Conviction in “Ghost Gun” Case

DELHI — Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced today that Paul M. Fontana, Jr., 37, of Delhi, New York pleaded guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, a Class C Violent Felony, on July 8, 2024.

The defendant appeared in Delaware County Court on July 8, 2024, for a scheduled suppression hearing.  However, prior to beginning the suppression hearing, the defendant pleaded guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, a Class C Violent Felony. 

This guilty plea was entered to satisfy an indictment which alleged that the defendant had illegally possessed 10 or more firearms, some of which were “ghost guns” that lacked any serial numbers, while in his home in the Village of Delhi on January 1, 2024.  The Village of Delhi Police and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a home in Delhi after a 911 caller reported that the defendant was making threats to harm himself and others. After making entry into the home, police located the defendant, a convicted felon, holding a loaded Assault Rifle.  The Assault Rifle contained a 60-round magazine.  After a brief struggle, police were able to take the defendant into custody without any injuries. After executing a search warrant, the police discovered numerous illegal firearms in the home.  

The guilty plea was entered pursuant to a negotiated disposition wherein it is anticipated that the defendant will be sentenced to serve 6 years in state prison, and an additional 5 years of post-release supervision.     

District Attorney Shawn Smith commended the Village of Delhi Police Department and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office for their thorough investigation into this case.  “The Police Officers involved in this case risked their lives to remove these dangerous ghost guns from our community, and I am grateful for their work.”    

Indictments and criminal complaints are allegations.  All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Shawn J. Smith

Delaware County District Attorney

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GUILTY PLEA IN FENTANYL POSSESSION CASE

DELHI — District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced that Sean R. Gillespie, 25, of Bovina pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a Class D Felony on July 1, 2024. 

The defendant appeared in Delaware County Court on July 1, 2024, for a conference on his pending indictment. After the conference, the defendant pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree- Possession with Intent to Sell, a Class D Felony. Prior to pleading guilty, the defendant admitted that on March 13, 2024, while in the Village of Delhi, he possessed a quantity of fentanyl.  The defendant further admitted that he and his co-defendant had purchased the fentanyl with the purpose of reselling it.  

This guilty plea was entered as part of a negotiated disposition wherein it is anticipated that the defendant will be sentenced to 3 years in state prison, to be followed by 1 year of post release supervision. The defendant was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility pending final sentencing. 

District Attorney Smith commended the Delaware County Sheriff's Office along with Deputy Justin Mohr for his thorough and diligent investigative work on this case. “It permitted us to secure a guilty plea and lengthy state prison sentence without a trial.” stated Smith. “I will continue to partner with the Delaware County Sheriff to ensure that every person selling drugs in our County is held accountable.”

As are all defendants, this defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

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Hamden Bicentennial Celebration July 13

HAMDEN — The town of Hamden will kick off its bicentennial celebration July 13 with vintage base ball games, craft and vendor fair, children’s activities, ice cream social, demonstrations from area agencies and information about next year’s events.

Most of the action will take place in the field behind the Hamden Town Hall. The vendor fair and will be from noon to 5 p.m., and the free ice cream social will begin at 3 p.m. Twenty vendors will be set up around the grounds with a variety of goods to sell, including handmade jewelry, candles, honey, games, holiday crafts, beef, eggs, breads and henna, temporary tattoos and face painting.

Children’s activities include arts and crafts and staff from Hanford Mills Museum and the Dragon Wagon will be in attendance. Each child will receive a free book from the Dragon Wagon and Hanford Mills will have science experiments for children.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase and people can eat under the pavilion.

People are invited to visit the Hamden Bicentennial tent to find out what the committee has in store for next year’s celebration, including how they can be part of a cookbook and history book. There will be a bake sale and drinks will be for sale at that table. The committee will also have raffle baskets.

