Out Lexington Way

By Christine Dwon

It’s official.  The groundhog is predicting an early spring!  Only 40 more days.

Congratulations to Sammi and Matt Clark on the arrival of daughter Charlotte Hale Clark on Feb. 1.  Sister Cheyanne and brother Cole are very happy to meet their new sister.

Rose Williams had a wonderful birthday dinner celebration on Friday, Feb. 2 at the home of daughter Becky, husband John and grandson Matthew in Stamford.  

Tuesday, Feb. 13 is the next Soup and Fellowship Kitchen in the Blue Room at the Kaaterskill UMC, 5942 Main Street, Tannersville from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Come and enjoy a bowl of soup and a sandwich free of charge.  Stay awhile and play some board games too.  The Soup and Fellowship Kitchen is every second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

Ash Wednesday is Feb. 14.  The Mountain Top UMC Parish will have two Ash Wednesday services with the imposition of ashes at 6 p.m. in the Lexington/West Kill UMC, Lexington and 6 p.m. in the Windham/Hensonville UMC, Windham.  Please join us at one of these services as we begin the season of Lent.

Potluck Dinner Church will be held at the Lexington/West Kill UMC, 54 County Route 13A, Lexington on Friday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m..  All are welcome to join in the fellowship.

The annual Freeze Your Butt Off Bake Sale for the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center will be Sunday, Feb. 18 starting at 10 a.m. at the Sunoco Station, 6360 Main Street, Tannersville.  The funds raised are to help with the cost of medicine, food and care of injured and orphaned wildlife.  Bakers are needed and if you would like to bake something for the sale, please text Dave at 518-965-1864 or message through Facebook.

The Greene County Department of Human Services Senior Nutrition Program menu for the week of Feb. 12 – Feb. 16 is as follows:  Monday—Chicken and biscuits with gravy, broccoli, mashed potatoes, prunes; Tuesday—Shrimp Kielbasa Jambalaya, California Medley, white rice, applesauce, peanut butter brownie;  Wednesday—Meatless lasagna, Italian vegetables, fresh fruit; Thursday—Valentine’s Day Luncheon—Roast pork with gravy, applesauce, green beans, Au Gratin potatoes, strawberry cream pie with Hershey Kiss; Friday—Fish dinner, Sonoma vegetables, rice, fruited Jell-O.  The menu will be the meal that is delivered to all Greene County homebound meal clients.  If you have food allergy, please notify the department.  Allergen information is available for prepared food items.  All persons over the age of 60 can receive a meal.  Suggested donation for each meal is $4.  Those wishing to receive a meal are required to call the respective location by noon a day in advance.  The number to call for the Senior Service Center at the Jewett Municipal Building, Route 23C, Jewett is 518-263-4392.

Happy birthday to Charlotte Jaeger on Thursday, Feb. 8.

Debbie and Jim Buscarello celebrate their wedding anniversary on Friday, Feb. 9.

Saturday, Feb. 10 is Skip Dippold’s birthday.

Happy birthday to Cindy Nelson on Sunday, Feb. 11.

Monday, Feb. 12 is Mary Cline’s birthday.

Ray Albino’s birthday is Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Judy Haskins celebrates her birthday on Friday, Feb. 15.

Best wishes to everyone.

Thursday, Feb. 15, 12 p.m. at the Jewett Senior Nutrition Site is “Nutrition Education” with Nicole Gehman, MS, RD, CD-N, sponsored by the Greene County Department of Human Services.  Come and learn about healthy nutrition habits, ask questions, recipe and tasting to follow.  If you would like lunch that day at the site, please call at least one day in advance to reserve, 518-263-4392.

Lexington/West Kill UMC, Main Street, Lexington,  is hosting another Micro Sunday School for all ages through age 12 on March 9, March 16 and March 23, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., concluding with a super fun Easter egg hunt on March 23.  Call Susan at 518-429-8054 if you have questions.

