HOLIDAY PARTY/BENEFIT SCHEDULED AT WHITE LAKE FIREHOUSE FOR DEC. 12th

November 24, 2009

Dear Friend,

Friends Pub in Smallwood was severely damaged in a fire earlier this month. Although the news is a temporary loss to Bethel, thankfully, no one was hurt and the owners, Jim and Mary Ellen DiCarlo, are rebuilding and plan to reopen this spring. Many supporters and friends thought this was an opportunity to turn a tragedy into something positive for the entire community.
That’s why we created Friends4Friends (http://friends4friends.wordpress.com) – to harness the outpouring of community support, to keep people informed about the rebuilding process, and to organize events that keep the Friends Pub and holiday spirit alive in coming months. One of those events will be a Community-wide Holiday Party/Benefit on Saturday, December 12 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the White Lake Firehouse on Route 17B. (It’s searchable on Google Maps).
Friends4Friends is asking that each person bring gift or gas station cards, oil vouchers, food items, and cash. The suggested donation is $5, whether it’s cash or the same value in a card/voucher/food item. Fifty percent of the proceeds will be divided among the three Bethel fire departments (White Lake, Kauneonga Lake, and Smallwood/Mongaup Valley) and the balance will be donated to the Shepherd’s Food Pantry, in Bethel. Monetary donations may also be made at the door to the local fire departments and to other local charitable organizations. Local restaurants are donating food for the party for what will be a great “pot luck” event. Jim and others will be cooking, and there will be fun for all ages! There will be face painting and holiday craft making for the kids and musical performances for everyone, including some by those who are regular performers at Friends.
If you would like to donate in advance or volunteer to help during the event, please email Jo-Ann Peabody at mrspeabody@hvc.rr.com, or call her at 845-798-5885. Donations can also be mailed to Friends4Friends, C/O Malek Properties, PO Box 567, White Lake, NY 12786. Updates about the party and other information concerning Friends Pub can be found at http://friends4friends.wordpress.com , http://twitter.com/friendspub the Smallwood, NY page on Facebook, related Facebook pages, and other websites/blogs about Smallwood, Bethel, Sullivan County and the Catskills. Announcements will also be made by local radio and other media.
Thanks, in advance, for your generosity. See you at the party!
Sincerely,
FRIENDS4FRIENDS
Founding Members: Carol Malek and Tina Guarini of Malek Properties; Jo-Ann Peabody of Jo-Ann Peabody Management; Lori Rubinstein-Fleck of RubyFlecks Creative Consulting; Rich Klein of LawFirmsPR; Paul Ciliberto of Bold Gold Media; Denise Frangipane, Town of Bethel Councilwoman and Daniel Sturm, Town of Bethel Supervisor

Times Herald-Record Coverage

Here’s a link to a story about the rebuilding of Friends Pub.

Friends4Friends Launch

This blog was created to keep people informed about Friends Restaurant in the hamlet of Smallwood (Town of Bethel) New York.  The restaurant was heavily damaged by fire in early November and is expected to be closed for repairs for approximately five months. In the interim, the community has come together to offer support for the owners and their employees. Fire Departments from around Sullivan County did a tremendous job containing the fire, particularly the local Fire Departments in White Lake, Kauneonga Lake and Smallwood/Mongaup Valley. Stay tuned for future announcements.