The Roxbury Arts Group Announces "Khari Joyner”

     

Friday July 19, 7:00p at the Old School Baptist Church, Denver, NY

607-326-7608 or roxburyartsgroup.org

Acclaimed musician and arts ambassador, Khari Joyner, presents an evening of solo cello works exploring the theme of “Musician as Composer as Musician” in the exquisite acoustics of the Old School Baptist Church in Denver, NY at the Intersection of Route 36 & Cartwright Road on Friday July 19th at 7pm.  Tickets are available now https://roxburyartsgroup.org/event/khari-joyner/

A passionate advocate for the music of today, Mr. Joyner’s recital will feature pieces for solo cello by composers who were either cellists themselves or have a great affinity for the instrument.  In that spirit, he will also share several original compositions.  As a soloist, Khari Joyner has many notable accomplishments including; performing the world premiere of MacArthur Genius Tyshawn Sorey’s Cycles of My Being, the New York Premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s cello concerto Notes on Light, and the world premiere of Carman Moore’s MADIBA for cello and orchestra. He also has given a private performance for President Barack Obama in the Oval Office, performed Britten’s Symphony for Cello and Orchestra with the Juilliard Orchestra, and has given the U.S. Premiere of the late Valentin Bibik’s Cello Concerto No. 2, with the New Juilliard Ensemble. In addition, he was recently awarded a 2017-2018 career grant from the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Dubbed by the New York Classical Review as “one of the most exciting young musicians on the classical scene”, Khari Joyner began his musical career in Atlanta, Georgia where he was garnering attention as principal cellist of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and met success in the  Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Talent Development Program.  Mr Joyner went on to receive his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Juilliard School, with research into mathematics and music found in his dissertation, “The Vertex: An Analysis of Mathematics and Music for the 21st Century Student and Performer.” While in his doctoral studies he was named a fellow of the Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund, sponsored by the Tokyo Foundation, and also received a Benzaquen Career Grant. Joyner continues to serve as a Teaching Assistant for Joel Krosnick in the College Division at Juilliard, as well as a substitute faculty at Sarah Lawrence College and Columbia University. 

Don’t miss your chance to experience Khari Joyner in concert on Friday July 19th at 7pm in the Old School Baptist Church in Denver, NY at the Intersection of Route 36 & Cartwright Road.

This performance is sponsored by Beaverton Builders.  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 A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation, the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, The Community Foundation for South Central New York, the Tianaderrah Foundation, Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and The Delaware National Bank of Delhi.

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The Roxbury Arts Group Announces "Lost Bayou Ramblers”

Saturday July 13, 7:30p 5025 Vega Mountain Road, Roxbury, NY 607-326-7608 or roxburyartsgroup.org

The Lost Bayou Ramblers, a multi-grammy award winning progressive Cajun rock band is coming to the  Roxbury Arts Center on Saturday, July 13 at 7:30pm. This unique American band blends traditional materials from African, Caribbean, Acadian (Canadian) and Native American traditions and whips them into a vigorous jam with accordion, fiddle, electric guitar, bass and drums.  Ticket prices are varied and can be reserved at roxburyartsgroup.org or by calling  607.326.7908.

Lost Bayou Ramblers stands at the crosscurrents of Louisiana culture, inhabiting an area between Cajun and Creole, convention and innovation, mystery and a revelation by blending modern sounds and rhythms with ancient Cajun melodies and lyrics. The last 5 years have brought Lost Bayou Ramblers two Grammy wins, a feature on Jack White’s American Epic, score contributions to the Oscar-nominated film Beasts of the Southern Wild, and tours with Arcade Fire and the Violent Femmes.

Lost Bayou Ramblers was founded by brothers Louis and Andre Michot who grew up in a rich Cajun culture.  Andre learned accordion from their dad, Tommy who learned from Ray Abshire who learned from Nathan Abshire and Amédé Breaux, all of whom are critical members of the Cajun music scene and important early recording artists.  

