The Mountain Eagle

Retiring Our Website

2026-01-26T15:15:00.004-05:00

This Website is Retired. We are moving our news coverage to www.mountaineagle.net.

Please email us at mountaineaglenews.com if you have any questions

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Farmers, Backbone of America - Biosolids

2026-01-23T15:06:28.552-05:00

By Diane Dubshinski

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — Schoharie County Department of Agriculture’s public comment response to NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in last week’s Mountain Eagle, January 16, 2026, page B7. NYS Schoharie Dept of Agriculture, “urged caution on the DEC’s biosolids policy. The comment expresses concern that biosolids contain PFAS and heavy metals harmful to soil and water.” The recommendation by the Department of Environmental Conservation to introduce biosolids on agriculture lands and water ways that it is recognized that biosolids contain PFAS and other heavy metals.

Sludge and biosolids, we are scratching the bottom of the barrel with the suggestion that they can be used to fertilize farmland. For beginners, let’s start with sludge! Before becoming a biosolid, sludge is a mud like residue which comes from industrial water or sewage treatment plants.

Sludge contains organic matter, nutrients and contaminants. Contaminants, unfortunately could be forever chemicals, heavy metals particularly PFAS. When excess water is removed from the sludge it becomes a biosolids. These heavy metal biosolids go on to find their way to the agricultural world in fields and water ways that we use for growing our food and drinking our water. WHO will monitor these biosolids? Local residents when great tasting well water is contaminated? Local town government after local waterways are contaminated? Ever hear of the Hudson River pcb’s or Love Canal? DDT? All a result of chemicals introduced to the environment.

Let’s learn from our past. Contact your Congressman, and Senate and tell them you are against using sludge and biosolids on agricultural land and waterways in New York State. A press release by Beyond Pesticides, a non for profit environmental health organization that advocate for reducing and eliminating toxic pesticide use says:

“Beyond the Supreme Court case, the chemical industry, led by Bayer/Monsanto, is seeking to pass legislation to shield chemical companies from failure-to-warn lawsuits. The industry had a bit of a setback when its preemption language was pulled from the FY2025 budget bill now moving through Congress. The most recent appropriations bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, which may be attached to other legislative vehicles like the Farm Bill, effectively provides total pesticide immunity from lawsuits that challenge chemical manufacturers who withhold information on the harm that their products can cause. Public health and environmental advocates say that chemical companies have successfully lobbied for a weak federal pesticide law and then try to hide behind the law when sued for

damages or failure to warn, telling the courts that their products are in compliance with pesticide

registration standards and therefore they are not liable for harm or nondisclosure. In late 2025, a broad coalition, including Beyond Pesticides and over fifty organizations, coalitions, businesses, and leaders, called on Congress to reject industry language in any federal legislative package under Congressional Consideration.”

This press release states that the U.S.Supreme Court will hear and decide if chemical manufacturers can be sued for failure to disclose pesticide hazards. Any comments please e mail dubshinski@gmail.com

March 3rd, 2026. Come join us for the Ag Solutions Expo, 8 AM to 3:30 PM at the Bouck Hall Ballroom at SUNY Cobleskill

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Now Accepting Applications to Become a Cornell Master Forest Owner Volunteer

2026-01-23T15:06:02.965-05:00

UPSTATE, NEW YORK — The Cornell Master Forest Owner (MFO) program is now accepting applications to become a volunteer MFO. Applications must be submitted by March 1st to be considered.

Cornell Master Forest Owners (MFO) are woodland owners who have enhanced their knowledge with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) to become volunteers in their communities. MFOs make a difference by supporting informed decision making while visiting woodland owners on-site to share resources based on their knowledge and experiences. Peer-to-peer visits encourage landowners to engage in woodland activities and work towards achieving goals and improving forest management.

The online training consists of weekly zoom sessions every Tuesday evening, March 17 through April 28 from 6:30pm -7:30pm. Participants will have access to online coursework to view at their own pace, including educational resources available through CCE and Cornell University’s Forest Connect program. Participants will learn to merge skills with resources to provide other woodland owners with encouragement through conversation while directing them towards vital resources for managing woodlands. This training is open for new volunteers and previously trained volunteers seeking a refresher.

The cost is $35/person, $50/couple for new volunteers, and $18/person, $25/couple for returning volunteers. Applications can be found on our website, CornellMFO.info.

In addition, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene County will host a FREE Zoom info-session on Thursday, February 19, from 6–7pm online for those who would like to learn more.

For more information on the MFO program and training application visit CornellMFO.info

For more information on the free MFO info-session, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/master-forest-owner-become-a-volunteer-zoom-info-session-tickets-1978894933015?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information on Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties, visit our website at CceColumbiaGreene.org.

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County Supers Reject Democratic Committee’s Elections Commissioner Nominee

2026-01-23T15:05:44.742-05:00

By Matthew Avitabile

SCHOHARIE — The fight between the County Board of Supervisors and the Schoharie County Democratic Committee continued in another round as the supervisors again declined to appoint the committee’s nominee as one of the county election commissioners.

Following several rounds of back and forth and a lawsuit, the county board declined to name former Old Stone Fort Director and election inspector Carle J. Kopecky as its Democratic election commissioner.

The county Democratic committee said in a statement that it “condemns” the Friday decision.

The case had previously gone to the state Supreme Court, which ruled against the county’s decision to appoint longtime Democratic commissioner Cliff Hay. However, the court did not force the county to appoint the previous individuals nominated by the county Democratic Committee.

The decision at the Board of Supervisors was supported by both Republican and Democratic members, including both of the Democrats on the board, Sharon’s Sandra Manko and Fulton’s Phil Skowfoe.

The Democratic committee argued that “The Board’s continued refusal to act within the bounds of Election Law places Schoharie County at ongoing risk of legal exposure and administrative instability.”

Board Chair and Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice said, “The action by the Board of Supervisors to reject the SCDC nominee at the Friday Board Meeting was 100% within the law. Ms. Heary would be best served in preparation of her comments by reading the law and the judge’s ruling.”

“The Board of Supervisors does not have the authority to perpetually refuse our recommendation,” said Theresa Heary, Chair of the Schoharie County Democratic Committee. ““In addition to a blatant disregard for the law and the process, the Board of Supervisors is putting both taxpayers and voters at risk. After more than a year without a lawfully appointed Democratic Elections Commissioner, their continued refusal to act creates the appearance of interference with voters’ right to fully and fairly administered elections.”

Heary argued that the Board of Supervisors was wrong and that the Schoharie County Democratic Committee “has followed the law at every step.”

Sharon Supervisor Sandra Manko said that all along, she and Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe backed Cliff Hay as a “wealth of knowledge” who knew the “Board of Elections inside and out.” She cited the award the Department received last year for high voter turn out.

She said that the Department works well together, both Republicans and Democrats. Manko said that Democratic candidates would consistently seek office during Hay’s tenure, including making sure that there were candidates on the ballot. She added that he has “done so much good over the years. He deserves high praise.”

“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

She added her opinion that Kopecky was “not the right person for the job.”
Manko said that she planned to speak further with Skowfoe and that no decision has been made at this time.

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Heermance Memorial Library Receives $2,500 from National Bank of Coxsackie

2026-01-23T09:57:00.001-05:00

Pictured from left to right is Elizabeth Chiong, National Bank of Coxsackie Community Banking Officer; Jacqueline Whitbeck, Friends Activities Chairperson; May Mc Guigan, President of Friends; Kathy Clearwater, Friends Assistant Decorator; Lee Fenn, Friends Treasurer; Vernea Razanousky, Friends Vice President; Holly Fernandez NBC Branch Manager.

COXSACKIE – National Bank of Coxsackie (NBC) is proud to announce its recent $2,500 donation to the Heermance Memorial Library in Coxsackie. The funds were made possible through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY), which enables member banks like NBC to support local organizations that strengthen and enrich their communities.

The Heermance Memorial Library serves as an important community resource, providing access to books, educational programming, and opportunities that promote lifelong learning and connection. Through the support of the Friends of the Heermance Memorial Library, the organization continues to expand its reach and enhance literacy initiatives throughout the Coxsackie community.

“This grant enables The Friends of the Heermance Memorial Library to bring Little Free Libraries to our community,” said Vernea Razanousky, Vice President of the Friends of the Heermance Memorial Library. “It will allow us to expand literacy access and foster community connections.”

