Business notebook: Tourism guide, winners and street painting

Warwick - The Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce has distributed more than 40,000 copies of the 16th annual Warwick Valley Tourism Guide and Calendar of Events 2007-2008. The comprehensive guide includes an extensive listing of events occurring in the Warwick Valley during 2007-08. Major highlights include A Taste of Warwick, The Countryside Garden Tour, Applefest and The Warwick Valley Farmers’ Market. A user-friendly map also combines town-wide details to help navigate the area. “Out-of-town visitors have come to rely on our handy 16-page guide source as much as area residents do to help find answers to some of the most common questions asked,” said Marketing Director Janine Dethmers of Corporate Impressions, the publisher. “The Tourism Guide answers what to do, where to go, and where to dine, shop and stay.” Linda Glohs, executive director of the Chamber, said tourism is one of the most revenue-producing industries in Orange County and a powerful economic force in the area. Former Governor George Pataki, she reported, named the Warwick Valley a “Quality Community.” “Promoting Warwick’s rich history, countryside, and vital downtown districts is crucial to area businesses,” said Glohs. “This year-round coverage in the Tourism Guide ensures Warwick’s importance to the region.” For the third consecutive year, local photographer John DeSanto captured the visitor’s eye with his photography for this year’s brochure. For the cover, he choose the Applefest theme with an interesting photograph of his neighbor’s daughter Lauren Desrats, 8. “The eye-catching images band the area together to grace the front cover with an exciting punch of color and a keen sense of contrast,” said Dethmers. The 2007-2008 Tourism Guide is distributed free at locations throughout the Hudson Valley, including the Thruway Information Center near Harriman, West Point and Woodbury Common, as well as in Sussex and Bergen counties in New Jersey. Dethmers managed this year’s project for the Chamber from her Warwick office. She holds a BA degree in Communications from Lynchburg College and brings with her expertise from a corporate background in product marketing, public relations, sales promotion, and high-end events planning. DeSanto is an award-winning photojournalist who has worked internationally and apprenticed under LIFE Magazine photographer Bernard Hoffman. His work has been distributed worldwide by the Associated Press and United Press International. DeSanto has photographed a broad spectrum of American life images that have also been featured in fine art galleries. The photographer lives in Warwick with his wife, Johanna, and their two daughters. Tourism Guides are available to the public at more than 90 local businesses, including banks, restaurants, lodging establishments, retail merchants, town and village halls, or at the Chamber’s headquarters at the South St. Caboose. Grand opening On Saturday, April 28, well-known Warwick photographer Diane Pell held a “Grand Opening” of her new studio at 62 Main St. on the second floor above The Toy Chest. Pell served wine and cheese and displayed her large prints in black and white and also color that were mostly of children and babies. Her works are also currently on display at the Kennedy Birthing Center in St. Anthony Community Hospital. Pell, a longtime Warwick resident, has been a professional photographer for 18 years. Anyone interested in more about her photography can call 986-1268 or visit www.dianepell.com Winners During the annual celebration of Springfest on April 28, Patty Flynn, owner of La Petite Cuisine, announced the winners of a drawing held during the recent celebration of the restaurant’s fifth anniversary. Warwick resident Peggy Cosimano won the special basket arranged by the restaurant. And $25 gift certificates were awarded to Max Carson, 14, and New Jersey resident Jeremey Siegel. Street painting An exciting Artist Street Painting event is being held in Sugar Loaf Craft Village on Saturday, May 19. A portion of the main street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. while participating artists create artworks on 10-foot by 10-foot sections of the roadway. Businesses and individuals sponsor each artist square for Sugar Loaf’s Community Vision Project. More than $1,200 in cash prizes have been donated and will be awarded for the best works. Hani, the well-known NYC street painting artist, will also participate in the event. A rain date is set for Sunday, May 20. New online e-mail WVT Communications (Warwick Valley Telephone) recently launched a new e-mail system designed to provide new and user friendly e-mail features. Customers report that Warwick Online (WOL) now processes e-mail at a faster rate and with more reliable delivery. New features include vacation auto-response; calendar and address book; and anti-Spam and virus settings. WOL Webmail also allows customers to check and send e-mail from anywhere they can access the Internet. Anniversary party B. Page and Co., Railroad Ave., will usher in its first year anniversary this weekend with a two-day celebration, beginning this Friday, May 11. Guests will be treated to champagne and strawberries, along with special birthday treats and sales promotions. Owner Brooke Martis-Sarmiento has brought in new lines that she is sure her customers will love. “Trina Turk is one line that I am very excited to have,” she said. “Trina does wonderful prints and great silhouettes that are very appealing for summer.” Brooke also has an exclusive line of candles from DayNa Decker, which will premier in the store for the anniversary celebration scheduled for Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Important reminder for this Sunday Happy Mother’s Day!