“Sullivan County is an exciting tourist destination, and we must do everything we can to encourage people to visit our area. Between our rich cultural centers and beautiful landscape, Sullivan County has a lot to offer. I’ve worked hard to improve our economy by supporting venues like Bethel Woods and Forestburgh Playhouse, and activities like fishing and bird-watching. Tourism is a mainstay of our local economy, and we must build on our strengths to keep moving forward.”

The new Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on the former 1969 Woodstock Festival site helps the local economy, brings visitors to see Sullivan County and its landscape, and offers a superb musical venue.

That’s why Assemblywoman Gunther worked to secure over $1 million for the Woodstock site. The state grants will help ensure its mission to become one of the nation’s, if not one of the world’s, most important destinations for music.

The Forestburgh Playhouse is the oldest operating summer theater in New York State, putting on Broadway musicals and plays since 1947. In addition to the shows, patrons come for the post-show musical cabaret and the famous Playhouse gardens. To support this historic venue, Assemblywoman Gunther secured $50,000 for renovations and to help install air conditioning.

Catskill
Fly Fishing Museum

This is the 25th anniversary of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, an educational organization dedicated to preserving America’s fly fishing heritage. The museum conducts educational programs in river ecology, angling history and streamcraft, including fishing etiquette, fly tying, fly casting, aquatic entomology, and stream improvement.

Assemblywoman Gunther sponsored a resolution to proclaim April 2006 as Fly Fishing Month in the State of New York (K.1689). She also secured funding for the Sullivan County Visitors Association to help promote tourist destinations like the Fly Fishing Museum.

Not only is fishing a regional pastime, but an important part of the state’s economy, supplying $3 billion and 17,000 jobs statewide. The Catskill region is known as the “Birthplace of American Dry Fly Fishing,” and is home to the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum and the National Fly Fishing Hall of Fame in Livingston Manor, home of the Trout Parade each June.

August 26 – The Annual Summerfest and Anglers’ Market, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Special fly-tying demonstrations provided by the Catskill Fly Tying Guild will be in the museum and a live collectible and consignment auction will follow at 3:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.cffcm.net

Assemblywoman Gunther knows the importance of the river to our communities. That’s why she sponsored and passed legislation that would designate the Upper Delaware River Greenway – providing Delaware River Valley communities with state funding to improve scenic, natural, cultural, historical and recreational assets, and maximize their tourism potential (A.8331-C, passed Assembly).

The Delaware River is home to both migrating and year-round bald eagles, with several viewing areas along the riverbanks, which is why Assemblywoman Gunther secured funding for the Eagle Institute. Contact the Institute for eagle watching at various Sullivan County locations. Volunteers are available January through March to help find and identify bald eagles. The Institute also offers programs, data collection and sponsors an Eagle Fest in January.