4-H Dog Obedience Course

4-H is hosting a dog obedience course for youth ages nine and up who want to learn how to train their dogs and compete in the dog obedience class at the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair.  This nine week program teaches youth responsibility, communication, patience, and sportsmanship, while training dogs to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. 

Classes will be held Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the Sunshine Fairgrounds, May 6 through June 24.  An orientation class will be held on Wednesday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Extension Center in Cobleskill.  Please leave your dog at home for the orientation meeting but bring proof of rabies vaccination. 

The cost of the course is $55.  Participating dogs must be at least six months of age. For more information or to register, call Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties at (518) 234-4303, 296-8310 or e-mail schoharie@cornell.edu.  For more information you may visit their official website here.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

MCS Graduate Escorts U.S. Ambassador to Britain

Middleburgh Central School graduate Cherie Federico has been invited by the York City Council to escort United States Ambassador Matthew Barzun and his secret service escort around York, a historic city located in northern England. 

The former American ambassador to Sweden, Mr. Barzun is an internet pioneer and graduate of Harvard University. Ms. Federico is the owner of Aesthetica, a British art and culture magazine with over 180,000 readers in England. 

Federice graduated from MCS in 1997.

State Police Nab Two Motorists for Pot Possession

State Police stationed in Cobleskill have announced the arrest of two men that were stopped for automotive infractions and were subsequently founded to be in the Unlawful Possession of Marihuana:

• State Police out of Cobleskill arrested a Schoharie man for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana following a traffic stop in the Town of Cobleskill on April 7, 2015.Aundre B. Ellison was stopped for a traffic violation, during the interview Troopers determined that he was in possession of a small amount of marihuana.  Ellison was issued an Appearance Ticket to appear in the Town of Cobleskill Court on Tuesday April 21, 2015. 
• State Police in Cobleskill arrested a Massachusetts man for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana following a traffic stop on Interstate 88 in the Town of Cobleskill.Aaron L Chernin age 21 of Acton Massachusetts was stopped for a speeding violation on I-88 in the Town of Cobleskill, during the interview Troopers determined that he was in possession of approximately 4 grams of Marihuana.  Chernin was issued an Appearance Ticket for the Marihuana arrest and a speeding ticket for the traffic violation returnable to Cobleskill Town Court on April 20, 2015 at 4:00pm.

 

DEP Investigating Oily Sheen in Schoharie Reservoir

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is investigating the cause of an oily sheen that was discovered in the Schoharie Reservoir on Monday afternoon. 

According to a press release issued this morning, the sheen was located several hundred feet down shore from the intake, but was successfully prevented from leaving the reservoir by water safety operators shutting down the intake chamber and installing an absorbent boom around the intake structure. 

A Watershed Post story on the oily spill quoted DEP spokesman Adam Bosch as saying the sheen was approximately fifty feet wide and about nine hundred feet long. 

As of Tuesday morning the sheen had dissipated and was no longer visible in the Schoharie Reservoir, which stores up to 19.6 billion gallons of water that is collected from a 314-mile watershed and diverted to New York City through a series of tunnels, creeks, and reservoirs. 

Although the official cause is still unknown, Hurricane Irene is at least partially responsible: "A preliminary investigation found that the sheen was likely coming from a previously undiscovered tank that was washed into Schoharie Reservoir in 2011 by Hurricane Irene."

Blaming shifting ice and low water levels for dislodging the tank, DEP officials will continue to monitor the Reservoir for additional sheens, as well as develop plans to remove the tank once the ice melts and and its location is pinpointed. 

Devlin Elected to Fourth Term as Mburgh Fire Chief

Middleburgh firefighters organized Tuesday night, electing officers to oversee the municipal fire department's daily operations over the next year. 

Chief Michael Devlin, who has been involved with the department for over twenty-seven years, was elected to his fourth term as operations chief. Joining him as Assistant Chief is his brother, Brian Devlin. 

Other elected officers include: Jerry Wayman as 1st Assistant Chief; Jason Marsh as 2nd Assistant Chief; Jason Diamond as Captain; and, John Shaw Jr. as the Administrative President of the department. 

In addition to serving the Village of Middleburgh, the Middleburgh Fire Department is contracted by the Town of Middleburgh and the Town of Fulton to provide fire coverage. 

