History and Harvest Weekend Features Many Events in County Oct 10-12

Throughout the Schoharie Valley, it’s time to celebrate a bumper crop of good times during the History & Harvest Weekend Oct. 10-12.

On Friday, Oct. 10, festivities begin with a Harvest Dinner that takes place from 5-7 p.m. at Wellington’s Herbs & Spices in Schoharie.  

. Noting its 125^th anniversary and preserving and promoting Schoharie County history is the Old Stone Fort. To commemorate -- and to celebrate the milestone -- the Old Stone Fort will host an outdoor concert on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 5-9 p.m.  The concert is the highlight of the Fort’s history Fair and it begins with “From Big Bang to Big Band: 125 Years of Music” with the Schoharie Valley Concert Band playing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. It will feature real cannons from three centuries. The concert continues with a set from Skip Parsons’ Riverboat Jazz Band, followed by big band music and dancing with the Burnt Hills Melody Makers. The concert is free and all are welcome.

The Stone Fort History Fair throughout the weekend features a mixture of living history, historic re-enactors, musical performances, demonstrations and activities from more than three hundred years. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 12-5 p.m. on Sunday.

While the history fair is underway, the Village of Schoharie has its annual Pumpkin Festival that includes games, music, and an autumn bake off, a farmers ’ market and wagon rides to the History Fair. The Pumpkin Festival is from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Main Street in Schoharie. One of the festival’s features will be the Schoharie Sloughter[i] Auction at 2 p.m.  with all items made, grown and offered in Schoharie. At the hive in Schoharie, their Music on the Porch Series features Critical Mass from 12-2 p.m.

Just down the road in Middleburgh on Oct. 11, will be the 23^rd Annual Fall Festival Parade with this year’s theme, Schoharie County Sloughters. The parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. from the Middleburgh Elementary School.

The Timothy Murphy 10K Run and Walk for the Environment gets underway at 9 a.m. on Oct. 11 at the Max V. Shaul State Park in Fultonham.

On Oct. 11-12, from Noon to 4 p.m., Lasell Hall in Schoharie will celebrate the restoration of the 1795 Tavern following the 2011 flood.

At a Taste of Europe, there’s an Octoberfest on Oct. 11 with live music, German food and beer starting at 6: p.m.

At the George Landis Arboretum in Esperance, the weekend includes a Bird Feeder Workshop led by Science Educator George Steele at 2 p.m. on Oct. 11 at The Meeting House. On Sunday, Master herbalist Barbara Nezek will speak on Herbal Wisdom: The Nervous System at 11 a.m.

On Oct. 10 and 11, get ready as the Night Terrors Haunted Farm  from 7-11 p.m. at 4193 State Route 7 in Schoharie with haunted hayrides and more designed to give a good fright

At the Iroquois Indian Museum in Howes Cave; where there are stories in the log cabin at 2 p.m. on Oct. 12. Plan to visit throughout the weekend Historic Lansing Manor and the Visitor Center on the grounds of the New York Power Authority in North Blenheim. In Schoharie. The 1743 Palatine Houseand the Schoharie Valley Railroad Museum are open. The Dr. Christopher Best House and Medical Exhibit in Middleburgh features a quilt show and demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Along the way from one event to another, businesses are ready to welcome you with special offers during this special weekend including Schoharie Valley Farms/The Carrot Barn and Barber’s Farm.

For more information about all there is to do and see in the Schoharie Valley, visithttp://schoharievalley.org.

Northern Stem Canker Crop Disease Found in Northern NY

A serious crop disease called northern stem canker has been confirmed for the first time in Northern New York soybean fields as part of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program-funded NNY Corn and Soybean Disease Diagnosis and Assessment Database building project. 
 
NSC occurs in most Midwestern states and in Ontario, but Cornell Plant Pathologist Gary C. Bergstrom says the finding in Jefferson County in northern NY and in six other counties elsewhere in the state is the first confirmation of NSC in New York or the northeastern U.S.
 
Reported yield losses to NSC in the Midwest have ranged from minor to in excess of 50 percent.  
 
Cornell Cooperative Extension/CCE Field Crop Educators Michael E. Hunter and Kitty O’Neil scouted soybean production fields in all six northern NY counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence. 
 
Hunter and O’Neil recorded observations on field conditions and diseases, and collected and sent plant samples to the Field Crop Pathology Laboratory at Cornell University for positive diagnosis of suspected disease problems.  
 
