Schoharie County Historical Society 2024 Calendar

SCHOHARIE — We are excited to share our events calendar for the upcoming year!  Visit our website to see our schedule for the upcoming season.  Events and our schedule are subject to change, so be sure to follow our Facebook page to have the most up-to-date information.   

April 27, 9am-4pm: Maple Festival @ Cobleskill Fairgrounds

May 4 & 5: "Loyalty Over Every Other Consideration," 18th Century Militia Muster 

May 11, 9am-12pm: Cars and Coffee 

June 8, 9am-12pm: Cars and Coffee with Hardscrabble Coffee Trailer

June 15: 3rd Annual Schoharie Turnpike Kaaterskill Clove Road Rally 

July 27, 9am-12pm: Cars and Coffee with Hardscrabble Coffee Trailer

August 6-11: Sunshine Fair 

August 24, 9am-12pm: Cars and Coffee with Hardscrabble Coffee Trailer 

September 28, 10am-4pm: 2nd Schoharie County Harvest Fair 

October 5, 2pm-4pm: Trunk or Treat 

October 26, 10am: Howl-at-the-Moon-Day Walking Tour in Cobleskill with Pete Lindemann 

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SCS to be Closed April 8, Day of Solar Eclipse

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - Schoharie Central School will be closed on Monday, April 8, in conjunction with the historic solar eclipse that will impact a large part of the country.

District officials said that because the eclipse will occur at the end of the school day and partly coincide with dismissal, the district is opting to not be in session. The path of totality will be just a short distance away in the Adirondacks and Western New York. Even though Schoharie County is not in the path of totality, the eclipse will be more than 90 percent complete here. 

Officials noted that the event, the first total solar eclipse in New York in nearly 100 years, will likely be a "spectacle," which could lead to people having their eyes on the sky and not the roadways while our school buses are on the road and when students and staff would normally be on their way home. In addition, "we wish to give students an opportunity to safely view the eclipse with the proper precautions in place, instead of attempting to view it while in transit or in school.

"We encourage students and families to learn about how to safely view the eclipse."

For the first time in nearly 100 years, there will be a total eclipse of the sun visible in New York State on April 8.

At their February board meeting, district officials said they were considering a half-day for students on April 8.

Of course, viewers should never look at a solar eclipse without special eyewear. Even though Schoharie County and the Capital District will not be in the path of the total eclipse, astronomers said the eclipse in Albany will be a deep partial (with magnitude 96.6 percent at its height.

The eclipse will begin around 2:10pm on April 8. The total eclipse will end around 3:20pm and the partial eclipse will end around 4:30pm.

Solar eclipses in New York, or even the United States, are not an every day occurrence. The last total solar eclipse in New York was in 1925. The next total solar eclipse in the United States will be 2045. The next total solar eclipses in New York will be in 2079 and 2144.

For more on the April 8 eclipse, please visit: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/where-when/

For more on how to safely view the eclipse, please visit: How to observe the sun safely (and what to look for).

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DEC announces annual spring seedling sale and programs

By Jennifer Patterson

Dozens of low-cost, New York-grown tree and shrub species are available statewide through a partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery.

The annual spring seedling sale, which runs through May 10, encourages plantings that help conserve New York’s natural resources and fosters the next generation of forests.

“Planting trees helps us all invest in a greener future by providing a renewable resource for wood products, preventing erosion, improving air and water quality, lowering energy needs for heating and cooling, and combating climate change,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Trees also provide habitat for native wildlife and increase overall health and well-being.”

The DEC’s tree nursery grows more than 50 conifer and hardwood species from local seed sources, creating seedlings well suited to New York’s varying climate.

Seedlings are available in bundles of 25 or more, along with several mixed-species packets for people seeking variety. They are a minimum of five inches tall and are one to three years old, depending on the species. 

The sale supports the state’s commitment to plant 25 million trees by 2033 to increase New York’s tree planting efforts, advance steps to meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s net-zero goal, and grow the state’s forest products industry.

“Since 1911, the Saratoga Tree Nursery has helped shape the future of New York’s forests,” Seggos said, “by providing seedlings for restoration and conservation plantings.”

