By Susan Monteleone
NARROWSBURG — May 10, 2002 – At a recent meeting of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byways Committee, it was announced that September 21 will be the official dedication of Route 97 as a Scenic Byway.
The byway committee has worked on the project for over two years.
The dedication of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway will begin in Port Jervis at 8:45 a.m. and leave there at 9:45 a.m. An introduction will be made by Peter Osborne of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway Committee, Committee Chairmen Alan Sorensen and Ross Decker, and the mayor of Port Jervis.
Other officials are slated to be at the Port Jervis location during the official ribbon cutting, unveiling of the sign for the byway and a musical production by the Broome Street or West Point Band. Frank Schwarz of the Town of Lumberland will be the Honorary Chairman for the event. He is the son of Walter Schwarz, who was the original Route 97 Dedication Chairman.
After the startoff in Port Jervis, stops will be made at other designated locations on the Scenic Byway: the Town of Deerpark (Sparrowbush) will be at 10 a.m. leaving at 10:20, Lumberland at 10:35 and leaving at 10:55, Pond Eddy at 11:15 and leaving at 11:45, Town of Highland in Barryville at 12:05 p.m. and leaving at 12:25, Minisink Ford at 12:40 and leaving at 1, Narrowsburg at 1:15 and leaving at 1:35, Town of Cochecton at 1:55 and leaving at 2:15, Callicoon at 2:35 and leaving at 2:55, Hankins at 3:15 and leaving at 3:35, Long Eddy at 3:55 and leaving at 4:15, Lordville at 4:30 and leaving at 4:50, and the final stop will be in Hancock at 5:10 and leave at 5:30.
Guest speakers and town supervisors will be speaking at each of the designated spots.
Also, after a long discussion and work session, the Upper Delaware Scenic Byways Committee finally agreed on a proposed sign to be posted on the new scenic byway.
The sign will be rounded with yellow borders. In the inner circle, the sign will display the Delaware River side by side with Route 97, and the mountains will be in the background. An eagle may be placed in the sky above.
The sign will also display the words “Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, New York” and will be posted near the Route 97 signs already in place.
Committee Chairman Alan Sorenson noted, "It is important to keep the signage simple, so that the sign logo can be used on the letterhead, envelopes and future mailings."
Sorenson also noted that a grant application would be filed to help in paying for the signs.
Kathy LaBuda, Sullivan County legislator, noted, "The legislature is in full support of this project, and I just want to thank all the townships and their efforts for making this happen and to keep up all the good work that they are doing."