Auto Racing News

By Tom Coughlin

Tonight Albany-Saratoga Speedway will host the Xtreme DIRTcar DMA midgets, along with all weekly divisions. 

 Utica-Rome Speedway will host the C.R.S.A. 305 winged sprint cars, with all weekly divisions.

 Dodge City Speedway has a regular night for all weekly divisions, plus a Money Race for the Senior Wing Champs. 

 Saturday, Fonda Speedway will host Dave Lape Memorial Night, presented by Roosevelt's Towing. There will be Dave Lape memorabilia merchandise for sale in the grandstand area and at the Fonda Speedway Museum and Hall of Fame. The race program will feature twin 22-lap features for the modified division. All weekly divisions will be in  competition, plus the rained out limited sportsman division feature from April 27 and the Swagger Factory Apparel crate 602 sportsman division feature from May 25. The museum is free to enter from the parking lot and you do not need to stay for the race program. Comedian Ginger Billy will be available for a meet & greet inside gate two from 4:30 until 5:30. before he makes his debut in a limited sportsman.

 The village of Scotia will present their 25th. annual Cruisin’ on the Avenue, Father’s Day Car Show on Sunday, June 16. Show hours are from 1:00 pm. until 5:00 pm. rain or shine, using Mohawk Avenue from Glen Avenue to Sacandaga Road. The show is open to all cars, trucks, and motorcycles of all makes, models, and years.

 I recently heard from Melissa Shoemaker-Pigliavento, Melissa is having shirts made to honor her late father Kenny "The Shoe" Shoemaker. I will be sure to pass along when the shirts become available. Although there is not a Shoemaker tribute night in 2024. 

Melissa is sure to have an event in 2025.  Making news on Albany television station WNYT 13, was the release of information in regard to the sale of the Albany-Saratoga Speedway property in Malta. Papers have been signed between owner Howard Commander and Five Corners Development Group. Tentatively the 50- acre property will be turned into mixed income affordable housing units and retail space ? It makes one wonder why it would be necessary to

eliminate an activity that brings family and friends together throughout the summer months. An activity that is part of peoples recreation, entertainment, hobbies, and jobs. The loss of the Malta

oval would leave a huge void in summertime entertainment for the whole capital district area.There obviously is other available property in Saratoga County for housing.

 Results from the past week. On Thursday night the Short Track Super Series made their first appearance at the Airborne Park Speedway near Plattsburgh for the Adirondack Invasion for the STSS modifieds, with a 70-lap feature paying $7,070. Anthony Perrego earned a hard fought

battle over Michael Maresca,  Alex Payne, Mat Williamson, and Stewart Friesen. The first 62-lapa were caution free on a dry/slick track. 

Other local drivers finished in the following order: Alex Yankowski 11th., Jack Lehner 12th., Marc Johnson 18th., Bobby Hackel IV 19th., Chris Curtis was 27th. but did not start, and Demetrios Drellos did not qualify. Lehner was credited with the Hard Charger Award as he started the 70-lap feature in position 23 and finished 12th. This was Round Number 2 for the STSS modified  North Region Series, In the companion sportsman division feature Nick Heywood scored the victory over Travis Bruno and Fire Swamp. 

 Friday at Utica-Rome Speedway the 3 Bastards Brewery modified division 30-lap feature was won by Alex Yankowski earning his first victory of 2024. Matt Janczuk and Bobby Hackel IV filled the podium.

In the Taylor’s Trailers crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature Mike Richmond scored the win over Payton Talbot and Josh Amodio, The Next Generation GraphiX pro stock division 20-lap feature was won by A.J. Walters, followed by  Devon Camenga and Jason Morrison. The

Limited sportsman division 15-lap feature was won by Josh Coonradt ahead of Jayden Wust, and Carson Rothwell. In the Fonda Fair 4 cylinder division Jacob Kimball earned the dual cam division victory and Wayne Russell Jr. the single cam division. The All-Star Slingshot division feature was won by Brett Putnam and the Junior slingshot division win went to Preston Trautschold, 