‘One option soybean producers can immediately consider to manage NSC is to plant canker-resistant varieties,’ says Hunter, who works with farmers in Jefferson and Lewis counties. 
 
‘We are encouraging growers and crop advisors to learn how to recognize the symptoms and differences of northern stem canker and other late season crop diseases,’ O’Neil says. 

With additional funding from the New York Soybean Check-off Program, NSC was diagnosed in plant samples from soybean fields in Jefferson, Livingston, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, and Wayne Counties. Diagnosis was based on characteristic symptoms, laboratory isolation of the causal fungus, and confirmation of a portion of its DNA sequence. 
 
Northern stem canker (NSC) is caused by the fungus Diaporthe phaseolorum var. caulivora and differs from a related fungus, Diaporthe phaseolorum var. meridionalis, that causes southern stem canker throughout the southern U.S.
 
‘This research partnership with the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is providing growers with early notice of common pest and crop diseases and, in the case of Northern Stem Canker, a new challenge so they can quickly respond to maintain crop health and productivity and farm profitability,’ says New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association Executive Director Julia C. Robbins.
 
A complete report is posted in the Field Crops section of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website atwww.nnyagdev.org. Growers can also contact their local Cornell Cooperative Extension office for more information.

The NNYADP is a farmer-driven grants program funding on-farm, practical research supporting the agricultural industry in the six northernmost counties of New York state.

SUNY Cobleskill Hosting Mental Health Guest Speaker October 7th

In the aftermath of the tragic suicide of a SUNY Cobleskill student on Sunday, the college is hosting a guest speaker on mental health issues. The October 7th event starts at 7pm in Bouck Hall and features speaker Colleen Coffey. According to the college, she will speak about "mental health issues, suicide prevention, and stigma reduction."

Warnerville Cutoff to Close October 13-17th for Repairs

Canadian Pacific will conduct a series of planned repairs at the Warnerville Cutoff, County Route 23A. The repairs will take place from October 13th to 17th. The entire road will be closed and drivers will be detoured on Routes 7 and 10. CP Rail will be replacing the RR Crossing on Warnerville Cutoff (CR-23A) from October 13th -17th. The work will require a full road closure, so traffic will be detoured using NYS Routes 10 & 7.

Middleburgh Pharmacy Now Offering Immunizations

Middleburgh's Valley Pharmacy is now offering flu shots for local residents, with others to follow. The shots, which can be free of charge depending on the insurance carrier, are recommended for all people over 6 months of age, especially the young and elderly.

Pharmacist Akrum Mourad sent us a photo of him vaccinating Middleburgh Mayor Matthew Avitabile yesterday.

October Storytelling Sundays at the Iroquois Museum

Storytelling Sundays take place October 12, 19, 26 in the Iroquois Indian Museum’s historic 1850s log cabin, with Mohawk story teller Amanda Tarbell.

The story sessions start at 1 p.m. and last about an hour. There are scary, funny, serious, and sorts of stories to be heard. Space is somewhat limited and reservations by groups are appreciated.

“It’s a perfect time of year to visit the Museum, enjoy the nature trail and to hear the stories,” said the Museum’s Executive Director Maria Vann.

The cost of Storytelling Sundays is included in Museum Admission. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children.

Special events, including Storytelling Sundays, are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and friends and members of the Iroquois Indian Museum.

DAR Hosting Open House October 11th

The Membership of the Schoharie Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) welcome you back to the restored rooms of Lasell Hall. During the process of restoration we were able to return to the building to it's original floor plan of the 1795 Tavern, built by Johannes Lawyer. Come and see the incredible transformation of the Historical Lasell Hall!

We will be hosting tours of Lasell Hall Saturday October 11th and Sunday October 12th from 12-4pm. We will also provide free Revolutionary Patriot lookup information. 

We will be hosting tours of Lasell Hall and providing free Patriot Lookup information. Stop on in while you enjoy the Pumpkin Festival in downtown Schoharie Village. See you there!

SUNY Cobleskill Student Dies in Apparent Suicide

SUNY Cobleskill has announced  death of one of its students. In a press release, the college said that Abir Sadik of Buffalo was found unresponsive in his dorm room at 6pm Sunday night. The event is under investigation. SUNY Cobleskill President Debra Thatcher expressed condolences for Mr. Sadik's family and all affected.

