ELANT BOARD OF DIRECTORS WELCOMES MICHELLE MCDONALD

Michelle McDonald

McDonald brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the health care industry

Goshen, N.Y. (April 16, 2012) – Elant, the Hudson Valley’s premier provider of senior health care and housing solutions, has named Michelle McDonald to its Board of Directors.

McDonald, MPH, RN is a nursing professional with experience in both clinical and business-oriented projects. As a health care executive, she has managed operations in facilities management, clinical services, data management, care management and quality improvement efforts.

“Elant is a significant health care resource in the Hudson Valley, and the quality care, innovative programs and quality of life it provides to its residents and program participants are second to none,” McDonald said. “I am proud to join the Board of Directors of this organization, and I look forward to leveraging my health care industry expertise.”

McDonald currently serves as the national client relations manager for Joint Commissions Resources, Inc., where she is responsible for administrating Federal contracts with the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and works with a number of major health system accounts. She has previously presented at national seminars, and coordinated and developed national satellite presentations on the Federal Code of Regulations and Program Integrity.  Additionally, from 1995 to 2002, McDonald was the vice president of Clinical Affairs at Elant.

“We welcome Michelle McDonald to our Board of Directors,” said Donna Cornell, chair of Elant’s Board of Directors. “Her experience in both the clinical and business aspects of the healthcare industry will be invaluable to us.”

McDonald has a bachelor’s degree from Mt. St. Mary’s College and a master’s degree from New York Medical College. Her affiliations include the American College of Healthcare Administrators, Medicare SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility) Technical Advisory Panel Member for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and she was formerly a clinical reviewer for the MDS 3.0 RAI User Manual for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

ABOUT ELANT:

Elant was founded in 1985 in Goshen, N.Y. as a 120-bed, nonprofit, community-based nursing home. The organization offers seven locations, as well as in-home and day treatment programs, throughout the region, as well as a broad spectrum of services that provides for the needs of more than 3,500 individuals. Elant provides a full continuum of care, including Sub-Acute Care and Rehabilitation Services, Nursing Home Care, Assisted Living, Adult Day Care, Retirement Community Living, Home Health Care and a Managed Long Term Care Plan.

GARY COOPER WEEKEND APRIL 20-22 BLACK BEAR FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES HOLLYWOOD’S LEADING MAN

Learn about the legend and see his High Noon Best Actor Oscar at the Milford Theatre

Milford, PA. (April 16, 2012) – The Black Bear Film Festival’s second mini-festival of 2012 is this weekend, April 20-22, 2012. This special tribute will be held at the Milford Theatre and feature four of his greatest films and a special once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet his daughter, Maria Cooper-Janis and see one of his OscarsTM for Best Actor.

Author and film historian John DiLeo will introduce the films and interview Ms. Cooper-Janis about her father’s career prior to each film on Saturday and Sunday, and she will sign copies of her new book Gary Cooper: Enduring Style, onstage afterwards.

The festivities begin at 8:00pm Friday with an introduction by DiLeo before the film that made Cooper a superstar, Frank Capra’s beloved 1936 OscarTM-winning comedy Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936).

The 80th Anniversary screening of the OscarTM-winning A Farewell to Arms (1932), is scheduled for Saturday, at 2:00 p.m. Then at 8:00 p.m. don’t miss the 60th Anniversary screening of the western classic High Noon (1952), the film for which Cooper won his second Best Actor OscarTM. Film goers will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Cooper’s Best Actor OscarTM at this screening.

The final film, on Sunday at 1:30 p.m., is a 70th Anniversary showing of Pride of the Yankees (1942), the biopic about Lou Gehrig and another film for which Cooper got an OscarTM nomination.

Tickets are $10 per person, or $35 for a Gold Pass ($40 value) which guarantees VIP seating at each film, or $60 for the exclusive Oscar Pass (an $80 value) which includes an autographed copy of Gary Cooper: An Enduring Style and guaranteed VIP seating at each film.  Tickets can be purchased at www.blackbearfilm.org, Upriver Home on Broad Street, or at the Milford Theatre Box Office prior to each film (subject to availability). For more information, please visit www.blackbearfilm.org.