 At Albany-Saratoga Speedway in the NAPA DIRTcar modified division 35- lap feature Demetrios Drellos scored the win over Peter Britten and Marc Johnson. In the Ideal Excavating DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature Joey Scarborough earned the win over Craig Wholey, and  Daryl Nutting. The Saratoga Masonry Supply pro stock division 25-lap feature went to Brandon Emigh over Pete Stefanski and Kyle Hoard. The Haun Welding limited sportsman division 20-lap feature was won by Tanner Coon ahead ofNick Brundige and Chase Zimmer. The Cornell’s Auto Parts street stock division 20-lap feature went to Jason Meltz followed by Chris Stalker and P.J. Cram Jr. The Greg’s Towing 4 cylinder division 15-lap division feature saw Adam Montville win the dual cam division and  Kyle Lanfear in the single cam

division.

If you are a Demetrios Drellos follower you will notice that he has currently switched his Saturday night racing to Lebanon Valley Speedway.

 Also on Friday at Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, N.Y.  Bobby Varin scored the 30-lap modified feature win. with Alex Payne and Jeff Daugherty completing the top three.

 On Saturday at Fonda Speedway in the make up 20-lap feature from April 27 for the Leatherstocking Credit Union pro stock division Jason Morrison took his first win of 2024 at the Track of Champions. The make up Swagger Factory Apparel crate 602 sportsman 25-lap feature went to Chad Edwards

 In this weeks race for the Amsterdam Truck Center modified division 30-lap feature Mike Maresca earned his second win of the season over Rocky Warner and Bobby Hackel IV, In the Swagger Factory Apparel crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature Payton Talbot took the victory ahead of Chip Constantino and Brendan Gibbons. The Leatherstocking Credit Union pro stock division 20-lap feature saw A.J. Walters score the win followed by  Nick Stone and Kenny Gates. For the Montgomery County Office for Aging limited sportsman division feature Josh

Coonradt was victorious over Jeff Bobilin and Ryan Sweet. Look for Coonradt to soon move up into the regular crate 602 sportsman division. Fonda Fair 4 cylinder division 12-lap feature Kenny Hollenbeck took the overall win and was the first single cam division car and Jay Ingersoll won for the dual cam division  The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois just a few miles east of St. Louis for the Toyota 200 on Friday  Stewart Friesen qualified for the sixth starting spot for Saturday’s feature. Stewart completed stage one in the fourth position. Stage two Friesen would finish 15th., and the third stage in eighth position.

 Glen Ridge Motorsports Park held their Mohawk Valley Showdown for the Super DIRTcar Series 358 modified division. In the 50-lap Callanan Industries 358 modified division feature Lance Willix won, beating Stewart Friesen,and Jordan McCreadie to the checkered flag. In the

Ted’s Body Shop/Next Generation GraphiX DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman division 30-lap feature Zach Buff earned the win over Taylor Wason and Stephen Gray. The Yurkewecz Auto Crushers DIRTcar pro stock division feature saw Slater Baker claim the win ahead of Cousin Luke Horning and Ivan Joslin. The Limited sportsman 20-lap feature was won by Josh Coonradt over Nick Brundige and Zach Graham. The 15-lap street stock division feature was won by Jason Samrov, as he beat Josh Samrov and Matt Wells. The 15-lap Leatherstocking Credit Union DIRTcar mini stock division feature was won by Stephen Walters in the single cam division and Jordan Ryder in the dual cam division. 

 The Northeast Paving & Sealcoat slingshot  division features went to A.J. Albreada in the 15-lap All-Star senior division and Preston Trautschold in the 12-lap Junior division feature

 Big Diamond Speedway near Pottsville, Pennsylvania hosted the Super  DIRTcar Series big block modified division on Tuesday night for the Anthracite Assault 75. Stewart Friesen took the win over Anthony Perrego and Matt Sheppard. Jack Lehner finished 15 and Alex Yankowski 20.

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Ava Shinaver Wins M'burgh Flag Contest

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh high school student Ava Shinaver is the winner of the design and draw of the official Middleburgh Village flag contest.

Ava's design attracted 51 percent of the 149 votes cast. Ava's design includes an outline of Vroman's Nose, with a horse's head emanating from the mountain. The horse's head is surrounded by 16 stars. Mayor Tim Knight made the announcement Monday night.

Coming in second was Hunter Nelson with 18 percent and third was Rivo Strakosh with 15.4 percent. Zoe Hendrickson's drawing came in fourth.