$650,000 in New Funding for Streamwork

The Schoharie Valley delegation of U.S. Congressman Chris Gibson, New York State Senator James L. Seward and New York State Assemblyman Pete Lopez joined to announce funding for a major stream rehabilitation project for flood prone areas of Schoharie County and to reduce the financial impact on Schoharie County taxpayers. 

Schoharie County is in the process of making major repairs to property which suffered heavy damage during the 2011 disasters of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.  The Schoharie County Emergency Watershed Protection Project will reconnect the flood plain with four streams – Little Schoharie, Line Creek, Platterkill, and Dave Brown Mountain Tributary – which all flow into the Schoharie Creek.  The repair work will mitigate future flooding and damage to residential and agricultural land.

The Schoharie County Emergency Watershed Protection Project is the largest stream restoration project currently underway in New York State.  The design, permitting and bidding phases of the project are complete, with construction expected to begin in mid-October.

To date, over $23.1 million in federal and state funds have been committed to the Schoharie County Emergency Water Protection Project.  Senator Seward today announced an additional $650,000 grant he has secured to assist with new project expenses. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) also announced an additional $300,000.

Congressman Chris Gibson said, “We appreciate the work of the NRCS team in helping keep this project moving forward and on track, as it is one of the largest NRCS remediation projects in the country.  We also Senator Seward for his work in securing additional funding, and the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors for moving forward with this vital effort.”

Senator James Seward said, “Schoharie County has worked hard to rebuild since being devastated by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee three years ago and we are making progress.  Redesigning streams and properly preparing for future disasters will help save lives, property, and money.  Unfortunately, such precautions come with a financial cost that is too high for a rural county already struggling to make ends meet.  Working collaboratively, we are able to draw funds from multiple sources to further help Schoharie County rebound without placing an added long-term burden on taxpayers.”

Assemblyman Pete Lopez, whose own family members suffered at the hands of Irene and Lee, said, “Too many of our neighbors remain at risk along the banks of these waterways.  Protecting life and property from future storm events relies on our ability to manage our creeks and streams to take the energy out of them and find places for flood waters to go where they can do the least harm.  All of us understand the costs of this much-needed work may be unaffordable to our community.  My colleagues and I gladly accept the shared obligation of bringing funding and other resources in to help provide relief.  None of our neighbors should have to live in fear.”

Schoharie County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tony VanGlad said, “Schoharie County is very appreciative of the support from Governor Cuomo, Senator Seward, and Assemblyman Lopez after storms Irene and Lee. It's great to know the state has our county's back. This funding will go a long way in helping us to repair these damaged streams.”

Schoharie USDA NRCS New York State Conservationist Greg Kist said, “We appreciate all the work of our partners to plan and prepare for these essential projects.  Schoharie County will be much better prepared for future storms when these stream repairs are completed and the collaboration from local, state, and federal sponsors will make these efforts worthwhile.”

Funding sources for the Schoharie County Emergency Watershed Protection Project include:

New Funding Announced Today

·         $650,000 – Senator Seward/NY State Senate

·         $300,000 – NRCS

Previously Announced

·         $17,801,137 – NRCS

·         $5,303,374 – Empire State Development

Poll: County Residents Choose Astorino over Cuomo

Local residents have a clear favorite for governor this year. Incumbent governor Andrew Cuomo appears weighed down by his positions on the SAFE Act and other factors.

According to our readers, the results were:

Astorino (R): 70% - 130
Cuomo (D-inc.): 16% - 29
Other: 9% - 17
Don't know: 5% -10
Total votes: 186

While this may hold in Schoharie and other Upstate counties, Cuomo is still the clear favorite statewide.

Opinion: Cherry's Astonishing Success

Last week the County Board approved a deal that will see Guilford Mills purchased, fixed, and reopened.

With 500-900 jobs created.

The negotiations to get GRSI to bring their business from New Jersey were nothing short of amazing. County Treasurer Bill Cherry took the lead and was able to sell Guilford in a fraction of the time than the Planning Department held responsibility for it.

There are many people to thank for this amazing project, including Assemblyman Peter Lopez. However, it must be noted that without the initiative and hard work of Treasurer Cherry it would have never happened. 900 jobs is nearly as many as the Interknitting facility once held. It would be an economic miracle for the area, now finally recovering.

There is no downside to this deal, so long as it is carried out. With negotiations already this far, a building complex re-appears on the tax rolls and Schoharie County will see reverberations for years.

Vote in Our New Poll: Should Upstate Secede?

