Duggan students enact history

WHITE LAKE, NY — In a contribution to Sullivan County’s celebration of its Bicentennial this year, fourth- and fifth-graders from the Duggan Elementary School accepted the challenge of developing a living performance of the history of the Town of Bethel during the Hotel Era of 1860s to 1950s. The finished product will be presented to the community on Saturday, March 28 at 1:00 p.m. at the Duggan Elementary School, along with the Oliver-King directed production, “Beth’EL, House of God: A Pre-Victorian Tableau of a Resplendent Catskills Haven” (see “Muse in Our Midst” in our February 26 issue.) Birthday cake and refreshments will be served immediately following the performance. Admission costs $8 for adults, $4 for seniors and students and is free for those under 13.

In January, Bethel Town Clerk Rita Sheehan attended the group’s first meeting to share what she had learned about Bethel’s hotel’s history with the students. From January until March, the students met twice a week after school with Duggan School International Baccalaureate Program Coach Marianne Harden and Duggan teacher Cathy McFadden, researching and writing their project. The students are learning about the different parts that go into a dramatic production while becoming self-motivated risk-takers who display creativity and commitment in their attitude.

The students involved in the project are Sara Miller, Cristiane Salcedo, Ryan Holloran, Tiana Black, Stephan Soule, Devin Budd, Lauren Capp, Jordyn Gonzalez, Makenze Shaver, Lauren McFadden, Nicholas Stackhouse, John Beauregard, Ulysses Oestrich, Matthew Doherty, Erika Bischert, Allie Bischert, Katie Hogan, Brianna Oathout, Brianna Byran and Ashley Hendrickson.

For more information call 845/583-4350 ext. 11.