In addition to craft and other vendors, county organizations will have booths including Office of the Aging, senior council and Roxbury Arts Group. Delaware Opportunities will offer Narcan training. The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office will have K9 demonstrations. Cpl. Karcher and K9 Elli will be at the fair from noon to about 3 p.m. with a K9 demo around 2 p.m. Sgt. Clark and K9 Edge will be present from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will be doing a K9 demo around 4 p.m. Deputy Mantzouratos will be present for the length of the fair.  

Baseball will be in the forefront of this year’s and next year’s celebrations. At 2 p.m. the Hamden 9 1825 challenge will be held at the town hall field.

The Hamden Polecats, Bovina Dairymen, Mountain Athletic Club and the Elizabeth, New Jersey Resolutes vintage base ball teams will each play two games Saturday, July 13, beginning at 8:45 a.m. at Crawford Field on Launt Hollow Road. The Polecats will face the MAC at 8:45 a.m.; the MAC and Resolutes will play at 10:30 a.m.; the Dairymen and Resolutes will play at 12:15 p.m.; at 2 p.m., there will be a preview of the “Old-Timers Game” that will be played July 20; and at 3:30 p.m. the Polecats and Dairymen will play.

The town will celebrate its bicentennial in 2025, with a parade, covered bridge 5K run, vintage base ball tournament, square dance, historical tours and much more July 12 and 13, 2025. This year’s event will help raise money to allow next year’s events to happen.

For more information, visit Hamden1825.org.

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Junior Golf Camp Tees Off at SGC

By Liz Page

STAMFORD - Until everyone was signed in and assigned a station, there was organized pandemonium at the Stamford Golf Club as the Stamford Junior Golf camp got underway. The camp started on Monday, with 55 kids ready to get  into the swing of summer, just one week after the school year ended for students.

Although Hurricane Beryl could have something to say about how much time is spent on the course last week, the  four-day camp introduced youngsters to the life sport of golf. It is made possible each year through the generosity of the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation, the O'Connor Foundation, Stewart's Shoppe and CORE Value, along with a strong core of veterans who believe in the Junior Golf Program. The grants help fund the purchase of clubs and pay for scholarships. 

Campers receive professional, hands-on instruction along with course play. Enrollment gives them membership through the rest of the season, to return to play and practice the sport. The intent is to instill the love of playing a lifetime sport as students learn the skills needed, safety and etiquette.

Golf clubs suited to different age levels are a key factor for young golfers learning the sport. Each camper is assigned a set of clubs, just right for their size.

Each morning of camp they learn driving, chipping and putting, with small groups lessons. Then there is lunch and they head out onto the course to practice what they've learned. They golf with family members or mentors.

Jim Adair, a member of the Junior Golf Board of Directors, has a whole bevvy of people he can count on to help with the programs, including Richie Beers, golf pro Jim Schouller, who generally teaches students how to drive from the driving range. Then Jim Lees, player development coordinator at SUNY Delhi, who works with the students on their chipping skills and Mike Bell, the new professional at the club, who was helping the kids to learn to putt.

Of course you might find some other avid golfers, such as Jon Barber, Neil Cunningham and Bob VanValkenburgh helping to mentor those just learning about golf.

It is a highly praised program that provides a key introduction to a sport people can enjoy for their entire lives.

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Musical Trio Coming to Stamford

Stamford - On Sunday, July 21 at 3PM, Friends of Music of Stamford, NY presents The Olivia Chindamo Trio, a Juilliard Jazz Ensemble. Singer Olivia Chindamo is passionate about jazz history, seamlessly fusing the old and the new with her modern sensibilities, impressive technique, and versatility. With a special love for improvisation, her skillful scat singing pays homage to the great songstresses of the 1950s, with a familiar repertoire from the Great American Songbook, some “B side” selections, and a few original songs. 

Originally from Australia and now based in New York City, Olivia Chindamo is the Juilliard School’s first-ever Master’s Graduate of Jazz Voice. She has performed at many prestigious venues, including the Kennedy Center, Dizzy’s Club, Lincoln Center, and Birdland Jazz Club, as well as collaborated with various orchestras. Olivia Chindamo is joined by two fellow Juilliard Jazz alumni—jazz saxophonist Evan Harris and jazz guitarist David Rourke.

