The Mountain Eagle

8/18/24

Rising Senior Cooking Up a Bright Future at BOCES

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 8/18/24 | 8/18/24

SCHOHARIE – A rising senior in Middleburgh aspires to a career as a chef, and she found the recipe to achieve that success at Capital Region BOCES.

Angelina Holzschuh attends the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Technology program at the Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus. There she is learning the necessary skills to enter the workforce as a cook or chef or pursue additional training in college.

“I like the creativity and freedom we have to explore and learn about what we want,” she said.

With the school year quickly approaching, Holzschuh said she is “looking forward to doing more baking and learning more skills while getting a good education.”

Ultimately, she hopes to go to college for culinary arts before entering the industry.

The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Tech program is one of more than two dozen programs offered by Capital Region BOCES to high school students looking to enter a trade. More than 100 students are currently enrolled in the program for the 2024-25 school year; more than 1,400 students are enrolled in Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education programs for the coming school year.

For more information on Capital Region BOCES programs, visit https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/.

Remember to Subscribe!

SCS Kindergarten Meet the Teacher Event Set for Sept. 4

SCHOHARIE - There will be a Kindergarten Meet the Teacher event on Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 2 to 3 p.m at Schoharie Central School. At that time, students can bring their school supplies in, meet their teacher, see their classroom, and enjoy ice cream.

Please note, teacher assignments will not be released until Thursday, Aug. 29 on Parent Portal.

Remember to Subscribe!

SCS Preparing for Combined Bus Run for 2024-25 School Year

Staff Report

SCHOHARIE - With a little more than four weeks to go before students head back to school, Schoharie Central School is reminding parents and students of an important change for the next school year. Starting this September, Schoharie CSD will be going to one combined bus run for grades pre-K through 12.

The school day for all students will start at 8 a.m. and end at 2:34 p.m. This change will revert the district back to the schedule it was on five years ago.

Adjusting to the 8 a.m. start time will make it easier for the district to access distance learning opportunities in the junior-senior high school, as well as better match transportation schedules for BOCES CTE and other programming. The junior-senior high school will have nine 40-minute periods next year.

Student bus pick-up will start at around 7:15 a.m. There will be late buses for after-school activities, including a 5:30 p.m. late bus for school sports.

Complete schedules for both the elementary school and junior-senior high school, as well as individual bus routes, will be released soon.

This change will allow for older siblings to have matching schedules with younger siblings. Student safety will be addressed through bus driver training and increasing aid support on buses.

Please watch for additional information over the summer. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Superintendent's office at (518) 295-6679.

Remember to Subscribe!

SCS Select Choir Performs Anthem at Yankee Stadium

Staff Report

SCHOHARIE/The Bronx - Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Manti, Judge, the Schoharie Central School Select Choir- they have all played at Yankee Stadium.

The SCS select choir made it to the Big Leagues last Wednesday night before a double-header at Yankee Stadium against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Leading Tones, Schoharie High School's auditioned select choir, performed the National Anthem for the New York Yankees game on Wednesday, August 7 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The game was supposed to start at 7:05pm but was moved up after the game was rained out on Tuesday evening forcing a double-header the next day. The Leading Tones, led by music teacher Carrie Styles, performed at Scho-Burgh at SUNY Cobleskill during the winter and over concerts during the school year.

Remember to Subscribe!

FINAL SKOHERE VOLUME FEATURES PALATINES IN SCHOHARIE VALLEY

Historian Jeff O’Connor announces the third and final installment in his Skohere and the Birth of New York’s Western Frontier 1609-1731 series. Volume III 1703-1731 is now available. Inquiries about the book can be made by emailing colonialny@turningpoint1777.com or calling 518 823-4307

The first two volumes established the network of people and events that impacted the century of Schoharie Valley history preceding the arrival of the German Palatine refugees in 1712. Volume III traces the Palatine journey to, and experiences in, the valley and the circumstances that caused many to leave.

