Photo credit: Peter Lyons Hall “Elected officials/servers representing the state and local governments from 2025”
By Peter Lyons Hall
This year’s brunch will be held on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at Warwick’s Landmark Inn. This unique fundraising event brings together local elected officials, community leaders, and supporters for a memorable brunch with a special twist — your favorite public servants become your servers!
A year of loss and progress
This year’s event comes at a turning point for the foundation. Founder William “Bill” Whetsel, an Air Force veteran who started Rumshock in 2019, died earlier this year at 59 after a long illness, before the first veterans moved in. His son, Tyler Whetsel, now leads the foundation as president and has continued the construction his father began.
In June, the foundation held a public ribbon-cutting at the village site, 297 East Main Street in Port Jervis — described as the first veterans community of its kind in Orange County. At the time, four homes were finished and six more were under construction. The homes, built by Orange-Ulster BOCES carpentry students, each hold a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area in roughly 420 square feet. First residents were expected to move in before the end of the year.
The village is the centerpiece of a broader program that also includes hydroponic farming tended by residents, transportation to medical appointments and errands, e-waste recycling, and companion canines for emotional support. The project was backed by a $400,000 state grant secured by then-State Sen. Jen Metzger and $1 million in federal funding secured by Rep. Pat Ryan in 2024.
“My dad sought to help veterans, with his dream being establishing a tiny homes community for homeless vets,” said Tyler Whetsel. “When my dad died, his foundation was overseeing the construction of six tiny homes in Port Jervis. When you’re a homeless veteran, you don’t have your own space, so you don’t necessarily have an area or a piece and quiet where you can truly retreat to,” continued Tyler. “They really need that to reintegrate into society, the biggest challenge that veterans face upon coming home after deployment. The idea of having a tiny home gives someone that value that they have their own space.”
On the menu
Guests will find made-to-order omelets from Chef-proprietor, Michael DiMartino, with a choice of fresh fillings, brioche French toast with warm maple syrup, Chicken Forestiere and The Landmark Inn’s classic Seafood Newburg. Pork sausage, applewood-smoked bacon, country ham and potatoes O’Brien round out the buffet, along with fresh pastries, coffee and tea.
Mimosas and Bloody Marys will be provided by a gracious sponsor. Reservations and donations can be made through the foundation at RumshockVF.org.
