Who's Who In Bethel

This page is dedicated to all of those in the Town of Bethel who have made notoriety or a notable accomplishment, therefore, we acknowledge them by hosting "Who's Who in Bethel"

RILLA ASKEW - Author of "The Mercy Seat" for which she was bestowed the Western Heritage Award in 1998.

ROBERT BARRETT - International Racewalking Champion.  World Veterans Athletic Championship - Gold Medal for the United States 20K Racewalking Team held in Gateshead, England August 1, 1999 and 4th in the 5K racewalk held on August 7, 1999.  Irish Veterans Championship - Gold Medal in the 5K held in Tullamore, Ireland on August 14, 1999.

Several years ago, Bob was honored at an annual dinner by Sullivan Peace and Justice for Leadership in Protecting the Public's right to access Public Spaces.

Bob has recently been honored on a mural, "Heroic Spirits Shine in Sullivan County" as Senior Race Walking Champion,  by artist Erica Hart.  The mural was unveiled November16th at Sullivan County Community College's De Hoyos Gallery.

STEPHANIE BLYTHE - Member of the New York City Metropolitan Opera, originally from Mongaup Valley.

HERMAN BRESSLER - Dedicated to the re-establishment and conservation of the Eastern Bluebird, New York's State Bird. Mr. Bressler has constructed more than 17,000 bluebird nest boxes, 3,700 nest box kits and 10,500 bid feeders as well as more than 2,700 wren and wood duck houses.  In 1998 Mr. Bressler was honored by New York State Governor George Pataki.   In 1999 Mr. Bressler received the North American Bluebird Society's award for outstanding contributions to bluebird conservation.  (See the NABS website at www.cobleskill.edu/nabs/) Mr. Bressler has received many other awards and accolades from the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors and many other organizations.   Herm remains a modest, energetic man who loves people, nature and his adopted avocation of producing bluebird boxes to provide homes for bluebirds and other cavity nesting birds across New York State.  Mr. Bressler is often fondly called "Mr. Bluebird" or "The Bluebird Man".

DENISE & MICHAEL CONNOLLY - Winners of the 2003 Sullivan Showcase Award for "Best Residential Spruce Up", Smallwood, NY.  The Connolly's property has also been designated a Backyard Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

LOUIS DICOSTANZO and JOE RODRIQUEZ, JR. - Louis and Joe were both given awards for their successful lifesaving efforts of a drowning victim in Kauneonga Lake.  This award was signed by Governor Pataki and presented by the Sullivan County Firefighters Association.

STEVE DUBROVSKY - Owner of Woodstone Development.   Woodstone Development has had homes featured in Home Magazine (May 1997 and August 1999), the New York Times and recently is featured in a five-part series on the Discovery Channel television show "Give Me Shelter".  Woodstone has been the recipient of the Sullivan County Board of Realtors Architectural Award for numerous projects some include Best Renovated Barn, Best New Residential Construction, Best New Commercial Office, and Best Renovated Residential.

LEE KARASIK:  

MAXWELL LASSKOW - 32 National Handball Championships.  Mr. Lasskow used to play five nationals a year, but now the top age bracket in three-wall and one-wall is 65.  Max now goes to three national tourneys a year.   Max can't keep up with how many tourneys he has won, so he asked the United States Handball Association.  They concluded that including Max's victory in the 1999 Masters Singles Invitation, he has over 32 National Championships since 1979.  Max looks forward to each trip to the nationals and hopes to someday to be able to plain in the 80-plus division.

HELENE MANZIONE - 20-year resident of the Town of Bethel.  General Manager and Managing Partner of Watermark Communications (WSUL/WVOS Radio Stations).  Board of Directors, Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce.  Chairperson of the WSUL/WVOS Heart-A-Thon. In 2006 the Heart-A-Thon raised $70,000 split between the Catskill Regional Medical Center and the American Heart Association. Recently, Helena announced the 2007 WSUL/WVOS Heart-A-Thon will concentrate their efforts on our community’s Catskill Regional Medical Center and has pledged $100,000 to benefit the hospital‘s cardio pulmonary department.

