LIBERTY — The ground might be frozen solid, but Sullivan Renaissance is looking forward to warmer days. The beautification group that helped spearhead community gardens across Sullivan County held its Winter Symposium at the Cablevision building in Liberty last Wednesday, bringing together local organizations and officials with an eye toward what's ahead in the new year.

Attendants listened to a panel discussion on how to advance community projects before breaking up into workshops focused on volunteerism, fundraising and horticulture.

The author Clarissa Pinkola Estés once wrote, “Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.” The same sentiment is shared deeply by the staff and volunteers of Sullivan County Renaissance, according to Executive Director Denise Frangipane.

“Looking back over 19 years, we were founded on the mission to enhance the appearance of Sullivan County while building a sense of pride and community spirit,” said Frangipane. “The results are remarkable, visible and very tangible. Sullivan Renaissance is a grant making organization. We provide resources, but were it not for all of you, the volunteers that are the visionaries of your community, there would be no renaissance in the way that we know it.”

Since its founding, Sullivan Renaissance has moved beyond flowers. Although flowers and beautification gardens will always remain the core of who they are, they've set their sights on other initiatives such as farm-to-school programs, expanding access to trails and parks, and assisting in code enforcement to create a sense of place and purpose for residents.

Frangipane said that in 2019, Sullivan Renaissance will launch its work into neighborhoods and partner with the Sullivan County Visitors Association to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock.

Sullivan Renaissance also recently launched its new website. “We have a new fresh look that we're very proud of,” said Frangipane.

A panel discussion was moderated by Nancy Proyect, president of the Orange County Citizens Foundation and a Sullivan Renaissance Judge. Panelists talked about the best practices, tips and strategies for a successful Renaissance project.

The esteemed Panel included Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek, Town of Thompson Deputy Administrator Patrice Chester, Linda Hazen, lead volunteer for Town of Lumberland Parks and Recreation projects, and Jayne Hyman, a former Sullivan Renaissance Intern and Horticulture Crew Member.

Proyect started out by asking the audience of over 100 people what some of their favorite places in Sullivan County were. Lake Superior, Walnut Mountain and the Beaverkill were some of the responses.

“They're places where you get along with people, where you see people and get to talk about things,” Proyect said.

According to the nonprofit group Project for Public Spaces, these places are essential to building stronger communities. From an economic, environmental and health perspective, public spaces help raise standards across the board.

“Everyone wins when you do a Sullivan Renaissance project,” Proyect said. “You're envisioning a change in your community and you're creating hope. Just think how some small hamlets started with a garden project that eventually led to community-wide government supported projects and programs.”

Potosek pointed to the county's Planning Department as a resource for towns, municipalities or local chambers of commerce who are looking to secure funding for projects through state or federal grant opportunities.

Potosek also cited the county's annual litter pluck where they partner with towns and villages to clean up our streets as a way to build pride in ones own community.

“It really shows that where you live is important, and making yourself proud of where you live is important,” Potosek said. “Some of these hamlets are now, because of Renaissance and other projects are attracting sustainable development.”

Patrice Chester noted how involvement from local government gives momentum to community projects.

Linda Hazen said it's all about getting and maintaining a strong volunteer group. “The best piece of advice that I can give you is to be willing to change your vision of how volunteerism works.”

Hazen pointed to the men and women in Lumberland who showed up with saws, excavators and logging trucks to build Circle Park. “It was a phenomenal outpouring, but the concern was ‘would this last?'”.

Hazen said they recognized how their volunteer needs were evolving in the Town of Lumberland by recruiting skilled laborers, but also community organizers from within their school district.

Jayne Hyman said that from the perspective of a young volunteer, what she enjoyed the most was the opportunity of getting outside and getting your hands in the dirt. “That satisfying feeling of driving by on a weekend when I wasn't working and seeing that project and saying ‘I helped do that.”