What makes the Dave Thomson Spirit, Beer and Wine Tasting event so successful as a fundraiser is the incredible generosity of our sponsors.  Thank you all for your donations that support A Single Bite and The Liberty Rotary Club Scholarship Fund.  Through our scholarships, future leaders and successful community members will get assistance with their education so they may achieve their goals.  Monies to A Single Bite assure that our most needy neighbors will get nourishment and an education about healthy eating.  To all our monetary sponsors and providers of find food and drink, we thank  you immensely!

The Liberty Rotary Club recently had the pleasure of recognizing our outgoing Board of Directors and installing our new leadership team for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who served on the board during the past year. Your dedication, leadership, and commitment to service have helped make our club stronger and our community better.

A special thank you goes to our Immediate Past President, Alyssa Thalmann, for her outstanding leadership and dedication over the past year. Under her guidance, the Liberty Rotary Club enjoyed a successful and impactful Rotary year. Thank you, Alyssa, for your exceptional service!

We are also pleased to welcome our new Club President, Terry Grafmuller, who will lead the Liberty Rotary Club through July 2027. We look forward to another great year of fellowship and service under Terry's leadership.

Your 2026–2027 Liberty Rotary Club Board of Directors:

President: Terry Grafmuller
Immediate Past President: Alyssa Thalmann
President-Elect: Gary Lee Silverman
Secretary: Sharon D'Orazio
Treasurer: Elsie Kopcha
Sergeant-at-Arms: Barbie Neumann
Executive Secretary: Gary Siegel
Directors: Lewis Borko, Rebecca Skoda, Bill Silver, and Gary Silver

Congratulations to our new board, and thank you all for your willingness to serve. Together, we will continue to live Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self" and make a positive difference in our community.

Also at the meeting, we had the pleasure of recognizing a number of members who earned longevity pins. Every 5 years of Rotary membership earns a member milestone recognition.

Here's to a successful 2026–2027 Rotary year!

The people of Liberty continue to show their generosity and support for the work we do each time we hold one of our three annual Dollar and Coin Drops.

At our June 27th collection, local residents and visitors to our town generously dropped their dollars and spare change into our buckets, helping us raise the funds needed to support local charities and programs that make our community a better place.  This collection raised over $1,400.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who came out to assist with the collection. Most of all, thank you to our neighbors who continue to believe in what we do and generously contribute to our efforts. Your ongoing support allows us to make a meaningful difference in our community.

The Liberty Interact Club, in partnership with the Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation Department and Liberty Central School District, proudly completed a community service project focused on building benches for the Walnut Mountain House History Trail. This project was designed to enhance the trail experience for walkers of all ages by providing meaningful places to stop, rest, and take in the beautiful views along the trail.

The collaboration demonstrated throughout this project was truly incredible. Community members, middle school students, high school students, Interact Advisors, and volunteers all came together with a shared goal of improving a valued community space. In just four hours, 23 volunteers successfully constructed six benches that will serve residents and visitors for years to come.

This project provided students with valuable hands-on experience in teamwork, woodworking, problem solving, and community service, while also helping them build pride and connection within their community.

A special thank you goes to the Liberty High School Woodworking Class for engraving the boards used for the benches. Their craftsmanship added a personalized and lasting touch to the project. We also thank everyone who helped prepare for the build day by cutting and organizing the wood for assembly, as well as the many donors and supporters who helped make this project possible. The Liberty Interact Club proudly funded the purchase of the wood and materials needed for the benches as part of their continued commitment to community service.

This project is a true example of the power of community partnerships and what can be accomplished when organizations, schools, students, and volunteers work together toward a common goal. The completed benches and trail improvements will officially be showcased during the Grand Opening of the Walnut Mountain House History Trail on June 6th at 10:00 AM.

(Click the Read More button to see more photos.)

We extend our sincere congratulations to all those honored at this year’s Liberty Rotary Club Hummingbird Award and Paul Harris Fellow celebration. These amazing individuals are truly “doing the best they can” to improve lives and make the world a better place.

This year’s luncheon was a joyful celebration of these fine individuals and organizations that work tirelessly to help those in need and uplift those who could use a little extra support.  We are delighted that we could point a spotlight at all the great things these wonderful people do.

