To Jeff Siegel, president of the Monticello Business Association and owner of the Spencer Daniels Agency, for coming up with an idea that is such a natural it is surprising that it is not already a tradition.He is organizing a Bagel Fest, tentatively scheduled for Aug. 16-18 next year. Among the ideas being considered are bagel sculptures, the longest chain of bagels, and lots of chances to sample the creations of those who make bagels in Sullivan County and nearby. Now, he needs the enthusiastic support of local government bodies and some dedicated volunteers.
To St. Peter's Church at 31 W. Main St. in Port Jervis for recognizing the needs of pets in tough times. The church has established a pet food pantry and is accepting donations of dog food, cat food and flea and tick treatments.To SUNY Orange for giving people a chance to discuss a perpetually divisive topic. The symposium "Gun Rights, Gun Violence and American Society" is part of the annual global initiative, this year focusing on global health. Panelists included many with law enforcement experience and enough participants with expertise on all sides of the issue to ensure a thorough discussion.To Breast Cancer Options for sponsoring a free yoga retreat for women with stage 4 breast cancer, at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck. As one of the organizers explained, women who would attend such a session "aren't the women you see in pink ribbon ads during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month "¦ they are invisible. Their breast cancer either wasn't detected soon enough to be 'cured' or worse — it had already spread even after they had done all the right things." They typically don't attend traditional support groups because their issues are so different.To the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which understands that after a day of commuting, many people might not be able to go out again and attend a hearing on impending fare hikes. So the MTA, using the technology that could be used by more public bodies, will augment its series of public hearing with the chances for people to send in their comments from the road — or at least the stops along it. The MTA will send crews with equipment to transit hubs, including the Metro-North station in Poughkeepsie, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 13, so that people can tape their comments. They will be limited to the same three minutes they would get at a hearing. Comments also may be made by letter or email.To Ben Gilman, former congressman, honored by the Washington Oxi Day Foundation with the Greatest Generation Award. This is the second time the award has been presented, with the first going to former senator Bob Dole, a friend of Gilman's and a decorated World War II veteran.The group, representing American, Greek and Greek-American World War veterans, now plans to present the award every year. Organizers say they hope to "keep alive the story of Greece's crucial role in the Allies' WWII victory and to inspire and recognize today's comparable David vs. Goliath exhibitions of courage for freedom and democracy."