The author says, “The Palatine journey is one of the great immigration stories, but it is also part of the foundational history of Schoharie Valley and County. This story is not theirs alone. They impacted other lives and pushed frontiers along the way.”

The Palatines began arriving in the Schoharie Valley in 1712. Two small Mohawk communities were in the Valley before them. Adam Vrooman, a Dutchman from Schenectady, arrived not long after the Palatines. Volumes I and II, according to O’Connor, connect an extensive network of people and events to the Schoharie Valley. Many become key parts of the Palatine narrative.

Volume III begins in Europe, during the War for the Spanish Succession that causes the exodus of over 13,500 German refugees, the Palatines, to seek England’s help toward a better life. The journey of about 3,000 leads them from England to New York to produce naval materiel for the British Navy. A portion of this group ends up in the Schoharie Valley. O’Connor states, “The group that came to the Schoharie Valley depended on the Mohawk people for land and survival. A unique relationship developed. The problem was that the Palatines had no legal right to the land and struggled to keep it.”

The sometimes violent fight to retain land in the Schoharie Valley failed, leading many to remove to the Mohawk Valley or Tulpehocken, Pennsylvania. Those who left for the Mohawk Valley, according to the author, pushed the western frontier of New York further and faster than previously. “It took about 100 years to move the frontier 40 miles west of the Hudson, but just a decade more to move it another 40. That happens directly because of the Palatines who lived in the Schoharie Valley.”

Although a familiar story, many aspects don’t hold up to scrutiny. Author Jeff O’Connor presents a narrative that questions much of what has previously been written and understood about the Palatine experience in the Schoharie Valley. “The narrative challenges the standard telling of how they obtained land in the Schoharie Valley from the Mohawks, their removal from the Hudson Valley naval store camps, the dorfs, the nature of the roads they cleared, and so much more. The comprehensive approach features fresh analysis of the documentary record, as well as exploration of new angles and perspectives that will shake up Schoharie Valley history a bit,” O’Connor adds.

All three volumes can be found at The Apple Barrel in Schoharie, Catnap Books in Cobleskill, Schoharie Valley Farms in Schoharie, The Old Stone Fort Museum in Schoharie, and the Fort Plain Museum. They can also be found through the author’s online store at www.turningpoint1777.com.

Jeff O’Connor is an accomplished historian who has a deep connection to the Schoharie County historical community. He and his wife Pam team up as Turning Point 1777 to provide guided walking and driving tours in Schoharie County, authentic historic flag reproductions, and publications. For more information, please visit www.turningpoint1777.com or Facebook.com/turningpoint1777

Remember to Subscribe!

Obituary - Robert W. Kimball

Robert W. Kimball, of Middleburgh, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at home in the loving care of his family.

Bob was born on October 28, 1940 in Hobart, NY to Margaret (Decker) and Raymond C. Kimball. Never one to shy away from hard work, Bob began his trade in construction while still in school, only taking a day off for High School Graduation. And at one time, Bob was the only flagstone cutter in Schoharie County. His skills went far beyond construction and masonry. He loved gardening, hunting, fishing and is revered for his cooking, barbequing and for his snapping turtle soup.

In his leisure, Bob could be found enjoying the outdoors and relaxing at Country Roads Campsite in Gilboa. He loved visiting with friends, playing dominos and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2695, in Cobleskill.

Loving Bob forever are his wife: Geraldine (Batza) of Middleburgh, whom he married on November 27, 1965 and his daughter: Kimberly Kimball of Middleburgh; his son: Henry (Rachael) Kimball, Sr. of North Blenheim; his daughter-in-law: Carole Kimball of Middleburgh; his grandchildren: Megan (of Aurora Mason) Towne, Henry Kimball, Jr., McKayla Kimball, Maggie Claire Kimball: his sister: Katherine (Francis) Abbott, of Watsonville; his sister-in-law: Carol Kimball of Aurora, Colorado. Bob was predeceased by his son: Raymond M. Kimball and his brother: James H. Kimball, Sr.