Thanks so much to all the sponsors of this event, the attendees, and everyone who worked so hard to make this celebration possible.

All profits from the awards ceremony go to support the Haiti Clean Water Program, which provides potable water to families in Haiti. The program is truly bringing good health and saving lives by ensuring that water is free from harmful pathogens and pollutants.

Click the “Read More” button to see photos from the event.

This year’s Taste of Sullivan at SUNY Sullivan was a tremendous success. Sponsored by the Monticello and Liberty Rotary Clubs, with invaluable support and collaboration from SUNY Sullivan, the event brought together 22 local restaurants and beverage providers to showcase the incredible culinary talent found throughout our county. Attendees enjoyed a diverse array of flavors representing a wide range of cuisines and cultural influences. Sullivan County is truly fortunate to have such an abundance of dining options, and even more fortunate to have such generous restaurateurs and beverage makers willing to share their time and talents. We extend our most extensive thanks to all participating restaurants, beverage providers, and organizations whose contributions made the evening so memorable. We also offer special appreciation to the dedicated “Taste of Sullivan” committee, whose hard work, planning, and commitment were instrumental in bringing this event to life. We are also grateful to those who supported the event by purchasing ads in the 28-page journal. Finally, thank you to everyone who attended and helped create such a lively atmosphere filled with great food, outstanding music, and community spirit. Early estimates indicate the event raised approximately $16,000, which will be distributed to organizations across the county to support individuals and families facing hardship and food insecurity.

While we recognize that running a half marathon isn’t for everyone, a small number of  Liberty Rotarians and their friends chose to take on the challenge in honor of a member’s brother, who is bravely battling ALS. The support from our club was truly incredible.

Thank you to all our fellow Rotarians, friends, and family who helped make this effort so meaningful. Because of your generosity and encouragement, Team ALStars / Liberty Rotary turned their running adventure into a contribution of $1,118 for ALS TDI, supporting vital research aimed at preventing and ultimately curing ALS.

It has been our experience that the people in our community have very kind hearts. That’s why it came as no surprise that so many were generous enough to purchase SUNY Sullivan Heart Cards in support of this year’s 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon. Members of the Liberty and Monticello Rotary Clubs have been at Resorts World Catskills on both Friday and Saturday the past few weeks to solicit donations and they will be there again this weekend. Thank you to our generous contributors and to everyone who volunteers their time to staff the table.

A group of wonderful — and just a little bit crazy — fundraisers proved their dedication in an unforgettable way, plunging into frigid waters while the air temperature hovered in the mid-teens. Their icy leap wasn’t just for thrills; it was a powerful act of commitment to raising awareness about the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s disease and generating funds in the hope of finding better prevention, treatments, and ultimately a cure. Several of these brave participants were proud members of the Liberty Rotary, showing once again how deeply they care about serving others. We are incredibly grateful for their courage and generosity, and we sincerely hope they are now safe at home, wrapped in warmth after such a meaningful and selfless act.

Chillingly low temperatures on January 24th couldn’t stop the fun at this year’s Liberty Central Schools All Things Liberty – Winterfest! Liberty Rotarians and Liberty Interact students were thrilled to bring our games and activities, adding to a day filled with incredible warmth and community spirit. Children of all ages enjoyed crafts, games, karaoke, and time together with friends and neighbors. Thank you to Liberty Middle School for once again including us, and sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make it such a great day to connect with our community.

Liberty Rotary Club had a wonderful time celebrating together at Star Bar during our annual holiday party. The atmosphere was festive, the company was great, and there was no shortage of laughter and good cheer throughout the evening. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in making the event such a success. A special thank-you goes to the incredible staff at Star Bar for their warm hospitality and excellent service. Best of all, all profits from the event will go toward supporting Polio Plus / End Polio Now, a major project of Rotary International, helping us move closer to a world free of polio.

