DELHI - Close to 70 people gathered at the Bluestone Pub & Restaurant in Delhi to celebrate the Catskill Mountain Club’s 20th year on Sept. 28. The CMC was founded in 2004, a year marking the Catskill Park’s 100th anniversary. Since its founding, CMC has constructed and maintains six hiking trails, five of them on protected Catskill-Delaware Watershed lands.
Joining the celebration was guest speaker Paul Rush, Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). A runner and trail enthusiast, Rush joined DEP in 1992 and helped lead partnerships between DEP, CMC, local municipalities, regional organizations, and volunteers to create increased recreational access for hiking and boating on city-owned lands and reservoirs. Recounting highlights from personal and professional perspectives, Rush emphasized how establishing recreation uses that are compatible with watershed protection benefit the region’s tourism-recreation economy.
Also on hand were Aaron Bennett and Laura Battelani, CMC board members who were among the club’s founding members. Bennett cited the relevance of early visions and how they’ve come to fruition over the years, including opening new places to recreate, involving youth, and advocating for resources to meet the challenges of increasing popularity of outdoor recreation in the region. Battelani was recognized for her 20 years of dedicated service as Club bookkeeper and membership coordinator.
Awards were also given to Don DiMartini and Scott Huber for their volunteer trail-keeping efforts at the Ashokan Quarry Trail – the club’s busiest trail. Al Purdy was recognized for his event leadership, which has been an inspiration to many hikers tackling one or more of the club’s hiking challenges. Several hikers completing these challenges (described at catskillmountainclub.org with lists of finishers) received certificates for their accomplishments.
A special recognition award was granted to Ann Roberti, CMC and Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower board member, for her above-and-beyond, indefatigable efforts to restore the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower to its original location. Recognizing and thanking the multitude of supporters and volunteers, Roberti said the Bramley tower is the only fire tower in the United States that had been removed, stored for years, and will be reassembled in the exact same spot, saving a piece of local history. The tower and its four-mile loop trail are situated on property owned by the DEP, who recently installed a new parking area at the trailhead to accommodate more visitors.
The evening also saw Rick Roberts, CMC president, give a “State of the Club” report, in which he cited a healthy financial status, the large number of events in 2024, and current trail projects. The work of John Sandman (CMC board member) and Barbara Jones in coordinating the dinner and the silent auction (which raised more than $2,000) was also applauded. Roberts also acknowledged the many efforts of Peter Manning, executive director, who began in December 2022. Manning thanked and commended club supporters and reminded the group that the Lark in the Park – also a product of the 2004 Catskill Park celebration – runs October 5-14 and features dozens of outdoor events (more info at catskillslark.org).
