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The Best Gifts from Schoharie County

August Supper Club and other August events at Heather Ridge Farm

Written By Editor on 8/2/17 | 8/2/17


Preston Hollow, NY –
With the farm stands full of great produce, and the fields and forests ripe for foraging, the monthly Supper Club will celebrate the abundance of the season on Saturday, August 12. Supper Club, a five course tasting dinner at Heather Ridge Farm, starts at 7pm, and advance reservations are necessary. Reservations must be secured with a credit card, and cost $75 per person.

The dinners have been held once or twice a month all year.  From June through September Supper Club dinners are held outdoors on the farm, weather permitting.  In the cooler months, dinner is in the solar-powered 1820s farmhouse. Chef Rob Handel creates imaginative menus with the meat and poultry raised at Heather Ridge Farm, combined with items Rob had foraged, as well as produce and dairy products from other regional farms.

On Sunday, August 13, the Second Sunday Session will be held 12-2 hosted by fiddlers Hilary Schrauf and Bernie Neumann. The Second Sunday Session is an opportunity for traditional Irish, Old Time, Cape Breton, and Scottish musicians to get together and share a few tunes in a cozy atmosphere. Come out and join in a few tunes, or sit back and enjoy the music and good food!

The month ends with a Fried Chicken Picnic on Saturday August 26, starting at 6pm. The fried chicken is a culmination of a three day long process that starts with a koji marinade and wraps up with a dusting in chef Rob Handel’s secret blend of spices and gluten free flours. All are welcome but reservations are still appreciated. The picnic is served buffet style, with chicken being fried fresh continually until 8pm, accompanied by sides crafted from locally grown items.

Menus to be posted on www.heather-ridge-farm.com. Please call 518-239-6234 for reservations. In the farm store, fresh and frozen products of the farm are available at all events.

The Bees Knees Café and farm store at Heather Ridge Farm is located at 989 Broome Center Road, Preston Hollow, NY.  518-239-6234. The farm raises Animal Welfare Approved Certified Grassfed lamb and goat, pastured pork and eggs, as well as all grassfed beef and pastured poultry. The Café is open Thursday through Sunday in July and August for lunch and brunch from 11am-3pm, and weekends year-round. The farm store opens at 9am Thursday through Sunday with complementary coffee while you shop. Menus and a calendar of events are updated weekly on its website at www.heather-ridge-farm.com

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Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Walton

Written By Editor on 7/31/17 | 7/31/17

At approximately 5:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, July 30, 2017, Delaware
County Sheriff Deputies and members of the Walton Fire Department and
Emergency Squad responded to a 911 report of a serious personal injury
motor cycle accident on State Highway 206 in the Town of Walton.
Preliminary investigation by Sheriff’s Deputies, Investigators and members
of the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit revealed that 45
year old James R. VerNooy of Walton was driving a farm tractor in a
northerly direction on State Highway 206 and had begun to make a left turn
when a northbound motorcycle operated by 70 year old James G. Cushman
of Norwich struck the tractor’s front end loader bucket while attempting to
overtake and pass the farm tractor in a no passing zone in the southbound
lane.

Cushman and his passenger, 67 year old Nancy A. Cushman, were
subsequently thrown from the motorcycle as a result of the collision. Nancy
Cushman was fatally injured and died at the scene. James Cushman
sustained serious physical injuries and was transported to Delaware Valley

Hospital in Walton and was airlifted to UHS Wilson Medical Center in
Johnson City for treatment.
The investigation by members of the Delaware County Sheriff's Office and
New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit remains on-going.
Deputies and Investigators are attempting to identify and interview a female
witness that was driving a full size, white Sport Utility Vehicle, and are
asking anyone that may have witnessed or that has information concerning
this accident to immediately contact the Delaware County Sheriff's Office at
(607) 832-5555.

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Broome Man Arrested for Endangering Welfare of Child

Written By Cicero on 7/26/17 | 7/26/17


The Schoharie County Sheriff's Department announced the following earlier today:

Following the investigation of an incident, Schoharie County Sheriff Deputies on 7/24/17 arrested Richard J. Christian, age 42, of Hauverville Road in the Town of Broome for Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Deputies were contacted when the subject removed the cast from the wrist a 10 years old male subject with a butter knife. The 10 year old had previously suffered a fractured wrist. 

