Two Hurleyville businesses, the Hurleyville General Store and Fortress Bikes, have teamed up with the Fallsburg Library to start Books, Bikes and Brews.

Each time a student finishes a book from the Fallsburg Library this summer, Interim Director Amanda Letohic will present them with a voucher for a free ride at Fortress Bikes. The student will also receive a $3 gift card for the adult who drove them to and from the library, that they can use to get a coffee or refreshing beverage from the Hurleyville General Store.

A similar program has been established at the Liberty Library, called Books and Bikes, where each student who finishes a book this summer would get a free ride voucher from Fortress Bikes.

The concept for both initiatives came from Hope Blecher, an educator of over 30 years who recently moved to Parksville. Blecher, who has fostered many connections since becoming a Sullivan County resident, connected Fortress Bikes’ Owner Hal Simon with the local libraries and Hurleyville General Store Owner Denise Lombardi.

She said the Books, Bikes and Brews is a representation of local people collaborating.

“The impetus is really to have physical exercise of the bikes, mental exercise of the books and pausing for our mindful well-being with the beverage/brew,” explained Blecher.

Letohic said the partnership is great because it will encourage more kids to read over the summer, which is their goal.

“I love that we involve our whole little Fallsburg community in it [Books, Bikes and Brews],” she said.

Simon has already offered to continue the program into the winter months, in which case he’d offer a free snowshoe rental when kids complete a book.

Of the initiative, Simon said, “It’s about being a good corporate citizen and encouraging students to read and exercise, using mind and muscle.”

Lombardi said she was intrigued when Blecher approached her with the idea, adding that it sparked memories of her childhood summers spent at the library picking out books and reading them in her backyard, which she says brought her such joy.

“I hope to motivate children in this community to develop their own great memories, having fabulous escapes into imaginary worlds, learning about new topics, spending time in beautiful Hurleyville and strengthening their literacy skills, all while having fun,” said Lombardi. “I'm thrilled to partner with the Fallsburg Library and it has been such a pleasure working with everyone in this community to bring Hope's fabulous idea to fruition.”