Whether you have heard Cajun music before, you will be hard-pressed not to enjoy this high-energy music that is helping to keep the American French language alive. Don’t miss this chance to experience Louisiana culture at The Roxbury Arts Center on Saturday July 13, 2024 at 7:30pm.  The Lost Bayou Ramblers are Louis Michot, Andre Michot, Kirkland Middleton, Eric Heigle, Bryan Webre, and Jonny Campos.

This concert is sponsored by Sluiter Agency.  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 A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation, the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, The Community Foundation for South Central New York, the Tianaderrah Foundation, Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and The Delaware National Bank of Delhi.

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Why Art? - Art of Self

This conditioned concept of a “self” is not what or who we are. 

So, it’s urgently important to separate this synthetic idea of identity from the piercing awareness that all of that is invented, governed and controlled by external sources.

All the great philosophers teach about liberation, no matter what religion or denomination. What liberation?

When we have established an image of self or a role or identity, although this may provide some temporal feeling of security, the very existence of this “self“ produces extraordinary insecurity. 

We are constantly ensuring ourselves that we are occupying “This Role.” We are constantly concerned about how powerful our role is perceived. We’re defending ourselves against the diminishment of power of this image or role, reifying it with our opinions, our judgments, our condemnations, our comparing, our competing. 

What is to be said of how our perception of the world and each other is governed by out identity  of the moment.

Like this it seems, we’re  living in fear and anxiety, reacting from our defined roles and rules.

All of this undermines and erodes the very substance of love, compassion and humanity. 

If there is a self, then there is “the other,” the enemy, the adversary… And t/here begins the possessiveness, the entitlement, the arrogance, the cruelty, the destructive competition, separation and violence, obsessive narcissism, and superiority. Is this the Self that I aspire to? 

And then there’s the domination, the power and control over someone or something else, as another expression of “self.”

The artist friend of mine, Joseph Beuys, famous for his proposal, “Everyone is an artist,” implied, I believe that ~ if “everyone is an artist,” it is that experience of liberation from a conditioned social and psychological self that enables the artist within us to be born with every breath. And if we aim to transform society as “social sculpture” or through cultural activism, the only chance for outer change is empowered by inner change. 

Once we internally unlock the binding concepts of self and other, of role-performance, control, possessiveness and domination, once we transform our relationships and behavior, within our own minds, relating to ourselves, and others, then change can have a chance outside us. 

So it’s the degree of inner flexibility and freedom that determines the outer ecology and environmental conditions. 

The persistent problem, as you can see, is still this obsession with “self,” rather than the emphasis on community. 

When will we shift our inner obsession toward outer creative cooperation, community, synergy, co-existence and teamwork with others? 

Worldly crises that impact everyone across the board, from different economic, religious, political, and financial positions, seems to evoke not only the potential, but the urgency for community and working together. 

It seems the unfortunate case and the nature of modern, conditioned humankind, that only at the point when our very existence is threatened, that we examine our overall systems of operating and living together. 

Is it possible to change this narrative?

Emily Harris and I, with Institute for Cultural Activism International regional activities in Delaware County, invite community to cultural events and contemplative programming that we believe address a basic, natural desire in society for dialogue and collaboration, for creative outcomes to gatherings focused on deconstructing problems that challenge all of us. As Albert Einstein said, “We cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it.”

Perhaps by working together to untangle our conditioned mechanical social and psychological conditioning and patterns our outer problems, shared across silos, can be healed. Is it art? Does it matter?

Artists, Harris and Halpern are frequent contributors to The Mountain Eagle. Their Institute for Cultural Activism International hosts a biweekly radio program, THE TUNING FORK FM, on WIOX 91.3 FM radio program from 1-2pm, every other Thursday. Their next broadcast is Thursday, July 25th.

