Our "long time" professional staff includes: Don Simkin, D.D.S., and hygienists Kathy Horyczun, R.D.H. They are supported by Krista Holligshead, dental assistant. We're all in Liberty, with our Manor equipment, so only the walls have changed.

In Liberty, many of you know Dr. Jerry Triolo and Dr. Steve Klafter who have provided family dentistry in Sulllivan County for decades.  We have been joined by Dr. Jacob John. The staff is rounded out by assistants Ollie, Anna, and Julie. We have added Christina and Maria, dental hygienists.  Betty Ogden is our office manager, supported by Sue, Franky, Alicia and Kaitlin at the reception desk.  We have a new phone system in place.  Please be patient as we work out all the kinks.

Dr. Don Simkin has practiced dentistry in Sullivan County since 1974 and in Livingston Manor since December 1976 when Martin Schwartz and Lee Siegel either "discovered" or "uncovered" him living up in Debruce.  Dr. Don received his bachelor's degree in English from Syracuse University in 1969 and his D.D.S. from New York University in 1973. Dr. Don is recognized as one of "America's Leading Dentists."  He has been a consultant to the US Luge Association and developed a mouth guard worn by Olympians. Dr. Don lectures regularly on sports dentistry.   Dr. Simkin recently was recognized by the NYSDA for having completed over 500 hours of continuing education in dentistry.  He is on the Board of Directors of American Friends of Dental Volunteers for Israel and has made regular trips to the Trudi Birger Clinic in Jerusalem to serve the poor children of Jerusalem.  Dr. Don is President of the Prince Street Dental Study Club, a NYS Academy of General Dentistry certidied provider of dental continuing eduation.  He has been on the staff of Catskill Regional Medical Center for over 20 years and is currently the (nominal) Director of Dentistry. He is a member of both the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.

He is an active Livingston Manor Rotarian, a Paul Harris Fellow and was awarded a national Four Avenues of Service Citation in 2002.  Dr. Don is a founding director of the Livingston Manor Community Center.  Yes, it still exists years after state funding cut most of its programs.  The Community Center is Livingston Manor's 501(c) 3 organization which allows people to make tax-deductible contributions to the many organizations which help people and community in Livingston Manor.  Dr. Simkin and his wife Ellen Singer served as Campaign Chaircouple of the United Way of Sullivan County  and on the Board of Directors for many years..

Dr. Don is the treasurer of the Webtech Rotisserie Baseball League. Other league owners include Barry Foster of Livingston Manor's Hot Corner Sports Collectibles. Known to fellow roto-geeks as Dr. Evil, Don and his partner/nephew Eben Smith (Yale '05) won the league championship once and have placed "in the money" with two 3rd,  a 5th and 2nd place finishes in other years. In '07 we stank, but we promised to go wire to wire in first place last year.  So far, so good (April 26th, 2008!).UPDATE: Well it wasn't wire-to-wire, but it was, as promised a FIRST PLACE finish for the Broz Boyz. 2008.

 I continue to attend many continuing education courses and seminars. The aim is to keep current and provide my patients with the finest dental care that I can.  The latest materials and techniques make dentistry better, more comfortable and more effective. I became laser certified in July '06. This has enabled me to offer more of this innovative treatment modality to my patients.  The use of lasers in dentistry has demonstrated encouraging results in attaining more favorable prognoses in many areas of treatment. In the spring of '04, I learned to place mini dental implants (MDI) which have allowed me to help patients with denture retention and in salvaging fixed prostheses. In May '04, I attended the conference of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists  in New York.  It was  my first experience at this meeting and I think I picked up some valuable information to bring to the practice.  As President (for life?) of the Prince Street Dental Study Club, I arranged three very informative continuing education programs this year.  We were fortunate to have three clinicians from the renowned Dr. Dick Barnes Group. Dr. Barnes presented on full mouth rehabilitation, Dr. Jon Julian on implants and Dr. Chris Stevens on occlusion.

As you may know, I participate in Hudson Health Plan's Child and Family Health Plus.  This has brought many new patients with many needs to our practice.

I and my staff, the members of the Prince Street Dental Study Club and the dental community of Sullivan and Orange Counties would like to welcome back Dr. Patrick Cello of the Monticello Dental Group (Drs. Garnett and Cello),  as has retruned from service our country  in the US Army. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many patients who have entrusted their dental care to me as I embark upon my 36th year in Sullivan County.  For those of you who have just joined the practice, thank you, too.  We'll always strive to be there for you.

Let's hear whazzup in the Manor and beyond-

LUGE. Luge is a french word for sled and the sport of luge is the fastest sport on ice. Most of you already know that I have been the "unofficial" dentist for the US Luge Association for about 20 years.  My son Vinny is participating in luge for his sixth  season and was named to the US Luge Junior Candidate (c) Team in 2008. Vinny slid to gold in the USA Luge Youth A (16 & Under) National Championships after returning from a disappointing World Cup tour of Europe. He raced to the 4th seed among all Juniors (20 and under) and became the 11th seed overall in the US. After sustaining a tib-fib fracture while training for the Utah Thanksgiving Classic, I returned to the ice with members of the Adirondack Luge Club on the Innsbruck Olympic track in Igls. Vinny and I reclaimed our Adirondack Challenge gold medal after losing it last season to Team Young, which features National team member Stacy Young and her dad Bob. Team Young took silver and Team West (Tucker and Brett) slid to bronze. 'Wanna try?" Visit www.usaluge.org and www.adirondacklugeclub.org., or just ask me for more information.

