google.com, pub-2480664471547226, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0

Traditionally Speaking…with Pat Larsen - Hypnosis corner with Pat Larsen…Past Life and Age Regression Therapy

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 10/3/24 | 10/3/24

I recently continued my hypnotherapy studies with world renowned educator, Paul Aurand, MHt …in the areas of Age and Past life regression techniques. 

This  can be a big concept to comprehend, especially if you’ve not heard of this type of hypnotherapy before. 

Simply put, regression is a gentle technique to encourage someone to replay a time in their life from a safe vantage point with a hypnotherapist's guidance. 

From there and with this personal support, issues are comfortably resolvable. 

Expectations can include forgiveness, gratitude, love, letting go or learning important lessons from the issues at hand… that can block us from living joyful lives. 

Since all work in hypnosis is considered “self hypnosis” this particular therapy is very successful when the person is ready and willing to move forward with trust from a trained professional.

Oftentimes,  during a pretalk consultation, I’d hear from  prospective hypnotherapy clients that they had “tried everything ” to work through their particular stresses before seeking this specialty. Their enthusiasm to begin this treatment was heightened when they’d realized the possibility of not having to drag the heavy emotional weights around any longer.

Believing in their own emotional freedom definitely was the motivation to begin sharpening their focus on where and when an issue began for them.

This doesn’t mean that all parties are immediately released from the stresses. When you work one on one with a specialist, the focus is on you, not the aggressor.

I'd like to give you an example of some work that I did with someone recently who called to have a consultation about a past life that he thought was at the forefront of his continuous issues with moving forward in this lifetime.

The most important aspect of this discussion was helping the client to feel comfortable with me as the hypnotherapist. It was essential to listen carefully for clues in the discussion that indicated a readiness to take the deep dive into the story. 

In this particular case, this person had heard about trying to find answers perhaps in a past life. It turned out to be something very different  and unexpected.

My intention is always to create a safe environment for the work to take place.  Also, if I feel that I may not be the right person to help make these connections, I’ll refer to a colleague. 

This part is important, especially to me and those I have studied with and refer to. I find that this level of professionalism is a key component to elevating this profession to reach beyond the earlier depictions of a stage act in the 50’s.

That being said…let me continue.

The client and I began the conversation with some comfortable banter about his life. I would encourage staying on course as I 

connected the story of the  roads leading his childhood experiences on a farm as a young boy. He was the youngest of three boys in the family. 

The story continued for a half hour or so.

What a wonderful gift this kind of work is to be honest.

How often do we carry a story that has been less than ideal and have anyone to actually listen to it who is outside of the event.

This becomes such a beautiful starting point for me to see this release almost immediately on the face of the person I’m working with.

Of course this type of work, as I defined by the title,  might reflect a trauma or a stress, sometimes even a misunderstanding  that the person has carried forward.

We both can see that it is within THIS LIFE TIME that the situation and story was unfolding.

So the therapy continues as the client assumes a relaxed posture on the couch or a chair that they can stretch out on.

My voice guides the relaxation techniques that are an important part of hypnosis. Before long it becomes evident that the client is deeply entrenched in the pictures he’s created in his mind by sharing his story. 

In terms of age regression, I’ve experienced watching the client confront the offending party to share in a conversation that sets the record straight as to their behavior.

Often, this involves a very stern parent, most times a father, who was particularly harsh when this person was very young. The possibilities are very personal of course but very powerful nevertheless. 

When the therapy is completed and the conversation has taken place between the two, it’s time to express apologies or renewed unexpressed love and the session is then completed for that day.

It’s very unique and very profound to be a witness to this particular age regression therapy.

Past Life regression is similar but that subject will have to wait for another story. I happened to be present when Paul Aurand led a past life regression that involved a soldier from the civil war. It was incredibly clear with sharp  details. Until next time… 

Pat Larsen lives in Greene County, NY; her credentials include Syndicated columnist, author, certified hypnotherapist and fitness instructor.

Feel Free to Contact Pat at 518-275-8686 to chat.