“NBC is proud to support organizations that promote literacy, learning, and community engagement,” said John Balli, President & CEO of the National Bank of Coxsackie. “The Heermance Memorial Library and its dedicated Friends group play a vital role in enriching the lives of our residents. We are honored to support their mission through this FHLB grant.”

Founded in 1852, the National Bank of Coxsackie has been serving the Capital Region and Hudson Valley for over 170 years, offering a full range of personal and business banking products and services. NBC remains committed to strengthening the communities it serves through financial support, volunteerism, and partnership. The bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of NBC Bancorp, Inc. (OTCPK: NCXS).

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County To Receive Significant Assistance for Transportation

2026-01-22T15:19:41.792-05:00

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — Schoharie County has been awarded significant state and federal assistance for improvements to the county transportation system.

A resolution approved by the county Board of Supervisors at its Friday, Jan. 16 meeting lists a project with a total cost of $1,038,811 to be paid for 80 percent with federal funds, 10 percent with state funds and local funding of 10 percent.

The project would involve "vehicle replacement, ancillary bus equipment, bus graphics and mobility management that will be used to provide public transportation services to the residents of Schoharie County. Transportation services will be available to the general public during all hours of operation," according to the resolution.

The document authorizes county BOS Chair Bill Federice — after review by county Attorney Mike West — to sign all agreements necessary to complete the project.

In a related transportation matter at the Jan. 16 meeting, County Administrator Bryan Best in his monthly report said a Request for Proposals for an outside agency to operate county transportation services should be released Jan. 26 and ready for the BOS to act on at the March meeting.

Best added that his evaluations of department heads should be done soon and that he's been conducting them in a different way than what has been done in the past. Those differences include getting input from employees and fellow department heads and incorporating that into the evaluations.

"It should provide me with a more holistic picture of department heads," Best said.

Also at the Jan. 16 meeting, the BOS approved a new local law setting 2026 salaries for all county officers elected or appointed to a fixed term. This year's salaries will be: $26,295 for county BOS Chair Bill Federice; $15,123 each for all other BOS members; $107,056 for County Treasurer; $73,822 for the BOS Clerk; $150,000 for County Administrator; $86,002 for Real Property Tax Service Director; $107,056 for County Clerk; $65,029 for County Attorney; $221,100 for District Attorney; $26,765 each for Elections Commissioners; $97,019 for IT Director; $107,056 for County Sheriff; $107,056 for Probation Director.

Other 2026 salaries are: $100,996 for OES Director; $100,996 for Director of Public Health; $104,718 for Director of Mental Health; $89,888 for Director of Public Transportation; $120,288 for Social Services Commissioner; $79,680 for OFA Director; $68,394 for Youth Director; $79,999 for Director of Old Stone Fort; $67,168 for Veterans Services Director; $100,996 for Personnel Director; $127,507 for Administrator of Indigent Defense; $6,382 for County Historian; $100,996 for Director of Planning and Community Development.

A resolution appointing members to the Southern Tier Eight Regional Planning Development Board was tabled. Also, a resolution honoring retired County Sheriff Ronald R. Stevens was postponed until the February meeting because Stevens was unable to attend the Jan. 16 meeting.

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County to Submit Comment on Pipeline Proposal

2026-01-22T15:19:29.198-05:00

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — A proposal for a 125-mile natural gas pipeline that once seemed dead is alive again, and has prompted the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors to submit public comment on the proposal.

The matter came up at the BOS Friday, Jan. 16 meeting. The pipeline to be built and operated by the Constitution Pipeline Company, an affiliate of The Williams Companies, is slated to start in Northeastern Pennsylvania and then run through several areas of New York State, including the Town of Summit.

"I'm personally concerned about this," said new Summit Supervisor and county BOS member Roger Gural at the Jan. 16 meeting. "I ask the county to stand in solidarity with us."

After a discussion among board members and county Attorney Mike West, it was decided that Gural would write up the comment on behalf of the BOS and then submit it to West for review and then to BOS Chair Bill Federice to sign off on before it's sent in. Federice told Gural to not be afraid to make the comment lengthy and include whatever he felt was appropriate

Gural said that included in his comment will be a request to limit the use of chemicals in the construction and operation of the pipeline, among other areas of concern.

According to a recent letter from Mike Atchie of Constitution's Community and Project Outreach Department to stakeholders (of which Summit is one), Constitution originally applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for construction and operation of the pipeline in June of 2013. A copy of Atchie's letter was provided to this newspaper by Gural.

The letter continued on to say that a certificate was issued in December, 2014 and then extended through December of 2020. Constitution did not request another extension and the certificate was vacated in January 2022 as moot.

However, two executive orders issued by President Trump in December, 2025 that were favorable to traditional energy providers have revived the possibility of the Constitution Pipeline. The company filed a petition for reissuance of certificate authority, the letter stated.

"Should the petition be approved and all applicable authorizations obtained, the project will be constructed with an anticipated pipeline in-service date in the fourth quarter, 2027," it added.

In other news from the Jan. 16 county BOS meeting, a discussion about the county's membership in one or another regional planning groups led to some tense exchanges among some Supervisors.

Schoharie County has long been a member of the Southern Tier Eight Regional Planning Development Board, but the BOS has planned to transition to another group, the Northern Border Regional Commission, starting Sept. 30 of this year.

When a resolution came up to appoint three people to another term on the Southern Tier board, including county Supervisor Alicia Terry of Gilboa, there ensued a discussion on how long the terms should be, and whether maybe it made sense to continue being members of Southern Tier, or maybe be members of both Southern Tier and Northern Border.

That appeared to puzzle Supervisor Donald Airey of Blenheim, who remarked that he thought the transition to the Northern Border had been all decided and set. Federice had similar thoughts. When he asked Terry what her current role was with Southern Tier, she answered she was now Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair of the group's Finance Committee.

"I'm very curious about why we're now having this discussion," Federice said. He went on to make a comment that seemed to question where Terry's "loyalty lies."

That prompted county Supervisor Earl VanWormer III of Esperance to come to Terry's defense.

"There is no more honorable person on the board than Alicia Terry," VanWormer said. "I take exception to this discussion. It seems like a personal attack."

Terry then entered into the discussion again.

"It's my fault for not bringing this up earlier so that there was enough understanding, so that everybody understood the advantages and disadvantages of belonging to either (regional planning board)," she said. "I just want to try to do my best for Schoharie County."

The resolution appointing the three people to another term on Southern Tier ended up being tabled.

Also at the Jan. 16 meeting, the BOS approved a resolution appointing members to the Schoharie County Soil and Water Conservation District Board. Appointed were Terry for a term to expire at the end of this year; Richard Prokop (at large) for a term to expire Dec. 31, 2027; Brendan Scoralick (Farm Bureau) for a term to expire Dec. 31, 2028; and Claude Coons (Grange) for a term to expire at the end of this year.

According to the resolution, the compensation for board members other than Supervisors will be "$90 for each calendar day that they are actually engaged in the performance of their duties and mileage to be paid at the current county rate per mile for going and returning from places where they are required to go in performance of their duties."

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CRCS Returns From National Trips

2026-01-22T15:19:18.080-05:00

By Joshua Walther

COBLESKILL - At the CRCS Board of Education meeting last week, students from both the FFA and the FBLA presented their yearly attendance of their respective national meetings.

The first to present was the FFA, led by their advisor Mr. Ferreira, who commented that despite attending national conferences for ten years, “It’s still a little different every year.”

The biggest change this time around was the conduct of the students, where he specified “This was the best group of students I’ve ever taken to the convention,” noting how involved they were in each activity.

After opening the presentation, Mr. Ferreira turned it over to his students, who talked at length about the details of their trip.

While on their way to the convention center in Indiana, they had the pleasure of visiting several landmark locations, such as Penn State University, Jungle Jim’s International Market for global foodstuffs, and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

In addition, they stopped at many businesses that were relevant to the education of the FFA, such as the Dickinson Cattle Company, Spendthrift Farm, Bluegrass Stockyards, and the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.

Upon arriving in Indianapolis, the students found much to pack their schedules with. Two highlights in particular were a live Ella Langley concert for all fifty two attending teams, and the various competitions, where CRCS earned two bronze recognitions, one silver, and one gold.

“By far and away, ag mechanics is one of the most complex contests,” said Mr. Ferreira, and he further complimented how the CRCS team performed.

Once the presentation drew to a close, Board President Bruce Tryon thanked them, stating “You guys did well out there, and the district and the community as a whole has always been very proud of the FFA, so well done.”

