Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - ECO Recruits Start Next Academy on June 2nd

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced upcoming academies for the newest classes of Forest Rangers and Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs). The six-month training academies will prepare 58 of DEC's newest recruits for careers protecting New York's natural resources in the Division of Law Enforcement and the Division of Forest Protection.

“With new academies on the horizon, DEC is continuing to grow the ranks of New York’s elite force of individuals committed to protecting our environment and public safety,” Interim Commissioner Mahar said. “DEC’s newest ECOs and Rangers will receive rigorous training to prepare them to meet the environmental challenges of today and tomorrow as they continue to uphold the rich and storied conservation legacies of both divisions.”

ECOs, originally called Game Protectors, were first appointed for service in 1880. The first Forest Rangers, originally known as Fire Wardens, were put into service in 1885 when the New York State Legislature established the Forest Preserve of New York State. The 45 ECO recruits scheduled to report to the academy in Oswego, NY on Sunday, June 2th are likely to receive a  rude awakening as they are confronted with a boot camp style academy, complete with drill instructors in full regalia barking orders and maintaining discipline. The ECO training will take place at their Police Training Academy in Pulaski, NY which has served as their home academy for over two decades. 

Forest Ranger training started on May 19th at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) campus at Wanakena. 

ECO job duties are centered on the enforcement of New York State Environmental Conservation Law and range from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the black-market illegal wildlife and pet trade, emissions violations, plus all manner of environmental quality enforcement. They patrol the state on vessels of all sizes, ATVs, snowmobiles, and on foot. In 2023, ECOs and Investigators across the state responded to nearly 31,000 calls and worked on cases that resulted in nearly 16,900 tickets or arrests.

DEC Division of Law Enforcement Director Karen Przyklek said, “In many ways ECOs are the guardians of our environment, enforcing New York’s stringent environmental conservation laws protecting our air, water, fish, and wildlife. I am eager to welcome our next class of recruits and challenge them to put in the hard work and dedication required to become a member of our elite group of Officers who work diligently, around the clock, to safeguard our natural resources and hold polluters accountable.”

Forest Ranger duties focus on the public's use of DEC-administered State lands and easements and can span from patrolling State properties to conducting search-and-rescue operations to fighting wildland fires. In 2023, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires, participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets or arrests.

DEC Division of Forest Protection Director John Solan said, "Forest Rangers are among the most prepared wilderness professionals in the country, patrolling more than five million acres of land. They respond to rescue calls at all hours of the day or night and stand at the ready to extinguish wildland fires wherever they’re burning. Forest Rangers do all of this, plus law enforcement, all while protecting New York’s natural resources."

ECOs and Forest Rangers are full-fledged New York State Police Officers, often called upon to support critical police deployments. Forest Rangers and ECOs were among the first responders on the scene to help in the aftermath of Septembe.11th, assisted in the response to Superstorm Sandy, helped in the 2015 search for two escaped felons from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, supported New York's statewide response to COVID-19 at testing and vaccination sites. Rangers have traveled to battle wildfires in western states and Canada. Upon graduation, recruits will be assigned patrol areas and join the ranks of hundreds of ECOs and Forest Rangers currently serving across the state.

The ECO recruits in the academy class beginning on June 2nd were selected from an eligible list of qualifications and passing scores generated from the most recent Civil Service exam, given back in December 2022. There are very specific requirements and credentials you must meet and have obtained in order to qualify to take the ECO and Forest Ranger exams. To view job qualifications for ECOs, visit the Environmental Conservation Police Officer job description webpage; for Forest Rangers, visit the Forest Ranger job description webpage. In fact, the filing period to take the current civil service exam for ECOs, Forest Rangers, Park Police and University Police Officers is now open. The deadline to file is July 12th 2024. 

Go to https://www.cs.ny.gov/police/titles/environmental-conservation-police-officer-tr.cfm for more information on how to create a NYS Civil Service account and apply. Good luck in that process, and all the best to the newest ECO recruits about to embark on what promises to be the adventure of a lifetime. I can personally attest that they are beginning a journey into a uniquely exciting, challenging, and rewarding career.  Best of luck to all ECO recruits of the class of “2024”

Happy Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping until next time!

