October 2013

***CELEBRATING ONE HUNDRED YEARS***

Fleischmanns History Day and the Pumpkin Festival

Well over 30 people attended the unveiling of the Historic Marker in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the Village. Bill Birns spoke of the history and social context of the later 19th century when and why the Fleischmanns family first came to the area. He referred to Fleischmanns as a haven and congratulated the town on its inclusiveness. His opening remarks were thoughtful and thought provoking. He was joined by Supervisor Marge Miller, who read a proclamation from the Town of Middletown Board, John Duda, a Trustee of the Museum of Memories, spoke of the efforts to raise the funds for the Historic Marker and thanked Fleischmanns First for its significant contribution to the campaign. Mayor Todd Pascarella welcomed Fleischmanns past Mayors and officially unveiled the Historic marker in the Gazebo garden. Following the ceremony, a Fleischmanns Village history symposium, 'Talking About the Old Days in Fleischmanns.' took place at the Skene Memorial Library. Moderated by Bill Birns, it featured brief segments on the early settlement by Bill Birns, the Fleischmann family's time here by Spillian's, Leigh Melander, early vintage baseball by Todd Pascarella, and growing up in Fleischmanns by Mabel West and Marilyn Mayes Kaltenborn. Audience members added their own memories and several attendees voiced the hope that there would be further programs of this sort. Continued on Page 2

Fleischmanns First
October Meeting Notes
Highlights of October FF Meeting
The meeting was abbreviated in order to leave sufficient time for Fleischmanns Forum, immediately following. Treasurer, Winifred Zubin, reported that we are on budget Pumpkin Festival activities reviewed by Michelle Sidrane Fleischmanns History Day planning and reminder to attend by John Duda Howlween parties, October 26th update Report of Fleischmanns Community Church invitation to FF to participate in a holiday caroling event. Interest but need more information

Meeting adjourned at 10 am. Fleischmanns Forum commenced at 10:05 and ended at 11:30-see article Next Fleischmanns First meeting, Saturday, November 2nd, 9:30am at La Cabana.

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Fleischmanns History Day and the Pumpkin Festival continued.

Running concurrently was Fleischmanns First Pumpkin Festival, new this year. The pumpkin patch which was planted just before Memorial Day, had a bumper crop of carving and eating pumpkins as well as mini gourds. Over 50 pumpkins were harvested by children and their families at the Pumpkin Patch behind the River Run. Many of them painted their pumpkins and built scarecrows at the Village Gazebo as well. Thank you to all the volunteers who participated in making both events so successful!

Face Lift for Village Gazebo

The newly painted Gazebo looks terrific! Thanks to the 13 volunteers who gathered together on Saturday, September 26th to scrape, sand and paint the gazebo and the benches. The community feeling was contagious. With music playing, everyone took a section of the Gazebo and prepared it for its new coat of paint. Following in that spirit, Roberto of La Cabana brought out coffee and pastries for the volunteers. Once all the scroll work was ready, the group dropped their scrappers and picked up paint brushes. The entire project was completed in under four hours. Thanks to Rob Alverson for noticing that the Gazebo needed painting and for doing something about it. Thanks to everyone who turned out to help and exemplified community spirit.

Candidates for Town Supervisor Address Fleischmanns Forum

Following the Fleischmanns First meeting on October 5 th, Supervisor Marge Miller and candidate Nelson Delameter participated in the Fleischmanns Forum. The crowd was small but they listened intently as Delameter and Miller spoke. Mr. Delameter spoke first and talked mainly about his lengthy career as a civil servant and his experience with the NY State Emergency Management Agency. His plan if he is elected to Town Supervisor is to listen to his constituents needs and try his best to be responsive. Supervisor Miller spoke of her record of accomplishments and her passion for her job. She presented the group with a chart that details the discrepancy of the tax burden on the Town of Middletown and why it is unfair and her intent to have the playing field leveled. Each candidate spoke for up to 20 minutes and answered questions for the same amount of time. They each thanked Fleischmanns First for the opportunity to address the group and expressed their interest in and support for a brighter future for Fleischmanns.

October/November Calendar Fleischmanns Events - Save the Date!