Serves on the committee for the Sullivan County Community College Foundation.  Member of the Monticello Kiwanis where she has served in numerous positions to include past president and chairman of the scholarship committee.  Past president Monticello Action Committee.  Recipient of Sullivan County’s American Heart Association Volunteer of the Year.   Founder of Bethel’s Major Marie Rossi Lodge, Order Son’s of Italy In America

As General Manger of WSUL/WVOS:
Has been in partnership with the Sullivan County Sheriff‘s DARE program.  Recently has been distributing Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers in support of Sullivan County’s Fire Prevention Program.  Taken an active role in promoting Bethel Woods Harvest Festival.  Used the resources of WSUL and WVOS to publicize Kauneonga Lake Farmers Market.

MONTICELLO PRO PROSPECTS - The Monticello Pro Prospects softball team won an American Softball Association(ASA) 18 and under national tournament over the President's Day Weekend in Orlando, Florida.  The tourney was part of Disney's Fast Pitch Festival.  Three of the team members are from Bethel and two of the girls were recognized as MVPs.  Congratulations!  The Prospects hope to travel to another national caliber tourney later this year.

FRANK RETZEL - Composer.  Has had an accomplished career as a composer, conductor, performer and educator.  Has several degrees from Wayne State University and the University of Chicago where he received his Ph. D. in 1978. Frank Retzel has been including a prize from the League of Composers and International Society for Contemporary Music, fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, Fulbright Commission and Mellon Foundation. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1988. Frank Retzel’s compositions have been commissioned by numerous ensembles and solo artists and performed to acclaim all over the world. In 1995, he was commissioned to compose the main opening and closing for the Mass with Pope John Paul II in New York City. Additionally, Frank Retzel has composed more than 40 full-scale compositions for all mediums, many of which have been performed and recorded by major artists around the world.

TIMOTHY SACCONE - Ran the 26-mile Marine Corp. Marathon in Washington, DC in October 2000 in 3 hours and 18 minutes.  Mr. Saccone was 389th place out of 19,500 runners!

SCOTT SAMUELSON - Owner of the Bradstan Country Hotel in White Lake.  Produces the critically acclaimed Cabaret Series featuring top names in cabaret from Broadway and around the world.  Winner of the Sullivan County  Board of Realtors Best Commercial Renovation in 1991.  Winner of the SC Chamber of Commerce Holiday Decorating Award in 1995.  Recipient of the Red Cross Spirit of Sullivan County Award in 1994.  Featured in New York Magazine and the Daily News as a top weekend getaway.  Scott was Chairman of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce from 1996-2002, served on the Catskill Regional Medical Center Board of Trustee for 3 years, services on the Executive Committee of the SC Partnership for 6 years,  served on the Casino Gaming Advisory Board, and presently Chairman of the SC Community College Dormitory Corporation. 

HAL TEITELBAUM, MD, MBA - Founder and managing partner for Crystal Run Healthcare, a rapidly growing group practice with 130 physicians and seven locations focusing on the health care needs of the Hudson Valley and Catskills. Teitelbaum was recently named Physician Executive of the Year by the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). Teitelbaum has been named multiple times by the Times Herald-Record as the most powerful person in the Hudson Valley. He established Crystal Run in 1994 a two-physician sub-specialty practice. In recent months, Crystal Run  was granted recognition through the National Committee for "Quality Assurance, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. In addition, Crystal Run has become the only “private practice” in New York to earn the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

THE FRONT PORCH - Winner of the 2nd Annual Chef's Challenge at the Bethel Fall Harvest Market.  The Chef's Challenge featured professionals from local restaurants, each of whom prepared complete trout dinners.  The Front Porch is owned by Ina and Allen Wakstein.  Chef Ted Bedoe is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University Culinary School.

RECIPIENTS OF THE
SULLIVAN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

DISTINGUISHED BUSINESS AWARD
FOR THE TOWN OF BETHEL

1993 - Sutphen East

1994 - Bradstan Country Hotel

1995 - Gaetano's Restaurant & Cafe

1996 - Herman Bressler

1997 - Woodstone Development

1998 - Cobalt Studios

1999 - Birdies of Mongaup Valley

2000 - Double E Alpaca Farm

2001 - Simply Irresistible Boutique

2002 - The Front Porch

2003 - Steve Dubrovsky - SC Businessman of the Year