UlsterCorps volunteers & students from Rondout High School interviewing seniors at the Lunch Together Program at the Rosendale Recreation Center. Photo credit: Ilene Cutler
Stone Ridge, NY (June 3, 2009) – The Initial Success of the “Harvesting A Lifetime Living History Project” over Memorial Day weekend has prompted organizers to extend the venture for a full year through Ulster County.
Stone Ridge, NY – June 3, 2009 – The “Harvesting a Lifetime Living History Project,” a collaboration between UlsterCorps and Jewish Family Services of Ulster County, Inc. engages volunteers, from high school age on up, to interview and record the treasured memories, stories & history of seniors from our Ulster County community. In the project’s first 10 days, UlsterCorps and JFS brought together 35 different volunteer interviewers & videographers to interview 41 people at 9 sites around the county. Interviews were held at community centers, churches, synogugues, nursing homes and senior centers in locations throughout the county. Seniors were asked to bring an old photograph or keepsake to start the conversation. Copies of the interviews will be given to the “storyteller’s” family or other designated parties. Many interviewees have also chosen to have their conversations uploaded to the UlsterCorps website to begin builing a Virtual Archive of Ulster County’s Living History.
Ilene Cutler, Videographer and UlsterCorps Volunteer, participated at the Rosendale Recreation Center’s Lunch Together program for seniors and commented: “What an amazing community effort to capture the hopes, dreams and history of our valued community members. I am honored to participate in capturing these moments on film for us to treasure for all time.” Fellow Videographer and UlsterCorps Volunteer Interviewer Nan Bress, who participated at the Reformed Church of New Paltz, commented: “It was a simple and elegant way to bring together the different generations of Ulster County together. I saw a 60 year old woman helping to drive a 93 year old woman to be interviewed by a 39 year old and videotaped by someone in their twenties. I was privileged to hear some life stories from a Huguenot descendant and from a 93 year old retired librarian from SUNY New Paltz. A great opportunity for us to meet and get to know each other.”
UlsterCorps and JFS are continuing the “Harvesting a Lifetime” project in the weeks and months ahead. If you would like to volunteer, share your story, or serve as a Host Location please contact:
Beth McLendon, UlsterCorps ulstercorps@gmail.com, 687-9408 or
Leslie Malin, Jewish Family Services, jfs.ulster@gmail.com, 338-2980.
Past Interview Sites:
New Progressive Baptist Church
Sunday May 24th, 1:30-4:30pm, 8 Hone St, Kingston, 339-0773
Following 10:30am Sunday Worship Service
Queens Galley
Monday May 25th, 12-6pm, 254 Washington Avenue, Kingston, 338-3468
Throughout their Memorial Day Holiday BBQ
Rosendale Recreation Center
Tuesday May 26th, 11am-2pm, 1055 Route 32, Rosendale, 658-8110
Coinciding with their Lunch Together program weekdays for county residents age 60 and older.
Golden Hill Health Care Center
Tuesday, May 26th, 1-4pm, 99 Golden Hill Dr, Kingston, 340-3390
Pine Hill Community Center
Wednesday May 27th, 1-4pm, 287 Main St, Pine Hill, 254-5469
Following their Senior Circle.
Reformed Church of New Paltz
Wednesday May 27th, 12-3pm, 92 Huguenot Street, New Paltz, Education Building, 255-6340
Trudy Resnick Farber Building
Thursday May 28th, 10am-12:30pm, 50 Center St, Ellenville, 647-1605
Throughout their Lunch Together program weekdays for county residents age 60 and older.
Multi-County Community Development
Friday May 29th, 10am-1pm, 11 Milton Avenue, Highland, 691-7419
Throughout their Adult Day Services Program.
Temple Emanuel Reform Synagogue
Tuesday June 2nd, 12-3pm, 243 Albany Ave, Kingston, 338-4271
Following Lunch with the Rabbi
Upcoming Interview Sites (more being added):
Trudy Resnick Farber Building
Friday June 12th, 11am-1pm, 50 Center St, Ellenville, 647-1605
Throughout their Lunch Together program weekdays for county residents age 60 and older
Volunteer interviewers & videographers needed.
Everette Hodge Community Center
June 13th, 10am-4pm, 15-21 Franklin Street, Kingston | Map
Throughout Mid-Town Make A “Green” Difference Day
Volunteer interviewers & videographers needed.
UlsterCorps/Harvesting a Lifetime volunteers interviewing seniors at Temple Emanuel, Kingston. Photo Credit: Beth McLendon.
July 26th, 12-3pm, 300 Wall St, Kingston, 331-5300 | Website | Map
During the monthly SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) meeting
Volunteer interviewers & videographers needed.
Temple Emanuel Reform Synagogue
Tuesday September 1st, 12-3pm, 243 Albany Ave, Kingston, 338-4271 647-1605
Following Lunch with the Rabbi
Volunteer interviewers & videographers needed.
For more information or to sign up, contact UlsterCorps at ulstercorps@gmail.com, 687-9408 or
Leslie Malin, Jewish Family Services, jfs.ulster@gmail.com, 338-2980.
More info & photos:
