From our guests...

May 11, 2010

Good afternoon…

In addition to enjoying the really wonderful leaders of our EMI conference, I wanted to let you know just how much I loved the food at Stony Point! It was healthy and delicious, and gave me lots of great ideas for future feasts at home. (I am right now, in fact, eating a re-creation of a dish…an assortment of matchstick-sliced root veggies that the chef had prepared when I was there last week.) And now, I have the nerve to try another fish taco…it was great!

Thanks and blessings,

Lisette Maginn
Associate Pastor
Webster Presbyterian Church


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May 3, 2010

Dear Stony Point Staff -

I would like to express my appreciation for your healthy and abundant food and the attractiveness of your facility. I noticed that you have added more healthy options to your menu (things like plain yogurt, vegetarian options, nuts, and fruit). Also, the flowers and care of your gardens was lovely. I know you have lots of maintenance challenges and I so much appreciate that you include these special touches to keep your grounds attractive. I'm looking forward to returning again with Music for the People in the fall.

Sincerely,
Nan Cardello

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April 26, 2010

Dear Joyce,

The group unanimously voiced that Stony Point Center and in particular the Gilmor Sloane House is simply fabulous and they want to return again. Of course the staff we interacted with were superb. In particular Lise Worthington, our chef, blew us away with a healthy and tasty meal that exceeded our expectations. Thanks to her and Elaine Zingg and the man who helped in the kitchen the Friday meal went very well. Elaine and Otto Zingg responded to and addressed questions that came during our short stay.


Thanks for your patience and responsiveness that made this retreat so successful.

Sincerely, Margaret

November 6, 2009

Dear Joyce,

On behalf of Riverdale Choral Society, I would like to thank you and your staff for the lovely time we had at Stony Point Conference Center last weekend.  I would especially like to thank you for the time you took in making our arrangements, and your patience with needs that seemed to change daily for our group.

Susan Tobiason

Choral Society

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October 1st, 2009

Dear Ms. Ufford-Chase,

It is with great pleasure that I am writing to you to thank you wholeheartedly for the efforts you and your staff put into our retreat this last week-end.  The retreat was a great success, much thanks to the Center's facilities and staff.

I am looking forward to our future retreats at Stony Point Center.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Aldo Civico

Director,

Center for International Conflict Resolution

Columbia University

City of New York

School of International and Public Affairs

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April 5, 2009

Dear Joyce and Staff,

You have presented me with a terrible dilemma.  I just don't know how to thank you for the most perfect twenty-four hour period in my recent memory!  ..., this was the most beautiful weekend.  I am still reveling in the memories.  Family and friends are calling and saying how much they enjoyed the weekend.  Your help and cooperation were instrumental in creating the scene and for that I just want to say: 
A Huge Big Thank You to you, Joyce and the wonderful staff of The Stony Point Conference Center.

I have mailed under seperate cover, a thank you to your 'Chef Extraordinaire', Lise Worthington. What a present you have in her Ministry of Faithful Feasting. Her creations were the best and now I can say, I have broadened my gastronomical horizons.  All of my guests were in awe of the food selections and are still raving about the wonderful meals.... I will return with friends for an occasional lunch or tea as time allows.... God Bless this beautiful place, the Gilmor Sloane House, and the Faithful Feasting Ministry.

Most Sincerely,

Barbara Murdock

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"I have known SPC for fifty years, and it has been an incredible center of peace and fellowship, not only for those in the Presbyterian Church, but for many others from NYC, and for those who have recently come to America from other countries.  It's what true Christian fellowship is all about.  Many people learn to appreciate Christian fellowship through the kind of experience they have at SPC.

Ruth

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"We were all apprehensive before the first conference on disabilities (2000).  Some of our group came to SPC and checked it out.  Bill (Pindar)  had made preparations with the staff so that everybody was very helpful.  They even got a church youth (or college) group to be here to help carry our trays.  It was a great experience for us and seemed to be great for them too.   For the most part, SPC is accessible, but the staff goes out of its way to make sure guests with special needs are accomodated.  The young man at the front desk helped me with my lunch, and the dishwasher saw someone who needed assistance and came right out and helped."