Greene County is seeking nominations for the annual Greene County Youth Awards --Youth of the Year, Youth Advisory Board Chairman’s Choice Award and Greene County Department of Human Services Director’s Award.  Please consider nominating a youth who you believe has made outstanding contributions in serving his/her community through leadership, knowledge, skill and/or service.  From the nominations received, the youth will be evaluated by the Greene County Youth Advisory Board to determine this year’s winners.  Nominations can be obtained from the Greene County Department of Human Services.  If you prefer you can find a nomination form available on the website:  https://www.greenegovernment.com/departments/human-services-greene-gov/news-events.

Return nomination forms by mail to Greene County Department of Human Services, Attn:  M. Murphy, 411 Main Street, Catskill, NY 12414; fax Attn: M. Murphy at 518-719-3798 or email to mmurphy@greenecountyny.gov with the subject Annual Youth Awards.  Deadline is March 29, 2024.  Any questions call 518-719-3555.

Don’t forget Valentine’s Day is Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Thank you to all law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, dispatchers, healthcare providers, volunteers, teachers, farmers, truck drivers and so many more.

Prayers for all who are dealing with loss, illnesses, healing, difficulties, our country, our military and their families, the world.

Until next week take care, be thankful, be respectful, be safe and please be kind to one another.  Your act of kindness may change someone’s life.

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BETTER THAN HEARSAY - Politics or Pish Posh or What

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM - A perplexing question remains ponderable following the recent awarding of $24,588 in legal fees to local and longtime business owner Nick Bove by the New York State Supreme Court (Greene County).

Bove, twice a candidate for Windham town supervisor, was granted the reimbursement of attorney costs in late January by Judge Richard Mott.

Judge Mott had also overseen an earlier case won by Bove, challenging punitive actions taken against Bove by Windham’s water district board.

Judge Mott’s earlier ruling, in November, 2023, deemed that Bove’s constitutional rights had been denied when the town fined him for allegedly misusing the municipal water system, dating back to the autumn of 2021.

A series of confusing small town events began to unfold n the summer of 2022 when the town got an unexpected email from the Department of Health after a routine inspection of Bove’s cafe business.

DOH wanted to know if Bove was hooked into the municipal water system, representing a change in service, having decommissioned a private well.

Bove was contacted by town officials and reportedly affirmed he was connected at the cafe and a second property, a nearby rental residence.

Neither site reportedly had water meters operating for nearly a year. The water district board opted to send Bove a letter, fining him for what it deemed “criminal tampering, as defined in the [State] penal law.”

The fines amounted to $100 for each hookup and payment of any previous water usage. Bove hired a lawyer and fought back, filing a formal “Petition and Complaint” in October, 2022.

Bove’s attorney, in the original complaint, stated that the town, “without any basis in fact and in violation of [Bove’s] due process rights, imposed a criminal fine on [Bove] for allegedly stealing water from the town.

“It did this without regard to the true facts of the matter and without providing [Bove] any opportunity to defend himself. 

“The Town has acted illegally and unconstitutionally, and its actions must be overturned by this court,” Bove’s attorney demanded.

Judge Mott agreed, declaring that Bove had not been given fair opportunity to present his side of things prior to the fines being assessed.

Bove claimed he had been communicating with the town while the hookups were being done by a local plumber, presuming all was well and good.

Town officials, including the water superintendent and billing officer, refuted those claims in signed affidavits, saying Bove had requested a water meter but never notified the town any connections were made or meters installed.

Judge Mott, stating there was no reason not to have given Bove a chance to be heard, nullified the fine letter sent by the town.

Judge Mott stated the town had advised Bove he could attend a water district board meeting to defend himself but only after-the-fact, essentially serving as pseudo judge and jury.

Which is where this gets perplexingly ponderable. Judge Mott offered no thoughts or conclusions on the alleged illegal water usage.

It has apparently become so much water under the bridge. Bove has reportedly paid for the water but not been fined anew by the town.

And Judge Mott did not mention a claim made in Bove’s original complaint that, “Superintendent Hoyt was not an impartial decision-maker as [Bove] ran against him in the 2019 election for town supervisor,” referring to the current Windham town supervisor Thomas Hoyt.

