Livingston Manor

Livingston Manor’s Trout Parade was  voted The Best Parade by The River Reporter Readers in the newspaper’s annual write-in vote contest.

The Best of Contest is now in its 16^th year and now involves more than 2000 ballots from all over Wayne, Pike, Sullivan and Orange Counties.

A special “Best Of …” supplement to the newspaper will feature the Trout Parade’s win and all the other category winners and will be on newsstands in late January.

The Trout Parade, now a Livingston Manor tradition, was launched in 2004 and features zany costumes, colorful puppets, raucous music and many supporting events — all with trout-related themes.

The Catskill Art Society produces the Trout Parade in partnership with the Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce, and with support from businesses and individuals from around the community. Proceeds from the event benefit a variety of cultural programs for children in Livingston Manor as well as Catskill Art Society.

For more information and details on how to become a sponsor or to participate in the upcoming 2012 Trout Parade, contact Catskill Art Society at 845-436-4227; or go to www.troutparade.com.

Kathryn Tufano, Executive Director of the Catskill Art Society, is stepping down after four and a half years of service.   Under her leadership, the organization moved into its new home on Main Street in Livingston Manor, exponentially expanded its multi-arts programs, created ongoing community partnerships with local businesses and arts organizations, purchased the CAS Arts Center Building in October of last year, and launched its 40^th Anniversary Campaign which CAS celebrates from December 2011 – December 2012.  Ms. Tufano stated, “The last four plus years have been hugely challenging and rewarding.  I will miss this vibrant community and many thanks to everyone who supports this amazing organization.”  Kathryn has accepted a Development Manager position at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) in North Adams where she will begin work at the end of January 2012.  She previously worked as a Development Director at many arts non-profits in New York City including Exit Art before coming to CAS in August of 2007.

The Board of CAS has appointed Ann Manby as the incoming Executive Director, effective January 21. Ms. Manby, a resident of Roscoe, has served as a Director on the CAS Board since March 2009. Since joining the Board, she has been actively involved on numerous committees to raise awareness for CAS through marketing and community partnerships, event planning, the building acquisition and most recently to help develop and launch CAS’s 40^th Anniversary Capital Campaign. Ms. Manby was also instrumental in arranging for CAS to produce the community’s annual Trout Parade in partnership with the Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce.  “While I am sorry to see Kathryn go, I am delighted to assume this role during the organization’s 40^th Anniversary year and look forward to working with the Board and members of the community to plan and ensure CAS’s future,” said Manby. Ms. Manby’s background includes more than 15 years of marketing and public relations experience and several senior management and entrepreneurial roles, most recently as the owner of many small businesses. Since relocating to Sullivan County in June 2008, she has worked remotely to provide marketing and public relations services to small businesses, many locally based, and in March 2011 launched Sugar Blossom Flowers, a year-round provider of fresh flowers that also offers a Summer Flower Share program featuring locally grown flowers from multiple growers.

CAS will reopen Saturday, January 21 with a new exhibit, Middle Ground, featuring the work of artists Kathe Blackbird Frantz and Matthew Zappala. Please join us for an Artist Talk at 1pm and an Opening Reception from 2-4pm that day. The exhibition will run through February 26.