Quadricentennial Flotilla

So we had a little excitement last Thursday, when a flotilla of ships sailed up the Hudson River into Catskill to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the day that Henry Hudson first sailed up the river to explore trading opportunities. http://www.exploreny400.com/

Thanks to the generosity of my friend Gary and his family, Joannie and I were able to view these ships from the river on Gary's boat.

More Photos

Michelle asked me to post a few more photos show she could show her family and friends. Hope you all enjoy.

Miss Greene County and Miss Greene County Teen 2009

Michelle Suttmeier, Miss Greene County, 2009






















Brittany Smith, Miss Greene County Teen, 2009
























As part of the prize packages for the 2009 Miss Greene County and Miss Greene County Teen pageant, both Michelle Suttmeier and Brittany Smith won a photographic portfolio package. So for the past two weekends, I've been working with them on some of their photos. Now, I can only shoot, I don't do hair and makeup, thank God. But hair stylist, Cathy Mondeverde and MAU, Chrissy Dushane, from Adam & Eve Beaute Centre, Leeds, NY, http://www.adamandevebeaute.com/ brought along their talents to make these ladies look as beautiful as they do. We were also fortunate to be able to work with Kathy Clearwater from Revolution, A Contemporary Woman's Boutique, Main St, Catskill, who provided wardrobe, jewelry and accessories.


All of this was made possible by Angela and Danielle Lanuto, owners of Astara Enterprises and producers of the Miss Greene County Pageant. Any young lady interested in this year's pageant should visit their website. http://www.missgreenecounty.com/

Second Saturday May 09

This past Saturday night was the second Saturday stroll on Main Street in Catskill http://www.catskillny.org/. Joannie and I had dinner at 355 Cafe http://cafe355.com/, great meal and their 1st anniversary of being open. Congratulations Jeff and Eddie, we wish you continued success. And thanks for a dry place to wait out the rain!

After dinner we went up to Doubles II http://doubles2.com/. There were a few musicians in there jamming away. It's always fun to listen to live music. Later on latin dance music was provided by DJ Zeffi Zeff. Again, good music, fun crowd and a light show that's not seen in many places around here. Nice job Mike and Sam.

In My Life

Probably one of the best songs ever written. If you're not familiar, google the lyrics of this Beatles song.

One of the friends that I always think about when I hear this song is Jeff Brisbin, http://www.myspace.com/jeffbrisbin . Jeff and I worked together at Radio Shack about 30 years ago. After we both went on to different careers, we lost touch, got together 15 years later, lost touch again and another 15 years got back in touch with each other. When you have a real friend, time doesn't matter, it seems like we spoke every day.

Ok, so why am I blogging this? Last night Joannie and I got the idea to drive to Saratoga Springs, NY to Gaffney's on Caroline Street, to see our friend Jeff perform in the outdoor courtyard (sorry Joe C., it wasn't planned but now I have your phone number and next time we will plan this properly). We arrived unannounced, took two days to find a place to park, but got there in time to listen to Jeff's last set. If you haven't been to Gaffney's to hear Jeff, do yourself a favor and get there. Great original music, great covers of songs we all know and love. Gaffney's is a cool place with an outdoor patio perfect for a cocktail and great entertainment.

So here are a couple of photos of Jeff at Gaffney's. I've also included two shots of Rick Bolton & the Fabulous Dwyer Sisters, http://www.rickboltonandthedwyersisters.com/, who came on right after Jeff. More great music, definitely worth the trip to Saratoga.

Thanks to everyone for a great evening.

Rachael and Michael

The first wedding of 2009 was Rachael and Michael. The rainy weather couldn't dull the day of this wedding. Rachael and Michael are a beautiful couple with such warm wonderful families that made this celebration a joy to be part of.

Congratulations and best wishes for a long happy life together. Thank you for the opportunity to capture this special time of your lives.

Portfolio Work

This is Matel. He came to the studio to get some images for his portfolio. I posted a few here to share with you. Hopefully, he will have a successful career in modelling and acting. He's already promised to make sure I can always get good seats to his broadway performances when he makes it big. I have to say, with his drive and ambition, along with his great personality, I'm sure he'll go far. Remember, you saw him here first!

Good luck Matel.

This Old House

Just before Thanksgiving, Joannie decided she'd like to use the reciprocating saw to remove the wall between our living room and what was my office. Here is the result, after four weeks of work, the help of friends, one broken elbow and 8 staples to my head, we now have a great room for entertaining family and friends.

Senior Portraits

It's been awhile since I've posted anything. Especially with the holidays and a major renovation project taking up all of my time. But I have a few portraits that I'd like to share. OK, before I get a ton of email, the last one obviously isn't a senior portrait, it's from a maternity portrait session as evident by the expectant belly and the loving hands of Mom and Dad.

2008 Catskill's Parade of Lights

After a great dinner at La Conca d'Ora on Main Street in Catskill, Joannie and I joined hundreds of festive folks on Main Street to watch the Parade of Lights and the Christmas Tree lighting. The weather was perfect, the crowd was excited and the parade was beautiful. It's great to see our perfect little village living up to it's title as one of the top 10 towns in the USA. Thanks to the fire department, the business owners, the village officials and everyone who made this event so much fun.