Trustee Sheryl Adams praised all the entries as "very unique." Trustee Amanda Fernandez said all the entries were great. "It's hard to put yourselves out there."

Trustee Bob Tinker said he would donate $50 to make the design into a flag.

"It's a village flag and we need to fly it," he added.

The village board, along with Middleburgh Central School District Social Studies teachers Jason Dannible and Katelynn Schuttig, collected the four submissions from MCS students to design/draw an Official Flag for the Village of Middleburgh.

The intention of this project was to: (A.) give MCS students an opportunity to interact with the Village and be part of our community through this process, (B.) create a unique symbol for the Village, and (C.) have a fun, community-oriented project for all of Middleburgh.

After the submissions were made public, the village opened up a vote for the People’s Choice Flag. The vote was on the village's Facebook page and website. Votes were collected until June 1.

The village wants to thank the students who submitted a design for the contest and Mr. Dannible and Ms. Schuttig.

Ava will receive $50 for the “people’s choice” winner. There will be no taxpayer expense.

More announcements will be made on Heritage Day this summer.

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Fire Departments Clear Accident

Middleburgh and Huntersland Fire Department members responded to this accident in Huntersland Tuesday. Only minor injuries were reported. A&M Towing and Recovery also helped at the scene. 

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Girl Scouts Donate Bee House to Schoharie Lily Park

SCHOHARIE - Members of the Schoharie Promotional Association thank Cobleskill Girl Scout Troop 2835 for the donation of a bee house (bee hotel). The bee house attracts native solitary bees who typically are hole-nesting bees. Because they have no hive to defend, they are not aggressive and one native solitary bee can pollinate as much as 300 honey bees.

Scout leader, Jamie Jones and daughter Peyton, as well as four other girls created this house and wanted to place it in the Lily Park.

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Jefferson Historical Society to host a Celebration of Local History – “History Day” on Saturday, June 8, from 10 – 4

Celebrating local history with displays from a dozen local historical societies and museums will be the order of the day, as Judd Hall opens its doors to anyone interested in learning more about the past of this area.  As we approach the 250th anniversary of our country’s beginnings, these groups will present the products of their research into the lives, customs, activities and influence of those who created the towns and landscapes that we know today.  Present will be representatives from Jefferson, Gilboa, Esperance, Sharon, Middleburgh, Harpersfield, Stamford, Carlisle, Schoharie County, the Schoharie County Colonial Heritage Association, and the Charlotteville Schoolhouse.  A representative from the Iroquois Museum will share information about the local indigenous people whose presence predated the colonial European peoples and the formation of the local towns.

Each group will have a table and displays set up in Judd Hall from 10 to 2 pm.  Also on the agenda is a walking tour at 11, led by Kevin Berner describing the evolution of the businesses in the buildings on Main Street that date back to the 19th century.  The Nicholas J. Juried Museum of Jefferson History on the second floor of Judd Hall will be open, featuring many new items and displays.  (A lift is available for easy access.)  The Fuller District One-Room Schoolhouse, which was first in use in the 1830’s, is located at 695 North Harpersfield Road, and will be open from 10am-2pm with a docent on hand to interpret the site.  

At 2:15, Keynote Speaker Dr. Charles Ver Straeten, Curator of Sedimentary Rocks at the New York State Museum, will talk about the much, much older history of this area -- the Fossil Forests of Gilboa and Cairo, talking about the rocks and fossils of the Catskills found here from long before the dinosaurs.  In 2009, scientists from the New York State Museum, including Dr. Ver Straeten, discovered what has turned out to be the oldest known forest site in the world.  The Cairo Fossil Forest, older than its sister in Gilboa, provides new views of these forests – root impressions of large trees, showing where each tree stood about 385 million years ago. 

Judd Hall is located at 163 Main St., Jefferson, NY, and will be open from 10 – 2.  Dr. Ver Straeten’s talk will be across the street from there at the Jefferson Methodist Church at 2:15. The Fuller District One-room Schoolhouse will be open from 10 - 2, and is located at 695 N. Harpersfield Rd. (an extension of Main St.) along with the adjacent Nature Trail and picnic area.  Breakfast is available until 1 pm at The Breakfast Club on Main St. and at Buck Hill Farm, 185 Fuller Rd. Dining is available at the Heartbreak Hotel on Main St. from noon to 11 pm; and Two Scoops Ice Cream shop on the Town Green will be open from 12 – 9 pm.