News and Notes…

Outdoor Expo in Mohawk, NY June 8th and 9th 

The Inaugural “Upstate NY Outdoor Expo” will take place on Saturday, June 8th and Sunday, June 9th in Mohawk, NY. The show is billed as offering “all types of outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to engage with industry product suppliers and dealers, associations and groups.” Hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, boating, and snowmobiling are among the activities represented at the event. 

For more information, contact the show sales manager, Matt Stanley at mstanley@leepub.com or Liz Friers efriers@leepub.com or call their main office at 

1-800-218-5586.

Norton Hill Wildlife Club’s 2024 Trap Shooting Schedule 

Trap shooting at Norton Hill Wildlife Club at 946 Big Woods Road in Greenville begins at 10:00 am on the following Sundays: June 9th and 16th, July 14th and 28th, August 4th and 25th, and on September 15th and 29th.  Cost is just $5.00 per round. Bring your own ammo. Trap shooting is open to all; you don’t have to be a member to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Remember to report poaching violations by calling 1-844-DEC-ECOS.

  

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MUSINGS OF A LOCAL by Iris Mead - Stone Quarries and Stone Cutters

Measuring the 11 ½ x 11 ½ stone as the pile behind him seems to be the same and when necessary large, machinery was brought in.

Something we don’t think about and take for granted are our stone walkways, stone patios and stone steps.  But where did that stone come from and how did it get there?

Stone quarries still exist, some are hidden under forest cover, have been “worked”, as it is called when the quarry no longer suits the need of the cutter and moves on, or still visible and waiting to be worked again.  Many still exist in this area, waiting to be “worked”. A lot of men in the area worked in stone cutting as a side job to make extra money.  They would sell it themselves or to someone else who would then market it.  My uncle, Virgil Mead, and my father, Stanley Mead, cut stone in the summer for many years. Following in Virgil’s footsteps his sons worked alongside him and earned enough money to put them through college.  Virgil purchased the old Sheffield Creamery in Halcottsville where he bought and sold stone from the local quarries to companies in the Hancock area, New Jersey and Long Island.  Tractor trailers would load pallets, usually 1-1/2 ton, pay by the square foot or stone size, and take them for resale.  After the sale of the creamery, he sold stone in front of the Round Barn farm outside Halcottsville for many years.  The Hancock area was and is still known for stone products.  An interesting fact is that while stone is sold by the square foot, it is cut to 15-1/2”x15-1/2” to allow for a mortar joint.  

Finding a quarry involved a lot of luck, as well as experience.  My cousin related a story of how his brother discovered a usable quarry while fox hunting and they worked that quarry. Another quarry was located in an area owned by four different landowners.  Each man struck a deal with the landowner on whose land he was quarrying.  Most quarries are old ones that are rediscovered and usually have some types of stone that can still be reworked.  One indication of a quarry are lines in the rock formation that look like sheets of plywood stacked together.  The old-timers referred to the three major portions of a quarry as (1) Top, which was blown off, (2) Bed, often was too rough to bother with, and (3) Bottom, unusable.  The best stone was usually in the back of the quarry and was thicker and quarried first.  Air chisels were used in the quarries to cut the stone, rendering a loss of hearing to some of the cutters later in life.

Sometimes blasting had to be done to uncover what was below.  A long-time stone cutter said he used to send his wife to Hancock to pick up 100 dynamite sticks, which were put in a cardboard box in the back seat of her car, and blasting caps and wires, which she had in the front seat with her, and then drive back to Halcottsville.  Can you imagine that today!  All they had to do to get a permit to blast was go to the Town Clerk’s office, answer 9 questions “No” and one question “Yes”, pay $.50 and they had their permit.  Nowadays you have to get a permit from the Bureau of Mines.  

Today, there are many old quarries scattered around the area waiting to be worked again, but there are few people left who know this art and want to put in the time and heavy work to do it.

My thanks to Dennis Speilman and Richard Meade, who were young stonecutters trained by their fathers, and John Biruk, still cutting stone today, for their help in gathering information for this article.

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Cairo-Durham Central School District Announces Karen Gallo as April 2024 “Mustang Monthly Alumni Spotlight” Recipient

CAIRO – The Cairo-Durham Central School District is proud to announce the March 2024 recipient of the “Mustang Monthly Alumni Spotlight” is Karen’s Flower Shoppe owner Karen Gallo (‘79). 