Remember to Subscribe!
Subscription Options

Town of Hunter to Organize Community Health Outreach for Seniors

By Max Oppen

TANNERSVILLE — The Town of Hunter held its regular Town Board meeting on Tuesday, September 24, where Town of Hunter Ambulance Administrator Ariel Woolheater provided a report on ambulance calls for August. Woolheater stated that there were a total of 51 calls, including one CPR death and seven refusals of medical care. "Out of those 51 calls, we canceled the medic twelve times," she explained, noting that the medic was required for twenty calls.

Woolheater also discussed an initiative she hopes to implement soon: a community health outreach for local seniors. "I have an idea," she said. "I want to do a health check day and start with our seniors in the area. We'd have them come to our station, do vitals checks, order weekly pill organizers if needed, and have them fill out emergency cards so all their information is readily available when needed. Just a little community outreach."

Woolheater proposed setting aside two days for this initiative, with an option to visit seniors who couldn't come to the station. "Just to ensure everyone is in good health," she said. The Town Board members were immediately supportive, with Supervisor Sean Mahoney and councilpersons Dolph Semenza and Ernie Reale expressing their approval.

Councilperson David Kukle asked if the outreach program had been budgeted, to which Woolheater responded that she had just come up with the idea and had yet to allocate funds. Reale inquired what would happen if an emergency call occurred during the outreach, and Woolheater replied that volunteers would help.

"This will help familiarize participants with the ambulance building and staff," said Semenza. "I think it's a great idea."

Mahoney encouraged Woolheater to move forward, stating, "Once you have something put together and pick a date, we will get it out there on social media and our website."

Woolheater mentioned the possibility of expanding the program if it proved successful. "If it's a success, we could open it up to others in the area," she said.

Reale emphasized the importance of the program, saying, "Something as simple as this could save someone's life." Woolheater added that during many calls they go on, seniors say they've forgotten to take their medications. "If we could hand out pill organizers, it would help," she explained. "It might save us a trip and help them get into a routine."

Mahoney concluded the discussion by giving Woolheater the Board's full support. "You have this Board's approval," he said, to which Woolheater expressed her gratitude.


Remember to Subscribe!
Subscription Options

The Prattsville Scoop

By Abby and Gabby

PRATTSVILLE — Welcome Autumn. Our weather, for the most part, has been perfect – cool nights, warm days and leaves starting to turn. Enjoy.

The Free Luncheon and friendship at the Kaaterskill UMC in Tannersville continues to bring in local residents for the delicious food and companionship. Of course the tables are abuzz with shared news and happenings. The special one at the September 24th luncheon was the 93rd Birthday of Elaine Johnson. A cake was provided by her family and everyone at that time got to enjoy singing Happy Birthday to Elaine as well as enjoying the cake. Many came up to Elaine to wish her personal “Happy Birthday” greetings and to share some memories. Also in attendance were Ashland residents Lula Holdridge Anderson and Barbara Hoagland Cook. Lula is always two days in advance with plans for her next event. She is President of the WAJPL Golden Agers, on the Board for Aging of Greene County as well as being a fellow columnist for our local papers. You go Lula. Barbara is finally finding some relief for her back problems via her most recent chiropractor. When Barbara says she cried for months with back pain, she has our complete sympathy. Stay on your road to recovery, Barbara.

Well, a new record has been set. The GWH has a new total of seven skunks now gone to skunk heaven in the past two months. The skunks really loved yellow squash and tomatoes – nasty varmints now down by seven. Never heard of a herd of skunks pillaging one garden before. Anyone have a similar story? Wish to share?

Wish to thank all who supported the Tag Day by the American Legion Auxiliary Virgil E. Deyo Unit 1327, Prattsville, for the 2024 Christmas Celebration for up to 50 veterans at the Stratton VAMC, Albany. These veterans are in the residential units and will probably never be able to return to their homes. So anything that is done for them for some sort of normalcy for their lives is so gratefully appreciated. Again thank you for helping Unit 1327 make this upcoming 2024 Christmas a true season of giving for our deserving hospitalized veterans. During Tag Day a number of things happened that bring unexpected joy. A gentleman drove up with a bouquet of wild flowers in a cup of water and when I acknowledged him for being a good guy, I was presented with a sprig of wildflowers. Thank you sir, nice gesture. Then Jason and staff at Catskill Mtn. Liquor Store sent over a donation and a patriotic red, white and blue garland I could wear as a scarf. Thank you so much. We were reminded to “VOTE” in the upcoming election – no names/parties mentioned – and complimented by another for saying we do not discuss politics within our organization. Then we got a nickel that was almost bent in half and half a dollar bill that will have to be destroyed. For a U.S. to be legal, both numbers have to be present. Also got a sunflower seed and a packaged toothpick – thankfully not used. Most rewarding and interesting day. Thanks to all.