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A Donation to the SFD

Nicole Weigert, on behalf of The Belvedere Inn,  presents a check for $555.11 to Stamford Fire Chief Don VanEtten during last week’s department meeting. The money was raised during a Firefighters Appreciation Night, with guest bartenders. It may now become an annual event.

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Oh Boy! Andes Bustling with Activity

By Robert Brune

ANDES — Wayside Cider owner Brian Early was thrilled to welcome 47 vendors to Andes this past weekend. With the ebb and flow of businesses throughout Delaware County since the Covid shutdowns, the surgency of new opportunities for the myriads of people bringing jobs to the area were on display alongside folks that have developed their crafts for generations. 

Early comments on the Oh Boy! Market and Fare experience, “It was a big success. I have to give all the credit to the artists, crafts-folks, collectors, musicians, and food and wine makers. Their hard work and dedication to craft is what made this such a quality market. All of the vendors (-2) live and work right here in the Catskills. Each and every vendor worked their tails off to bring the community this event.” 

This event drew over 1,000 visitors to Andes on Saturday with more on Sunday, despite these hot days of this summer. Early expressed his joy, “I couldn’t be happier about the turnout but, more importantly, the vendors who are hardworking artists, cooks, retailers, and small businesses had the opportunity to kick some butt and they did just that. They were here to share their work with our incredible Catskills community.” It was said that several of the vendors had such a successful Saturday that they ran out of product by the end of their first day of the weekend exceeding expectations. 

Anna owner of Oda Wine Garden (Margaretville) and resident of Andes since 2018, “Kudos to Wayside Cider and Brian (Early). We got a chance to reconnect with our regulars in a fun environment and meet new people who became curious about our wines. And we had a line for our Balkan grill which was a really nice boost to our confidence trying something new for the first time (In participating in the Oh Boy Market).” 

Sky from Rabbit Boy Vintage (Delhi) who brought her amazing collection of vintage clothing, “As makers and artists at the market, you’re out there together unveiling something that you’ve worked hard on, showcasing a piece of yourself in a way – And Brian, who put this on and saw through the adorable marketing and little details you might not consider, like having WiFi in the field, I think the market itself was his art. It’s just a tangible thing when someone really cares about what they’re doing.” 

Hawk + Hive owner Jayne Parker said that "It was a pleasure to take part in the event. The organizers did a fantastic job in the planning and promotion. It can be a struggle for small business in our little town and this type of gathering gives a much needed boost that enables us to keep operating through the quiet times."

As far as complaints about the parking situation from locals who aren’t used to such an increase in traffic, Early expressed trust and love for the community of Andes. With the summer upon all our communities, such as the Margaretville carnival and Franklin/Treadwell Stage Coach art event through this past weekend, the calm has now been restored. It’s all for the better that so many local businesses had the chance to engage with the public to make Delaware County more vibrant economically. Early plans on doing another market November 30th – December 1st which will enable folks to do some holiday shopping, as well. 

 

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Hawk + Hive Gallery Showing of ‘Sharp Teeth’

By Robert Brune

ANDES — The artist, and new resident of Margaretville, Scott Ackerman has embraced the storytelling of legendary writers such as the Brothers Grimm. This exhibition is a narrative of characters that somehow bridges the more gruesome fearful folklore of the Grimm brothers while utilizing colors that are esthetically pleasing as we all know today in the retold stories by Walt Disney. Ackerman’s masterful art is neither Grimm nor Disney but somewhere in between in his playful imagination.  Ackerman lends his process and emotion behind his work, “When we were talking about my use of color… when I paint, I usually have a few pieces going at once, so a lot of times even if a painting is completely different from one another, they do share a certain palette I've created that keeps the work a little more cohesive.” For someone who is an Outsider artist with no formal training in the arts, Ackerman has a natural gift for the use of colors, “Sometimes the subject of color is more important to me than the characters.” 