Gallo, whose Cairo-based business has been a staple to the community for 40 years, has continued to leave a positive impact on those she interacts with since graduating from Cairo-Durham. Today, Gallo can be seen as a board member of Greene County Chamber of Commerce and putting beautiful arrangements together for customers to celebrate momentous occasions. 

“Networking with other businesses, I’ve come to realize through the years how many locally owned businesses can survive and make a living in our hometowns. Many of these businesses are owned and operated by Cairo-Durham graduates,” Gallo said. “In my particular type of business, I’m able to make people smile and bring happiness into their lives on a daily basis. Whether it’s a new birth, birthday, graduation, wedding, anniversary or any occasion for gift giving, flowers are given to celebrate.” 

Gallo recalls being an active participant in activities and clubs at Cairo-Durham High School, including being the class treasurer in her junior and senior years, scorekeeping for the girls volleyball team, playing in the high school band, singing in the chorus and being an active cast member in plays and musicals. 

Additionally, Gallo had the opportunity in high school to study horticulture under the Greenville Central School District’s BOCES program for two years, jumpstarting her passion for the field. Gallo said her time as a Mustang was a memorable experience that shaped her for her career path and life of leaving customers satisfied with products she takes great care of in preparing. 

As a Cairo-Durham student, I enjoyed my years as a Mustang. I was given the opportunity to interact with the most devoted and kind teachers. We respected our teachers, knew our principal and knew we would always be safe,” Gallo said. “There isn’t a thing I could complain about, it was truly a great experience and I wouldn’t change my high school years for anything.”

After establishing herself as a friendly and trustworthy face in the community, Gallo left some words of encouragement and advice for future generations of Mustangs. 

“Learn the most you can in high school and pursue your dreams,” Gallo said. “There are so many avenues to explore these days, so learn and turn your ambitions into reality.” 

In an effort to bridge the community and the Cairo-Durham Central School District, the “Mustang Monthly Alumni Spotlight” was created to provide an opportunity for community members to nominate members of the Cairo-Durham Class of 2018 or prior who have made an impact in the community, embrace Cairo-Durham pride and serve as role models to future generations of Mustangs to be recognized on the District’s platforms. 

Nominations for the May 2024 “Mustang Monthly Alumni Spotlight” are officially open and can be submitted at the link below by Friday, June 14, 2024 at 3 p.m. Past nominations will also be considered in the selection process. Click here to submit a nomination for May 2024. 

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Ashland Speaks

By Lula Anderson

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.  There were so many yard sales this weekend . I hope you all had a chance to visit them all, including mine, and picking up many treasures.  I did quite well, considering everything was 50 cents, but still have enough left to set up again on July Fourth weekend.  Judy went down Palenville Mt on Saturday and the Hunter Tannersville area was packed with visitors.  I hope this means a good summer season for our area.

The Mt Top Methodist Churches have a parish unit encompassing 6 parishes, so as we welcome a new Pastor in July , we will be opening churches that have been closed during the winter months.  Next week all will be welcome in Lanesville at 10 AM.  

Don't forget the Blood Drive at the Windham Ambulance - Senior Center on Saturday, June 1 from 9 - 1.  On June 3 WAJPL will be holding its business meeting starting at 1.  June 12 is our trip to Springfield Armory and MGM Casino.  Craft classes start on June 18 at 10 AM.  If you are interested in attending call Vicky at 518-734-4164, sign up at our meeting or email mtsunflower@aol.com.  

On July 11 the Windham Historical Society will be hosting a slide show and historical talk by Larry Tompkins at the Senior meeting room, at 7 PM.  Larry always puts on a very interesting show.  Come see what this year's topic will be.  

Sincere sympathy to the family of Hassan Basagic, and Phil Devlin who recently passed.  

AS I REMEMBER IT

Continuing with our cleaning cycle – After trudging in and out of the house with the laundry, and spending the time ironing on Tuesday, it's time to mop the floors.  In the old farmhouses, the floors were originally wood plank.  You've all seen reproductions of the wide planked floors, very popular today in farm style houses.  They were rough cut planks, and although we swept often, after wash day they needed a good mopping.  What we consider baseboard, was a mop board, usually at least 3 inches high to protect the walls, which were plaster and lath, from getting wet.  A large string mop was used, along with a long-handled scrub brush to get out all the mud tracked in. Usually an oil-based soap was used to help protect the floors.  This had to be rinsed several times, though so it wasn't slippery.  What joy it was when we were able to put down linoleum.  