Under the leadership of director Wynton Marsalis, the Juilliard Jazz Department’s programming reflects the jazz continuum and its American vernacular roots, as well as the social and cultural vitality of the music. Juilliard Jazz ensembles play more than 50 on- and off-campus performances annually, including international tours, as well as performances at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the Blue Note in New York City.

This event is generously hosted by the First Presbyterian Church at 96 Main Street, Stamford, NY. Admission is by donation at the door; the suggested donation is $15 per person, $10 for seniors & students. There is no charge for those under age 13. Cash or check only; no reservations or advance sales. Visit www.friendsmusic.org for more information about this concert and the rest of the Friends of Music 2024 season. 

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Sausage & Brew Fest Celebrates Local Craft Beers Aug. 24th

HOBART — The 2024 Catskill Sausage & Brew Festival is back again on Saturday, August 24 with a larger-than-ever selection of local craft beers, ciders and wines. Nestled between the 26-mile Catskill Scenic Trail in the northwestern Catskills and the meandering Delaware River, the annual event visitors have called an “awesome blast” and a “gift” takes place under the big tent at the Town Park, 101 Maple Ave in Hobart, RAIN OR SHINE. 

Farm-to-table sausage plates include a heap of fresh vegetables all grown within 30 miles of Hobart including Hanselman’s famous just-picked-this-morning-corn-on-the-cob from 5 minutes down the road. Vegetarian options are available. For an up-to-date menu of local NYS craft beers, visit HobartRotary.com/festival.

The knock-out music lineup features the 16-piece Leatherstocking Jazz Band, rock ‘n roll band The Fisher Cats, and the Wyld Blue Band with award-winning blues singer Alana Wyld.

The party runs continually with dancing and music by DJ KDC, creative vendors and assorted games. Revel under the big tent or spread a blanket and picnic on the grass.

Activities for children include hayrides, bouncy-house, face-painting, hula-hooping, jump-roping and cornhole. A 50-50 raffle will be held.  

The Sausage & Brew Fest attracts roughly 1,000 visitors of all ages from across NY State and beyond. Overseas tourists have been heard to exclaim, “This is our favorite place in all of America!”  

Hobart is the home of the renowned Book Village of the Catskills. All bookshops and giftshops will be open on Main Street, Saturday August 24, 11am-5pm. 

The Festival coincides with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Family Farm Day and offers a perfect Catskill meal during a day of farm visits. With so many family farms using sustainable methods to raise free range livestock and grow small-batch produce, Delaware County has long been known for its delicious food products. The Sausage & Brew Fest was founded in Hobart in 2019 to share our story and celebrate local farms!

Sponsored by the Hobart Rotary Club, the festival is made possible by generous funding from the Delco Economic Development Department, Hobart Community Foundation, the Robert and Addie Thomson Trust; and with funds from the Delaware County Arts Grants, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered in Delaware County by the Roxbury Arts Group.

All proceeds from the festival benefit community service programs including food for hungry children. 

Volunteers are needed in all capacities! For more information on volunteering or setting up a

vendor table, visit HobartRotary.com/festival. 

Food, music and drinks 1-7pm.

Admission is FREE.

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The Roxbury Arts Group Announces Summer Camp Opportunities

Camp Feathers in a Notebook

led by artist Christina Hunt-Wood

Monday, July 22 – Friday, July 26, 2024

At Kirkside Park in Roxbury

Camp Create

Monday- Wednesday, August 12 – 14th, 2024

Monday- Wednesday, August 18 – 21, 2024

Headwaters Arts Center 66 Main Street, Stamford, NY607-326-7608   - roxburyartsgroup.org

The Roxbury Arts Group announces two, affordable creative day camp opportunities for children ages 6 to 13 this summer.  In July 22-26 Camp Feathers in a Notebook will be an outdoor art making camp led by Christina Hunt Wood in Kirkside Park in Roxbury.  In August, the highly successful Camp Create returns Aug 12-14 and 18-21 from 10am to 2pm at the Headwaters Arts Center at 66 Main Street Stamford.  Camp Create is a flexible enrollment, sign up for one day, two days or all six days for a nominal fee.  Spaces are still available for both camps and you can register online at roxburyartsgroup.org. For more information call 607-326-7908.

