Monday, May 30, 2011

Here & There Column 5-31-11

Will Etess Make Concord Deal Happen?

Louis Cappelli's numerous failed attempts to restart his long-stalled Concord Resort-Casino possibly could bear fruit with the involvement of Mitchell Grossinger Etess and the casino brand Etess over-sees, Mohegan Sun.
Etess as CEO of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority certainly adds credibility and stability and Mohegan does indeed bring a proven record of investment, development and operation of highly successful gaming and racing facilities in Pennsylvania and Connecticut to a Concord Resort redevelopment.
Liberty native Mitchell Grossinger Etess grew up at the famous former Grossinger's Hotel, the son of Elaine Grossinger Etess, popular well known Liberty resident who also served at one time as President of the Liberty School board.
A revived Concord Resort-Casino would be a big boost to tourism, job creation and tax revenue for both the state and County of Sullivan.
The only negative factor so far to this project is that it will create direct competition with the Monticello Raceway and Casino and with their plans for expansion. A perfect marriage here would be the two groups working together for one big project.
The proposed Concord project calls for a 75,000-square-foot casino with 2,100 video lottery terminals, up to 450 electronic table games, a 5/8-mile harness racetrack with simulcasting and in the Phase 1 the $600 million project calls for a 258-room hotel, 10,000 square feet of ballrooms and meeting space, five restaurants and retail outlets.
There are definite roadblocks that will be thrown in the path of this project but this endeavor with the support and backing of Etess and the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Association could become a reality.
Don't place your bets yet........the roulette wheel is still spinning.



Thursday, May 26, 2011

National Long Drive Champion Brian Pavlett drives a golf ball through this one-half inch piece of plywood.....the ball can be seen coming out of the back of the board and the wood chips are flying in the air from the force of the ball striking the board. We captured this shot at the New Jersey North Coast Golf Show in February at Somerset, NJ



"The Putting Doctor" Joe Bermel joins our Golfing Highlights Column this week and will offer putting tips weekly throughout the golf season.



Golfing Highlights Column 5-27-11

FRIDAY, 5-27-11 GOLFING HIGHLIGHTS COLUMN w/photos


Picture Captures Golfers Power


National long drive champion Brian Pavlet wowed the audience at the North Coast New Jersey Golf Show February 4-6 at Somerset, NJ when he drove a golf ball through a one-half inch plywood board.
This columnist along with other Sullivan County and tri-state golfers who attend yearly this outstanding consumer golf show watched as he teed up the ball, placed the plywood board some 8 to 10 feet from the tee and launched a tee shot that took the ball all the way through the plywood.
We captured this shot which shows the ball through the plywood and the pieces of wood chips flying in the air.
Is that crazy, or what?
Brian's swing speed is 145 mph and his ball speed is 208 miles an hour, that's approximately .27 mach.......more than one-fourth the speed of sound.
Officially the longest drive he ever hit was 462 yards and the longest unofficially drive was 520 yards to the back of a green on a par five....unfortunately is was downhill.
Brian proudly lets golfers know what his Sunday set of golf clubs can do, his drivers averages 350-yards, 3 mtl 310, 3 iron 255, 4 iron 240, 5 iron 225, 6 iron 210, 7 iron 195, 8 iron 185, 9 iron 175, PW 165, 52 Gap Wedge 150, 56 Sand Wedge 135, and 60 Flop Wedge 120.
Brian came to golf in a roundabout way as he spent his youth playing baseball well enough to earn a scholarship to the University of Nevada (UNR) at Reno. He arrived at UNR expecting to play catcher and outfielder. That changed when his coaches discovered that Brian had one kidney instead of the usual two.
The University's athletic program considered his lack of two kidney's a potential insurance liability so they wouldn't let him bat and made him a pitcher. He threw in the 90's until he wrecked his arm ending all baseball hopes. Pavlett noted that "I was wild, anyway."
At 22 he began to play golf and immediately amazed people with his quick hands, power and distance. It took him only three years to win the 1993 National Long Drive Championship.
Brian has performed in over 1,200 shows worldwide and has entertained the troops in Iraq with the USO.
His engaging personality and performance make him one of golf's premier showmen.


Golf Tip
By Robert Menges


Lacking Strength In My Hands
Let's take a look at the lack of strength in golfers' hands. What's an easy exercise that will help to build up strength?
Your hands and forearms play a big role in releasing the club head through the ball. And the faster you can do this while staying in control, the farther and straighter you'll hit the ball.
Here's a simple exercise that will help to improve the strength in your hands. Grab your sand wedge and hold it with one outstretched hand at the very top of the grip.
Now try to work the club up through your hand with your fingers and thumb. And make sure your arm is outstretched all the time when doing this.
This sound easy, but once you try it you'll discover how difficult it can be. Keep doing this exercise regularly until you can raise and lower the club through your fingers five times. And after you can do that, keep doing it often to retain your newly found strength.
If you do this exercise regularly, then you will hit the ball longer.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club on Mt. Hope Road in Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by telephone at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net


Welcome Putting Doctor
To Our Column


We welcome this week the world famous "Putting Doctor" Joe Bermel to our weekly column. Joe will entertain golfers about the importance of putting to the entire game of golf.


The Putting Tip
By Joe Bermel


Putting: A Pragmatic Approach
How important is putting to the entire game of golf? We can not understate it. On average, 43% of the total score is putting. For a golfer to tangibly raise the skill level of their putting game, they must understand, and be committed to apply, all of the Keys To Good, Consistent Putting".
Absolute Key # 1 is organization of your mind. What are we going to do and how are we going to go about doing it. A clear organized mind is paramount. Key # 2 is a specific, exacting, methodical PPR (Pre Putt Routine). A great PPR is always airtight. Key # 3 is that of a triangle. Your eyes see the distance between the ball and the hole. A signal is sent to your mind. Your mind sends a signal to the muscles in your fingers for the amount of acceleration for the desired distance you want the ball to travel. EYES, MIND, HANDS.
Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His special edition DVD "How to Putt Well" is available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com
Tournament-Golf Events

June 3--Jake Hulse Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Hulse 292-0438
June 3--Monticello PBA, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
June 5--New City FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 5--Sandy Acres Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, contact 607-498-5502
June 11--Jake Gunther Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 11--Jeffersonville Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Doug Immoor 482-5094
June 17--LGA Junior Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
June 17--Riveredge Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 18--Town of Callicoon Republican Party, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bonnie Hubert 482-5390
June 24--Mamakating Lions, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 27--Bull Pen Tourney, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 28--Sullivan County Community College Tourney, Grossingers CC, Call the college for information
July 9--Cornell Co-Op, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Sean Welsh 292-2420
July 10--TVGC Memorial Tournament & Dinner, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact Chuck Husson 607-498-5557
July 15--Country Store Youth Foundation Tournament, Tennanah GC, Contact 607-498-5502
July16--Single Golfers of Long Island, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Catskill Cup, Villa Roma Country Club, for information call 887-5097
July 17--Falls Lions-Alan Steingart Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Liberty Booster Club, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Deb Simpson 807-1996
July 22--Scotch Twosome Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
July 23--Liberty Elks, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Harry Fox 482-5331
July 24--Billy Moran Memorial Golf Outing. Villa Roma Country Club. Information call 887-4734 or 887-4174
July 24--Roscoe Kiwanis Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, Contact 607-498-5502
July 29-- Middletown St. Josephs Church, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
July 30--Monticello FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
July 30--Dave Curreri Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Joe Curreri 252-7358
Aug. 2--Catskill Regional Medical Center Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, Contact 607-498-5502
Aug. 5-6-7--Sullivan County Democrat two-man-better ball Golf Tournament. Villa Roma Country Club. Information contact the Sullivan County Democrat 887-5200.
Aug. 6--Rock Hill Ambulance Corp, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 7--N.A.M.I., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Beatini 754-8752
Aug. 11--Sullivan County Realtors, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug. 12--Wurtsboro St. Josephs/ Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 13--Monticello Rotary, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 14--St. Georges Church, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Moloney 482-5625
Aug. 19--United Way Pro-Am, Villa Roma Country Club, information call 887-5097
Aug. 20--Ramsey Vol. FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 21--N.A.M.I. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Beatini 754-8752
Aug. 25--Sullivan Correctional, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 26--Mahwah Elks, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug.27--Liberty P.B.A., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Devon Brust 807-3786
Sept. 10--Trevor Simpson Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bob Simpson 439-5034
Sept. 10--Otisville Hunting Club, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 10--Twin Village Gof Club Annual Dinner, Contact Chcuck Husson 607-498-5557
Sept. 18--Bethel Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Frangipane 583-6540
Sept. 18--Rock Hill FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 24--Bloomingburg FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Walter Ray Williams Jr.
Back On Winning Track With
PBA Senior Mark Roth
Allentown Open Victory


Professional Bowlers Association legend Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., won the PBA Senior Mark Roth Allentown Open Tuesday for his first tour win in more than a year.