FBLA students took to the podium next to present their trip to the NFLC in Arizona, where the team had flown directly into the state rather than go on a roadtrip.

When they touched down at the convention center, they noted that their schedules were likewise packed, with one of the first things to attend being a motivational workshop with Frank C. Kitchen.

Other standout items included an FBLA murdery mystery and a resume course with an expert to know how to stand out in the future job market, providing both a bit of flair and education.

The students also noted how there were other optional specialized classes, such as how to use AI in business, that could further someone’s career path if they so chose.

Speaking on their time in Arizona as a whole, the students expressed gratitude over the trip itself, noting that it was very educational on how to run on a tight schedule and travel while also presenting an opportunity to see sights they couldn’t have imagined seeing before.

As their presentation concluded, they were likewise thanked by the Board as Superintendent Matthew Sickles said “To both groups, we know how much planning and fundraising go into this, so thank you for coming back and sharing your experiences.”

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The Drumbeat to Revolution

2026-01-22T15:19:03.597-05:00

By John Osinski

The American Revolution didn’t happen overnight, nor was it originally about breaking away from English rule. Its roots can be traced to the Seven Years War, fought in North America as the French and Indian War, and British efforts to make their Colonists bear some of the costs for fighting that war.

In what is now upstate New York, open warfare will not occur for more than two years after the shots were fired at Lexington Green in the Bay Colony, but the drumbeat for war started well before that fateful day.

On January 14, 1774, the FIRST reputed Liberty Flag was raised in the City of Schenectady.

In August 1774, the first meeting of the Tryon County Committee of Safety was held.

In October 1774, the first Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, enacted the Articles of Association. This act called for a wide-reaching boycott of British goods and services, and was, essentially, a declaration of economic war.

April 19, 1775, shots are fired between Crown troops and Bay Colony Militia during a raid intended to confiscate munitions held by the local militias.

May 1775, a Liberty Pole is erected in Tryon County.

May 1775, Committees of Safety are formed in Albany County, in part to effectuate the provisions of the Articles of Association.

May 10, 1775 Fort Ticonderoga is captured by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold.

June 1775, The Battle of Bunker (Breeds) Hill results in a British victory, but with unexpected losses imposed on the British forces.

December, 1775, an undertaking now known as “Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery” begins the movement of 59 pieces of heavy artillery from Fort Ticonderoga more than 300 miles toward Boston. After its arrival in early March, and placement at Dorchester Heights, overlooking Boston, the British will evacuate Boston on March 17, Evacuation Day! (The commemoration of this historic undertaking has been underway since mid-December, and has been well attended by the public.)

Following their formation in May of 1775, the Committees of Safety began the processes that would better prepare them for the war that was now inevitable. Militia companies were formed and officers appointed to command them, officers such as Peter Vroman, who was a junior officer in the Provincial Army during the French and Indian War. Necessary supplies were acquired, and defensive watches began.

The Committees’ role in enforcing the Articles of Association will soon occupy much of their time as 1776 begins. This will be the subject of my next installment.

John Osinski, Revolutionary Schohary 250

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New Monthly Homeschool Hub Program Launches at The Community Library

2026-01-22T15:18:36.100-05:00

First ever Community Library Homeschool Hub program attendees included Xzavier, Honor, Oakley, Hunny, Masan, and Gemma holding their completed Minecraft selfies in front of Library Assistant Courtney Little’s selfie drawing example. “Is everyone familiar with Minecraft?” Asked Little. Everyone raised their hands and enthusiastically responded with, “I AM!” While some drew Minecraft self portraits, Little said that was merely a jumping-off point, so others made grid portraits of their Minecraft characters, favorite Minecraft characters, and purely creative Minecraft character symmetrical designs.

By Heather Skinner

COBLESKILL- You can find symmetry in nature, machines, art, furniture, buildings, and almost anywhere- including in the Community Library! Library Assistant, Courtney Little, pointed this fact out while reading Seeing Symmetry by Loreen Leedy to a room full of attendees at the first ever Homeschool Hub series program.

This series kicked off with a focus on learning about symmetry, then applying that knowledge to create Minecraft-inspired self portraits.

Little mentioned there are many homeschool hangout opportunities in the area currently, and The Community Library wanted to offer an option that would be different. In addition, they’ve received lots of requests for more homeschooler options both from the community surveys they conducted last year and directly from parents.

“We really haven’t done anything like this before,” explained Little, “So I’m excited to hear what the kids think about it; if it fits the need that people were asking for.” They welcomed input from attendees. After the 1st Homeschool Hub event, attendee Laura Benedict with her son Oakley, expressed how happy she is that they are doing homeschool programs in the Cobleskill Library.

Drawing on homeschool programming experience Little was a part of at a museum in Alabama, and with an intention to, “Incorporate science and math with clear art,” and the use of art to better understand science, the program had a well-thought out structure and covered a lot about the concept theme. Program objectives were laid out; students will be able to describe the concept of symmetry, identify examples of symmetry and asymmetry, and use their understanding of symmetry to help draw a Minecraft-inspired self portrait.

During the read aloud, Little opened up discussion opportunities by posing questions to the kids.and asking them to repeat important terms. Both the book pages and step-by-step drawing tutorial were projected on the TV for easy viewing with a document camera.

Little encouraged continued learning by giving all the kids an extra grid paper to be able to try another method after, and suggested continuing to think about finding symmetry while out-and-about and in their house.

This STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics) series is currently planned for the 3rd Friday of each month and for elementary school-aged students. They have taken into account that there will be a big age range in attendance and have left room for those younger and older than that to still be able to attend and for everyone to learn and work on projects at their own pace.

Little would like to keep pre-registration suggested instead of required for Homeschool Hub if possible, but registration will help with having supplies and seating amounts prepared. February’s Homeschool Hub theme will center around, “How do we talk about how much something is,” comparisons and if there is more than one way to understand it. They are hoping to be able to offer snacks during that event, but snacks aren’t a promised definite.

The book read aloud during the program is a part of The Community Library’s collection and Little suggested borrowing it to be able to check out the additional resources, prompts, and references in the back.

The Community Library is located at 110 Union Street. Keep your eye on their Facebook page and on the events calendar page of their website to register for the next program in this series and for their other upcoming programs, like recurring LEGO Club on February 10th from 4 PM - 5 PM.

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Richmondville Village Trustees Change Meeting Time

2026-01-22T15:18:23.279-05:00

By Chris English

RICHMONDVILLE — The Village of Richmondville Board of Trustees has been meeting at 5 p.m. for a long time, but that will change starting with the February meeting.

At the Tuesday, Jan. 20 meeting, the board voted 4-1 to change the start time for meetings to 5:30 p.m. Mayor Carl Warner Jr. and Trustees Robert Hyatt, Jennifer Golden and Lisabeth Kabel all voted in favor, with Trustee Milan Jackson the only no vote. He had commented at an earlier meeting that later starting times had never improved attendance of the general public at meetings.

But Kabel said a later starting time would help her and the thought among most board members was that it would also help Village Attorney Michelle Storm finish up her other duties for the day and make it to meetings.

"It would help me, as long as it's not an inconvenience to others, and maybe more people from the general population would come," Kabel said.

Meetings will continue to be the third Monday of the month, except for when Mondays fall on Holidays, like the Jan. 20 meeting that was moved back a day because of the Martin Luther King Holiday on Monday, Jan. 19.

In other actions from the Jan. 20 Trustees meeting, there was discussion on whether to provide Assistant Public Works Department Superintendent Mark Temp with a village cell phone. Various options were gone over, including instead reimbursing Temp and possibly other village employees for use of their personal phones for village purposes. Also discussed was reactivating a phone formerly used by Warner that's been sitting in a safe for awhile. The board will give further thought to all options.

"I think he deserves one because I had one when I was the assistant," DPW Superintendent Eric Jones said of giving Temp a village cell phone.

"I'm more in favor of giving reimbursement for business related calls," Hyatt commented.

Fire Chief Floyd Seales reported that the Richmondville Volunteer Fire Department is undergoing its periodic evaluation from an outside agency on the department's ability to put out fires. It's related to fire insurance rates, he added.

"We're pretty much where we've always been on that," Seales continued. "The only thing that would change it is having a ladder truck, but there's one five miles away (that can assist Richmondville) so we're not doing that. Plus, we have no room for it. We could have to build an addition to have room for a ladder truck."