Cobleskill Police Blotter (4/8/2015)

The Cobleskill Police Department has announced several arrests that occurred from March 29-April 5 in the Village of Cobleskill.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

At 9:20 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Tiffany K. Cook, 26, of Central Bridge, NY, for Grand Larceny 4th and Falsifying Business Records 1st.  She was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on April 28th at 5:00 p.m.

Friday, April 3, 2015

At 8:59 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Andrew Delvalle, 23, of Cobleskill, NY, for Driving While Ability Impaired.  He was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 5th at 5:00 p.m. 

Sunday, April 5, 2015

At 10:18 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Amanda J. Sword, 29, of Schenectady, NY, for Petit Larceny.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on April 14th at 5:00 p.m.

Early Technology Day at the Iroquois Museum

The public is invited to the annual Early Technology Day at the Iroquois Indian Museum on Saturday, April 18th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join the Museum for Flint Knapping demonstrations and workshops, fire by friction demonstrations, atl-atl shoot and other demonstrations of early technology.

In addition to on-site demonstrations of the flint knapping process, which is the ancient art of making chipped stone tools, visitors are encouraged to bring their artifacts for comparison and identification to the museum's extensive collection of point-type artifacts. 

This year's theme is to replicate adena points using a rather unique chert type to our area called Oriskany. It has a grainy but glassy texture, best worked with mostly percussion. There will be many examples of points, replica tools, and local archaeological displays.

A schedule of the day's events will be posted during the event and will include Knapping demonstrations throughout the day, workshops at cycled time slops for adults and youth nine years and up, atl-atl throwing at posted time slots, and other demonstrations of early technology.

For more information, please call the Iroquois Indian Museum at 518-296-8949 or visit their website at www.iroquoismuseum.org.

Letter to the Editor: Lopez - Too Little, Too Late on Pipelines

Dear Editor,

Shortly after Cabot &Williams announced that they intended to build a high-pressure natural gas transmission pipeline through the forests, farms, wetlands, streams and backyards of Schoharie County Assemblyman Pete Lopez held a press conference, not to oppose the pipeline, but to suggest it run along the I-88 right of way. Everyone who had any understating of interstate pipelines knew that such a route was not on the table and never would be. We all knew that Constitution would never agree and that the NY State Department of Transportation would never agree. We also saw Lopez’ proposal for what it was – a phony attempt to pretend he cared about the landowners who would be impacted by the pipeline by suggesting a route that could never happen but to which he could point as his big effort on behalf of his constituents.

For the next several years, an unprecedented political and legal fight ensured to stop the pipeline. Many of Mr. Lopez’ constituents were pressured, bullied, intimidated and eventually had their property condemned by Constitution. Mr. Lopez remained silent, unwilling to defend the voters who put him in office as they endured an emotional and economic assault by an out-of-control gas industry. As to why Mr. Lopez failed to respond there are two primary reasons: First his political and philosophical affinity for big oil & gas (witnessed by his condescending and insulting comments during the protracted fracking debate) and second is his special affinity for Constitution Pipeline, whose chief lobbyist and spokesperson John Faso has a long political kinship with Mr. Lopez.

Fast forward to a second pipeline proposal and Mr. Lopez has broken his vow of silence and has announced his opposition to the NED pipeline. We should be grateful, right? Maybe, if we didn’t once again see it for what it is - a calculated and transparent political move motivated not by a concern for the residents facing the unimaginable intrusion of a second forced pipeline easement through their properties but rather a simple expression of his loyalty to Constitution Pipeline. The second pipeline is in direct competition to Constitution.

Mr. Lopez is not opposing the NED, he is working to help Constitution as they play a high-stakes corporate game of chicken with a competitor, while landowners twist in the wind.  

Mr. Lopez can deny this as his motivation and probably will. I invite him to prove me wrong by opposing not just the NED but also the Constitution Pipeline which has already violated the private property rights of his constituents and which is poised to do irreparable harm to the land Mr. Lopez claims to steward.  I further invite Mr. Lopez to turn over a new leaf and be less of a shallow politician with blatant allegiances to big oil and gas and his political allies in the industry and more of a leader who is willing to stand up for those he represents. If Mr. Lopez can’t muster the fortitude to do that, he won’t be unopposed the next time he runs.  

