By Matt Youngfrau
CALLICOON — May 6, 2003 – The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented its 12th Annual Pride of Sullivan County Awards Brunch on Sunday at the Clubhouse at the Villa Roma Resort in Callicoon.
More than 350 people came out to honor the 15 township award winners and the 2003 Pride Award recipients.
Top marks went to Businessperson of the Year Steve Dubrovsky, Distinguished Achievement Award winner the SCCC Dormitory Corporation Inc., and Distinguished Service Award winner Evelyn Haas.
“This event gets better every year,” remarked event MC Scott Samuelson.
“The Pride Award winners are the heart and soul of our community,” commented Chamber Board Chair Arden Dean.
Each town is asked to submit a name to receive the township award. Along with the awards, all of the winners received proclamations from the Sullivan County Legislature, United States Congressman Maurice Hinchey, New York State Senator John Bonacic, and New York State Assemblyman Jake Gunther.
Shirley Felder-Morton gave out the first five Pride Awards to Gay Donofrio (Bethel), Tegeler and Pfanstiel Real Estate (Callicoon), Joseph Meyer (Cochecton), Roche’s Garage, Inc. (Delaware), and Colonial Memorial Funeral Home (Fallsburg).
The next five, given out by Patricia Abbott, went to Donald Elliott (Forestburgh), Paul Brustman (Fremont), Kittatinny Canoes (Highland), Italian Delight Restaurant (Liberty), and Michael’s Delaware Valley Grill (Lumberland).
The last five were handed out by Charles Mangini and went to Dali Roosa (Mamakating), Grey’s Woodworks (Neversink), Catskill Morning Farm (Rockland), the Keeping Room Gift Shop (Thompson), and Kenneth Baim (Tusten).
Then came the Distinguished Service Award. This year’s recipient was the SCCC Dormitory Corporation for beginning construction of the dorms adjacent to the college campus in Loch Sheldrake. Dean presented the award to Fred Stabbert III, who accepted it on behalf of the corporation. Stabbert, the publisher of the Sullivan County Democrat, is a member of the college’s board of trustees.
“The dorms are a major achievement,” Dean said. “It will have a positive, lasting effect. The dorms will be on campus. They are partway through construction. They will be open in the fall and will provide a safe, secure environment for the students. It will have a more community feel on campus. It will be a better place to live.”
“We accept this with gratitude and appreciation,” Stabbert stated. “We have taken a giant step forward. This was done with the efforts of a lot of people. It will put the ‘community’ back into ‘community college.’ The Legislature, Senator Bonacic, Assemblyman Gunther, and the Town of Fallsburg have all given us strong support. Our most important resource is the students.”
Chamber President/CEO Jacquie Leventoff handed out the Distinguished Service Award to Evelyn Haas.
“Evelyn Haas has given and given,” Leventoff said. “When I informed her she won, she was surprised and thought she was ‘out of season.’
“There is a difference between living somewhere and having a life somewhere. Evelyn has a life in Sullivan County. She represents vitality and strength.”
After a standing ovation, Haas accepted her award.
“Eleanor Roosevelt said, ‘Don’t complain about the darkness – turn on a light,’” Haas remarked. “I don’t just join organizations on paper. I try to be very active. This county is growing and doing wonderful things. We need to spread the word.”
Lastly, New York State Senator John Bonacic presented Dubrovsky the Businessperson of the Year Award. Before the presentation, a short video was shown on the Chapin Estates, where Dubrovsky and his partner, Howard Shore, through their company Woodstone Development, are building million-dollar homes.
“The ‘Wild Cowboy’ has done wonderful things for Sullivan County,” Bonacic stated. “I deal with many developers. Steve invited me up to his place to check it out. I was wowed. The architecture is spectacular. He has created a place of tranquility. He is doing a lot of good things.”
Dubrovsky also received a standing ovation.
“John Bonacic is the best friend Sullivan County has ever had,” Dubrovsky said. “I came up 20 years ago and drove around for two days. I thought this area would be the perfect backdrop for my homes. I raised my family here.
“We have had a lot of support from the Town [of Bethel] and the Legislature,” Dubrovsky continued. “It has helped with our success.
“This is just a building block,” he continued. “We are all vital to the growth of Sullivan County. We are on the verge of something great. I am proud to be a small part of it.”