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24 THE TOWNE CRIER February 7, 2007

Just one month into 2007, thestruggle around New YorkRegional Interconnection, Inchas resumed. Maurice Hinchey(D-NY) came to Monticello onMonday to unveil legislationthat would effectively kill theNYRI power line proposal. He’sintroducing three pieces ofbipartisan legislation that willmake sure the federal govern-ment doesn’t force the NYRIproject upon New York resi-dents. Hinchey sponsored twoof the bills and is a co-sponsorof the third, which wasauthored by CongressmanFrank Wolf (R-VA), who has asimilar power line proposalpending in his district.Members of Congress John Halland Michael Arcur (both D-NY)are co-sponsoring all three bills.“The opposition by New Yorkresidents to NYRI’s power lineproposal is overwhelming. Noone wants massive towers andpower lines cutting through theUpper Delaware Scenic RiverValley or their backyard,” saysHinchey. “The federal govern-ment should be in the businessof protecting the interests of the

people of New York and theentire country, not just helpingpower companies make hugeprofits.” The Energy Policy Actof 2005, which Hincheyopposed, would allow the fed-eral government to overrulestate power in permitting powerline proposals such as NYRI’s.The Department of Energy isworking towards the designa-tion of National Interest ElectricTransmission Corridors(NIETC). The three bills thatHinchey is helping introducetarget this part of the EnergyPolicy Act, which would alsoallow for the use of federalpowers of eminent domain tomake projects like NYRI possi-ble. The first bill would repealthe section of the Energy PolicyAct that authorizes the U.S.Department of Energy to desig-nate NIETCs and/or grant per-mits for projects in those corri-dors. The second bill is the“Protecting Communities fromPower Line Abuse Act,” whichwould strip the ability of theFederal Energy RegulatoryCommission (FERC) to grantfederal eminent domain author-ity to projects such as the oneproposed by NYRI. Under thatbill, even though FERC couldtheoretically permit the project,NYRI could not use federalpowers of eminent domain. Justlast week, NYRI sued New YorkState over 2006 legislation bythen Governor Pataki thatwould prevent the companyfrom using eminent domain atthe state level. The suit chargesthat Pataki’s legislation discrimi-nates against the company.

Make your Valentine’s Day anhistoric event by attending theBallroom Dance at the CountyMuseum in Hurleyville onSunday afternoon, Feb. 11, from2 to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 forcouples, $8 for singles and $3for students. Not only is this astylish way to celebrate V’s-Day,but it’s part of ongoing monthlydances at the museum.January’s dance was attendedby over 50 people who learnedto rumba from Norton and AgiHyman. Folks also enjoyedrefreshments courtesy of Johnand Sue Mraz. After thisSunday’s dance, there are twomore: March 11 and April 15.Ballroom Dancing is open andrecommended to people of allages and abilities. For moreinformation, call 845-292-4312.

Attention, students: Family andConsumer Science Scholarshipsare available from theCooperative Extension. TheHomemaker Groups of CornellCooperative Extension ofSullivan County are offeringmultiple scholarships of up to$500 each for the 2007-2008school year to students whomeet the following qualifica-tions. The applicant must havemet entrance requirements of anaccredited two-year or four-yearcollege in a family and con-sumer science/human ecology-related field of study or isalready matriculated. (Call for alist of eligible fields). The appli-cant must be a Sullivan Countyresident for at least one year,must show a financial need, andmust be a graduating high

school senior or undergraduatecollege student. Two referencesare required – one from a dean,principal, or guidance directorand one from a teacher. The ref-erences must be sent to theCornell Cooperative ExtensionFamily and Consumer ScienceOffice directly from the authors.Completed application, refer-ences and transcripts must bereceived at the CornellCooperative Extension office nolater than March 9, 2007. CallKrissi at 845-292-5250, extension118, for an application. You canalso stop by the CornellCooperative Extension Office at64 Ferndale-Loomis Road inLiberty (next to BOCES), or seeyour high school guidancecounselor.

Get ready to sing! TheSullivan County CommunityChorus will resume chorusrehearsals Wednesday, Feb. 7at 7 p.m., at the First ChurchPresbyterian on Jones Street,Monticello. Under the directionof conductor David Trombleyand chorus accompanistLucille Horton, the chorus willprepare for their 2007 springconcert. If you missed the firstrehearsal, you will still be ableto join, but because of theintense level of music to beperformed, singers will not beaccepted after March 1. Duesare $20 with a one-time $10music deposit for those new to

the group. For rehearsal sched-ules and tickets to performanc-es, call Mrs. Horton at 845-794-7869.

