Eco-Fair focuses on ecologically-friendly practices
The Daily Mail
Sept. 14, 2009

Greene County residents had a chance to learn about organic farming and products, recycling and alternative energies at Angelo Canna Park Sunday during the Cairo Area Chamber of Commerce’s first Eco-Fair.

The fair featured guest speakers ranging from representatives from the Rip Van Winkle Tobacco-Free Action of Columbia and Greene Counties, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County and a veterinarian.

Fair co-Chairman Neil Schoenfeld said he hoped the fair would inspire attendees to live more ecologically-friendly lives.

“I hope a lot of good programs are spurred throughout the county out of this,” he said.

Lecturers and vendors had each other talking about ways they could decrease their energy consumption and lower pollution.

Joseph Siniski, business development officer for the National Bank of Coxsackie, said he was impressed by G-Oil, a non-polluting fuel that can be used in chain saws and weed whackers about which Hal Zucker, of Living Structures Realty, spoke.

Bank of America Cairo Branch Manager Elizabeth Hansen said she learned at the fair that Central Hudson Gas and Electric provides businesses and homeowners with information about environmentally-friendly construction options.

She said she was interested in installing solar panels at her Round Top home for the right price.

Hansen provided fair-goers with information about the new efficient and “green” Bank of America corporate building being constructed in Manhattan.

Venders of organic foods included Armstrong Elk Farm, Black Walnut Natural Farm and Mountain Beekeepers. Upstate Solar, Catskill Boilers and Geothermal Systems showed their solar panels, wood boilers and heating systems, respectively.

Chamber President and fair co-Chairwoman Claudia Zucker estimates that a few hundred people had attended the fair by early afternoon.

County Legislator Harry Lennon, D-Cairo, thanked the Chamber for organizing the fair, which, he said, spotlighted the future of business.

“It is the way of the future and Greene County has to step up and look at alternative energy,” Lennon said.