Jester Opens Big On First College Game

  Former Tri-Valley Central School 2013 MVP Rodney Taylor Jester had a successful start in his collegiate  career playing in his first college game for TC3 (Thompkins Cortland Community College) at Dryden, NY this past Sunday. Jester playing short stop had no errors and went 2 for 3 at the plate scoring TC3's first run against Finger Lake Community College out of Canandaigua, NY.

  Also in photos is grandms Shirl with Taylor and granddaughter Kaie trying to keep warm

Here & There Column 9-10-13

A Bristling Experience

  Up close and personal is what I like to do and while traveling on Interstate 81 in Tennessee recently I  knew I wanted to view the 4th largest sports venue in America and the 8th largest in the world........none other then the Bristol Motor Speedway.

  Of course Shirl immediately came forth with "there is no racing going on now and we won't be able to get anywhere near it."

  I was intent on driving right on in and walking right out on the famous highly banked track.

  No one stopped us at the gate and after viewing the Bristol Drag Racing track we proceeded down towards what they now refer to as "The Last Great Colosseum."

  An employee in one of the massive parking lots was more than happy to direct us to where we could get into the Speedway. 

  Drove right up to the truck entrance and walked in and seemingly had the entire Colosseum to ourselves.

  Wow.......breath taking........ now it isn't like we have never been to any other NASCAR track as we have seen in person several races at Daytona......but Bristol is just so different......the half-mile short track venue and despite its short length Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features including extraordinary steep banking, an all concrete surface, two pit roads, stadium-like seating and one of the loudest tracks.

  I told Shirl we could have our pick from the 165,000 seats as I walked out on the highly banked track and somewhere deep inside me I hear this track calling me back to witness an actual race.

  Interesting enough just several miles down the road we found the Sullivan County Court House......now isn't that a coincidence?

                                                  

IDENTIFICATION OF ABOVE PHOTOS

Ed Townsend is standing on solemn NASCAR racing ground which is part of the actual track at Bristol Speedway and who ever would have known that several miles down the road from the track was the Sullivan County Court House.

         

BOCES Teachers Wearing Black

BOCES TEACHERS UNION WEARING BLACK    

                                         

  Members of the Sullivan County BOCES Teachers Association wore black shirts to work Wednesday morning as a sign of unity in acknowledgement of  their collective bargaining agreement entering their third year without a successor agreement.

  Bruce Abbott, president of the Sullivan County BOCES Teachers Association noted that members will wear the black shirts every Friday until an agreement is finalized.

  Abbott and members of the teachers association gathered in front of the main BOCES entrance at 8 a.m. 

  The union president noted, "that the gathering was to show unity and collaborative effort of the 120 members and we wanted to let them know that we haven't forgotten that we still need a collective bargaining agreement and we felt today was the day to start."

  Abbott acknowledged that the present bargaining agreement expired November 2012 "and its been two years without an agreement."

  "The last time we have had negotiations was February of 2013 and we reached an impasse and we're going through mediation and the mediator only gave us one date in February and we haven't met since, Abbot said.

  The union president pointed out "that the district has proposed one date this month and we're looking for them to confirm the date and hopefully it will be more frequent as we move on."

  As to what the BOCES teachers unit is looking for in a new contract Abbott said, "we're looking to maintain the position that we've held within the county, which is the middle district, we work with populations that have intense needs  and diversities and we looking for recognition in that as we move forward."

  "We're not looking for anything that is out of line with other county contracts," he added.

  As to salary and medical benefit request Abbott pointed out, "we have asked for the county average and we are not looking to take the district or the county into uncharted territory.......I believe county raises have been approved at about one and a half percent."

  "We are all cognoscente of the economic times that started in 2009 but yet we are aware that things have gotten more difficult to live with as well within the confines of our salary restraints and benefits," Abbott added.  

  Continuing the discussion about the economic times everyone is faced with the union president pointed out the BOCES teachers have stepped forward "with the establishment of the Back Pack Operation to  help send food home with students over weekends and we are very aware of what goes on in this county because we are such a large demographic of it and are not just isolated to one town as we service all eight school districts and some districts in Orange County and elsewhere."