In Camp Feathers in a Notebook, kids  6-13 year-old will take time to notice the macro and the micro, the visual and experiential, build connections with one other, the land, and themselves. Led by Teaching Artist Christina Hunt Wood, Camp Feathers in a Notebook is inspired by the life of Roxbury son Ian O'Brien who emerged early as a talented artist and combined that creativity with his love of the outdoors.  The registration fee for Camp Feathers in a Notebook is $50 per camper for the 5-day program and includes all materials required for all creative activities. Campers should come prepared each day with a refillable water bottle, snack, desired sun protection and bug repellent, and appropriate clothes for the weather. 

Camp Create offers a fun and supportive environment where kids ages 6 – 13 can explore their artistic talents with a creative theme that changes daily.  Our dedicated instructors will guide your child through a variety of hands-on activities, inspiring their imagination and fostering self-expression.  Children can attend for one day, a three-day session, or immerse themselves in all six days of artistic adventure.

Camp Feathers in a Notebook in Roxbury June 22-26 and Camp Create in Stamford August 12-14 and 19-21 are the perfect way to engage your kids with the power of creativity. Don’t miss out on these unforgettable summer experiences!  Enroll today and watch your kids’ artistic talents soar.

All programs offered by the Roxbury Arts Group are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature, the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, the A. Lindsay & Olive B. O’Connor Foundation, the Tianaderrah Foundation, Loving Live, Inc, the Delaware National Bank of Delhi, and by the generosity of business sponsors and individual donors like you.

****

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Trouble in Mind Is a Hit!

FRANKLIN — Four shows. Four standing ovations. Don't miss Trouble in Mind, FSC's astonishing season opener.

Alice Childress’s illuminating, moving, and surprisingly funny play set during rehearsals for a Broadway-bound play where harsh truths that spill out into the rehearsal room may cost the actors the work they so desperately need.

Deserves to be a classic.”

–NY Times

“Funny, fresh, profound, and surprisingly timely for a play written two years before the first Edsel rolled off the showroom floor.”

–Drama Circle

“Speaks to today’s concerns…hard to believe it was written in 1955.”

–Stage Door

Thursday–Saturday @7:30 pm

Saturday Matinee @3:00 pm 

At the Franklin Stage Company, 25 Institute St, Franklin.

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Upstate Art Weekend at Osmos and Arts&Rec

STAMFORD — For UPSTATE ART WEEKEND 2024, ARTS&REC and OSMOS invite you to two solo exhibitions by artists Angeline Rivas and Chelsea Culprit. 

During UPSTATE ART WEEKEND, July 19 to July 21, special hours 10 to 6 pm

The exhibitions are on view until Sunday, August 11, 2024.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 12 to 5 pm, and by appointment.

Angelina Rivas was born 1981 in Kansas City and lives and works in Los Angeles. She is the ARTS&REC July artist-in-residence at OSMOS Station in Stamford, NY. Rivas paints florid, flowing, and voluptuous allegorical forms with airbrush on wood panel, paper, and canvas. Rivas is represented by Chris Sharp Gallery, Los Angeles.

Chelsea Culprit was born in 1984 in Paducah, Kentucky, where there is an active quilting tradition, and lives and works in Conesville, a rural village in Upstate New York. In her very large-scale paintings, Culprit aims to liberate the domestic vocabularies of quilting into the monumental scale of Abstract Expressionism and action painting.