“We Love Trains” is a winterseries co-sponsored by MorganOutdoors and Cinder TrackBicycles in Livingston Manor.These train-related events arefree and open to the public. Thefirst is a snowshoe/hike on theO&W rail trail in Hurleyville onSaturday, Feb. 10 at 11 a.m.Educators from The CatskillCenter will join the easy two-mile walk to Echo Lake andback which passes the spot ofthe worst train wreck in O&Whistory. Advance registration isrequired. Then, on Tuesday,Feb. 13, Charlie Sanborn pres-ents “Introduction to ModelRailroading,” an exciting look atmodel railroading. Learn thebasics of scale, electrical workand creating scenery. The pres-entation will be held at CinderTrack’s new 36 Main Street loca-tion from 6:30-8 p.m. Keep aneye out for more model build-ing sessions for beginners inMarch and April. Call MorganOutdoors at 845-439-5507 formore information on this series.

TOWNETickerA CC O M P E N D I U MO F RR E C E N T N E W S

WednesdayFebruary 74, 2007

BELLA LEVENTHALproudly holds theflag that she wasgiven in honor ofher husband,Army Air forceSgt. MajorLeonardLeventhal. “It hashis name on itand everything,”Bella said.SHARON SPACE-

BAMBERGER PHOTO

Veterans Return One Widow’s Love

FINEflag

. . . N O . N Y R I . . .

. . . L O V E R L Y . . .

. . . D O I N G S . . .

. . S O N O R O U S . .

“

“Quote

. . . A P P L I E D . . .

‘... From our little towns to the whole world,

let’s take care of each other.’

– Evelyn Raymond, HurleyvilleLetter to the Editor, The Towne Crier, Feb. 7, page 10

This week’sWEATHER

THURSDAY •Cloudy breezyand cold with a high around 18 andlow around 8.

FRIDAY•Mix of clouds and sunwith a high of 23 and lows around 10.

SATURDAY• Clouds mixedwith sun and a few flurries. High around22 and lows around 9.

SUNDAY• Mostly clear and sunnybut again very cold with highs onlyaround 20 and lows 12.

MONDAY• Sun and cloudsmixed. High of 26 and low of 12.

TUESDAY•Clouds and snowagain with a high around 26 and lowof 13.

WEDNESDAY•Mostly sunnywith a high of 22 and low of 14.

By Sharon Space-BambergerThe Towne Crier

LIBERTY – Years ago, eighty-three-year-oldBella Leventhal of Liberty lovingly knitted alarge flag for the Monticello V.F.W. Post #9588in memory of her husband, Army Air ForceSgt. Major Leonard Leventhal. Recently, veter-ans were able to return Bella’s love.

Sgt. Major Leventhal served his country fortwenty-seven years. When he died in 1995,Bella Leventhal did not receive the AmericanFlag that every spouse or next of kin of a vet-eran is entitled to. This Veterans Day, volun-teers from the Mamakating American LegionPost #1266, including Navy veteran Ed Seeley,Marine veteran Randolph LeBeau, andAuxiliary members Claire Dunn, CarolynSeeley and Mary Alice LeBeau, visited theSullivan County Adult Care Center whereBella Leventhal is a resident. When Bella told

LeBeau she had not received a flag at her hus-band’s funeral, the veterans and auxiliarymembers were determined to get her one.

Ed Seeley called Al Etkin, Vice Commanderfor the Department of New York AmericanLegion’s third and fourth district. Etkin advo-cates for veterans and their families, and hesecured a flag through the Veteran’s adminis-tration.

Randolph LeBeau paid for a triangularframe and a brass plaque with Sgt. MajorLeventhal’s name. The group presented theflag to Bella Leventhal on their next visit. Bellawas clearly touched by their gift.

Mrs. Leventhal offered to knit a flag for anypatriotic organization that would buy her theyarn. She is not sure how long it took her to dothe Monticello V.F.W. flag but knows that anyfuture flags would take longer. “I have arthri-tis now and haven’t knitted for years. But Ithink I could do a flag.”

S e r v i n g S u l l i v a n C o u n t y S i n c e 1 9 9 0 • O n t h e w e b : w w w. c r i e r w i r e d . c o m • E - m a i l : i n f o @ c r i e r w i r e d . c o m

FEBRUARY 7, 200775 CENTS

W H A T ’ S H A P P E N I N G – C R I E R C A L E N D A R , P A G E 2 0

BARBARA GREF PHOTO CHRIS RAMIREZ PHOTO

TheTowneCrierEvery WednesdayF R E E S P E E C H T H E WA Y I T WA S M E A N T T O B EVolume 17, Issue 6

Iraq-based sailor is buried in Liberty.PAGES 12 - 13

Why a NorthBranch couple isin L.A. this weekwith high hopes

for an artist theyboosted throughtheir company,

GO Records.– PAGE 5

BLUESY, soulful James Hunter is up for a Grammy award, largely due to the efforts of a North Branch couple. CHRIS RAMIREZ PHOTO

RenaissanceRedux

Touched by War’s Toll

The 2007season ishatched. – PAGE 6

Grammy to Go?Grammyto Go?