 Betsy Walton

Princeton, NJ

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August 14, 2008)

From: Nancy Lown
To:  Joyce Miller
Subject:  Chaplains Retreat - July 21-24, 2008

Dear Joyce,

This is a belated "thank you\' for all your help in making the retreat last month a great success.  The evaluations turned in by the participants gave very high marks for Location, Meals and Meeting Rooms.  Our staff and retreat leader were also very happy with the way things went.

It was a real pleasure to work with you.  I appreciate your timeliness in getting back to me, whatever the request, and your efficiency and consideration - no matter what!

Thank you!
Grace and peace,
Nancy J. Lown
Administrative Assistant to Saul Espino
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
The United Methodist Church
Division of Ordained Ministry - Support/Accountability

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(May 28, 2008)

From:  Rockland Family Shelter 

To: Joyce Miller, Mary Romano, Bill Pindar and Bill Collins,

We are writing to thank you for the use of your facility for our annual Volunteer Appreciation reception.  As we explained this event is very special to us because it is the one time of year we can thank our volunteers.  We would not be able to do the work we do without the wonderful volunteers that help us every day and our fabulous all volunteer Board of Directors.

Having this event at Stony Point where it is so peaceful and tranquil allows us to thank everyone and have them enjoy the evening without the usual noise and bustle of our busy office.  Even with the weather going from rain to sun to rain the guests enjoyed your lovely grounds.  People were commenting on just how beautiful a setting you have.  Bill set the room up perfectly and everyone up there was very helpful.

We could not make this evening so special if it was not for your gracious hospitality.  On behalf of the women and children we serve, our staff and Board members and all of our volunteers, thank you so very much.

Sincerely,

Candace Pittari, Director
Outreach & Volunteer Services
Rockland Family Shelter

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(May 25, 2008)

Dear Joyce,
Thank you so very much for enabling the Missionaries of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church to gather at Stony Point for their Global Mission Personnel Conference.  Thank you for the countless hours of organizational skill and care.  Our days with you ran smoothly, and the entire staff of Stony Point showed helpfulness and cordiality.  Please accept my personal appreciation for your calm, patience, and flexibility in dealing with our many "last-minute" variations and all manner of requests.
May God bless you richly in your work.
Helen Dwyer
Mission Matters
GBGM
The United Methodist Church
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Stony Point Memories

... One of my good friends, a missionary, spent a couple of years living at Stony Point between assignments.  It has been a place of renewal for church workers of all types.  The camps and conference centers provide places where I can look more closely at my life and how I can serve God better.  I get the strength, wisdom and courage to continue with church life and activities because I can see God at work in the big picture.  

Barbara Epley-Shuck, Whitesboro, N.Y. 

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(June 1, 2007)

Dear (Rev)Mr. Pindar and Stony Point Center Employees,

On behalf of all the people of the Tomas Kenny party attending the West Point Graduation and who stayed at the conference center for several days, we would like to thank you and compliment each of those who contributed to our most pleasant visit.  From the beautiful and peaceful surroundings, to the accomodations, to the wonderful food provided, we couldn\'t have been more pleased. 

We would like to compliment Lise in the food service area upon her congeniality and helpfulness, not to mention making delicious omelets!  The food, atmosphere, and assistance were like icing on the cake for us and we are all very impressed.

Thanks again for a great stay, good food and wonderful employees assisting us in every way.

Most Sincerely, Jan Kenny

Dear Mary and Joyce et al,

Thank you both so much for your great help in coordinating our Haven leadership retreat at Stony Point during the weekend of April 13-14.  Your care was felt and appreciated.

As leaders of an arts organization/ministry based in NYC, it\'s a treat to get out of the city and spend some time away from our daily distractions to focus and energize as a team.  That said, we had a wonderful stay, and were marvelously productive, and we credit both to the general sense of hospitality of the staff at SP, the lovely and useful facilities, the peaceful grounds and comfortable accomodations.  We especially loved the Meditation Space. 

We look forward to another go of it in the future.  Thanks again.

Blessings,

Joanna Williams, Co-Director, HavenNYC

To Joyce Miller and Mary Romano,

We are writing to thank you for the use of your room for our annual Volunteer Recognition reception.  This event is very special to us because we would not be able to do the work that we are involved in without the wonderful volunteers that help us every day.