Seales explained that the lower the score on the evaluation the better. He said Richmondville got a 574 on the last one and he expects this one to be about 550. Also in his report, the chief said the Richmondville Department has given away more free smoke detectors than anyone in the Northeast, and he stressed the importance for every residence and business to have working smoke detectors.

According to Seales, New York State led the nation in deaths from fires last year with 138, the second straight year it has led. Those include three in Schoharie County last year, he added.

"I would love it if nobody in Schoharie County died in a fire this year," Seales said. He said he wants to soon put on public programs on issues like the potential dangers of lithium ion batteries and other fire safety issues. One of the programs might be coming on the second Thursday in March, but final details have not been finalized.

Hyatt and others thanked Village Clerk-Treasurer Jenifer Fisher and Deputy Clerk Alia Harwood on their good work in organizing and straightening up files in the basement of the village office on Main Street. The next step is determining what files can now be destroyed in order to save space and finding a company to do the shredding, Fisher said.

A note in the report from Richmondville Power & Light Superintendent Tim Smith about some disturbances in the power system led to a question on how much a new transformer costs. Smith responded he believed about $1 million, and added RPL has two main transformers, one from around 1978 and the other from around 1990. There was no conclusion reached at the meeting that the transformers are the source of the disturbances or that either one needs to be replaced anytime real soon.

Village Code Enforcement Officer Jesse Wilcox reported that he has to attend a court hearing soon on a problem apartment at the Candlewood complex next to Radez Elementary School.

A board member asked Wilcox if it was a hoarding situation, and he responded "It's a little bit of everything, it's disgusting."

Kabel made Wilcox aware of situations on Holmes and River Streets of debris like an old toilet and sofa being left outside and creating eyesores, and Wilcox said he would check it out.

Mayor Warner reported under new business that Justin Davis will no longer be running the Richmondville Summer Soccer Program and that the new president of the organization wants to change it to a countywide club open to kids throughout Schoharie County, with games continuing to be held on fields at Radez and the Ryder School in Cobleskill.

The club has requested that the village release funds it manages for the soccer organization, Warner added.

Hyatt and Warner emphasized that the funds are raised by the soccer organization and do not involve taxpayer money.

"It was never on our books, we just manage funds for the soccer program," Warner added. The board voted to release the funds as soon as the club submits the proper 5013C paperwork to the village.

The board made no final decision on whether it wants the Village of Richmondville to continue to be an ongoing member of SCOVA (Schoharie County Officers Village Association), but decided that the Village would go ahead and host the February meeting of SCOVA, whose members take turns hosting meetings every other month.

Seales said the Firehouse could likely host the meeting, but asked he be given notice of the exact day and time as soon as possible.

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Sharon Springs Downs Worcester

2026-01-22T15:18:11.661-05:00

WORCESTER — The Sharon Springs girls basketball team scored a decisive victory over Worcester Tuesday 62-21 on the road. Zarie Barbic scored 24 points and had 12 rebounds. Maya Korona had 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 steals. Peyton Barbic had 7 points, Isabella Cornwell and Payton Rullman each had 6 points a piece. Another impressive win for the Spartans.

Special thanks to Randi Korona.

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“Sharon Things - Local Happenings for Sharon Springs”

2026-01-22T15:18:00.002-05:00

By Alexis Pencar

Hey Neighbors!

I’ll take the snow over the ice now that we’re back to more normal winter temperatures but not for long! Get that extra layer out because we’re in for a stretch of negative lows over the weekend. Take the appropriate precautions. Highs will bounce back to the teens by Monday.

There’s been lots of excitement over the aurora photographed from the recent geomagnetic storm a few nights in a row this last week! There were stunning photos all over social media! It was also reported that some were able to see the tinge of colors with the naked eye too! This display has been seen best through photographs.

Big thanks to all our snow removal teams out there making this treacherous season a safer place to be! Drivers, please use caution and patience while near snow removal equipment.

Remember your Sharon column is a great place to find out all about your local events, news, birthdays, and more!

The American Hotel in Sharon Springs is closed for the month of January and will be open again on February 6th. Their hours, once open again, will be: Friday through Monday from 5:00-8:00 PM for dinner, with the bar open at 4:00 PM. Check out Brunch on Saturday & Sunday from 11:00-2:00 PM. Call (518) 284-2105 for more info.

The Village of Sharon Springs holds their Regular Board Meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each Month at 6:00 PM located at 129 Main St, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. The next meeting is scheduled for: Thursday, February 19th. The Village Mayor is currently Denise Kelly and the new Village Clerk is Hope Bayes. New appointments will be sworn in soon with Paul Novko as Mayor. The Office Hours for Village of Sharon Springs are Monday & Wednesday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Thursday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. For more information please call (518) 284-2625. Reminder: No Overnight Street Parking in the Village of Sharon Springs from November 1 - May 1. Please keep your sidewalks clear.

The Town of Sharon holds their Regular Board Meetings on the 1st Wednesday of each Month at 6:30 PM located at 129 Main St, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. The next meeting is scheduled for: Wednesday, February 4th. The Town Supervisor is Sandra Manko and the Town Clerk is Melissa Olsen. The Office Hours for the Town of Sharon are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM or by appointment. For more information please call (518) 284-3010.

Your local Sharon Springs Food Pantry is an excellent local resource for all! Located in the United Methodist Church on Route 20, across from SSCS (511 US Route 20, Sharon Springs, NY 13459). They are always in need of donations of food or even unopened personal care items! The pantry hours are Thursday 9:00 -10:30 AM & 5:00 - 6:30 PM. For more information please contact (518) 284-2687 or (518) 852-1193.

Sharon Springs Free Library News: Story Time is at 10:00 AM on Thursday mornings and includes a story, craft, and snack. The Library is now on their winter hours schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays from 1:00 - 6:00 PM, Mondays & Thursdays from 10:00 - 6:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 -1:00 PM, and Sundays - Closed. For more Library information please contact (518) 284-3126.

Worship Services

The Sharon Reformed Church (6858 State Route 10, Sharon Springs, NY 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 234-2387 for more details.

The Sharon Springs United Methodist Church (511 State Route 20, Sharon Springs, NY, 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 284-2200 for more details.

Grace Episcopal Church (24 Montgomery Street, Cherry Valley, NY 13320) offers weekly Holy Eucharist at 11:00 am. Contact at (315) 858-4016 for more details.

The St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church (24 Maple Avenue, Cherry Valley, NY 13320) offers weekly mass at 10:00 am. Reminder: confession is available 30 minutes before every mass. Contact at (607) 264-3779 for more details.

The Zion St. John’s Lutheran Church Seward (114 Mesick Ave, Cobleskill, NY 12043) offers weekly service on Sundays at 9:00 am. Contact at (518) 234-3222 for more details.

Cornerstone Baptist Church (7274 Route 10, Ames, NY 13317). Sunday Service is at 10:00 am. All are welcome. Contact (518) 673 3405 for more details.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

Local residents are invited to enjoy good company and a noon-time meal year round (except holidays) at the Schoharie County OFA’s “Spa Ritz” Sr. Congregate Meal Site at the Firehouse at 137 Beechwood Rd. M-W-F. 8 oz of 1% milk is served with each meal. Orders for meals must be called into the OFA office at (518) 295-2001 before 2 p.m. for the following day. Effective January 1st the suggested donation for those 60 years old and older is $5.00 per meal. Under age 60? You’re welcome to participate for a fee of $7.50 per meal.

To share community news, upcoming events, business specials, adjusted hours, birthdays, anniversaries, or even an outstanding resident, please contact me directly at (772) 971-1410 or alexis.pencar@gmail.com. Have a great week! Thanks!

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Summit Welcomes New Board - Board Backs Letter Against Constitution Pipeline

2026-01-22T15:17:34.545-05:00

By Karen Cuccinello

A new year began with a few new board members, pledge to the flag and a short prayer by new Supervisor Roger Gural. New Councilpersons are Mark Hearon and David Knight; and Town Clerk Kattie Mahr.

The January 8th organizational meeting minutes were approved.

Clerk Mahr gave an update on the amount of tax monies collected so far.

Allison Wilson was appointed as a clerical worker and a new line item was created, not to exceed $500, for this position. Jason Andra was appointed deputy clerk.

Highway Superintendent Jim Dibble asked to be authorized to view the town hall's security cameras remotely; approved and stated that the sander was installed on the pick-up truck. Councilperson Kearney thanked Jim for working with the highway crew in light of being shorthanded.

