PINE PLAINS — After the challenges they faced in their search for a new pantry space, Nelson and Lisa Zayas of Willow Roots wholeheartedly welcomed the community to join in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new space at 7730 South Main St. on Saturday, March 21, at 10 a.m.
The pantry co-founders were brought before the town’s Planning Board as they did not have the proper permits to operate in a residential neighborhood, out of their North Main Street home. Neighbors on the adjoining street, Carla Terrace, began complaining last September that traffic on Saturday morning distribution days was disrupting their quality of life (for more, go to www.tricornernews.com).
The Zayases are in litigation at the moment dealing with the matter; they are also in the midst of pursuing a major home occupation special-use permit. In the meantime, they’ve found a new home for their two-year-old pantry, thanks to the countless do-gooders in the community who contacted them with suggestions of where they could set up a new distribution site. The space that worked out is located on South Main Street.
And that’s where familiar faces in the community could be spotted, standing around the front of the new Willow Roots’ front entrance, waiting in hopeful anticipation.
“It’s a new beginning,” said Willow Roots Board Vice President Brett McCormack. “With winter, you see so many efforts happening behind the scene, roots if you will, and now that it’s spring, people are excited about positivity and change and new beginnings.”
The new set-up, McCormack said, will allow Willow Roots to grow and help more people, generating productive, rather than reactionary, change.
Walking out the front door, Lisa said she was touched to see so many people come out to watch the pantry take root in a new location. Nelson was soon spotted coming out the door with a ribbon in hand, which he pulled tautly across the entryway.
Meanwhile, longtime volunteer Ray Christiansen passed green ribbons out to onlookers to tie onto the willow tree McCormack crafted and painted for the lobby.
Thanking everyone for their presence and letting grateful tears fall, Lisa said, “I love you all and I’m really proud to be part of Willow Roots. I always said that Willow Roots doesn’t belong to us, it belongs to everyone, and you definitely showed that when you rallied together to help us.”
Telling the story of how Willow Roots first took root in Pine Plains, Lisa introduced the group to Bruce Silvernale, whom she described as the willow root that started their work. From that moment on, she said they realized they were “going to need a bigger boat” and their efforts flourished as they continued to feed, clothe and provide for more people in need of support.
Whether they’ve been a receiver or a giver of Willow Roots’ services, Lisa told the crowd that each and every one of them has become a part of the Willow Roots family.
“When we were asked to leave, or told we should leave… we had a hard time,” she admitted. “Nelson and I kept it quiet and then at one time we decided we were going to give up. We didn’t think we could go through with it anymore; we were tired and we thought that maybe the community didn’t really need us as much as we thought — and you guys all proved us wrong.”
It was with the community’s support, Lisa said, that she and Nelson realized Willow Roots didn’t belong to them at all and they had no right to make the decision to give up. Choosing instead to fight, they were able to secure the space that she said will be the pantry’s home for as long as the community still wants them. Previously occupied by the former thrift store, Pass It On, the Zayases learned of the space through its owner, Kyle Lougheed.
Once the pantry’s board members and volunteers had a chance to speak their peace, the Zayases invited Silvernale to stand beside them to tie on the willow tree’s first ribbon, and with a snip of the scissors in Lisa’s hand, the ribbon was cut and the pantry was officially opened for operation. A line soon formed up the walkway for visitors to tour the new space and tie on ribbons, and volunteers began arriving to distribute food at 11 a.m., for a rare Sunday morning distribution.
As they toured the new Willow Roots space at 7730 South Main St., community members were invited to tie a ribbon on the willow tree crafted by Willow Roots Board Vice President Brett McCormack that’s stationed in the lobby. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle
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Artistic talent is on display at the Fountains’ Summer Art Show, which opened Thursday, June 11. The exhibition features works by several residents and drew a strong turnout of artists and guests, who were welcomed on opening day by art instructor Ellen O’Shea.
Resident Shirley Fernekes is one of the featured artists with several paintings on display, selected to show the breadth of her works over a lifetime. Included are depictions of wildlife, seascapes and New England scenes, reflective of her travels. She recalled beginning in acrylics before switching to her preference for oils and watercolors.
“I’ve always been painting…all my life,” Fernekes explained, having attended Wooster and Silvermine art academies for her studies.
Her work has brought several awards, including recognition by the Connecticut-based Kent Art Association.
“It’s almost like I can’t not do it,” said resident artist Gail Curcio whose father Theodore Wheldon was an accomplished artist, as was her grandfather.
“I’m thrilled with the art classes and Ellen’s encouragement,” Curcio said, speaking of Fountains art instructor Ellen O’Shea who mounted the exhibit.
“The talent is fantastic. Everyone is very interested in learning,” O’Shea said of the show, noting that all are welcome to join in art classes or work on their own. Several works were included that were by six resident artists who are improving with good results. They are Lucy Johnson, Margaret Cornell, Reiko Ramsey, Graham and Sheila Attlesey and Mary Kay Blasi.
The Fountains houses a significant presence of talent, including in the visual arts. The Summer Art Show that opened on Thursday, June 11, features the works of several residents, accomplished in interpreting the world around them. The opening was well-attended by residents and friends.Photo By Leila Hawken
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