February 7, 2007 THE TOWNE CRIER 5

When North Branch residents Kimberly Guiseand Steven Erdman traveled to big cities in2006 and walked into a Starbucks coffee bar,you might have seen a tear in their eyes – and

it’s not because they were dropping $5.50 each for a cup offlavored coffee.

It’s because prominently displayed on the counter – aswell as in the bins of record retailers on both sides of theAtlantic – were copies of People Gonna Talk, the Grammy-nominated album by singer/songwriter/guitarist JamesHunter, who was “put on the map” by GO Records, theircompany which was formed for the purpose of recordingHunter’s original material and bringing his music to awide audience.

In an era when computer-generated pop music and“smooth jazz” rule the music charts, People Gonna Talkshowcases Hunter’s soulful voice and band arrangementswhich feature tight saxophone harmonies. Listeners willhear 1960s R&B grooves and perhaps the influences of SamCooke in Hunter’s vocals.

The story that will take Guise and Erdman to LosAngeles on Feb. 11, where they will walk the red carpetwith Hunter and take their seats in the audience of the 49th

annual Grammy Awards,is a story that embodiesyears of exhausting work,huge financial risk, aneducation in the toughand competitive musicbusiness, and – most ofall – a strong belief in theartistry of James Hunter.

People Gonna Talk isnominated for a Grammyin the category of BestTraditional Blues Album.The other nominees inthat category this yearinclude Ike Turner,Dion, Tab Benoit andDuke Robillard.

The Grammy votingprocess begins withRecording Academymembers and recordcompanies submit-ting entries, whichare then screenedfor eligibility andcategory place-ment. TheR e c o r d i n gAcademy’s vot-ing members,all involved inthe creativeand techni-cal process-es ofrecording,then par-ticipate in

(1) the nominating processthat determines the fivefinalists in each category;and (2) the final votingprocess which determinesthe Grammy winners. Tobe a Grammy winner ornominee can mean a boostin sales and popularity forthe recording artist.

While the offices ofrecord companies whichproduce Grammy-winningrecordings are expected tobe found in major officebuildings in New York andLos Angeles, motorists whodrive past Guise andErdman’s farmhouse inNorth Branch would never know that it houses their ownhomespun version of “the starmaking machinery behindthe popular song,” as Joni Mitchell once phrased it.

Steven Erdman, a visual artist who also goes by thename of “Lard Dog,” first heard Hunter play 20 years agoon a London street corner and quickly befriended him.Hunter had worked as a railroad laborer who played theguitar in his spare time and eventually formed a three-piece band, intending to become a working musician,starting in the clubs. The two stayed in touch over the fol-lowing years, during which time Hunter recorded twoalbums and found himself touring with Van Morrison.

“James was the guy in London who was meant tobecome the next big thing,” says Erdman of his friend,“and it didn’t happen for him. I watched him get involvedin a series of small record things here and there that justdid not convey who he was, and it wasn’t the right quality.He had been beaten down by the industry and by playingthe barroom circuit in Europe. And so, his whole thing justkind of dwindled. But I knew that the guy had all the tal-ent in the world.”

In March 2003, Erdman brought Hunter’s five-pieceband over from London to play at a private party. At thetime, Erdman’s wife, Kimberly Guise, was the vice presi-dent of Business Development for a software developmentcompany. The two of them were so moved by Hunter’sperformance that they made one of their most life-chang-ing decisions as a couple: They decided to put theircareers on hold and throw themselves into a risky businessof which they knew nothing, backing an artist who hadvirtually no exposure in the United States. Along with oneof Kimberly’s former business associates who lives inFlorida, the couple organized GO Records, and then saidto each other, “Now what do we do?”

And it was in November of 2003 that the couple toyedwith another life-changing decision: They thought it mightbe time for them to leave Manhattan and move to the coun-try. They would start by renting a house, and a listing of

“Houses for Rent” on Craig’s List led them to an appoint-ment in North Branch. They had never even heard of thetiny town of North Branch, and with Guise navigating amap in the passenger seat, they made the trip and rentedthe house right on the spot. After the initial six-monthlease, they bought the house and gave up their Manhattanapartment. Now living in a country house on two floors,they had more room to set up their budding entertainmententerprise.

