Art Under $100 continues

ONLINE — Art Under $100, the holiday art sale by the Wayne County Arts Alliance (WCAA) will continue online through Friday, December 16.

Gifts of artwork can be found at waynecountyartsalliance.org.

 Art Under 100 showcases artworks made by Wayne County Arts Alliance member artists. The project provides retail opportunities and support for the member artists.

Works are priced up to $99.

The WCAA calls it “a perfect opportunity to choose original and unique artwork for holiday and year-round gift-giving and enjoyment.”

Buying local art, a spokesperson said, means you are choosing one-of-a-kind gifts, you are shopping local and you are supporting artists in the community.

 The sale offers works in painting, ceramics, collage, jewelry, mixed media, photography, printmaking, sculpture and more.

At the time of this writing, participating artists include Rita Argiros, Norma Bernstock, Berton Bullis, Austin Burke, Barbara Carpenito, Elizabeth Castellano, Phyllis Chekenian, Janet Gaglione, Pauline Glykokokalos, Hana Gorman, Heather Hogan-Spencer, Rena Hottinger, Philip Jacobi, Bozena Janiszewski, Mitzi Kielar, Louy Marquette, Stephanie Marquette, Ellen Raines Martin, Barbara Morcerf, Paul Plumadore, Joan Polishook, Matt Povse, Katherine Rosenberger, Mitch Salisbury, Jasmine Andrea Schwenk, Nan Siegmund, Ellen Silberlicht, James Spencer, Heidi Van Leuven and Bill Westmoreland.

Depending on each artist’s preference, sold work can be picked up directly from the artist, shipped for a fee, or picked up in Honesdale, PA on Tuesday, December 20 at the organization’s WCAA Main Street Gallery.

Learn more and shop at waynecountyartsalliance.org.

Make holiday cards at the Western Sullivan Public Library

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — All are invited to learn the art of rubber stamping and make holiday cards with Traci Myers.

The event takes place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21 at the Jeffersonville branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library.

Participants will create a hand-stamped holiday card, a fun holiday gift item and holiday tags, according to a press release.

All supplies are included and registration is required. Register on the library’s events calendar at www.WSPLonline.org.

For more information, email wsplprograms@rcls.org.

Hurry and contribute to the kindness drive

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — The Sullivan County Wellness Committee and the Youth Bureau have asked for assistance to help keep kids, families and older adults warm this winter.

Contribute hats, gloves, scarves and socks to the drive by Friday, December 16.

Drop-off locations include the government center lobby in Monticello, NY; the sheriff’s office; the department of social services lobby in Liberty, NY; the lobby of the community services department in Liberty; and the lobby of the public health department in Liberty.

For more information, call 845/807-0458.

Live Nativity at Myers Century Farm

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Myers Century Farm presents a live Nativity on Saturday, December 17 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The farm is located at 112 Earl Myers Rd.

The event includes homemade hot chocolate and seasonal crafts.

For more information, visit www.myerscenturyfarm.com.

Lighting the Parksville menorah

PARKSVILLE, NY — On Saturday, December 17, at 4:30 p.m., the first annual Parksville menorah-lighting will take place.

Walk the Parksville Rail Trail from Fox Mountain Road to the menorah.

The trail is considered by alltrails.com to be a level hike on the Ontario and Western rail bed.

The menorah-lighting will start with a dedication ceremony near Cabernet Frank’s.

Organizers ask that you dress for the weather. Hot cocoa will be available.

The rain date is Sunday, December 18.

Open mic at the Delaware branch of the WSPL

CALLICOON, NY — On Friday, December 16 starting at 6:30 p.m., the Delaware Free branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library (WSPL) will host an open mic with five-minute slots.

For this evening of poetry and readings, share your hopes for the New Year.

The library is located at 45 Lower Main St.

Registration is required; sign up at www.wsplonline.org.

For more information, email del@rcls.org.

The concept behind "Codes + Seeds" is the exploration of our rural lifestyle, digital technology and natural surroundings—plus the spiritual aspects of life during the pandemic.

Codes + Seeds is an experimental immersive art installation that combined audio, digital video compositions and sculptural elements.

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Luchsinger, Siroc awarded Vermont Studio Center residency

NARROWSBURG, NY — Artists Claudine Luchsinger and Alexis Siroc have been awarded a two-week residency this winter at the Vermont Studio Center (VSC) in Johnson, VT.

A VSC residency gives artists and writers the time and space to focus on their creative practice in an inclusive, international community within a small Vermont village, according to a press release.

Luchsinger and Siroc applied for a residency based on their work, titled “Codes + Seeds,” which was exhibited in the Digital Gallery at the Union in Narrowsburg this past fall.

The exhibition was an experimental immersive art installation that combined audio, digital video compositions and sculptural elements, the press release noted.

The concept behind the project was to explore the merging of a rural lifestyle, digital technology, natural surroundings and the spiritual aspects of life during the pandemic, all in one art form.

While in residence, the goal for Luchsinger and Siroc is to re-imagine this project for their fall 2023 digital gallery exhibition.

‘Speaking Grief’ virtual event available online

ONLINE — Recently, WVIA Education hosted a virtual workshop that focused on the understanding of and advocacy for those who are experiencing grief.

The full presentation is now available to watch on-demand at www.wvia.org/speakinggrief.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association (WVIA) received a $5,000 grant from the Community Giving Foundation in Berwick, PA, to support this second “Speaking Grief” webinar.

The virtual workshop serves as a resource for parents, caregivers and educators in helping those in need, according to a press release.