Williams defeated 2009 Senior Player of the Year Ron Mohr of Eagle River, Alaska, 268-168, in the championship match at Playdrome Rose Bowl for his first senior title of the season and second of his Senior Tour career.

Williams left little doubt of the outcome by opening the championship match with eight consecutive strikes before leaving a 10 pin in the ninth frame. Mohr, trying for his second consecutive win this season having won the Senior Miller High Life Classic in Mooresville, N.C., three weeks ago, could never get anything going.

“I got off to a good start and Ron just couldn’t get lined up, especially on the right lane,” said the 51-year-old Williams. “I was able to play between the first and second arrow and just had a nice angle to the pocket and great ball reaction from there.”

In his Senior Tour debut, Williams won his first Senior Tour title in the Senior Miller High Life Classic in early May of 2010, shortly after earning a record seventh PBA Player of the Year crown at the conclusion of the 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season.

After also going on to earn PBA Senior Rookie of the Year honors last year, it has been quite a dry spell for Williams, however. He experienced the worst PBA Tour season of his 28-year career in 2010-11 where his best finish was sixth. It ended a record streak of 17 seasons with at least one Tour win.

“I think the hard work I’ve put in the past couple of months has really paid off,” said the all-time leader in PBA Tour wins with 47. “I’m feeling very comfortable being able to make the adjustments I need to make and just bowling very well in general. You're going to have your good times and bad times but I’m very encouraged and confident going forward from here.”

Williams’ previous best Senior Tour finishes this season were second in the Sun Bowl In the Villages and third in the Senior Don Carter Open.

In the semifinals, Mohr defeated Hall of Famer and four-time Senior Player of the Year Tom Baker of King, N.C., 206-174, to advance to the championship match and Williams defeated Harry Sullins of Chesterfield Township, Mich., 238-192.

Williams is looking forward to the PBA Senior U.S. Open presented by the Suncoast June 12-17 at the Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas, which is the next Senior Tour stop.

“I wish it was next week,” Williams said of the U.S. Open. “But, it gives me a couple weeks to get back to work on my game and relax a little bit.”

PBA SENIOR MARK ROTH ALLENTOWN OPEN
Playdrome Rose Bowl, Allentown, Pa.
Final Results

Championship Match
Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. ($7,500) def. Ron Mohr, Eagle River, Alaska, ($4,000), 268-168.

Semifinal Round (losers earn $2,500)
Mohr def. Tom Baker, King, N.C., 206-174.
W.R. Williams def. Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Township, Mich., 238-192.

Round of 8 (best-of-three games, losers eliminated, $1,700 each)
Mohr def. Mike Henry, Brunswick, Ohio, 2-1.
Baker def. Dale Csuhta, Wadsworth, Ohio, 2-1.
W.R. Williams def. John Chapman, Canada, 2-0.
Sullins def. George Lord, Lakeland, Fla., 2-0.

Round of 16 (best-of-five games, losers eliminated, $1,300 each)
Henry def. Marc Lineberry, Camanche, Iowa, 3-1.
Mohr def. Wilbert Moorer, Dover, Del., 3-1.
Baker def. Ricky Beck, Box Elder, S.D., 3-1.
Csuhta def. Dennis Welshans, Watsontown, Pa., 3-0.
W.R. Williams def. Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 3-0.
Chapman def. Kent Wagner, Palmetto, Fla., 3-1.
Lord def. Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 3-1.
Sullins def. Patric Donaghue, Honeoye Falls, N.Y., 3-1.

Round of 24 (best-of-five games, losers eliminated, $1,100 each)
Moorer def. Sam Maccarone, Glassboro, N.J., 3-0.
Lineberry def. Bob Brady, Santa Monica, Calif., 3-0.
Beck def. Gale Voshell, Dover, Del., 3-2.
Welshans def. Bill Neumann, Renssalaer, N.Y., 3-2.
M. Williams def. Bill Henson, Westerville, Ohio, 3-1.
Chapman def. David Kneas, Annapolis, Md., 3-1.
Lord def. Darryl Bower, Mechanicsburg, Pa., 3-0.
Donaghue def. Jeff Schrum, Cherryville, N.C., 3-0.

Round of 32 (best-of-five games, losers eliminated, $1,000 each)
Moore def. Tim Kauble, Marion, Ohio, 3-2.
Lineberry def. Tom Lazaro, Allentown, Pa., 3-0.
Voshell def. Marty Berke, Allentown, Pa., 3-0.
Welshans def. Tommy Brodowski, New Hyde Park, N.Y., 3-2.
Hensen def. Mark Everette, Aliquippa, Pa., 3-0.
Kneas def. Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 3-0.
Lord def. Don Hicks, West Babylon, N.Y., 3-0.
Donaghue def. Emilio Mora, Defiance, Ohio, 3-2.
PBA Spare Shots

PBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR KOIVUNIEMI TO THROW OUT FIRST PITCH AT CUBS GAME
PBA Player of the Year Mika Koivuniemi will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Memorial Day game between the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. PBA stars in town to compete in the GEICO PBA Team Shootout at 10pin bowling lounge May 29-June 1 will be in attendance at the Cubs’ game.

It could be interesting: Koivuniemi, who competed in hockey, basketball and soccer while growing up in his native Finland, admits he has never before thrown a baseball.

Chicago area bowling fans are invited to attend the GEICO PBA Team Shootout competition at 10pin bowling lounge in the Marina City complex at no cost. Shows will be taped for delayed telecast on ESPN on Tuesday from 1-3 and 5-10 p.m., and on Wednesday from 1-3 and 5-9 p.m. ESPN telecasts will begin airing on Saturday, June 25, at 11 a.m. CT.

REGIONAL PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP-EAST SET FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Professional Bowlers Association regional players from across the nation will gather at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., over Memorial Day weekend for the PBA Regional Players Championship-East, the first “major” championship on the 2011 PBA Regional schedule.

The RPC-East, with a $7,500 first prize and an elite field berth in the 2012 PBA Tournament of Champions at stake, gets underway with eight-game qualifying rounds for A and B squads Saturday, May 28, at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET. The squads will reversed positions for Sunday’s second eight-game rounds, after which the top 32 competitors will advance to single-elimination match play rounds on Monday.

PBA Central Regional member Riga Kalfas of Florence, Ky., is defending RPC-East champion.

The final block of qualifying Sunday and Monday’s complete schedule of match play rounds will be webcast live on pba.com’s exclusive Xtra Frame video streaming service. To subscribe to Xtra Frame, visit pba.com.

Also on tap over Memorial Day weekend will be back-to-back one-day PBA Midwest/Central Region senior events, sponsored by Aaron Wehmeyer Allstate Insurance, at Joliet Town and Country Lanes. For entry information, click on “regional tours” under the “schedules” drop-down menu on pba.com.

KRETZER WINS 14TH REGIONAL TITLE IN WOOSTER, OHIO
Brian Kretzer of Kettering, Ohio, defeated Joe Ciccone of Buffalo, N.Y. by 149 pins to win his 14th career PBA Regional title in the PBA Central Region’s J.D. Producing, Inc./Wayne Lanes/Pizza Pan Open in Wooster, Ohio, on May 22. Kretzer finished with an 8-4 match play record and a total of 4,907 pins for 20 games, including match play bonus pins, to win the $2,600 first prize. Ryan Ciminelli finished third, 43 pins behind Ciccone.