Assessor Mike Yorke reported he is lining up his trainings and the senior and agricultural letters have gone out. His office hours are Tuesdays 8:30-11:30am and he is available Thursdays when out on the road. Contact 518-287-1100 for inquiries.

No DCO or Youth reports.

Historian Karen Cuccinello reported her 2026 More Summit Farms Etc. has been published but getting a sample copy first before ordering 200 books for the public with contractual town monies (FYI the books cost about $3.25 per book). Working on the 2027 book about Civil War Veterans with Connections to Summit. Sent in an article on the Mobley Camp, of Charlotteville, for the Maple Festival booklet and sent in the NYS Historians Report. Mentioned paying for drone photos of Summit and Charlotteville for the cover of the 2027 book.

Code Enforcement Officer Jesse Wilcox reported he is keeping up with open building permits and trainings, and recently received information about a Schoharie County program that offers replacement of mobile homes; he will look into this further.

Supervisor Gural mentioned that Carol Lavallee was in the audience as a representative of the Times Journal newspaper.

Supervisor Gural read a letter from Planning Board Chair John Meaney asking the Board to re-appoint Paul Turner to the planning board; approved.

Board of Appeals Chair, John Foote mentioned they are still in need of an alternate member. He and the other board members Wayne Stinson Jr. and Chuck Melszer have met their training requirements. Foote asked about putting in for mileage when they need to travel to a training. Supervisor Gural said just submit a voucher for the current mileage rate of 72.5 cents per mile.

Supervisor Gural mentioned receiving a letter from the Schoharie Health Department saying they approved of the repairs to the electrical issues.

Supervisor Gural reviewed information about a Hazard Mitigation Plan that is in cooperation with the Schoharie County Multi Mitigation plan. In order to be eligible for FEMA Grants, in the case of a disaster, the town should adopt this plan. Gural recused himself from voting due to his employment; the plan was adopted.

Before paying the bills Gural questioned a Crime Insurance bill since the last time it was paid was 2022. Councilperson VanValkenburgh believes that insurance is paid every three years; Gural will look into it.

The Summit Cemetery Association sent a thank you letter for the monies from the town.

Floor open to the public.

Wayne Stinson Sr. said that the Constitution Pipeline has submitted a petition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to re-issue their 2014 Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, hoping to lay a pipeline through Summit as they had looked into years ago. Stinson believes the pipeline is detrimental to Summit in assorted ways and mentioned pipelines have blown up in different parts of the country in the past. He asked if the board would send a letter of disapproval to FERC, noting that it has to be sent in by January 29th. Gural was approved to send a letter in opposition to the pipeline and will mention it at the Schoharie County board meeting too.

Jen Stinson, of Summit Neighbors, offered well wishes to the new board and mentioned that they brought cookies to share as a welcome gesture.

Revitalization Committee Chair Georgia VanValkenburgh read a review, composed by John Foote, of the committee's activities during 2025. They have been meeting monthly working on the Unsafe Building Law (that was adopted), Site Plan Review Regulations and reviewing the current Land Use Law including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s). The next meeting is February 19 before the Town Board meeting.

Supervisor Gural asked the Board if they were able to audit/review the books yet. Councilperson Kearney asked for more time to review which is fine until the February 19th meeting.

Town clerk office hours: Monday and Wednesday 12-3pm, Thursday 12-3pm and 3rd Thursday 4:30-6:30pm and Saturdays through January 8-10am then 1st Saturday of the month February on 8-10am. For information or to make an appointment contact Clerk Mahr at 518-287-1430 or summitclerk@midtel.net.

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2026-01-22T15:16:00.005-05:00

Summit Town Board 2026 photo from left to right- Highway Superintendent Jim Dibble, Councilpersons Mark Hearon, David Kearney, David Knight and Georgia VanValkenburgh; Town Clerk Katie Mahr and Supervisor Roger Gural.

Filling up at Charlotteville FD buffet breakfast

Eee Gads back to the single digits in the morning, burr and then another six inches or so of snow.

Had a yummy breakfast, as usual, at Charlotteville FD last Sunday. It was a little slow getting to Charlotteville with the continual snow, but we made it aok.

Continual spam emails drive me nuts. It is not always easy to tell when an email is spam but I’m pretty sure emails written all in Chinese are spam.

New Summit Town clerk office hours: Monday and Wednesday 12-3pm, Thursday 12-3pm and 3rd Thursday 4:30-6:30pm, Saturdays through January 8-10am then 1st Saturday of the month February on. For information or to make an appointment contact Clerk Mahr at 518-287-1430 or summitclerk@midtel.net.

From Schoharie County Conservation Association (SCCA) newsletter.

Richmondville Fish & Game Club: Monthly meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at the club property located on 811 High View Rd. The club hosts an open trap shoot to the public each Tuesday night at 5PM. The club has been sponsoring a Youth School Trap league, CRCS students in grades 7-12. They shoot twice a week in the spring and fall leagues. Questions call Greg Warner @ 518-265-8647.

Summit Conservation Club: Club meetings held on the second Monday @ 6 PM of each month. Starting in January Stuffed Pizza on Saturday Noon to 7PM & Sundays Noon to 4PM. Feb. 21st & 22nd; Mar. 14th & 15th; April 18th & 19th. Pancake Breakfast Sundays 8Am -11AM: Jan. 4th, Feb.1st, Mar. 1st, No breakfast in April. Phone 518-287-1710, 109 Club Dive Summit.

SCCA will sponsor a Youth Ice Fishing Derby on February 7th @ Franklin Vlie Pond south of Middleburgh from 8am to 2pm. POC is Dave Wood – 518-944-8926. Youths who catch the biggest fish will receive a prize or Trophy during the three different time slots for Pickerel, crappie, and also the biggest fish of the day.

West Fulton Rod & Gun Club will host a Youth Ice Fishing Derby on Feb 14th at the Franklin Vlaie Pond from 8AM to 2PM. Lots of prizes and trophies for winners of each time frame and biggest fish caught. POC will be Jeff Almy 206-550-9933.

CESRPL Team and High Individual Match Scores 01/16/26 Match XII. Stamford/Richmondville beat Oneonta: 1090-16X to 1060-16X. High Stamford/Richmondville Scores were from: Gus Mueller 283-6X; Jim Hitt 278-4X; Javin Traver 270-4X; and David Ferris 259-2X. Other Stamford/Richmondville Shooters were: Larry VanDeusen, Brian Righi, Pat Mattice, Steve Baker, Stephen Hansen, and Mark Gifford. High Scores for Oneonta were: Adam Nichols 274-5X; Carl Morganstern 267-7X; Mark Eagle 261-4X; and Al Nichols 258-2X. Other Oneonta Shooters were: Scott May, Ken Soden, Don Fleming, Kevin Lord, and Glenn Sullivan.

January 31 – Hanford Mills Museum Ice Harvest 10am-3pm, 51 County Highway 12, East Meredith, NY.

February 1- CVCS Board of Education meeting 6:30pm.

February 1 – Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

February 7 – Valentine Family Dinner 5-7pm or until sold out by Summit FD Support Services at the Firehouse. All you can eat Spaghetti, meatballs, sauce, salad, bread and dessert. Adults $12, children $8 and under age 5 free.

February 8 – Super Bowl Sunday

February 14- Valentines Day

February 15 - Charlotteville FD Breakfast Buffet 8-11am at the firehouse. Includes pancakes, french toast, sausage, ham, home fries, eggs, biscuits, sausage gravy, juice hot chocolate & coffee; adults $12 and children $5, plus a 50/50 drawing. Buckshole Sugarshack real maple syrup.

February 18- Ash Wednesday

February 19- Summit Town Board meeting 7pm.

History

January 2, 1908 Jefferson Courier – Eminence News- Mr. Barr, who has managed our skimming station the past year is expected to occupy the P. B. Sweet place, near the station. - Giles E. Mickle has been elected a delegate to the Lay Electoral conference of the M. E. church to be held in New York city, April 1st, 1908. - Albert Boynton has had the misfortune to lose part of the first finger of his right hand by a buzz saw. - Collector Geo. W. Clark of Blenheim and the tax collector of Summit have been in town and relieved our farmers of considerable of their "loose change.” - Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Curtis entertained a faithful few of the scholars and teachers of the M. E. Sabbath school, on Christmas eve and Santa Claus remembered them all. - Chas. Decker has purchased the Spencer Burnett farm, (recently occupied by Andrew Wilson), of Matthias Burnett and wife, of Cobleskill. Possession given April 1st. 1908.