Honoring Bob’s wishes, no formal services will be held, but his family thanks you for remembering Bob and them through this time.

Please visit www.coltrainfuneralhome.com to share online condolences with Bob’s family.

Remember to Subscribe!

Obituary - Carolyn Elizabeth Laux

Carolyn Elizabeth Laux, 85, of Stamford, passed away late Sunday evening, August 11, 2024, at Robinson Terrace following a short illness.

Born on November 7, 1938, in Suffern, NY, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Goldie Bohlander.

She worked for many years as a florist in Oneonta and at one time had her own floral shop in Stamford.

She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary at Utsayantha Post 1379 in Stamford, where she served as President. Carolyn also volunteered with the Stamford Fire Department and Rescue Squad as an EMT for many years and was instrumental in designing their logo.

Carolyn enjoyed crafts, quilting, painting, and gardening, especially flowers. Carolyn and Tom spent years camping with old friends and creating new ones along the way. One of her favorite vacations was to Alaska and she always looked forward to returning one day.

One of her greatest passions was helping others in any way that she could. She spent countless hours making arm pillows and head scarves for breast cancer patients and donated them to both Fox and Bassett’s treatment centers. She organized and hosted the “Silver Tea” each year in the spring for those who were battling or had survived cancer. The New York State Veterans Home at Oxford received handmade lap blankets that she crotchet or quilted and then personally delivered.

Carolyn was proud of her family and their accomplishments. Family time was very important to her. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren held a special place in her heart.

Besides her parents, Carolyn was predeceased by James R. Natale in 1971 and Thomas Laux in 2014, and her brother Frederick Bohlander.

Carolyn is survived by her children: Sherry (David) Hotaling of Richfield Springs, Carolyn (Tom) Ehrhart of Stamford and James Natale of Stamford; her grandchildren: Jeremy (Jodie), Vanessa, Erik, Cassie, and Alexandra (CJ); and her great-grandchildren: Tucker, Beckett, Kenna, Maddox, Natalia, and Nico. She is also survived by her siblings: Joan, Dale, Diane (Michael) and Tommy (Cindy); along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on the family from 4-7PM on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the MacArthur Funeral Home, 15 Buntline Drive, Stamford, where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 11 am followed by burial at Stamford Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, www.chop.edu/

Please visit www.macarthrufh.com to share a condolence with Carolyn’s family.

Remember to Subscribe!

137th Delaware County Fair

By Mary A. Crisafulli

WALTON - The Delaware County Fair kicked off its 137th year on Monday, Aug. 12. Already one of the largest fairs in the state, the Delaware County Fair Board expanded its area of entertainment this year to include ax throwing, dock dogs, rockin' circus, wheels of agriculture, and Agri Puppets.

Personally, I am impressed by how reasonable it is to bring your family there. A daily pass is $10 or a season pass for $20 and under 12 is free. Now you could argue that is just gate admission and there are additional fees once you are past the door and that's true. But the fair offers so many free activities and entertainment if you plan right, you could just spend the $10 to get in.

One free activity is all the animals - cows, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, and pigs - my daughter and I spent nearly an hour just looking at them. The animals are shown by 4H children and they are always so friendly answering questions about the animals. You can even feed some of them. We got to pet baby piglets this year.

There is also so much free entertainment daily. A Rockin Circus performed two shows a day of the high dive and the Acrobat Circus performed two nights. A large pool was set up for dog dock diving. The Agri Puppets show about the importance of agriculture. There was a bird trailer filled with exotic birds you could interact with and feed. Other activities included cornhole tournaments, Areli Equine Entertainment, Mr. Scribbles - I don't know what this is but sounds fun for kids -, Kangaroo Downunder experience, Che Che the Clown, and Wheels of Agriculture trivia show.

Even just walking around, there's a lot to look at like all the competition work - various collectibles and art. There is always live music in the Entertainment Court and this year an Illusionist performed at the end of the week. There is always the Hero's Parade each year for free too. I even saw a table set up where kids could color in a bandana.