Vote in our new poll on our right hand sidebar to let us know if you think that Upstate New York should be its own state. Why or why not?

Pharmacy Opens Doors in Middleburgh

At noon today, Valley Pharmacy had its grand opening on Main Street Middleburgh. The store, open from 8am-6pm Monday through Saturday is now an anchor of the community's business district. Flanked by business and community leaders, owner Akrum Mourad and Mayor Avitabile cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Photo and film credit to reader Radenko Sarac

It was also a major milestone for Mayor Avitabile's business push. Since 2012 the initiative has brought eleven businesses into Middleburgh. The pharmacy can be found online at its Facebook page.

The Village is working on eight further business projects, several of which hope to open in the next month.

Knight: Farewell to America's Captain

O' Captain, my Captain. 

After fifteen years of watching professional baseball - starting at age six - the last great hero of my youth is gone. Never to be seen again in Major League Baseball, or any other so-called professional level of athletics, for that matter. 

Yes, I'm talking about the legendary New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. And I don't use the word legendary lightly, with respects to the steroid tainted embarrassment the past decade has been to baseball. 

Furthermore, I will openly admit to my deep seeded and passionate hatred for the Yankees, due to their common practice of buying World Series titles, unbearable arrogance, and the overall disgust I have for their organization has a whole. Plus, 1999 is a sore spot. 

None of which, by the way, I hold over Jeter in any form whatsoever. He has been the walking definition of greatness and professionalism in the Yankees clubhouse for the past twenty years; loved for his athletic ability and untainted by scandal. 

Jeter, in addition to other Yankee greats such as Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, carried the club to championship after championship on the back of their on-field prowess, while navigating the fierce and ugly world of New York City sports media and fandom without losing their souls off the diamond. 

But perhaps, even more importantly than anything else, is the conduct he has held himself to since announcing his looming retirement in the spring. No other departing athlete in recent history has done more to thank his fans or express his appreciation for his ball club than Jeter has done in the Bronx. 

From television commercials to full-page advertisements and the respect he was showered on adoring fans since April, not only in New York but across the county's ballparks, Jeter has established himself as America's Captain; the last living baseball legend we will encounter for a long time to come. 

I heap these praises upon Jeter despite my allegiance to the Atlanta Braves, who produced some of the greatest and more respected ballplayers than any other club during my youth. But Jeter was able to do something more: he was able to retain our faith in the sport through his love of the game. 

Steroid trials? No problem, Jeter was on the highlight reel making a ridiculous throw from shallow left field for the out. The question now is: who do we have left to look forward to? Who do we have to pick up that mantle and revive our faith in baseball's present and future?

Don't feel bad, I couldn't think of anyone either.

With all of that said, I wish my farewell to America's Captain; the last legend. The greatness he exhibited on and off the field will not be recreated anytime soon, nor will the loyalty he held for his team - the only time he ever played for - be seen again in this free-spending era of free agency. 

Nor will I forgive his .353 batting average in the '99 Series, but that is besides the point. 

Committee Recommends the Creation of County Administrator

It may have taken several months, but the special committee set up to study a possible County Administrator really did their homework.

The committee, made up of Supervisors Federice of Conesville, Barbic of Seward, Bleau of Wright, Jordan of Jefferson, and VanWormer of Esperance has published their findings on September 19th.

The report can be found here on the County Website.

The Committee interviewed a series of public officials from counties with similar populations and budgets as Schoharie. Those chosen were Delaware, Fulton, Greene, Warren, and Washington.

They found a series of similar circumstances, between Delaware County having a full time County Board Chairman to Fulton, Greene, Warren, and Washington Counties each employing a full time County Administrator. Those that do have the salary range from $76,000 to $129,000. Their staffs range from just one other employee to three.

Each County that has adopted the Administrator system speaks highly of it, with similar functions. The Administrator is expected to communicate with both the county department heads and the county legislators.

The Committee was clear: they recommend the formation of an administrator. In part, they found:

"The present position of a part time Board of Supervisors Chairman would be enhanced by a chief operating officr who would report directly to the Chairman who should remain as the chief executive officer representing the residents of the County through the Board of Supervisors"

The committee recommends a position created that is meant to be non-partisan or without influence. They suggested a salary between $85,000 and $90,000.

The position would be empowered to execute the will of the County Board. The administrator would attend all committee and full Board meetings. They would also work with the County Board to fill any department head vacancies and could conduct special investigations as needed. The administrator would also serve as the chief auditing agent, allowing another layer of fiscal protection. They would also work on collective bargaining and salary agreements.

