Barryville winter warmup

BARRYVILLE, NY — The Greater Barryville Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) celebrated the third annual Mid Winter Warm Up at the Carriage House Restaurant in Barryville on March 1. The event drew 180 people, and raised some $6,000 at a silent auction to pay for the chamber’s activities and to fund a new scholarship.

The GBCC announced the introduction of a new $2,500 higher education scholarship program, which will be available to local seniors graduating in 2008. The specifics of the scholarship will be announced in May 2007.

At the event, several awards were given to people and businesses in the greater Barryville region: Dorene Warner was named volunteer of the year; the business of the year award went to the Barryville Car Wash; the coveted Guardian Award went to Troy Bystrom and DJ Branch.

In addition, The River Reporter presented to GBCC president Mark Veeder the Best Neighborhood In The Region “Best Of” reader’s choice award.

To add to the festivities, Sullivan County Manager David Fanslau was the guest speaker for the sit-down gala dinner.

In summing up recent activities, Chamber vice president Charlene Trotter said “This has been such a remarkable year for our chamber. The PumpkinFest drew over 2,000 people, our Broadway benefit was a huge hit, our farmer’s market went beyond our expectations and our tree lighting was spectacular. We also plan on hosting an old fashioned Hoe-Down and BBQ feed this coming summer.”