Sure, you might get lured in by the more expensive activities like carnival rides, tractor pulls, stunt shows, or the derby - not to mention all the fried foods plaguing your nostrils at every turn. All I'm saying is you could have a full day of entertainment without it.

The fair runs until Aug. 17 - but it will be back again next year if you missed it.

Remember to Subscribe!

Another Great Andes Community Day

Photos by Robert Brune

ANDES — Preceding this year’s Andes Community Day this past Saturday ushered in over twelve inches of water rushing down Main Street on Friday afternoon into the evening. Town folks questioned whether the annual Andes Day celebration would be able to go on the following morning.

For purposes of safety and open access to maintenance trucks cleaning up and repairing power, the Andes Community Day parade was canceled but the rest of the day’s events stayed on schedule with great attendance from locals and visitors. There were arts, vendors, food, and music events all throughout the town including the epic fireworks display at the Andes Hotel to close out a fun and successful day for all attending.

Remember to Subscribe!

Arm-of-the-Sea Theater at WKC

EAST MEREDITH — Arm-of-the-Sea Theater returns to the West Kortright Center for another spectacular performance on Saturday September 7th 2-3pm. Their up to 12ft tall puppet extravaganza chronicles the life and times of the Hudson River, rendered in the visual poetry of mask and puppet theater. This performance tells the tale of a lively young couple who live by the Esopus Creek and encounter the wildlife who call it home.

Arm-of-The-Sea Theater will host a FREE pre-show puppetry workshop for young people ages 7 & up. Spots are limited and pre-registration is required. Learn more and sign up here!

Arm-of-the-Sea is an award winning ensemble that fuses visual storytelling with live music in original works of mask and puppet theater. Founded in 1982, the company's lively productions illuminate relations between humans and the life-support networks of this blue-ocean planet.

This is a FREE outdoor performance — all age groups are welcome! Bring your own lawn seating.

The West Kortright Centre is supported by grants from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

Special thanks to the A. Lindsay & Olive B. O'Connor Foundation for sponsoring this event. This performance is part of our Songbird Sessions, free events for families. Thanks to all our Children and Youth program sponsors Birdsong Farm, Bovina Center Montessori School, Catskill Country Living, Delaware National Bank of Delhi, ecoagents,Argosy Designs, and Christine Egan & Scott DeSimon.

The West Kortright Centre is located at 49 West Kortright Church Road in East Meredith.

Remember to Subscribe!

Balourdet Quartet in Stamford

STAMFORD — On Sunday, August 18 at 3 PM, Friends of Music of Stamford, NY presents the highly acclaimed Balourdet Quartet, performing works by Haydn, Bartók, Smetana. Featuring Angela Bae (violin), Justin DeFilippis (violin), Benjamin Zannoni (viola), and Russell Houston (cello), this dynamic chamber ensemble takes creative risks on stage, producing both emotionally intense and intimate moments. Its unique closeness and unwavering sense of team trust earned it the 2021 Grand Prize at New York’s Concert Artists Guild Competition, the 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and Chamber Music America’s 2024 Cleveland Quartet Award.

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.

Remember to Subscribe!

Bovina 5K Success

BOVINA — On behalf of the organizers of the first Bovina 5K, Livestock Foundation is pleased to announce there were 160 participants in this inaugural event, and $4000.00 was raised to support the Bovina Center Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services.

Awards handmade by Tim Cunningham and local maple syrup donated by Bovina Syrup were presented to the top three female and male finishers:

Kate Cochran (19:19)

Gretel Hilson-Schneider (20:36)

Julie Hilson (21:50)

Hans Hilson-Schneider (17:54)

Alastair Crees (20:18)

Thomas Newman (21:08)

Flowers donated by Uncle Nathan’s were presented to the winners of the kids run. Complete results may be viewed at runsignup.com.