Jayne Parker, the owner of Hawk + Hive gallery in Andes wrote a fabulous essay on Ackerman’s exhibit found on the gallery website, ‘A rendering of the dark fairy tale plays out across several of the works. At the center of this is Spring Shawl, in which a young woman, reminiscent of Little Red Riding Hood (in this instance, in a green hooded cape), gazes past the viewer, perhaps on the look-out for a big bad wolf. And there are beasts a-plenty for her to be concerned about. In Silent Stares, a pack of wide-eyed wolves are gathered under a blood-red moon, seemingly poised for the chase. The two female figures in Together, appear to have elongated like Alice after she ate the cake. Curiouser and curiouser.’ Parker has a unique talent for poetically describing artists shown at her gallery, with a much-deserved reputation for selecting great artisans and finding new homes for their amazing work. With Ackerman being somewhat new to the Delaware County area, at the opening reception it was delightful to see how at ease Ackerman was with his wife Hanna and two daughters, “Working with Jayne throughout all of this has been amazing. She takes so much care in the artist and spends so much time making sure everything is on the right track. It's rare to find someone as dedicated as her and I'm so grateful to be working together.” 

In this interview, it was exciting to hear about Ackerman’s dedication to his work and progression, “This show has been quite the project for me. We've had so much going on the past few months between looking for houses and packing, I was nervous I wouldn't be able to get it all done the way I wanted, but I couldn't be happier how the show turned out. The whole process has been different for me really. I'm usually painting up until the show starts, with no real theme.
For this show I really focused on the work, I took more time on pieces, I went back and added more, took things out. I formed a narrative that took more and more shape as the paintings were made.” While there’s a theme to a portion of Ackerman’s exhibition, he does have a diversity of off topic and outstanding portraits such as the elegant painting, ‘Take Me There’. When asked if he uses his wife Hanna as a subject for his paintings, “Yes, but not as a model, just as we see each other around the house. I like to paint subjects within my surroundings. My daughters are in a few of my paintings, as well.” 

Ackerman is moving his family from Kingston to Margaretville by the beginning of August. The only person he knew out this way was the artist Gary Mayer who has shown with Ackerman at Greenkill Gallery in Kingston. Over the past few weeks, Ackerman has grown to love the community vibe of the arts that he hasn’t experienced out in the Hudson Valley area as much, according to his observations, since ‘Sharp Teeth’ opened a couple weeks ago. 

For a much more eloquent and lengthy depiction of Ackerman’s work on display at Hawk + Hive, see www.hawkandhive.com/scott-ackerman-essay and on Instagram @hawkandhive @lovescott3

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Andes Academy of Art Presents Classical Music Concert Featuring Works by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven

 

ANDES —  The Andes Academy of Art is proud to present a special classical music concert as part of its summer programming. The concert will take place on Saturday, July 20 from 7- 9 PM at the Andes Academy of Art, located at 506 Main Street in Andes, NY.  

The concert will showcase compositions by renowned classical composers including Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven as well as compositions by the orchestra leader, Richard Clark.   

"We're thrilled to bring this celebration of classical music to the Andes community," said Peter Mayer, Artistic Director of the Andes Academy of Art. "This concert is a wonderful opportunity for music lovers to enjoy timeless compositions performed live."  

There is a suggested $15 donation at the door with proceeds supporting the travel for the musical group. 

For more information or to request interviews, please contact: 

William Duke,  AndesAcademyofArt@gmail.com  

917-859-5397 

About the Andes Academy of Art: 

The Andes Academy of Art an association of artists fostering creativity and artistic expression in Delaware County through art exhibits, concerts, figure drawing workshops, public events and the monthly publication of the STATE of the ART broadsheet. 

