Dancing for the Delaware

Community group raises funds to defend Delaware watershed

By SANDY LONG

BARRYVILLE, NY — They formed in response to the arrival of landmen seeking natural gas leases in the Upper Delaware River region, and have succeeded in raising awareness of the issue, increasing knowledge of the many-faceted aspects of natural gas extraction and stirring others to action.

On Saturday, the Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (DCS) proved equally adept at raising funds for the fight the old-fashioned way—with a 12-hour dance marathon. In advance, dancers sought support from sponsors who pledged donations for each hour completed by the participants. Proceeds are targeted for the group’s research and community service efforts.

The event transpired at the Carriage House in Barryville, where participants boogied the hours away as donations mounted and good cheer infected the atmosphere with a spirited sense of festivity.

The idea for the fundraiser came about from discussions between Jane Cypher and Pat Carullo, members of DCS. “We needed to blow off some steam to deal with the pressures of the fight,” said Carullo, who crafted the lengthy and diverse set. Music began at noon, kicking off with country, rolling through rock decades, dallying with disco and sweeping dancers onto their feet with soul, Big Band and Latin selections.

“We wanted to bring people together in a cordial atmosphere to get them talking and making connections,” said Cypher. Both she and Carullo applauded the cooperation and support of the Carriage House owners and staff.

The DCS has hosted other events, like the recent showing of natural gas-related films at the Tusten Theater in Narrowsburg, which featured clips from a documentary film by Milanville, PA resident Josh Fox.

Next, the group travels to Milford, PA for the Black Bear Film Festival’s Envirofest, where Carullo will show a visual essay of the region’s magnificent natural resources created especially for the event and featuring images by David Soete and Sandy Long. An updated set of Fox’s film clips will follow, accompanied by a question-and-answer session on Sunday, October 19, at 2:45 p.m. at the Grey Towers Historical Site in Milford, PA.

Visit damascuscitizens.org for more information.