The “offices” of GO Records consist of a room down-stairs where Erdman handles creative jobs such as graphicdesign for printed material and merchandise, editing pro-motional sound clips and talking to the people who main-tain the James Hunter Web site. There is, as well, a con-verted upstairs bedroom which Guise uses as the businessoffice from which she first acted as the James Hunter tour’spublicity department, travel agent and tour manager,arranging all bookings, hotels, transportation and millionsof details along the way. Although they are under one roof,the working couple keep in touch through the day bysending each other Instant Messages so that they can workefficiently in their respective offices. “Between the Internetand cell phone and speakerphone at home, you can have abusiness and work up here very effectively,” says Erdman.

“We can strategize over the phone and have meetingsthat way. Last year, every waking moment was dedicatedto the cause in some way. We worked endlessly from themoment we got up until the time we went to sleep whenwe were on the road, or when we were home we’d work onpublicity and connecting with radio stations and settingup interviews.”

2006 was a big year for James Hunter, who played 133shows from March through November in Canada, the U.S.and in Europe. For the U.S. portion of the tour, theentourage of nine people drove up to Maine and downthrough Nashville, Austin, Phoenix and up the west coast,including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland

They’reGoing on theRecordNorth Branch couple’sGO Records is up for aGrammy with JamesHunter hit

Story by Van K. MorrowThe Towne Crier

Motorists who drivepast Guise andErdman’s farmhousein North Branchwould never knowthat it houses theirown homespun version of “starmak-ing machinery.”

See GO RECORDS, page 18

NORTH BRANCH residents StevenErdman and Kimberly Guise at

home after traveling around thecountry with musician James

Hunter and his band. Their gutfeeling about Hunter’s music and

talent led them to make some life-changing decisions.

VAN K. MORROW PHOTO

CHRIS RAMIREZ PHOTO

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20 THE TOWNE CRIER February 7, 2007

Wednesday Feb. 7, 5-7 p.mPPAASSTTAA EEXXTTRRAAVVAAGGAANNZZAAHosted by the Town of Thompson RepublicanCommittee, tickets are $25 and can be purchasedat the door. Donations are welcome. Albella’s, 50Jefferson Street, Monticello.

Wednesday Feb. 7, 7 p.mWWOORRKKSSHHOOPPHosted by the Fallsburg Library, everyone 12 yearsold and up are invited to the workshop “De-clut-ter/De-stress” presented by lifestyle coach DeniseLewis. Fallsburg Library, Railroad Plaza. 436-6067.

Thursday Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m.MMEEEETTIINNGGThe Delaware River Basin Commission will holdthe first of four public meetings on flood mitiga-tion. An informational display will open at 6 p.m.Senator Charles D. Cook County Office Building,Board of Supervisors Room, 111 Main Street,Delhi. 609-883-9500, ext. 205.

Thursday Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m.SSAALLOONN SSEESSSSIIOONNDylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood is read by UpperDelaware Writers Collective. $5. NACL Theatre,110 Highland Lake Road, Highland Lake. 557-0694. www.nacl.org.

Friday Feb. 9, 10 a.m.-noonTTRRAAIINNIINNGG PPRROOGGRRAAMMSullivan County Cornell Cooperative Extensionstarted a six-session training of Family BudgetEducator Volunteers today. This fourth session isentitled “Record Keeping, Setting a SpendingPlan.” Cornell Cooperative Extension, 64Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty. 877-292-5250.

Friday Feb. 9, 7 p.m.FFIILLMM SSCCRREEEENNIINNGGStrip Search, a searing drama about interroga-tions, is sponsored by Sullivan Sullivan Peaceand Justice. Free. No one under 18 will beadmitted due to graphic nature of the film. TheLiberty Theatre, 109 North Main Street, Liberty.794-2766.

Saturday Feb. 10, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.IICCEE FFIISSHHIINNGG CCOONNTTEESSTTThe Hurleyville Fire Department and the Town ofFallsburg Youth Commission host their ice fishingcontest. Register on the day. Adults, $5; 12 andunder are free. Morningside Lake, Brickman Road,Hurleyville. 436-5418 or jampond@hvc.rr.com.

Saturday Feb. 10, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.CCPPRR CCLLAASSSSAmerican Red Cross course in CPRadult/child/infant. The Liberty Ambulance Corp,178 Mill Street, Liberty. 294-9785 or www.nyred-cross.org.

Saturday Feb. 10, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.NNOONNVVIIOOLLEENNTT CCOOMMMMUUNNIICCAATTIIOONN WWOORRKKSSHHOOPPThere will be a NVC workshop with FrancesDelahanty. Fee: $30. Recommended reading:Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg.Seniors Center, Liberty. Contact 292-2279.

