SALT to Host "Fat Tuesday" Buffet to Benefit Flood Recovery

Schoharie Area Long Term Recovery (SALT) will be hosting a buffet style breakfast on "Fat Tuesday," March 4th from 5:30-7:30 pm to benefit local flood recovery efforts. The buffet will be held at the Fusion Community Church, which is located on 375 North Grand Street in Cobleskill. 

With pancakes, eggs, bacon, and much more on the menu, patrons can both satisfy their hunger and support a worthwhile cause for only $10 per adult, and $5 for children age twelve and under if they reserve their spot beforehand. Prices will rise slightly for walk-ins. 

SALT Focuses on MLK Service, Chronicling Stories of Irene

Focused on Martin Luther King's example of dedicated service and chronicling the stories of the Schoharie Valley's devastated Creek communities following the events of Irene and Lee, Schoharie Area Long Term (SALT) Recovery, in conjunction with area organizations, hosted dozens of area students and local residents at their MLK Jr. Day of Service: Stories of Hurricane Irene event on Monday.

With morning and afternoon sessions devoted to teaching valley residents the art of interviewing and documenting the stories of flood victims, SALT was joined by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the New York Folklore Society in organizing the well attended event. Assemblyman Pete Lopez, Congressman Chris Gibson and local politicians were among the event's dignitaries.

Fulton resident Robert Kerley (left) and Schoharie
Deputy Mayor Larry Caza learn how to interview

Stating that he was, "very proud of Schoharie County," Congressman Chris Gibson praised what he called the very appropriate linkage of the event to Martin Luther King Jr, who "inspired us toward service, dignity and respect." He would go on as guest speaker to motivate participants that we can all either take action in our communities, or let them remain stay the same.

Assemblyman Lopez briefly addressed the event's
60-70 participants during an hour long luncheon. 

SALT Director Sarah Goodrich echoed Congressman Gibson's thoughts, emphasizing that, "You all have a story to share." She would  later add that everyone's perspective is important and that participants could make a difference by capturing the stories of the valley's hardships and sharing them with the world, bringing both comfort to flood victims and awareness to their still ongoing recovery efforts.

Congressman Gibson and Town of Schoharie
Supervisor Gene Milone coordinate schedules

Zumba Event to Aid Flood Victims

All are invited to a Saturday, February 8th "Zumba-thon" to assist flood victims. The event, done in partnership with SALT is a great opportunity to exercise and also to help out a good cause. The three hour event offers a chance to learn new techniques and costs just $10 minimum donation.

More information can be found on the event page here.

SALT to Host Martin Luther King Day of Service

Schoharie Area Long Term (SALT) Recovery, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the New York Folklore Society and AmeriCorps VISTA have collaborated to sponsor a Martin Luther King Day of Service on Monday, January 20th, 2014 that will focus on the impact of Hurricane Irene and the Schoharie Valley's path to recovery.

 

 The event, which will be held in the social hall of the Middleburgh Reformed Church on 176 River Street starting at 10 a.m., has officially been named the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Reflection on Service: Stories of Hurricane Irene. SALT's website states that, "The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community."

 

It will consist of a morning workshop on the art of storytelling for volunteers and residents conducted by the New York Folklore Society, followed by a luncheon with a still to be announced guest speaker who will speak on Dr. King's motivation to serve and will conclude with a series of round-table discussions by volunteers, residents, community leaders and AmeriCorps VISTA members about their experiences in Schoharie.

 

Organizers are hoping that the event will encourage, "volunteers and the members of the Schoharie Community who "weathered the storm" will begin to tell and record their stories over the next year about what happened and what drives them to help one another and restore the communities along the Schoharie Creek."

 

Please visit the Schoharie Area Long Term Recovery's website for more information on how to become apart of this event.

Green Shirts Leaving Schoharie County

In an emotional ceremony on Monday, December 18th the hundreds of volunteers that assisted flood victims across the County were honored. The Green Shirts, affiliated with the Reformed Church are leaving after two years of service in the area. Many are moving on to help other flood victims affected by Hurricane Sandy. From SALT's press release:

Over the past two years, over 500 Green Shirt volunteers from all over the United States and Canada have come and donated a week or more of their time to helping to rebuild our homes and community. Many of these volunteers have come multiple times and stayed for 2 or more weeks at a time. Collectively, they have volunteered for over 53,000 hours - worth over $1,025,000 of inkind labor. 