In addition, free seedlings are available for youth education across the state through the School Seedling Program.

Applications will be accepted through March 29 from schools and youth education organizations to receive up to 50 free tree or shrub seedlings to plant with their students.

The goal of the program is to help instill a sense of environmental stewardship at a young age and set a foundation that will allow students to make informed decisions about the use of natural resources.

The program is a tool for educators at all schools (public, private, nursery, elementary, secondary, homeschool, vocational, college or university) to use in meeting the Next Generation Science Standards. It provides a hands-on opportunity for students to learn about natural systems and the valuable role that trees play, while building awareness about conservation issues. 

The DEC is also offering its “Buffer in a Bag” program, where qualifying private and public landowners can apply for a free bag of 25 tree and shrub seedlings for planting near streams, rivers or lakes to help stabilize banks, protect water quality, combat climate change and improve wildlife habitat. 

To qualify, landowners must have property in New York State with at least 50 feet bordering a body of water. A total of 250 bags will be available during this round of applications on a first-come, first-served basis through April 17, or when supplies run out. 

The Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery also provides seedlings for the “Buffer in a Bag” program.

To place an order for the annual spring seedling sale, call 518-587-1120. For information, go to https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/saratoga-tree-nursery.

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Sick MCS Tree to Come Down

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - A sick tree on the Middleburgh high school lawn is scheduled to be taken down Saturday, weather permitting.

MCS business manager Robyn Bhend told board members at their February 14 meeting on the tree removal quotes. The district is going with a quote of $2,425. to remove one tree in poor health from the front lawn of the high school.

Superintendent Mark Place first spoke about the tree removal last fall.

Superintendent Place said that several vendors have looked at the tree and the district are waiting for quotes. Board members said they are "on board" with taking down the tree at their December meeting once the requisite quotes have been received.

Once the tree is taken down, the condition of the remaining trees will be "taken into account" and discussed and the required cabling and pruning will be done to extend the life of those trees, Mr. Place said.

In November, Mr. Place told school board members that a tree assessment was done by a professional firm for the district and that a large tree on the left side of the front lawn (closer to Clauverwie Road) needed to be removed. The tree has "some problems with the top branches."

Now that the board has given its approval, the district will share information widely with the community prior to any work being done, Mr. Place said.

The transparency of the proposed tree work is a far cry from the tree removal on the high school front lawn several years ago that resulted in numerous raucous meetings of angry district residents and a petition being circulated for the removal of then Superintendent Brian Dunn.

The trees were removed on an early Monday morning in July 2020. The tree removal was dubbed as the "Monday Morning Massacre" by some residents. Among the trees that were cut down were some planted in memory or in honor or students and school officials. Many residents attended a contentious meeting in the high school gym at which the district's attorney explained why the trees were taken down. A petition calling for Mr. Dunn's resignation was circulated on-line and gained many signatures. Some trees have been planted on the school lawn since, mostly right in front of the school.

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SVP Quilters Meeting March 12

The Schoharie Valley Piecemakers (SVP) quilt guild will be gathering for their monthly meeting in person on Tuesday, March 12th, from 1 to 3 pm at St. Mark’s Church hall, 326 Main Street, Middleburgh, NY.  The featured program will be “Quilting with Rulers on Domestic Machines: by Betsy Macomber.  Additionally, the series of embroidery basics by Betty Pillsbury will continue, charity projects reviewed, details of upcoming quilt shows and events discussed, and members will also be showing some of their other quilt projects.   All are welcome.

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Village to ask MCS to Help on Elementary Crosswalk

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - The crosswalk warning lights on Main Street at Middleburgh Elementary School have not worked for several years and village board members want them repaired.

Village board members plan to attend next week's school board meeting on Wednesday, March 13 to ask that the lights be repaired for safety reasons.

"This is a safety issue for the kids and the crossing guard," Trustee Sheryl Adams said at Monday's village board meeting.

Streets Superintendent Cole Keyser said one of the lights, on the east side of Main Street, was damaged in a vehicle accident a few years ago and not replaced. The light on Main Street on the side of the school stopped working a few years ago and has not been repaired.