Hoyt, in his role as town board supervisor, also serves as president of the water district board. Both boards contain the same five members.

A “press release” was dispatched, last week, announcing awarding of the legal fees to Bove. The source is not specified (please see related story).

Bove is quoted in the document, saying, “I don’t know what prompted the town to come after me in this way and why nobody simply reached out to me if there was a question or concern.

“We encouraged the town to avoid litigation. I offered documentation to address their misunderstanding and asked simply that they retract their public accusations of me but they refused,” Bove is quoted as saying.

In his original complaint, Bove referenced newspaper articles that appeared on the matter, noting that in July, 2022, his lawyer, “sent an e-mail to the town attorney advising the town of the procedural due process violations.”

The email further, “asked the town to issue a letter stating that there was no wrongdoing or criminal conduct on the part of Mr. Bove. The town denied the request,” leading to the lawsuit.

Town officials have declined to comment on Judge Mott’s decisions or the latest press release or the reason they did not budge on the alleged wrongdoing which may have resulted in an out-of-court settlement.

The press release states that rather than publicly retracting their allegations about Bove, “the town board refused, instead choosing to use taxpayer dollars to engage in a protracted lawsuit.”

Bove’s legal costs, in the $275 and $365 per hour range from two different lawyers with varying years of experience, are reportedly covered by the town’s insurer which represented the town in the court proceedings.

Meanwhile, journalistically puzzling questions have emerged such as…are politics at the bottom of this?…as hinted in Bove’s original complaint.

Hoyt defeated Bove in 2019, running unopposed twice since then, now serving his third, two-year term which runs through the end of 2025.

The press release blasts Windham officials, claiming, “the court has sent a clear message that the town's actions were not only legally erroneous but also indicative of bad faith.”

But it singles out just one person rather than all five town board and water board members, repeating that Bove, “previously ran for office against Town Supervisor Hoyt,” stopping short of saying…what?

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LEGISLATURE STUFF - Getting There and Fare

By Michael Ryan

CATSKILL - Helping residents get where they need to go and have food on the table tops the list or actions taken by the Greene County Legislature during a recent meeting.

Lawmakers authorized the purchase of three replacement buses for the county’s transit vehicle fleet, splitting the expense three ways.

The purchase will be made through the Office of General Services on the trio of 16-passenger, Ford E450 buses, each consisting of 14 ambulatory and 2 non-ambulatory wheelchair stations.

Coach & Equipment Bus Sales, headquartered in Penn Yan, New York, was awarded the contract for a total cost of $367,197, according to a legislative resolution.

Funding for the transaction is available via formula grants, with the federal contribution at 10 percent, the State share at 80 percent and the county responsibility at 10 percent, the resolution shows.

Lawmakers similarly authorized the purchase of a Ford Transit 350 for the county Human Services Department.

The new vehicle will replace a 2017 Ford Transit with high mileage, which will be surplussed through county procedure, the resolution states.

DePaula Ford, based in Albany, New York, has the exact vehicle in stock, carrying a price tag of $67,122 and change, available through an Unmet Needs grant which expires at the end of March, 2024.

Legislature chairman Patrick Linger was authorized by lawmakers to execute an independent contractor agreement between the county Department of Human Services and Mom Meals.

The pact provides for home delivered meal service for county clients through the end of the year, the resolution states.

Moms Meals will “shall prepare and deliver meals which meet one-third daily recommended daily intake,” the resolution states.

The number of meals delivered per client will be recorded and a monthly invoice will be submitted to the county at the rate of $7.49 per meal, the resolution states.

Toward that same well-fed end, Linger was authorized to execute an agreement between the Department of Human Services and Senior Projects of Ravena for home delivered fare.

Senior Projects of Ravena will deliver meals to clients in the New Baltimore area for $14.10 each, through the end of 2024, the resolution states.

Lawmakers further authorized chairman Linger to execute an independent contractor agreement between the Department of Human Services and Nicole Gehman, MS, RD, CD-N for nutritional counseling services.