About Black Bear Film Festival:

The not-for-profit Black Bear Film Festival (BBFF) was born in Milford, PA. in 2000 when a small group of culturally-minded creative types set about creating an event to support and promote innovative, independent films. It celebrates Milford’s rich filmmaking heritage and the conservation movement in tribute to Gifford Pinchot, “father of the American conservation movement”.  Zane Grey, D.W. Griffith, Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish and John Barrymore are just a few of the legends who graced Milford’s alleys long before us.

The BBFF packed the town and sold out every show the first year, and has continued to thrive for more than a decade, featuring engaging movies, fantastic parties, a free film salon and more. Today BBFF is has returned to its home in the historic, refurbished Milford Theatre, under new leadership, and continues to support innovative and independent films, artistic expression, education, diversity, and cultural enhancement, while promoting the region’s clean air and water, abundant wildlife, natural beauty and the entities that protect them. It also recognizes the area’s history as the birthplace of the American conservation movement and as a popular filmmaking location. For more information, please visit www.blackbearfilm.com or “like” us on Facebook.

MICHAEL DITULLO JOINS BOARD OF HUDSON VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Mike DiTullo

NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. (April 12, 2012) – The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC) has welcomed Rockland Economic Development Corp. President and CEO Michael J. DiTullo to its board of directors.

DiTullo, of Wallkill, N.Y., is a lifelong businessman and economic development connoisseur. DiTullo’s entrepreneurial spirit was seeded in 1973 as proprietor of a network of gourmet markets in Poughkeepsie, which he later sold to become a consultant in the food industry and in commercial real estate. From 1984 to 1986, DiTullo was an economic development specialist for Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation.

In 1986, DiTullo became the first president and C.E.O. of the Orange County Partnership, an organization recognized as one of the top 10 economic development corporations in the nation by the Industrial Research Council. He has since held similar posts as president and C.E.O. of Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress, managing director of business attraction and government relations for The Solar Energy Consortium (T.S.E.C.) in Kingston, N.Y., and most recently managing director at Orange County Business Accelerator, where he assisted in facilitating the creation and expansion of nearly two dozen early-stage start-up firms.

“I’m honored to be on the board of a great organization like HVEDC, and I look forward to bringing my years of economic development experience to the table and helping companies here in the Hudson Valley grow,” DiTullo said.

“I had the pleasure working with Mike during his long career in the Hudson Valley region.  Recently, we worked together when he ran the Orange County Business Accelerator. We are thrilled to have business and economic development experience as part of our team. He will be a great addition to our team as we work to attract jobs to Rockland County. I know that Mike will be a perfect fit for the HVEDC Board of Directors,” said Mike Oates, CEO and President of HVEDC.

About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC): HVEDC represents seven counties in Hudson Valley. This public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC also helped start the branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley. For more information on Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation or to review available business sites, visit http://www.hvedc.com or call CEO Mike Oates at 845-220-2244.

About Rockland Economic Development Corporation (REDC): Rockland Economic Development Corporation (REDC) focuses on building Rockland’s economy by creating and attracting new businesses and retaining and expanding existing businesses to stimulate job growth as a way of improving the quality of life in Rockland County. Its role is to coordinate the operations of economic development programs and services for business and industry in Rockland County. For more info, please call 845-735-5736 or visit www.redc.org

KINGSTON TO CELEBRATE LIFE OF GOVERNOR GEORGE CLINTON

April 20th event will honor legacy of New York’s Founding Father

KINGSTON, NY (April 11, 2012) – The city of Kingston will hold a celebration on Friday, April 20th, in remembrance of the death of former New York Governor and U.S. Vice President George Clinton.

Clinton served as the first governor of New York and started both the New York public school system and the State University of New York during his time in office. He later went on to serve as vice president under two memorable commanders in chief: Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. As vice president, Clinton strongly supported the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution and was chiefly responsible for its eventual inclusion.

