Amaya Krufchinski (#7) sets for hitter Joanna McCann (#4). CRCS Girls Varsity Volleyball kept up the pressure in a 3-0 straight sets sweep over Schoharie Tuesday.
Molly Coppolo (#5) executes a push over the Schoharie block.
Shavonne Travers (#10) prepares to smash past the block. Photos by Bill Cleveland.
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On September 29 I saw the brightest orange/red sky ever. The daylight is getting noticeably shorter now, UGH. Heard geese heading out of town the other day. Dipped into the 30's last Thursday morning, Burr, but didn't freeze yet.
I actually mowed a bit of grass in October, wow, but mostly blew leaves into the woods
I went to Schoharie DMV to renew my drivers license and brought credentials to get a Real License. I was there a bit long, total time of 40 minutes, BUT I had the nicest and most helpful clerk at window #2.
Our Rooster sent out a warning alarm the other day by crowing loud for about five minutes. He and some of his girls/hens were under the porch, some under the lilac tree, one in the basement (cause I open the door on warm days) and three scattered in the woods. I have a feeling it was a hawk on the prowl.
The Summit Firehouse was quite crowded with people buying breakfast sandwiches and raffle tickets on October 4. They made 108 sandwiches and many folks sat around enjoying a second cup of coffee or juice chatting with a neighbor. The beautiful sunny day was in the high 70's. Photo of Summit Support Services volunteers seated at the table to take orders was Barbara Anstett and Jane Stevenson and selling raffle tickets was Ellen VanValkenburgh. The raffle for lottery tickets was won by Ashley Lent, granddaughter of Nan McGuire, a Senior at SUNY New Paltz.
I gave a tour of the seven Revolutionary War Veterans buried in the Stamford Cemetery October 1st for Schoharie County Home Of Ongoing Learning (SCHOOL). On the tour was SCHOOL member Donald Martin's who visited his great, great, great, great grandfather Andrew Rickey/Reekie/Reikie's gravestone in the cemetery. Photo by Janis Krohn.
I was headed home up Rte 10 the other day and three of us passed a tractor trailer about half way up the hill. Myself and the car in front of me got back in the right lane after passing the truck but the car behind me stayed in the left lane as they had been all the way up. When I got to the section where you have to merge left for the two lane I put my blinker on figuring the car behind me would slow down a bit to let me in. Well, they sped up and forced me to nearly come to a stop, really scary.
I am not much of a flea market person but once a year I go to the Creekside Flea Market in Livingstonville. Since they are only open three more Sundays I figured I better go on the gorgeous day last Sunday. It was nice walking around and I spent a whopping $20 at a few different vendors.
Carol Lavallee's, of Summit, personal experience with the Shriners Hospital: When I was 11 years old I was a patient at Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in Springfield MA for 9 months. After the initial back surgery I was bedridden and encased in a cast from my chin to my hips. In 1956 I spent an additional six months as a patient for exploratory surgery. The Shriners themselves are very good to children. A number of celebrities would stop in to visit the children, including Bob Hope. I had my photo taken with him as he signed my autograph book.
I received great help from Shriners and decided as an adult I would like to do something to help other crippled children.
Now 42 years later I am planning a trip to Springfield MA once again. Thanks to friends and people I have yet to meet for helping me gather all different kinds of stuffed animals to let a child select as their very own. If you know of a child currently a patient let me know. I will make sure to personally visit with them and take a photo to bring back to you.
Central Empire State Rifle & Pistol League (CESRPL) match 10/3/1025 - Stamford/Richmonville defeated Delhi:1093-16X to 1028-7X Top shooters for Stamford/Richmondville were: Gus Mueller 288-5X; Harry Wyckoff 277-0X; Jim Hitt 264-5X; and Steve Baker 264-6X. Also shooting for Stamford Richmondville were: Stephen Hansen, J. Traver, Pat Mattice, Mark Gifford, and Maynard Vance. Top shooters for Delhi were: Kevin Gutliph 266-2X; Mabel Gutliph 263-3X; Bob Anderson 259-2X; and Bret Sage 240-0X. Other Delhi Shooters were: B. Fitch, Eric Groh,and Dennis Klimouski.