To regisster go to: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dIZND76y4RoUrYobesNNxlpYv-9p_cjp41mBJ8u8k_s/edit?gid=0#gid=0

When the idea of acquiring a Book Vending Machine was first introduced to the Liberty Rotary Club, it was quickly recognized as a valuable investment. However, obtaining such a device would require thoughtful fundraising. A District 7210 Grant was written and approved, covering about one-third of the cost. To secure the remaining funds, a pancake breakfast fundraiser was planned.
On November 16th, the breakfast was held. It proved to be a tremendous success. For four hours, pancakes, eggs, sausage patties, and breakfast burritos were served at the Liberty Fire Department to a steady and enthusiastic crowd. The food was prepared and served by an impressive team of Liberty Middle School students, Liberty Interact members, staff from Liberty Schools, and Liberty Rotarians.
Guests enjoyed delicious food, exceptional service, and the chance to participate in a vibrant community event. Entertainment was provided by Liberty School musicians, whose performances added a wonderful ambiance to the morning.
We extend our extensive gratitude to everyone who made this event possible: the planners and cooks, our generous event sponsors, the Liberty Fire Department, and all who attended. We are delighted to share that the fundraiser generated enough money to cover the remaining cost of the Book Vending Machine, as well as reading materials to keep it well stocked.
Overall, it was an extraordinary event that brought the school and community together to create new opportunities for students to read. This was a true win for all involved.

Rotarians Celebrate at the 2025 Boys and Girls Club “Grown Here” Dinner

A large number of Rotarians were in attendance at the 2025 Boys and Girls Club Grown Here Dinner on October 15th. This wonderful fundraiser provided a special opportunity to celebrate all the amazing work the Boys and Girls Club does to support our youth.

Congratulations to Ellen Quimby and our own Gary and Judy Siegel on being inducted into the Maureen & Steve Plain Hall of Fame. Their dedication to our young people is truly inspiring. Through CD Trips and The STEAM Fund, Gary and Judy Siegel have created countless opportunities for local students to explore, learn, and grow beyond the classroom. Their innovative programs have taken children on educational adventures that combine fun with learning, whether it’s an expansion of their culinary horizons, attending cultural performances, or visiting major events, their thoughtful planning opens doors for our youth to experiences that they will never forget. We are so very proud of Judy and Gary for all the good they bring to this world.

The Liberty Rotary Club is proud to support the Town of Wallkill Boys and Girls Club and wishes them many more years of exceptional service to the youth of Orange and Sullivan Counties.

As autumn rolls in, members of the Liberty Rotary Club and Sullivan Central Rotary Club enjoyed a beautiful day participating in SALT’s (Sullivan Allies Leading Together) Unity Day. The event featured live music, local health organizations, and an amazing variety of food and games.

It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with neighbors, celebrate community spirit, and strengthen the bonds that make Sullivan County such a great place to live.

A big thank you to SALT for organizing a fantastic day of fellowship, fun, and unity!

On Wednesday, 9/10/25, our club was honored to welcome District 7210 leaders, Beau O'Loendorf, District Governor, and Carrie Hernandez, District Governor-Elect.

Beau shared an inspiring analogy, comparing Rotary Clubs to rock bands. “When we all play together, we make harmony,” he said. He went on to explain that, like a band, we do our best work when we feel included, inspired, and part of something bigger, with the community as our audience. His words deeply resonated with our members and reminded us of the power of unity and purpose in service.

Carrie spoke with enthusiasm about membership, emphasizing the importance of helping every new Rotarian feel like part of the team. She also highlighted the many opportunities and incentives for clubs to grow, create new extensions of Rotary, and invite others to join our mission of improving the world. Additionally, she noted that our district’s strong Rotary Foundation giving has generated $40,000 in district grants, funding projects that are making a real difference across our region.

We extend our appreciation to both Beau and Carrie for visiting us and delivering such motivating and poignant messages. Their encouragement will surely inspire us to build on our good work and continue serving our community with renewed energy and harmony.

Three times each year, the Liberty Rotary Club takes to the road with our Dollar and Coin Drops. These are simple fundraisers that make a big difference. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, yesterday’s collection totaled over $1,000 in just four hours. 

Every bill, every coin, every handful of change adds up, and together, it fuels the initiatives and charities we support.

Thanks to the many Liberty Rotarians that came out to extend our buckets to our generous community members. Further thank you to everyone who stopped by and contributed. Your small acts of kindness create a huge impact on our region and beyond.