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Auto Racing News

2026-01-22T15:15:00.004-05:00

Austin Beers at 22 years old in 2025 was the youngest driver to win the NASCAR Whelen modified championship. Beers was presented the Richie Evans Memorial Driver of the Year award on asphalt, at last weekend’s Eastern Motorsports Press Association 53rd. convention in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

By Tom Coughlin

If you were planning to go to Royal Mountain Ski Area for Round 2 of the Snow Drags. They have canceled their program due to the frigid temperatures forecast for this weekend.

Pro stock driver Jordan Modiano has a vision. in his most recent announcement. "As an Autism Dad, I started Racers 4 Autism to do something real-create actual employment opportunities for autistic and neurodiverse individuals in our community". He goes on to say. "Last year we hired our first employee with special needs. This year, the goal is to keep her employed and hire another person". An event will be held with a little variance on the standard fundraiser. In an effort to raise funds for Autism Awareness there will be a special night of Community & Impact hosted by Glennpeter Jewelers on Thursday, February 5 from 5:30 until 7:30 pm. The event is a Racers 4 Autism Fundraiser at 1544 Central Avenue, Albany, N.Y. 12205 . A $25 entry fee cash/check at the door or online. What to expect: a relaxed, welcoming night~not a stuffy fundraiser, lite hot & cold fare included, dessert, cash bar-wine, beer, soda, coffee, and water (100% of proceeds donated), and one raffle ticket. Raffles & silent auction items, including: A wine tasting Experience for up to 40 people (valued at $1,700) A Princess Party Experience for up to six girls (ages 7+) (valued at $300) A rain/snow date of Thursday, March 5. Enjoy an evening of food, connection, raffles, and silent auctions-all in support of Racers 4 Autism and our mission to create meaningful opportunities for autistic and neurodiverse individuals. Additional raffle items will also be available throughout the evening. All proceeds benefit Racers 4 Autism. RSVP by Wednesday, January 28 at www.eventbrite.com./e/racers-4-autism-charity-event-registration-1979867955351.

On a different need, the people that provide emergency services at many of our area speedway facilities, the Teal Suit Team, team leader recently sent me the following note. The Teal Suit Team is looking for help in securing donations for some Specialized Race Track safety training provided by the SFI Organization. I have personally attended the training and currently hold a certification for this training. This specialized training is recognized in both the U.S.A. and Canada. My goal is to bring this training to my team that covers Fonda Speedway, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, and Brookfield Speedway. As you can imagine the training will cost us to bring it local. I currently have a little over 20 members on the team. If you are interested in helping us meet our goal please let me know and be kind enough to provide your mailing address so that we may properly thank you. Wishing you a safe and successful 2026 racing season. From Terri Mohrman TEAL Suit safety team leader. Terri can be contacted through messenger or by telephone at 518-774-8528.

Another racing team seeking help with sponsorship and in the garage is Montgomery Tremont. They are looking for onboard sponsors to support their race program and new crew members to optimize their performance. If interested you can contact the following through facebook. Montgomery Tremont Racing page, Montgomery Tremont, or Kaylee Dangleis.

If you would be interested in being a track official. The Accord Speedway a.k.a. The Ulster County Bullring is in need of a flagger for the 2026 season. You can contact the track through messenger or by email at accordspeedway@outlook.com

The 10th. edition of the Shaffer Racing Bowling Tournament & Party is scheduled to kickoff the 2026 racing season on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Come join Happy Harry Shaffer and Shaffer Racing at Kelly’s Imperial Bowling Center 249 Wallins Corners Road, Amsterdam. The format will be 8-pin no tap, Registration will begin at 1:00 pm. with bowling at 2:00 pm. Bowling, prizes, giveaways, raffles, music, pizza, drinks, and more. $100 per team ($20 per bowler) non-bowling tickets also are available. Reserve your tickets today by texting or calling Shelly Shaffer at 518-366-2628. This event has sold out every year, so don't wait to get your tickets.

Saturday, April 25 is planned to be the 60th. season opener for the Devil's Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vermont. The DIRTcar 358 modified Series will be the headliner when they compete in the King of the Clay.

On Saturday night Emerson Axsom won his first Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the 40th. annual Chili Bowl Nationals in the 55-lap feature in a car prepared by Kevin Swindell.

Glen Ridge Motorsports Park is asking for driver input. There apparently has been interest shown in adding the winged mini-sprints to the weekly program up on the hill. In my opinion "The Ridge" is the perfect size for this division. To show your interest contact Glen Ridge Motorsports Park or Alicia Hughes through facebook.

The Dirt Modified Nostalgia Tour has released their new schedule for the 2026 racing season. They will run a smaller version of their previous tour, opening in the north country on Friday, June 19 at the half-mile clay oval Can-Am Speedway in LaFargeville near Watertown. Then a Friday night at the one-third mile D-shaped Dirt Demon-Brewerton Speedway on June 26 and the next night Saturday, June 27 on the high banks of the three-eighths mile Fulton Speedway. Saturday, July 11 will see the DMNT race above the border at the one-third mile Brighton Speedway in Ontario, Canada. Saturday, August 22 the DMNT will change surfaces and visit the three-eighths mile asphalt track at Evans Mills Speedway. On Sunday, September 6 the tour will return to Canada with another stop at Brighton Speedway. This schedule is subject to change.

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[History at the Old Stone Fort] Axe & Mason Jar

2026-01-22T15:14:00.004-05:00

Axe Head

This was found in Bemis Heights near US General Horatio Gates’ Head Quarters. The Battle of Bemis Heights from the Saratoga Campaign in 1777 resulted in the surrender of British General John Burgoyne. Burgoyne’s surrender was said to have been the turning point of the Revolutionary War as it showed nations like France and Spain that the US stood a chance against Great Britain. It was also where British General Simon Fraser was purportedly killed by American Sniper and future Schoharie County resident Timothy Murphy.

Ball Ideal Mason Jar

In 1884 the Ball Corporation began manufacturing glass jars for home use canning. Canning (sealing food in air-tight containers) was a common method of preserving food during the 19th and 20th centuries. The use of canning accelerated in the United States during the two World Wars yet decreased afterwards due to the rise of refrigeration.

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Healthy Snacking for Seniors in 2026

2026-01-22T15:13:08.638-05:00

Seniors learn more about healthy snacking at the January Sharon Silver & Gold Senior Club Meeting.

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — Senior participants at the January Senior Luncheon at the Spa Rita learned more about making healthy snack choices in the new year! This monthly gathering of the Sharon Silver and Gold Senior Club is held at Schoharie County’s Office for the Aging’s congregate meal site at the Sharon Springs Firehouse.

Sara Ereio, RD (Registered Dietitian) came for a visit and shared some tips for healthy snacking with seniors participating during the last luncheon meeting.

It was shared that: older adults need to eat healthy foods, but need fewer calories. For seniors, healthy snacking should include foods full of nutrients, but limited in added sugars, saturated fat and sodium.

Ms. Ereio created some vibrant and tasty snack plates for each person to try including whole grain crackers, guacamole, hummus, cooked lentils, and Sumo citrus mandarin orange segments. The Sumo citrus segments were a real hit with the seniors because they’re sweet, easy-to-peel, seedless, less acidic and an excellent source of vitamin C.

This was another positive social gathering that left those in attendance full of nourishment and knowledge. Thanks to all those that make these special gatherings possible.

Area seniors interested in more information about the Sharon Silver & Gold Senior Club, located at the Office for the Aging’s Congregate Meal site at the Sharon Springs Firehouse, please contact President Anne Lennebacker, at (607) 547-9055.

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SUNY Cobleskill President Announces Awards for County Projects

2026-01-22T15:12:21.852-05:00

SUNY Cobleskill President Marion Terenzio announced some awards at the Jan. 16 Schoharie County Board of Supervisors meeting. Photo by Chris English.

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — SUNY Cobleskill President Marion Terenzio stopped by the Friday, Jan. 16 Schoharie County Board of Supervisors meeting and delivered some good news.

During Privilege of the Floor, Terenzio announced that a total of $18.3 million had been awarded to two Schoharie County Projects from Governor Kathy Hochul's ACHIEVE competition. That total is part of the $32 million awarded to projects in the six-county Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council area.

The Schoharie County awards are $11.1 million for the $59 million Hoshino Mineral Spa Resort project in the Village of Sharon Springs and Town of Sharon, and $7.2 million for the $403.35 million Empire State Greenhouses project on the SUNY Cobleskill campus.

