On my own at 18, I worked my way through college. Working 24 year straight, I became sick, now I'm disabled. Starting with Lyme disease, then Cauna Euguina Syndrome, then an immune deficiency.

The biggest reward in my life was raising my (still) little girl. Strongly bonded, my heart is still breaking when divorce and custody separated us. Simultaneously, unexpected expenses arose and with no car for months, I fell behind. Later while hospitalized, I learned I had diabetes, and for a long time. I already felt destroyed from previous disasters all news was bad news, and not knowing how bad untreated diabetes was, getting anything done was a major task.

Collection agencies, and court appearances came from nowhere. My bank accounts got locked. Earlier I purchased supplemental insurance, a major improvement, now that's in jeopardy.

Too "rich" for legal aid, too poor for a lawyer, I searched for legal advocates with no luck. I became a sitting duck and source of destructive gossip. I never knew how destructive it would be.

When I moved here, I was blessed with what I had. I had visions of helping others, when the "stuff hit the fan". I even built a solar/wind system when not in pain. It works good and I had a free outdoor concert to test it a few years ago.

Anyway, now the "stuff has hit the fan" and I'm the first to go. Now I am nearing foreclosure, the bank pays a lawyer monthly, and my debt gets doubled.

I applied under their hardship plan.

Seems hardship has a time limit.

Woodbourne

As evidenced by the Gulf Coast oil spill, the time has come where silence is complicity. We can no longer sustain this privileged lifestyle called savage capitalism. Concern for only self, "looking out for number one" is no longer a viable option. Cutting corners, not doing the right thing to cut costs, maximizing profit at someone's expense, feeding the capitalist mentality, has to stop.

Unless we are all will to pick up weapons to defend our booty (which will run out), we are doomed to end life as we know it. Especially if we all kill one another.

The cascading effects from this spill, all precious spills, and 27, 000 abandoned oil wells going uninspected in the Gulf of Mexico are yet to be felt. For those effects are happening at a far deeper level impacting food and water quality/ supply and health just to name a few.

However, it really all boils down to what people have and don't have. Millions are in survival mode for basic food, clothing, shelter, health care and love. Many are killing themselves to achieve it. Some have so much; they do not know what to do with it all and are miserable.

What a shame we are spending our entire lives trying to survive rather than realizing we may be the only "intelligent" life in this universe and we are wasting time and human potential that could be applied towards being all we can be and doing good in the world for the benefit of all.

Change can start by being conscious, altering your own lifestyle, giving instead of taking, having gratitude instead of envy. Demand a change, speak up, write letters, protest, and boycott, and organize. Do not be silent. Too busy, too tired, no time? Realize the system wants you that way. We need to act now.

No amount of money or faith will fix the problem. Race, religion, gender, political affiliation, labeling, will not matter. Step up. Be the change. Respect yourself, all others and out planet.

Barbara Fornal
Accord

On behalf of the Administration and staff at Ellenville Regional Hospital, I would like to thank Jim Hyatt and his staff at Landscape Innovators for their generous donation of landscaping work performed this month on the Hospital grounds.

Your excellent job has enhanced the appearance of the Hospital, has helped to provide a welcoming face and a healing environment for our patients and visitors, and represents a significant contribution to our community.

Thank you again for your consideration and support of our Hospital.

Steve L. Kelley, FACHE
President & CEO, Ellenville Regional Hospital

The Ellenville Wawarsing Alumni Association will be hosting an all class reunion on Saturday, August 21, 2010. It will coincide with the Annual Blueberry Festival and be held at the Ellenville School. Executive Director, Joan Kortright, stated that he event is by popular demand from the 1000 member organization.

Alumni from as far away as California are planning to attend. Alumni will gather at the school to register in the early afternoon with a formal program to begin at 4:00 pm. Featured on the program will be a concert composed of Ellenville Alumni under the direction of Bandleader Abe Silverman, Class of 1952. This will be followed by an address by Dr. Hadley De Puy, Class of 1949, Former Commissioner of Secondary Education for the State of New York. Completing the program will be a video presentation narrated by Tony Percoco.

A full banquet buffet will then be served at 6 pm in the school cafeterias, catered by Chef Mark Sanak of Sullivan County. Time after the banquet will be spent listening to some more music, and just plain reminiscing.

Mrs. Kortright urges those EWAA members who have not sent in their reservations to do so quickly since the cut off date for banquets reservations is August 1, 2010.

For additional information you can call (845) 647-7792.

Richard Craft
Ellenville