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Coach Ballgame's Sandlot Tour Coming to Town

STAMFORD - On Thursday, July 18 from 5-8pm, Catskill Mountain Little League will host Coach Ballgame's National Sandlot Tour at their new facility at 65502 State Hwy 10 in Stamford. James Lowe (a.k.a.) Coach Ballgame teaches life lessons through baseball, aiming to revolutionize youth sports by emphasizing fun and building character alongside skill development. The Coach Ballgame Mission is to help children fall in love with baseball and softball and the invaluable life lessons it imparts, while empowering youth coaches to do the same with their own teams. As the Youth Ambassador for Major League Baseballʼs Play Ball Program, Coach Ballgame has taken his passion to prestigious venues such as The White House, Cooperstown, and MLBʼs All Star Game and World Series events. In fact, this will be just his second stop after returning from the MLB All-Star Game in Arlington, TX.

The event is open to all children 5-12 regardless of league affiliation or residence and will be bolstered with local volunteers, coaches and teens from the community. Children of volunteers may receive a free registration with advance approval by contacting catskillmtnlittleleague@gmail.com.

"He describes it as a skills clinic but with a special birthday party vibe," states local youth baseball coach, Collin Miller who has participated in the Coach Ballgame Playbook training program."He has hundreds of simple and fun videos on ways to help teach baseball to young people," said Miller. "As a result, he's built a tremendous community of practice across the country that brings the joy of play front and center."

Following the event, Coach Ballgame will hold a FREE 30 minute coachesʼ clinic to unpack the excitement of the event and help coaches integrate these activities in their practices and team culture. The event is sponsored in part with funding support provided by the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation and the cost is $40 per player with a $35 discount applied at checkout by using the code: OPPOTACO. Registration may be found online at https://tinyurl.com/coachballgame2024.

Coach Ballgame AKA James Lowe at a recent Sandlot Summer Camp. Lowe will bring his National tour to Stamford on July 18th from 5-8pm. Source: coachballgame.com

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Delhi Pool & Recreation Top Council Discussion

By Mary A. Crisafulli

DELHI - Summer is in full swing and the Delhi town pool is open for visitors. Delhi Town Board members discussed pool operations and possibilities for next season at the regular meeting on July 8.

Open swim hours are Monday through Friday noon until 4 p.m. and from noon until 5 p.m. on weekends. Weekday mornings and evenings are currently dedicated to swim lessons. 

The town is still accepting applications for the final swim lesson session scheduled from July 22 until Aug. 1. Infant sessions are at 11 a.m., and toddler at 11:30 a.m. Level I through level VI sessions are held between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Town residents are free while other individuals are $40 a session. To register visit the town clerk at 5 Elm Street. 

Supervisor Maya Boukai reported 69 students enrolled in session one, 67 in session two, and roughly 35 already in session three.

Council members approved Delaware Opportunities to host a table in front of the pool to advertise and educate on its Head Start program during evening swim lessons.

Water Aerobics is a new program this year with instructor Rebekka Mower. Council members approved providing aerobics to town employees for free as a health and wellness opportunity. 

Following an executive session, the council extended Mower's contract to August 22 to continue the Monday through Thursday class at 10 a.m. The council also approved Lifeguard Amy Randall to teach an evening water aerobics class at $23 an hour through Aug. 22. Randall and Mowers are permitted to interchange times of instruction.

Boukai responded to complaints that open swimming is not longer. "The goal of the pool is to get people to swim," she said, "If a child can't swim, then open swim doesn't matter." She explained that lessons will be offered early to help more children learn to swim so they can participate in open swim hours in August. Boukai suggested opening earlier in the season next year to hold swim lessons and having open swim all of July and August. "It is a good way to ease people into it," she said, noting that staffing is easier for lessons.

Arts and crafts are offered on Saturday, July 13 and 20th from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. and Aug. 3 from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The program targets children aged four through 12. 

The first Crafts by the Pool session was "lightly" attended by about nine individuals, said Councilmember Mathew Krzyston. He said the children were recruited by himself and Randall. "They were happy to come over," he said. With some more publicity, Krzyston felt the event could be better attended. Children painted and made wind chimes. Krzyston also noted that "Amy is spectacular at the job and had people cheering and laughing. She is very good at that."