“As governor of New York and later as our country’s vice president, George Clinton played a vital role in creating opportunities for education and personal freedom,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. “He truly is a founding father of our state and our country, and this is a great opportunity to honor him on the anniversary of his death two centuries ago.”

“We hope that this remembrance of Governor Clinton’s life will introduce those who are unfamiliar with him to some of his tremendous accomplishments for both the state of New York and the U.S. as a whole,” said City of Kingston Mayor Shayne Gallo. “We invite everyone to come out to Kingston and help us celebrate his achievements and his lasting legacy, which impacts us to this day.”

The Kingston celebration marks the 200th anniversary of Clinton’s death, on April 20, 1812. Clinton’s remains were moved from Washington, DC, to Kingston’s Old Dutch Church burial ground in 1909. The city is the site of one of the state’s first settlements, and the original New York state constitution was written at the old Ulster County courthouse.

On April 20th, celebration attendees will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Academy Green Park and march with the Kingston High School band to Clinton’s gravesite at the Old Dutch Reformed Church, 272 Wall St. The laying of ceremonial wreaths will take place at noon. After the ceremony, author John P. Kaminski will give a presentation at 1:30 p.m. at the Ulster County Courthouse, 285 Wall St., exploring Clinton’s life in greater detail. A reception will follow at 3:00 p.m. at DAR Headquarters, 3 Crown St. (behind the courthouse).

There will be a first viewing of a large work on canvas of Clinton by area artist Joe Tantillo, who is also making 13-inch by 19-inch signed and numbered giclee prints for sale at the Old Dutch Church. Call 845-338-6759 to inquire.

Born in Little Britain, N.Y., which at the time was part of Ulster County, Clinton served with the British in the French and Indian War, rising to lieutenant. He later became an outspoken anti-British voice, and in 1776 he assumed a position as a brigadier general in the New York militia. He was elected vice president in 1804 and 1808, and was the only person who has served in the position with two different presidents.

“This is as much a celebration of our history and our heritage as it is of George Clinton, a man who served with distinction as our Governor and later as our country’s Vice President,” said Nina Postupack, Ulster County Clerk. “An individual that holds the honor of being the longest serving County Clerk in our state, 53 years.”

“This will be a stirring and colorful event, paying tribute to an often forgotten, but important figure in our history,” said Anne Gordon, County Historian.

For more information about the celebration, contact Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack at 845-340-3040 or countyclerk@co.ulster.ny.us or call Ulster County Historian Anne Gordon at 845-331-7380.

ANNUAL GARDINER CUPCAKE FESTIVAL SET FOR MAY 19

2011 Gardiner Cupcake Festival

Event will take place at Wright’s Farm this year

GARDINER, N.Y. (April 11, 2012) – The Gardiner Cupcake Festival, a popular annual event that offers a variety of fun activities for residents and visitors, will take place this year on May 19 at Wright’s Farm.

“In just a few short years, the Gardiner Cupcake Festival has become a local favorite here in Ulster County, and many of our area’s visitors also take part,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. “This is an event for visitors to experience what our region is all about, with local shopping, great food and fun activities for all.”

The very first Cupcake festival in the Hudson Valley, the Gardiner Cupcake Festival features a variety of cupcake vendors who combined bring over 30,000 cupcakes. New to the festival this year is a cupcake eating contest in addition to the ever popular amateur cupcake contest. Amateur cupcake makers from around the Hudson Valley will be judged in such categories as: Best Decorated cupcake; Best Tasting cupcake; Best Tasting Vegan cupcake; Best Gluten Free cupcake; and Most Creative cupcake.