Many older houses and the Amish had pegs on the wall where the ladder-backed chairs were hung after meals to make cleaning the floors easier.  After eating, each member of the family hung up his chair and took it down before meals.  To protect the delicate plaster, there was also a chair rail that kept the chairs an inch or two away from the walls.  

As we went from the "ultra-modern" look of the turquoise kitchens of the '50's, through the copper tone or yellow appliances of the "70's and '80', many are going back to the country kitchen look of my youth, only with materials that are much easier to clean.  Vacuums, Swiffers, the simple sponge mop, robotic vacuums and floor scrubbers.  What innovations!  

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Auto Racing News

By Tom Coughlin

Don't forget that tonight is Upstate Spray Foam and Applied Coatings $5 Friday Fan Appreciation Night at the Home of Heroes, where Utica-Rome Speedway will present a full program of regular weekly divisions, plus the slingshots all for only a grandstand general

admission of five dollars. 

 Dodge City Speedway will host race number 1 of the Thunder in the Valley Series and a Senior Clone Money race.  Albany-Saratoga will have a $4,000 to win modified feature, a $500 to win street stock shootout, and a sportsman division special. 

 On Saturday Fonda Speedway will have a full program of weekly divisions, plus the crate 602 sportsman and pro stock features from the rained out April 27 program. The C.R.S.A. 305 winged sprints will not appear this week and a reschedule date is being looked into. 

 Sunday is a big night at the little track on the hill, as Glen Ridge Motorsports Park will host the Super DIRTcar Series 358 Modified Series. Most of the northeast's top 358 modified teams are confirmed to be in attendance including Mat Williamson, Mike Mahaney, and Billy Dunn. The main event will be 50-laps paying $4,000. 

 Last week's results had the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina last Friday for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200. Stewart Friesen and the Halmar number 52 Toyota Tundra team finished a season best third. 

However, second place finisher Corey Heim was disqualified in post race inspection and Stewart was credited with a second place finish to event winner Nick Sanchez.

 Albany-Saratoga Speedway hosted the DiCarlo’s DIRTcar 358 modified division shootout. The 25- lap feature was won by Marc Johnson, over Andrew Buff and Robert Bublak Jr.  In the 35-lap NAPA DIRTcar modified division feature Jessey Mueller claimed his first win of 2024 over

Marc Johnson and Jack Lehner.

 The Saratoga Masonry Supply DIRTcar pro stock division 25-lap feature went to Kim Duell followed by Jason Casey and Kyle Hoard. In the Ideal Excavating DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature Brendan Gibbons scored the win ahead of Craig Wholey and Zach Buff. Nick Brundige won the Haun Welding Supply 20-lap limited sportsman division feature followed by Dakota Green and Tanner Coon. The Cornell’s Auto Parts street stock division 20-lap feature victory was earned by Chris Stalker, over Jason Meltz and Matt Mosher.

 Utica-Rome Speedway held the Thunder on the Thruway Series for the modifieds, crate 602 sportsman, and pro stock divisions. The 30-lap 3 Bastards Brewing modified division feature was won by Matt Sheppard as he beat Rocky Warner and Jessica Friesen to the finish line. Next Generation GraphiX 20-lap pro stock division feature winner was Devon Camenga, over Nick Stone and Bret Belden. In the Taylor’s Trailers crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature, Payton Talbot was the winner over  Mike Richmond and Tyler Peet. The Fastline Performance limited sportsman division 15-lap feature went to Josh Coonradt followed by Carson Rothwell and Eric Jensen. In the Fonda Fair 4 cylinder division 12-lap feature. Jacob Kimball won the dual cam division and  Wayne Russell Jr. won the single cam division.

 The 360 winged sprint cars of the Empire Super Sprints were at Brewerton Speedway on Friday. Danny Varin of Fonda won the 25-lap feature over Larry Wight and Shawn Donath.  Chase Moran of Fultonville finished 19th.

 Saturday would see scattered showers move through. Unfortunately, Fonda Speedway would end up having to cancel their night midway through the program. Fonda will be hosting a number of double feature nights for most of the month of June.

