String lights twinkled and lit up the outside of the Roscoe Rockland House that led to the main entrance of the dining room. Stepping inside, people were beginning to gather inside the event space, a room just to the left of the main room, for the EMT dinner that is held each year.

“We start in thirty minutes, so head to the bar and grab a drink,” Livingston Manor Volunteer Ambulance Corp (LMVAC) President Peter Feinberg was heard saying. “Anything you'd like, and then come back here when you're ready.”

As everyone mingled, chatted, laughed and eventually took their seats, Feinberg was at the front of the room getting ready.

“Thank you everyone so much for coming tonight. We couldn't hold this dinner last year because of the pandemic, but I'm sure glad we could pull this together this year," stated Feinberg. “I'd like to start off with honoring three former members who are gaining honorary member status: Becky Sherwood, Scott Hollenbeck, and Cindy Bressler. Could you come forward?”

As the three left their seats and joined Feinberg at the front of the room, he handed them each a certificate and a coin. “I'd like to thank all of you for your time and devotion.”

Top Responders Ralph Bressler, Joel Sherwood, Alex Rau and Rich Essio were then called out and asked to walk to the front of the room to join Feinberg who thanked them for their “unselfish dedication for going above and beyond.”

Another person Feinberg honored was Stan Martin, the former President of the Roscoe Community Nursing home.

“Through his efforts we received a check of $50,000. We have spent some of it but not all of it," Feinberg said turning to Martin and chuckling. “The Plaque reads: Stan Martin, President of the Roscoe Community Nursing Home, your generous donation to the LMVAC is greatly appreciated.”

In delivering a few remarks, Martin explained, “I'm here as the face of this but this was a board decision. There are several board members of the Roscoe Nursing Home that voted to do this. Those board members decided that this was a very worthwhile thing to do and we're happy that we could help out the ambulance corps of Livingston Manor and Roscoe.”

Traditionally the LMVAC invites neighboring ambulance corps and others to the EMT dinner who they all work closely with in mutual aid.

Dr. Trevor McKinley, who has been at Garnet Health in Sullivan County for about a year and a half and Sullivan County Coroner Albee Bockman were among those who were invited and received a certificate and coin for their service to the community.

“Like Ralph said before, I don't know how many more years I can do it, but I'm gonna do this until I can't do it anymore,” ended Feinberg. “I know you're all hungry, so let's eat!"