The event, which was first held in 2009, is a day full of cupcakes, food, music, local vendors, wine tastings and activities for children. Previously held on Main Street in Gardiner, this year the festival moves to Wright’s Farm, a much larger venue to allow for more cupcakes and fun. Wright’s Farm is a 453-acre farm with a 200 year history and is currently run by three generations of the Wright Family. With the new location the ability to expand the event has become possible, this year – in addition to more than 15 cupcake vendors – there will be more activities for kids including face painting, cupcake decorating, helicopter rides, pony rides, wagon rides, bouncy house.

“We are thrilled to host the Gardiner Cupcake Festival and are looking forward to another great event this year,” said Tammy Wright-Boylan of Wrights Farm. “This is not only a fun event for local residents and families, but also for those who are visiting our area. We hope to showcase all that Ulster County has to offer when it comes to sweets, wines, shopping and more.”

In addition to cupcakes from Wright’s Farms the festival will showcase creations from Deising’s Bakery in Kingston, Main Course in New Paltz, Sweet Maresa’s Upstate Cupcake in New Paltz, Crave Cupcakery Bakery in Bloomingburg and Bettie’s Cakes from Saratoga Springs who will be  returning with its popular double-decker bus. Other food vendors include Full Moon Farms, Meadow View Farms, Pasquale Pizza, Twisted Pretzels and the Village Market and Bakery. There will even be cupcake flavored ice cream from Lazy Crazy Acres, a boutique, family-owned Catskill Mountain farm and creamery based in Halcott Center.

“Each year the Gardiner Cupcake Festival continues to impress us with the variety of special treats there are to eat in Ulster County,” said Richard J. Remsnyder, director of Ulster County Tourism. “This year’s event promises to be even larger and tastier.”

The Gardiner Cupcake Festival will take place on Saturday, May 19th from 12 to 6 p.m., rain or shine. The event is free this year with a small donation for parking. Proceeds of this year’s event will benefit the Gardiner Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Wrights Farm is located at 699 State Road 208 in Gardiner. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/gardinercupcakefestival.

About Ulster County Tourism

Ulster County, located less than 90 minutes from midtown Manhattan, has 250,000 of forever-wild acres encompassing 35 peaks and 350 miles of hiking trails. From biking to hiking, from kayaking to wind surfing, from hitting the sweet spot on one of our 12 golf courses to horseback riding and fly-fishing, it is truly a four-season recreation area. The county’s rural vistas provide beauty for each one. Learn more at www.UlsterCountyAlive.com

Empire Resorts’ Monticello Casino and Raceway Generates $24,443,637 Million for New York State Education

New York State Division of the Lottery Publishes Fiscal Year 2011-2012

Revenue Generated by Monticello Casino and Raceway

Monticello Casino and Raceway’s Revenue to Education Equivalent

to 350 Teachers’ Salaries

MONTICELLO, N.Y., (April 10, 2012) — Monticello Casino and Raceway generated $24,443,637 million for education during the 2011-2012 fiscal year, according to recently released data by the New York State Division of the Lottery. 39 percent of the facility’s net win goes directly to the Lottery to fund education.

“Monticello Casino and Raceway is proud of the funding we generate to support education,” Empire Resort’s Chairman of the Board Emanuel Pearlman said.  “We look forward to continuing to generate even more funds to support education and help to ease the burden on taxpayers as we pursue our plans for a new facility at the Concord Resort property.”

In 2011-2012, revenue generated by Monticello Casino and Raceway for education was equivalent to the annual salaries of approximately 350 teachers. Since opening in 2004, Monticello Casino and Raceway has generated more than $223 million in education funding for New York.

In addition to the Lottery, Monticello Casino and Raceway also supports the local community and in June 2011, the host communities of Monticello Casino and Raceway received $795,000 in aid payments.

More information on Monticello Casino and Raceway is available at www.monticellocasinoandraceway.com and the full New York State Division of the Lottery report is available at www.nylottery.ny.gov.

NEW YORK SHORT FILM CONCERT RETURNING TO ROSENDALE THEATRE MAY 4

Kevin Pollak

Event draws film fans to Ulster County

KINGSTON, N.Y. (April 3, 2012) – A popular film event will return to Ulster County again this year. Asbury Shorts, New York City’s longest running short film exhibition, will present its acclaimed touring program of international award-winning films known as “The New York Short Film Concert” at the historic Rosendale Theatre in Rosendale at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 4.