 Weedsport Speedway hosted the Super DIRTcar Series Heroes Remembered 100 for modifieds. A 100-lap modified feature paying $7,500 to win Mat Williamson would win his second consecutive Heroes Remembered 100. 

Peter Britten and Stewart Friesen.  The C.R.S.A. 305 winged sprint cars ran a 25-lap feature Jordan Hutton scored the victory, with Jeff Trombley taking second Chad Miller of Amsterdam finished fourth in the B-main

 Devil's Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vermont held their 602 Northeast Carte Nationals on Sunday. It was a great race as 18 year old Fire Swamp from Akwesasne, N.Y. passed and held off early leader Demetrios Drellos for the Win in the 100-lap feature. Swamp set fast time for the day, won his heat race, and redrew the pole for the feature, all on the way to collecting the $5,000 winner's check. Brian Calabrese filled the podium.

 Brookfield Speedway held their Fast Cars & Freedom special, as part of the Short Track Super Series-North Region Round number 2 for the crate 602 Mike Ballestero

During the 25-lap STSS Crate 602 sportsman feature the lights on the back half of the race track went dark. Fortunately, repairs were able to be made and racing continued after a short delay.  When the race resumed Mike Ballestero maintained his lead and claimed the win ahead

of Payton Talbot and Blaine Klinger White’s Welding pro stock/street stock 20-lap feature was won by Gene Sharpsteen as he pulled away from Kenny Gates and Kurt Decker.  The Anderson Towing & Recovery 4 cylinder division was won by Jeff Weeks over Kamrin Krause and Kyle Simmons.

In the Abrams Press All-Star slingshot division Jaden Pierce took the win and in the Abrams Press Junior slingshot division Roger Addisyn was the victor.

 On Relay for Life Night at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, Lance Willix earned the Callanan Industries DIRTcar 358 modified division 35-lap feature ahead of Brian Pessolano and Andrew Buff. The Ted's Body Shop/Next Generation GraphiX DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman division

30-lap feature went to Zach Buff ahead of Taylor Wason and Tyler Bobar. Cousin Luke Horning scored the win in the Yurkewecz Auto Crushers DIRTcar pro stock division 20-lap feature over Shawn Perez and Slater Baker. Josh Coonradt took the victory in the 20-lap limited sportsman feature ahead of Mason Gray and Nick Brundige. The street stock division 15-lap feature was won by Josh Samrov over Matt Mosher and Matt Wells. The Leatherstocking Credit Union DIRTcar mini stock division winns were earned by Billy Hillman in dual cam and Ken Hollenbeck in single cam. Northeast Paving & Sealcoat slingshot features went to A.J. Albreada in the All-Star division and E.J. Hatch in the Junior division.

 Thunder Mountain Speedway lost their Super DIRTcar Series event to rain on Monday and that has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 17.  The 57th. annual Gas-Up is coming up soon on June 8,9 & 15,16 as always it will provide guests with two weekends of antique power. Gas, horse, and human. Machinery of all shapes and sizes will be on the grounds for your enjoyment and education. Admission is free and show hours are 10;00 am. until 5:00 pm everyday.

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County Receives Brownfield Grant

CATSKILL — On May 20th, the United States Environmental Protection Agency awarded Greene County a $1.5 million Brownfield Coalition Assessment Grant, marking the County as one of 29 awardees for this program in the Country. The grant calls for a coalition to be formed that is focused on inventorying, characterizing, and assessing potentially contaminated sites within a specific target area while also deploying preplanning and community engagement activities. 

The coalition, led by Greene County Economic Development Corporation, is comprised of Columbia Economic Development Corporation (aka Choose Columbia) and the Hunter Foundation based in Tannersville. The coalition will deploy its efforts on a general catchment area that includes the entirety of both Greene and Columbia Counties while specifically targeting the Villages of Catskill and Tannersville, and the City of Hudson.

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Arrest Made in SPCA Complaint

On Thursday May 2, 2024, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation  with the SPCA into a complaint of 15 Peruvian Paso Horses located at a property on Kirwin Rd.  in the Town of Cairo, that were not properly being cared for and appeared to be extremely  emaciated. On May 7, 2024, with the assistance of the SPCA, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office  executed a Search Warrant on the property in order to examine the condition of the horses.  Through the investigation, all 15 horses were able to be examined by veterinarians to determine  the body scale and their condition. As a result of this examination, it was determined by  veterinarians that 13 of the horses in question scored a 3 or less on the Henneke Scale (which is  a tool used to measure the body condition of a horse).  