The deal runs through the end of 2024, paying Gehman $65 per hour for a maximum of 12 hours per week, the resolution states.

Gehman’s work will include nutrition counseling for Human Services clients, Senior Nutrition menu planning with nutrition analysis, presentations, Health Information and Nutrition Quality Control.

Lawmakers authorized chairman Linger to execute an agreement between the Department of Human Services and Home Aide Service of Eastern New York (doing business as Trinity Health Alert).

Trinity Health Alert agrees to coordinate Personal Emergency Response Systems for elderly county residents in need of such units.

The cost is $50 per unit (in person) with a monthly monitoring fee of $31, the resolution states, noting the cost will be $375 for replacement of any lost unit and $70 for a button replacement alone.

Lawmakers approved a resolution entering into an agreement with Niagara University to provide First Responder Disability Awareness training.

“The ability to respond to individuals with disabilities has posed varying challenges to 911 dispatchers, EMS, fire and law enforcement personnel across the country,” the resolution states.

“Awareness Training (FRDAT) provided by Niagara University is considered to be the preeminent training program in the country.

“FRDAT educates first responders on disabilities while enhancing sensitivity,” the resolution states. “Included in this training are:

—‘Disabilities defined and appropriate response, characteristics and how to identify disabilities, candid video instruction, and municipality roles and responsibilities;

—“The perspective of the disability community, victimization, challenging scenarios and behaviors and how to address them, current trends and topics, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and etiquette and interaction skills,” the resolution states.

A request was made by the local Department of Emergency Services to utilize funding from the federal Department of Homeland Security Grant Program for the training. The request was approved.

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Maude Adams Theater Hub to Host Staged Readings

By Michael Ryan

TANNERSVILLE - The curtain will soon rise on spring and then summer but the Maude Adams Theater Hub isn’t waiting for warmer weather, presenting a trio of staged readings during Valentines Day week.

“February can be a dark, gloomy month,” MATH producer Amy Scheibe says. “We have a lot to look forward to culturally.

“Our motto at Maude Adams Theater Hub is that local theater saves lives. We want to help people find the joy of community theater, transporting them on what could be an otherwise bleak February night.”

First up, running on February 14 & 16 (7 p.m.) will be “The Women,” written in 1936 by Clair Booth Luce, directed by Patricia Charbonneau from the Big Hollow area of the town of Windham.

“This is a dream-come-true cast of sixteen women,” Scheibe says. “It is amazing, bringing together so many talented people who love being on stage, drawing on women from throughout the Hudson Valley.”

“The Women,” also a successful 1930’s movie, weaves an entangling story about the joys, heartaches and unique special triumphs of being a woman.

“Set in 1930’s New York the dialogue is fast paced, if you have not seen the 1939 film do yourself a favor and see it,” the MATH website states.

“A real treat and the film script is almost verbatim from the play. Filled with strong, colorful, comedic characters, a snappy supporting cast of many dozens and an abundance of witty dialogue.

“The Women” is juicy, wicked, and full of  guilty fun,” the MATH website states, “”It is both a scathing commentary on the life of the superficial, selfish socialite and a knowing, heart-felt depiction of romantic rivalry, toxic friendships, and the thousands of supporting roles women play in offices, salons and their own lives.

“The play is a commentary on the pampered lives and power struggles of various wealthy Manhattan socialites and up-and-coming women and the gossip that propels and damages their relationships.

“While men frequently are the subject of their lively discussions and drive the action on-stage, they never are seen or heard.”

Next in the limelight is “God of Carnage ” on February 15 & 17 (7 p.m.), with book by Yasmina Reza, directed locally by Scheibe.

“I am putting on a director’s hat as if I don’t have enough hats already,” Scheibe says, laughing. “We are really delighted to present this play.

“It was originally written in French, set in Paris, and has been adapted by Christopher Hampton to be set in Brooklyn so this version is full of what we affectionately call citiots,” Scheibe says.