For more information call Kevin Berner:

518 294-7196 

historicalsocietyjefferson@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/juddhall163  

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Huyck Preserve Awarded Grant to Hire Ranger

RENSSELAERVILLE - The Huyck Preserve has been awarded a Professional Development Grant from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) and New York's Environmental Protection Fund in the amount of $56,475 that will help fund the first three years of a new Seasonal Ranger position. The NYSCPP is administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

This grant supports land trusts working to strengthen programs by adding staff. The new Seasonal Ranger will spend six months at the Preserve each year (from mid-May to mid-November), serving as an important point of contact with visitors, ensuring protection of the Huyck Preserve’s natural and cultural resources, promoting responsible recreation, and enhancing understanding of the Preserve’s resources and its mission.

Jakob Greenwood has been hired to serve as the Preserve’s first Seasonal Ranger. Jakob is a recent graduate from SUNY Albany with a B.S. in Environmental Science and minors in Biology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Preparedness. Jakob is no stranger to the Huyck Preserve, having served as one of its Seasonal Invasive Species Assistants in 2023 and having completed an internship with the Preserve in his final semester at UAlbany. We are thrilled to have Jakob as our first Seasonal Ranger and hope you will welcome him on the trails, at the Visitors' Center, or at an upcoming event.

Upcoming Events

June 9 Read + Hike Club

2-3:30pm at Eldridge Research Center, 284 Pond Hill Road, Rensselaerville.

Come discuss themes of ecology and humanity’s relationship with nature with other book and nature lovers in this reading and hiking club. Each meeting, they will go on a leisurely hike with stopping points for book discussion.

June book selection: The Mind of a Bee by Lars Chittka

June 22 Beach Opens and S'mores with Ranger Jakob

1-8pm at Lake Myosotis Swim Beach off Pond Hill Road.

Huyck Preserve members, grab your 2024 beach pass and come swimming. Meet Ranger Jakob as he serves up s'mores starting at 6:30pm.

June 29 Annual Huyck Preserve Membership Meeting

1:30pm at Eldridge Research Center, 284 Pond Hill Road, Rensselaerville.

All current Huyck Preserve members are invited to attend the Annual Membership Meeting. Meet with board members and staff, cast your vote at the annual board election, and learn more about current and future happenings at the Preserve.

Annual Meeting Guest Presentation

Craig Frank, Ph.D., Fordham University

The Resistance of Three Bat Species to White-nose Syndrome

in the Northeast

Not a member or haven't yet renewed your membership for 2024?

Memberships can be purchased or renewed online through their website: at www.huyckpreserve.org/membership.

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M'burgh Brownies Help Out Schoharie Valley Animal Shelter

MIDDLEBURGH -  Thank you to Brownie Troop 2577 from Middleburgh for their recent visit to the Animal Shelter and for their very generous donations. The girls got to learn about how the staff cares for our shelter animals and also got to play with some of our sweet pets.

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M'burgh Looking into LED Lights, Charging Stations

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Now that the village of Middleburgh is eligible for a pre-approved $10,000 NYSERDA Clean Energy Community grant, they are considering upgrading to LED streetlights and electric vehicle charging stations.

At the village's Monday night meeting, Mayor Tim Knight outlined the 11 pre-approved NYSERDA projects. They include: solar, non-road electric vehicle, electric vehicle, electric landscaping equipment, electric vehicle charging equipment, LED streetlights, Clean Energy Communities Energy studies, CEC building upgrades, building heat pump upgrades, NYPA Clean Energy Solutions upgrades, and flexible technical assistance.

At first board members were leaning just toward using some of the funds to replace the bulbs and units in the historic lights on River Street, Main Street, on the bridge and other areas to LED bulbs and units. The change would save the village money every year in electric costs.

Trustee Kevin Young said the LED change makes the most sense. It would be nice to have electric vehicle charging stations but there are questions such as locations since much of the village is in the flood zone.