On May 7, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office charged 25-year-old Skylar Nolan of Cairo with 1  count of Agriculture & Markets Law Section 353- Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance, which is  a Class A misdemeanor. Nolan was issued an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Cairo  Court at a later date and time.  

This case is still under investigation; however, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office  anticipates that there will be more arrests and charges filed in the near future.  The Greene County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Columbia-Greene Humane  Society/SPCA.  

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Electrocution Injury Leads to Hospitalization

On Thursday May 23, 2024, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call of  a 24-year-old male who was electrocuted on North Lake Rd. in the Town of Hunter. Upon arrival  of law enforcement, CPR was being provided by a co-worker. Deputies immediately took over  life saving measures with the assistance of other arriving first responders. As a result, they were  able to regain the victim’s pulse so that he could be flown to Westchester Medical Center.  

Pre-liminary investigation revealed that the victim was working for Larch Tree Service.  Another individual inside the bucket of one of the trucks was working on cutting trees back  from the powerline when the arm of the bucket got too close to the powerline, the powerline  then broke, and an electric shock was sent through the vehicle down to the ground striking the  victim that was standing next to the attached woodchipper.  

As of Tuesday May 28, 2024, the victim was stable and recovering at Westchester  Medical Center with an expected discharge date in the near future.  

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Town of Hunter Police  Department, New York State Forest Rangers, Haines Falls Fire Department, Tannersville Rescue  Squad, Hunter Ambulance, and Greene County Paramedics.

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Art Show at Sugar Maples

By Michael Ryan

MAPLECREST - It is a simple drawing titled “Cher Ami,” the French phrase for “dear friend,” perhaps a strange way to refer to a bird.

Cher Ami was one of several works displayed during the recent Student Exhibition at the Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts.

The show, held annually at their little gallery in the hamlet of Maplecrest,  featured various venues including the ink drawing by Christine Silver.

There were ceramics, such as “Mother and Child” from local artisan Tess Charbonneau and an acrylic on canvas, “Frank,” by Jonathan Licurse, depicting Old Blue Eyes himself.

Joann Roman, who lives between Maplecrest and the town of Prattsville,  brought a collection of ceramics including “Elongated Self Image” and clever “Feminine Wiles.”

Silver started her human journey in Switzerland, shifting to Los Angeles and then the village of Rensselearville in nearby Albany County before learning of the classes hosted by the Center.

She was there with her daughter Sarah, a budding singer/songwriter, and her lone drawing of Cher Ami which was emotionally not for sale.

No price can be correctly put upon the homing pigeon who, in the years following World War I, was as well known as any war hero.

Wikipedia tells the story, stating, “Cher Ami was a male homing pigeon who had been donated by the pigeon fanciers of Britain for use by the U.S. Army Signal Corps in France during World War I.”

The tiny flyer “had been trained by American pigeoners. He is famous for delivering a message from an encircled battalion despite serious injuries during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in October 1918,” Wikipedia states.

“On October 3, 1918, Major Charles White Whittlesey and more than 550 men were trapped in a small depression on the side of the hill behind enemy lines without food or ammunition. 

“They were also beginning to receive friendly fire from allied troops who did not know their location. Surrounded by the Germans, many were killed and wounded and only 194 men were still alive and not captured or wounded by the end of the engagement.

“Because his runners were consistently intercepted or killed by the Germans, Whittlesey began dispatching messages by pigeon.

“The pigeon carrying the first message, "Many wounded. We cannot evacuate." was shot down.

“A second bird was sent with the message, "Men are suffering. Can support be sent?" That pigeon also was shot down.

“The artillery batteries supporting Whittlesey's men attempted to provide a "barrage of protection" for Whittlesey's men on the northern slope of the Charlevaux Ravine.

“But, [they] believed Whittlesey was on the southern slope of the ravine, resulting in a barrage inadvertently targeting the battalion.

"Cher Ami" was dispatched with a note, written on onion paper, in a canister on his right leg, “our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heavens sake stop it.”

“As Cher Ami tried to fly back home, the Germans saw him rising out of the brush and opened fire. After several seconds, he was shot down but managed to take flight again.