Jason Cornog of Cherry Hill, N.J., an 18-year-old high school senior and non-member, defeated Joe Stillman of Staten Island, N.Y., 236-203, to win the PBA East Region Long Island Non-Champions Open at AMF Bay Shore Lanes in Bay Shore, N.Y., on May 21. Because Cornog is not a PBA member, he will not be credited with a PBA title. Cornog earned $1,500.

In the PBA Midwest, Jason Poli of West Des Moines, Iowa, won four straight stepladder matches, defeating Dave Beres of Waukesha, Wis., 233-208, in the championship match to win his third PBA Regional title in the Midco Open sponsored by Midcontinent Communications at Empire Bowl in Sioux Falls, S.D., on May 22, Poli earned $2,500.

Poli started the stepladder finals with a 212-159 victory over former two-time Junior Team USA member Cassandra Leuthold of Black Hawk, S.D. He then eliminated Glen Paulsen of Sioux Falls, 203-197, and Matt Smallin of Minot, N.D., 192-159, to advance to the championship match.

Mark Scroggins of Canyon, Texas, topped William Sullivan of Austin, Texas, 263-246, to win the PBA Southwest Region Fort Sill Open at Twin Oaks Bowling Center in Fort Sill, Okla. Along with the $2,500 first prize, Scroggins claimed his 11th career PBA Regional title. For Sullivan, the runner-up finish was his highest ever in PBA Southwest competition.

Wayne Garber of Modesto, Calif., defeated PJ Haggerty of Roseville, Calif., 224-218, to win his eighth PBA West Region title in the Battle at Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne, Calif., on May 22. Garber won $2,500.

LAST CALL: BILLY WELU SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE MAY 31
Applications for the PBA’s 2011 Billy Welu Scholarship, awarded annually to a male or female college student who competes in the sport of bowling and exhibits exemplary qualities as a student and citizen, must be postmarked by midnight, Tuesday, May 31. Candidates must be amateur bowlers who are currently in college (preceding the application deadline) and maintain at least a 2.5/4.0 GPA or equivalent.

The scholarship winner receives a $1,000 award. To access the application form, click on this link:
http://www.pba.com/file_upload/scholarships/BillyWeluApplication.pdf

QUICK NOTES:
England’s Rob Thurlby won the European Bowling Tour’s Istanbul Open on May 15 in Istanbul, Turkey, defeating British teammate Paul Moor and PBA Player of the Year Mika Koivuniemi on his way to the title. Thurlby bounced Koivuniemi in the two-game semifinal match, 426-400, and then eliminated Moor in the title match, 393-386.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Here & There Column 5-24-11

The cast of "A Raisn In The Sun".


Outstanding Performance At Rivoli Theatre

The Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop's recently completed production of "A Raisin In The Sun" was undoubtedly one of the best produced and best acting performances this community theatre group has ever done.

Directed by Oliver King and featuring the great acting talents of John Neils, DeLois "Cookie" House, Ebony Isaac, Crystal Tweed, Frank DeGroat, Bruno D. Roberts, Francis Henderson, Paul Puerschner and Cynthia Toliver, the play tells the story of a lower-class black family's struggle to gain middle-class acceptance.

Money from a $10,000 insurance check and how to spend is a central theme in this play which finds the mother of this family (Mama) using part of the money as a down payment on a house in a white neighborhood while giving the balance to her son to invest in her daughter's college education and putting the rest in a checking account in his name.

The son instead invests the entire sum into a business scheme with prospective business partners and one of them runs off with the money.

This loss of money and the warning to this black family from a representative of the white neighborhood that blacks are not welcome and their offer to buy them out tests the spiritual and psychological mettle of each family member.

Their decision to continue with their plans to move highlights the true meaning of the play where right overcomes wrong.

With a cast in which all but one are African-Americans this was indeed a refreshing, well produced play with outstanding acting by all.

Next on the Dramatic Workshops stage at the Rivoli Theatre in South Fallsburg is "And Then There Were None" on June 3-5 and June 10-12. The organizations web site is http://www.scdu.net/

Friday, May 20, 2011

Golfing Highlights Column 5-20-11


"The Putting Doctor", Joe Bermel Jr., gives a talk to golfers at the New Jersey Golf Show on what it takes to have a good putting game.


Joe Bermel Jr., "The Putting Doctor" shows the correct way to putt.


The Putting Doctor At Golf Show

Golfers from Sullivan County, the tri-county area and the tri-state area made their annual trek to Somerset, NJ in early February and although the month of February might appear as the middle of the winter to area golfers and some local golf professionals its time to gear up for the upcoming golf season.

The North Coast Greater New Jersey Golf Show held at the Garden State Exhibit Center is always a must show for this columnist as we get an advanced look into the world of golf when we see and can test the latest in the world of golf.

Whether golfers are looking for the latest equipment, planning their next golf getaway or looking to improve their game, the North Coast Golf Show had it all.

We will have several features on some of the special events we saw at this show but this week we feature Joe Bermel Jr. "The Putting Doctor" from Long Island, NY.

Joe proved to be a very interesting and knowledgeable instructor on the subject of "How To Putt Well."

Bermel showed that he is very passionate about putting. His study of the putting game, disciplined approach, and most importantly, commitment to practice, initially helped him maintain a single digit handicap over the past 30 years.

This dedication and resulting success helped him develop easy to learn methods to share and teach others to be successful at putting and thereby shoot lower golf scores.

Not everyone hits a bucket of balls before each round and less people practice putting before a round but the "Putting Doctor" religiously practices putting before each round and regularly spends more than an hour putting on days between rounds.

Putting and taking putting lessons are important to Joe as he has literally taught hundreds of people on Long Island, various club organizations, Golf Expos, Golf Shows and golf adult education programs through local community programs.

When Compaq Computer held a World Putting Championship in 1996, "The Putting Doctor" literally beat dozens of New Yorkers head to head before sharing the New York state title.

A good putting method make for better golf scores and a more enjoyable round of golf.

In addition to offering group and individual lessons Joe put together a very informative special edition of "How To Putt Well" on a DVD which gives a basic, easy to follow, successful method for good consistent putting. The DVD is outstanding and Joe's 25 years of teaching putting is very evident in the DVD as he shows you how to develop and build a consistent putting skill.

Joe reminds us all that 43% of the average golfers' score is putting and with the DVD you will learn a basic, easy to follow method for good consistent putting, a successful grip, alignment and ball position and a reliable pre-putt routine that will build putting skills, lower your scores and enable you to enjoy your golf game.

Whether through a private lesson, or series of lessons, or via a group or corporate clinic and Joe's "How To Putt Well" DVD, you are guaranteed to come away a better putter.

Information on lessons, a group or corporate show and his DVD can be obtained at the web site, http://www.theputtingdoctor.com/ by telephone at 631-589-1384 or via email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com

Golf Tip

By Robert Menges

How To Practice Efficiently

It's still very early in our 2011 golf season and we should get those winter muscles warmed up for a great golfing season. As the weather improves you should be starting the season with a good practice routine.

If you want to improve your game, it is important to set some goals for the season, and map out a practice schedule. I would like to offer you a few suggestions on how to practice. You must first realize there are different areas of the game where you can focus on becoming a better player. Most golfers consider hitting a bucket of balls before their round as practice. Obviously, you want to work on your full swing, but you need to look at what is considered the scoring area of the game, the short game.

Putting, chipping, pitching and bunker shots are just as important as a 300-yard drive. Most golfers ignore this part of the game when they practice. I feel you should spend t least twice the amount of time practicing your short game as you do your full swing.

Try to put aside a minimum of one hour a week to devote to your short game practice. If you have a chance to go to the range after work you can spend a half hour on the range working on your full swing, and then take another night and spend one hour on the practice green working on your short game.

I bet you will find if you improve your short game you will see an improvement in your overall score. Also, in order to work out the winter kinks, it is a good idea to make an appointment for a lesson with your local Golf Professional.

Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club on Mt. Hope Road in Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by telephone at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net

Ed's Outlook

The Billy Moran Memorial Golf Outing will be held July 24 at the Villa Roma Country Club with registration taking place at noon and the shotgun scramble starting at 1 p.m. This annual popular golf event will also feature a putting contest, prizes, raffles and mulligans.

A delicious buffet dinner will be served at 5:30. Entry fee including the golf, cart and dinner is $85. The buffet dinner only is $20.

The tournament organization committee is asking golfers to register by July 15 if possible.

For information call 887-4734 or 887-4174. Mail applications to the BMS Golf Committee, #23 Country Road 131, Hortonville, NY 12745.



This column is written by Ed Townsend, a consultant to the amateur and professional sport of golf and to several golf writers associations. If you have a topic that would make good reading or have league standings or tournament information, Ed can be reached by calling 439-8177 or via email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com For additional coverage please visit our Web Site at http://bght.blogspot.com/ Coverage is also provided on Facebook.
Tournament-Golf Events

May 21--Fallsburg PBA, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
May 23--New Hope Tournament, Grossingers CC, Call New Hope for information.
June 3--Jake Hulse Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Hulse 292-0438
June 3--Monticello PBA, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
June 5--New City FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 5--Sandy Acres Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, contact 607-498-5502
June 11--Jake Gunther Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 11--Jeffersonville Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Doug Immoor 482-5094
June 17--LGA Junior Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
June 17--Riveredge Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 18--Town of Callicoon Republican Party, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bonnie Hubert 482-5390
June 24--Mamakating Lions, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 27--Bull Pen Tourney, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 28--Sullivan County Community College Tourney, Grossingers CC, Call the college for information
July 9--Cornell Co-Op, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Sean Welsh 292-2420
July 10--TVGC Memorial Tournament & Dinner, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact Chuck Husson 607-498-5557
July 15--Country Store Youth Foundation Tournament, Tennanah GC, Contact 607-498-5502
July16--Single Golfers of Long Island, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Catskill Cup, Villa Roma Country Club, for information call 887-5097
July 17--Falls Lions-Alan Steingart Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Liberty Booster Club, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Deb Simpson 807-1996
July 22--Scotch Twosome Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
July 23--Liberty Elks, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Harry Fox 482-5331
July 24--Billy Moran Memorial Golf Outing. Villa Roma Country Club. Information call 887-4734 or 887-4174
July 24--Roscoe Kiwanis Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, Contact 607-498-5502
July 29-- Middletown St. Josephs Church, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
July 30--Monticello FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
July 30--Dave Curreri Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Joe Curreri 252-7358
Aug. 2--Catskill Regional Medical Center Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, Contact 607-498-5502
Aug. 5-6-7--Sullivan County Democrat two-man-better ball Golf Tournament. Villa Roma Country Club. Information contact the Sullivan County Democrat 887-5200.
Aug. 6--Rock Hill Ambulance Corp, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257Aug. 7--N.A.M.I., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Beatini 754-8752
Aug. 11--Sullivan County Realtors, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug. 12--Wurtsboro St. Josephs/ Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 13--Monticello Rotary, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 14--St. Georges Church, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Moloney 482-5625
Aug. 19--United Way Pro-Am, Villa Roma Country Club, information call 887-5097
Aug. 20--Ramsey Vol. FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 21--N.A.M.I. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Beatini 754-8752
Aug. 25--Sullivan Correctional, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 26--Mahwah Elks, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug.27--Liberty P.B.A., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Devon Brust 807-3786
Sept. 10--Trevor Simpson Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bob Simpson 439-5034
Sept. 10--Otisville Hunting Club, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 10--Twin Village Gof Club Annual Dinner, Contact Chcuck Husson 607-498-5557
Sept. 18--Bethel Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Frangipane 583-6540
Sept. 18--Rock Hill FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 24--Bloomingburg FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620




Tuesday, May 17, 2011

THUNDER 102 PRESENTS COOPER BOONE

Thunder 102 Presents Cooper Boone
& Amber Hayes at Bethel Woods

A Concert for Derk VanWolde benefiting St. Baldrick's Organization and Community and Educational Programs at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts


Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is proud to announce its collaboration with Bold Gold Media's Thunder 102 to present Cooper Boone and Amber Hayes, a benefit concert to remember Derk VanWolde on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The event goes on-sale Friday, May 20th at 10 a..m.

Tickets for the event are $12.00 per person, general admission, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Baldrick's Organization, as well as Community and Educational Programs at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

Derk VanWolde, a staple in the White Lake area, was one of the first Thunderheads with his wife Debbie. Over the years, he and his wife were actively involved with Bold Gold Media and all of their community events. He was also an integral part of the White Lake Fire Department, having served as a part Chief and was the Commissioner of the White Lake Fire District. On March 22, 2010, Derk was diagnosed with terminal cancer and after only 8 months of chemo and radiation he passed on November 28, 2010.

"What we had in the 11 years we were together is something that most people don't find in a lifetime," said Debbie VanWolde. "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't still cry for him, and I couldn't think of a better way to honor his memory than throwing this concert with our friend, Cooper, for an organization dedicated to helping children with cancer. After Derk went through chemo, he couldn't imagine children having to endure the same process he did, so helping them raise money for better treatment options is something that we can all feel good about."

In a short time, singer-songwriter, performer, chef, online video star and clinical psychologist has earned some solid accolades. He is a multiple nominee and winner for Best Country Artist at the Hollywood Music Awards, along with an Independent Music Award (IMA) and an Independent Singer-Songwriter (ISSA) award. Cooper has shared the stage with Craig Morgan, Trace Adkins, Angela Kaset ("Something in Red"), Anthony Krizan (Spin Doctors) and Bucky Covington. His online show, Cooper's Kitchen, has been a huge hit, allowing him to spend time with celebrity entertainers like Paula Deen, Tyler Florence, The Neely's, Julie Roberts and Trisha Yearwood to name a few. Most recently, Coop was selected among 15,000 applicants as a final four finalist for ABC's Good Morning America's "Advice Guru Search" which has created a lot of buzz for him in 2011. He is currently writing a new album, to be released in 2012. Yes indeed, Coop is "the man of many hats!"
Named one of "America's Ten Most Beautiful Children" by Globe Magazine and a finalist for Disney's "The Mickey Mouse Club", Amber Hayes has always been a standout talent. Growing up in a close-knit family in Weleetka, Oklahoma, with its 1,200 residents and zero stoplight, made it nearly impossible to leave her family at an early age to go to Orlando and become a child star.

Keeping true to herself and her dreams, Amber was influenced early on by Country music, gravitating towards the show-stopping divas that would quickly become her role models growing up: Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire.

Infused with a down-home Country sound accented with fiddle and steel guitar, C'mon was the outlet that allowed Amber to get personal in a way that musical theater never did. Her energy shines through in the album's debut single, the innocently flirtatious, "C'mon," while "Can't Take It Back" reveals her more sensitive side. The true-to-life narrative "Right as Rain" invokes the tiny town where she was raised, and her difficulty in leaving it. The album's second single is the powerful and yearning "Wait.".

For more information about Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, 1.866.781.2922.









Here & There Column 5-17-11

Help Keep The Food Drives Going

Helping the community and giving back to your local community promotes the spirit of giving and this was very evident recently when we covered a story we wrote about the Liberty Curves Franchisor Jennifer Smith who's members brought in 610 pounds of food for the 2011 13th annual organization food drive.
The local Sullivan County CACHE Food Pantry benefited from this food drive which in turn is distributed to 30 sites throughout the county. It is almost unbelievable that every day hunger is experienced in every community across this great country of ours and ending hunger depends on the volunteer work of literally millions of Americans who know they do make a difference. Locally the interfaith effort by community volunteers under the leadership of Pastor J. Wallace, president of the Interfaith Council Of Liberty (ICOL) proved successful last year when an organization dinner-dance raised almost $2,000 for the ICOL food pantry.
The ICOL food pantry specifically helps feed the needy who are allowed to come once a month where they get a bag of food containing tuna fish, 2 cans of soup, 2 cans of vegetables, 1 can of fruit, 1 can of pasta sauce, a box of spaghetti pasta, 1 box of macaroni and cheese, 1 box of rice, a can of beans, 1 box of tea bags and 1 container of hot chocolate. There is also pastries and bread donated by local supermarkets.
Director of the IFCL Henrietta Phelps yearly thanks the many local citizens, the Liberty Post Office staff and the Liberty schools who help so much with their food drives. There are many ways to help out in your local community through activities such as tutoring students in our local elementary and high schools, repackaging donated food for use at food pantries and transporting food to local agencies.
All of our local food pantries can use help through activities such as sorting, boxing and repackaging donated food. Despite signs that the economy might be brightening the hunger and homelessness issues remain an issue of deep concern.
Figures available show that about 2.3 million to 3.5 million Americans do not have a place that they can call home to sleep in at night and along with this hunger plays a major role in their lives.
The efforts of organizations like the Interfaith Council of Liberty, various church and religious organizations, CACHE, and volunteer efforts by companies like Curves deserve a big pat on the back for helping the needs of our community's less fortunate residents.
We can all help with donations of food products.


