Why not accentuate the positive?

To the editor:

In response to the article about Jim McGinley in your December 6 issue: is it really necessary for Mr. McGinley to tear down other art forms? This is what’s really bad about the art world and needs to go away.

I have spent some time in an art school as well as around “the art world and galleries in New York City,” and I can tell you there are artists and art galleries that paint and show landscapes. Always have been, always will be. In half a page of a newspaper Mr. McGinley failed to tell me anything about his art, why is he now painting water over rocks, what makes him choose one scene over another, does he work on site or from photographs, what are the challenges of working this way, what he wants written on his gravestone, etc. Nope, just negative stuff. I fear that may come out in his work. How does he feel about portraits? I like them.

Bagging a baby

To the editor:

In your paper of November 29, I couldn’t believe my eyes at the headline “Rare albino bear bagged.” After reading the article, I think your headline should have been “Rare albino baby cub bagged.” I wonder if this person who shot this bear considers himself a “great hunter.” A cub, 47 pounds—how disgraceful. Each one of our dogs weighs twice as much as that cub. Wouldn’t it make more sense to let the little thing live and perhaps reproduce instead of destroying something rare?

We were always taught to preserve something that is rare, not destroy it. I am not against hunting, but to kill a 47-pound cub to me is outrageous, all for what—a trophy. All the hunters, I’ve spoken to agree with me and I think he should be ashamed of himself. He wouldn’t get away with that in New York. Pennsylvania should take a look at their laws.

Open letter to the students of the Nutcracker Festival

To the editor:

You probably don’t know me, but I’m a parent, educator and taxpayer. I saw some very disappointed faces on Friday afternoon as buses were unloading after the news was rendered that your festival was canceled. I would like to offer you my most sincere acknowledgement of the work you accomplished. Juggling the responsibilities of course work, after-school obligations and the commitment to learning music, dance routines, lines, making costumes, creating ads, studying the financial aspect of putting together a program, etc. is a tremendous amount of work. Please know that parents and community members were looking forward to seeing the culmination of this huge undertaking and realize that all of you were working hard and not just missing other classes for the sake of it. Be sure to give thanks to those teachers who supported you in this endeavor. They recognized the value of providing students with a well-rounded education, even if it meant that you missed their class on a few occasions.

To all the adults directly or indirectly associated with this production, a heartfelt thank you. You showed all of us that No Child Left Behind requirements don’t always have to be met in a classroom. We don’t have to lose sight of creative ways of teaching children. By broadening opportunities, every child can find his/her niche.

Open letter to Leon Smith, chairman of the Town of Bethel Planning Board

To the editor:

You have served as the chairman of the Town of Bethel Planning Board for the past two years. During this period, we have witnessed unprecedented growth in Bethel and your position has been most challenging. You have attended numerous workshops and spent endless hours preparing for monthly planning board meetings.

You are the example of a true public servant, unselfishly giving of your time without the receipt of any compensation, always trying to balance the interests of the Town of Bethel, as well as the applicants (given the zoning rules and regulations), fulfilling that oath of office that each of us on the planning board took when we joined.

With gratitude, we thank you for serving as the chairman of the planning board and fulfilling your duties with competence, dedication, honor and distinction. The Town of Bethel is a better place today and for generations to come because of your service. You will be missed.

Job well done

To the editor:

I truly had to laugh out loud when I saw the picture of the 2008 Sullivan County Tourism guide and the explanation that it blends Woodstock and the bald eagle. Topping it off was the tag line “It’s Happenin’ Here!” in case anyone missed the point. Bold and smart marketing. I applaud.

A time of year to remember

To the editor:

Even though Christianity is not my spiritual path, I am still deeply moved each year by the Christmas season and what it promises. Life is hard, and God, knowing this, compassionately reaches through darkness and distress and makes clear that He cares by placing another human being of very high spiritual understanding and deep sense of love, as He did with Jesus and many others before and after Him, to lead us to the light. In this God, He shows there is eternal peace, eternal unconditional love waiting for us.

These sages know the way. Just follow. Even though you walk and lose your path a thousand times, it is there and you are always welcome to come back to it, like the prodigal son.

I just love getting this reminder at least once a year where God says, “I am here. I am yours. Come. Please come.”

I hope this letter warms and opens your heart to yourself, as well as all God’s creatures and creations. Even though the feeling is usually short lived, this year remember, remember, remember so it lasts and lasts and lasts.

Love from Liberty.

Tim Shera
Liberty, NY

A Milford Festival of Lights thank you

To the editor:

The celebration was held on the lawn of the Pike County Community House on Sunday, December 2. More than 80 visitors braved the icy roads, snow and cold weather to watch the tree lighting. The crowd joined together to carol with the Dingman-Delaware Children’s Choir led by Brian Krauss, music teacher at Dingman-Delaware Elementary School.

I would like to personally thank everyone who helped out: Christopher Jones, who helped me emcee the event; Gerry Hansen, my co-chair, who provided encouragement and arranged for Santa; The Milford Lions Club members Jim Quinn and Gregory Myers, who served and provided refreshments; the Milford Business Council members; Hotel Fauchere; Just add Sugar, Wells Ferry Emporium, Born to Be, Hare Hollow and Jill Deal, Inc.; Mary Alice Petzinger of Wayne Bank and Rite Aid, who provided candy canes for everyone’s enjoyment; Niki Jones Agency who provide the Glow-in-the-Dark necklaces; and Stone Financial, who donated the cider. Special thanks also to Peter Larkin, who provided all the electrical know-how to make the lights work; Ellen Schaffner, who opened the library for us; Bill Smith of Smith Party Tent’s and Special Events, who donated the tent; Leanne Camarero, whose dedication to the chamber is much appreciated, Dave Ruby and the Milford Fire Department for Santa’s arrival; Jeff Phillips and Bill Harkness of the Lions Club, who string the lights; and Mayor Merritt Quinn, who lights the tree and star on the top of the knob.