Randy Brainerd is feeling a little better. He was having a good day so he went into town to enjoy a cooling soda with friends. Continue to feel good Randy. You never see Randy without a smile and something funny to say.

Now another Randy – this time Randy Briggs. Saw Randy three times on Saturday and each time he was driving a different vehicle. But the last time he was just sitting in his little roadster in Jim’s parking lot waiting for wife Darlene, who was shopping in the store. Both were full of smiles and happy conversations.

Feel better wishes go out to Anita Creazzo and Randy Brainerd. Sympathy to Patricia Lawyer and family of Ashland on the loss of her brother. Mary Cline is also sent condolences on the death of another cousin.

Bob Hermance stopped by to pay his wife Carrie’s Auxiliary dues. Had a chance to catch up on their lives. Bob made a donation to our Tag Day and put in his apple pie order for the Veterans Day Bake Sale to be held November 8. He always gets there too late for the pies, which always sell immediately. This bake sale is strictly for the benefit of local veterans or veterans’ families in need. So Bob’s apple pie order and Tag Day donation is a case of a veteran helping is fellow veterans. Bob was returning from a game show contest in Stamford. Not sure of his successes. Thanks Bob for your support of veterans. Happy Anniversary and our best to you and Carrie, see their anniversary date in last paragraph of The Scoop.

Joanne Dunphy, Jodi Gurley, Ginny and Bob Gurley and Bobby Gurley traveled to Cooperstown to celebrate the 4th birthday of Lincoln Huntsman, son of Isaac and Nadine Gurley Huntsmen. Nadine and Isaac have moved their family to a new residence in the heart of Cooperstown. “New” is a relative word as the house was built in 1840 and a well known artist (Lippert) lived there. Isaac said it takes him four minutes to walk to work at Bassett Hospital. The older generation had a chance to enjoy some quiet conversations.

Marie and Ken Smith, formerly of Windham and Florida, are now in a senior citizen neighborhood north of Albany. At this time do not have their address but will share it when it is available to us. We are quite sure Marie and Ken would like to be in touch with friends from their hometowns. After selling their home in Windham, they moved permanently to Florida only to lose their Florida home to a hurricane a number of years ago. Ken is a Korean War CV and was awarded the Purple Heart. Marie loved to dance and with her group would entertain the hospitalized veterans at Stratton VAMC as well as entertaining many in our area. Ken and Marie were also members of the WAJPL Golden Agers. Such an active couple and mostly for the benefit and entertainment of others. We had a chance to greet Ken during a medical appointment at the VA. Ken would make sure to collect candy for us to deliver to the VA on a regular basis. Our best to Ken and Marie.

Happy Birthday to Dean Isaac Martin on October 6. On October 9 it is Happy Birthday to Samantha Baker. On October 10 it is Happy Birthday to Karissa (Joe) Baker and Brian Young. On October 11 it is Happy Birthday to Billy Decker. Happy Anniversary to Carrie and Bob Hermance on October 8. Special Wishes to all.

God Speed to Kris Kristofferson and Pete Rose.

Send news to gurleyrv@gmail.com or call 518-299-3219. Thank you.


Remember to Subscribe!
Subscription Options

Sonny Rock: Have Drums Will Travel

WINDHAM — “Sonny Rock Have Drums Will Travel” is the inscription on a brick that was laid last May on the Blue’s Foundation’s Walk of Fame in Memphis, Tennessee. But who is Sonny Rock?

Sonny Rock grew up on the mountaintop in Windham. His grandparents were the proprietors of a well known restaurant on Main Street called “The Blue Moon” that burned down in February of 1975. It stands today as the Main Street Italian Market after it was rebuilt in 1979. His grandmother Anne Kurz, would let him stay up late to watch the Johnny Carson Show where he would sit mesmerized by the drum stylings of Buddy Rich. “By age five or six my grandmother knew I was gonna be a musician” begins Sonny while explaining how his journey to become a professional drummer got started. When Sonny was 12 years old he received his first drum set that he would practice on in an apartment above the Blue Moon. “I would play in local marching bands and some neighborhood cover bands too” Sonny continues. “Learned some guitar, learned some piano, but the drums are what I always came back to.”