Saturday, May 14, 2011

Golfing Highlights Column 5-13-11

Gunther Tourney June 11

The Sullivan County Probation Officers Association during the months of February through April accepted applications for the Jacob E. Gunther III Memorial Scholarship.
Two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each will be awarded to deserving graduating seniors from school districts in the 98th District of the New York Assembly, one from Sullivan and one from Orange County.
The application criteria included academic achievement, community service, financial need and acceptance to an accredited college or university to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.
The scholarship fund was established to help continue the legacy of the late Assemblyman Jacob "Jake" Gunther, widely recognized as a staunch supporter of local law enforcement agencies, who was also committed to service to one's community and recognition of scholastic excellence..
Monies for the scholarship fund are raised, with generous support of area businesses at the annual Jake Classic golf outing which is scheduled this year at the Tarry Brae Golf Course on Saturday, June 11.
The Jake Classic golf outing, sponsored by the Sullivan County Probation Officers' Association gets underway June 11 with registration and a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Tee off with a shotgun start using a scramble format is a 8:30 a.m..
There are beverages on the course and burgers at the turn and an award luncheon with raffles and prizes. A hole-in-one contest is also a part of this golf outing. Entry fee is $75 ($85 after May 11) and for those unable to play, tickets for the Awards Luncheon are available for $25 per ticket.
For tee sponsorship and additional information call 845-796-6480.

Golf Tip
By Bob Menges

THINK SPRING--If you are an avid golfer like me, the recent weather pattern has placed our 2011 golfing season on hold. If you get a chance to get our and play a round, you must have noticed how wet and soggy the course conditions are.
Here are some tips for you to consider when you are playing wet spring golf.
The temperature has an effect on how far the ball will travel. Usually early golf rounds are played in cool damp conditions.
If you are used to hitting a 7 iron 150 yards in mid July, it might only carry 140 yards in late April and early May. Also, you must remember the ball is not going to roll or bounce so the shot you hit must be all carry.
Choose your club based on the conditions of the course. Another factor to consider is how much your feet are going to sink into the turf depending on how wet it is. I notice many golfers hitting what we call "fat" shots in early spring.
This happens when the club contacts the ground before the ball and grass and the sod builds up between the ball and club, thus making the ball travel much less than you intend.
One way to correct this is to select one club more and grip down slightly as your weight will make your body sink into the ground and be lower than normal conditions. This should help you make clean contact with the ball first and eliminate the club from digging into the turf.
Above all try not to get frustrated during the early rounds you play. Remember, you have to build your swing from the winter lay off.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@hughes.net

Ed's Outlook

Fred Couples is certainly a fan favorite and you just have to wonder how his career might have been different were it not for back problems that date to 1994. Couples tied for 15th at the Masters, with a second-round 68 putting him in contention.
At 51, it was a nice performance. A year earlier he tied for sixth. "Here, I would be playing even as a cripple, I love this place," Couples said. "I shouldn't say that, as a guy with a horrible back, I would get it around. I did it a couple of years and I just love playing here. I wait the whole year to come and play here. This is my favorite event, I've had great luck here. Had a couple other chances to win that I didn't.
And I hope to play several more years," he added.

Rock Hill FD Tourney
Is September 18

This year the Rock Hill Fire Department celebrates 55 years of service to the community. They are hosting the 83rd Annual Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighters Association Parade on Saturday, September 17 at 2 p.m. and will hold their annual golf tournament on Sunday, September 18. Details for the tournament will be finalized in the near future but save the date and plan to join them.

Tournament-Golf Events

May 15--2nd Annual Pars For Parkinson's, Tarry Bray GC, Call 434-262
May 17--Section Nine County Championship[, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club
May 20--Marine Corp. GL, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
May 20--B.P.W. Chamber, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Susan Hamlin 292-2420
May 21--Fallsburg PBA, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
May 23--New Hope Tournament, Grossingers CC, Call New Hope for information.
June 3--Jake Hulse Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Hulse 292-0438
June 3--Monticello PBA, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257June 5--New City FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 5--Sandy Acres Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, contact 607-498-5502
June 11--Jake Gunther Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 11--Jeffersonville Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Doug Immoor 482-5094
June 17--LGA Junior Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
June 17--Riveredge Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 18--Town of Callicoon Republican Party, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bonnie Hubert 482-5390
June 24--Mamakating Lions, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 27--Bull Pen Tourney, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 28--Sullivan County Community College Tourney, Grossingers CC, Call the college for information
July 9--Cornell Co-Op, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Sean Welsh 292-2420
July 10--TVGC Memorial Tournament & Dinner, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact Chuck Husson 607-498-5557
July 15--Country Store Youth Foundation Tournament, Tennanah GC, Contact 607-498-5502
July16--Single Golfers of Long Island, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Falls Lions-Alan Steingart Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Liberty Booster Club, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Deb Simpson 807-1996
July 22--Scotch Twosome Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
July 23--Liberty Elks, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Harry Fox 482-5331
July 24--Roscoe Kiwanis Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, Contact 607-498-5502
July 29-- Middletown St. Josephs Church, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
July 30--Monticello FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
July 30--Dave Curreri Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Joe Curreri 252-7358
Aug. 2--Catskill Regional Medical Center Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, Contact 607-498-5502
Aug. 6--Rock Hill Ambulance Corp, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 7--N.A.M.I., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Beatini 754-8752
Aug. 11--Sullivan County Realtors, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug. 12--Wurtsboro St. Josephs/ Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 13--Monticello Rotary, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 14--St. Georges Church, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Moloney 482-5625
Aug. 20--Ramsey Vol. FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 21--N.A.M.I. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Beatini 754-8752
Aug. 25--Sullivan Correctional, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 26--Mahwah Elks, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug.27--Liberty P.B.A., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Devon Brust 807-3786
Sept. 10--Trevor Simpson Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bob Simpson 439-5034
Sept. 10--Otisville Hunting Club, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 10--Twin Village Gof Club Annual Dinner, Contact Chcuck Husson 607-498-5557
Sept. 18--Bethel Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Frangipane 583-6540
Sept. 18--Rock Hill FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 24--Bloomingburg FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620

This column is written by Ed Townsend, a consultant to the amateur and professional sport of golf and to several golf writers association. If you have a topic that would make good reading or have league standings or tournament information, Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177 or by email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com For a much more expanded version of this golf column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com
We also provide coverage on Facebook.
Professional Bowling Stars
Head to Chicago For The
GEICO PBA Team Shootout

A unique showcase blending the highest level of talent with the hottest trends in the recreational side of the sport will take place over Memorial Day weekend when 20 of the world’s greatest bowlers return to downtown Chicago for a unique team competition at upscale 10pin bowling lounge in the landmark Marina City complex.

The GEICO PBA Team Shootout, the fifth annual PBA Summer Series special event, will result in more than 15 hours of national television on ESPN and ESPN2 over the summer months. It will be the first appearance by PBA players in Chicago proper in 47 years.

“The return of team bowling to the heart of the city where many of the greatest names in bowling history built their careers will present the sport in an entirely new light,” said Professional Bowlers Association Deputy Commissioner Tom Clark.