October 2-15 – NYS burn ban.
October 10- Charlotteville Schoolhouse Breakfast 8-11am (last of the season). Breakfasts are all-you-can-eat, family style dining including: pancakes, french toast, eggs made to order, sausage patties, sausage gravy, home-style potatoes, coffee, tea, and OJ with table service, not a buffet, and local maple syrup from Terrell’s Sugarhouse. The Charlotteville Schoolhouse is located at 641 Charlotte Valley Road. Season-long 50/50 Raffle. Home-made baked goods will be available for purchase.
October 11 – Pork Roast Buffet 5-7pm Charlotteville Firehouse. Menu: Roast Pork, mashed potatoes, stuffing, two vegetables, tossed salad, rolls, assorted desserts & beverages, $13 adult, $6 under age 12 and free under age 5.(original date was Oct. 18)
October 11 – Fall Festival Parade 11am in Middleburgh.
October 13- Columbus Day
October 14 – Summit Republican Club Presents – Meet the Candidates Night 6-8pm at Charlotteville Schoolhouse.
October 15 – Stamford Library History Hour, Slide show & Chat 10am. All welcome.
October 15 – CRCS JV Volleyball 4:30pm and Varsity 6pm versus Voorheesville and Girls Varsity Soccer 6:30pm versus Canajoharie-Fort Plain at CRCS high school.
October 16 – Meet the Town of Fulton candidates 5:30pm at West Fulton Firehouse, 807 West Fulton Rd. - hosted by Fulton Republicans. RSVP fultontownrepublican76@aol.com.
October 17 – CRCS Varsity Football 7pm versus Fonda-Fultonville at CRCS high school.
October 17 – Spaghetti Dinner 4:30-6:30pm at the Richmondville Firehouse $12 for adults, to benefit the Richmondville Cemetery Association.
October 18 - Town of Fulton Recycling Saturday 7am-noon 1168 Bear Ladder Rd, West Fulton. Including a white goods & tire collection. They also have a recycle bin for returnable cans/bottles that benefit the Fulton Historical Society.
October 21- Charlotteville Fire District 2026 Budget Public Hearing 7:15pm at Charlotteville Fire Station. All taxpayers in Charlotteville Fire District are welcome to attend.
October 21- SCOPE meeting 7PM, at the Middleburgh Rod & Gun Club.
October 24 – Minekill State Park Haunted Hike 5:30-8:30, for info. call 518-827-6111.
October 25 – Mayhem in Middleburgh 4-9:30pm Haunted House at the Dr. Best Museum 1568 Clauverwie.
October 26 – Charlotteville Schoolhouse Fall Soup Buffet from noon until sold out, $5 per 12 ounce cup. Some of the soups: Creamy Vegetable Chicken, Chicken Curry, Potato, Hearty Split Pea and Ham, Pasta Fagioli, Squash, Vegetable Beef, Seafood Chowder, Beef Barley, Sausage Tortellini,Tomato Bisque, Chicken Noodle and Broccoli Cheddar.
October 26- Summit Halloween Trunk or Treat including refreshments and crafts 2-4pm at Summit Firehouse. Sponsored by Summit Rescue Squad.
October 28 - First planning meeting, 1PM at Lasell Hall, 268 Main St. Schoharie for the Schoharie 250th Committee "Remember the Ladies Tea" on July 3, 2026, All are welcome.
October 31 - Halloween
November 2 - Time Change- fall back one hour, UGH.
November 4- Election Day
November 6 – Fulton Historical Society meeting 4pm at the West Fulton Town Hall.
History
May 21, 1925 Cobleskill Index - Frank L. Stllson. Manager of the Service Appliance Co. at Cobleskill made a pilgrimage to Springfield, Mass., with the Oriental Temple Shrine Band of Troy, to attend the dedication of the Shriners Hospital for crippled children. This building is the sixth unit in a chain of hospi tals erected by the Shriners in dif ferent cities of North Amorica and treatment of crippled children, re gardless of creed or color, is given free of charge. Already there are some thirty children under treatment who have been helpless cripples and strong hopes are entertained for some wondprful cures.
Let me know if you have any announcements or events for the column at karenc@midtel.net or 518-287-1945.
