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Liberty - September 15

Fran Kurpil - Columnist
Posted 9/15/20

September 15 - Autumn has arrived and our trees are starting to turn color. Can driving our country roads be more beautiful? I wish the speed limit would be lowered at this time of year. “You think …

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Liberty - September 15

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September 15 - Autumn has arrived and our trees are starting to turn color. Can driving our country roads be more beautiful? I wish the speed limit would be lowered at this time of year. “You think I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one”.

Faith: Two friends, Sam Sanders and Clyde Washington remarked on the present world situation and said, “we have to get back to the Lord”. This is so true and our local churches are doing their best in spite of virus issues. Father Bader, at St.Peters has a special out-reach with a Spanish Mass on Sunday and the Lutheran and Light-House ministries, in addition to services also help with meals.

Friends: A call from Lisa Cronk in Canada brightened my day recently. We laughed when I told her my crossword puzzle referred to Canadian money as loonies. My column also brought a call from a high-school friend, Patty Bennett Marshalek who said she enjoyed reading it, and wanted me to say “hello” to her friend, Joe Heilman, a really great guy. He and Sharon Mungeer often do a morning health-hike. Good idea. And, our local Democrat paper even gets to Florida. My friend, Joel Ross, sent a note saying he was enjoying reading it and would be flying back soon.

My Mistake: I was corrected regarding the pay that Trustees receive. They get $5,973 but no benefits or health insurance. Many years ago (at least 30) the Mayor and Trustees were given health insurance, but no longer said Joan Stoddard.

Beautiful Flowers: One of our summer joys. I chatted with Kathy Fries from Renaissance. “What is the secret?” She said Miracle-Grow. Then as I passed 93 Dwyer and a lady was tending her gardens and window boxes, so I also got her secret...Miracle-Grow. She even added that she goes to Agway for Miracle-Grow soil. Ok, there's my unpaid advertisement. Maybe next year I can get some flowers on my morning-glory vines. I hope vines would not be so attractive to my deer friends. Gardening is now interesting to that busy guy, Larry Stieger. When the virus affected his Massage routine, he prettied up his back yard with some beautiful flower gardens. Way to go. Maybe a nice place for Carol to sit and read.

VIP Crossfit: The owner of VIP Crossfit has left his downtown location but new growth is on the horizon. VIP's location on Main Street is quickly getting filled by the International Grocery next door and VIP's owner is providing personal training “house calls” over the next few months as he prepares a new space for his gym. I'm thinking he might consider the Liberty Mall, easy parking and less competition. Maybe he already has a site?

Tenants Impacted By Covid: John Liddle from S.C Dept. of Family Services said they are working with the Village Govt. to help residents at risk of losing their housing. Recently some landlords used a loophole in State law to try to evict tenants with unpaid utility bills. Important information for everyone out there, don't just stop paying your bills because you've hit hard times. In order to be protected by the moratorium on evictions and utility shut-offs, you must tell your landlord that you have been personally impacted by COVID. If you are a Business Owner: the Sullivan County Chamber Of Commerce remains hard at work, supporting local businesses and promoting economic recovery. Chamber President, Jaime Schmeiser said, “we facilitate access to capital; measure economic impact and launch new initiatives to help small businesses.” If you need help or questions addressed, you may contact the Chamber at: president@catskills.com or call (845) 791-4200x4.

Liberty Networking Group: This group with the aim..”Revitalizing Liberty” had met with great enthusiasm just before covid. Now this information-sharing group which Renaissance supports, will be meeting at Walnut Mountain by the Pavilion on Wednesday, September 23rd. from 2 pm to 3:30 pm. I'm hoping there will be a good turn-out so we can get started on the original plans.

Sullivan County Land Bank: This great group is looking at obtaining properties to turn around, to help fight blight in the core of the village in the upcoming County Auction. It has taken them a few years to get off the ground, but there is now steady progress in identifying homes that can be repaired and sold to new homeowners ready to take on a fixer-upper, and tearing down eyesores that can't be repaired.

Sullivan County Welcomes You: I'm loving the expanded outreach that I notice, one being a big, beautiful billboard just off Route 17 near exit 116. This is sponsored by the Sullivan County Realtors, my old friends. It says “Contact an Expert Sullivan County Realtor...because we don't just work here..we live here.” I also feel that the new Visitors' Center now at their new location in The Liberty Mall is a great positive. I stopped the other day to look in the windows. It is so inviting and the beautiful dove had just been placed by the entrance. In spite of all the health issues, Liberty is moving forward.

Our sad 9/11 Memorial day was greatly brightened today with a visit from our latest great-grandson, adorable, smiling Hans Gieger, son of Matt and Eliza. Blessings counted while remembering that terrible day.

My thanks to all the well-wishers and let me know if you have any inside stories.

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