The New York Short Film Concert combines classic, award-winning shorts from the past with new international film festival honorees, providing the public a rare opportunity to see world-class films in a theatre rather than on a computer or iPod.

“In a short period of time the New York Short Film Festival Concert series has made Rosendale a destination for film buffs,” said Ulster County Executive, Mike Hein. “We are incredibly proud of the efforts of the organizers to bring this high quality event to Ulster County and look forward to many years of success.”

Ulster County Tourism is also enthusiastic about the return of this event.  “This is an outstanding event, a unique event, that again has the potential to draw film aficionados from all over to Ulster County,” said Richard J. Remsynder, Director,  “This event is great for local businesses, shops and restaurants. Rosendale is an emerging tourism destination and the Rosendale Theatre is simply an outstanding venue for this event.”

In all there will be a dozen short films in the lineup along with live music. “It’s as fast-paced a program as possible to entertain the audience,” said Doug LeClaire, director of the New York Short Film Concert. “This is not a film festival; there is no formality about it. It’s simply a great night out of fun, laughter and short-film entertainment.”

Academy Award nominated director, Jason Reitman (“Juno,” “Up in the Air,” “Thank You for Smoking” and the most recent “Young Adult”) calls the event: “The best short film show I’ve ever seen.” The fast-paced showcase includes the best in live action comedy, drama and outstanding animation. Highlights of the May 4th show include:

  • “Our Time is Up,” 2006 Oscar Nominee for Best Live Action Short Film from Los Angeles director Rob Pearlstein. A pretentious therapist, played by acclaimed actor Kevin Pollack, discovers he has six weeks to live, which changes his whole approach to his patients.
  • “Autobank,” a classic comedy quickie from award winning upstate New York director Matthew Ehlers. A bank teller attempts to perfect his customer greeting at the drive-in window.
  • “La Linea,” 2011 Winner of the DC Shorts Festival’s “Audience Choice” Award and screened in Times Square for the HBO Latino International Film Festival. Director Evan Buxbaum shows three Mexican men attempting to smuggle themselves across the U.S. border in this uniquely clever and surprisingly humorous film.

“It is truly a pleasure to bring Asbury Shorts New York back to Ulster County this spring,” said LeClaire. “We’re a huge supporter of the history of theatre and very honored to be working with the Rosendale Theatre Collective. I think what they’re doing with the theatre is tremendous and we’d love to make Ulster County a hotbed for short films.”

Asbury’s “Short Film Concert” has been presented at The Lake Placid Center for the Arts, The Lake Shore Theater in Chicago, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Royal Festival Hall in London, The Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, N.J., The Aero Theatre in Los Angeles, Summer Stage in Central Park and The Director’s Guild Theater in Manhattan to name just a few of the venues where audiences have enjoyed Asbury’s eclectic and hilarious “concerts.”

General admission tickets cost $10. The Rosendale Theatre is located at 401 Main Street in Rosendale, N.Y.  For all info please go to: www.rosendaletheatre.org or call 845-658-8989.

About Rosendale Theatre Collective

The Rosendale Theatre Collective is dedicated to preserving the historic Rosendale Theatre and enhancing the cultural life and economic vitality of Rosendale and Ulster County through film, the performing arts and educational programming. RTC provides a dynamic forum for presenting and producing world-class films and performance, arts and education programs. With an emphasis on supporting local and regional artists, RTC works together with other arts organizations to sustain diverse cultural activities and exchanges for a wide audience, enhancing the economic and business development in our community.