Trustee Amanda Fernandez also noted that LED would save money in the long run, while there may be additional costs with charging stations. Village attorney Fred Mauhs said that might not be the case. In addition to possibly turning a profit for the village, charging stations could draw people to the village and help the local businesses.

He noted that the village approved a new energy contract at Monday's meeting that will decrease the kilowatt cost for village use to 9.755 cents, a drop of 2.4 percent. The village currently pays more than $41,000 a year in electric costs and the new rate would lower the cost to $40,562, according to Mayor Knight.

Village board members agreed to look into both the LED lights and charging stations with the NYSERDA funds.

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M'burgh Pollinator Garden gets Great Start

Horseshoe Pits Being Put in Badgely Park

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh Village Trustee Amanda Fernandez said 300-square-feet of wildflowers have been planted in a new pollinator garden off of Pine Street.

Volunteers on Friday, May 31 broke ground in the unused strip of land and planted wildflowers in a plot 30-by-10 feet. Now the only thing needed is rain. Volunteers plan to expand the garden each year, she added.

"I have no doubt that it will flourish," Trustee Fernandez told fellow board members.

She also noted that a fellow volunteer suggested that the garden be dedicated to the memory of Eleanor Spencer, an important community volunteer who recently passed away. Trustee Fernandez said she thought this was a good idea. She said the garden should be dedicated when the garden is established, maybe next year.

Last month, Trustee Fernandez, noted that the garden will also free up DPW labor time since it will be decreasing the amount of land they have to mow there.

In other park news, Trustee Fernandez said the Rotary would be placing horseshoe pits in Badgely Park across the former town hall. More pits can be added in the future.

Mayor Tim Knight also announced that the Middleburgh Rotary did receive a Rotary District Grant for the benches that have been placed on Main Street.

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Funds Available for Local Art

SCHOHARIE COUNTY – Schoharie County Arts is pleased to announce monies available to support arts organizations in Schoharie County bringing art to the county in 2024.  Events must take place between August 2024 – December 2024.  Organizations must be located in Schoharie County.  Artists participating in the event may be from within or outside Schoharie County.  The deadline to submit an application is July 1, 2024. Awards will be announced at the end of July.  Awards will be made in the amount of $500.  If you would like to apply for funds, please complete and submit the on-line form on our website at www.schohariecountyarts.org or print the PDF that is available and return it to:

Schoharie County Arts, Inc.

P.O. Box 812

Cobleskill, NY  12043

Schoharie County Arts seeks to broaden and enrich the quality of life in Schoharie County by developing and strengthening the arts through promoting cultural and arts-related activities.

For more information contact schohariecountyarts@gmail.com; www.schohariecountyarts.org; www.facebook.SchoharieCountyArtsNow

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Schoharie’s Main Street Boasts Fresh Energy, Open Storefronts

By Matthew Avitabile

SCHOHARIE — The village of Schoharie has seen significant growth over the last several years, and it’s starting to show. Last month saw the ribbon cutting of three new businesses on Main Street, Dry A.F., Schoharie Mercantile, and Savage Scoops.

The recent Comprehensive Plan survey received feedback about the number of storefronts in Schoharie’s business district. 

In addition to the new businesses, Schoharie saw a number of other recent bright spots. This includes the popular Greek Gyros Schoharie, the expansion of Schoharie Dental, Smile Cross, Love Shine Tea, and Farmers Beef and Brew. Farmers Beef and Brew is undergoing a significant expansion that will move it toward the Old Stone Fort.

The recent growth joins a number of well-established businesses that are seeing considerable success in the community, including several law offices, El Taco Shack, Your Way Cafe, Country Cafe, Paisano’s, Rejuvenate Therapeutic Massage, the Bank of Richmondville, Zeke’s Auto Repair, Creekside Sports, New Slate Fitness, Your Worth It, Country Monkey Thrift, J. Lacy Salon, Clapper’s Glass Bar, Wolfe’s Den, Guernsey’s Nursey, Schoharie County Kayak Rentals, Maple’s Estate, Schoharie Valley Wine and Liquor, Mimi’s Posey Place, Tweek’d Boutique, Main Attractions Salon, and Generations Vintage.

In addition, the former bank on Main Street became SEEC.