Miss Greene County & Miss Greene County Teen Winners

MICHELLE SUTTMEIER CROWNED AS MISS GREENE COUNTY 2009 & BRITTANY SMITH CROWNED AS MISS GREENE COUNTY TEEN 2009
Catskill, New York, November 11, 2008: This past weekend the top finalists for the 1st Annual MISS GREENE COUNTY/MISS GREENE COUNTY TEEN 2009 pageant competed to win the title of MISS GREENE COUNTY 2009 & MISS GREENE COUNTY TEEN 2009. Founded and independently owned by Astara Enterprises, this competition defiantly wowed the audience, judges and everyone involved. The intensity of the pageant started on Saturday evening during the Preliminary Evening Gown and Event Wear Competition and kept going all the way up to the crowning of MISS GREENE COUNTY 2009 and MISS GREENE COUNTY TEEN 2009 on Sunday afternoon. Emcees for the weekend were co-owner of Astara Enterprises Danielle Teresa Lanuto and 98.5LiteFM’s Michelle Taylor. The top finalists that competed were Meghan Baxter, Drew Bradford, Bianca Cancel, Amanda Cettina, Kaylee Marie Milller, Maria Cullington, Marchella Frascello, Casey Leigh Mabee, Samantha McArthur, Samantha Mead, Katie Riley, Tess Robinson, Rebecca Lynn Ross, Brittany Smith, Michelle Suttmeier and Danielle Szajer.

The finalists began their competition on Friday evening with rehearsals in preparation for Saturday and Sunday’s big event. During rehearsals the ladies got a chance to get to know each other, staff and the owners of Astara Enterprises. One of the finalists said that it was a memorable experience and she gained so many new friends that she would have never of met if it weren’t for competing in the pageant. Saturday afternoon each finalist participated in one on one interviews with each of the judges, had more rehearsals and then got ready for the competition to begin at 7pm. The MISS GREENE COUNTY/MISS GREENE COUNTY TEEN 2009 Pageant took place at the Scarlet Lounge in the Friar Tuck Resort, Spa and Convention Center to a packed house of audience members for both days of the competition. Family and friends were very excited to see their young ladies compete in such a prestigious event and were anxious to see who was going to be the first to win. On Saturday evening immediately following the Preliminary Evening Gown and Event Wear Competition the MISS GREENE COUNTY Organization awarded Michelle Suttmeier with the Interview Award, Meghan Baxter with the Style Award, Tess Robinson as MISS Photogenic 2009, and Casey Mabee as MISS Congeniality 2009.

Sunday afternoon began the Final Competition. This consisted of Evening Gown and on stage interviews with each contestant in front of a live audience. The questions were randomly picked by each finalist and consisted of questions created by the judges and staff. After hearing all the ladies speak, the judges decided the top three finalists for MISS and TEEN. Those three young ladies had another chance to answer a question on stage. Following this the winners were announced:

1st Runner Up for MISS GREENE COUNTY TEEN 2009 is Tess Robinson from East Windham, NY. 1st Runner Up for MISS GREENE COUNTY 2009 is Drew Bradford from Catskill, NY. MISS GREENE COUNTY TEEN 2009 is Brittany Smith from Earlton, NY. MISS GREENE COUNTY 2009 is Michelle Suttmeier from Round Top, NY.

Astara Enterprises would like to congratulate all of our winners and finalists for a job well done! We would also like to thank our judges – Brad Cummings partner at Pattison, Howe, Koskey & Bucci CPA PC; Peter Dockery Media Executive at The Daily Freeman; Tracy McNally Executive Director at the Greene County Chamber of Commerce; Cathy Monteverde owner of Adam & Eve’s Beaute Centre; Julie Slaughter Regional Sales Coordinator at Aflac; Bill Williams Facilities Manager and On-Air Personality at 98.5LiteFM and Pageant Historian Joel Weidner. A special thank you to all of our sponsors including Adam & Eve’s Beaute Centre, Douglas Koch Exquisite Floral Décor, Metro Force Sound & Studio, Divine Enlightenment, Captain Kidd’s Inn, Sterling Trophies, Panini Café & Pizzeria, HillCrest Press, V. James DiPerna Photography and our media partners 98.5LiteFM and The Greenville Press.

Pictures from this year’s pageant were taken by V. James DiPerna Photography and can be viewed at http://www.vjdipernaphoto.com/. Douglas Koch Exquisite Floral Décor provided the gorgeous floral arrangements for the weekend and Adam & Eve’s Beaute Centre’s staff were on site all weekend doing hair and make-up touch ups for the finalists. Be sure to visit http://www.missgreenecounty.com/ to see pictures of our winners and event photos.

The titleholders of the MISS GREENE COUNTY & MISS GREENE COUNTY TEEN 2009 Pageant will personify the combination of intelligence, beauty, poise and success all while becoming a role model for the aspiring. The winners are sponsored by Astara Enterprises, Inc. to participate in the MISS NEW YORK USA & MISS NEW YORK TEEN USA 2010 pageant as well as received a multitude of prizes, including a $1000.00 scholarship to Eagle U’s Success Seminars & opportunities to participate in local events throughout the year. Our titleholders will also be working with the MS Society to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis in our community. MISS GREENE COUNTY 2009 & MISS GREENE COUNTY TEEN 2009 will be helping 98.5LiteFm at their annual “Stuff the Bus” to help raise food for local pantries. Come visit them and get your picture taken with our winners on Saturday, November 15th from 10-11am in front of the Wal-Mart in Catskill.

Will you be crowned the next MISS GREENE COUNTY 2010 or MISS GREENE COUNTY TEEN 2010? The application process has begun! Those interested in applying for MISS GREENE COUNTY TEEN must be between the ages of 13 to 17 and those applying for MISS GREENE COUNTY must be between the ages of 18 to 27. For more information on how to apply please visit www.MissGreeneCounty.com, email us at info@MissGreeneCounty.com or call Astara Enterprises, Inc. at 973-229-6875. The Miss Greene County Pageant – Dream It. Live It. Be It.

Astara Enterprises, Inc. is a consulting, event planning and production company established by sisters Angela Lanuto and Danielle Teresa Lanuto.

For more information please visit http://www.missgreenecounty.com/ or call Astara Enterprises, Inc. at 973-229-6875. Email us at info@MissGreeneCounty.com