Halloween! Theres Much to Do in Town: October 26th Howl..ween Children's Party from 3 to 5 PM at #1053 Main Street, directly across from Village Post Office -Children's Parade - kicks off at 5PM to Library for special treats -Howlween Party for Adults starts 7PM (BYOB) - Costumes encouraged November 2nd November 4th Saturday, Fleischmanns First Monthly Meeting at 9:30 am, LaCabana Come & meet your neighbors and support your village Monday, Village Board Meeting at 6:00 pm at the Skene Memorial Library

The Village Planning Board Meeting, as needed, (1st Tuesday) @ 5:30 pm, Skene Library Zoning Board Meeting, as needed, (3rd Thursday) @ 6:30 pm, Skene Library Check with Village Clerk regarding meeting statuses & agendas. For Village info, please contact the Village Clerk, Lorraine DeMarfio @ 845 254 5514 To have your activity listed here, contact the Flyer @ Fleischmanns12430@hotmail.com

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Streamwork, Streamwork, Streamwork.

For many weeks everyone in the Village has seen construction crews working hard along the stream banks rebuilding some of the most critical flood damaged locations. These projects have been in the works for two years, and most were originally rejected for funding by FEMA . After FEMA said "No" to rebuilding the Mill Street sheet metal armor on the stream bank leading up to the bridge for instance, Delaware County Soil & Water brought in the Federal Department of Agriculture to have a look. Working with local officials, the DEP, the DEC, and private engineers, a plan was created to address the Village's most vulnerable weak points created by the Hurricane Irene flood. They all proposed it be accomplished through what is known as the Emergency Watershed Program (EWP). The price tag for all this work is approximately 1.5 million dollars. The Federal Government typically pays 75% of the cost of such projects, and there is a 25% local share. In our case however we partnered with the NYC DEP whose goals of reducing erosion and improving the quality of the water in the streams overlap with the Village's. The DEP committed to pay the 25% match to enable the projects to happen without any cost to the Village. Further, the Town of Middletown has been able to do all administrative work related to the Fleischmanns projects because there are several similar projects in the Town as well. The bottom line is that the Village is getting a million and a half worth of work done at no cost to the residents; a pretty good deal. Additionally, the contractors doing the work have all come through well for us. These projects are no small feat, and disruption within the Village has been minimal. The window of time to actually work in the water is short because of permitting and environmental regulations. It is important to note also that virtually all of this work is on private property, that is to say that the Village does not "own" or control the stream. It is simply a natural feature that travels from one person's land to another. Therefore a lot of cooperation was needed from and amongst adjacent land owners and everyone has been great about getting it done. Lets not lose sight of the fact that the point of doing this work is to make the Village safer and more resilient during future flooding events, and the fact that we have pulled together so well to get this phase of projects done bodes well for the Village continuing to work towards a safer and stronger future regarding floods. That is after all, the goal, that these projects be the beginning of a long effort rather than the end of one.

Fleischmanns Factoid
The Catskills have long been a mecca for outdoor recreation, but did you know that years ago, Fleischmanns boasted its own golf course and ski slope? The Takanassee Hotel had a golf course, until it was devastated by a flood in the 1950's. DePitts Mountain Lodge had their own ski slope. The early hotels and guest houses developed primarily for the summer visitors, but Fleischmanns quickly offered year-round activities to its guests.

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Letter from Mayor Pascarella..

Fleischmanns Flyer Editors

Dear Fleischmanns Community, I would like to thank Fleischmanns First, the Museum of Memories, and everyone who came out to the Fleischmanns History and pumpkin Fest celebration on October 12th. I could not think of a better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fleischmanns then to have a wonderful community event on such a beautiful day.

Rob Alverson Linda Anderson Paula DeSimone John Duda Joyce Greenberg Jeanne Malaxos Michelle Sidrane

Sincerely, Todd Pascarella

If you have something youd like to submit to be included in the Fleischmanns Flyer please write to: Fleischmanns12430@hotmail.com or PO Box 111, Fleischmanns, NY 12430

Printing and distribution of Fleischmanns Flyer are made possible in part by grants from A. Lindsay and Olive B. O'Connor Foundation and The Pasternak Family Foundation.

MARK Project PO Box 516 Arkville, NY 12406

Fleischmanns First

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