Faces & Places

1. The fall Business Card Exchange of the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Commonwealth Advisors, was held Oct. 26 in the offices of John J. Lease Re- altors, New Paltz. Pictured at the event (from left) are: Sandra Schuyler, Classic Storage; Venus Mosher, Arbonne International; John J. Lease, John J. Lease Realtors; and Chris Drouin, Beyond Wealth Management. Bruce Korabel (inset) of Lease Realtors is gleeful after winning the 50/50 drawing.

2. The Newburgh Family YMCA’s new thrift shop, Y Off Broadway, at 292 Ann St.,
Newburgh, opened with an official ribbon cutting, Nov. 5. Celebrating the opening
(from left) are: Newburgh Mayor Nick Valentine; volunteers, board and community
members Cathy Huggins, Marlene Stang, Joyce McNair and Ida Mauriello; Dr. John
D’Ambrosio, president and chief executive officer, Orange County Chamber of Com-
merce; and Franco Fidanza of Planet Wings Enterprises, who renovated the old Harvey
Tires building, which now has become the home of the thrift shop. From left (inset) are:
shop volunteers Harriet O’Dell and Judith Johnston.

3. Allan Atzrott, president and chief executive officer of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital and Joyce Minard, president of the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce, share
a light moment at the chamber’s November business luncheon held at the Ship Lantern
Inn, Milton. The event, sponsored by MVP Health Care, featured Atzrott as guest speaker. He addressed the economic issues, which hospital administrators and health-care consumers must face today.

4. The proceeds from the Friends Network 10th Anniversary Harvest Ball, Nov. 3, held at Sinapi’s Ceola Manor, Jefferson Valley, help the organization continue its efforts to
provide social and recreational opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. The honorees included Entergy Corp., Peekskill Rotary, Carmel Department of Recreation & Parks and Michael Condreras of Brewster, who received the Friend of the Year award. From left are Friends Network co-directors Linda Kiss-Gruetzner and Maureen Henke.

5. The new MRI suite at Northern Dutchess Hospital (NDH), Rhinebeck, was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Nov. 12. The MRI suite, an approximately $1.8 million investment, is the newest unit in the Hudson Valley. Pictured at the opening (from left) are: Lewis Ruge, NDH and NDH Foundation board member; Linda Mulvihill, director of diagnostic services; Trudy Koser, NDH auxiliary president; Dr. John Sabia, NDH medical staff director; Denise George, hospital president and chief executive officer; Gregory Rakow, NDH and NDH Foundation board member; and Evan Meltzer, NDH board member.

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Hurrah for independent living

More than 150 supporters and guests celebrated Independent Living of Newburgh’s 20th anniversary at Anthony’s Pier Nine in New Windsor, Nov.15. They came to honor David Jolly, commissioner of Orange County Social Services; Tricia Haggerty-Wenz, founder, Safe Harbor of the Hudson, Newburgh; Donna Ponessa, who despite her multiple sclerosis, is active in her community and a member of Independent Living’s staff; and the family of Mike Levine, former editor of the Times Herald Record, Middletown, who died in 2006. Independent Living has helped more than 10,000 persons and their families in 2007 alone. Here are some of the celebrants.

1-Doug Hovey, executive director of Independent Living since its inception, welcomes honoree Donna Ponessa, whose battle with multiple sclerosis hasn’t dampened her spirit for helping the disabled through her work at Independent Living.

2-Alan Atzrott, president and chief executive officer of St. Luke’s-Cornwall Hospitals, with volunteer Kara Dorsey, who not only serves as Independent Living’s chair of the board but donates her time Cornwall Hospital. She is pictured with Birch, a golden Lab who has been her service dog and companion for nine years.

3-From left: Debby Bennett, vice president of programs and services; Torri Ebersole, director of development; and Jessica Lewis, information systems manager, all from the Multiple Sclerosis Society in White Plains.

4- The strolling quartet “After Hours Singers” of Poughkeepsie, who entertained guests during the cocktail hour (from left) are: Cary Kruzansky, Lisa McVey, Angela Dourdis and Karen Cashin.

5- Attorneys Mary Jo Whateley (left) and Sarah Maida, both of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Newburgh.

6-From left: Yvette Winfrey of Cornerstone Residence, Newburgh, who works in the Newburgh office in the maintenance department; Sheri Stalter, advocacy services manager for Independent Living; and Independent Living client, Everylyne Mbelesia, New Windsor.

7-Erin Crowley-Gorton (left), director of communication, Crystal Run Village, Middletown and Michele McKeon, executive director, Safe Harbor of the Hudson, Newburgh.

8-Matthew Migliaccio of Phillipsport (left), Independent Living board member and Willie Roberts CPA, of Rock Tavern.

9-From left: Lizzy Hall, mental health advocate for Independent Living and friends and artists Erica Hauser and Faith Adams, who also lend their talents to the Chthonic Clash Coffee Cafe in Beacon.

10. From left: Becky Potter CPA and comptroller for Independence Living; Bill Potter, senior accountant, Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Weddell CPAs, Newburgh; Jennifer Clum, director of human resources, Independent Living; and Steven Clum, member of Local 669 Steamfitters Union.

11-From left: retired U.S. Army Sgt. Donald Plunkett, who now works out of Castle Point Veterans Affairs Hospital organizing National Veterans’ Wheelchair Games with Leonard and Havilan King, Community Playthings, Bruderhoff Maple Ridge Community, Ulster Park.

12-Kirsten Rolon (left), music instructor, Cornwall Central School District, joins June Henley, director of tenant services and special events for Safe Harbor of the Hudson, Newburgh.

13-Damaris Ruiz, Medicaid service coordinator for Independent Living with Jonathan Miller, president of Automated Construction Enhanced Solutions Inc., Wallkill.

 

 

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