Much of the growth occurred over the last several years, including significant cooperation between the village and the business community. The public is encouraged to get involved with the current Comprehensive Plan Committee, which aims to chart Schoharie’s Future. The May 23 and 30th open houses were successful and showed significant participation. There is another public open forum meeting planned for later this summer.

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Singer-Songwriter Sloan Wainwright to perform at Middleburgh Library

MIDDLEBURGH — Defying standard categorization, singer-songwriter Sloan Wainwright consistently demonstrates an easy command of a variety of American music styles — pop, folk, jazz and blues — held together by the melodious tone of her rich, powerful contralto, with the end result being a unique and soulful musical hybrid.

Sloan Wainwright will perform at 4pm, Sunday, June 16th at the Middleburgh Library, as part of the Not So Quiet Concert Series. There is a suggested donation of $15.00 – space is limited, so reservations are required – call 518-827-4953.

All shows in The Not So Quiet Concert Series are fundraisers for the Middleburgh Library, 323 Main Street, Middleburgh, NY. This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of Gov. Kathy Hochel and the NYS Legislature and administered in Schoharie County by the Greene County Council on the Arts dba CREATE.

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DeLaney McCann Is 2024 Delaware County Dairy Ambassador

By Liz Page

ANDES –  Acknowledging the hard work of dairy farmers in Delaware County is something Delaney McCann, a sophomore at Delaware Academy, pledges to do over the coming year, along with her dairy court. She and her new court were introduced during the 62nd annual dairy dinner at the Andes Hotel last Friday.

She is the daughter of Daniel McCann and Stephanie Trass, and is the second family member to work to promote the dairy industry as her older sister Meredith McCann goes off to college  after working with the promotions team as an ambassador for the past five years.

Delaney will have eight ambassadors to help her carry out promotions throughout the county and she and her team will jump right into it with the annual Dairy Fest in the town of Meredith on June 8 and 9.

June is Dairy Month and it is always a fitting time to welcome the new promotions team.

In her candid interview with Paige Burroughs, McCann said her favorite breed of cow is Holstein, her favorite color is blue, cheddar cheese is her favorite dairy product and she is looking forward to a trip to Seattle, Washington for the national convention of the  Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), as a state officer.

She is also in Future Farmers of America and is a member of the Jazz and concert bands at Delaware Academy.  She plays basketball and softball and has been a member of the dairy promotions teams for the past four years. She has shown her cows at the Delaware County Fair in Walton for the past nine years.

One of her favorite events is 4-H camp where she said she enjoys "teaching all the kids about he importance of dairy farming in our community as well as the benefits of dairy products for your body". She has three Holstein cows, Aurora, Adelynn and Alyson and she is a member of the Delaware County Holstein Club and the South Kortright Calf Club.

"Let's talk about the real reason we are here and that is to promote the dairy industry and celebrate our dairy farmers and the very amazing product they produce - milk."

She went on to tell the audience about the healthy benefits of milk, with 13 essential nutrients that fuel your body and make it strong. Those nutrients include protein, calcium, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin, phosphorus, zinc, iodine and vitamin B5, she said.

"Without the dairy industry and dairy farmers, we would not have milk, and without milk, we would not be a able to enjoy other dairy products, such as yogurt, ice cream, cheese and butter.

She thanked the dairy framers for allowing her the opportunity to promote their industry and that she is looking forward to an exciting year of dairy promotions.

Helping her with her promotions will be Angela Cerosaletti, daughter of Amy and Paul Cerosaletti, of Davenport; Lillian and Madelyn Eklund,  daughters of Jim and Megan Eklund of Stamford; Amelia Groh, daughter of Lorah and Brian Groh, of Delhi; Madison Losie, of Davenport, daughter of Christine and Shannon Losie; Darbey  and Laney Mondore, of Andes, daughters of Jason and Amber Darling-Mondore; Jordan Odell, of Oneonta, daughter of Lance and Danielle Odell;  and Alexa Scofield, of Walton, daughter of Jason and Rebecca Scofield.

There will be milk punch receptions, presentations, handing out ribbons at dairy competitions, educating the public and school students and one of the favorites of almost all dairy promoters in Delaware County, the building and handing out of the giant ice cream sundae each year at the county fair in Walton.

