Claire Marin Excellence in Business Claire Marin is the owner and head distiller at Catskill Provisions Distillery, makers of Pollinator Spirits. Born in Madrid and raised in NYC, Claire started her career in the corporate world as the VP Publisher of Woman’s Day Brand Group. After moving to Long Eddy in the Catskill Mountains, she started beekeeping as a hobby and found herself drawn to the bees and how they work in easy harmony with their surroundings. She turned her hobby into a full time career starting Catskill Provisions in 2010. Today, she manages (with 2 other beekeepers) 300 hives and has created a coveted range of honey-based products, and locally harvested maple syrup used in over 300 restaurants. After experimenting with blending whiskey with her maple syrup and honey, Marin became inspired by the process of distillation and studied it for over 7 years to create Pollinator Spirits, the award-winning spirits line. Earlier this year, Claire reopened The Tasting Room at Catskill Provisions Distillery with Chef Harris Mayer to offer a locally sourced food menu and a cocktail program that incorporates the Pollinator Spirits portfolio.

Barbi is the Senior Unit director for the Town of Wallkill Boys and Girls Club serving Northern Orange and Sullivan Counties. She has been with the organization for 13 years and is a driving force for youth and development in Sullivan County. Barbi takes pride in preparing youth to meet the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood by helping them achieve their full potential through the creation of programs and experiences that inspire them socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. 

This Pride Month, and all year round, she strives to foster a sense of belonging for all children.

Erin West and David Johnston met in 2012 when Erin was David’s cocktail waitress at the Cellar Bar in NYC’s Bryant Park Hotel. They were married in 2016 and in 2018 they closed on their home in Barryville NY. The plan was to stay completely anonymous, but that all changed when they were asked to join the board of the new Barryville Farmers’ Market in March of 2019. The beloved market that had existed in Barryville decided to move to Narrowsburg and there was a public outcry to keep a farmers’ market in Barryville because people loved having access to farm fresh food, and also because of the community aspect being able to connect with neighbors and friends and meet new people once a week. So, onto the board and into the community they went, with the mission of creating a place that everyone could come to shop, listen to music, and enjoy the beauty of the Delaware River. 

The Barryville Farmers' Market is now in its sixth season on the grounds of the Barryville United Methodist Church and the adjacent property of John and Debra Conway. It takes place every Saturday from 10a-1p until October 26th.

Claire Marin Excellence in Business Claire Marin is the owner and head distiller at Catskill Provisions Distillery, makers of Pollinator Spirits. Born in Madrid and raised in NYC, Claire started her career in the corporate world as the VP Publisher of Woman’s Day Brand Group. After moving to Long Eddy in the Catskill Mountains, she started beekeeping as a hobby and found herself drawn to the bees and how they work in easy harmony with their surroundings. She turned her hobby into a full time career starting Catskill Provisions in 2010. Today, she manages (with 2 other beekeepers) 300 hives and has created a coveted range of honey-based products, and locally harvested maple syrup used in over 300 restaurants. After experimenting with blending whiskey with her maple syrup and honey, Marin became inspired by the process of distillation and studied it for over 7 years to create Pollinator Spirits, the award-winning spirits line. Earlier this year, Claire reopened The Tasting Room at Catskill Provisions Distillery with Chef Harris Mayer to offer a locally sourced food menu and a cocktail program that incorporates the Pollinator Spirits portfolio.

Michael Levine was raised in Far Rockaway Queens in a house across from Jamaica Bay. At a young age he was fascinated by the colors of the light reflecting off the water. The house had leaded windows and many Tiffany light fixtures. Michael developed a lifelong love of designing and restoring stained and leaded glass. He has been a glass professional for over 50 years. Restoration work strongly influenced his sensibilities and a firm belief in the dictum; “Think globally and act locally.” Michael was the West 89th Street Block Association President for over 30 years and a founding member of the Art Deco Society of NY. He believes design creation starts with a daydream which ultimately becomes the project’s final visions.

Since moving to Sullivan County he has developed a vision and a plan for Callicoon to become one of the premier towns in NY. This vision he calls the “Callicoon Renaissance” is composed of three parts: 

• The creation of a riverside park on the old campgrounds 

• The rehabilitation of the historic train station 

• The restoration of the seminary clock tower 

Michael has donated $30k to the Trust for Public Land, historic furniture and clocks to the train depot and has expanded his vision to helping promote Sullivan County’s Catskills Pride organization