The council accepted a donation from the Delhi Youth Sports Booster Club to improve or enhance youth programs and services at the pool. Funds are expected to be around $1,000. Possible uses include purchase of new lawn chairs or development of a scholarship program for the third swim session.

The board approved a grant application and 20% matching funds for the NYSwims Capital Improvement program. Boukai said the town is agreeing to matching funds but other grant opportunities for the matching portion are available. If approved, funds will be used to build a shade structure and pavilion at the pool.

The summer intern will be helping with social media for the pool. This will include the development of lifeguard profiles and other posts. She will also create satisfaction services for swim lessons and lifeguards.

In another discussion, Krzyston brought to the board's attention updates on the Friends of the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower initiative. The friends have been working to resurrect the fire tower at the summit of Bramley Mountain for a few years. While they have encountered several code-related delays, the group is still at it.

Currently, the Friends are awaiting approval from the State on variances which will be determined on July 18. Variances include immunity to some code requirements including handicap access up the tower, an access road, permission for open stairs, and rise and run of stairs, explained Krzyston. If approved, they will need to re-apply for a town permit.

"Time is ticking for them," said Krzyston if they want to install the tower this year. In an effort to help the group, Krzyston and Councilmember Josh Morgan hope to meet with Town Code Enforcement Officer Dale Downin on July 19. The group wants to know what is needed if the state grants the variance, Krzyston explained. He hopes a meeting with Downin will streamline the process. 

"It's been a long time, it's been a couple of years," he said, "I feel bad about it because it's an important project."

Morgan stated that the county should be the one to issue any permits necessary. "If a variance is issued," he said, "hopefully a permit can be issued or some kind of understanding of how they can move forward."

In other business:

Tiffany Croizer was hired on a contractual basis at $2,000 to assist with legal codes. There are roughly 18 to 22 documents Croizer will work on. Any paperwork needed to be served will be outsourced at a rate no higher than $250.

Former Mayor David Truscott again urged the council to conduct a housing reassessment. He said the last reassessment was over 40 years ago. In reviewing his taxes, Truscott said his home on 10 Orchard Street has been assessed at $59,000 since 2000 - which was the farthest back he had available in paperwork. "It's time for the town to bite the bullet and have a general reassessment," he said. The purpose of a reassessment is to secure local revenue, Truscott explained. He added that the idea is that people with more income have properties worth more and can afford higher taxes and the opposite for those with more modest incomes.

Resident Jim Smart stated that he is shocked by the speeding that occurs down Main Street. He told the council something should be done and that the town could make a lot of money off speeding tickets alone.

Trustees approved a public petition to drop the speed limit to 30 MPH on portions of Arbor Hill Road. The current speed limit is 40 MPH. An application will be sent to New York State Department of Transportation for review.

The next regularly scheduled town board meeting is Monday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m.

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Hancock Man Arrested Following Probation Violation with Explicit Content of a Minor

Hancock – Sheriff Craig S. DuMond announced the arrest of 27-year-old Dylan J. Brooks of Hancock. 

On Monday, April 1st, 2024, Investigators with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division received a complaint from Delaware County Probation Department that a person supervised by the Probation Department was suspected of communicating with underage children in a sexual manner. 

On July 3rd, 2024, after a three-month long investigation, members of the Criminal Investigations Division arrested and charged 27-year-old Dylan Brooks, of Hancock New York, with one count of Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors, a Class E Felony in NYS Penal Law and one count of Endangering the Welfare of Child, a Class A Misdemeanor, in NYS Penal Law. 

Brooks is alleged to have violated his terms and conditions of probation by using an unauthorized phone and social media account to engage in conversations of a sexual nature with a 16-year-old child, proceeding to then send photos of a pornographic nature to the underage child for his own sexual gratification. 