Christian was arraigned in Richmondville Town Court and committed to the custody of the Sheriff's Office in lieu of $500. bail. 

He is to reappear in town court on a later date.

It is unknown why Christian removed the cast from the child's wrist and the incident was reported by the victim's father. 

Flash Flood Watch

Written By Editor on 7/12/17 | 7/12/17

... Flash Flood Watch in effect until 9 PM EDT this evening...

The National Weather Service in Albany has expanded the

* Flash Flood Watch to include portions of western Massachusetts
  and New York, including the following areas, in western
  Massachusetts, northern Berkshire. In New York, eastern
  Albany, eastern Columbia, eastern Dutchess, eastern Greene,
  eastern Rensselaer, eastern Schenectady, eastern Ulster,
  Montgomery, Schoharie, southern Fulton, southern Herkimer,
  southern Saratoga, western Albany, western Columbia, western
  Dutchess, western Greene, western Rensselaer, western
  Schenectady, and western Ulster.

* Until 9 PM EDT this evening.

* Showers and thunderstorms will develop this afternoon into the
  evening. Thunderstorms will be capable of producing torrential
  downpours resulting in rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour.

* Heavy rainfall rates could lead to flash flooding, especially in
  urban, poor drainage and low lying areas. Also locations that
  have received heavy rainfall in the past few weeks will be
  susceptible for flash flooding.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should flash flood warnings be issued.



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Cobleskill Police Blotter

Written By Editor on 7/10/17 | 7/10/17

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

At 8:58 p.m.  Cobleskill Police arrested Robert Santos, 38, of Cobleskill, NY, for DWI.  He was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on July 25h at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 9, 2017

At 9:00 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Nada H. Mehedan, 21, of Albany, NY, for Harassment 2nd and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing.  She was arraigned in Richmondville Town Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on $300 Bail / $600 Bond. She is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on July 11th at 5:00 p.m.

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Fried Chicken Summer Party at Heather Ridge Farm

Written By Editor on 7/4/17 | 7/4/17


Saturday, July 22, 4-7pm

Preston Hollow, NY – Celebrate the middle of summer with fried chicken, live music and beer! Sounds like a party happening Saturday, July 22 at Heather Ridge Farm, starting with an optional farm tour at 3pm, and food and beverages at 4pm.

Heather Ridge Farm is a livestock and poultry farm high in the hills, with panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains. In this setting, the Bees Knees Café serves up the best fried chicken at shaded picnic tables as well as tables under a tent! The all-you-can-eat buffet will start at 4 with gluten free fried chicken, seasonal sides, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages included in the price of $24/adult.  Kids under 15 pay their age.  Live music starts at 5 with Jumbo Bungalow, the eclectic sounds of a ukelele band, as fun and comforting as an oversized vintage vacation cottage, led by Carmen Borgia. Helderberg Brewery, of nearby Rensselaerville, NY, will be selling their locally brewed beers to accompany the buffet.

The fried chicken is a culmination of a three day long process that starts with a koji marinade and wraps up with a dusting in chef Rob Handel’s secret blend of spices and gluten free flours. The Fried Chicken Summer Party is by reservation only, so please reserve by Wednesday, July 19 to guarantee a spot. The picnic is served buffet style, with chicken being fried fresh continually until 7pm, accompanied by sides crafted from locally grown items. Full menu to be posted on www.heather-ridge-farm.com. Please call 518-239-6234 for reservations.

In the farm store, fresh pastured chicken will be available for you to take home for your own barbeques, as well as the full stock of beef, pork, lamb, goat and other products.

The Bees Knees Café and farm store at Heather Ridge Farm is located at 989 Broome Center Road, Preston Hollow, NY.  518-239-6234. The farm raises Animal Welfare Approved Certified Grassfed lamb and goat, pastured pork and eggs, as well as all grassfed beef and pastured poultry. The Café is open Thursday through Sunday in July and August for lunch and brunch from 11am-3pm, and weekends year-round. The farm store opens at 9am Thursday through Sunday. Menus and a calendar of events are updated weekly on its website at www.heather-ridge-farm.com

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Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Written By Editor on 6/30/17 | 6/30/17

Issued By:  NWS Binghamton (South Central New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania)
Affected Jurisdictions:  Delaware County

Headline:  Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 30 at 5:43PM EDT until June 30 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Binghamton

The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...Northeastern Delaware County in central New York...* Until 630 PM EDT* At 543 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Meredith, ornear Delhi, moving east at 35 mph.HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.SOURCE...Radar indicated.IMPACT...Expect damage to trees, and power lines.* This severe thunderstorm will be near,East Meredith around 550 PM EDT.Bovina Center around 600 PM EDT.Andes around 605 PM EDT.Hobart around 610 PM EDT.Roxbury around 620 PM EDT.HAIL...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of abuilding.


