The Mountain Eagle

5/15/23

Clifford and Mary Danforth Presentation in Jefferson May 21st

Written By Editor on 5/15/23 | 5/15/23

Kevin Berner, President of the Jefferson Historical Society will talk about early Jefferson residents, Clifford and Mary Danforth. This presentation will take place at Judd Hall, 163 Main St., Jefferson, 12093, at 2pm on Sunday, May 21. Following the talk, the Nicholas J. Juried Museum of Jefferson History will be open to visitors. Refreshments will be served.

Clifford Danforth and his son Stewart at their farm on Tuttle Road, Jefferson

Have you ever wondered what life was like when everyone worked close to home and did business with neighbors nearly every day? The lives of Clifford and Mary Danforth, great grandparents of Jefferson Historical Society President Kevin Berner, exemplify those simpler times. Kevin will give a talk about these folks who lived in the late 19th C. into the early 20th C., and whose experiences were typical of life in small town American at that time. Looking at family photographs, diary entries, and articles in newspapers of the day, Kevin’s talk will show how time was spent -- the chores, the pastimes, the interactions and business dealings with other Jefferson residents, that made up community life in Jefferson.

This presentation will take place at Judd Hall, 163 Main St., Jefferson, 12093, at 2pm on Sunday, May 21. Following the talk, the Nicholas J. Juried Museum of Jefferson History will be open to visitors. Refreshments will be served.

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ASF’s First WIM Program of the Season Takes Vets 48 Miles on Bike

WINDHAM, N.Y. – After three days of cycling the streets of Windham and other neighboring towns and riding over 48 miles, the Adaptive Sports Foundation’s (ASF) first Warriors in Motion® (WIM) program of the season concluded on Thursday, May 11.

“Being at the ASF Warriors in Motion program reminds me of what it’s like to be part of a unit,” U.S. Marine Corps veteran Richard Mills said about the event. “I had a great time, the weather cooperated and I enjoyed everything. The scenery is amazing and all the people on the trip were great. I couldn’t have had a better time.”

Mills and six other wounded U.S. Military veterans visited the Northern Catskills on Tuesday afternoon and met at the ASF’s Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center, where they said hello to new acquaintances and old friends, were treated to lunch, test-drove their bikes and were fitted for their equipment. After everyone was situated and ready to ride safely, the veterans and five volunteers hit the road for their first excursion. Tuesday’s ride began at the Windham Mountain parking lot and ran along Route 23, going west for an approximately 10-mile ride to the Prattsville Town Park.

The ASF shuttle bus picked up and returned the participants to ASF, allowing the veterans to check in to their hotel rooms, unpack and decompress. That evening the veterans met back at the ASF Lodge for dinner, catered by Windham’s Main Street Market.

Wednesday’s ride was a whopping 28.4 miles long, the longest bike trips the ASF has ever had. The WIM group started from the Windham Mountain parking lot and rode to Prattsville again for the first leg of the journey. After a quick water break, the warriors and volunteers then rode down Route 23A into Lexington, where they stopped at the Town of Lexington Municipal Building for lunch. The crew hopped back on their bikes after getting fed and trudged to the end of Spruceton Road in Westkill, completing the extensive ride.

The warriors boarded the ASF shuttle bus and headed back to their hotels basking in their accomplishment. The group then met back at the ASF Lodge for another dinner, courtesy of Main Street Market.

The event concluded on Thursday morning after a bike trip from the Windham Path to CD Lane Park in Maplecrest and back, a total of around 10 miles. When the cyclists returned to ASF, they were treated with a barbecue lunch before everyone said their goodbyes.

“They’ve taken good care of us here at ASF,” U.S. Army veteran Milagros Rivera said of her trip. “Good meals, they’ve taken care of us on the road, I couldn’t have asked for better service.”

The WIM program provides participating injured United States servicemen and women with a basic knowledge and practice of wellness and the importance of lifelong healthy living. All Warriors in Motion programs are goal oriented and empower the warrior to take charge of their own fitness and wellness.

The ASF’s next Warriors in Motion event will take place in two weeks on May 23-25, and it will be the second of the two road cycling programs the ASF has scheduled. Thanks to donations generously given to the organization, the Adaptive Sports Foundation will be able to provide bicycle rentals (to those who need them), helmets, water bottles, all meals, hotel rooms, snacks, water, sports drinks, sunscreen, bug spray, ponchos (if necessary) and maps, both digital and paper copies.

If you’d like to donate to the Adaptive Sports Foundation’s Warriors in Motion program, or any of the other programs the ASF has to offer, visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org.