“God of Carnage is about two sets of parents; the son of one couple has hurt the son of the other couple at a public park,” the MATH website states.

“The parents meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish and the meeting devolves into chaos.

“The meeting degenerates into the four getting into irrational arguments, and their discussion falls into the loaded topics of sexism, racial prejudice and homophobia.

“One of the central dramatic moments of the play occurs when Annette vomits on stage, all over the coffee table and books. There are lots of hilarious, shocking, and heartbreaking moments.”

“The question becomes ‘are we civilized or neanderthals?’” Scheibe says. “We are very fortunate to have super talented and highly trained actors; Molly Gaebe, Billy Solley, Marc Wolf and Caitlin McColl.

“The four of them are dynamite. The rehearsals have been explosive. I can’t wait to see what they bring on Opening Night.”

Taking center stage, February 17 & 18 with 2 p.m. matinees, will be “Gin Game,” penned by Donald Coburn, directed here by Christopher Cade.

“We like to round out what we call the V Season with a matinee, a little quieter than the evening shows but funny and poignant,” Scheibe says.

“Gin Game is a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner about two people in a nursing home who play gin everyday and find commonality.”

Saving the not-least for last, Scheibe also announced that MATH has secured the rights for “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” tastefully scheduled for the July 4th weekend.

“This is going to be a barn burner,” Scheibe says. “It hasn’t been available for community theater the past few years.

“We literally kept refreshing the licensing screen until it became available again and got it the same day.

“There are major roles and is a large ensemble with featured ensemble parts so we hope to have as many people at auditions as possible, all ages. We are thrilled to have this show. Just thrilled.”

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”Keep Rolling or You’ll Stop:” Matt Hempel’s Musical and Medical Journey

By Michael Ryan

HENSONVILLE - A well-travelled guitar tells a more-than-musical story that interweaves Matt Hempel with instrument makers in the town of Windham and elsewhere…and the Man Upstairs.

The tale is told by Joanne Puccio, whose husband, Ivan Balura, is one of the instrument makers along with Robert “Cue” Gerhard and Rick Mullen, collectively creating the “Owl’s Smorgasbord.”

This is a condensed version of her writing titled, “Turning One Guitar - And .One Man’s Life - Into a Work of Art,” which goes thus:.

“When Matt Hempel bought a Les Paul-style electric guitar kit five years ago, he could not have foreseen that its completion would entail it going through several hands,” Puccio writes.

“For those of you who may not know, a guitar kit includes a body of raw wood that must be sanded, sealed and stained, a separate neck and fingerboard that must be filed, finished and properly attached.”

The kit also contains, “a slew of electric parts and hardware that require installation and connection. It’s no easy task, all of which Matt was set to do until worsening kidney failure and blindness intercepted these plans.”

Those medical circumstances also “put an end to a career he loved as a correction officer at Columbia County Jail. Ongoing medical care will be required throughout his lifetime,” Puccio writes. 

“Matt’s medical problems are the result of diabetes he developed at the age of one. In the past eight years, Matt has undergone 19 major surgeries, a medical journey that has also been one of resilience and faith.”

Those procedures include, “life-saving open-heart surgery for a triple bypass and transplant surgery as Matt, now 40 years old, was thankfully the recipient of a donor kidney and pancreas,” Puccio writes.

“Matt and [his wife] Adrienne are dedicated members of Living Water Church in Poughkeepsie. At church, Matt and Adrienne often sit next to Ivan Balura, an artist and former longtime resident of the town of Ashland.

“Matt asked Ivan if he would paint something beautiful on [his guitar]. He requested a little owl, the kind that lives in a hole in a cactus.

“Ivan realized he would need someone else to do the prep work on the wood prior to painting it. He put the guitar into the hands of Rick Mullen, musician and guitar expert at the “Axe Shop” in Wappingers Falls.”

Mullen, “sanded the guitar, glued the neck and filled the frets,” Puccio writes, returning it to Balura who then “put the guitar into the hands of professional luthier and musician, Robert “Cue” Gerhards of “Gerhards Guitarworks” in the town of Windham.

