LIVINGSTON MANOR — On a mammoth construction of
tables inside Catskill Art Society's huge ground-floor window, sat a
replica of the building that once was.
North
Branch resident Marc Switko and his 10-year-old daughter Emma found it
as they stood over a mammoth table-top replica of Livingston Manor and
its structures, part of the hamlet's "Trains on Main" showcase of model
trains.
There was a replica of Main Street
Farm, which sits just across the street from the society. There was the
Robin Hood Diner and the Livingston Manor School District building.
"And I saw the Hoos building," Emma Switko said. "I went to the Lazy Beagle all the time."
Eleven
days after the Nov. 20 fire that destroyed the landmark Hoos building
and four local businesses, Livingston Manor buzzed with a day full of
holiday activities.
There has been mourning
for the business owners and the loss of four Main Street businesses.
There also are fundraisers and calls to spend holiday cash in Livingston
Manor as a show of support.
"It was a
beautiful outpouring of love," said Morgan Outdoors owner Lisa Lyons
said. "Quite a few angels talked up having people come here to shop."
Four
days after the fire, about 100 people attended the opening of the
society's members show. Executive Director Ann Manby partly attributed
the larger-than-normal turnout to a desire by some to support the hamlet
in the wake of the fire.
Elaborate
model-train scenes created by board President Charlie Irace and Manor
resident Charlie Sanborn greeted visitors to the society, Morgan
Outdoors, Flour Power Bakery and the local library as part of "Trains
for Main."
Catskill Art Society also opened
the doors to its annual members' show and set up a crafts bazaar in one
of its gallery spaces. There was also caroling, and the Plunk Shop held
an event featuring clown-themed art.
"It's brought a lot of joy to this area and the people that come and see it every year," Manby said.
Irace
has spent five years creating the Manor replica, adding and refining
buildings each year. He decided to keep the Hoos building in this
year's display, despite concerns by others.
"I just thought it had to be in to help heal things," Irace said.
Like
his daughter, Marc Switko was transported by Irace's display of his
native Livingston Manor. He remembered when the Catskill Arts Society
building housed a movie theater, when Madison on Main was a pharmacy and
Morgan Outdoors was a grocery.
He also remembered eating cheeseburgers at the carryout that once shared the Hoos building with the Hoos bakery.
"I hope something happens with that space," he said.
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