  Asked if he believes a new contract can be reached this year Abbott said, "I always claim to be the optimist in the room and I would hope so because the knowledge that is available to all of us should allow us to rationally sit and communicate to one another.

  BOCES District Supt. Larry Thomas could not be reached for comment. 

                                                   

Members of the Sullivan County BOCES Teachers Association wearing their black "We Matter" tee shirts at the beginning of school work sessions Wednesday morning.

                                                    

                                       

  

Golf Camp At Swan Lake

THE FUTURE OF GOLF  

                                   

  Swan Lake Golf & Country Club head professional Bob Menges at the conclusion of his Junior Golf Camp last week noted that "growing the game of golf," is an important part of what golf camps do for young golfers.  

  When asked what professional enjoyment he feels when teaching these youth the basics of the golf game Menges said, "to me golf has consisted of a lot of different things but teaching has always been my favorite part," and "with these junior camps when I see kids get done and I see them come back to play at the course with their parents or grandparents to me that's the most rewarding thing."

  Speaking about what success  these types of golf camps can bring Menges talked about David Powers, a freshman at Eldred Central School who last year as an eighth-grader made the state team and this year won the Orange County League championship.

  Powers,  who is presently employed at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club as a cart attendant started coming to the Junior Camp at the age of five and attended through the age of 10 when he started talking private lessons from Menges.

  Bob pointed out that this camp has been going on for some 18 years and successful young golfers that have advanced to high school teams and further, in addition to Powers,  have included Justin Armstrong, Drew Billard and Josh Goldstein.

  In his wrap-up comments to campers Menges pointed "that golf facilities will always welcome you if you understand the rules and etiquette of the game and always behave yourself on the golf course and act appropriately."

  Bob stressed to the camp golfers "most importantly you must keep up the pace of play and getting ready to hit when its your turn."

  The camp also teaches the skill the youth golfers will need to play the game. "Everyday of the week  we do stations in which we rotate them between three different shots, putting chipping, pitching and then the full swing with video analysis where we analyze it and have them hit balls to improve their swing," Menges said. 

  The Swan Lake Golf & Country Club professional and assistants Phil Fanning, Kevin Clifford, Ricky Ellison and Pat Donavan during the afternoon session of the camp take the young golfers out on the course for "on course instruction and we make sure they stick to the basics of the skills including putting, chipping and pitching and at the end of camp we end with those types of contests," Menges said. 

  Asked what the best things he and his coaches like to see coming out of these types of camps, Menges said, "the best thing we like to see is when we open up the paper in the spring and we see some of these kids playing for their high school teams....to us that is the best and we can see that they took the game from their junior level and advanced so they they could play on high school teams now."

  This years camp was held August 5-9 but the 9th was cancelled due to heavy rain and last day was completed on August 14.

  In the Junior Camp skills challenge Melanie Merton, 6, Monticello Central, won the Flight A putting and chipping contests, Quinton Herzog, 10, Liberty Central, won the Flight B putting contest, Taylor Roseo, 12, Roscoe Central won the Flight C. putting contest, Cannon Woods, 14, Sullivan West won the Flight B chipping contest and Madison Ackerley, 12, Roscoe Central, won the Flight C chipping contest. 

  Mason Smith, 5, Liberty Central,  was awarded the Most Improved Camper award and Montana Schmidt, 11, Sullivan West was awarded the Outstanding Camper award. 

                                         

               

Identification of  photos:

Swan Lake Golf & Country Club Junior Camp awards presented August 14 include, from the left front row, Melanie Merton, 6, Monticello Central Flight A putting and chipping champion, Quinton Herzog, 10, Liberty Central, Flight B putting champion, Taylor Roseo, 12, Roscoe Central, Flight C putting champion, Cannon Woods, 14, Sullivan West, Flight B chipping champion, Madison Ackerley, 12, Roscoe Central Flight C chipping champion and Mason Smith, 5, Liberty Central, the Most Improved Camper and Montana Schmidt the Outstanding Camper. Coaches in the back row, l to r include Phil Fanning, Bob Menges and Kevin Clifford.                                                     

Ben Ackerley, 9, Roscoe Central, gets the ball up in the air for a nice chip shot onto the 18th green during the last afternoon of Junior Golf Camp play. Watching are Coach Bob Menges and Quinton Herzog, 9 from the Liberty Central School district. 