Saturday Feb. 10, 10 a.m.-noonFFIINNAANNCCIIAALL AAIIDD DDAAYYSullivan County Community College financial aidstaff will assist students to apply for financial aid.SCCC, Paul Grossinger Dining Room. 434-5750,ext. 4319 or www.suny.edu/studentevents.

Saturday Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m.DDIISSCCUUSSSSIIOONNThe Rockland Area Interfaith Council series of dis-cussions are based on the book Abraham by BruceFeiler. This session will take place at CongregationAgudas Achim, Livingston Manor. 439-4458 or607-498-4267.

Saturday Feb. 10, 11 a.m.SSNNOOWWSSHHOOEE OONN TTHHEE ““OOLLDD && WWEEAARRYY””Stroll along the Hurleyville section of the oldOntario & Western Railroad for two miles withJessica Olenych, Ben Murdock and Lisa Lyons and

then double-back. Snowshoe rentals are availableat Morgan Outdoors. Call 596-2611 to register.

Saturday Feb. 10, 1 p.m.VVAALLEENNTTIINNEE’’SS DDAAYY FFUUNNA Valentine’s Day program of songs, crafts andstories for pre-k and elementary school children.Registration is a must. Liberty Public Library, 189Main Street, Liberty. 292-6070.

Saturday Feb. 10, 3-6 p.m.VVAALLEENNTTIINNEE’’SS DDAAYY FFEETTEECatskill Artists Gallery invites art lovers of all agesto a St. Valentine’s party. New works will be ondisplay. 38 South Main Street, Liberty. 292-0310.

Saturday Feb. 10, 6 p.m.DDIINNNNEERR AANNDD DDAANNCCEEThe Livingston Manor Fire Department 2008Committee will hold their annual Heart-to-HeartDinner Dance. Donation $30 per person. KingsCatering, Livingston Manor. 439-5500 for tickets.

Saturday Feb. 10, 7 p.m.PPAARRTTYYThe Art Party, a super special event and silent auc-tion with live music and performances to benefitWJFF Radio and NACL Theatre. $10. Cash bar bydonation. 110 Highland Lake Road, Highland Lake.845-482-4141 or 845-557-0694. www.wjffra-dio.org. or www.nacl.org.

Saturday Feb. 10, 9-12 p.m.DDAANNCCEEValentine’s Day Dance is hosted by the CallicoonBusiness Association. Music by Annie Hat & TheVantwistics. $10. Reservation required. RSVP byFeb. 9. Western Hotel, Callicoon. 887-5224.

Sunday Feb. 11, 7 a.m.-noonPPAANNCCAAKKEE BBRREEAAKKFFAASSTTYoungsville Fire Department’s winter breakfast withpancakes, eggs, sausages, orange juice, coffeeand tea. Adults, $6; children 5-12, $3; under 5free. Youngsville Firehouse.

Sunday Feb. 11, 7 a.m.-noonPPAANNCCAAKKEE BBRREEAAKKFFAASSTTRock Hill Fire Department’s pancake breakfast.Adults, $6 and children $4. Rock Hill Firehouse.

Sunday Feb. 11, 2 p.m.LLIITTEERRAARRYY SSEERRIIEESS“Writers Among Us,” a series of readings by areaand regional writers and sponsored by DelawareValley Arts Alliance. Priscilla Orr reads from herpoetry book Jugglers and Tides. $3. Delaware ArtsCenter, Gloria Krause Recital hall, 37 Main Street,2nd floor, Narrowsburg. 252-7576.

Monday Feb. 12, 1 p.m.MMOOVVIIEEThe Producers will be screened at LumberlandCineplex Monday at the Movies, Senior Center,Proctor Road, Glen Spey. 856-8600.

Tuesday Feb. 13, 7 p.m.FFIILLMM SSCCRREEEENNIINNGGAl Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth about climatechange is sponsored by WaynePeace. WesternSullivan Public Library, Narrowsburg. 570-698-6173.

Tuesday Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m.SSHHOORRTT SSTTOORRYY DDIISSCCUUSSSSIIOONNBoys and Girls, a story by Alice Munro, will be dis-cussed. E. B. Crawford Public Library. 393Broadway, Monticello. 794-4660.

Tuesday Feb. 14, 2-4 p.m.OORRCCHHIIDD WWOORRKKSSHHOOPPOrchid specialist Ken Pletter shows how easyorchids are to work with in “Orchids –The EasyExotic.” $7-$10. Cornell Cooperative Extension,64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty. 292-6180.