Alan Davidson of Bovina, an event organizer who designed the course, was amazed by the turnout, “We thought 30-40 participants would be a good turnout for the first year so when we were at the start line with more than 150 people, we knew the 5K was a success.”

The course featured two loops through historic Bovina Center, beginning in Creamery Park and finishing just past the Little Delaware River pedestrian bridge, both of which were built by the Livestock Foundation, an organizing partner and financial supporter of the event. “Livestock Foundation is always proud to support local organizations like our fire department and EMS”, said their executive director Andrea Dowell. “We are thrilled that Creamery Park could be the backdrop for the community to come together in such an inspiring event.” Livestock Foundation is a Bovina-based non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to preserve the rural traditions, history, culture, and economic viability of Delaware County, New York through historic preservation and community building.

The Catskill Mountain Club, also an organizing partner of the event, is a non-profit organization whose mission includes promotion of non-motorized outdoor recreational activities and enhancing public awareness and appreciation of the Catskill Region. The Club’s executive director, Peter Manning, who is also a resident of Bovina Center, remarked, “The enthusiasm of participants, the dedication of volunteers, and the intensity of community spirit make this an exceptional event.” Also playing a key role was Becky Manning who contributed her passion for recreation and expertise in event organization.

The organizing team would like to thank the following supporters, whose contributions were indispensable to the enjoyment of all: Bovina Montessori School; Town of Bovina; Delaware County Economic Development; Delaware County Sheriff’s Office; Delaware County Department of Public Works; New York State Police; Bovina EMS and Fire Department; Brushland Eating House; Russell’s Store; Tim Cunningham; Chris Ezzo; Uncle Nathan’s; Victoria LaFever and Bovina Syrup; Skip Baxter, Delaware Academy; the Catskill Recreation Center; and all the volunteers.

Remember to Subscribe!

Council Seeks Signatures for Ballot Propositions

Playground Bids Accepted Pending Grant Funding

By Mary A. Crisafulli

BOVINA - Bovina Councilmember Marni Greenberg announced an initiative to get questions regarding tavern operation permits listed as propositions on the November ballot.

According to Greenberg, results from the town survey indicated an overall interest in full-service restaurants and taverns. A tavern is an establishment that serves alcohol and can also have menus or be a retail establishment. The survey question focused on whether people were interested in changing the alcohol laws.

Three questions proposed as propositions are should a person be allowed to obtain an alcohol license for operation of a tavern, full-service restaurant, or retail establishment. The questions will appear as three individual questions.

Greenberg is required to obtain 107 signatures from registered voters. She said this is about 25% of all Bovina voters. Signatures need to be collected between August 22. and Sept. 6.

In another discussion, the council approved bids for the playground refurbishing project pending grant awards. Lafever Excavation was awarded the $35,000 bid for excavation over Delaware Buldozing's bid of over $50,000. Only one bid for carpentry was submitted and awarded at $57,500.

In addition to carpentry and excavation costs the project needs new benches, additional signage, and basketball hoops bringing the total cost to around $100,000, said Councilmember Jillienne LaFever.

The council plans to apply for a grant through the O'Connor Foundation with a maximum of $300,000. The playground was last renovated in 2000.

In other business:

A budget workshop is scheduled Monday, Sept. 16 at 4 p.m.

Monthly bills were paid - $117.32 for lighting, $1,397.32 for water, $13,780.84 for septic, $8,942.01 for highway department costs, and $7,190.63 for general.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.

Remember to Subscribe!

Cleanup After Big Storm

Photos by Robert Brune

CATSKILLS REGION — The deluge of rain we experienced this past Friday was a dramatic shift in the weather patterns we experienced throughout July. The near drought conditions and extreme heat earlier this summer have been replaced by more rain than our streams could handle met with road closures, trees down, widespread power outages, and now maintenance clean-up.

Halcottsville Fire Department fireman Danny Goodell and his fellow firemen were quick to respond on a Friday evening opening up Rt 30 where the roads were closed due to rocks and trees littering the main road and blocking local and visitors' travels, as seen throughout the Delaware County region.