                                                   

     

  

Golfing Highlights Column 9-6-13

Her First Major Golf Experience

  Twenty-nine year-old former Kenoza Lake resident Jen Bernhardt does not play the game of golf but loves to watch it and her first major attendance at a major tournament came recently at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester. 

  We met Jen a number of years ago when her mother, Amy Bernhardt was one of the directors of the Sullivan County Pageant. A 2002 graduate from Jeffersonville-Youngsville Central School Jen went on to graduate in 2006 from the State University of Oswego with a major in elementary education. 

  She now works for the Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company in Syracuse and lives in East Syracuse. 

  Single, but in a relationship with boyfriend  Scott Corfield, Jen has never done any journalistic writing but admits she is an avid photographer and is always taking pictures.

  Upon learning that Jen and Scott had attended the PGA Championship I asked Jen to write what her experience was like.

  She explained that the weather forecast was perfect and "that it was a day I have been waiting for since a year ago.....a day I would be going to my first major golf tournament."

  While make the hour and a half trip to Rochester Jen said, "excitement filled the air and as we got close to our destination my heart beat with anticipation as to what will it be like....who will I see."

  After reaching the parking lot and waiting for the next shuttle they were soon getting their tickets scanned and "were free to roam and explore this unknown territory known as Oak Hill," Miss Bernhardt noted.

  A photographer took a souvenir picture of Scott and Jan as they passed a huge merchandise building containing hats, shirts, paintings and much more......they purchased items and headed for the course.

  "The first golfer I spotted was Graeme McDowell who was practicing his putting as the crowd yelled 'good luck Graeme' and 'go get em'  and we watched several golfers on the driving range and I tried to put myself in their shoes knowing they had a long, pressure filled day ahead of them," Jen said. 

  Jen noted sighting the television booth and that "I felt myself starting to shake with eagerness and delight but the first thing on my agenda was to find Phil Mickelson and upon learning he was on the 8th hole we arrived at the 10th hole  to see him make his way down the 10th fairway."

  "I couldn't believe I was really there seeing my favorite golfer and witnessing it live at the PGA Championship......that glimpse of who I consider to be the very best in the sport of golf," she added. 

  Scott and Jen again had the opportunity to see Mickelson at the 13th hole which features Allen's Creek running right through the middle of the fairway.

  Other golfers Jen noted seeing were Brandt Snedeker, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day, and Sergio Garcia.

  Lunch for two turned out to be more than they expected noting the costs were very high.

  Following lunch it was back to golf and at the 13th hole Jen pointed out that "it was a spectacular site with the clubhouse on top of the hill which made for a perfect backdrop and on the steep hill spectators had placed their chairs and blankets to catch the perfect shot from up above."

  The 13th hole produced a long par putt for Ian Poulter.

  Wanting to get another glimpse of Mickelson they rushed to the 18th green and heard the roar of the crowd as he made his final putt. "He had a rough day but he was still smiling.....such an inspiration and one of the many reasons I consider him to be the best," Jen said. 

  On the 18th green Scott and Jen witnessed what was probably the best shot of the day......she described the action...."Rory Mcllory was in trouble, his shot off the 18th teen hadn't made it into the fairway but instead was in the rough just shy of a few trees up ahead....as he got ready the crowd drew silent as the amazing shot landed in the fringe off the back of the green.....then came his chip shot which he holed for a birdie."

  Several other enjoyable events that day included sitting and watching play on a par 3 (15th) hole which appeared to be "a nice relaxing hole yet it offered so much danger to those who wanted to go right for the flag," Jen pointed out. 