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Tornado Warning Issued in Delaware County

Keep up to date on our always updated weather page.

Issued By:  NWS Binghamton (South Central New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania)
Affected Jurisdictions:  Delaware County

Headline:  Tornado Warning issued June 30 at 5:54PM EDT until June 30 at 6:45PM EDT by NWS Binghamton

The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a* Tornado Warning for...Central Delaware County in central New York...* Until 645 PM EDT* At 553 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornadowas located near Meredith, or near Delhi, moving east at 25 mph.HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught withoutshelter. Mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed.Tree damage is likely.* This dangerous storm will be near...Delhi around 605 PM EDT.Bovina Center around 620 PM EDT.Andes around 625 PM EDT.Margaretville around 635 PM EDT.Roxbury around 645 PM EDT.TORNADO...RADAR INDICATEDHAIL...1.00IN

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowestfloor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in amobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelterand protect yourself from flying debris.

Audio Recording URL:  http://jic.nyalert.gov/Public/DownloadAudio.aspx?parentid=4893472&type=3


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Severe Thunderstorm Warning Until 3:30

Written By Editor on 6/27/17 | 6/27/17

... Strong thunderstorm will affect... southern Otsego and northwestern
Delaware counties until 330 PM EDT... 

At 241 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Otego, or 7 miles southwest of Oneonta, moving northeast at 40 mph.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include... 
Oneonta, Davenport, Worcester, Maryland, Kortright, Meredith, Otego,
Westford, Milford and Franklin.

Lat... Lon 4226 7520 4243 7532 4271 7466 4263 7463
      4255 7468 4252 7471 4244 7463 4243 7463
time... Mot... loc 1841z 244deg 33kt 4238 7518 

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State Police Issue Amber Alert for Missing 10 Year Old

Written By Editor on 6/24/17 | 6/24/17

UPDATE: The missing child alert has been cancelled

Issued By:  NYS-DCJS-MPC
Affected Jurisdictions:  Albany, Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Tioga, Tompkins, Warren, Washington Counties

Headline:  Missing Child Alert, 10 years old white/female. Look for White 2010 TOYT AVA GTE4252 NY

At the request of the NYSP Princetown, a New York State Missing Child Alert has been issued relating to the disappearance of NAMINE ARCHER; age 10; from FULTON, NY at 7:45 am on June 24, 2017.

Click on the link for further details. www.criminaljustice.ny.gov.

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Jefferson CSD Meeting Rescheduled

Written By Editor on 6/22/17 | 6/22/17

Legal Notice

The Jefferson Central School Board of Education will hold a Board Workshop on

Tuesday, June 27, 2017, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the library. This workshop is being

held to discuss the Superintendent’s evaluation.

Dulcie Fowler, District Clerk

Jefferson Central School District

Jefferson, New York

Dated: June 21, 2017

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Cobleskill Police Blotter

Written By Editor on 6/20/17 | 6/20/17

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

At 9:36 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Robert C. Ker, 61, of Cobleskill, NY, for Petit Larceny.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released.  He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on June 27th at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

At 4:05 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Douglas Monsees, 24, of Howes Cave, NY, for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released.  He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on June 27th at 5:00 p.m.

At 5:16 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Naomi L. Pickett, 22, of Richmondville, NY, for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd.  She was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released after paying $100 Bail.  She is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on July 18th at 5:00 p.m.