For more information, check our Instagram @artsandrec_catskills @osmos.online

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Writers in the Mountains Literary Retreat

ANDES — Writers in the Mountains (WIM) announces its 2024 Literary Retreat in the Catskills, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 15–17, 2024. The event is open to both resident writers and locals who can attend the day’s programs and activities without having to book a room. Local writers are encouraged to participate as they are an integral part of the Writers in the Mountains’ literary community year-round.

The weekend-long event will offer writers a stimulating and cozy environment to discuss ideas, improve craft, and build a better writing practice while at the same time bond with fellow writers, make lifelong friendships, and pursue future collaborations. Writers may choose to stay at the Retreat or only attend the day’s programs and activities. The Retreat will offer five different workshops led by accomplished writers and educators as well as a public reading at the Andes Hotel on Saturday evening, followed by a film screening hosted by Derek Curl. All participants will have plenty of time to write, give and receive feedback, and read their works.

The workshops will include an introduction to the Amherst Method, which will help writers access their authentic voice and develop their style. In From Idea to Essay to Book: Climbing the Ladder from Small to Big, Step by Step, participants will explore how to move their essays from destination to waypoint on a longer journey, and how to see beyond it. In Modern Love, writers will analyze The New York Times’ Modern Love column (including Tiny Love Stories), and begin a story to develop for future submissions. The Magic of Metaphor will help writers to brainstorm exciting new forms to help break open possibilities of diction, vocabulary and metaphor. Finally, in Poetry Forms, poets will learn about major forms of poetry and discuss how forms came into being and why they continue to hold an important place in contemporary poetry.

On Saturday evening participating writers will be reading at The Andes Hotel, where literature lovers and the general public will have the opportunity to hear new works and mingle with the writers. The readings will be recorded and professionally produced to post online on YouTube, and made available to local TV stations. They will be followed by a film screening and Q&A, also open to the general public. At the end of the Retreat selected works will be curated and included in a publication specially designed to help writers find new readership, and gain further visibility.

The fees are as follows: meals $225 / early bird $195; workshops $100 / early bird $85; private room $575 / early bird $490; shared room $375 / early bird $320. All participants are required to purchase the meals and workshops plan. To benefit from the early bird rates, register and pay by August 31. The refund policy is 75% by Sept. 1 and 50% by Oct. 1. To register, email writersinthemountains@gmail.com. The Board of Directors will award one or two scholarships to qualified writers. The scholarship application guidelines are posted on the website. The deadline to apply for scholarship is July 20. Download the program at https://www.writersinthemountains.org/literaryretreat

Writers in the Mountains is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to provide a nurturing environment for the practice, appreciation and sharing of creative writing. For more information, visit writersinthemountains.org. 

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Miró Quartet Presents "Voices from Home" at Cooperstown Summer Music Festival

[Cooperstown, July 8] - The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival presents the acclaimed Miró Quartet in "Voices from Home" on Thursday, July 18 at 7pm at The Farmers' Museum.

The program features works by Caroline Shaw, George Walker, Kevin Puts, and Franz Joseph Haydn, two of which are new commissions from their recently-released album Home. Celebrating 30 years as an ensemble in 2025, the GRAMMY-nominated quartet's new album explores the many meanings of “home” through works by four Pulitzer Prize-winning American composers.

Central to the program is Kevin Puts' "Home," inspired by the European refugee crisis. Puts explains, "The refugee crisis in Europe, documented in recent media by horrific stories and photos of displaced families, led me to compose ‘Home.’" This piece anchors a thoughtful exploration of what home means in our complex world.

"Through this program, we invite our audience to contemplate the diverse voices that speak to the idea of home," says Linda Chesis, CSMF's Founder and Artistic Director. "From Puts' meditation on displacement to Haydn's classical foundations, each piece contributes to a nuanced musical dialogue about belonging and identity."

The Miró Quartet will bring these varied voices to life in an evening that promises both musical excellence and emotional depth.