Thursday Feb. 16-Friday Feb. 18WWIINNTTEERRFFEESSTTRoscoe will celebrate Winterfest with fun for fami-lies, ice sculptures, crafts, birds of prey demon-strations, dinner and dance. 607-498-5918.

Saturday Feb. 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2-6 p.mCCHHIILLDD CCAARREE FFIIRRSSTT AAIIDDAmerican Red Cross course in child care first aid.The Liberty Ambulance Corp, 178 Mill Street,Liberty. 294-9785 or www.nyredcross.org.

Sunday Feb. 18IICCEE FFIISSHHIINNGG CCOONNTTEESSTTThe Sullivan County Conservation Club will holdtheir King of the Ice fishing contest at White Lake.For information, call 794-2576 or 845-583-7423.

Monday Feb. 19, 1 p.m.MMOOVVIIEEGirl Interrupted will be screened at LumberlandCineplex Monday at the Movies, Senior Center,Proctor Road, Glen Spey. 856-8600.

Tuesday Feb. 20, 7 p.m.BBOOOOKK DDIISSCCUUSSSSIIOONNThe Roscoe Free Library book discussion groupwill discuss Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Citiesat Buffalo Zachs, Stewart Avenue, Roscoe. 607-498-4471 for questions.

Notices

CCHHOORRUUSS RREEHHEEAARRSSAALLSSSullivan County Community Chorus rehearsals willrecommence on Feb. 7 and will continue everyWednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First ChurchPresbyterian, Monticello. 794-7869.

CCHHIILLDDRREENN’’SS LLIIBBRRAARRYY PPRROOGGRRAAMMSSFor information on Western Sullivan PublicLibrary’s children’s programs, call your branch.Jeffersonville, 482-4350, Narrowsburg, 252-3360,Delaware Free branch, 887-4040. This month:

10:30-11:30 a.m. Open Time for Tots; Feb. 7,21, 28 at Jeffersonville branch and Feb. 8, 22 atDelaware Free branch

Teen Advisory Group; Feb. 20 at Jeffersonvillebranch.

CCHHIILLDDRREENN’’SS AARRTT CCLLAASSSSEESSOld Stone House children’s art classes schedule:Feb. 10, noon, Valentine’s Day cards and hearts;Feb. 12, 4-6 p.m., Acting class; Feb. 15, 4-5:30p.m., Making and drawing dragons; Feb. 20, TBA;Feb. 26, 2-4 p.m., Writing workshop. $10 to covercost of materials. Old Stone House, 282Hasbrouck Road (at the corner of Benton HollowRoad), Woodbourne. 436-7720.

PPOOSSTTEERR CCOONNTTEESSTTThe recovery Center and Sullivan County CaresCoalition are sponsoring their annual Alcohol andDrug Abuse Poster Contest. This contest is open toyoung people, grades 1 through 12, through theirschools, churches and other organizations. Foradditional information, 794-8080, ext. 117.

AAMMEERRIICCAANN RREEDD CCRROOSSSS BBLLOOOODD DDRRIIVVEESSThis month’s blood drives are on Feb. 14, 11 a.m.to 4 p.m., 2nd Floor Boardroom, Catskill RegionalMedical Center, and Feb. 19, 1 to 6 p.m., LibertyMasonic Lodge, 20 Eagle Drive, Liberty. Call 436-4416 or 1-800-432-8045 for an appointment.

PPLLAAYY BBAALLLL SSPPRRIINNGG 22000077Mail-in registration deadline is Feb. 9 for theSullivan County Cal Ripken Baseball and SoftballLeague. www.gowsl.org to download registrationforms or call 468-0172 for more information.

FFRREENNCCHH CCLLUUBBDennis Racine aims to inspire local residents torevive their French skills and love of the languagein a relaxed and supportive setting. FallsburgLibrary, 12 Railroad Avenue, South Fallsburg. Call436-6067 by Feb. 10 to sign up.

CCAANNCCEERR SSUUPPPPOORRTT GGRROOUUPPLed by a team of CRMC oncology nurses. Meetsevery third Thursday at 6 p.m. in the OncologyLounge, 2nd Floor, Ambulatory Services Building,Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris. 794-3300, ext. 2831.

PPRROOJJEECCTT CCOONNTTEESSTTState Senator John Bonacic invites students,grades 1-8, to enter the I*M*A*GREEN*NATIONcontest. Winning projects that explore environmen-tal issues and their solutions receive awards inAlbany on May 15. For registration forms, call theSenator’s office on 518-455-3181.

CCAATTSSKKIILLLL NNOORRDDIICC SSKKII CCLLUUBBInformal guided cross-country ski trips on SullivanCounty’s beautiful trails. Call the leader the nightbefore to confirm the scheduled trip. For overallinformation, e-mail ekalter@hvc.rr.com or call794-7552.