The GEICO PBA Team Shootout, with the PBA Manufacturers Cup as its ultimate prize, will be conducted in a “boutique” bowling facility that calls House of Blues its next-door-neighbor and includes a Who’s Who list of Chicago celebrities and business leaders among its clients. 10pin bowling lounge has hosted hundreds of special events, including high-profile fundraisers conducted by Chicago Cubs pitching star Kerry Wood, Chicago Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook and Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, a Chicago native, among others.

The GEICO PBA Team Shootout will feature four teams of five PBA stars who will compete in a variety of singles, doubles and team matches, earning points toward the PBA Manufacturers Cup for their respective sponsoring companies. It will be the first PBA Tour event held in Chicago since the former Bowlium hosted the 1963 Chicago Coca-Cola Open when the PBA Tour was only five years old.

Reigning PBA Manufacturers Cup winner Storm Products will defend its title against teams representing bowling ball manufacturing rivals Brunswick, Ebonite International and 900 Global. Among the PBA stars who will compete in Chicago are PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III of Jackson, N.J. (Brunswick); newly-named PBA Player of the Year Mika Kovuniemi of Hartland, Mich., and PBA Triple Crown winner Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas (Ebonite International); newly-crowned USBC Queens champion Missy Parkin of Lake Forest, Calif. (the only woman in the competition) and PBA Hall of Famer Brian Voss of Marietta, Ga. (900 Global); and PBA Hall of Famers Norm Duke of Clermont, Fla., and Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo. (Storm).

Chicagoland will be represented by four-time PBA Tour champion Sean Rash of Montgomery (Brunswick) and seven-time Tour winner Steve Jaros of Yorkville (900 Global).

The special PBA Summer Series event will get underway with an upscale pro-am program on May 29 when Chicagoland league bowlers will be invited to bowl with PBA stars and Chicago sports celebrities for fun and prizes in a 9-pin no-tap event. Entry fees are $99 for the 2 p.m. squad and $125 for the special 6 p.m. “dinner” squad. Entry fees include free parking. All pro-am bowlers will compete for cash and merchandise prizes. For complete entry details, visit pba.com for a direct-entry link through e-Tix or call 206-654-6003.

The GEICO Team Shootout will feature a series of matches between the company teams on Tuesday and Wednesday lead up to a "Baker format" team stepladder final. In Baker team competition, all five players on each team will bowl two frames each to complete a full game. The winning team will claim the Manufacturers Cup.

Shows will begin on the hour both days, beginning at 1 p.m. A series of 15 30-minute telecasts will recorded for airing on ESPN beginning on June 25, with re-broadcasts airing on ESPN2 beginning on July 9. Admission to all Team Shootout matches will be free.

GEICO PBA TEAM SHOOTOUT FACTS
10pin bowling lounge, 330 N. State St., Chicago, May 29, 31-June 1

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Sunday, May 29
2 p.m. – 9-pin no-tap pro-am squad (entry fee $99)
6 p.m. – 9-pin no-tap pro-am “dinner” squad (entry fee $125)
For entry information, rules and reservations, visit pba.com or call 206-654-6003.

Tuesday, May 31
1-10 p.m. – Eight 30-minute GEICO PBA Team Shootout matches (free admission)

Wednesday, June 1
1-9 p.m. – Seven 30-minute GEICO PBA Team Shootout matches (free admission)

GEICO PBA TEAM SHOOTOUT MANUFACTURERS CUP ROSTERS

Team Brunswick
Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J. (PBA Hall of Famer and 32-time title winner)

Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio (eight-time TV finalist)
Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill. (four-time PBA title winner including 2007 USBC Masters)
Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis (three-time runner-up)
Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich. (2009 PBA World Champion)

Team Ebonite International
Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas (PBA Triple Crown winner, 2011 PBA World Champion and 13-time titlist)
Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y. (two-time titlist)
Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C. (13-time winner, and former PBA Player and Rookie of the Year)
Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich. (native of Finland; reigning PBA Player of the Year and 2011 PBA Tournament of Champions winner)
Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa. (2010 U.S. Open champion and three-time title winner)

Team 900 Global
Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, Ariz. (2008 PBA Tournament of Champions winner and two-time titlist)
Missy Parkin, Lake Forest, Calif. (first woman to join PBA and 2011 USBC Queens champion)
Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill. (2005 PBA Tournament of Champions winner and seven-time titlist)
Robert Smith, Hong Kong (2000 U.S. Open champion and seven-time titlist)
Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga. (PBA Hall of Famer and 25-time title winner)

Team Storm Products
Jason Belmonte, Australia (2009 PBA Rookie of the Year and first two-handed player to win PBA title)
Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. (PBA Hall of Famer, Grand Slam winner and 34-time titlist)
Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas (2008-09 PBA Player of the Year and six-time title winner)
Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y. (four-time titlist)
Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo. (PBA Hall of Famer, Triple Crown winner and 35-time champion)

ESPN TELECAST SCHEDULE (all times ET; all shows will re-air on ESPN2)
Saturday, June 25, noon – Four half-hour shows (ESPN)
Sunday, June 26, 4 p.m. – Four half-hour shows (ESPN)
Saturday, July 2, 4 p.m. – Four half-hour shows (ESPN)
Sunday, July 3, 2:30 p.m. – Four half-hour shows (ESPN)

About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is an organization of more than 3,800 of the best bowlers from 13 countries who compete in Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, Regional and Senior Tour events. Nearly one million ESPN viewers watch PBA Tour on Sundays during the tour season and thousands watch PBA activities online by using PBA’s video streaming service, Xtra Frame. PBA sponsors include Bayer, Brunswick, Budweiser, GEICO, Golden Corral, Go RVing, Lumber Liquidators, One A Day Men’s 50+ Multivitamin, Pepsi-Cola, Storm Products and the United States Bowling Congress, among others. For more information, log on to www.pba.com.

About 10pin bowling lounge
10pin redefines the bowling experience by combining retro sport with an upscale lounge. Located adjacent to House of Blues in landmark Marina City, 10pin is 20,000 square feet of high-energy fun. 24 state-of-the art lanes are topped by a 128-foot, high-definition video wall supported by a nightclub quality audio system. Guests can enjoy all the action from plush sofas and intimate seating areas of the lounge or can be served at laneside tables. This cutting edge bowling lounge offers an extensive martini list alongside a collection of small plates featuring innovative American cuisine designed to encourage sharing. 10pin is the preferred venue for Chicago’s top Fortune 500 companies – hosting many private events a year – making it the perfect place to work and play.


Finland’s Mika Koivuniemi Wins

PBA Player of the Year Award

Finland’s Mika Koivuniemi, who won the richest first prize in Professional Bowlers Association history and became the first player ever to reach the television finals in all four PBA major championships in a single season, has been selected as 2010-11 PBA Player of the Year.

Koivuniemi, who won the $250,000 first prize in the $1 million PBA Tournament of Champions, also finished second in the U.S. Open, third in the Bayer USBC Masters and sixth in the PBA World Championship on his way to winning the PBA Tour earnings title with $330,040 – the third-highest total in PBA Tour history. The 44-year-old right-hander, who also won Player of the Year honors for 2003-04, was the Tour’s average leader with a 222.50 average for 292 games bowled.

The PBA also announced Scott Norton of Costa Mesa, Calif., is 2011 Harry Golden Rookie of the Year and Jack Jurek of Lackawanna, N.Y., has won the Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award for the second time.

Koivuniemi, who lives in Hartland, Mich., and Venezuela’s Amleto Monacelli (1989 and 1990) are the only international players who have won PBA Player of the Year honors. Koivuniemi received 334 votes from his peers, easily out-distancing runner-up Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas (63) and Bill O’Neill of Southampton, Pa. (61).

“It’s really a great honor,” Koivuniemi said. “There are only 10 players who had won Player of the Year more than once, and to be the 11th member of that group is really special.

“It was an almost perfect season for me,” he added. “Qualifying for TV for all four majors is a huge deal. No one had ever done that before, and to win the Tournament of Champions? That’s the one everyone wanted.”

Norton, a practicing California attorney, won his first PBA Tour title in the Pepsi Chameleon Championship. He was the only rookie to win a title during the 2010-11 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season. Norton received 445 votes; no other player received more than 15.