Under an agreement, the school pays for the lights, the village installs them, and the state maintains them, Superintendent Keyser said. The village could pay for the lights and be reimbursed.

The lights were added several years ago after a middle school student was struck and injured by a vehicle attempting to cross the street one fall evening.

Not having operating lights at the crosswalk is a definite safety issue, Superintendent Keyser, board members, and other officials said.

"They do fly through there," Superintendent Keyser added.

Trustee Bob Tinker, a retired elementary school teacher, said he has spoken to district officials several times and has been told that money would be found when the school budget was in place.

He noted that the agreement for the crosswalk lights was made through a "gentlemen's agreement."

He added, "Moving the rock isn't easy."

One way to get the work done is to have the school superintendent direct traffic at the crosswalk, said Fire Department Chief Darwyn Gregory.

"He'd change his tune in one heck of a hurry," he said.

Trustee Amanda Fernandez suggested having village officials attend a school board meeting and bring up the issue.

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Obituary - The “Late” George Diamond

After a long illness, Lorenzo “George” Diamond, Jr., 74, of Schoharie, NY, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2024, with family at his side.

George was born in Cobleskill, NY on August 7, 1949 to Beatrice “Bea” (Young) and Lorenzo “Ren” Diamond. George attended Middleburgh Central School and was a lifelong Schoharie County resident.

George married his wife Cheryl (Pitt) Diamond in 1975 in Gallupville, NY and they raised four children together – Valerie, Jill, Q, and Heather.

George was predeceased by his daughter Jill Diamond, his mother and father, his oldest sister Linda, and several brothers- and sisters-in-law, with whom he was very close. 

He is survived by his wife Cheryl, and their children: Valerie Van Aller (Barry), Q Diamond (Sarah), and Heather Diamond (Matt), as well as his grandchildren Emma-Lee (Van Aller) Clarke (Rob) of Washington, D.C. and Tanner Van Aller of Scotia, NY. George is also survived by his siblings Laura Baird, Floyd “Jess” Diamond, and Myra Diamond, and many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family.   

George’s life revolved around five “F’s” – Faith, Family, Friends, Food, and Fords! 

Never one to turn down a road trip, and never one to follow the beaten path, George spent countless hours CROSSING the highways and byways of Schoharie County, the Empire State, and all over the lower 48. “Where are you going, George?” “Over the road’n back.”

But don’t let his gallivanting SPIRIT fool you - he was just as content to explore the back of his eyelids as he was a back road.

Well-known for disappearing alone to tinker tirelessly and putter passionately, George was also GRACED with the GIFT of gab. Friends would have to start their goodbyes at noon if they had a PRAYER of making it out the door by SUPPER.

George was looking forward to reuniting with his Jilly Bear (whose nickname had been Angel). As soon as he is ABEL to SEA Jesus and say HALO, he’ll make FAST work of getting the two of them laughing with as many puns as he CAIN think of. 

It will be a MIRACLE if George makes it a full week before asking everyone to gather around in the SONshine and FEAST their eyes upon some new, pencil-drawn blueprint design of the Pearly Gates, explaining exactly how, ACCORDing to him, he could cruciFIX them to be even more grand. 

Jill will assert that there is no way to improve upon Heaven, but Jesus will gently reassure George that the plans he’d CONCEIVED of were IMMACULATE. The two will fist bump and Jesus, the original carpenter, will wink and say, “NAILED it!”

George will be laid to rest next to his daughter, and both of his parents, at Grosvenors Corners Cemetery.

Per George’s wishes, there will be no formal services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the food pantry of your choice. 

The family also wants to remind each of you, on George’s behalf, to get your butts to the doctor!

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Obituary - Anne Bowyer O'Connor Hallock

Anne Bowyer O'Connor Hallock, 97, of Gilboa, NY, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2024.  Born September 7, 1926, in Glens Falls, NY to John Henry and Sara Bowyer O'Connor, Anne spent her childhood in Warrensburg, NY, working alongside her three sisters and one brother at the Adirondack Hotel, which her family owned and managed.  She graduated from Warrensburg Central School in 1944 as the Salutatorian and went on to graduate from Cornell University in 1948, where she studied Home Economics.