EVENT DETAILS:

Miró Quartet: Voices from Home

Thursday, July 18, 7:00PM

The Farmers' Museum

5775 NY-80, Cooperstown, NY 13326

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased in advance either online at www.cooperstownmusicfest.org or over the phone by calling Purplepass Tickets at 800-316-8559 and selecting Option 1. Please note there is a $2 service fee per phone order. Tickets will also be sold at the door, as available.

ABOUT THE COOPERSTOWN SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL:

Founded in 1999 by flutist Linda Chesis, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival has been bringing world-class chamber music performances to the Cooperstown area for over 25 years. The festival has featured performances by the American, Juilliard, St. Lawrence, Jupiter, and Jasper String Quartets, Stefon Harris, Bill Charlap, Kurt Elling, Simone Dinnerstein, Mark O’Connor, John Pizzarelli, the Sonia Olla Flamenco Dance Company, and many more. Concerts are held in venues across Cooperstown, including the grand Otesaga Hotel, The Farmers’ Museum, and Christ Church (the church of author James Fenimore Cooper).

The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

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Harpersfield To Amend Communication Tower Law

By Liz Page

HARPERSFIELD  –  The town of Harpersfield will amend its 2001 law governing Communication Towers, by providing a waiver option for members of the town planning board. They heard a report on the three-town shared ambulance service and discussed the process of collecting paint at the shared transfer station, during their regular meeting on June 12.

A project to replace deteriorating concrete at the shared transfer station will be done with help from Delaware County and is receiving funding through a grant from the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation. Highway Superintendent Russell Hatch said they will need to rent specialized equipment to saw through the concrete and equipment to help erect the steelwork. The project is being split five ways and includes the towns of Harpersfield, Kortright and Stamford and the villages of Hobart and Stamford. The exact cost of the project will be known at the July meeting. The grant to do the work is $25,000.

The town will receive another $35,000 for stone and oil of town roadways. There are tentative changes being made to highway repairs at the state level for the next budget season. Hatch reported that all of the town roads are currently in good shape and its possible the state Department of Transportation (DOT)  will decrease the time frame for repairing roads already upgraded through the Comprehensive Highway Improvement Program. He said he would have more specific figures at the July meeting for the road repairs planned for this season.

Board members discussed the collection of paint at the transfer station. A separate storage area will be needed and the cost of a shipping container versus an Amish shed will be researched. Residents will be limited to two gallons per day in the beginning. The paint will be recycled. Old and dried up paint may be placed in the construction and demolition area and not recycled.  Only usable paint will be collected. There is an insurance cost to handle the paint, which will be done through Paint Care. The insurance costs are expected to be $12,800 annually and will include coverage for the highway garage. The cost for Paint Care will be $2,800 per year, divided between the five municipalities. The town will be reimbursed for the cost of the storage facility from Paint Care.

Supervisor Lisa Driscoll reported Summer youths will be hired to help with mowing and at the highway department.

The local scouts will be fixing up their bottle collection area. 

Ray Baker, director of operations for Headwaters EMS provided an update on the service, which now has its own certificate of need and was recently approved as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider. He is in the process of hiring additional paramedics and at this time only four days provide ALS coverage.

Board members then moved into an executive session to discuss personnel.

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Kortright Discusses Building Permit Fees

By Liz Page

BLOOMVILLE – With an unusually light agenda, members of the Kotright Town Board again discussed building permit fees and the prospect of the post office returning to the hamlet during their regular meeting on June 17.

Highway crews have been mowing roadways and the paving will be redone on Turnpike Road, which is under warranty to be repaved due to a bad batch of oil. Swantak Road is also on the repair list.

Signs will be erected for one-side parking near the ball field in Bloomville. Town Highway Superintendent Bill Burdick will pave the shoulder to allow better parking and to help keep traffic from blocking access for emergency vehicles.

Research by Supervisor George Haynes indicates the United States Postal Service would pay for utility hookups to a portable structure that would bring a post office back to the hamlet of Bloomville. That proposal is ongoing.

In discussing the building permit fees, council members agreed to drop the inspection for generators which already require a third-party inspection, and question the need for inspection of solar panels, for the same reason.