After High School, Sonny would move to Los Angeles to gain more experience in the heavy metal scene that was the backdrop to Sunset Boulevard in 1983. Sonny began playing at some coffee houses and even had a main spot to play at a popular venue of the time “The Music Machine”, where he also worked at the door. Sonny also made a wage by working as a scenic artist on films for Local 729 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. He has helped develop sets for films such as 1999’s “Stuart Little” and the 2001 horror/mystery “Jeepers Creepers”. Building connections like these helped Sonny introduce his drumming into the soundtracks for early 2000’s tv shows like “Malcolm In The Middle” or “The Bernie Mac Show.” “I was the drummer for the 877-Kars For Kids Jingle” Sonny admits.  

By the time Sonny returned to the East coast nearly thirty years later, his talent and experiences had grown exponentially after playing shows with legendary names like Tom Jones, Slash of Gun N Roses, KISS, and touring with Iron Maiden! 

Sonny and Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, even sprung for a wild ride of disorder through the city of Casper in Wyoming one night while in town for the tour.   

When Sonny arrived back in New York, he wasted no time getting involved with local musical artists performing in the area. Currently Sonny is working alongside other artists in the Hudson Valley like the classic rock players Lex Grey and her Urban Pioneers, the country band Whiskey Cross, and the in house Blues band at McGeary’s Irish Pub in Albany for the Capital Region Blues Network’s weekly shows These are only a few of the bands he currently plays with when not working on other up and coming projects. Sonny had also worked for four different local radio stations including RIP 97.9 in Windham for over ten years.

“I am also working down on Long Island with a program called “Road Recovery”, which tries to help troubled teenagers in schools through a music program backed by Billy Joel and the Department of Justice” Sonny explains.

 But now Sonny is planning on publishing three books he himself has written to launch in this upcoming March that act as different looks back on a lifetime of triumphs and failures out on the open road amongst the music circuits of America. 

The first of his books is going to be his autobiography “Safety First (Lions and Hearts)”.

“This one’s gonna be in more of a humorous light to balance out the tragedies” Sonny says.

“It's got rock and roll, it's got sex, it's got drugs, it's got motorcycle clubs, and then eventually me getting myself sober.”  

The second one Sonny describes as a “coffee table book” filled with pictures Sonny was taking while touring the deep South with musical group Tas Cru from 2012 to 2020. The book itself lacks a working title so far but will feature a collection of photographs of cotton fields, gin mills, old juke joints, fellow musicians and more, with follow up captions that explain where and when Sonny is and why he is there.

The third volume is going to be a short 70-page reflection on the early relationship between Sonny and his dad entitled “Life Is Good”. “This one will look more at how my father didn't kill a long haired drummer he was raising while moving from Long Island into the Catskills,” Sonny adds humorously. 

Juggling all this can seem pretty heavy, especially when splitting your time between Windham and Long Island, but Sonny always leaves room for his girl Victoria and his stepson Andres who he affectionately calls “The Dude”. 


Remember to Subscribe!
Subscription Options

Scribner's Expands Luxury Accommodations with The Rounds

By Max Oppen

HUNTER — The newly reformed Hunter Chamber of Commerce (HCOC) has been hard at work highlighting fresh business ventures on the mountaintop. In less than a week, they held their second ribbon-cutting, celebrating The Rounds at Scribner's Catskill Lodge, a new luxury accommodation option that is turning heads.

Scribner's Catskill Lodge, a historic site built in the 1880s as the Hunter Mountain Prospect House, has undergone many transformations. In the late 1960s, it became Scribner's Motor Lodge before being purchased and redesigned in 2017 by a Brooklyn-based design and development group specializing in hospitality. The Lodge has expanded its offerings with The Rounds, a collection of circular dwellings that blend nature and modern luxury. Located just up the street on Scribner Hollow Road, these unique structures sit on an old quarry site.