It’s always inspiring to connect with fellow Rotary Clubs and hear about the incredible work they are doing. On August 13, 2025, we had the pleasure of doing just that at the Liberty Rotary hosted Region 5 meeting.

Representatives from Liberty, Livingston Manor, Middletown, Minisink Valley, Monticello, Port Jervis, Wallkill East, and Sullivan Central Rotary Clubs joined us for an evening filled with food, great friends, and true Rotary camaraderie.  Event better, the weather was ideal and we held the event at our beautiful lakeside meeting place at Hanofee Park.

A tremendous thank-you to everyone who worked so hard to organize the event, prepare the meal, and serve our guests. Being a Rotarian gives us the opportunity to Unite for Good, creating positive change in our communities and around the world.

Congratulations to the Monticello Rotary Club on another fantastic year of the Monster Classic 5K and 10K Walk/Run! This year’s event featured perfect weather for tackling the challenging terrain of this outstanding race.

Team Liberty Rotary Club was delighted to participate in this amazing community event supporting both the Monticello Rotary Club and the Sullivan County Veteran’s Coalition. Several of our team members brought home awards in their individual categories, and together we raised over $2,000 in donations while also proudly serving as a $500 event sponsor.

Overall, it was an outstanding day to celebrate community spirit and support the vital work of the Monticello Rotary Club and our veterans.

Please join us and/or consider making a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s  Parkinson’s Unity Walk  - Team Liberty Rotary Club.

From January 26th to February 1st, 2025, the Liberty NY Rotary Club (LNYRC) Disaster Preparedness and Relief Team made a significant impact on disaster readiness in Puerto Rico, a region that has historically faced devastating hurricanes and earthquakes. The team, consisting of Irving Kaplan, Dan Parkhurst, Gary Siegel, and Gary Silver, traveled to the island with the mission to enhance resilience and preparedness in the face of future natural disasters.

The team’s efforts included participation in the three-day Puerto Rico VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) Conference, where they connected with key organizations such as FEMA and VOAD. These vital meetings focused on fostering collaboration, cooperation, coordination, and communication, which are essential for improving disaster preparedness across Puerto Rico.

“Puerto Rico's challenges are immense, particularly with a fragile power grid that often leaves communities vulnerable during and after disasters. Our team is committed to making sure the island’s Rotary clubs and communities are better equipped to respond and recover when the next disaster strikes,” said Irving Kaplan, Member of the LNYRC Disaster Preparedness Team.

In collaboration with Rotary District 7000 leadership, the Liberty Rotary team developed a comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Plan, which lays the groundwork for strengthening local disaster response efforts. The team identified and met with six pilot Rotary clubs across Puerto Rico, located in San Juan, Mayagüez, Yauco, Manatí, Guayama, and Quebradillas. These clubs were selected as the first to implement disaster preparedness strategies, with a goal to spark broader engagement from their members and local stakeholders.

“The response from the pilot clubs was incredibly positive. Some clubs were already in the process of forming their disaster preparedness committees, while others have made tremendous strides by reaching out to community stakeholders to establish priorities and goals for the next six months,” said Dan Parkhurst, a member of the team. “Our goal is to ensure that Rotary clubs across the island are ready—not if, but when—disaster strikes.”

The Liberty NY Rotary team’s visit was met with overwhelming gratitude, and the work of the team was formally recognized. During their trip, each of the LNYRC team members were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Rotary District 7000 Governor, Marco Bilen-Thillet, in acknowledgment of their invaluable service and collaboration with local Rotary clubs in Puerto Rico.

“The efforts of the Liberty Rotary team have not only helped prepare Puerto Rico for future challenges but also provided a spark of hope and urgency for ongoing community involvement in disaster preparedness,” said D7000 Governor Belen-Thillet. “This partnership will go a long way in ensuring the island's resilience for years to come.”

As the Liberty NY Rotary Club Disaster Preparedness and Relief Team continues to work alongside Puerto Rico’s Rotary District 7000, the lasting impact of their mission will strengthen the island’s ability to survive, recover, and rebuild after disasters.