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Area Under Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood Watch

Written By Editor on 6/19/17 | 6/19/17

Below is from the National Weather Service. Keep up to date at our always updated Weather Page.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch 354 remains in effect until 800 PM EDT

NY
.    New York counties included are

Albany               Bronx               Columbia          
Delaware             Dutchess            Fulton            
Greene               Kings               Montgomery        
Nassau               New York            Orange            
Otsego               Putnam              Queens            
Rensselaer           Richmond            Rockland          
Saratoga             Schenectady         Schoharie          
Sullivan             Ulster              Warren            
Washington           Westchester        





Flash Flood Watch
Issued: 3:55 AM EDT Jun. 19, 2017 – National Weather Service

... Flash Flood Watch remains in effect from noon EDT today
through late tonight...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* portions of northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts,
  New York, and southern Vermont, including the following areas,
  in northwestern Connecticut, northern Litchfield and southern
  Litchfield. In western Massachusetts, northern Berkshire and
  southern Berkshire. In New York, eastern Albany, eastern
  Columbia, eastern Dutchess, eastern Greene, eastern
  Rensselaer, eastern Schenectady, eastern Ulster, Montgomery,
  northern Fulton, northern Saratoga, northern Warren, northern
  Washington, Schoharie, southeast Warren, southern Fulton,
  southern Herkimer, southern Saratoga, southern Washington,
  western Albany, western Columbia, western Dutchess, western
  Greene, western Rensselaer, western Schenectady, and western
  Ulster. In southern Vermont, Bennington, eastern Windham, and
  western Windham.

* From noon EDT today through late tonight

* widespread showers and thunderstorms with areas of torrential
  rainfall are expected to overspread the region this afternoon
  and evening. The threat for heavy rainfall could continue well
  into the overnight hours.

* A widespread 1 to 2 inches of rainfall is likely with localized
  amounts of 2 to 4 inches. Localized rainfall rates in excess of
  2 inches an hour are possible where persistent heavy rainfall
  occurs or where thunderstorms repeatedly move over the same
  areas. This will result in the potential for flash flooding,
  especially in urban and poor drainage areas.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should flash flood warnings be issued.





Special Statement
Issued: 2:42 PM EDT Jun. 19, 2017 – National Weather Service

... A line of strong thunderstorms will affect Schenectady... Albany...
southern Saratoga... southeastern Fulton... central Schoharie and
southeastern Montgomery counties...

At 241 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from Hagaman to North Blenheim. Movement was
northeast at 35 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Clifton Park, Rotterdam, Saratoga Springs,
Amsterdam, Cohoes, Gloversville, Watervliet, Rensselaer, Johnstown,
Colonie, Scotia, Mechanicville, Cobleskill, Fonda, Delmar, Latham and
Guilderland.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 88 near Exit 23.
 Interstate 90 between exits 3-4 and 1s, and between exits 2 and
6-5a.
 Interstate 890 near Exit 7.
 Interstate 87 between exits 1 and 8a , near Exit 13, and between
exits 8-9 and 9.
 Interstate 787 between exits 2 and 8-7.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Lat... Lon 4307 7436 4306 7424 4306 7360 4295 7363
      4291 7368 4281 7366 4279 7367 4270 7370
      4262 7376 4255 7376 4243 7460
time... Mot... loc 1841z 217deg 29kt 4296 7415 4246 7446


Dbt


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Sheriff's Dept Saves Overdosed Woman

Written By Editor on 6/18/17 | 6/18/17

The Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatchers took a call on 06/16/17 from a distraught woman within the county who had stated she wished to harm herself.  The woman terminated the call prior to deputies arrival and before dispatchers could gain other necessary information.  When deputies arrived shortly thereafter, they were unable to get anyone to come to the door and repeated calls to the residence yielded no result.

Deputies made entry to the home and found the woman inside, unresponsive.  Evidence on scene suggested she’d overdosed on opioid medications    Deputies utilized Naloxone to revive the individual and she had begun to come to by the time Emergency Medical Services arrived.  She was safely transported to Cooperstown Hospital for treatment.  The Department is thankful for the quick actions of our dispatchers, deputies and the emergency medical services crew.

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Former Seward Supervisor Carl Barbic Dies

Written By Editor on 6/17/17 | 6/17/17

Cobleskill, NY

J. Carl Barbic,90, passed away early Friday morning June 16th at Robinson Terrace, Stamford, NY.

Born in Dorloo, NY, Carl was the son of the late Frank and Frances Barbic and a graduate of Cobleskill Central Schools.