Marc Chodock, managing partner of Escape Hospitality, expressed his excitement for the new addition. "We're excited – it's a very different experience for our guests, and we hope they'll enjoy it. The Rounds provide the beauty aspects of nature up here in the Catskills," he said. The concept was inspired by the region's history of bungalows and cabin stays but with a modern twist. "It was really trying to figure out how to do that in a more modern sense," said Chodock, noting the growing popularity of Tiny Houses. "We wanted to come up with something different and special."

The Rounds are named after their architectural style—circular dwellings, though technically dodecagons (12-sided polygons), as explained by Jade Sinskul, marketing manager at Escape Hospitality. Currently, there are 11 Rounds, with plans for a 12th. The units range from 550 to 795 square feet and offer a range of amenities, including private decks, Japanese soaking tubs, and outdoor showers. One unit is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Each Round provides a captivating experience, merging indoor luxury with the natural surroundings. The larger suites feature king beds, 360-degree circular sunken sofas, and reading nooks, while the smaller units offer similar comforts on a slightly smaller scale. Both include outdoor and indoor bathing experiences, with the oculus at the center of the roof allowing for stargazing.

Hunter Chamber of Commerce President Ryan Penny praised the new addition. "We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of The Rounds at Scribner's, a beautiful extension of their hospitality offering here in the Town of Hunter. It really represents an extension of a mountaintop-leading hospitality experience. We're happy to celebrate with them and highlight this new offering, and a new way to visit our community and see everything else we have to offer."

Penny shared that the Chamber, re-formed earlier this year, has been steadily growing. "We have about 67 members of the Chamber, and we have been adding more as businesses find out about us. We're excited to continue growing and supporting the business community in the Town of Hunter."

Since opening in February, The Rounds has offered a distinctive way for guests to enjoy the beauty of the Catskills. Guests check in at Scribner's and receive a map and keys to their Round. The path to the Rounds is a short five-minute walk, though there's also a shuttle for guests, especially during the winter when the path is closed.

Sinskul noted that guests can also explore a one-mile hiking trail on the property, further enhancing the outdoor experience.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Rounds drew more than 30 attendees, making it the most well-attended HCOC event to date. Chodock summed up the essence of The Rounds by saying, "The whole idea is to let guests walk into their accommodations and look at nature."

The Rounds' design was crafted by Post Company, an award-winning multidisciplinary firm with offices in Brooklyn and Jackson, Wyoming. Post Company focuses on creating elegant and functional spaces, a philosophy evident in every detail of The Rounds.

Located at 13 Scribner Hollow Road in Hunter, you can contact Scribner's by calling (518) 628-5130 or visiting www.scribnerslodge.com.

With the success of The Rounds, Scribner's continues to set the standard for boutique hospitality in the Catskills, offering visitors a truly unique experience in the heart of nature.


Remember to Subscribe!
Subscription Options

Hunter Chamber of Commerce Holds Ribbon Cutting for Jolie Mountain Top

By Max Oppen

TANNERSVILLE—On Thursday, September 26, the Hunter Chamber of Commerce welcomed Jolie Mountain Top to the community with a ribbon-cutting for the new medi-spa in the Village of Tannersville. Jolie Mountain Top officially opened in June and is operated by Leah Johnson, a licensed aesthetician and part-time resident of Onteora Park. Johnson, who splits her time between the mountaintop and New York City, brings years of experience to her new venture, having worked in the beauty industry since 2006.

"I've always liked the spa space," Johnson said. "I was interested in skin care, so I was happy to move back into that area away from cosmetics." Her journey into aesthetics began after earning her certification as an aesthetician and working in the corporate training department at MAC Cosmetics, a subsidiary of Estee Lauder. Johnson's connection to the mountaintop grew after she and her family rehabbed a house in Onteora Park. "You put all your time and energy into this place and want to be in it. I wanted to be here," she explained.

Johnson's family, including her two daughters, spends summers in the mountains, while the winter months see her traveling between Tannersville and NYC. As the cooler weather approaches, she anticipates an uptick in business. "During the winter, people want to be somewhere serene and calm, and don't mind giving up two hours of their day," she said, noting that treatments like Botox, Vitamin IVs, and B12 shots are popular at the medi-spa.

Jolie Mountain Top provides a range of medical and aesthetic treatments, from injectables to facials. Johnson works alongside a registered aesthetics nurse who administers the medical treatments, ensuring clients leave feeling "totally rejuvenated." Johnson expressed her gratitude for her team, saying, "I have the best staff in the world. I've somehow picked up a lucky penny and have nothing but great things to say about the women I work with."

