TRR photo by Tom Kane Narrowsburg artist Barbara McPhail is pictured working on her NPS-commisioned painting of the Upper Delaware watershed. (Click for larger image)

Local artist commissioned by NPS

By TOM KANE

NARROWSBURG — Narrowsburg artist Barbara McPhail has been commissioned by the National Park Service to paint a large, 18x7-foot replica of the Upper Delaware River watershed.

“We’re going to use it in schools, mainly when we talk to the students about the river and the history of the Delaware watershed,” said NPS Ranger Rocci Aguirre.

The artist is currently at work on the large acrylic-on-canvas painting in her basement. “It will be a floormat that can be rolled up and transported in a duffel bag to the classroom,” said McPhail. “It will be completed in mid-July.”

The title of the work is “The Living Map of the Upper Delaware River.” It will be used in fourth and fifth grade classrooms. A teacher’s guide and curriculum will be supplied to schools ahead of time.

Aguirre referred to the painting as a “water snapshot” in that it will emphasize the many streams and rivulets that feed the Delaware.

“The most interesting thing about painting the map,” said McPhail, “is that I am living the watershed. Every time I paint a steam or a rivulet, I can track the actual watershed from point to point. I have never understood its full extent before.

“And the kids will really be able to see what impact they personally have on their environment. Everything they do has an impact, whether to help the environment or to help kill it. All this soil and all this water goes into their river.”

Artful opportunities

HURLEYVILLE — The Catskill Art Society (CAS) will offer a variety of summer art classes for children and adults, beginning the week of July 9. Classes are taught by local artists and include painting, life drawing, watercolor, collage and ceramics (clay camp). Summer activities also include a number of special workshops, including a watercolor workshop by noted watercolorist Jack Yelle, and several “exotic” ceramic workshops by J. Ayla Maloney. Call 845/436-4227 for more information.

Class List:

• July 9, Clay Camp for Kids - Mondays, 2:00 to 3:45 p.m. or 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. Fee: $105.
• July 10, Life Drawing - Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fee: $80, includes model fees.
• July 10, Pottery on the Wheel - Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Fee: $105, includes supplies.
• July 10, HandBuilding in Clay - Tuesdays, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Fee: $105, includes supplies.
• July 11, The Joy of Watercolor - Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fee: $90.
• July 11, Kid’s Fine Art Class - Wednesdays, 4:45 to 6:15 p.m. Fee: $90, includes supplies.
• July 12, Kid’s Fine Art Class - Thursdays, 4:45 to 6:15 p.m. Fee: $90, includes supplies.
• July 12, Late Night on the Pottery Wheel - Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fee: $105, includes supplies.
• July 12, Painting & Drawing Class - Thursdays, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Fee: $105, includes supplies.
• July 12, The Fine Art of Collage - Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fee: $105, includes supplies.
• July 14, Photography and the Computer - and July 21 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fee: $20, plus film and processing.
• July 15, Watercolor Workshop with Jack Yelle - Sunday, 1:30 to 4:00p.m. Fee $35, bring supplies.

	Contributed photo Nathaniel Serrano, a native Spanish speaker, reads a science report that he wrote to members of Cathy Henry’s class at Liberty Elementary School. Looking on is Nathaniel’s ESL teacher Jeff Hall. (Click for larger image)

Technology in the traditional classroom

LIBERTY —. NonEnglish speakers in today’s classrooms come from a multitude of countries and speak a wide variety of languages, but one thing that they have in common is that they all need to learn English as quickly as possible. Not only do English as a Second Language (ESL) students have to learn how to understand, speak, read and write English; they also are responsible for completing the academic work in all of their different subject areas.

One of the largest challenges facing ESL teachers today is trying to teach English through the contentarea subjects. ESL teacher Jeff Hall discussed this challenge with BOCES Model Schools Coordinator Tom Bojarski. As a result of their conversation, Hall is using a digital laptop computer to enhance ESL lessons. The computer, on loan from the Sullivan BOCES Model Schools Program, enables students to store their work on individual disks and move from one classroom to another. In addition, students can share the work that they have completed in their ESL class with students in their mainstream class. This process allows classroom teachers and the ESL teacher to jointly monitor the student’s progress and to better understand the challenges nonEnglish speaking students face as they work towards mastering language proficiency.

Salzberg attending college

LAKE HUNTINGTON — Gavin Salzberg, son of Dr. Paul and Greta Salzberg, will be attending Cazenovia College in Cazenovia. He will major in Fine & Performing Arts. He is looking forward to playing on the college’s NCAA Division III soccer team this fall.

Director’s Award recipients

WAYNE COUNTY — The Dime Bank’s Director’s Award Scholarships were presented on June 21. Each year since 1987, students have been chosen from Wayne Highlands, Wallenpaupack and Western Wayne school districts based on their academic and leadership abilities. The students must also be furthering their education in the fields of business, economics, finance, management, or accounting.

Each graduating senior was presented with a check for $500 to attend the college of their choice.

Recipients for the 2000-2001 school year are:

Gwendolyn Dawn Courtright was involved in many extracurricular activities including volleyball, softball, student council, 4-H and band. She will be attending Delaware Valley College to pursue Accounting.

Jessica Rupp, who will continue her studies in Business and Finance, is the daughter of David and Carol Rupp, Lakeville. She received awards such as the Presidential Fitness Award, Gold Academic Award, High Honor Roll. She also lettered in field hockey.

Katie Suib of Milanville, daughter of Michael Suib and Jeanne Peck, will pursue International Management later this fall.

Stephanie Weeks is the daughter of Tim and Susan Moffitt of Hawley and will continue her education in the field of Business and Finance. In her senior year, she was class treasurer and peer helper, participated in student council and school triathlon.

Nicole Williams will be attending Marywood University in the fall, pursuing a degree in Business and Finance. She is the daughter of Berson and Theresa Williams of Damascus.

	Contributed photo (Click for larger image)

Sports and scholastics

HONESDALE — The following students were named to the Pennsylvania All-Academic High School Wrestling Team from Honesdale High School:

Back row, from left to right: junior Charles Deighton and senior Joe Arnone. Front row, from left to right: senior Eddie Seber and junior Chad Schuman.

Only 13 students from each grade level are selected.