“This important workshop not only offers education around the topic of grief but also provides a community of supporters for those experiencing grief,” said Teresa Sabecky, WVIA’s education coordinator.

The webinar answers questions such as “What does grief look like in a toddler versus an adult?” or “What events trigger grief?”

The program comes as a partner to the documentary film, “Speaking Grief,” which explores the experience of losing a family member in a grief-avoidant society. The documentary addresses the role played by support from friends and family in a person’s experience of grief, and offers guidance on how to show up for people in their darkest moments.

“Speaking Grief” is a production of WPSU in central PA.

Learn more at www.wvia.org/speakinggrief.

Heart health matters. Support the Heart-A-Thon.

WSUL Heart-A-Thon to kick off in February

MONTICELLO, NY — The 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon will celebrate its 45th year on Friday, February 17, 2023, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Heart-A-Thon takes place at the Resorts World Epicenter, located at 555 Resorts World Dr. It will also be broadcast live on radio station WSUL.

“For 44 years, the Heart-A-Thon has worked to save the lives of many, and we are honored to once again join them in their efforts to ensure patients have access to the best medical technology and care,” said Megan Taylor, vice president for government affairs and public relations for Resorts World New York.

This year, the event focuses on prevention, education, and the treatment of heart disease in Sullivan County.

“We feel we now have an opportunity to expand our support locally by the additional focus on prevention and education,” said Dawn Ciorciari, Bold Gold Media general manager for the New York region. “We will be continuing our work with Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills, but we are bringing in additional partners like SUNY Sullivan, A Single Bite and Sullivan 180.”

The proceeds will help provide treadmills for cardiac rehab, portable cardiac monitors and a machine for the Warrior Teens program at Garnet Medical Center - Catskills. It will also—with Sullivan 180—provide an outdoor fitness pad in Monticello, and benefit A Single Bite’s Real Food school program.

Part of the proceeds will also benefit academic scholarships for future health care workers at SUNY Sullivan.

For more information or to make a pledge, visit www.wsul.com.

The post office’s Operation Santa still has letters available for adoption.

Adopt a letter for Operation Santa

AREA — Are you in a position to give a child or family some extra magic this season? If so, consider participating in the United States Postal Service (USPS) program Operation Santa—and take a moment to play Santa for a family in need.

But you have to hurry. Participants have until Monday, December 19.

Operation Santa relies solely on random acts of kindness and the generosity of strangers, according to a press release.

Letters come through the mail from hopeful children and families. Volunteers can adopt a letter (or many). Read the letter, find the perfect gift, answer the letter, and mail the package from a participating post office. (In our area, according to the USPS website, the Beach Lake, PA; Callicoon, NY; Honesdale, PA; Jeffersonville, NY; Matamoras, PA; Milford, PA; Narrowsburg, NY; Port Jervis, NY; and Youngsville, NY post offices are all participating.)

Packages will arrive “straight from Santa,” according to the website.

No matter how big the wish, the post office said, only do what’s doable for you.

To learn more, register and adopt a letter, visit www.uspsoperationsanta.com

Cozy Catskills holiday revue

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance will hold the Cozy Catskill Holiday Revue, featuring the Ladybug Barn Entertainers, plus special guests—including the River Reporter’s Jonathan Charles Fox.

The event takes place on Saturday, December 17 at 6 p.m., and again on Sunday, December 18 at 1 p.m. at the Tusten Theatre.

The doors open one hour early, so attendees can enjoy holiday treats.

The theatre is located at 210 Bridge St.

The holiday revue features Camellia and Odetta Hartman on vocals and violin, as well as Evan Tyor on piano, Natasha Thweatt on accordion, Jamie Mohamdein on upright bass, Eric Burns on guitar and Wyatt Bertz on drums.

The special guests include James Felice of the Felice Brothers, Nathaniel Udell on viola and Jonathan Fox.

Ladybug Land is a blooming artist collective based in Cochecton Center, NY. Led by sisters Camellia and Odetta Hartman, Ladybug Land includes musicians, crafters, writers, dancers and more as they explore modes of collaborative creation and performance.

Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Member tickets cost $20-$25, and there is no charge for kids 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at delawarevalleyartsalliance.org or by calling 845/252-7576.

German Christmas service in Honesdale

HONESDALE, PA — Pastor Adam Reinhardt and the congregation of St. John’s Evangelical Church will hold a German Christmas service on Sunday, December 18, at 4 p.m. at the church, located on Seventh and Church Streets.

The liturgy, carols, lessons, prayers and choir anthem are all in the German language. The Rev. D. Michael Bennethum will officiate and John Warfel is the guest organist. Bring your friends, relatives and neighbors, and enjoy this special service.

A German cookie and punch reception will follow the service.

For more information, call the church office at 570/253-1444 or call Nancy at 570/253-2782.

Maybe it won't look like this one, but you can learn to make your own bird feeder at a PEEC workshop on December 17.

Make a bird feeder and more at PEEC

DINGMANS FERRY, PA — The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) offers a program about birds on Saturday, December 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Spend the morning watching the PEEC bird feeders, and put together your own unique, custom-made bird feeder from a variety of recycled materials—just in time for spring.

The cost is $5, with all materials provided, but you are welcome to bring your own supplies.

Also on December 17, the Ecozone Discovery Room will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave, explore a beaver lodge, and dig in a fossil pit. Explore this indoor discovery room and its hands-on exhibits on natural history, sustainability and the local environment. No registration required. The cost is $2 per person.

PEEC is located at 538 Emery Rd.

For more information and to register, call 570/828-2319.