“After Cue sealed and stained the guitar, it was Ivan’s turn to paint the custom owl design. Using acrylics in all shades of brown to simulate a wood burning, Ivan painted an owl sitting in a hole in a tree.”

The design also included, “seven critters that such an owl would eat: a spider, cricket, mouse, moth, bee, caterpillar and a diamond needle,” Puccio writes.

“Now, for the amazing completion and glorious transformation of the guitar, “Cue Gerhards applied multiple coats of polyurethane, with multiple sandings in-between, resulting in a high gloss stunning work of art.

“He connected the electronics and hardware, putting on the strings and tuning them. After its lengthy and difficult journey, this instrument was finally able to perform the task for which it was created; to make beautiful music.”

What was “once raw wood and a bunch of parts is now a veritable masterpiece,” Puccio writes.

“One can’t help but think the journey of this guitar is much like the journey of Matt Hempel. Long and difficult. Personal and unique.

“And yet, all of that, born in faith, is required for the transformation. All of that is required to create an instrument of such unparalleled beauty.

“As is written in Ephesians 2:10, “for we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ, so we can do the good things he planned for us, long ago,” Puccio writes.

“Once a correction officer, Matt’s desire to care for prisoners has now been transformed into ministering to prisoners at Greene County Correctional Facility through a prison ministry program called Kairos.

“Dealing with extreme hardships and challenges has led Matt to reset his priorities and path in life. Matt’s motto is, ‘keep rolling or you’ll stop.’”

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Forest Ranger News

Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Feb. 3 at 5:45 p.m., Forest Rangers Allwine and Seeley responded to a call for a hiker who fell 12 feet on the escarpment trail. Rangers and local fire departments and EMS reached the 51-year-old from Ulster Park less than a quarter mile from the trailhead. The hiker had mild hypothermia and pain to her back, shoulder, and hip. Rescue crews carried the patient to an ambulance. Resources were clear at 7:45 p.m.

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Grant Funding Available in Schoharie Reservoir Watershed

Applications for the 2024 spring round of funding are now being accepted for the Stream Management  Implementation Program (SMIP). Established in 2008, the SMIP is a competitive cost-reimbursement  grant opportunity administered through the Schoharie Watershed Stream Management Program  (SWSMP) at Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District (GCSWCD), in partnership with the New  York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). 

The SMIP operates on a 5-year cycle and offers funding twice a year to implement projects, programs, or  management efforts that serve to protect water quality within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed  (Watershed). Funding is offered under the following categories: Education & Outreach, Highway &  Infrastructure, Stream Restoration, Habitat & Recreation, Planning & Assessment, and Local Flood  Analysis.  

To date, 123 SMIP grants have been awarded – bringing over $5.5 million dollars to the Mountaintop’s  government agencies, individual property owners, schools, and 501(c)(3) organizations in support of  flood resilience, water resource improvements, and watershed-related programming. Applications are  due by March 15th and September 15th every year. 

For more information about SMIP and access to the SMIP application, please visit  http://www.gcswcd.com/swp/smp/smip. Interested applicants are encouraged to inquire with SWSMP  staff to discuss project ideas prior to submitting an application. To inquire, please contact  smip@gcswcd.com or 518-622-3620.

To be eligible for SMIP funding, projects must be located within or support the Schoharie Reservoir  watershed (pictured in the image above). The Schoharie Reservoir watershed is part of the  Catskill/Delaware Watershed for the New York City public water supply. The Schoharie Reservoir  watershed includes the entirety of the towns of Windham, Jewett, Ashland, and Prattsville as well as the  villages of Hunter and Tannersville. The towns of Conesville, Gilboa, Hunter, Lexington, Halcott, Jefferson,  Stamford, and Roxbury are all partially included.

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Tannersville Invites Volunteers to Shape Downtown Revitalization Fund

TANNERSVILLE — The Village of Tannersville announced an open call for volunteers to join the Downtown Revitalization Fund Selection Committee. This committee will be crucial in implementing the project selection process and making funding decisions for the Tannersville Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). 

