Race, Parade, Oktoberfest, Festival, Award to Fill M'burgh Next Weekend

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - It will be a full and busy weekend next week as the annual Timothy Murphy 10K Race and Walk, the Fall Festival parade, the Oktoberfest, and the presentation of the Marge and Randy Becker Community Service Award will be held on Saturday, October 12.

Parade

The 32nd Annual Middleburgh Timothy Murphy Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 12, from 9am-3pm. The parade begins at 11am. It will start at Middleburgh Elementary School and go down Main Street, turn up Danforth Avenue and end at the Middleburgh Firehouse. 

This year’s theme is Bounty of the County. There will be fire departments, classic cars, floats, big trucks, the Hilltown Hags and lots more. Anyone interested in participating email vhoerzy@midtel.net for an application.

Award

The presentation of the annual Marge and Randy Becker Community Service Award will be made at the parade grandstand on Main Street at 10:45am. 

Race

The race will kick off at 9am next Saturday at the parking area on Route 30 in the Town of Fulton.

The 39th running of the Timothy Murphy 10k Run/Walk For the Environment will end in the village on Main Street. This scenic race starts at Max V. Shaul State Park and follows the beautiful Timothy Murphy Trail along State Route 30, culminating in an exciting finish on Main Street in Middleburgh, right in time for the Fall Festival Parade.

Course Highlights:

• Mostly flat to slightly downhill, with a few short uphill grades.

• Water stations at miles two and four.

• Ends in the heart of Middleburgh’s annual

Fall Festival and Oktoberfest.

Transportation:

• Pre-Race Bus: Complimentary bus transportation from Middleburgh High School to Max V. Shaul State Park. The bus departs at 8am sharp, with limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early to secure your spot.

• Parking: Free parking at Middleburgh High School and the adjacent municipal lot. Additional parking is available at the Valley Soccer Complex, just 1/3 mile south of the starting line.

• Drop-Off: Participants can be dropped off at the park, but no vehicles can remain once the race begins.

Important Reminder:

This is a point-to-point course, not a loop. There is no transportation back to the starting line after the race. Please plan your transportation accordingly.

Online registration only via runsignup.com. You must register by October 11, 2024, at 10:45 PM NO DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION.

For more details and race updates please visit: FACEBOOK: Timothy Murphy 10k Run/Walk for the Environment OR www.runsignup.com

Oktoberfest

The Middleburgh Village Oktoberfest Association announced that the sixth annual Oktoberfest will be held at William Morton Creekside Park, located at 122 Baker Avenue, on Saturday, October 12 from 12:30 to 5:30pm.

Held in conjunction with the Middleburgh Rotary Club sponsored Fall Festival and Parade, this year’s event will feature live entertainment by None the Weiser, Crossfire, and the Hilltown Hags under the pavilion, family friendly games, food provided on-premises, and -- of course -- locally produced craft beers and cider.

Among those participating vendors are:

* Green Wolf Brewing (Middleburgh).

* Serious Brewing (Howes Cave).

* Wayward Lane Brewing (Schoharie).

* Back Barn Brewing (Duanesburg).

* Rockland Cider Works (Gilboa).

Price of admission to the 2024 Oktoberfest is $15 per person - this includes one commemorative mug and first pint of beer, with each subsequent pint costing $7. For the first time: Oktoberfesters can bring their own old mugs for a reduced entry fee of $10 per person. All proceeds received by the Association will be used towards future events, including next year’s Oktoberfest, and community causes.

For more information, please visit the Village of Middleburgh Oktoberfest Facebook Page or contact Association representative William Morton at wbmort922@gmail.com. This year’s event is sponsored by NAPA Mid Valley Auto Parts, Lindsey Giagni at State Farm, Rudolph D. Snyder, L.S., P.C., Pearl Ruby Torres, and the Village of Middleburgh.