Jurek, who also won the Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award in 2006, also was an overwhelming choice. His most visible act of sportsmanship came during the title match of the Bayer USBC Masters where he was top qualifier, and was on the verge of losing to first-time champion Tom Hess of Urbandale, Iowa. Jurek approached Hess, who had broken down in tears under the emotion of his victory, and helped him calm down enough to finish the match.


PBA.com’s Xtra Frame
To Webcast Four Additional
Events in May and June

The PBA has announced the addition of four tournaments that will be webcast by pba.com’s Xtra Frame video service in May and June.

Xtra Frame host and expert analyst Jeff (“The Bowling Doctor”) Mark will be calling the action for the final rounds of three Senior Tour events and the PBA Regional Players Championship-East.

Xtra Frame coverage returns with live streaming of the PBA Senior Mark Roth Allentown Open on May 23 and 24 followed by coverage of the PBA Regional Players Championships-East, May 29 and 30; PBA Senior U.S. Open, June 16 and 17; and the PBA Senior Northern California Classic, June 21-22. Coverage begins 10 minutes prior to the start of each round.

Bowling fans can subscribe to Xtra Frame by visiting www.xtraframe.tv. Subscription rates are $64.99 per year or $7.99 per month. An Xtra Frame program schedule is also available on www.xtraframe.tv on the “Live Events” tab.

Xtra Frame Schedule for May and June
(All times are Eastern and live streaming begins 10 minutes prior to the start of each squad)

PBA Senior Mark Roth Allentown Open, Allentown, Pa.
May 23, 3 p.m. - Final round qualifying
May 24, 9 and 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. - Match play rounds

PBA Regional Players Championships East, Allen Park, Mich.
May 29, 4 p.m. – A Squad final qualifying round
May 30, 9 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m. – Match play rounds

PBA Senior U.S. Open Presented By Suncoast, Las Vegas
June 16, 5 p.m. – Match play
June 17, 10 a.m., 3 and 6:30 p.m. – Match play rounds and stepladder finals

PBA Senior Northern California Classic, Brentwood, Calif.
June 21, 5 p.m. – Qualifying round
June 22, 11 a.m., 1, 4 and 8 p.m. – Match play rounds

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tri-ValleyVarsity Baseball Team At Doubleday Field

The Tri-Valley Central School Bears Varsity Baseball team at the original 19th century-like entrance to Doubleday Field in Cooperstown. The Bears played on this historic baseball diamond May 6 in a non-league game against the Ellenville Central School varsity. Story and other photos are noted below.

TRI-VALLEY BEARS PLAY ON SACRED GROUND

The Tri-Valley Bears varsity baseball team takes their seats in the original dugout where Major League Baseball players sat at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown during the annual Hall of Fame game.


Tri-Valley's Greg Swarthout takes his turn at bat in the batters box at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown where Major League baseball players performed during their annual Hall of Fame game.


The historic baseball diamond at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown where major league ball players performed in the annual Baseball Hall of Fame game.


Coaches of Tri-Valley and Ellenville and umpires prior to last Friday mornings game.



The covered grandstand behind home plate at Doubleday Field looks the same as it did 50 some years ago.


The Tri-Valley Central School Bears Varsity Baseball Team at the original 19th century-like entrance to Doubleday Field in Cooperstown.


TRI-VALLEY BEARS PLAY ON SACRED BASEBALL GROUND

COOPERSTOWN--The Tri-Valley Central School Bears varsity baseball team faithfully carried on in the tradition of American's favorite pastime at the "Birthplace of Baseball" in Cooperstown last Friday morning in a non-league game against the Ellenville Central School varsity Blue Devils.

The grand game of baseball and Doubleday Field certainly resonated with the Bears as a number of the players expressed the thrill and great opportunity presented to them in their playing on the baseball field named after Abner Doubleday, allegedly the originator of baseball.

"What a treat," was heard from several players who noted that this same ball field was the home to the annual Hall of Fame game every summer in which two major league teams played and to this day an annual Major League Old Timers game takes place in this park over the Father's Day weekend.

Each year from 1940 to 2008 Doubleday Field hosted the Hall of Fame game which was an exhibition game between two major league squads and traditionally the game was held during the annual induction weekend at the nearby Baseball Hall of Fame.

One of the shop owners on Cooperstown's Main Street pointed out that Major League Baseball put a stop to the game after the 2008 season siting "scheduling difficulties and the fact that there was now inter-league play which was formerly featured at the Hall of Fame game. Doubleday field employees said the attempt to get a minor league team to play in Doubleday Field fell through in 1996 and the fact that the park does not have lights brings the reality that this probably will never happen.

In 2010 the Cooperstown Hawkeyes, a collegiate league team, made Doubleday Field their home park.

The Tri-Valley and Ellenville fans who make the trek up to Cooperstown stood and admired the famous entrance to Doubleday Field and the covered grandstand behind home plate which looks the same as it did 50 years ago and contains no individual seats and just wooden benches with backs.

Doubleday Field opened in 1939 and now contains metal bleacher seats down both foul lines and the outfield also contains bleachers about 10 row deep from right field to center field. Doubleday Field seats 9,800 fans.

The smallest part of the park is in left field near the electronic scoreboard and it was in that location where Ellenville's right fielder Justin Rose hit a three run over the fence game-tying homerun ( 3-3) in the sixth inning.

Those attending or playing in this game last Friday morning could somehow feel the integrity, passion and spirit that this historic baseball field gives.

It gave me a thrill to be able to step out on this historic field to photograph some of the games events.

Ellenville loaded the bases in the eighth inning and Shaquan Taylor drew a walk to score the winning run and gain the 4-3 victory for Ellenville.

Tri-Valley's Joe Mickelson had 3 hits and Steve McInerney went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI.

Both teams then toured the famous Baseball Hall of Fame.

Additional photo coverage of this day's event can be found at http://bght.blogspot.com/

Monday, May 9, 2011

Here & There Column 5-10-11

Any Solution For Getting Robbed At The Pumps?

Do you feel that your getting ripped off when you fill your vehicle at the gas pump?
It doesn't help when we all hear that Exxon Mobil Corp. recently announced that its fourth quarter 2010 earnings rose almost 70 percent.
Of course we hear that a number of politicians urge the president to release some of the national oil reserves to help bring down the cost of gas but there are others who strongly say that there is no shortage of oil and that the steady rise in oil and gasoline prices is being pushed by price gougers and financial speculators.
In conversation with many locals here in the tri-county area folks are struggling to put just enough gas into their vehicles to get to work and the grocery store.
Makes one think if we are living in a true society when large oil companies rake in record profits and benefit from billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies.
The oil industry's excuse that the spike in oil prices have resulted because of the recent turmoil in the Middle East just doesn't float anymore and a question many ask is why isn't anyone doing anything about the financial speculators who artificially drive up the price of oil to pad their own profits.
Facts are facts and we are getting gouged.
When are we going to stand up and demand changes that will reduce our dependence on imported oil?
Transportation companies and upstate school districts are attempting to fight back with the purchase of propane-powered vehicles which they have found to be safe and much more economical to operate.......when gas was selling at $3.56 a gallon and diesel fuel at $3.55 a gallon, the price of propane was $1.90 a gallon.
This technology is starting to gain strength as propane is a nonrenewable fossil fuel that burns with few emissions.
Propane is said to offer significantly lower cost and vehicle manufacturers are building more models from cars to heavy trucks.
It will be interesting to watch if propane autogas becomes an alternative to regular gasoline. Some in the oil and gasoline industry have predicted $5 per gallon gasoline prices by Memorial Day.....our still fragile economy can't afford this, but, is there anyone who is going to stand up and do something that will stop all of us from this gas pump rip off?