Barb Hanselman, who chairs the Delaware County Dairy Promotion Committee, once again emceed this special event which is steeped in tradition. She welcomed state ambassador,  Evelyn Kersmanc, of Worcester, who will be charged with dairy promotions across the state and who said she has already logged  many miles since she was selected at the state pageant in February. She was recently recognized by Senator Richard Oberacker with a special resolution for her important role of attending special events to engage with and educate consumers n the nutritional benefits of milk and dairy foods, how farmers care for their cows and their land.  She has served as a dairy ambassador for Otsego County and said she is looking forward to working with the Delaware County Dairy Promotion Team over the coming year and thanked them for inviting her to dinner.

Hanselman spoke about her mother, Janice Smith, being honored at the state pageant with the Golden Cow Award, for her tireless promotion of the dairy industry. Smith has served county promotions for more than four decades in Delaware County. "She is the type of person who wants to see milk on every table and cheese in everybody's refrigerator," said Hanselman. She went on to say that Smith is best at helping others who may be new to dairy promotions, to gain confidence.

It provided a lead into the presentation of the annual Real Seal Award to Jill Coleman. "She was there to help us through a very challenging time and she has been with the promotions team since Jessica served as a crown bearer," said Hanselman. She pointed to the challenges over the past couple of years, coming off Covid, when there was no pageant and having a lapse in the age of eligible girls in the county to serve as ambassador. She also alluded to the changes in the program from dairy princess to the gender neutral ambassadors. Her daughter, Jessica Coleman, served two consecutive years as ambassador, through those times and Hanselman said Coleman, a teacher, often paid attention to the details. "She has been on the committee for the last couple of years and I don't know what we would have done without Jill and Jessica." 

Hanselman also explained that with the transition from a diary princess to a dairy ambassador, there was one dairy princess sash remaining, as she ordered in bulk to save money.. With Jessica stepping down, she said she was deserving of the sash which could never be awarded. She applauded the fact that she stepped up to carry on the dairy promotions, staying on to get them through the transition. 

Hanselman has been on the committee for 32 years and she said the most rewarding thing to see how the girls grow over their time in the program. "We can't call you a princess, but you we re always a lady, you were always kind and you were a cheerleader. We can't crown you, but we can give you the last sash. This still celebrates a princess." she said.

Jessica Coleman ends her second year as Delaware County Dairy Ambassador, with Gracie Deysenroth serving as the Associate Ambassador. However,  several of the same girls will be serving on the promotions team.

In her farewell, Gracie Deysenroth,  said that over the past year she and the dairy ambassadors attended the Dairy Fest in June, answered questions that people had about dairy and farming, presented their program at the Harpersfield Grange, made the giant sundae and handed out ribbons at the fair. She thanked all the farmers and dairy supporters for the opportunity to spread the work about the benefits of dairy and said she leaves with a heart full of gratitude for "Dairy is All You Need".

Coleman also said her farewell, saying that since she served as a crown bearer, she has  wanted to promote dairy and never dreamed she would become the Delaware County Alternate Dairy Princess. She said she enjoyed the school program, explaining the nutrition of dairy and reminding people how nutritious it is. She also enjoyed explaining that chocolate milk does not come from brown cows. She said she has made gallons of milk punch and went down the list of events she participated in. Her favorite, not surprisingly, was the giant ice cream sundae. She also enjoyed being part of the team. She thanked her parents and the farmers for the honor of being part of the county's dairy promotion team.

Among Friday's special guests, were Paul Cerosaletti, of the Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, who presented the annual Outstanding Young Farm Family Award (See separate story). He attended  along with James Romack, field representative and the interim CCE executive director, Nancy Grotevent: Duane Martin, of the New York Center for Agriculture Medicine and Health and Alyshia Korba of The Reporter and Liz Page from The Mountain Eagle.

Hanselman also thanked the members of the Dairy Committee, including Amy Cerosaletti, Meg Eklund, Stephanie McCann and Amber Darling Mondore. She also thanked Derek Curl and the staff at the Andes Hotel, Heather Magnan of the Watershed Ag Council, who helped with the program; Clark Farms for the milk; the Coleman family for the table decorations and  the promotions committee for the cookies and sundae fixings. She also thanked Huff Ice Cream fore donating the ice cream for the sundae at the fair.

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