Halcottsville fireman Danny Goodell cleaning debris on Friday

Photo courtesy Scott Hill of Bovina Putt Putt.

Bragg Hollow in Halcottsville. Road damage and clean up on Saturday

Remember to Subscribe!

FSC Brings the Mythic to Life in AN ILIAD

FRANKLIN — Is it man's destiny to be forever at war? Can the act of storytelling change our fate?

In AN ILIAD, a modern adaptation of Homer's classic, gods and goddesses (and the men they rule) go to battle yet again, dispatching thousands of Greeks across the Aegean Sea to steal Helen back from Troy; and the Poet must tell the story one more time to free himself from the shackles of this history.

Don't miss FSC's beautiful production—and our final show of the season: A modern take on a timeless classic. With live music.

Closes August 25

Show schedule:

Thursday–Saturday @7:30 pm

Saturday Matinee @3:00 pm

Sunday @5:00 pm

Franklin Stage Company: 25 Institute Street, Franklin.

“AN ILIAD is pure theater: shocking, glorious, primal and deeply satisfying.”

—Time Out New York

Remember to Subscribe!

Hunter Foundation Holds 27th Annual Fundraiser

Article and Photo by Max Oppen

HUNTER — The Hunter Foundation held its 27th Annual Garden Party at the Colonial Golf Course last weekend. The theme this year was The Mountain Top Derby ‘Run for the Roses.’ Invite only, it’s an annual fundraising event. This reporter attended one as a guest a few years ago, and it was well executed. There were food tastings from local business owners, a silent auction, and an auctioning of services or goods. The master of ceremony when I went was Sean Mahoney, who is the Executive Director at the Foundation. This year, from a distance, I could tell that this year’s event was also MC’d by Mahoney, still the Executive Director of the Foundation. Annual fundraisers like this help The Hunter Foundation accomplishes a lot here on the mountaintop, so this annual fundraiser helps them accomplish this work.

The Hunter Foundation posted the following on their Facebook page: “Another amazing fundraiser is in the books! This was our most well-attended event in the history of the Hunter Foundation, and we raised more money than ever before. The proceeds of our fundraiser will allow us to continue the incredible work we do, so we want to thank EVERYONE who showed up yesterday. To the restaurants, distilleries, chefs, volunteers, sponsors, donors, board members, staff, and all of our guests—we sincerely thank you for making this one of the best events of the summer. We hope you all had an amazing time! We are already gearing up for next year! Cheers to the 2024 Mtn Top Derby, Run for the Roses Annual Fundraiser for the Hunter Foundation!”

Remember to Subscribe!

Advertising and Subscription Information

Rising Senior Cooking Up a Bright Future at BOCES

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 8/18/24 | 8/18/24

SCS Kindergarten Meet the Teacher Event Set for Sept. 4

SCS Preparing for Combined Bus Run for 2024-25 School Year

SCS Select Choir Performs Anthem at Yankee Stadium

FINAL SKOHERE VOLUME FEATURES PALATINES IN SCHOHARIE VALLEY

Obituary - Robert W. Kimball

Obituary - Carolyn Elizabeth Laux

137th Delaware County Fair

Another Great Andes Community Day

Arm-of-the-Sea Theater at WKC

Balourdet Quartet in Stamford

Bovina 5K Success

Council Seeks Signatures for Ballot Propositions

Cleanup After Big Storm

FSC Brings the Mythic to Life in AN ILIAD

Hunter Foundation Holds 27th Annual Fundraiser

Donate to Support Local Journalism

Subscribe!

Site Archive

Submit your information below:

Subscribe!

Loomacres

National Bank of Coxsackie

Popular Posts

Advertising and Subscription Information

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 8/18/24 | 8/18/24

Donate to Support Local Journalism

Subscribe!

Site Archive

Submit your information below:

Subscribe!

Loomacres

National Bank of Coxsackie

Popular Posts

Subscribe To