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Both teams fought had, in the second half Johnson town would score another point. The Bulldogs #25 Tyler Gunzinger would score two more points for the Bulldogs winning the game 4 to 2.
Isaiah Hamilton #10 sends this one from a penalty kick giving the Bulldogs 1 point. The Bulldogs would rally off this and would get another point off Isaiah Hamilton.
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CHERRY VALLEY - It was a perfect fall evening Friday for First Friday fun in Cherry Valley.
There were plenty of tasty treats and new art at 25 Main Collective, smooth sounds at the Red Shed on Main Street, and different forms of entertainment on the lawn of the Limestone Mansion at the monthly open mic night.
The First Friday Open Mic Nights are presented by the Telegraph School. One of Friday's presenters was Roland Vinyard. Drifting From Shore performed at the Red Shed.
Photos by David Avitabile.
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Porcelain Doll
With our Trunk or Treat event approaching, it seemed only fitting to highlight this intriguing porcelain doll from our collection. Some visitors find her charming, while others consider her rather unsettling, some even believe she is haunted.
Donated to the museum in 1918 by Evelyn McMahon of East Durham, this doll has been featured in The Haunted History Trail of New York magazine.
Come meet her in person during our Trunk or Treat event this Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Old Stone Fort Museum—if you dare!
Letter from Joseph Brant to Colonel John Harper
This two-sided letter was written by Joseph Brant late in his life to Colonel John Harper. Though Brant and Harper fought on opposite sides during the American Revolution, they maintained a lifelong friendship that began in their youth while attending school together. At the time of writing, Brant was living in what is now Ontario, Canada.
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By Chris English
RICHMONDVILLE/SEWARD — The Richmondville Volunteer Fire Department has lined up its contracts for fiscal year 2026 with the various municipalities for which it provides fire protection.
At a special morning meeting on Monday, Oct. 6, the Village of Richmondville Board of Trustees approved a resolution that authorizes Mayor Carl Warner Jr. and Clerk-Treasurer Jenifer Fisher to sign the fire protection contracts for the Towns of Richmondville and Seward.
The firehouse is located in the Village of Richmondville, right across Main Street from the municipal building. The approved resolution states that the "Richmondville Fire Protection District encompasses portions of the Towns of Richmondville and Seward" and that the "Board of Trustees for the Village of Richmondville and the Town Boards of Richmondville and Seward are in agreement as to the contractual obligations for fire protection in the Richmondville Fire Protection District."
According to an email from Fisher sent to this newspaper after the Oct. 6 meeting, the amounts to be paid the Richmondville Fire Department for fiscal 2026 are $39,962 from the Village of Richmondville, $81,241 from the Town of Richmondville and $8,797 from the Town of Seward. The total of $130,000 is an increase of $8,850 from fiscal year 2025, she added.
"This is based on a multitude of factors including equipment and contractual obligations," Fisher wrote.
The Richmondville Town Board had approved their share during an Oct. 2 budget workshop meeting.
"The village (also) approves a contract for the Town of Richmondville and the Town of Seward to provide services for their fiscal year," Fisher wrote in the email. "The Town of Richmondville does not have their own fire department. The Town of Seward uses multiple surrounding fire departments since they do not have one themselves."
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By Joshua Walther
COBLESKILL - At the CRCS Board of Education meeting last Monday, members heard a proposal from the eighth graders for a trip to New Jersey next year.
They outlined that on June 6th, they would like to visit Medieval Times, an immersive arena where spectators can dine like kings and witness knights joust, followed by a quick detour to the Intrepid Museum about forty minutes away from the first venue.
Using L&S Journeys for their tour bus, the class plans to depart from Golding at 6 AM and arrive at Medieval Times at 10 AM, where they will eat, watch the matches, and have the opportunity to play games and take photos with the knights until 1 PM.
Then, the students will arrive at the Intrepid Museum around 2 PM, and be able to explore the USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier, as well as the submarine Growler, and learn more about STEM-related activities and interactive games and simulators.
At 4 PM, the students will make the four hour journey back to Golding and arrive home at 8 PM.
The class also presented a cost breakdown to the Board, noting that Medieval Times will cost $6,130, while the Museum will be $2,280 and the transportation will be $6,950, for a grand total of $15,360.