They are also still seeking a dog control officer and approved a new contract with the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society for dogs only. The terms of the agreement have not changed.

They also passed a motion to change next month's meeting to July 22 instead of July 15 as scheduled.

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New Golf Pro at Stamford Golf Club

By Liz Page

STAMFORD – It's been awhile since there has been a Professional Golf Association Pro at the Stamford Golf Club and they are happy to welcome Mike Bell as the new golf pro. He came on board toward the end of last season and finds that Stamford is a convenient midway point between his children and his winter job at Hunter Mountain.

He lives nearby the course and it allows him to spend quality time with his kids on the weekends and be on hand at the golf course.

Bell has been delving into the history of the club along with two longtime club members, Gordie Faulkner and Richie Beers. They are excited to learn the course, or at least a few of the holes on the course were designed by a renowned course designer - Walter Travis. The club was originally laid out at the Rexmere Hotel in 1897 and moved to property on the former Terry Farm.

If you have never visited the course, it is in a beautiful, peaceful hilltop setting that overlooks the village and sits across the way from Mount Utsayantha. If you don't golf, the porch (veranda) makes a beautiful setting to enjoy a cocktail or a meal. There is always a cool breeze. 

Bell is the director of golf and brings 20 years of experience in teaching folks to golf at some of the country's most renowned facilities. His philosophy is based on creating a repetitive swing, using simple fundamentals based on body movements. He has worked with all levels of golfers, from Division I collegians to beginners of all ages.

He is able to design a program that specifically fits a broad range of skill levels, whether you are looking to improve your game or just have more fun playing - just ring for Bell!

He believes people are coming back to the game of golf after the pandemic. Membership at the club is up this season and the next event on tap is the Senior Scramble set for June 22 at the club. It is a two-player scramble with three divisions 55-64 from the white tees; 65-plus from the green tees and Ladies 55-plus from the green tees. Cost is $25 per member with a cart plan, $40 non-members with a cart plan, $60 per guest, and prizes are included. The tee times have been switched, so players may play at any time they like  (prior to 1 pm) as long as they are playing with another team on the field.   We have also added a 55 - 64 year division for those Junior Seniors, along with a Ladies' division (55 +). Sign up in the Golf Shop or email me at  stamfordpro1897@gmail.com.

Each week there is Monday Madness where four people can play for $100. Wacky Wednesday features seniors, where anyone over age 65 can play for $25. Monday nights feature the Ladies League, Tuesday is the Men's League and Thursday is Couples Night. All leagues tee off at 5 p. m..

With membership up, Bell is looking to bring stability to the club. He does private lessons to one-on-one course play and he provides lessons to juniors. All the information can be found on the website at stamfordgolfclub.com. He also offers specialty or corporate clinics. If you have an organization that wants to sign up for some lessons, give him a ring.

The course is in excellent shape, which he attributes to the excellent grounds crew. There are opportunities to host an event at the course. Bell said you provide the golfers and they will do the rest. He is available at the pro shop (607)652-7398 or by emailing stamfordpro1897@gmail.com. The Worcester Fire Department has an event coming up.

Junior Golf Camp will be held right after graduation on July 8-11 and then there is the Junior Club Championship on July 11, followed by the Club Championships on July 13 and 14, the South Kortright Open is set for  July 20 and the Queen of the Catskills women's tournament will be held July 27. The major event of the summer season is the 87th annual  SGC Men's Invitational Aug. 9-11.

There are new proprietors in the restaurant, The Peppercorn on the Hill, which has been getting good reviews. They also rent the facilities in the clubhouse for all sorts of events. The number for the Peppercorn is (607) 652-3380. It is open daily from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. with exception of Monday, when they open at 3 p.m. and Sunday when they close at 5 p.m.. You may follow them on Facebook @peppercornon the hill.

The new pro is ready to welcome golfers at the pro shop, which is fully stocked. He will sign you up with a tee time and has already developed a good rapport with the regulars.

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