Having this event at your facility where it is so peaceful and tranquil allows us to thank them all and to have them enjoy the evening without the noise and bustle of our busy office.  WIth the weather being so delightful last night we were able to enjoy your lovely grounds.  People were commenting on just how beautiful a setting you have.

We could not make this evening so special if it were not for your gracious hospitality.  David was a terrific help and Eva was incredible!  We don\'t know what we would have done without her.  On behalf of the women and children we serve, our staff and Board members and all of our volunteers, thank you so very much.

Sincerely, Candy Pittari, Director Outreach Community Education & Volunteer Services,            

Rockland Family Shelter

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To Whom It May Concern,

Hello, I'm one of the group, Fumie Nakanishi.  We stayed May 11- May 13th.  I'd just like to say thank you for your place and your people.  I really like the simple style ...the place is neat and clean and the food is good, price is economical, people are polite and calm.  The meditation room is so beautiful.  We were very happy to spend time there.

And especially, I was really impressed with ...(Rev. Bill Pindar)...When we left, he gave us bottles of water as a happy mother's day and he was waiting for the bus with us to look after us. We were touched by his kind heartedness.  I didn't have a chance to ask him.. but I am really impressed that he displayed Deguchi Onisaburo's articles and pictures because I'm a shintoist, so I know how the person was very important in Japan.

Again, thank you for the comfortable service for us.

Peace, Mayumi Kan

Dear Stony Point Center Staff:

PEACE to you all.

The Neocatechumenal Community of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Ridgefield Park, thank you so much for letting us stay at the Asia House. Our Retreat was beautiful. Inspired by the beauty of the property and the weather was perfect for our celebrations. The meditation room was excellent for our celebrations.

All the staff were so accommodating, helpful and pleasant and food was always great. It will help other communities searching for a retreat center to stay for a weekend or more, to see how beautiful Stony Point Center is not just the property but the hospitality of the staff, its security, comfort and convenience of all needs necessary for meetings/retreat. We truly recommend Stony Point Center.   

Sincerely,

THE NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY

St. Francis of Assisi Church

Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 

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We want to once again extend a hearty thank you, to you and the entire staff of the Stony Point Center, for the wonderful hospitality and support provided to our group...as we launch a new group of NYPD officers on their peer support journey...and for us to do this work in as open, accepting, supportive, non-judgmental, and diverse a community as your Center, is a remarkable experience. 

... The meals were wonderful - it felt more like dining in an excellent restaurant...the quality of the food and the presentation were a pleasure to partake in. 

Peer Support Training Institute

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On behalf of the entire staff at the Interfaith Center of New York we want to thank all the Stony Point staff for being so hospitable and accomodating to our Marshall T. Meyer retreat.  The special music was an especially nice touch.

We couldn\'t do this retreat without you and are thankful for our attention and flexibility. Most importantly we are thankful for the relationships that we have developed over the years. 

Blessings,

Moise Waltner, The Interfaith Center of New York

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On behalf of the Retired Teachers\' Center I\'d like to thank you for a delicious and elegant Hight Tea experience.  The food and service were beyond compare.  It was evident that a great deal of thought went into the preparation of the food and we much appreciate it.  Please convey our appreciation to the staff.  ... We will surely return next year for another round of High Tea delicacies.

Retired Teachers' Center of Rockland

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Dear Rev Bill Pindar,

Once again it is my great pleasure to extend to you and the staff of the Stony Point Center the thanks of all of us at CANDLE for your collective support during our 9th Annual Common Threads Youth Empowerment Retreat. As you know from your own observations, from the glowing article in the Journal News... the event succeeded, beyond our expectations.  ... We have you and your staff (special kudos to the food service staff!) to thank.  We are so comfortable at the Stony Point Center and that comfort level gives us a terrific opportunity to set the tone for the weekend immediately upon arrival.  The young people know and we know that it is a safe and welcoming place.  We know we have you to thank for setting that tone.

Fondly,

Joanne Goodman, Community Awareness Network for a Drug-Free Life and Environment

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