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Meredith Man Arrested On Federal Charges

Meredith, NY – Today, Sheriff Craig DuMond announced the arrest of a Meredith resident on an active arrest warrant for charges stemming from US Federal Court.

At approximately 6:00 PM, Wednesday evening, May 10th, 2023, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Town of Meredith to assist US Homeland Security Units with the location and apprehension of Charles P. Bodie III, age 48, of Meredith, NY. Bodie III was advised to have an active US Federal Court Warrant for the alleged offense of Sexual Exploitation of a Child.

During the course of the investigation Sheriff’s Deputies and units from Homeland Security conducted surveillance of property in the Town of Meredith where Bodie III was found to have been residing.

At approximately 7:09 PM May 11th, 2023, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies and units from Homeland Security located and arrested Bodie III on the above mentioned warrant. He was transported to the Delaware County Correctional Facility, where he was to be held indefinitely. He was scheduled to be transported to the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York at a later date for the initial arraignment on the above alleged offense of Sexual Exploitation of a Child. This charge, if found guilty, could carry a sentence of imprisonment of not less than fifteen years but no more than thirty years.

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Judge Calls For Fleischmanns Votes To Be Counted

Petitioners Expected to Appeal;

Ballots Remain Unopened Until May 19

By Mary A. Crisafulli
DELHI - After nearly eight days of trial, Delaware County Supreme Court Justice Brian D. Burns ruled llast week that all 81 challenged absentee ballots in the Fleischmanns Village Election are valid.

Mayoral candidate Elizabeth Hughes and trustee candidates Todd Pascarella and Yvonne Reuter petitioned ballots on the basis that the individuals who submitted those absentee ballots were not Fleischmanns residents.
Nearly 50 of the challenged voters appeared in court for testimony. Petitioners argued that voters' ballots who did not testify in court should be tossed.

Justice Burns ruled that it is the obligation of petitioners to produce evidence sufficient to overcome the "presumption of validity" voters received from their voter registration and application for an absentee ballot.

"It is not the respondents' burden to produce witnesses to prove that they are eligible to vote," he wrote, which is why challenged voters who did not appear on subpoena are made valid by the court.

Petitioners also asked the court to review Election Law 1-104(22) which states voters' residences should be fixed, permanent and principal homes. However, Justice Burns said the Court of Appeals has ruled that voters with dual residency have a right to vote from either. He further stated that the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court determined seasonal residence may be used for voting.

Petitioners’ Attorney Daniel Belzil said, "We disagree with the ruling in several respects and will be appealing it.

Mr. Pascarella was in troubled by the ruling.

“We completely disagree with the judge’s decision. For almost all of the challenged voters, he seems to have overlooked the lack of tangible connection the election law requires to establish residency in favor of subjective claims to an emotional attachment to visiting the village," said Pascarella, "This is a very disappointing result of our challenges and we have no choice other than to pursue appeal."

Jeremy Rase, 1st assistant district attorney for Delaware County, was unavailable for comment by press time. In his closing summation, ADA Rase argued, on behalf of Delaware County Board of Elections, that the challenged ballots should remain unopened.

Editor's note: Since publication, we received the following information: Fleischmanns Village Clerk Diane Rossman got back to me and said "We are awaiting instruction from our attorney, no comment at this moment."

Trustee Stewart Cohen's Attorney James Curran argued petitioners provided no evidence of sham or scam during court proceedings to warrant invalidation of the absentee ballots.

The court had prohibited Village Clerk Diane Rossman from opening and counting challenged ballots until an official ruling. The village has been left with no declared winners since the March 21 election. Trustees Sam Gil and Stewart Cohen and Mayor Winifred Zubin remain in office until the election is certified.

Justice Burns’ ruling declares the clerk to now carry out respective duties as it pertains to election results. Petitioners are given until May 19 to appeal before ballots can be opened.

Mayor Zubin had no statement regarding the ruling. Ms. Rossman was unavailable for comment by press time.
Delaware County Elections Commissioner Judith Garrison expects the village to perform the opening of the ballots according to regular procedure.

Ms. Garrison noted that the elections office conducts a county-wide mail check annually at the end of April or early May. Each registered voter receives a card in the mail letting them know of upcoming elections. Any cards that are undeliverable by mail are then inspected by other means, she explained. The process helps voter rolls to stay up to date, she added. If any voters have not received their cards this year, Ms. Garrison advises them to call the office at 607 832-5321.