As required by NYS Bail Reform Legislation, Brooks was released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Hancock Court at a later date.

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Explosive Event Causes Parking Issues in Andes

Roughly 40 individuals attended the Andes Town Board meeting to discuss issues ignited by the recent Oh-Boy! market and fair hosted by Wayside Cider at 55 Redden Lane.

Entrance to Wayside Cider at 55 Redden Lane off Andes Main Street.

By Mary A. Crisafulli

ANDES - Over 40 Andes residents and business owners attended the town board meeting on July 9 to address parking issues ignited by the recent Oh-Boy! market and fair hosted by Wayside Cider at 55 Redden Lane. The event brought in roughly 1,500 visitors causing congestion and confusion on Main Street.

Lisa Marasa, who lives across the street from Dragonfly55 Coffee Bistro, spoke with frustration stating while she supports the local businesses the congestion causes issues getting out of her driveway. "I have better things to do on the weekend then patrol my driveway," she pleaded. She explained that she stands near the roadway to ensure no one blocks the driveway, which, according to Marasa, happens often. Several times Marasa requested the board explore painting parking spot lines for the street. She pointed to Delhi Village as an example of street parking infrastructure.

Attendees complained the event was not advertised to locals and was only posted on Instagram. However, this was debunked by other attendees, who noted the event was promoted through physical signage. Despite this, it was clear many locals were unaware of the event.

Town council members were also unaware the event was planned. Several individuals suggested developing an event permit process to avoid some issues. Suggestions for permitting included regulations on parking attendants, safety cone placement, police presence, parking signage,

While parking congestion was the main discussion topic, other concerns included traffic safety, emergency services access, dog poop, and other littering. Some residents questioned whether Andes could handle an event of this size or if it would be best at another location. Others suggested having business owners be responsible for street-side trash receptacles. And some residents were frustrated with parking all summer long. One individual stated traffic concerns cause her to keep her child from riding their bike along Main Street on weekends.

Wayside Representative Irene Hussey apologized to those who experienced issues during the event. She explained that they too, were surprised by the number of people who attended as they originally anticipated a few hundred. In the future, Hussey said Wayside would happily comply with any permitting process. She also suggested the potential movement of the event to her family farm in Delhi.

Despite concerns, many individuals spoke positively of the event's success.

Sounds Good Music House owner Greg Evans said these types of events are what help businesses like his own succeed. Without them, he explained, relocation would be necessary.

Mary Davis said, "We are victims of success." She applauded Wayside for its prosperous event planning and said while there were cons, there were more positives. She also noted when planning an event it is impossible to predict success. "It could have rained and no one would have shown," she argued.

Many individuals said the difficulty encountered with this event is a learning opportunity and a great way to see Andes grow positively. Others noted that parking concerns have historically been an issue.

The Town Comprehensive Plan - updated in 2023 - examined ways to alleviate parking concerns but no solution was found. Those working on the plan explored parking lot development, but there were no available areas, explained Supervisor Wayland "Bud" Gladstone.

One attendee offered to utilize her property for parking during large events. Others suggested using paid parking at the school and fire department to raise funds for the fire department.

Gladstone suggested developing a committee to explore an event permit process and other potential parking protocols. Several attendees signed up to potentially be a part of the committee.

In other business

The town is working with the county on securing a $25,000 grant for municipal pools. If awarded the grant would be shared with roughly 10 to 12 pools around the county.

Gladstone is working with the county Soil and Water Conservation District to fix damage on the school lawn.

Margaretville Telephone Company agreed to hang the Community Day Banner. The event is scheduled Saturday, Aug. 10.

The council granted governmental immunity from compliance with zoning law and other laws for construction of a communications tower on a town-owned parcel off Cemetery Road. The parcel is roughly a quarter of a mile away from the school, said Gladstone. A public hearing will be set regarding the project.

The next town council meeting is scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.

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