesses.

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