  Upon leaving the tournament her final comments included statements like "seeing Phil up close, Rory's great chip shot, amazing golf shots, great weather, beautiful course, awesome memories that had been made, can wait to to to another tournament, memories to last a lifetime, an experience I will never forget and my first major golf tournament will always hold a special place in my heart."

                                                                

Identification of pictures:

Jen Bernhardt and Scott Corfield and Jen's photo of Phil Mickelson, left, walking down the fairway in front of Jen and Scott. 

 Ed's Outlook

  Great to see someone who does not play golf enjoy golf tournaments and follow the game as closely as former Sullivan County (Kenoza Lake) resident Jen Bernhardt just did. 

  Her enthusiasm for the game and her great interest in various professional PGA players hopefully may someday lead her to become an active golfer.

  Hope our readers enjoy her take on the recent  PGA Tournament in Rochester. Nice job Jen. 

  Summer golf leagues have ended or are in their final stages but there is plenty of fall golf left on our beautiful Tri-County area golf courses......the only time golf stops is when it gets too cold or snow and ice take control. 

  Call your local golf course for fall rates. 

 The Golf Tip

 By Robert Menges

  The Mental Approach.

  The mental game for golf is important.

  Make a  commitment to improve and do not make excuses.

  Before you make an attempt to improve your game, be sure you are ready to commit to the time and work required. Otherwise, you may set yourself up for failure or give in to convenient excuses.

  For example, make sure that  you have the necessary time and resources available.....that other duties and distractions are take care of, and that you aren't depending on anyone else (a teaching pro, mental coach, playing companion) who can't be counted on to follow through with their part in your plan for improvement.

  The commitment and the planning must be such that if you don't succeed, you have not one to blame but yourself. 

  Indeed, it would be better to wait until you are absolutely ready than to make a half-hearted commitment to the challenge before you.

  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

 The Putting Tip

 By Joe Bermel

  Finish The Putting Stroke.

  Think smoothe, just as if you are painting a brush stroke steady and smooths on the follow thru, to about 23 inches past the ball and hold the finish.

  Now you can let your eyes turn towards the ball and watch it go in the hole.

  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons,  group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His two special edition DVD's "How To Putt Well" are available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com 

                                            

Here & There Column 9-3-13

The Art Of Glassblowing

  Had the opportunity recently to just sit and watch an artist perform the beautiful technique known as glassbowling.

  Looks and certainty is more than mind blowing to me.

  Ray Keller of Keller Glass Blowing of Reeders, Pa. had a booth on the midway at the recently completed Wayne County Fair where he displayed his amazing talent in molding glass into many various and beautifully decorated displays.

  The Keller family all work together in this business with Ray's wife Roberta hand painting with glass stain and their son, Dylan following in his father and grandfather's footsteps making him the third generation glass artist. 

  Glassblowing or the practice of blowing glass may seem hip and modern if you've recently hit up or saw an exhibition by the Keller family, but the technique of glassblowing has actually been around since antiquity.

  Although not as old as simpler methods like bead making or cutting and carving shapes from larger pieces of glass, glassblowing has been very popular since the time of the Roman Empire.

  First century B. C. Syrians are most likely credited with the discovery that glass could be blown from the end of a hollow tube into different shapes or molds.

  Glassblowers today say that glassblowing techniques have evolved little since then while new technologies have introduced more modern equipment but that the fundamentals of glassblowing remain the same.

  Ray Keller's glass creations are handmade out of Pyrex glass. 

  Family tradition is important and it's good to know that glass artist Dylan will take this popular family business into the next century.

                                                      

Photo Identification

Glassblowing artist Ray Keller of Keller Glass Blowing of Reeders, Pa. performing at the Wayne County Fair. Some of his beautiful work is on the table below the flame.

                                                    

  

Golfing Highlights Column 8-30-13

Hot Temperatures Equal Night Golf

  Many local golfers have had the opportunity  at one time or another to play night golf tournaments using the "Glow In The Dark" lighted golf balls but recently I took the night golf approach to another level by viewing the Panama City Beach Florida Holiday Golf Club nine-hole Par 3 lighted golf course. 