Feb. 10, 1:30 p.m.: Summitville Trails. PatGersten, 794-1039.

CCRRMMCC HHEEAALLTTHH MMOOBBIILLEEServices include mammography, clinical breastexam, pneumonia and tetanus vaccines, and more.From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 794-3300, ext. 2929for updates.

Feb. 7, Eldred Town Hall; Feb. 8, MonticelloRite-Aid; Feb. 10, African American Health Fair,SCCC (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Feb. 13, Livingston Manor Sunoco; Feb. 14,Wurtsboro Super G.

SSCCHHOOLLAARRSSHHIIPPThe New York Press Association Foundation issponsoring a First Amendment essay contest for11th and 12th grade students in New York State.$10,000 college scholarship goes to the winner.Competitors are asked to interpret the FirstAmendment in their essays and discuss the role itplays in American life. Full contest details areavailable on What’s New pages at the NYPA web-site www.nynewspapers.com. Deadline Feb.15.

WWIINNTTEERR DDAANNCCEE LLEESSSSOONNBallroom dance on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 11,from 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for couples, $8for singles and $3 for students. County Museum,Hurleyville. 292-4312 for more information.

Note: All area codes are 845 unless otherwise noted. Toadd an item to this page, e-mail it toinfo@crierwired.com or send it to On the TowneCalendar, PO Box 321, Livingston Manor, NY 12758.Items should be sent two weeks in advance and areincluded free of charge as space permits.

Legibility in Paintings

F E B R U A R Y 1 7

PROVIDED PHOTO

ON THE TOWNEA C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S

February 7 - February 20, 2007

NARROWSBURG – An exhibition ofnew paintings by Edward Evans called“Spirit of the Letters” opens at theAlliance Gallery on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Evans uses acrylics and an airbrush forhis fine creations. “Thirty-five years ofpractice have made me pretty good withan airbrush,” says the artist, who grew upon the banks of the Mississippi River inSt. Cloud, Minn., and treasured rusticobjects for his inspiration.

The paintings in “Spirit of the Letters”imbed Chinese language characters intoimaginary folds and wrinkles. “Lately, Ihave been using Chinese for my visualpoetry,” Evans explains. “I do not wantthem to be easily read. When I used towrite in English, I purposely blurredsome letters, ran sentences together,crossed out areas and eliminated punctua-tion and capitalization in order to pre-serve mystery and have viewers experi-ence a mood rather than only read.”

Sponsored by Delaware Valley ArtsAlliance, the artist’s reception is Feb. 17from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Alliance Gallery,Delaware Arts Center, 37 Main Street,Narrowsburg. The exhibition will be onview through March 9. Gallery hours areTuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to4 p.m. For more information, call 252-7576or go to ArtsAllianceSite.org.

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and Seattle. Along the way, James Hunteropened for Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin,Etta James, Buddy Guy, Boz Scaggs, LosLonely Boys and Susan Tedeschi.

And in the midst of all the touring andpromotion, one day Erdman and Guisemight be shopping at Peck’s inJeffersonville, and the following weekendthey’d be somewhere like the RymanAuditorium in Nashville, escorting Jamesto the Americana Music AssociationAwards Show. While there, James per-formed and then rubbed shoulders withElvis Costello and Roseanne Cash.

Booking the tour in the beginning wasdifficult, and with so much of their ownmoney on the line and with musicians forGO Records to support while touring,Guise and Erdman weren’t always surethey’d be able to continue their efforts.They knew they had recorded a qualityrecord, and they truly believed in theirartist.

Guise was finding that a lot of clubs onlywanted to deal with an established book-ing agent who has the relationships. “It’sall the chicken-and-egg thing with howyou get management, and how you get arecord label deal and how you get a book-ing agent,” she says. “We made the record.We did the photography. We built the Website. And we thought, ‘Okay, we’re goingto go around now to these record labelsand present it to them, and they’re going tobe so happy because here’s this perfect lit-tle gift.’ We thought someone was going topay us a ton of money and go sell it.

“And the reality was that James hadsome big strikes against him because hedidn’t have any touring background in thestates. He had absolutely no following.And he was 41 years old at that time,which is pretty much the kiss of death inthe music business for taking on what’smeant to be a ‘new’ artist.”

But Guise persisted. Small club by smallclub, radio interview by radio interview,

they were going to see things about themusic business in a way that few othersdo, with none of the glitz and glamourseen when a more established artist putsout a new recording and supports it with atour.