Friday, May 6, 2011

Golfing Highlights Column 5-6-11

Rain & Cold Gives Slow Start To Golf Season

The month of April certainly has not been kind to the start of this year's golf season.
Weather has been cold with lots of rain and golf courses we have visited were soggy with golf carts only allowed on cart paths.
Certainly not a good start for area golf courses but golf leagues are holding their organizational meetings and posting their schedules.
Some trees are budding and the grass is green and growing so its time to tee it up....hit it straight and long and enjoy our golf season.
Golfing Highlights is back for our tenth season and we will continue to provide you with a column filled with golf league statistics and standings, golf tournament information, golf trips and vacation news, new golf equipment, a tip each week from a local golf professional, Ed's Outlook, golf feature stories and a weekly review of golf courses in and around our area. Special attention this week goes out to all golf league secretaries and club professionals.....remember to get your weekly golf league highlights and standings to Ed Townsend, PO Box 116, Livingston Manor, NY 12758 or e-mail them to edwardctownsend@hotmail.com Visit out Internet Web Site at www.http://bght.blogspot.com

Welcome Back To
Pro Bob Menges
; We welcome back to our Golfing Highlights Column for his ninth year, Professional Robert Menges from the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club who will again entertain and hopefully educate golfers with his writing of the weekly "Golf Tip."
Bob, 42, started his golf career as an assistant pro at the Swan Lake Golf Club under then head pro Steve Eisenberg. From Swan Lake he and Steve moved to the Huff House at Tennanah Lake where Steve formed the Steve Eisenberg Golf Academy. The Academy and Bob Menges then moved to the school's locations at Eddy Farms near Sparrowbush and the Town of Wallkill Golf Course near Middletown.
Bob then took his first job as a head professional at the Tennanah Lake Golf Club and two years later became the head professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. He competed in local PGA tournaments, the local Pro-Am tournaments and the Metropolitan local tournaments.
Menges has been playing golf since he was 6 and remembers well starting out at the former Waldemere Golf Course at Shandelee above Livingston Manor.
Married to Kathy, who is a nurse, the Menges' live in the Jeffersonville area.
Menges noted that he will be giving private golf lessons and will conduct Junior Golf Camps during three different weeks this summer. The Swan Lake Golf Club presently has three leagues, Tuesday Men's, Wednesday Men's, Thursday Ladies and is planning a Friday Mixed league also.
Golfers may call Bob at 845-292-0323.

Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

Play golf To Stay Young.
The tip: In today's day in age, with modern medicine and advances in science, people are living longer and healthier lives. So many senior citizens are exercising and eating right to maintain an active life. Research shows that playing golf can add years to your life and keep the mind sharp.
I believe there is no other way to enjoy nature then being out on the course. Seeing the animals, hearing the birds chirp, certainly gives a sense of appreciation of life. Most golf courses afford gorgeous views, vibrant color and good old fashioned fresh air. There is no better way to spend a few hours with a group of friends while walking, talking and laughing your way around the course.
Everyone knows what a mental game golf is. One of the best ways to keep the mind sharp is to have one use your mind for the technical side of golf. Golf is the perfect sport for this because you are getting mental stimulation, you are counting strokes and analyzing your next shot.
In your search for the fountain of youth, let golf help you find your way. By getting exercise, stimulating your mind and having social interaction, you can stay younger and live longer.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@hughes.net

Ed's Outlook

We are seeing more and more the promotion of "Golf Packages" throughout various sections of New York State and South Carolina and sometimes get concerned that no efforts are being put forth to sell Sullivan County golf with hotel/motel and dining facilities all pitching in and working together to get golfers to visit and golf in our beautiful golf paradise.
Golfers can go to South Carolina in the spring and fall and find packages that offer golf, cart, two in a room motel accommodations and breakfast and dinner for between $70 and $80 a day.
We have started to see some dinner and golf and lunch and golf packages offered in Sullivan and Delaware counties but there has to be more of an effort to get motel/hotel owners, restaurants and golf courses all working on the same page for a total golf package that will attract golfers to our county courses from May through October.
The golf economy here could stand a booster shot and we believe golf packages would help.

Occupations Pro-Am
Set For June 10

The 2011 Pro-Am Tournament to benefit Occupations, Inc. will be held on Friday June 10 at The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge, a Jack Nicklaus signature course in Monroe, NY.
Occupations Inc., is one of Orange County's largest human services agencies serving nearly 14,000 individuals while improving the quality of life for people with disabilities by providing critical services and employment opportunities.
Golfers play 18-holes with a local professional and have the opportunity to meet PGA Pro Mark Lye and former major league all-star pitcher Rick Rhoden.
Reserve your foursome at 845-692-4454, ext. 101.

Tournament-Golf Events

May 4--Livingston Manor Baseball, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Adam Larsen 1-757-218-6707
May 15--2nd Annual Pars For Parkinson's, Tarry Bray GC, Call 434-2620May 17--Section Nine County Championship[, Swan Lake Golf & Country ClubMay 20--Marine Corp. GL, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
May 20--B.P.W. Chamber, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Susan Hamlin 292-2420May 21--Fallsburg PBA, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
May 23--New Hope Tournament, Grossingers CC, Call New Hope for information.
June 3--Jake Hulse Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Hulse 292-0438
June 3--Monticello PBA, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257June 5--New City FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 11--Jake Gunther Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 11--Jeffersonville Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Doug Immoor 482-5094
June 17--LGA Junior Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
June 17--Riveredge Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 18--Town of Callicoon Republican Party, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bonnie Hubert 482-5390
June 24--Mamakating Lions, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620June 27--Bull Pen Tourney, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 28--Sullivan County Community College Tourney, Grossingers CC, Call the college for information
July 9--Cornell Co-Op, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Sean Welsh 292-2420July 10--TVGC Memorial Tournament & Dinner, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact Chuck Husson 607-498-5557
July16--Single Golfers of Long Island, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Falls Lions-Alan Steingart Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Liberty Booster Club, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Deb Simpson 807-1996
July 22--Scotch Twosome Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
July 23--Liberty Elks, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Harry Fox 482-5331
July 29-- Middletown St. Josephs Church, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
July 30--Monticello FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257July 30--Dave Curreri Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Joe Curreri 252-7358
Aug. 6--Rock Hill Ambulance Corp, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 7--N.A.M.I., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Beatini 754-8752
Aug. 11--Sullivan County Realtors, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug. 12--Wurtsboro St. Josephs/ Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-1257Aug. 13--Monticello Rotary, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 14--St. Georges Church, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Moloney 482-5625
Aug. 20--Ramsey Vol. FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 25--Sullivan Correctional, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257Aug. 26--Mahwah Elks, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug.27--Liberty P.B.A., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Devon Brust 807-3786
Sept. 10--Trevor Simpson Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bob Simpson 439-5034
Sept. 10--Otisville Hunting Club, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 10--Twin Village Gof Club Annual Dinner, Contact Chcuck Husson 607-498-5557
Sept. 18--Bethel Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Frangipane 583-6540
Sept. 18--Rock Hill FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 24--Bloomingburg FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620

This column is written by Ed Townsend, a consultant to the amateur and professional sport of golf and to several golf writers association. If you have a topic that would make good reading or have league standings or tournament information, Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177 or by email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com For a much more expanded version of this golf column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com We also provide coverage on Facebook.

Here & There Column 5-3-11

Compromise Worked This Time

Kudos go out this week to both the Liberty PBA and to Liberty Mayor Richard Winters and the Village Board for what certainly can be considered a compromise which eliminated three proposed layoffs in the police department.
The Village of Liberty was facing severe budget problems (as most municipalities and school districts are) and Mayor Winters had made it very clear that in looking at a large budget deficit there was no way under the current economic conditions in Sullivan County that he was going to pass a proposed 21 percent raise in taxes onto village taxpayers.
Proposed cuts in the police budget had included cuts resulting in eliminating the police department's two detectives as well as a sergeant.
It is never an easy task preparing budgets in today's economy but compromise, consolidation and job losses are the theme of the day in all municipal and school districts this year.
This time at least in the Village of Liberty compromise and concessions from the PBA kept the detectives and sergeant from losing their jobs.
We give a big pat on the back to the Liberty PBA and their concessions which included foregoing the raises due them this year, plus stipends for various extra skill sets, plus a raise in monies provided for uniforms and equipment, incentives given to those using the least amount of sick time and working 12-hour shifts instead of 8-hour shifts.
The concession keeps all present officers employed and gives Liberty Village taxpayers less than a 1 percent tax increase.......a win-win situation for everyone.