Until the June deadline, the students plan to fundraise to meet the amount with a variety of goods, like Krispy Kreme, Brooks BBQ, a spring plant sale, and school dances.
Once the presentation concluded, member Susan Strasser asked if the students could fill the travel time with learning opportunities, as they would spend over eight hours on the road.
Fortunately, the chaperoning teachers said that they are already planning to educate the students with interactive lessons like trivia, setting the Board’s mind at ease.
“That’s a very impressive presentation,” said Board President Bruce Tryon. “I love that you’re doing something a little bit different this year. I’ve been to both, and you’re going to love them. There’s so many educational components to this which I think is fantastic.”
Following President Tryon’s remarks, the Board unanimously moved to approve the trip, much to the delight of the students in attendance.
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WATERVILLE, MAINE – The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) has named SUNY Cobleskill first-year outside hitter Audrey Davis (Hudson Falls, NY) the NAC Women’s Volleyball Rookie of the Week for the week ending October 5, 2025.
Davis had a breakout weekend as the Tigers went 1-1, falling 3-1 to Thomas before earning their first NAC win of the season with a 3-0 sweep over Lesley. Against Thomas, she led the Tigers with a season-high 12 kills and added a dig while hitting .024. She followed that performance with five kills and a dig in the win over Lesley. For the week, the first-year outside hitter averaged 8.5 kills per match while hitting .012 overall.
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RICHMONDVILLE — Sunday, October 5th, marked Fairbanks Stable's 20th anniversary in business. Built from the ground up by Faye Benedict Smith and her husband Kenneth Smith, Fairbanks Stable is a horse boarding and training facility in Richmondville, New York. To celebrate this remarkable achievement, they wanted to share the history of the land it was built on and how it still remains relevant in the farm that stands there today.
The story of the farm begins over 200 years ago, when John Richmond was born in Lancashire, England, and emigrated to America around 1800 with his wife, Mary Chorlton, and five children. They lived in Linlithgo, Columbia County, where he established Richmond's Farm. Eventually moving to the area, he bought this farm in 1815 and was an early postmaster of the town, which would later be named after him and be called "Richmondville". John passed in 1829 and left the farm to his son-in-law, Thomas Fairbanks, and his daughter, Jane Richmond. They called it Fairbanks Farm - the earliest name on record.
Thomas Fairbanks farmed and ran a mill on the land until he died in 1840. Both John Richmond and Thomas Fairbanks were buried on the farm.
In 1945, Leslie Bailey purchased the farm, which his son Bill Bailey inherited upon his death. Bill was often seen enjoying driving his pair of grey ponies up and down the dirt road.
In 1966, it was then sold to A. Mackey and changed hands several times until the Benedict Family purchased it in 2002.
When the Benedict Family moved from Dutchess County to Richmondville, Benedict Smith, the eldest of two children, decided to make her love and talent for training horses into a lifelong career. A few years later, she opened Bear Gulch Equestrian Center in 2005.
After a year, Benedict Smith made a name change inspired by the 1840s farm to what is now known as "Fairbanks Stable."
The Benedict family members and Faye's now-husband, Kenneth Smith, erected every structure on the property by hand. Beginning with a stand-alone indoor arena, the horses were stalled in the dairy barn beside the farmhouse until new barns were built. In the following years, a single 12-stall barn was erected, followed by a second one. Since 2020, an additional 12 stalls have been added to the existing barns, and around 60 horses reside on the farm today.
Over the last twenty years, hundreds of horses have been trained and born on the farm, with just as many riders of all ages joining the riding program to learn how to become effective and ethical riders and equestrians under Faye's guidance. Training riders of all riding levels, and horses of all types, Fairbanks Stable has also been highly sought after
since it opened, by SUNY Cobleskill's college students, given its close proximity to campus and its long-standing, positively regarded reputation for high-quality care and Benedict Smith's knowledgeable training.
Today, we thank all the horses and riders who have been a part of this journey over the past twenty years. It has been awe-inspiring to see the growth of the business and all that it has become.
For more information about Fairbanks Stable, visit our website at
FairbanksStables.com.