A lifelong farmer, Carl attended Hyndsville UMC and was a former member of the County Board of Supervisor’s and the former Supervisor of the Town of Seward. He was also a former member of the Board of Director of the Central National Bank in Canajoharie, NY.

Predeceased in 1996 by his beloved wife of over 50 years Shirley (Lane) Barbic, Carl was also predeceased by his son Richard and grandson Roger.

Survivors include his daughter Gail L. Murray and her husband Thomas Murray Jr. of Cobleskill, grandson; Derrick Barbic (Stacie) of Cobleskill, former daughter-in-law; Linda Jorgensen of Warnerville, NY, 3 other grandchildren,2 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday June 20th at 11 am at Bond Funeral Home, Broadway & Guilderland Ave, Schenectady, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

Interment will be in St. Cyril’s Cemetery in Rotterdam, NY

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Mr. Barbic’s memory to the Seward Valley Cemetery Association.

To leave a message or a condolence for Carl’s family please visit www.bondfuneralhome.com

Cobleskill Police Blotter

Written By Editor on 6/13/17 | 6/13/17

Friday, June 9, 2017

At 12:45 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Charles H. Hotaling, III, 25 of Cobleskill, NY, for Criminal Contempt 2nd and Criminal Contempt 1st.  He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and he was remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on $1000 Bail / $3000 Bond. He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on June 13th at 5:00 p.m.

At 12:55 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Savanna Jo Hotaling, 25, of Cobleskill, NY, for Criminal Contempt 2nd.  She was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on $1000 Bail / $3000 Bond.  She is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on June 13th at 5:00 p.m.

At 5:06 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Jenny L. Largesse, 27, of Cobleskill, NY, for Open Container.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She it appear in Cobleskill Town Court July 20th at 10:00 a.m.

At 7:02 Cobleskill Police arrested Catherine Lushkevich, 53, of Cobleskill, NY, for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on June 20th at 4:00 p.m.

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State Police Request Help Finding Missing Middleburgh Man

Written By Editor on 6/12/17 | 6/12/17

The State Police in Cobleskill are attempting to locate a reported missing adult James Gabriel who is a 41 year old white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 178 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes, facial hair (goatee), and last seen wearing a black t-shirt with skulls and camouflage shorts.



James was last seen Thursday evening, June 8th at approximately 7:30 pm by his spouse and children at their residence in Middleburgh, NY.  Gabriel made statements indicative of causing self-harm.  James maybe operating a gold/tan colored 2005 Mercury Sable four door sedan bearing NY registration GSS5161.  James is known stay at various state parks and/or camp grounds in Schoharie and Delaware counties and is an avid outdoorsman.  Information was developed that James maybe in the south western part of Schoharie County to include the Stamford, NY area.  If you have any information on Mr. Gabriel’s whereabouts, please contact 911 or the State Police at 518-630-1700 or 518-234-9400.

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Flood Warning in Delaware County Until 9pm

Written By Editor on 6/5/17 | 6/5/17

Issued By:  NWS Binghamton (South Central New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania)
Affected Jurisdictions:  Delaware County

Headline:  Flash Flood Warning issued June 05 at 4:58PM EDT until June 05 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton

The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a* Flash Flood Warning for...Central Delaware County in central New York...* Until 900 PM EDT* At 455 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated multiple thunderstormsproducing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to two inches ofrain had already fallen around the West Brook basin and othersmall streams and creeks in the area.* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...Delhi, Meredith and East Delhi.

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flooddeaths occur in vehicles.

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Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Delaware, Otsego Counties


According to the National Weather Service in Binghamton, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Southeastern Otsego County and Northeastern Delaware County until 2:45 this afternoon.

The storm, which was last located over Hartwick, is moving east at 40 miles per hour. Impacted areas can expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. For your protection, NWS Binghamton advises that you move into an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

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Schoharie Movies Centennial Celebration June 8 and 10

Written By Editor on 6/1/17 | 6/1/17


Schoharie, NY –There are many types of events which can bring a community together. This June 8 and 10 the village of Schoharie will host a celebration 100 years in the making as they mark the centennial anniversary of the Schoharie Free Street Movies, a landmark community event which spanned a quarter of a century and helped usher in a new era in American cinematic history.



It was in 1917 when then village mayor Perry E. Taylor first devised the idea to provide a free weekly event which would help bolster the community’s morale while bringing more business to the village’s main street.