Bob Nied

Village of Middleburgh Adopts Budget, Organizes for Fiscal Year

Organizing for the coming fiscal year, members of the Village of Middleburgh Board of Trustees voted to adopt the municipality's proposed approximately $800,000 2015-16 budget that is set to raise taxes by a single percent, or five dollars per house. 

Informing Trustees that the proposal was "significantly under the tax cap," Mayor Matthew Avitabile said that expenditures had increased because the village is putting aside money for a matching grant fund and towards the purchase of a new firetruck. 

Additionally, a two percent wage increase was approved for all village employees, except for members of the village board. Addressing the tax increase, Avitabile stated that the village had kept "everything at 1% total over the last four years." 

Relative to the rate of tax increases under former Mayor William Ansel-McCabe, who was unseated by then Village Trustee Avitabile in March 2012, village taxpayers have saved almost two hundred dollars each since then.

Further organizing the municipality for the 2015-16 fiscal year, village board members voted to name Shawn Smith as new Village Attorney; Trustee Bill Morton as Commissioner of Parks; and Trustee Bob Tinker as Commissioner of the Cemetery. 

The village also named the Times Journal and The Schoharie News as the municipality's official newspapers.

In other business, village board members:

• Heard from Middleburgh Area Business Association representatives Linda Quinn and Bob Stevenot that the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce is offering a matching program for businesses and municipalities interested in producing television commercials for the coming tourism year.
• Heard from Middleburgh Village Highway Superintendent Dale Nunamann that highway crews will begin picking up leaves on Monday, April 13th through November on Friday's, and that clean up of the Village Cemetery will start on Wednesday, April 22nd and last three-four days. 
• Voted to approve several Heritage Trail projects funded by a New York State Council for the Arts grant totaling $15,200. Among the approved projects is the placement of several historical plaques, expansion of the Timothy Murphy Park, and $2,500 for the Dr. Best House and local Library.
• Voted to approve the expenditure of $400 toward the creation of an advertisement promoting village businesses and events as part of the Chamber of Commerce's matching program. 

Lopez Announces Opposition to Kinder-Morgan Pipeline

With the proposed Constitution Pipeline closer to securing final approval, after having received the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's blessing in December, there have been fears that additional pipeline companies are eyeing a similar path through New York.

Fears that were confirmed when Kinder-Morgan Company, which owns Tennessee Gas, announced its North East Direct Project to help meet increased demand for energy. Kinder-Morgan's proposed pipeline mirrors that of Constitution's natural gas route from Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania to the Schoharie County township of Wright.

Activists and public officials long opposed to Constitution have balked at the placement of another pipeline through Upstate New York's rural communities, with the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors signaling its opposition to the North East Direct Project's construction in a resolution passed last fall. 

Opposition that gained the support of State Assemblyman Peter Lopez (R-Schoharie) on Monday afternoon. 

Stating that "The proposal being advanced by Kinder-Morgan suffers from poor timing and even poorer judgment," Assemblyman Lopez believes the company is at best simply insensitive to the existing concerns of municipalities divided over Constitution, or at worst is trying to "simply roll over our small rural communities."

The Assemblyman's comments came on the eve of a series of public outreach sessions coordinated by Kinder-Morgan along the proposed North East Direct Project's route; the first of which was hosted last evening in Schoharie. 

Pleased that Lopez has "changed his mind about pipelines because we as a county really can't have a huge impact without the assistance of higher elected officials," Blenheim Town Supervisor Shawn Smith is hopeful that the state representative "actually follows through and teams up with the county on the issue." 

Kinder-Morgan has seven additional public outreach sessions scheduled over the next nine days, with one slated to take place at the Radez Elementary School in Richmondville on Tuesday, April 14th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. 

Concerned with the apparent gross duplication of the route already approved by FERC officials, Assemblyman Lopez concluded: "Our region has been exhausted by floods, the recession, and the existing controversy surrounding the recently federally approved Constitution Pipeline. We do not need any further disruptions. The residents and business owners have been through enough.  The region needs to move forward, heal, and rebuild. I do not support the Kinder-Morgan/Tennessee Gas Proposal."

Supers, Residents Divided on Proposed Cobleskill Bridge

Cobleskill residents remain divided on whether a new bridge is needed to connect Shady Tree Lane and Barnerville Road, with some urging the project forward to cut down on emergency response time while others disagreed with the county's intended use of eminent domain.

