Residents Putting Stock in

Performing Arts Center

BETHEL: Locals say they believe in Gerry

By Steve Israel

The Times-Herald-Record

Ray Neuenhoff knows Woodstock so well, he wears it on his sleeve.

The Town of Bethel constable with the peace and music logo on his shoulder worked security at the 1969 festival. He directed traffic at the reunions. And he’s seen all of the failed Woodstock dreams – Sid Bernstein and his Sid Bernstein school of music, the multiple sclerosis official’s plan for a 25^th anniversary show, the Rhulen family’s attempt to save that show.

But when Neuenhoff heard the Gerry Foundation outline its plan for a performing arts center at the Woodstock site Tuesday night, he knew it was a sure bet.

One of the world’s great architects designing the $40 million pavilion? A performing arts school? A museum, shops, an inn and a conference center?

Believe it, says Neuenhoff.

“Alan Gerry’s different from the rest,” he says, munching a chicken salad sandwich at Blanche’s Diner in Mongaup Valley, a few miles from the Woodstock site. “He’s got the ability and vision to make it happen.”

Yes, the show-me county of Sullivan has heard so many empty promises, some folks won’t bet on the sun rising.

But when it comes to anything connected with Liberty cable TV magnate Alan Gerry, most change their tune.

“Everyone else has to go and find the money; he has it,” says Bob Sogan of White Lake, eating a funnel cake at the Valley Cone next to Route 17B where thousands got stuck in traffic on their way to the 1969 show.

Sure, you’ll still find the occasional “I’ll-believe-it-when-I-see-it” doubter like Charlie Vito. His family has owned the Lighthouse restaurant on Route 17B overlooking big blue White Lake for the past 50 years.

And yes, a few souls think a $40 million arts center that could host the New York Philharmonic violates the spirit of Woodstock.

“Like buying the Mona Lisa and painting over the smile,” says perennial gadfly Ted Yeomans of Kauneonga Lake.

But even he thinks Gerry will build the center.

“Of course his plans are real,” he says.

Throughout the fields, farms, forests, lakes and streams of Bethel, most folks agree.

“Definitely,” says Fred Vassmer, sitting behind the counter at Vassmer’s General Store, which served hundreds of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to hungry hippies in 1969.

“I believe Alan Gerry when he talks about his roots,” says Carol Scannell, standing behind the counter at the Mongaup Valley Post Office.

Back at Blanche’s, cook Bud Leconey flips a few strips of bacon on the grill and delivers the final verdict.

“It’s absolutely for real,” he says. “And even if one third of it happens, it’ll still be a dream come true.”