“He arrived back at his loft at division headquarters 25 miles to the rear in just 25 minutes, helping to save the lives of the 194 survivors.

“He had been shot through the breast, blinded in one eye, and had a leg hanging only by a tendon,” Wikipedia states.

Cher Ami was awarded the Croix de Guerre Medal with a palm Oak Leaf Cluster for his heroic service in delivering 12 important messages in Verdun.

He died at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, in June 1919, from the wounds he received in battle and was later inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame.

In November 2019, he became one of the first recipients of the Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery, bestowed on him posthumously at a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

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BETTER THAN HEARSAY - Not Exactly Mudville

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM - “This is not a protest,” said Jonathan Gross, a member of the movement calling itself “Preserve the Windham Path.”

“This is not a demonstration,” Gross said. “This is a serene, peaceful walk to celebrate what the Windham Path means to us.”

Whatever way the walk was identified, 60 or so people were at the Path,  last Sunday evening, some carrying signs typically seen at a rally.

The signs and posters were calling for the town council not to build two little league fields at the Windham Path, an issue becoming a rising storm. 

Sunday evening’s walk took place 72 hours after a larger than normal crowd showed up for a May 23 town council meeting.

There was a mix of people at that council session, opposed to and favoring the little league fields at the Path, including a few little leaguers.

It was the second such get together this month. The same meeting room was overflowing with folks on May 9, speaking out almost exclusively against the project which is in the early planning stages.

A petition was handed over to the town council on behalf of “Friends of the Windham Path” containing over 1,100 signatures, though many of the names were from out of town and beyond.

Several of the same faces were present for the two council meetings and for the walk at the Windham Path, which was serene and peaceful.

But there is nothing serene and peaceful about the lines being drawn between the town council and Preserve the Windham Path.

And no matter how it gets worded, town supervisor Thomas Hoyt is getting singled out as the guy responsible for all the furor.

There are five members on the town council. Approval to move ahead with the little league fields came after a vote by them which was unanimous.

Just saying.

It would be sweet music to hear the rest of the council members make that known to local taxpayers so maybe the political overtones and underbelly starting to rear their ugly little heads might dissipate like mountain mist.

Be that as it may, Preserve the Windham Path wants the little league fields built elsewhere, believing their presence will ruin a rare gem.

“This is not just a walking path,” local resident Lori Torgersen said, addressing the walkers in the minutes before they set out.

Torgersen, and principally her life partner Nick Bove, were the visionaries behind the creation of the Windham Path, christened in 2013.

“There is something magical here,” Torgersen continued. “It is important to the viability of our community. The sounds of the Windham Path are the sounds of nature.

“These spaces, with their open view shed, don’t exist everywhere. We want to solve the challenges the little league is facing. We demand of local officials that they solve them differently,” Torgersen said.

The current little league field, along South Street, is facing the problem of shrinking available parking. Landowners who have traditionally allowed parking are utilizing their properties for business opportunities.

Little league president, John Garzone, speaking at the May 9 meeting, said the site, which has been home to generations of kids, is no longer safe.

Government leaders initially introduced the plan back in February, saying that all options have been delved into and rejected for various and valid reasons, emphasizing they likewise treasure the Windham Path.

They also point out that the 70 or so acres of land upon which the Path is set was purchased by the town to protect the easternmost entry to the community, not ruling out recreational development.

Jonathan Gross, prior to heading out on the walk, acknowledged that Preserve the Windham Path doesn’t have an alternative plan.

“I’m not saying we know the solution,” Gross said. “But we know a lot of smart people and we should at least all be working together.

“We are taxpayers. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to do something for the little league. We want to be part of the conversation. We’re offering an olive branch to Tom Hoyt.”

Passionate opinions are also being voiced in support of the little league fields. Hoyt says he has reached out to people connected with a local foundation, seeking financing and getting positive input.

Nothing is expected to happen until next spring, at the soonest. Meanwhile, there was a lone visible backer at the walk, the other night.

Sherry Wack, a resident of the hamlet of Maplecrest, stayed mostly sitting in her car in a far corner of the Path parking lot with a sign on the windshield stating, “Let the Kids Play.”

This ain’t Mudville with the Mighty Casey going down on strikes that poetic night. Baseball is being played in Windham but is there joy in sight?

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