Informing residents that a final decision by the Board of Supervisors would have to be delayed until the April county board meeting, County Attorney Mike West explained that the continuance is because the necessary appraisals of disputed properties have not yet been completed.

That did not prevent homeowners or legislators from chiming in at Tuesday's public hearing, however. 

Broome Supervisor Bill Smith was having none of it. Stating that he is "not in favor of this project," Mr. Smith questioned the emergency response figures of some residents and further commented that the bridge is "a waste of the taxpayers money."

Questioning why "do we have to take so much from this person's land," Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon expressed additional concerns on the safety of motorists exiting Shady Tree Lane by way of the busy Roue 7 intersection.

Barnerville Road resident Kari McKelvy disagreed wholeheartedly with Mr. Smith's assessment, recounting an emergency situation where her mother needed an ambulance and "time is of the essence."

Matt Mann, a resident of Shady Tree Lane opposed to the project, commented that it is a "Bad place to replace that bridge," but that maybe it could be moved to another location, "where you don't have to take someone's land."

Divided on either side of the creek, residents of Barnerville Road are in favor of the project to reduce emergency response time, while landowners on Shady Tree Lane are opposed to the use of eminent domain on their properties to construct the structure.

"They [residents of Barnerville Road] had been promised this bridge," said Cobleskill Supervisor Leo McAllister. The supervisor would argue that it is time to put the structure in place because, "This is the only alternative."

Wrestling with a bridge of convenience versus emergency services, Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice questioned whether only a one-lane bridge for emergency response could be constructed to cut down on cost and land infringement.

The answer was no. Stressing that the structure has to meet current federal standards, Department of Public Works Commissioner Dan Crandall said the project would not be eligible to receive grant monies otherwise.

A point of contention in the community since the existing structure was shuttered seven years ago, the proposed bridge is funded as part of a capital improvement project. If the county does not vote to move forward, it will have to pay back $400,000 in grant monies.

Awaiting the final appraisals, supervisors kept the hearing open to the public through the next regularly scheduled county board meeting set for Friday, April 17th at 9:00 a.m. 

Letter to the Editor: Pipeline to Reduce Quality of Life

Dear Editor:

It is no surprise that people are fleeing Schoharie County and many more will follow if they could only sell their houses. Just take a ride around our beautiful County and you'll see more real estate signs than cows. There are many factors for the population decline, most of the upstate region has been in a downward spiral for years. The Times Journal front page story "Sinking To New Levels" cited lack of jobs, hurricanes, and floods. I agree the floods devastated the County and a lack of good paying full time jobs are always a negative especially when people are looking to purchase a house and relocate to an area. The once great State of New York is not so appealing any more. It has taxed, tolled, and surcharged many decent people right out. Also the political culture is rancid in New York and the insufficient representation from our elected officials doesn't help much. This brings me back to the Times Journal story and the genius of one of my elected officials. Why of course it is Assemblyman Peter Lopez, doing what he does best "TALKING." Pete just once please say something meaningful or maybe something we don't know. One of Pete's quotes, "We have so much to offer when it comes to quality of life." Hey Pete you're absolutely right, that was the biggest factor when Jerry and Michelle Fiore decided to move to Summit 18 years ago. We wanted to raise our young daughters in a beautiful safe place and it has been everything we've dreamed it would be. But not anymore as we now will be having a 30 inch gas pipeline coming through our land and another one soon to follow. I don't think our quality of life is so good anymore, do you? So Pete, next time you trip over yourself to get in front of a microphone, tell us something we don't already know.

Regards,

Jerry Fiore Summit

Art, Food, Music Coming to West Fulton Saturday

Featuring family circus acts, local beverage vendors, art galleries, locally grown foods, and a live rendition of swing jazz, West Fulton's Panther Creek Arts is set to immerse the hill-town municipality in a cultural experience Saturday afternoon.

Scheduled to kick-off the day's extensive itinerary at 3:00 p.m. with an appearance by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, the event will run until 11:00 p.m. at the Panther Creek Arts' performance hall at 1468 Sawyer Hollow Road, West Fulton.  

Labeled as the "Tiny Arts Day in a Tiny Town," Saturday's affair will have something for everyone - from the everyday inclusion of local beers and foods to the unusual display of a live sword swallower - all of which is included in the official program available here.