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By Chris English
SCHOHARIE COUNTY — A Monday, Oct. 6 Schoharie County Planning Commission meeting to review a proposed new resort in the Village of Sharon Springs and Town of Sharon devolved largely into arguments between two attorneys and commission members.
Hoshino Resorts New York LLC is proposing a Japanese hot spring inn with many different features on 57 acres at 247 Main Street near Beechwood Road. Fifty of the acres are in the Village of Sharon Springs and seven in the Town of Sharon.
At the Oct. 6 County Planning Commission meeting, attorneys Libby Clark and Michelle Kennedy went back and forth with Planning Commission members over matters of the SCPC's exact jurisdiction and role in the matter. Clark is the attorney for the applicant and Kennedy is attorney for the Village of Sharon Springs who also advises the Sharon Springs Joint Planning Board on matters involving the village.
The SSJPB is the lead review agency for the proposed project and will eventually vote on site plan approval. Kennedy said the joint planning board has issued a negative declaration, meaning that in its judgment the project will have no adverse environmental impact.
When Kennedy pointed out near the start of the discussion at the Oct. 6 County meeting that the County Planning Commission's jurisdiction over the matter was limited to matters of inter-municipal or countywide impacts, it seemed to set off a running back-and-forth that at several points was rather heated.
Kennedy and Clark said Delaware Engineering is acting as the Sharon Springs Joint Planning Board's expert on the project and has thoroughly reviewed aspects like what impact mineral baths that would be part of the resort would have on wastewater treatment.
"Delaware Engineering is monitoring to make sure there is no adverse impact on wastewater treatment," Kennedy said.
As the discussion went on, County Planning Commission members grew frustrated at the two attorneys' reluctance at times to address issues they felt were not in the commission's purview, and commission members felt like they were being talked down to. They felt they were just doing their jobs by asking questions of their own.
"You're peppering us with questions that have never been put in writing," Kennedy said at one point. She added that as Sharon Springs Village Attorney her job is to look out for the village's best interests in terms of economic development and other issues and make sure that statutory time limits for reviewing the project were met and not unduly drawn out.
County Planning Commission member Ron Ketelsen said the commission did not receive a report from Delaware Engineering until Sept. 16 and this was the first meeting since then.
"This board is not happy with the fact there are questions unanswered. They have questions they would like to have answered," he said.
Commission member Dolores Benedict added "I guess what we have to say doesn't mean anything."
Clark indicated she was trying hard to understand and resolve questions and issues raised by commission members while also complying with all applicable rules and laws and representing her client. She tried to steer the discussion into a more conciliatory tone but got frustrated at times.
"I take exception, they are inappropriate," Clark said in response to some comments made by one Planning Commission member.
At the end, the SCPC voted 7-2 with one recusal to approve a motion made by member Jim Buzon to recommend approval of the project. However, the approval comes under the condition that Delaware Engineering provide written assurances _ with copies to the SCPC _ that waste from the resort most notably from the mineral baths will not cause harm to micro-organisms at the wastewater treatment plant and that the village water supply is sufficient to extinguish a major fire at the facility should one occur.
Some resentment lingered among County Planning Commission members even after the vote had been taken and Clark and Kennedy had left.
"That was an attack on us, we were manipulated," one member said.
The proposed resort would be open to guests and staff only and would include 30 guest room units, each with its own outdoor heated mineral water bath; a shop; library; lounge bar; multifunction space; all-day dining area; fine-dining restaurant; a spa including meditation baths and room for individual spa treatments.
Back of house operations will include staff housing, offices, laundry, storage, mechanical and maintenance facilities and other staff support facilities. Also proposed are passive recreation trails and open space area, as well as infrastructure both on and off site to support the proposed project including but not limited to water, sewer, Storm water, transportation, lighting and landscaping.
In other actions from the Oct. 6 County Planning Commission meeting, the group voted to recommend approval of a variance and subdivision at a parcel co-owned by Chevy and Ron Rose at 5714 State Route 30 in the Town of Schoharie.
The subdivision will allow for construction of a house on the new parcel. The variance is needed because the "new parcel will have a 60-foot strip going to Route 30, creating a flag lot and need for a variance for the frontage," according to a document in the file for the proposal.
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