Jolie Mountain Top is a sister location to Jolie Medical Aesthetics and Wellness, which has branches in Poughkeepsie and Rhinebeck. Johnson credited the Poughkeepsie team for helping her through the process of opening her Tannersville location, sparing her from starting from scratch. She first entertained the idea of opening a business on the mountaintop after hearing about the success of Botox parties hosted by the Poughkeepsie location. "My goal is to grab the ski and tourist crowds, as well as locals who are already getting treatments off the mountain," she said. "We'd rather keep the dollars here and have the money go to the schools and broader community. I think this is needed on the mountaintop."

The medi-spa has received an outpouring of support from the local community. Several local business owners and Chamber of Commerce members were there to support her. "The community has been incredibly gracious and welcoming, and I love my landlords, Terrence and Amy [Maul], who own The Pantry on Main," Johnson said. "They're the hardest-working people I know and have totally embraced this business, as has the Chamber of Commerce."

Jolie Mountain Top's head licensed aesthetician, Shelby Townsend, also spoke about the excitement surrounding the new business. A resident of Saugerties, Townsend has been with Jolie since they opened and is certified to use various specialized equipment, such as the Hydrafacial and microneedling devices. "I'm so excited, and I think there's a need for this in the area," she said. I'm really excited to serve the community."

The services offered at Jolie Mountain Top include HydraFacials, dermaplaning, chemical peels, oxygen facials, microdermabrasion, waxing, and more. According to their website, their philosophy is to create a holistic skincare experience, combining advanced treatments with personalized care in a serene, spa-like environment.

Hunter Chamber of Commerce President Ryan Penny highlighted the importance of welcoming new businesses like Jolie Mountain Top to the area. "We're excited to feature a completely new kind of business in Tannersville," Penny said. "Someone like Leah, who lives in the community, came here and found a place to open up inside a newly renovated building – it's a quintessential Town of Hunter story where new businesses are finding homes."

Jolie Mountain Top is located at 6022 Main Street, Suite B, in the Village of Tannersville. For more information, visit their website at www.joliemountaintop.com, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, or call them at 518-740-4818.




Remember to Subscribe!
Subscription Options

Orpheum Performing Arts Center Hosts Ribbon Cutting and Groundbreaking












Technical Upgrades, Energy Efficiencies and New Orpheum Studios 

Hunter -  Catskill Mountain Foundation announces a ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, October 17 at 1:00 PM at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center in Tannersville, NY. Local dignitaries and friends of the arts are invited to share in this celebration of the completion of the first phase of the project, which includes theater technical upgrades and design and engineering for the new dance studios. After the ribbon cutting and welcome by Peter and Sarah Finn, project manager Jean-Claude Alten will provide a short presentation of the theater’s technical upgrades and then all will convene outside where the ground will be broken for the new dance studios. This event offers an opportunity to acknowledge local and state commitment to the Village of Tannersville through the expansion of arts and educational programming.

As part of Tannersville’s Downtown Strategic Investment Plan, Catskill Mountain Foundation was awarded $1,750,000 through the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to expand and upgrade the Orpheum Performing Arts Center. By upgrading the theater, constructing the new dance studios and making the streetscape and accessibility improvements, Catskill Mountain Foundation is able to expand its annual performing arts season and educational programs. 

Contractors, including project manager Jean-Claude Alten; Theater Projects, Metropolitan Interactive, Ltd.; Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting Co., Inc.; Hudson Valley Electrical Construction Management Inc.; LaBella Associates; and Termobuild/Laken & Associates, Inc., completed this first phase of the project, successfully upgrading the Orpheum’s technical capabilities and completing the design/engineering for the new building, Orpheum Studios. 

The new dance studio is also supported through the Carbon Neutral Community Economic Development program, now known as the Building Cleaner Communities Competition administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) which will help Orpheum Studios achieve emissions free performance, through innovative building strategies and equipment designed for superior energy efficiency. 

These building systems work together to deliver energy performance far beyond the sum of its parts. Key features include Termobuild Smart Floors, combining heating, cooling, ventilation and energy storage in one system, reducing the overall power requirement. A geothermal heating and cooling system uses the inground stored energy and electricity, requiring no combustion of fossil fuels. Other high performing elements to the project include energy efficient walls, windows, doors and lighting, as well as rooftop solar panels.