Cherry Valley Fire Leaves Three Dead, Spurs Fundraising Push for Family

(Update: A GoFundMe page has since been set up in memory of Ashley Tefft, who perished in the fire with the two Sabler's.)

The deaths of three Cherry Valley children in a structure fire on Thursday morning has spurred the Northern Otsego County community to rally around the affected family.

The Sabler Family, courtesy of
Sabler Family Fire Rescue Fund

Occurring at approximately 3:45 a.m. in the home of Doris and Frank Sabler, fire engulfed the two-story wooden home and claimed the lives of two of their children, as well as a family friend who was staying over that night. 

Mr. Sabler is currently in critical condition at Syracuse Hospital after receiving severe burns while trying to save the entrapped children. 

Approximately fifty firefighters from multiple departments, including Sharon Springs, were on scene to fight the inferno, which was under control after ninety minutes. Water was shuttled in by tankers from Sharon Springs. 

A family friend of the Sabler's has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family, which has received an outpouring of support from the surrounding area to the tune of $20,720 in just two days. 

No donation is too small or large and all proceeds go to the Sabler family in their time of need. Over three hundred individuals have donated as of this morning at 9:00 a.m.

Note: Reports from the Oneonta Daily Star and the Schoharie County Fire Wire contributed to this story.

Easter Egg Hunt in Central Bridge Tomorrow

Scores of residents participated in last year's Easter
 Egg Hunt in Central Bridge. Photo by Travis Hofmann

The Central Bridge Civic Association is gearing up for its Annual Central Bridge Easter Egg Hunt, set for tomorrow - Saturday, April 4th - at the Central Bridge Community Park beginning at 11 a.m.

There will be three chances to win a Easter Basket, with refreshments being served throughout the egg hunt. If inclement weather, the event will be held at the Central Bridge Methodist Church hall. 

Sponsored annually by the Central Bridge Civic Association, it is a hit with enthusiasts young and old. 

Letter to the Editor: Milone Seeking Re-Election

Editor's Note: Gene Milone is the Town Supervisor of Schoharie and is currently serving in his second term. He has defeated former Supervisor Martin Shrederis twice at the ballot box.

Dear Editor,

I write to inform you as well as the residents of the Town and County of Schoharie, that I will be seeking re-election as Supervisor of the Town of Schoharie in the November, 2015 general election.

While there have been some major issues addressed at the Town level such as flood recovery, assessment relief, the overturning of the Town's Land Use Laws by the Court, as well as budget difficulties, the Town has managed to address it all and will continue to move forward. There is still much to be accomplished as far as infrastructure is concerned, some of which will be funded by New York Rising money, flood mitigation efforts, economic development and my quest for a local grocery store. 

There are also a number of major issues at the county level to be completed such as the recovery effort at the county building, the rebuilding of a new jail in Schoharie and ongoing meetings of the flood mitigation coalition which I had a direct hand in putting together with hopes of mitigating flooding throughout the county. There is also the hope that the county will partner up with a local health care provider to put in place a skilled nursing facility, which I have addressed before, so we may meet the needs of our county residents. 

There must be an ongoing effort to keep in place a safe and prosperous workplace environment for Town and County employees, as well as an ongoing effort to prevent politics dictating the decision making process.

In closing, I wish for you to know that my interest and willingness to be a part of what yet still need to be accomplished is as strong as it has ever been. I remain willing to represent the best interests of the residents of the Town and County of Schoharie. 

Gene Milone, Supervisor

Town of Schoharie

Two Seasonal Roads Remain Closed in Cobleskill

Schoharie County Emergency Services has announced that two seasonal roads located in the Town of Cobleskill will remained closed for the time being. 

Set to re-open yesterday afternoon after the long winter, Tower Road from Greenbush Road to the Fulton Town line, and Settles Mountain Road from house #465 to #306, will remain closed until the snow and ice melts off.

WNYT forecasts that temperatures will peak at sixty degrees both today and tomorrow, which should help in the thawing of both seasonal roads. According to Albany meteorologists, this March was one of the coldest in decades. 

Buckskin to Bikinis Exhibit Opens at Iroquois Museum

Opening Saturday, April 4th from 1 to 3 pm, the Iroquois Museum's Buckskin to Bikinis exhibit will kick off the season with a talk by Dr. Jessica Metcalfe, a Turtle Mountain Chippewa from North Dakota.