About Ulster County Tourism

Ulster County, located less than 90 minutes from midtown Manhattan, has 250,000 of forever-wild acres encompassing 35 peaks and 350 miles of hiking trails. From biking to hiking, from kayaking to wind surfing, from hitting the sweet spot on one of our 12 golf courses to horseback riding and fly-fishing, it is truly a four-season recreation area. The county’s rural vistas provide beauty for each one. Learn more at www.UlsterCountyAlive.com

TUTHILLTOWN SPIRITS BECOMES FOUNDING MEMBER OF HUDSON VALLEY FOOD & BEVERAGE ALLIANCE

Business joins latest initiative of HVEDC

NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. (April 2, 2012) – Tuthilltown Spirits, New York’s first whiskey distillery since the days of Prohibition, has joined the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance as a founding member.

The distillery, located in Gardiner, produces five whole-grain spirits that make use of raw materials grown at local farms and orchards. Its product line includes vodka made from Hudson Valley apples, as well as rum and cassis from local currants. By acquiring raw materials from local farms, Tuthilltown Spirits is able to reduce fuel consumption and eliminate inefficiencies, which means higher profits for the region’s growers. Thus, visitors to the distillery can make a direct connection to local farms and orchards.

“We believe that hospitality and food businesses are important to the Hudson Valley,” said Ralph Erenzo, co-founder of Tuthilltown Spirits Farm Distillery. “Supporting the Food & Beverage Alliance puts us in a position to improve our own business and help the economy grow by working with other producers to strengthen the food and beverage industry, help New York farmers and create jobs.”

The Food & Beverage Alliance focuses on helping food and beverage companies in the region work together as strong partners and market their products all over the United States. Launched by the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC), the organization includes food businesses, farmers, vegetable growers, beverage makers, distributors and other organizations in the industry.

In working with the Alliance, Tuthilltown Spirits hopes to contribute to the organization’s comprehensive approach to promoting the products offered by Hudson Valley businesses through enhanced cooperation among the region’s various hospitality and farming interests.

“We are very happy to welcome Tuthilltown Spirits to the Food & Beverage Alliance, as we believe that they will be a very important partner as we move forward,” said Mike Oates, President and CEO of the HVEDC. “We look forward to working with the team at Tuthilltown Spirits in promoting the great things happening in the Hudson Valley food and beverage industry.”

Tuthilltown Spirits will be represented in the Food & Beverage Alliance by Erenzo and Co-founder Brian Lee. The distillery continues to experiment with new fruit and grains in its products, and its recent Hudson Valley Apple Brandy project involved grafting 300 apple trees with Old World-style cider apples.

“Tuthilltown Spirits is a growing and thriving business in Ulster County that sells its products internationally,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. “The company is a wonderful example of the fine businesses in Ulster County. We are proud to see Tuthilltown Spirits become a founding member of the Hudson Valley Food and Beverage Alliance where they will have the opportunity to support other food and beverage companies throughout the Hudson Valley.”

About Tuthilltown Spirits: Tuthilltown Spirits distills vodkas and whiskeys from local apples and grain from in the Hudson Valley, as well as rum, eau de vie, brandy, absinthe and infusions. It welcomes guests for tastings during store hours, and tours are offered by appointment. The distillery is located at 14 Grist Mill Lane in Gardiner, N.Y. To learn more, visit http://www.tuthilltownspirits.com.

About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC): HVEDC represents seven counties in Hudson Valley. This public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC also helped start the branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley. For more information on Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation or to review available business sites, visit http://www.HVEDC.com or call CEO Mike Oates at 845-220-2244.

ELANT BOARD OF DIRECTORS WELCOMES MICHAEL J. DITULLO

Mike DiTullo

DiTullo brings economic development expertise to the Board

Goshen, N.Y. (April 2, 2012) – Elant, the Hudson Valley’s premier provider of senior health and housing solutions, is pleased to announce that Michael J. DiTullo has been elected to the Board of Directors.

DiTullo is a local business professional with a wide range of expertise in economic development. He has worked with a number of high-profile organizations in the Hudson Valley region, and was most recently named president and CEO of the Rockland Economic Development Corporation (REDC).