Anne's first teaching job was in Gilboa, NY, where she met and then married Carlton George Hallock, a dairy farmer, in 1954, and raised three sons, David, Timothy, and Carlton Thomas.  Anne taught Home Economics for many years at schools on Long Island and in the Catskills, before finishing her career teaching life skills to students with special needs at BOCES in Schoharie, NY.

After retiring from teaching, Anne started making handcrafted quilts that she sold from her home.  She was also known for her elderberry jelly and pies, along with her special Christmas coffee cakes that she enjoyed giving away to her friends and family.  She was a lifelong and passionate reader who loved her weekly visits to the Middleburgh Library.  She also regularly attended Mass at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Middleburgh, NY.  

Anne is survived by her sons: David (Patrice) Hallock of Gilboa, NY and Carlton Thomas (Jacqueline) Hallock of Plattsburgh, NY; her sister: Sally Kubin of Benson, VT; and her brother: John (Linda) O'Connor of Sun Valley, ID; as well as her grandchildren: Denise, Stephanie, Taye, Catherine, Bryan, Casey, and Ethan, and 11 great-grandchildren. 

Anne was predeceased by her husband: Carlton; son: Timothy; grandson: Tristan and sisters: Joyce Woznica and Phyllis Gaudia.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00PM on Friday, March 8, 2024 at Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC. 134 River Street, Middleburgh, NY, A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 10:30AM at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Main Street, Middleburgh, followed by a reception in the Church Hall.  Anne will be buried in Flat Creek Cemetery in Gilboa, NY in the summer.

Anne requested that any donations in her memory be made to the Flat Creek Cemetery, 109 Parsonage Hill Road, Gilboa, NY 12076.

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Sheriff DuMond Awards Honorees

Delhi - On Monday February 26, 2024, Sheriff Craig S. DuMond honored the hard work and dedication of his employees at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office with an Annual Employees Awards Ceremony.  

The Annual Employee Awards Program was implemented in 2020 by Sheriff DuMond to recognize outstanding employee accomplishments and achievements that align with the agency’s overall mission and values.  

Sheriff DuMond praised the remarkable contributions of the men and women of the Sheriff's Office, highlighting their commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

Distinguished guests in attendance included members of the Delaware County Public Safety Committee Andes Town Supervisor Wayland Gladstone, Middletown Town Supervisor Glen Faulkner, and Walton Town Supervisor Joseph Cetta, as well as Delaware County Director of Personnel Carra Knoetgen, Delaware County Behavioral Health Director Douglas Elston and Delaware County Emergency Services Communications Center/911 Supervisor Mark Rossley. 

The following members were recognized: 

Perfect Attendance:

Road Patrol Sgt. Eric Alexander

Corrections Officer Thad Barnes 

Deputy Sheriff Brenden Cairns

Corrections Officer Dalton Carver 

Corrections Cpl. Trevor Cazzolla

Corrections Officer Cameron Critti

Deputy Sheriff Lucas Elmore

Deputy Sheriff Logan Flavell

Corrections Sgt. Heath Goff

Corrections Officer Karolina Karwowski 

Road Patrol Sgt. Tyler McAteer

Corrections Officer David McClung 

Civil Division Cpl. Daniel McGowan

Deputy Sheriff Collin Roche 

Corrections Cpl. Tyler Rubera

Criminal Investigations Division Inv. Cody Tromblee

Deputy Sheriff Timothy Tryon

Service Milestone Awards:

Five Years of Service: 

Corrections Cpl. Bryce Charles

Corrections Officer Lillian Fernandez

Deputy Sheriff Logan Flavell

Deputy Sheriff Collin Roche

Corrections Cpl. Tyler Rubera

Corrections Cpl. Tabor VanValkenburg

Ten Years of Service:

Corrections LPN Rosemary Balcom

Road Patrol Cpl. Kyle Karcher

Assistant to the Sheriff Jessica Miller

Superstar Award: 

Corrections Officer Arthur Cash 

Corrections Officer Amanda Hoehl 

Civil Officer Robert Mantzouratos 

Distinguished Service Award:

Corrections Cpl. Bryce Charles

Corrections Officer Elizabeth Cherry

Corrections Officer Cameron Critti

Corrections Officer Nicholas Empara

Corrections Officer Ethan Schmid 

Deputy Sheriff Victor Altheim

Deputy Sheriff Timothy Tryon

Deputy Sheriff Logan Flavell

Deputy Sheriff Justin Mohr 

Exceptional Service Awards: 

Road Patrol Sgt. Eric Alexander

Deputy Sheriff Brenden Cairns

Deputy Sheriff Alex Elderkin

Deputy Sheriff Lucas Elmore

Deputy Sheriff Zachary Finch

Deputy Sheriff Justin Mohr

Deputy Sheriff Collin Roche    

Criminal Investigations Division Inv. David Barnes 

Corrections Cpl. Trevor Cazzolla 

Deputy Sheriff Lucas Elmore 

Civil Officer Robert Mantzouratos 

Community Partner Awards:

Delaware County Emergency Services Dispatcher Christina Scofield 

Delaware County Emergency Services Dispatcher Michael Harrington

Delaware County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services Director Debra Mierop

Civilian Employee of the Year Award: Angela Moore

Corrections Officer of the Year Award: Corrections Officer Amanda Hoehl 

Deputy Sheriff of the Year Award: Deputy Sheriff Justin Mohr

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Historical Society Program

The Stamford Historical Society is pleased to announce that it will present a program on Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 96 Main Street in Stamford. Gerry Stoner will speak on The Anti-Rent War on Blenheim Hill: An Episode of the 1840s, a history written by Albert Champlin Mayham, professor of history in the Cortland Summer School. Originally published in Jefferson by Frederick Frazee in 1906, a centennial edition was published by Stonecrest Industries as part of its series in local history.

Mr. Stoner will provide information that assists the modern reader to better understand the events and people in Mayham’s book—maps to align the current landscape with the historical events, current descriptions of locations and buildings, and notes on who’s who in the book.

The historical society appreciates the use of the church building until meetings can resume at the Stamford Train Station venue in May. This program is free and open to all. To connect with the Stamford Historical Society, send an email to stamfordhistorical@gmail.com.

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SUNY Delhi Culinary Team Wins Regional Competition, Heads to Nationals

DELHI — SUNY Delhi's hot food team took first place at the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Student Team of the Year Northeast regional qualifier in Buffalo, NY, this weekend. The win secures them a spot in the finals to compete against other regional winners for the title of ACF Student Team of the Year 2024. The national competition will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, in July.

The students on the team are Brennan Spencer (captain) of Painted Post, NY; McKena Giles of Castle Creek, NY; and Moses Rojas of Bronx, NY, all sophomores, as well as Jahnasia Sutton of Manhattan, NY; and Michael Fanning of Warwick, NY, who are first-year students. The students were coached by SUNY Delhi culinary instructors Chef Victor Sommo and Chef Sean Pehrsson.

The competition required each team to create a four-course menu (appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert) highlighting fresh ingredients and inspiration from the region. Delhi's menu featured rainbow trout from Skytop Springs Fish Farm in Sidney, NY, and apples from local orchards, among others. The judges spoke highly of Team Delhi's dishes, praising them for their balanced flavors, textures, and presentation.

"Chef Sommo and I are so proud of this team," said Chef Pehrsson. "During the hundreds of hours we spent practicing, the students built a strong camaraderie and cohesiveness with each other. They were hungry to get to nationals and were overwhelmed with emotion to win the qualifier."

To prepare for nationals, Team Delhi will stay on campus after the semester is over and practice all summer leading up to July. Due to the cost of ingredients, flights, lodging, and other expenses related to competing in Arizona, the College Foundation at Delhi has set up a fundraiser to support the team. Donations can be made at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/sunydelhihotfoodteam/

SUNY Delhi has long been recognized as one of the best culinary schools in the nation. In the last decade, Delhi students have won more than 500 individual and team medals, including multiple American Culinary Federation (ACF) state, regional, and national titles. On-campus facilities include Bluestone Pub & Restaurant, a large banquet/catering kitchen, a baking and pastry kitchen, an ice carving lab, a full-scale butcher shop, and a lounge bar with a beverage lab.

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