The Orpheum Performing Arts Center is a destination in the Village of Tannersville, at the center of the village’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative boundary. The construction of the new two-floor, state-of-the-art dance studio, with a fully ADA compliant first floor provides a comfortable, safe and reliable space that strengthens community connectivity. Aligned with the town’s goals of reducing environmental impacts, the project will be a clean and resilient emissions free model to further the facilities’ ability to reduce greenhouse emissions. The project is aspiring for Green Globes Certification and net zero energy performance.

The Orpheum Performing Arts Center is located at 6050 Main Street, Tannersville, NY. For more information, please visit www.catskillmtn.org. RSVP by October 14 to morseh@catskillmtn.org .


About Catskill Mountain Foundation
The Catskill Mountain Foundation’s (CMF) aim is to provide educational opportunities in the arts for youth and lifelong learners, to bring the experience of the arts to the Catskill community, and to support artists and art organizations in the development of their work through residencies. Since its founding in 1998, CMF has presented hundreds of music, dance, and theater performances; screened over 1,000 films to tens of thousands of audience members; provided studio arts classes to thousands of students of all ages; and served thousands of art-loving patrons in the Catskill Mountain Foundation Gift Shop. The Catskill Mountain Foundation operates the Doctorow Center for the Arts in Hunter, the Orpheum Performing Arts Center in Tannersville, and the Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts in Maplecrest, NY.


Since 1998, CMF has raised, generated, and invested close to $16 million in facility development and an excess of $42 million in programming operations, for a total investment in the Catskill community of over $58 million. Catskill Mountain Foundation is supported in part by New York State Council on the Arts, the Greene County Cultural Fund administered by the Greene County Legislature, The Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Family Foundation, The Royce Family Foundation, The Samuel and Esther Doctorow Fund, The Orville and Ethel Slutzky Family Foundation, Platte Clove Bruderhof Community, Bank of Greene County Charitable Foundation, The Greene County Youth Bureau, Marshall & Sterling Insurance, All Souls’ Church, Stewarts Shops, Windham Foundation, and by private donations. CMF believes that the arts can transform the lives of those touched by it and can transform the community. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.


Remember to Subscribe!
Subscription Options

Windham Foundation Looking Toward Future with Property Purchase

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM - A transformational purchase of property has been brought to pass by the Windham Foundation, meaningfully deepening their commitment to their adopted home of Windham.

The historic transaction was announced in a September 27 press release issued by the Foundation, setting aside a 34-acre parcel for future community-shared recreational and civic opportunities.

In addition, a doorway has been welcomely opened for an expansion of the popular Windham Path, someday down the road, extending it to the new land, located on the outskirts of the hamlet of Hensonville.

And the timing of the half-million dollar buy brings serendipitous resolution to controversy embroiling the town the past six months about a proposed plan to build little league fields at the Windham Path.

The intense turmoil over the ballfields is not mentioned as such in the press release, emerging after Foundation leaders say they had decided to become financially supportive of some type of little league project.

Foundation president Paul Mutter, in a phone interview, said conversations about the fields date back to November, 2023, and a Foundation dinner in New York City attended by Windham town supervisor Thomas Hoyt.

Hoyt, at that fundraising gathering, explained a dilemma surrounding the little league diamond which is being squeezed for space and becoming unsafe at its traditional location, along South Street in Windham.

“We talked about how we could maybe be constructive,” Mutter said, with the Foundation having assisted the town in multiple ways since its inception, two decades ago.

The Foundation ultimately teamed with Hoyt, town assessor Richard Tollner and former town attorney Larry Gardner, scouring tax rolls to perhaps acquire real estate for the ballfields and/or to pay for them.

“There wasn’t a lot of land that wasn’t already taken,” Mutter said, noting all the involved parties agreed to circumspectly and silently proceed so as to not inflate or jeopardize the delicate deal.

Supervisor Hoyt broke the news at a September 26 town council session, saying in a prepared statement that, “for the past six months I have been working with the non-profit Windham Foundation to secure property to expand recreational programming in Windham.

“I am pleased to announce that, with the generous support of the Windham Foundation, about 34-acres of vacant land along County Route 65A in the hamlet of Hensonville has been secured.”