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Pick of the Pots Sale (POPS) Friday, May 19

The sale starts a day early for members, with the members-only Pick of the Pots Sale (POPS) from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Members are invited to join us for the best choice of wonderful plants, including rare and unusual plants scouted out by Landis volunteer, board member, and garden designer Amy Howansky. Complimentary snacks and beverages will be available.

Best of all, there's no cost to members for the Pick of the Pots Party - except, of course, for the plants, books, and goodies that you can't resist taking home with you! Not a member? Don't worry! You can join right there and then.

May 20 & 21, Saturday and Sunday,

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The sale is open to everyone, members and non-members.

On the weekend after Mother's Day, Landis Arboretum's signature Spring Plant and Book Sale ushers out a reluctant Old Man Winter and welcomes the spring we've been pining for.

Many gardeners wait impatiently to find out what plants or plant groups will be featured in Landis' sales. Of course, there will be hundreds of perennials, shrubs, grasses, and trees for a range of conditions, including many unusual varieties, plus organic vegetable seedlings and herbs, and annual flowers including hanging baskets. Gardeners return year after year for strong, vibrant plants.

There are always some special features at our sales:

Shop with our wonderful vendors! Check our website for updates closer to the date.

Take advantage of our plant experts

Our roving team of plant experts will advise you about selecting the right plants for the right places and how to plant and care for them. .

Visit the "Bulb Bar."

Grab a baggie and select your choice of bulbs, corms, or tubers.

"Rare and Unusual Specimen" plants

We will offer limited numbers of "Rare and Unusual Specimen" plants, chosen because of their unique characteristics. Try out a dwarf evergreen or an interesting shrub with variegated leaves. More information will be available on our Facebook page on exactly which plants we'll have.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be limited supplies of these featured plants. Your best bet at getting one (or several) is to come to the members-only Pick of the Pots Sale (POPS) on Friday, May 19, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Members receive a 10% discount on plant purchases. Not a member? Don't worry - you can join at the gate!

"Small Trees and Shrubs for Small Spaces"

Check out our carefully curated collection of "Small Trees and Shrubs for Small Spaces."

"Pollinator Plants"

Browse our "Pollinator Plant" category, which will feature plants that provide nectar, pollen, seeds, or nest-building materials.

"Landis Grown"

We'll have beautiful hanging baskets and other strong and healthy Landis Grown choices.

And books - and baked goods, too!

As wonderful as the plants are, this is not just a plant sale. While you're at Landis, take a break to browse the used book sale at the Book Shop in the Barn, perhaps to find something to expand your knowledge of gardening or nature, cooking or travel, fiction or non-fiction to read after you've completed a satisfying day of gardening. And don't forget our ever-popular bake sale: always a great selection of homemade treats at good prices!

PLANT SALE PRIMER - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

Starting times and dates for

the sale are firm:

Members Only Pick of the Pots Sale (POPS), May 19, Friday, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
May 20 & 21, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Purchases may not be made prior to the sale. The Arboretum cannot set aside plants prior to the sale.
Please park cars in our upper parking area next to the Meeting House.
Handicapped parking and drop-off space is available. Please inform the parking attendants of your needs.
Sorry: dogs are not allowed at the Plant Sale.
Arboretum plant experts will be available all weekend to answer your questions and to provide suggestions and advice on plant selection, site requirements, and proper planting and care techniques.
Restrooms and picnic tables are available for your convenience.
Have your membership card handy for quicker checkout. (10% discount for members.) Not a member? We'll be happy to help you join.
Volunteers from Arboretum-sponsored Boy Scout Troop 501 will be available to help those needing assistance in getting purchases to their vehicles.
You may make purchases with cash, check, or credit card.
All purchased items must be removed by 4:00 PM Sunday. Landis does not make deliveries and is not responsible for items left after 4:00 PM on Sunday.

For more information, call the Arboretum at 518-875-6935

or email us at info@landisarboretum.org.

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Illegal Turkey Take - Delaware County

On May 1, opening day of the spring turkey hunting season, ECOs Doig and Osborne responded to a complaint of a wild turkey shot from a public roadway in the town of Hancock. The Officers arrived at the scene, observed fresh footprints entering private property, and located evidence indicating a turkey was taken. Further investigation led them to the hunter accused of shooting the turkey. When confronted with the evidence against him, the subject admitted to shooting the bird on posted property from the roadway. ECOs issued tickets to the subject for trespass on posted property, shooting from a public roadway, and unlawfully taking a wild turkey. The Officers seized the turkey as evidence. All charges are returnable to Hancock Town Court.

Two ECOs holding illegally taken turkey