The recommendations for minimum qualifications include clauses that no one shall hold a public office while serving as administrator and does not need to be a County resident when appointed, but must move here within 120 days. The candidate would:

"Possess a Bachelor's degree in Business Management or Administration from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university and have ten years of full-time paid experience in public, business or industrial enterprise including a minimum of five years in public administration, or, possess a Master's Degree in Business or Public Administration from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with five years of full time experience in public, business or industrial enterprise including a minimum of three years of public administration."

Commitee Chair William Federice of Conesville said that the "need for [a County executive] became increasingly compelling as we conducted our interviews with other counties." He also said that the commitee is "confident those who consider the case for an Administrator without deciding beforehand will come to the same conclusion as the Administrator Committee that Schoharie County needs a full time chief operating officer as is the case in 54 of the 56 other counties in New York State. We feel a County Administrator in that role would bring professional full time day to day management of county business as well as play a key advisory role to the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and other elected officials and department heads."

The results have been shared with the remainder of the County Board, who will consider the proposal.

Man Charged with Promoting Prison Contraband

Sheriff's Deputies charged Gregory M. Duncan, 31, with promoting prison contraband in the second degree after he was remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on a separate charge. A subsequent search of his person by deputies revealed Mr. Duncan to be in possession of contraband. He was arrested at 7:36pm on September 25th. Mr. Duncan was issued an appearance ticket to return to the Village of Schoharie Court on October 13th.

Scenes of Irene: An Unseen Photoseries

Reader Ken Hubert sent us photos that he took of the area during and following August 2011's devastating flooding. Below are several photos of the Schoharie Valley during the disaster.

 Several from Mill Valley Road in Middleburgh.

To see the wider album, click here. For the Mill Valley album, click here.

Press Reports: Howe Caverns Casino Winners in Public Hearing

The public comment period may be over for the four potential casino projects in the area, but that doesn't mean that the rest of Upstate New York has stopped talking about them. The proposals that came before the NYS Gaming Commission had varying levels of public support, but it seemed like Howe Caverns won out, if you believe recent coverage.

The Times Union said that the Caverns project is a clear winner in public opinion:

I'll say this: The supporters of the Howe Caverns proposal have a great case to make for needing a casino's jobs and revenue. Their county, after all, is still recovering from the devastation wrought by Tropical Storm Irene three years ago — which only added to its problems with endemic poverty and unemployment.

TWC News also noted the high intensity among supporters, including the Scary Leg Runners' thirty mile run to the hearing:

Meanwhile back on the road, it's the end of the first leg of the relay and with rain beginning to fall spirits remained high. 

"This is what our community is about, just getting out and doing it," said Pamela Newell, who is running part of the relay.

The Cobleskill paper wrote in a similar vein Wednesday:

Heather Marr, a Schoharie native who's worked at Cobleskill Stone for 10 years, said she sees the project as a way to keep young people like herself here. 

"I love it here and I'm lucky that I have a job I love. I don't want to leave. But my friends...Everything's just falling down. There's nothing here for them. This will bring people in. It will be good for the community."

These reports, coupled with Howe Caverns' recent video ad could be seen as wind in the sails of the project.

Construction Begins on New Cobleskill Stewart's

Construction has begun on Stewart's new location at the intersection of Route 145 and Route 7 in Cobleskill.

Opinion: Now Move On

Did you hear? Cassandra Ethington has been found guilty of misconduct and removed from her position as County Personnel Director. Credit the County Board for a job well done, even if it took a while.

Still, there is much to be done. Ethington is gone from the office and will no longer be a factor. There will be effects lasting for months and years, revisions to policy recommended by the Fitzmaurice Report and other changes in the various departments.

However, there is a wider County to take care of. While unemployment is falling, it is still unacceptably high. Taxes are a major impediment to local economic growth. Costly New York State mandates handicap many businesses and local governments.

It's time to focus on all of these problems. The new Board, now in office for almost a year, has started on these programs. There's been approval of the Guilford project, hard work in containing taxes, and stiff opposition to unfunded mandates. However, now that the Ethington mess is behind the Board there is a chance to refocus efforts on these causes.

With Guilford filling and new businesses entering into Cobleskill, Middleburgh, Sharon, and Schoharie there is a very real opportunity for the County.

Seize it.