The Foundation, in their press release, stated they are a, “nonprofit philanthropic organization founded in 2004 to enhance and enrich Windham’s community through charitable grants for historical preservation, the arts, education and recreation.

“The property is now under contract to The Windham Foundation and is expected to close within 60 days,” the release states.

“The $500,000 purchase price for the land was agreed to, thanks to the multi-generational, community-minded spirit of its current owners, Sotirios and Georgia Econopouly and their children Demetrios, Kathy and Joanne. 

“The Windham Foundation will initiate a new capital fundraising campaign to pay the balance of a seller’s note, and to facilitate further development of the land and other causes,” the press release states.

“The now-undeveloped land, nestled along Greene County Route 65A, known locally as Seeley Road, was at one time home to Kallithea Farm.” 

Further, the Kallithea site was home to the “Orchard Grove House, a hotel property which was destroyed by fire in 1988,” the press release states.

“The parcel will take on a new use as home to a seven-acre Little League Baseball facility, Construction of the ball fields is expected to begin in 2025, with the remainder of the land set aside for future community use.

“Separately, the Town of Windham, facilitated by [Mutter] and [Foundation] vice-president Matt Rodrigue, received approval from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a 1.5 mile extension of the Windham Path through adjoining woods on town-owned land known as the “Dent Loop.”

“Following Phase 1 of clearing the new trail [on the DEP land], which will also begin next year, Phase 2 of the project envisions linking the Dent Loop to the Econopouly property.

“When that work is completed, the Windham Path and the land acquired by The Windham Foundation, connected by the Dent Loop, will provide an extraordinary multi-use recreational asset for the Town of Windham.”

Supervisor Hoyt, earlier this year, reported an unfolding agreement with the DEP, allowing a portion of their lands, adjacent to the Path, to be cleared for a walking trail, minimally impacting the woodsy terrain.

Mutter, in the press release, stated, “over the last year, as we reconstituted and expanded our Board of Directors, we have watched, listened to, and spoken with community leaders, citizens and other interested parties about Windham’s current and future needs.

“We are now pleased to be able to take constructive action to help address them,’ Mutter stated, then apparently touched upon the ballfields issue.

“When good people on all sides of a debate can come together creatively to find solutions for the benefit of Windham’s year-round and weekender families and children, and the visitors who help grow our local economy, everyone wins,” Mutter stated.

“Acquisition of the 34 acres of the Econopouly land, and the multi-use activity that will evolve at the site in the coming years, will likely spur continued growth in and around Hensonville, which has benefitted from significant recent entrepreneurial and residential investment,” the press release states.

Supervisor Hoyt, in the press release stated, “I grew up in Windham, living and working here all of my life, and count as friends both people who were born and remain here, as well as those who have discovered our beautiful corner of the Catskills later in life and enjoy everything we have to offer.

“Healthy debate is vital to a town’s long-term growth, and we have all heard and learned much from one another, resulting in an unprecedented act of generosity from The Windham Foundation.”

The Foundation’s action, “will help us build a ‘Field of Dreams’ for our young people, and so much more, in years to come,” Hoyt stated.

An all-volunteer board runs the Windham Foundation, to date awarding $5.5 million toward cultural and community initiatives, recreational and educational programs and disaster relief efforts, the press release states.

The Foundation will have a central location at Windham’s 30th Annual Autumn Affair on October 12-13, allowing leaders to respond in person to inquiries about plans for the Econopouly land, the press release states.

Board of directors members are Mutter, Rodrigue, Robert Pollichino (treasurer), Christine Ciampa (secretary), Christine Anderson, Vincent Angiolillo, Huw Daniel, Phyllis Parrish, Robert Greifeld, Josh King, and erman D. Smith.


Remember to Subscribe!
Subscription Options

Check Out Local Theatre!

Check Out Local Theatre!

Donate to Support Local Journalism

CONTACT US:


By phone: 518-763-6854 or 607-652-5252
Email: mountaineaglenews@gmail.com
Fax: 607-652-5253
Mail: The Mountain Eagle / PO Box 162 / Schoharie NY 12157

https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=M6592A5TZYUCQ

Subscribe!

Site Archive

Submit your information below:

Name

Email *

Message *