News

This weekend will be the Cat’s Meow

By Colin DeVries

CATSKILL — The streets of Catskill will be feel a lot less “cat”like Monday, as “Cat N’ Around” comes to a jubilant close this Sunday at the Cat’s Meow Auction and Gala.

This will be the second year of the gala, and another celebratory close to the popular annual “Cat N’ Around Catskill” event. Now, after having attracted visitors from the far reaches of the region, country and world, the cats auctioned off to the highest bidder to benefit local non-profits and the Barry Hopkins Memorial Art Scholarship Fund.

The auction and gala will begin at 1 p.m. at the Historic Catskill Point, and will include a delectable brunch catered by Great Food & Co., of Red Hook, and wine tasting.

Heart of Catskill Association Executive Director Linda Overbaugh said last year the auction raised almost $90,000, which benefited the Greene County Council on the Arts, Animalkind, and the Catskill Community Center.

The top selling cat last year was the “Old Catskillian” by artist Jim Cramer, who has two cats in the running this year. It sold for $4,600. The lowest winning bid was $700 last year.

Visitors and residents were also able to vote for their favorite cat out of the 62 to choose from. Ribbons will handed out to the first, second, and third place winners of six categories:

n Top All-around Favorite

n Most Artistic

n Most Original

n The One That Makes You Feel Good

n Looks Like The Most Work

n Most Creative

The ribbons will be displayed on the winning cats when they go up for auction, hopefully increasing their market value.

There will also be a cat raffled off during the gala, “Kitty Buffet.”

“The Cat’s Meow Auction and Gala is an opportunity to be a part of Catskill history, to partake in the festivities and to see who takes home our famous cats,” Overbaugh said. “It’s a purr-fect ending to a purr-fect summer!”

Community favorites like the “Cop-purr,” “Cat N’ Hook, “A Starry Night in Catskill,” “Disco Cat,” and “Gabriel The Cat of Creation,” will surely shatter the ceiling of last year’s benefit total.

“Visitors have flocked to Catskill again this summer to see the cats and have their photos taken with their favorite feline,” said Daniela Marino, Director of the Greene County Tourism Promotion Department. “The cats helped give Greene County great exposure as an interesting destination with lots to see and do.”

Local artisans will also have their wares on-hand. “Creekside Adornings,” made by Nicole Pagano, will have brilliant hand-made dichroic glass cat-etched necklaces for sale. They will be on sale for $40 to $65, proceeds going to the Barry Hopkins Memorial Art Scholarship Fund.

The Hopkins Scholarship was spearheaded by the Catskill High School after the unfortunate passing of art teacher Barry Hopkins last summer, after a long battle with brain cancer. He was a devoted teacher, artists, and naturalist who helped create “A Greater Sense of Place.” The scholarships will be awarded annually for 10 years to a high school senior planning to pursue an arts education in college.

To reach reporter Colin DeVries please call, 518-943-2100, or e-mail, cdevries@thedailymail.net.

Reader Comments

Submit a Comment