The Village seeks enthusiastic individuals with diverse experiences and backgrounds to contribute to this significant community effort.

According to the press release, the committee aims to bring together diverse individuals with relevant experience. Notably, the committee cannot include elected officials or those who may have conflicts of interest. The Village encourages individuals with expertise in grants, finances, building/planning, construction, engineering, environmental studies, historic preservation, economic development, business, and community sense of place to apply, though such experience is not mandatory.

To better understand the responsibilities and criteria of the project selection committee, interested parties can refer to the DRI Administrative Plan, available at https://tannersvilleny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/downtownfund-admin-plan-and-budget.pdf

The Tannersville Downtown Fund Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a comprehensive program to rejuvenate the community. Detailed information about the initiative, including its process, documents, and Strategic Investment Plan, can be found at https://tannersvilleny.org/tannersvilledri/tannersville-downtown-revitalization-initiative-dri-documents-resources/

Individuals interested in serving on the committee must submit letters of interest to voffice@hvc.rr.com by Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 4:00 PM. Additionally, prospective committee members are urged to attend the Downtown Fund Informational Session on Monday, February 12, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the Tannersville Village Hall. The letters of interest should include information about the applicant's area of expertise, qualifications, and background that may be relevant to serving on the selection committee.

For further inquiries and additional information, please get in touch with voffice@hvc.rr.com or Devin Bulger of Labella Associates, the consultant for the Downtown Revitalization Fund, at dbulger@labellapc.com

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The Prattsville Scoop by Abby and Gabby

PRATTSVILLE – Happy Valentine’s Day. Send your loved ones special greetings. Local florist Blumen Haus, Prattsville Plaza, 518-248-4743, will put together a super floral arrangement reflective of your love.

Should we thank Phil for an early spring? Better not as we do not know if we will really have an early spring. Mother Nature does not have Phil on her call list. We will have nice weather for a few days.

Another character has left our ranks – Don Cornell. He grew up in Prattsville and was one of the last of that decade – the wonderful “50’s. RIP Don and hope all received a warning that you were on your way. Don was a Navy Veteran and we thank him for his service. The vignettes of his escapades from so many of his friends growing up from local residents and some as far away as Oregon that it would take two full columns to relate them all. Don’s life was a life well lived bringing joy and laughter to those who know him or just came in contact with him. Our sympathy and love to his family and friends. God speed Don.

Got to spend some time with Shelly Smith Bell, daughter of Pat and the late Carl Smith. Shelly works at Margaretsville Nursing home, where her mom Pat is a resident. She said Pat is well and keeps involved with daily activities and enjoys company.

Bob Hermance stopped by and gave some family information. Wife Carrie is now a national representative of her company involved with suitable senior housing for those needing assistance. Congratulations Carrie. And Bob son young Bob Jr. is in heavy construction as an ironworker supervisor and is now working on constructing the new Buffalo Bills’ stadium. Bob Jr’s hard hat even carries the Buffalo Bills’ logo. Go Bills. Bob G. was also an ironworker many years ago so he enjoyed hearing of another local was working in the same trade.

The American Legion Virgil E. Deyo Post 1327 will be hosting a fishing trip for the ambulatory veterans from Stratton VAMC later on when the weather permits going out on the Hudson for stripers or whatever is in season. Michele will again be guiding them and making sure they enjoy the trip. When Covid first started and the group was isolated, Post 1327 and Unit 1327 bought them new fishing gear to get them out of the VAMC as an isolated group for some fun time. Unit 1327 will be hosting a BBQ in July for the 4th Floor resident. These two events are only possible because of your generosity to and appreciaton of our veterans who can no longer live an independent life. Thank you to them for their service and thank you to our local loyal and supportive veterans who do not ever forget their fellow veterans. Truly a Band of Brothers.

Update: Judy Chatfield sent her picture of the Prattsville Tea House, run by her grandmother Edith Chatfield, but it was the same one that Connie Lane had shared with us and ran in a previous Mountain Eagle. Thanks Judy and bet you had fun going through your paper treasures to find it. Keep sharing with us on bygone days.

