Sullivan kicks off bicentennial season

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY — Why bother to celebrate the 200th birthday of the county? Sullivan County Historian John Conway quoted another historian in answering the question. He said, “Perhaps the historian Edward Gibbons provided one answer when he wrote, ‘I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging of the future but by the past.’”

The New York State Legislature on March 27, 1809, passed the measure that enabled the formation of Sullivan County. At the kick-off for the bicentennial season, after Conway spoke, volunteers re-enacted the signing of the county’s first charter and current legislators resigned the county charter.

Also at the event, the legislature proclaimed the Mountain Laurel as the county flower, reflecting the results of a survey of interested county residents who chose the mountain laurel over daisies, daylilies and sunflowers.

Another element of the event was the unveiling and signing of a sustainability pledge, which will be a feature at many of the nearly 100 bicentennial-related events occurring through the summer. The pledge is a commitment from residents to protect the environment and use resources wisely. It begins with this sentence: “I pledge to respect and protect my home, Sullivan County, and all of the Earth, so that it may be enjoyed by children and grandchildren for the next seven generations.”

There was also music at the event: Shawn Bailey sang the National Anthem, the Tri-Valley High School orchestra Triple Threat performed a musical interlude and Lori Orestano-James sang “God Bless America.”

Later in the evening, about 450 Sullivan residents and others gathered at the Villa Roma Hotel and Conference Center for a gala dinner to celebrate the bicentennial. For pictures of the event, turn to page 20.