In addition, the Green Shirts have spent over $225,000 in our area, supporting our local economy while rebuilding it. After the initial meetings between SALT and World Renew Regional Managers for New York and New England, Doug and Pat Guikema, reported to World Renew that the SALT recovery group was "one of the best organized, ready to lead the recovery efforts that they have had the privilege to work with" in the 10 years since they've been involved with World Renew and, that SALT was "ahead of the curve for Long Term Committees." 

"Closing down our Schoharie site comes with many mixed emotions," said Doug Guikema shares. "We are thankful that we were able to complete the homes that we did, and yet we know there are more families waiting for the assistance they need to finish rebuilding their home yet, and that makes it difficult to leave."

SALT to Hold Green Shirts Celebration

Come and join in a commemoration of all of the good works done by the Green Shirt volunteers since Irene. SALT is coordinating an event to mark the departure of these volunteers and to thank them for helping to put Schoharie County back together.

SALT Hosting Surf and Turf Dinner

SALT's first Surf and Turf Dinner was so successful, they have decided to hold another one. This one will be held at the Schoharie Presbyterian Church on Friday, November 1 from 4-7pm.. The meal sounds delicious:

The dinners will feature delicious fresh lobster, steak, shrimp, clams and seasonal sweet corn. Pre-sale tickets are $25, and regular tickets are $30. The dinners may be eaten on site or taken to go.

More info on the event page.

SALT Hosting Artisan Fair October 13th

SALT is hosting the Autumn Artisan's Market this Sunday. The event, which aims to bring in the whole family, will raise money for flood victims. It will take place at the Schoharie County Annex parking low between 10am and 3pm. More from the event's facebook page here.

SALT Hiring New VISTAs

The Schoharie Area Long Term Recovery group has made another step forward, planning its second round of the VISTA program. Run in conjunction with the Americorps the VISTAs will be sent across the County to assist with flood recovery projects. The first round, which sent volunteers to every Irene-affected municipality, aided in the acquisition of volunteers and grants for each. SALT announced on their website that they are hiring for the next round.

DeBartolo Retiring from SALT

The principle figure behind Schoharie Recovery and the co-founder of SALT Josh DeBartolo is leaving this area to help others in need. The resident of Middleburgh had moved back into the County by chance two years ago and has been the largest single driver of recovery for hundreds of families.

He was profiled by YNN last week, which highlighted his impressive record.

"We've coordinated over 35,000 volunteers, we've had volunteers in over 500 homes and moved 300 of them back home," said DeBartolo. And now a bittersweet time for DeBartolo as he winds down his last week on the job. Reflecting back on all those he's helped here and also given his time to help in other areas facing disaster, like Fort Plain. 

And one of his favorite moments raising more than $16,000 to say goodbye to his grizzly look.

Mr. DeBartolo is getting married next month and moving on to help malnourished children. It is a legacy that will not be easily replaced or forgotten.

SALT Holding Zumbathon Fundraiser September 14th

SALT is hoping for a big turnout next Saturday for its new fundraiser. The flood recovery group is holding a Zumbathon dancing event in Richmondville's Family Maranatha Center. There is a $10 minimum donation and half price for children or for seniors.

More information or to RSVP to the event can be found on its Facebook page here.

SALT Raises $16,000 at Bounty of the County

Schoharie County Long Term Recovery held a well-attended event to raise awareness and money for flood victims. The Bounty of the County event was a success, raising $16,000 to aid further recovery efforts.

The fundraiser, organized by Albany-based Wine & Dine for the Arts to help restore homes and businesses damaged two years ago by Tropical Storm Irene, was held one day after much of the village of Fort Plain in neighboring Montgomery County was wiped out by flooding.

Photo Credit: Jerrine Corallo

SALT Hosting Bounty of the County June 30th

SALT is hosting the Bounty of the County Artisan's Market and a brunch on Sunday, June 30th on the DAR lawn. The event at 368 Main Street in Schoharie is being sponsored by the Apple Barrel and Hessian Hill farms and will take place between 11 am and 5 pm.