Dr. Metcalfe writes about Native American art, fashion, and design, while she owns and operates the Beyond Buckskin Boutique, which sells Native American fashion. 

The Buckskin to Bikinis exhibition is designed for the fashion over in everyone. The show highlights the work of well-known Iroquois designers, including Tammy Beauvais, Bruno Henry, and Niio Perkins and introduces many upcoming Iroquois fashionistas. 

Diversity, artistry, elegance, and story are element that can be viewed in this well-timed exhibit.

Haudenosaunee cultural concepts of peace, power, and righteousness take shape with beads, bangles and bling to create garments and accessories to wear to the beach, for special occasions, or admire in a glass museum case.

“From hand-painted bikinis to high-heeled sneakers, street wear to evening wear, Iroquois fashion is distinct, contemporary, and infused with Haudenosaunee cultural symbols, traditional materials, and political punch,” said Exhibition Curator Colette Lemmon

The exhibit is set to run through November 30th, 2015. 

Opinion: Time to Move Forward

Alright, it's finally over. 

After fifteen months of debate, public hearings, and revised laws, Schoharie County will have an Administrator to oversee the daily operation of county government, albeit in a reduced form than we had hoped for at this publication.

We could spend the remainder of this editorial blasting the county board's decision making, but at this point in time - what difference would it truly make in the outcome of Tuesday's narrow vote? None whatsoever. 

Not only that, but we truly want whoever is the future administrator to succeed, because it is for the good of this county that they do. So why continue shrouding his or her future position atop the county pyramid over sour grapes.

Well, we wont. That's for sure. The same, however, needs to be said for our friends on the county board who opposed the amended version to either grandstand or on principle. We all must unite on this, or it is destined to fail. 

Treasurer Bill Cherry said as much when he stated that he has, "some doubts that any variation of the Administrator position can succeed in Schoharie County until both the public and the Board can find some common ground and joint consensus on this divisive issue."

A-men. 

This weekly editorial often condemns or points out the absurd in county politics, but we feel that at this time on this issue: we all need to be on the same page to not only move forward as a county, but to hire the right person to help steer us into that right direction.

As such, we would encourage both residents and representatives of the county to bury the hatchet and to heal whatever sore wounds exist due to the lengthy administrator debate, because from this moment forward the question is who will be in charge, not if. 

Independent School Seeks New Direction in Education

Inspired by the passion of two longtime teachers, a new type of school that emphasizes teachable moments outside of the classroom as well as teaching instructions on the blackboard is coming to Schoharie County.

Founded by Theresa Heary-Selah and Tracy Manning, the Country Classroom - set to begin classes in mid-September with a focus on young learners - is now accepting students into its independent program, which includes a homeschooling component. 

Explaining that the school is "being started by a group of educators and parents interested in making an awesome experience for our kids," Ms. Manning traced the Country Classroom's origins to the teaching backgrounds of both herself and Ms. Heary-Selah. 

A Masters in Education graduate at Antioch University New England, Manning gained invaluable experience over the past seventeen years of teaching, but perhaps none more than when she worked at The Farm School, where she was employed as a farmer educator.  

Tasked with educating children on basic, everyday skills outside of the four room classroom that modern schooling has evolved into, Ms. Manning is bringing that mindset, in addition to her co-educator's sixteen years of middle school experience, into their new endeavor. 

An endeavor that currently has three local children enrolled, with five more in the application process to attend the independent school, which places emphasis on children experiencing teachable and real world moments beyond just the classroom cornerstones.

The school is currently accepting students ages 4-8 as part of its pioneer class.

Enrollment is presently set at $5,000 annually for full-time students and $3,000 per year for students that are signed up for classes half-time. Eventually, as it becomes more economically feasible, a sliding income scale will be implemented to determine the cost of schooling.

Commenting that, "We're all in this because we believe in this, not because we're being paid," Ms. Manning was stirred by a conviction that education and life are connected and intertwined, and should be encouraged as such.

Located on Huntersland Road in the Town of Middleburgh, the Country Classroom is beginning small in a rented space within a farmhouse. Hopeful of growth to come, Manning believes the school will be epitomized by, "Kids that love going to school."

For more information please visit the school's website here.