Laurel & Hardy Group in Ellenville

Post by **silentfilm** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 4:36 am

http://www.pr-inside.com/laurel-and-har ... 069590.htm

LAUREL AND HARDY GROUP IN ELLENVILLE

\"The Sons of the Desert\" Tent 281 Elected Officers: Grand Sheik - Ray Faiola Vice Sheik and Ballywhosit - Joe Bevilacqua Secretary - Dianne Krulick Treasurer - Steve Krulick Online Liaison - Lorie Kellogg Delegate-at-Large, Sergeant-at-Arms and Official Kibitzer - Stan Rubin
2009-02-19 22:46:32 - Sons of the Desert 'Tent' Opens in New York's Catskills

The Sons of the Desert, the International Laurel and Hardy Organization, has opened its 281st "Tent" or "Oasis" in the Hudson Valley. The "Them Thar Hills" tent of Ellenville, New York, will be meeting on a monthly basis for the sobering purpose of preserving and perpetuating the love and laughter of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

Laurel and Hardy made some of the greatest American comedy films, short subjects as well as feature-length films, between 1926 and 1945, with a final bow in a European feature in 1950. Classics such as WAY OUT WEST, TOWED IN A HOLE, the Oscar-winning MUSIC BOX and the feature that inspired the Organization, SONS OF THE DESERT, will be shown at the group's meeting place on Briggs Highway.

The Sons of the Desert was founded in 1965 by Professor John McCabe along with comic artist Al Kilgore, actor Orson Bean and comedian Chuck McCann. With Stan's blessing, the merry band of enthusiasts endeavored to create a group with "scholarly overtones and heavily social undertones" that would meet for the sole purpose of sharing good company, good booze, and enjoy the on-screen antics of "the Boys". Over time, other comedians' work has been screened at Sons meetings all over the world, including Charley Chase, Thelma Todd, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd. Countries besides the U.S. that have active "tents" include England, Luxembourg, Belgium, Norway, Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland. Each "tent" is named after a Laurel and Hardy film. At various periods over the past 44 years there have been "Pardon Us" tents and "Second Hundred Years" tents in state and federal penal institutions!

"We're hoping to have residents of Ulster, Sullivan, and Orange counties consider joining the tent," says Grand Sheik Ray Faiola. "Dues are $20 annually with a discount for family memberships (yes, we even let the wives join!). In addition to the film screenings, which are all in 16mm, we hold official business, imbibe in many cocktails (as particularly insisted upon by Stan Laurel when consulted about the organization), and patronize local eateries in an effort to support area businesses. We also plan on taking film programs to local veterans groups and retirement homes. It's all in the name of sharing the love of Laurel and Hardy."

Those interested in joining the Sons of the Desert can visit www.themtharhills.org where they will find an online membership application and an email link for further information.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60960422227.

Contacts: Ray Faiola Grand Sheik ray(at)themtharhils(dot)org
Joe Bevilacqua Vice Sheik and Ballywhosits joebev(at)joebev(dot)com

Post by **silentfilm** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:19 pm

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.d ... 31/-1/NEWS

Laurel and Hardy fan club opens local chapter
April 24, 2009 6:00 AM

ELLENVILLE — The Sons of the Desert, the international Laurel and Hardy organization, has opened its 281st "Tent" or "Oasis" in the Hudson Valley. The "Them Thar Hills" tent of Ellenville will meet monthly for the purpose of preserving and perpetuating the love and laughter of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

Laurel and Hardy made some of the greatest American comedy films, short subjects as well as feature-length films, between 1926 and '45, with a final bow in a European feature in 1950. Classics such as "Way Out West," "Towed in a Hole," the Oscar-winning "Music Box" and the feature that inspired the organization, "Sons of the Desert," will be shown at the group's meeting place on Briggs Highway.

The Sons of the Desert was founded in 1965 by professor John McCabe along with comic artist Al Kilgore, actor Orson Bean and comedian Chuck McCann. Over time, other comedians' work has been screened at Sons meetings all over the world, including that of Charley Chase, Thelma Todd, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd.

"We're hoping to have residents of Ulster, Sullivan and Orange counties consider joining the tent," said Grand Sheik Ray Faiola. "Dues are $20 annually, with a discount for family memberships."

Those interested in joining the Sons of the Desert can visit www.themtharhills.org, where they will find an online membership application and an e-mail link for further information.

Ray Faiola · Post by **Ray Faiola** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:13 pm

The newspaper printed our press release virtually verbatim. Now THAT's what I call reporting!!