Terenzio described the SUNY Cobleskill project as something to benefit start-ups and to serve "the next generation of agriculture. The county is ready to be known nationally." She added the Hoshino project would be the first of its kind in the country.

The SUNY Cobleskill project is described on the Empire State Greenhouses website as something that "through a start-up NY relationship with SUNY Cobleskill, Empire State Greenhouses plans to build and operate net-zero-energy controlled environment vegetable and mushroom grow facilities as well as biogas digester.

"Once completed, the 300,000 square-foot facility will host three separate greenhouses and support growth of out-of-season produce on a rotational basis. The Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill is working in close collaboration with ESG."

Board of Supervisors Chair Bill Federice thanked Terenzio for her work on getting the awards and asked what funding might be possible to benefit additional housing in the county.

"We need projects for housing," Terenzio said. "It's a problem across the state. If we can work together to push that, it would be critically important."

Federice said he has asked BOS Vice-Chair Don Airey to facilitate putting together a list of what housing projects are in the works in the county and what might be coming and bring it to next month's BOS meeting.

Supervisor Alicia Terry thanked Terenzio for SUNY Cobleskill's many contributions to Schoharie County over the years.

"What a tremendous resource SUNY Cobleskill has been for decades," Terry said. "We're so fortunate to have you here."

Federice added "we owe a great deal to all the efforts of SUNY Cobleskill. We're truly thankful we have SUNY Cobleskill as one of our key partners for economic development."

In other news from the Jan. 16 BOS meeting, there was discussion of a proposed increase in the county's occupancy tax from 4 to 6 percent. It's a tax on hotel, motel and other short-term rentals and is generally factored into those bills paid by guests, county Economic Development Coordinator John Crescimanno explained. The increase would be a way for the county to raise more much-needed revenue, he added.

A motion to move forward with the increase by Supervisor Alex Luniewski was eventually approved. However, the increase needs legislative action from the state and also a public hearing and another vote from the county BOS before it's officially approved and put into effect, county officials said. Those steps could take awhile, Crescimanno added.

Supervisor Ben Oevering and some others expressed some concerns with the proposed increase.

"I feel like we lack a lot of information," Oevering said.

"There's been debate about it, and a lot of concerns.....(but) we don't want to be left behind," said Airey, noting that some other nearby counties have increased their occupancy tax.

"I support 6 percent. It is a tax and we might as well use it for economic development," board member Earl VanWormer III said.

In other news from the Jan. 16 meeting, Airey reported that a proposal to replace the former county jail in the Village of Schoharie with housing is making good progress. He said an informational meeting to discuss the proposal will be held 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Schoharie Central School.

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Seward Around the Neighborhood

2026-01-22T15:12:00.001-05:00

By Angela Clapper

Welcome back readers! The temps are low, and looks like they may get lower next week! I hope everyone is staying warm. We are in the heart of Winter, with many looking ahead to Spring.

If you missed the news last week, two local people who have been working hard for the past six years, finally saw their hard work make their dreams come true! Duane Spaulding and Ann Diefendorf have spent countless hours educating the public, driving to events, picking up milk, making phone calls, amongst many other things. Whole milk has not been in schools in years, and they made it their mission to get it back, as an option. President Donald Trump signed the bill last week, and these two could not be happier! Congratulations to you both! Thank you for your hard work and passion.

This week I would like to spotlight a small business run by Nicole Nesenger. Her business is called Sunny Valley Farms LLC. They offer yarn from sheep raised on her farm and other local fiber farms. Sheepmilk soaps and lotions.Wool pellets, soy candles, beeswax lotion bars and lip balm. I can personally say I love her lotion and it works great! Nicole is on Facebook and goes to many events, if you would like to purchase from her.

Brenda Southworth has given me the list of our local town officials so that we can keep it for when we need it. Thank you Brenda! Brenda Southworth is our town clerk (518)-231-5242. Email: Town.seward.Clerk@sewardtown-ny.gov

Cliff Dorrough is Code Enforcement. He has office hours on Fridays 12:30-3:00, if he has to make changes, they will be on the door. (518)-234-2292. Town Assessor Charlene Ruszkowski Monday office hours 8:30-12:30, Tuesday 8:00-12:00. (518)-285-2212 email Sharonassessor@gmail.com. Chad Evans, Town Highway Superintendent (518)-234-2292 email Town.seward.Superintendent@sewardtown-ny.gov. Mark Fletcher, Supervisor Town.seward.Supervisor@sewardtown-ny.gov.

I hope this helps.

Homeschooling kids and families, the local group, run by Kimberly Buck, is having a show at tell this week as a group. Please reach out to Kimberly if you would like to join, it is at the Fusion Church on Friday January 23, 2026. Kimberly began this group five years ago now, she works on having the kids meet monthly. They go on field trips, have parties, and are currently working on a book! Congratulations Kimberly, you make a difference!

Tickets are on sale for the Frozen play that will be held at the CRCS High School. The play is March 13, 14 and 15. Tickets range from $10-$12 each. If you would like to make a donation to the theater club you may as well. They are seeking businesses ads for the playbill, this is to help with the cost of the play, and promote community. I will share the QR code below, or email: Theater@crcsd.org

Last week our community lost an amazing young man, Benjamin. He was a young life who had lived more than many others much older than him. Benjamin was raised in a large family full of love and faith. I went to college with his mom, Cathy. Each time I would see one of her kids, I would send her a message on how amazing she was doing, as a mom and how great her kids were! Sitting in his service, I learned so much about him. I cried, as I looked around, I saw all the lives he touched. Benjamin had a smile that would light up a room. You will be missed but never forgotten ♡

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Sharon Springs Secures Overtime Win Against Schenectady

2026-01-22T15:10:00.007-05:00

Jan. 15th - Sharon Springs Girls Varsity Team (coached by Randi Korona) won in a nonleague game that lasted into overtime against the Schenectady High School Girls Varsity Team (Head Coach David Bush, Assistant Coach Erica Knolhoff). Both teams conducted a well-played game with a final score of 44-41. (Far left Sharon Springs player #11) Isabella Cornwell caught 10 rebounds and scored 3 points. Peyton Barbic (#10) scored 10 or more in 2 of the 5 major statistical categories, which is called achieving a double-double; 13 rebounds & 15 points. Payton Rullman (#2) scored 7 points. Kaylee Crewell (#12) started the game by reading a Sportsmanship Statement written by Superintendent/Principal Thomas Yorke, which included a beautiful sentiment that your game attendance and support means so much to them all. Photos by Heather Skinner.

Zarie Barbic (#1) contributed 14 points and 6 steals.

Maya Korona (#13) accomplished 4 steals, 9 rebounds, and scored 5 points.

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Great Overtime Win for Bulldogs

2026-01-22T15:09:00.005-05:00

Simon O" Neil #10 with a 2-point shot.

Tyler France #5 doesn't get the 2 points with this lay-up. He would make a 3 pointer shortly. Photos by Robert Duso.

Nate Jone #0 was on fire, scoring 14 points in this game. It was hard to keep up with him. A Game to Remember! Bulldogs win in overtime. This game was neck and neck to the very end. Both teams didn't let the whole game. Bulldogs with 8 points in the first period, 17 in the second, 9 in the third, and 6 in overtime. Sir Bills 12 in the first, 10 in the second, 15 in the third, 9 in the fourth, and 3 in overtime. This game was a nail biter to the end.

Tyler France #5 working hard to make the pass against the Sir Bills Camden Jones #10.

Cam Jackson #3 has his shot blocked by Camdon Jones #10. Both teams put up a strong defense, holding the score at a tie 46 to 46 at the end of regular play forcing overtime. The Bulldogs would be victorious with a score of 52 to 49.

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Around the Neighborhood - Fleischmanns

2026-01-22T15:06:41.857-05:00

By Rebecca DeVito

Hello everyone! Keeping nice and warm, I hope. Writing this from my kitchen, staring at an icicle that is over 3 feet long. Yes, I measured it.

Thursday evening we had an incredibly well attended kick off for The Frog. I got to meet Patricia Wadsley (very briefly as I was slinging drinks), who has written a piece on the event. Thank you for coming and for sharing, and thank you to Katherine Wandersee for all of her efforts in making the event a success. It was nice to switch it up a bit from the regular music focused programming we have at The Print House.

