Sensory overload

Posted 8/21/12

Wow, man—it’s a little crazy out there. With the holiday season in full swing, I’ve been running around like a festive headless chicken, doing my best to take in as many of the events exploding …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Sensory overload

Posted

Wow, man—it’s a little crazy out there. With the holiday season in full swing, I’ve been running around like a festive headless chicken, doing my best to take in as many of the events exploding throughout the Upper Delaware River region as humanly possible, while attempting to retain a semblance of sanity. Maintaining composure has never been my strong suit, and keeping up with the Wonder Dog is a full-time job in itself. With no fewer than six events on my calendar last week, my biggest concern was not being seen in the same outfit twice, but I’m wondering if my priorities might be slightly skewed.

Truth be told, some of my stops were purely party, so while they might not be considered “work” events, I never stop workin’ the room. Of course, Dharma had no trouble selecting appropriate outfits, since she is always decked out in holiday finery while decking the halls, and no one complains that they’ve seen her seasonal attire before. In fact, she was mobbed wherever we went, starting with the Sullivan County Visitors Association (www.scva.net) gala last Wednesday in Rock Hill. As I silently (yeah, right!) stood by, the dog was petted and fussed over as folks filled the ballroom at The Sullivan, and after the cocktail hour, we both enjoyed dinner before hearing the year-in-review report, getting a sneak peak at the gorgeous 2016 Visitors Guide and congratulating award recipients. They included Alan Rosenblatt and Kurt Kreider of ECCE B&B (for business achievement); the gang at Roscoe Beer, who were presented a TOAST award for “exceptional hospitality;” and the man, the myth, the legend—Duke Devlin, official site interpreter of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, who was presented with a STAR award for individual achievement. “I have no idea why I was singled out,” Devlin shared with the crowd while accepting the award, “but I really appreciate it. I’m thrilled and overwhelmed. I love Sullivan County.”

On Friday, I awoke at the crack of dawn, dressed the dog (don’t judge!) and shot over to Monticello to have breakfast with other civic-minded folks for the last of the 2015 Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce (www.catskills.com) “First Fridays” networking events. Naturally, I had an agenda, and passed out The River Reporter’s new Holiday Gift Guide, which I highly recommend for those of you still scratching your heads over the perfect present for family and friends. Every year, this comprehensive guide gets snatched up, but there are still some to be found on newsstands and businesses in your neighborhood.

The next day, we headed over to Livingston Manor, NY for one of my annual favorites: “Trains on Main” (www.catskillartsociety.org), which debuted (and is on display through the month) in conjunction with a poetry reading and the gallery’s newest installation of artwork created by CAS members. While kids shrieked with glee over the miniature display of the town and took part in an ornament-making workshop, model-train expert Charlie Irace was on hand to point out some details of the display, while poets Kirby Olson, William Greenfield and Bill Fellenberg read selections of their work. I was most impressed with Fellenberg, whose autobiographical prose is (IMHO) fairly brilliant, but the excitement surrounding the trains in the adjoining room was a bit distracting—even more than my dog dressed as an elf. Just sayin’.

We both grabbed a quick nap, before racing over to the Dancing Cat in Bethel, NY to catch musicians Peter Florance, Mike Cervone, Don Knothe and Teddy Young tearing the roof off the place with unbelievably bluesy good vibes. Florance, who has been on hiatus for a while, has somehow gotten even better, and guest guitarist Young was amazing, as were the others, and while Dharma was fussed over during the band’s rendition of “Hound Dog,” I surreptitiously glanced at my phone for our next destination, which turned out to be the (mobbed) Holiday Market at Bethel Woods. Dharma was scheduled to sit on Santa’s lap for her annual photo-op, while I perused the vendors’ booths prior to the Menorah-lighting ceremony at Dutch’s Tavern in Rock Hill. It would appear that I have a “fan” in Jenise Parris (www.beautywaterbyjp.com) who very kindly presented me with a Hanukkah gift, while describing me as the “Holly Golightly of the Catskills,” which made me grin. Author Truman Copote described his “Breakfast at Tiffanys” character as someone who “likes to shock people with selected tidbits from [her] personal life with outspoken viewpoints on various topics.” Hmmm.

Just before I lit my mother’s menorah, the dog insisted on swinging over to the party at Dutch’s, where the townsfolk turned out in droves. Between Mr. and Mrs. Claus arriving by fire truck, the first candle being lit on the lawn, cookies and cocoa and Debbie Fisher Palmarini entertaining, the atmosphere was almost frenetic. Exhausted but exhilarated, I made it home before collapsing from the sensory overload that the season provides. Hoping to keep up the pace, I’m taking another nap and checking my wardrobe for next week. Happy Holidaze!

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here