The Livingston Manor Rotary ICE CARNIVAL is one of the great afternoons in America. It features figure skating demonstrations from professionals, ranked and local amateurs.   Local kids have the opportunity to show their speed in skating races and the school classes compete is a snow sculpture contest. There's hot chocolate and hot dogs, free to all kids.   At the Ice Carnival Dance, the King and Queen are crowned.   Last year's snow sculptures were most amazing and certainly have raised the bar for the sculptures of the future.  Thanks to the dog sled team who provided an interesting program. It's always such a great weekend and happens during the third weekend in January.  For more information, visit www.icecarnival.com , Even better, become a sponsor. Just ask a Rotarian.

We all know the positive effect that Rotary has had in Livingston Manor and in the world.  The Polio Eradication campaign is one world service project that has been "beneficial to all concerned."  The Livingston Manor Rotary Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary in '05.  Rotary International was100.  Our Club, for our Centennial Project, installed a childrens' playground in Rotary Park.  Thanks to past- President Tom Babich and the Playground Committee for a great effort, and to  past-President Barry Foster for his efforts in making our 50th Anniversary dinner a giant success.  We  have increased our involvement with Rotary International in the area of World Community Service. In '04, we found a partner club in Patalanga, India and helped them bring clean water to a local school. Our newest Paul Harris Fellow (I'm one, too) is Patrick Casey.  We congratulate Pat for his many years of service to our club and community. Barry Foster is President for the 3rd time this year and I will take the helm for my 3rd this June. Welcome new member Doug Meyer, son of Past-president Ward who was inducted March 18th.

I, Rotary and the Livingston Manor community mourn the untimely passing of my friend of 41 years Emerson Sparks.  Emerson served as Rotary Park Commissioner for many years, was a past-President and Paul Harris Fellow. He helped a lot of people and will be missed by many more.

I have, again, been listed in the "Guide to America's Top Dentists." This listing was unsolicited and was awarded on a points system based on education, continuing education, experience and other factors. The guide was compiled by the Consumers' Research Council of America.  I was also recognized this year by the New York State Dental Association for having competed over 500 hours of continuing education.  This is a "silver medal."

 I last had the opportunity to lecture on Sports Dentistry and injury prevention to the dental department of Lutheran Medical Center of Brooklyn and its affiliate programs in Albany and Scottsdale, Arizona in June 2005.  I presented the program via teleconferencing from the Albany site.  Very interesting.  As many of you know by now, I have been the dental consultant to the US Luge Association and am recognized as an expert in athletic mouthguards.

I am an active participant in the operation of the DENTAL VOLUNTEERS FOR ISRAEL Clinic in Jerusalem.  DVI is the only program in Israel that provides preventive dentistry and dental care to the needy children of Jerusalem regardless of their religion.  I am the president of the Friend's of Dental Volunteers for Israel, the not-for-profit organization that attends to DVI's operation in the US.  I was last in Jerusalem in September '04 when the clinic was rededicated in memory of its very dynamic and humanitarian founder, Trudi Birger, who passed away last year.  For more information on DVI, you can visit our web site www.dental-dvi.co.il.

My wife Ellen Singer and I completed two years as campaign chaircouple for the United Way of Sullivan County.  We congratulate the efforts of outgoing('04-05) chairs Carl and Pat Allison and wish the current Campaign Chaircouple Judy and Wayne Hellman continued success.  This year's Bob Rosen Memorial Golf Tournament raised over $40,000 for programs and services supported by the United Way.  Your contribution can be designated to any of the many United Way agencies or any social program of your choice.  Become an individual donor to the United Way and mail your tax-deductible contibution to the United Way, PO Box 1036, Monticello, NY, 12701.  For more information on the United Way of Sullivan County, visit www.unitedwayofsullivancounty.org. (the site is now up and running, designed  by Manor's own Chris Andreola).

 Livingston Manor, and all of Sullivan County, is undergoing a renaissance.  Flowers have been planted, welcome signs placed, and a general face lift undertaken.  Be part of this happening.  Take pride in your community. The Livingston Manor Renaissance Project has really taken off  (and won more prizes last summer) with more plans and projects to beautify Main Street.  The new sidewalks are  competed and the lighting installed, so come "over town"  and feel the changes.

The new Exceldent of Western Sullivan office in Liberty is located at 39 Triangle Drive.  That's by the Computer Doctor and Albert's. From Livingston Manor, take 17 east and exit at 100. Go around the circle onto 52 east. After crossing over 17, make a left turn, opposite Piccolo Paese, onto the westbound on ramp to 17.  We're on the left before you get back on the highway.  From Youngsville, just follow 52 east and the directions above from the circle.  From the east, Loch Sheldrake and Grahamsville, take 52 east and make a right onto Triangle Road just after Grossinger's.  From Monticello and east, take 17 west to exit 100. Make a left off the ramp, continue to light at Sam's, make a left and the right onto Triangle Road (the exit 100 westbound on ramp).