“I am pleased to join the Elant Board of Directors, as the organization provides an outstanding level of care to those it serves,” said DiTullo. “This is an excellent opportunity to share my business experience and to make new, meaningful connections in the community for the benefit of Elant.”

DiTullo began his career in the early 1970s as the owner of a network of gourmet markets in Poughkeepsie, later becoming a consultant in both the food industry and commercial real estate. He served as the president and CEO of the Orange County Partnership, an organization recognized as one of the top 10 economic development corporations in the nation by the Industrial Research Council, and was co-founder and past president of Team Hudson Valley, a nonprofit consortium that promotes inward corporate investment in the region. Prior to his role at REDC, DiTullo was the managing director of Orange County Business Accelerator, a company that helps local start-up businesses find success.

“Michael is a highly respected business professional and economic development specialist in our region, and we are delighted to welcome him to our organization,” said Donna Cornell, chair of Elant’s Board of Directors. “His unique perspective on business in the Hudson Valley and his experience with nonprofit organizations make him a valuable addition to the Board.”

DiTullo has a bachelor’s degree from Empire State College and is a graduate of Pace Law School’s Land Use Center Leadership program.

ABOUT ELANT

Elant was founded in 1985 in Goshen, N.Y. as a 120-bed, nonprofit, community-based nursing home. The organization offers seven locations, as well as in-home and day treatment programs, throughout the region, as well as a broad spectrum of services that provides for the needs of more than 3,500 individuals. Elant provides a full continuum of care, including Sub-Acute Care and Rehabilitation Services, Nursing Home Care, Assisted Living, Adult Day Care, Retirement Community Living, Home Health Care and a Managed Long Term Care Plan.

VISTA WOODS AT BLOOMING GROVE UNITS SELL QUICKLY

Development experiencing high rates of sale, increasing prices

GOSHEN, N.Y. (April 2, 2012) – Homes at the new Vista Woods at Blooming Grove development are selling quickly, even though the busy spring real estate season has yet to begin.

Built by Goshen-based The Ruby Group, Vista Woods has already sold five units since its groundbreaking last fall. Based on the homes’ great value, excellent location and high level of construction quality, buyers have responded well to the development.

“Things are definitely picking up in the housing market, and we have had a great deal of success thus far at Vista Woods,” said Peter Berman, CEO of The Ruby Group. “These units sit on beautiful lots in a pristine area of the Hudson Valley. It’s no surprise why future homeowners have found these properties to be so well-suited to their needs.”

Vista Woods includes two different home models, called The Aspen and The Bayberry. The homes feature nine-foot ceilings on the first floor and ceramic tile in all bathrooms, the mudroom, powder room and laundry room. There’s pre-finished oak flooring in the kitchen, and homeowners have the option of carpeting on the second floor.

The homes also place an emphasis on saving energy for homeowners, and The Ruby Group uses energy modeling to determine the proper insulation levels needed for optimal efficiency. It also uses tankless water heaters that provide a limitless supply of hot water, without the use of an inefficient tank.

With this new demand in the housing units, The Ruby Group has also announced new pricing. Its Aspen units, which were originally on the market for $379,000, will now start at $394,000. The Bayberry units will increase from $409,000 to $419,000 per unit. These prices come with no grace period, and it’s not too late for homebuyers to take advantage of the current prices before they increase again.

“With the popularity of these units and the improvement of the housing market, there’s no telling when prices might go up again,” said Berman. “Our advice to those who may be thinking about purchasing a high-quality new home is to start looking at Vista Woods right away.”

To learn more about the development, visit http://www.vistawoodsNY.com.

About The Ruby Group

The Ruby Group, based in Goshen, NY, is a development, project management, general contracting and consulting firm serving the residential and commercial sectors. Ruby Homes is dedicated to building feature-rich, high-quality homes with personalized service, and has achieved top-level Platinum LEED certification for single-family homes. The Ruby Group also manages modular construction projects, provides student housing expertise and purchases, renovates and resells foreclosed properties. For more information, visit http://www.rubygrp.com or call 845-651-3800.