Some of you might have caught Jeff Entin telling a story at The Frog, a lot of you might have gone to Open Mic at Arkbowl, and some of you might know him from past musical performances in our space. Following the loss of The beloved Arkbowl, Jeff approached us about giving Open Mic some new life. All our best to the owners of Arkbowl on their future endeavors. You’ll be missed. We are excited to share that together with Jeff, The Print House will host Musician’s Open Mic every other Thursday, signups at 6:30pm and performances start at 7pm. The first Open Mic will be February 5th.

Despite absolutely Baltic temperatures, our little village was bustling for Martin Luther King weekend. Lines for Belleayre and Plattekill were bonkers! We opened the kitchen at The Print House at 3pm all weekend to accommodate the influx of people- and will be doing so weekends only, moving forward.

There’s a (maybe?) full weekend of music at The Print House again this weekend! Friday 8pm with The Classics, Saturday 4pm Apres Ski with Marji Zintz…. Its not looking good for Sunday due to the threat of over a foot of snow but we will tentatively have Too Lazy Boys at 5pm. We want our staff, patrons, and musicians to be safe, so depending on how the snow falls, we might be closed altogether.

Sunday February 1st Fleischmanns First will be meeting to further discuss planning for the 2026 Memorial Day Street Fair. All are welcome to attend! All are welcome and encouraged to volunteer! Special thanks to Christine Creter & her family for their generous donation to the organization. Fleischmanns is happy to have you!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! The holiday will fall on a Saturday so I implore you to make reservations if you hope to go out! Goatie Whites and The Print House will both be open, and taking reservations. TPH reservations will open up on 2/1 @ 12am via Resy. The holiday falling on a Saturday also means that it's a perfect opportunity to stock up on some delicious baked goods from Two Stones, gifts at Doolittle’s, and flowers from the long awaited Wax & Wild. Wax and Wild, owned by Cassandra Murphy & myself, will be open as a pop-up for the holiday ahead of our opening later in 2026. The location is 1084 Main Street, once home to Community Bank. More info can be found at www.waxandwild.com, Instagram at @waxandwild_, or Facebook.

A huge thank you to the MARK Project and all of those who put their efforts into the New York Main Street program! It's going to be a wonderful summer in Fleischmanns!

If you hear of any fun local events or Valentine’s Day happenings in the area, feel free to let me know! rebeccamariefreehill@gmail.com

Rebecca DeVito

Wax & Wild

@waxandwild_

Flowers. Events. Experiences. Vinyl.

Coming soon to Main Street Fleischmanns!

M. (929) 393-3729

The Print House

@printhouseny

1070 Main Street

Fleischmanns, NY 12430

P. (845) 254-3444

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Catskill Center Receives Grant to Enhance Interpretation and Accessibility

2026-01-22T15:06:31.001-05:00

ARKVILLE — The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development was awarded a $31,033 matching grant from the Environmental Protection Fund’s Park and Trail Partnership Grants program to improve accessibility and visitor experience at the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center. The project will update and replace aging signage with a new entrance kiosk, enhanced interpretive signage along trail systems, an outdoor television providing orientation, stewardship, and safety information, and Adirondack chairs that invite the community to gather and enjoy the landscape outside of regular hours. The Catskill Center will contribute an additional $4,486 in matching funds to reach a total of $35,519 for the project.

The grant is one of 27 awards totaling $2.25 million for organizations dedicated to the stewardship and promotion of New York’s state parks and historic sites, trails, and public lands. The grants will be matched with private and local funding and will support projects to strengthen Friends groups and enhance public access and recreational opportunities.

Friends groups—nonprofit organizations often made up entirely of volunteers—are essential to the stewardship and promotion of our state park system. These dedicated groups raise private funds for capital projects, perform maintenance tasks, provide educational programming, and promote public use through hosting special events.

The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is administered by Parks & Trails New York, a statewide non-profit organization, in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said, “New Yorkers statewide are experiencing the benefits of restored trails, enhanced visitor centers, and engaging programs that foster a deeper connection with the outdoors. For the past decade, Park and Trail Partnership Grants have been instrumental in making these experiences possible by supporting the dedicated local organizations that steward our public lands. This year's record-breaking awards will ensure that these vital sites continue to educate, inspire, and warmly welcome all who visit.”

This project addresses a critical first point of contact for visitors and residents entering at the Catskills Visitor Center, ensuring they receive clear, accurate, and welcoming information from the moment they arrive. Updating outdated and damaged signage will eliminate confusion, guide visitors to the full range of resources available, and provide essential orientation and safety information for recreating responsibly in the 700,000-acre Catskill Park, where wilderness conditions and limited cell service can pose challenges. New interpretive panels will deepen understanding of the region’s natural and cultural history, while improved accessibility features such as multilingual and audio content will expand who can benefit from these resources. Together, these improvements strengthen the Catskills Visitor Center’s role as a trusted, inclusive gateway that connects people to nature, to the Catskills community, and to the knowledge needed to protect both visitors and the landscape.

Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center, said, “By improving how information is shared at the Catskills Visitor Center, we’re helping people start their experience in the Catskills informed, prepared, and connected to the landscape. This investment supports safer recreation, a deeper sense of place, and a stronger relationship between the community and the region we’re working to protect.”

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Flood Analysis Adopted & Water Meter Fees Discussed

2026-01-22T15:06:19.348-05:00

By Mary A. Crisafulli

MARGARETVILLE - Mike Coryat from Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) presented the finalized Local Flood Analysis (LFA) to Margaretville Village Board members on Jan. 20th. After the presentation, the board unanimously adopted the LFA.

An LFA is an engineering study conducted to identify areas of high flood risk and recommend solutions. The analysis can help guide a municipality to access grant funding and move forward with flood mitigation projects.

Margaretville’s LFA was conducted by SLR engineering firm after village officials sought assistance from SWCD in 2023. The firm conducted hydraulic analyses and ran flood scenarios to identify problem areas, explained Coryat.

One major recommendation is to install a larger culvert for the crossing over Benikill stream along Cemetery Road. It is further recommended to clear debris from the stream regularly.

SLR will make several recommendations to the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding the Bridge Street bridge. DOT owns the roadway and has plans to replace the bridge in a few years. One flood-mitigation option would be to expand the bridge from Main Street to Route 28. However, Coryat notes this would limit access to stores.

It was recommended the village conduct further studies regarding the Fair Street bridge, including the possibility of removing the structure completely.

Another proposal is to lengthen the Bull Run Stream channel under the Swarts Street bridge.

SLR recommends extending the stormwater channel or drainage ditch on Swarts Street and Kennedy Heights Road.

It is recommended the Margaretville Central School District review projects proposed to help mitigate basement flooding. It is further recommended the district organize a new evacuation location.

Several other recommendations and project details are outlined in the LFA.

Coryat noted that many of the projects will help alleviate flood issues during five or ten year floods, but 100 year floods are unlikely to be affected. There is not much that can be done for the 100-year floods, he said.

SWCD and the Catskill Watershed Corporation both offer grant funding options the village can pursue for some of these projects if it chooses to move forward.

Water Meters

In another discussion, Highway Supervisor John Paul Beers asked trustees to consider establishing fees for uncooperative homeowners. To ensure water bills are fair, the department needs to read the meters often inside the home. Several property owners are not responding or making an effort to help us read meters, he reported.

Further, Beers asked for a fee for homeowners who have repeatedly had frozen pipe issues. One homeowner had their pipes freeze twice last year and once already this year, he explained. The issue can cause long term ware on the water infrastructure as a whole, said Beers.

Mayor John Hubbell noted that a committee will be established in order to address these concerns and review options for new water meters. The meters need an update, he noted. Trustee David Budin will take the lead.

In other business

Sargent Robert Walsh requested the village adopt a newly developed 100% tax exemption for fully disabled service-connected veterans. Hubbell is looking into the matter.

The March board meeting was moved to Tuesday, March 24, because of St. Patrick's Day. The election was also moved due to this holiday and will be held from noon until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. Election inspectors will be paid $120 for the day.

Chris Ortiz was approved to host a glass-blowing class at the village park and to display artwork produced there during December. Ortiz is expected to present full plans to the board at a future meeting.

The furnace at the village hall was replaced, costing $5,200.

The village will contract with the County for planning committee consultation at a rate of $60 per hour.

The village is one of four final municipalities up for the $4.5 million NY Forward grant designed to revitalize main streets. Two municipalities will be rewarded.

The next regular board of trustees meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 5 p.m.

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