  The 90 degree plus daytime temperatures during early July do not encourage golf during daylight hours so why not see what a fully lighted golf course has to offer. 

  The Director of Golf at the Holiday Golf Club facilities is Jim Carlisle who has worked at the club for over 16 years. Jim was very helpful in providing me with information about the par 3 course. 

  Jim, a Class A PGA Professional,  certainly makes you feel comfortable and his knowledge of golf is easily visible. 

  Carlisle is very proud of both the Par 3 lighted course (which is Bay County's only lighted 9-hole par 3 course) and the 18-hole championship course which he says is great for every level of golfer. 

  The par 3 nine-hole course plays to a par 27 and will certainly help golfers master their short game and  most nine-hole courses can be played in about 60 minutes.

  This cute 1,003 yard course provides an 85-yard hole 1, a 58-yard hole 2, a 145-yard hole 3, a 138-yard hole 4, a 108-yard hole 5, a 100-yard hole 6, a 132 yard hole 7, a 102 yard hole 8 and a 135-yard hole 9. 

  A course that will test your short irons and putting. 

  The closest par 3 lighted course in New York State that we are aware of is in Greene County and offers holes ranging from 60 to 162 yards.

                                           Ed's Outlook 

  Discussing the game of golf with a local professional the other day and he brought up an interesting topic.

  One of his regular golfers (who wishes to remain anonymous) while playing in a league decided to cut the corner on a dogleg left and tried to play a draw shot but the ball struck a tree.

  Usually it is a 50/50 on if the ball will bounce into the fairway or stay on the ground under the tree.

  In this case is was neither.....it appeared the ball stuck in the tree.

  OK golfers......do you know the game?

  Here are this golfers obtions.

  1. Play the ball as it lies. Climb the tree, take a club, identify that it his ball and take a swing at it.

  2. Declare a lost ball. If the golfer can't shake the ball lose to identify it as his ball he must declare a lost ball. Penalty is stroke and distance.

  3. If the golfer can verify the ball in the tree is his ball he could declare the ball unplayable and take a one stroke penalty.

  4. Verifying that the ball is his the golfer can declare the ball unplayable, take a one stroke penalty and play his next ball as nearly as possible to the spot from which the original ball was last played. 

  5. Identifying that the ball is his he could declare the ball unplayable, take a one stroke penalty, drop the ball behind the point directly under where the ball was in the tree....keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.....with no limit on how far behind that point  the ball may be dropped. 

  What the correct golf procedure here? Amateur golfers only can respond.

  Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, by email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's pictures at http://bght.blogspot.com  We are also on Facebook. 

                                             The Golf Tip

                                          By Robert Menges

 

  The mental game is important. Make a commitment to improve, and do not make excuses.

  Before you make an attempt to improve your game, be sure you are ready to commit to the time and work required........otherwise, you may set yourself up for failure or give in to convenient excuses.

  For example, make sure that you have the necessary time and resources available.....that other duties and distractions are taken care of and that you aren't depending on anyone else (a teaching pro, mental coach, playing companion) who can't be counted on to follow though with their part in your plan for improvement.

  The commitment and the planning must be such that if you don't succeed, you have no one to blame but yourself. 

  Indeed, it would be better to wait until you are absolutely ready than to make a half-hearted commitment to the challenge before you.

  Robert Menges is the head Golf Professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club on 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 email at menges@hughes.net 

                                           The Putting Tip

                                          By Joe Bermel

  Speed Of The Putt

  When putting you "feel the speed" with your eyes, your mind and your hands.

  It is imperative that you look at the distance between the ball and the hole at least 6 times.

  A signal is sent to your mind, your mind send a signal to the muscles in the fingers of your right hand as to the acceleration for the distance you want the ball to travel.

  It's three words to get the speed right......look, look, look at the distance.

  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. He has two special edition DVD's titled "How To Putt Well" and they are available by calling 631-589-1384, at his Web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com