Even if your favorite team is not in the Super Bowl, it is still fun to hear the chatter about it. You could even hear some chatter at the dentist’s office. He was favoring the Bills and now will cheer for the 49’ers but his assistant is cheering for KC with the feeling that they are going to roll all over the 49’ers. Staying mum on my second choice.

Have a correction. In last week’s column, referred to Michael Hill as the grandson of Larry and Sandy Case but he is their son, birthday February 6, my apologies. Sandy and Larry are already experiencing the warmer weather that we are due to enjoy the 15th and 16th. They, out in Missouri, had a power outage and had to rely on their generator for a few days. They wish they lived a little closer to their grandchildren and perhaps in the near future that will take place with a move by son Matt and wife Jenn and their children from Washington to Iowa. Son Michael and wife Kris have live in Ketchikan, Alaska for the past four years. Sandy and Larry hope to see them in July and do some fishing while they are there. Alaska in summer is something nice to look forward to. Michael and Kris served in the Navy together. Thank you both for your service. Sandy continues battling with her bone/back issues but at this time is doing very well. Larry is the same ole’ Larry but is straining at the bit to get his 1970 442 Space(?) Car on the road. Am sure Johannes Krauss and Stephen Birnbaum will know all about this car. Larry likes to do the car show and car club trip and the previous two mentioned know very well all about those two events.

Cathy Martino, Marianne Krauss and Ginny Gurley attended the Greene County American Legion Auxiliary meeting in Greenville on Saturday, February 3. Their main business of the meeting was to select the 2024 delegate to Empire Girls State to be held in late June early July. And Prattsville resident, Abigail Hammil was chosen to represent Greene County. Congratulations Abigail. Another highlight of the meeting was some synopsis of their experiences there by last year’s three delegates. It is with pride that we acknowledge Kaitlyn Cross of Prattsville, daughter of Janice and Greg, as one of last year’s delegates. Although Kaitlyn is shy she said this helped her broaden her scope of familiarity with new friends and situations. Mom Janice was enthusiastic in her support of this program and thanked the Auxiliary for this opportunity given to Kaitlyn. It was our privilege and wish more would become interested in being a representative. Call 518-299-3219 for more information on qualifications, still have a little time.

Claudia Bracaliello’s Proctors concert is on February 20 at noon, in the GE Theatre.  Free! But parking is not.  Best place to park would be the Broadway garage, as that is as close  as you can get with parking, something you can figure out, otherwise it is complicated.  At least at the garage, all you have to do is put your credit card in the machine. Give Claudia’s concert a try.

Don’t forget the Bake Sale next Saturday, February 17, 8 AM to 12, at Jim’s Great American for the benefit of local student athletes traveling overseas. Bake or buy or donate. It is important that we support our students going beyond the norm. Good Luck ladies.

Joanne Dunphy is home and continues getting back to her active self. We wish her good health.

The Kaaterskill UMC will have their free Soup and Sandwich luncheon on Tuesday, February 13, 11 AM to 2 PM at the Kaaterskill Blue Room, 5942 Main Street, Tannersville. Know on a firsthand basis that is a fun get together and the food is fresh and made on site. As always, conversations are free and voluminous and you can also participate in board games of your choice. Great get together. The next luncheon, after the 13th luncheon, is scheduled for February 27 and all arrangements are the same.

Happy Birthday to Andy Lutz on February 10. Happy Birthday to Mary Cline on February 12. Wonder how old she is and can we count that high? Happy Birthday to Stephanie Baker on February 14 – how wonderful to have a daughter on Valentine’s Day. Happy Birthday to July Haskin on February 15. On February 16 we wish Alexandra Holdridge Happy Birthday. And special Happy Anniversary greetings to John and Jane Lane on February 14 – how appropriate!

If you would like others to share your news, celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries – call 518-299-3219 or gurleyrv@gmail.com. Thank you.

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