Guise wondered, How could this recordnot ever see the light of day? “I know it’squality. I know that people, if they heard it,would want to buy it. So it’s the question ofsomebody giving us the chance to put itout there.” She called some bigger recordlabels and offered to help them reduce therisk. “I just said, ‘Please get it out there.We’ll put up the money.’”

Companies like Blue Note andColumbia were intrigued. Guise met withsenior-level people. Her phone calls wereactually returned with enthusiasm andinterest, an accomplishment in itself.

The record executives all loved therecord – but didn’t know how they wouldmarket it. It wasn’t a pop album; it wasn’ta blues album; different retailers mightclassify it differently.

It was a definite hurdle, but the gamewas far from over.

GO Records allocated money for public-ity and hired Shore Fire Media, the samemusic PR firm representing Norah Jones,Elvis Costello and Allison Krause. Theirrepresentative told them after one listen toPeople Gonna Talk that he would send itaround with nothing except a note thatsays, “Just listen to it.” No story. No angle.No pitch. It was a testament to the qualityof the recording and how unique it was inthe landscape of everything else.

“I still think to this day the biggest sell-ing point is the music ... which is what itshould be!” says Guise.” You shouldn’thave to concoct anything.”

Fortunately, by April 2006, there wasmore of a buzz about James Hunter, andsome momentum was beginning. MichelleNorris interviewed James Hunter onNational Public Radio’s All ThingsConsidered, bringing his music to a hugeaudience which was more impressed withhis performances than his manufacturedimage. That radio interview led to book-ings on The Late Show with Conan O’Brienand The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Hunterplayed on Mountain Stage, a live perform-ance that is recorded and syndicated on200 stations around the country.

It was no longer that people were hope-fully gonna talk – they were starting to talkabout James Hunter. A complimentaryreview appeared in The New York Times ofMarch 4, 2006, highlighting a show thatHunter did at the Nutshell in LakeHuntington as a fundraiser for WJFF.

The Monterey International bookingagency came on board, and at that pointthe gigs were more frequent, in bigger ven-

ues – and started to pay better money. Theband now travels in a regular tour buswith creature comforts rather than bydividing up into two smaller vehicles.

Erdman, with an appreciation for popculture, has enjoyed standing backstagewhile James Hunter played at the GrandOld Opry on the same stage where Elvisand Johnny Cash once performed. “Iremember thinking, ‘I’m so not in NewYork right now. I’m so clearly in this his-toric place. I should just soak all this up.’”

To get People Gonna Talk into retail stores,GO Records has partnered with RounderRecords in a distribution deal, andRounder distributes the album throughUniversal Music. By agreement, Rounderprovides all the same services to JamesHunter that they provide to artists on theirown roster. “They have a radio depart-ment, their own marketing departmentand all of those things,” Guise explains,“so they put the resources of their entirecompany behind James as well.”

The Grammy nomination of PeopleGonna Talk feels very validating to Guiseand Erdman. They recall all the commentsfrom people who looked at them like theywere insane for going into the music busi-ness without any background – and mov-ing to North Branch, no less.

“And now whenyou see them twoyears later and yousay, ‘Our record gotnominated for aGrammy, people arejust amazed,” saysErdman. “For exam-ple, my mom doesn’tknow a lot aboutmusic, and when Imentioned that wewere nominated fora Grammy, she final-ly made the connec-tion with what I hadbeen doing for thelast few years. Andshe was impressed.”

Guise and Erdmansay that even ifJames Hunter does-n’t win a Grammy,he’ll forever be aGrammy nominee,

and they’ll ride on that momentum for awhile.

According to Erdman, “I’m really proudof what James has done with this record,”he says. “Knowing this guy for so long,when I play the record, I still listen to itand I think, ‘Wow, James, you’ve reallynailed it.’ It’s been just great seeing himblossom as a musician. His musicianshiphas never been better; all this touring hasmade him so sharp. So, it’s just a reward-ing thing to see it all come together. I’mvery, very proud of what we’ve done, andthis nomination thing is kind of funny tome – it just showed up.”

“We worked really, really hard, butthere’s definitely luck involved,” addsGuise. “You don’t really know how peopleare going to respond to a musician, andsome people gave us lucky breaks alongthe way.

“And the record went into Starbucks.There’s that thing that almost didn’t see thelight of day, and there it is ... in Starbucks.”

For more information on James Hunter, go towww.jameshuntermusic.com

From page 5GO Records

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JAMES HUNTER performed locally last year at the Nutshell in Lake Huntington in afundraising show for WJFF. CHRIS RAMIREZ PHOTO

They recallall the peoplewho lookedat them likethey wereinsane forgoing intothe musicbusinesswithout anybackground –and movingto NorthBranch, no less.