With the financial and organizational backing of a group of village merchants known as the Board of Trade, Taylor was able to realize his vision and on June 7, 1917 the community gathered in front of the county courthouse for a screening of The Awakening of Helena Richie, starring Ethel Barrymore, in what would be the first of many Thursday evening movies on Schoharie’s Main Street.

In the early years of the Schoharie Free Street Movies, many movie goers would take in the evening show from the comfort of their open-top automobiles, pre-dating the first commercial drive-in theater by 16 years!

It didn’t take long for the popularity of the street movies to take off, and as thousands of visitors began to flock to the small community for the free, weekly showings, Main Street was shut down and automobiles had to make way for individuals and families who would bring their own chairs or rent them for 10 cents apiece from the fire department.

For more than a decade, silent films were shown on Thursday nights throughout the summer months. In 1927 with the advent of “talkies”(movies with sound) Schoharie’s head projectionist Edward Scribner achieved another milestone first, utilizing his rural ingenuity to devise a sound projection system that would work outdoors.  On June 18, 1931, the Schoharie Street Movies featured the world’s first ever outdoor talkie with a presentation of George Abbott’s Manslaughter. For the next two years, Schoharie was the only place talkies were shown outdoors.

The popularity of the free street movies continued to flourish throughout the Great Depression, with as many as 5,000 people making their way to the community each Thursday night. It wasn’t until 1942, with the country embroiled in World War II, that the final free street movie would be shown in front of the county courthouse.

On June 8 and 10, The Schoharie County Historical Society, in partnership with the Greenville Drive-In and Schoharie Promotional Association, will light up courthouse square once again as they mark the centennial celebration of the first ever street movie.

The celebration will kick off with an official reenactment on Thursday, June 8 at 7 p.m. featuring live period music, historical exhibits, popcorn, ice cream and five cent sodas. At 9 p.m. Schoharie’s Main Street will be closed to thru traffic and, just as they did 100 years prior, more than a dozen Model-T era vehicles will take their place in front of the screen.

Following remarks by the event sponsors and invited dignitaries, event goers will view A Century Under the Stars, a brief documentary by street movie historian and Greenville Drive-In co-owner Dwight Grimm, before the screen lights up with a showing of the only surviving reel of the film which started it all, The Awakening of Helena Richie, starring Ethel Barrymore, on loan from the Library of Congress.

The film will be played on an original hand-cranked projector provided and operated by Chapin Cutler of Boston Light & Sound from the back of a 1926 Ford one-ton flatbed truck. It will be displayed on a screen hung from the original lampposts still standing in front of the courthouse. The movie will be accompanied by acclaimed motion picture music historian Dr. Philip Carli on piano.

In recognition of Scribner’s ingenuity, a portion of Schoharie’s first outdoor talkie, Manslaughter, starring Claudette Colbert, will be shown before the event’s conclusion at 9:45 p.m.

The free celebration will continue on Saturday, June 10 at 5 p.m. with several events and activities along Schoharie’s Main Street, in front of Lasell Hall and in the parking lots surrounding the Schoharie County Office Building.

Included in Saturday’s full line-up of activities is a car show sponsored by the Schoharie Valley Antique Auto Club, a beer trail tasting sponsored by the Schoharie Valley Beverage Trail, an antique radio exhibit sponsored by the Antique Radio Club of Schenectady, a film-themed flower show by the Schoharie Valley Garden Club, live swing music by the Burnt Hills Melody makers, jazz by the Nisky Dixie Cats, history displays, food and craft vendors and much more.

The event will continue as the sun goes down and the movie screen lights up one more time for screenings of The Awakening…, a Harold Lloyd comedy, vintage news reels and the most popular film of 1938, The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn and Olivia DeHavilland.

For both the Thursday evening and Saturday evening showings, eventgoers are encouraged to bring their own lawn seating as they enjoy an evening under the stars with the stars themselves.

More information on the Schoharie Free Street Movies Centennial Celebration is available by calling Dwight Grimm at (646) 526-7711; on Facebook at facebook.com/freestreetmovies/ or facebook.com/oldstonefort/ and on the event website at http://drivein32.com/Drive-In_32/Schoharie_Free_Street_Movies.html


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