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Path Through History Events Slated for Schoharie Crossing

FORT HUNTER – Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will host events for the statewide Path Through History Weekend on Saturday, October 12th and Sunday, October 13th. These events are meant to bring awareness to our rich heritage in New York and the Mohawk Valley.  The site offers these programs for free to the public. 

On October 12th, two tours will take place at the Erie Canal historic site. First is the Aqueduct Tour at 10:00am.  The tour meets at the Schoharie Aqueduct Boat Launch on Hartley Lane, Fultonville for a walking tour along the Schoharie Creek and to the Aqueduct.  Attendees will discover the history of this crossing of the Schoharie Creek, what it did to transform commercial traffic and how its engineering is connected to other parts of NY's History.

Later that day, at 1pm there will be a tour to Empire Lock leaving from the Visitor Center and Museum, 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter.  The walk will be along the original Erie Canal towpath. This tour will be a mile loop exploring the growth and success of the canal from the 1820's to 1860's. Discover some of the fascinating history, engineering, and commercial success of this human-made waterway.

On Sunday, October 13th, the site will offer two chances to play an Erie Canal Immigration board game.  The game will be played at 10:00am and 2:00pm inside the Putman Canal Store at Yankee Hill Lock, 550 Queen Ann Road, Amsterdam.

The game will expose players to the challenges and historical events that faced immigrants coming to New York in the 19th century. Focus will be on moving up and away from the city, using the Hudson River, the rail lines, and the Erie Canal. The goal is to reach as far into the continent as possible, settle and hopefully thrive, but many won’t, which was part of the immigrant experience and not foreign to anyone who plays board games. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.

We ask that you register for one of the time slots by emailing: david.brooks@parks.ny.gov. 

The Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site Visitor Center and Museum is located at 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter, NY 12069; the telephone number is (518) 829-7516 or email: SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov.  The grounds of the site are open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 79.5 million visits in 2022. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call (518) 474-0456. Joins us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the OPRHP Blog.

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Northville Downs SCS Boys 4-1

SCHOHARIE - The Northville boys downed the Storm at Schoharie 4-1 last week.

Scoring for Schoharie was Benjamin Bengtson. SCS goalie Nick Hyatt made nine saves on 13 shots.

Scoring goals for Northville were Braydyn Bovee, Kevin Becotte, McQuade Klipple, and Landon Frasier. Keegan Canfield had an assist. Northville goalie Logan Armstrong made five saves on six shots.

SCS Coach Prince Knight said the two 2-1 WAC teams matched up when Northville visited Schoharie on Thursday afternoon, both teams looking to take an early advantage in the tight WAC standings. 

It was Northville who proved too much for the Storm scoring twice in the first nine minutes of the game. Northville would eventually spread the scoring out between four different players, Braydon Bovee, Kevin Becoote, McQuade Klipple and Landon Frasier, with Keegan Canfield adding the helper on Klipple’s goal, the coach said.

Northville controlled most of the play with great trapping and ball control. Schoharie’s bright spot was when Benjamin Bengtson took a free kick from three yards outside the 18 yard box deep on the left side and curved a great strike off the fingertips of the Falcon GK and into the side netting. Corners were 9-0 in favor of Northville who will improve to a commanding 3-1 record atop the WAC  Blue Division.

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Upcoming Event: Beef Quality Assurance Training!

BERNE – Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Regional Capital Area Agriculture & Horticulture Program are pleased to present a Beef Quality Assurance Training, at C.N. Tommell LLC, 142 Rock Road, Berne, NY 12123. This training takes place on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 6:00 PM.

Beef Quality Assurance is a nationwide certification program to help ensure a safe, wholesome and quality beef product for consumers. Topics covered include herd health management, nutrition, behavior and handling. Producers attending the classroom training will become Level 1 certified.

The cost for this event is $10.00 per person.

To register: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/BQA_10-2024_201.

For more information, please contact Rachel Moody, Commercial Livestock Educator, (518)649-0267, ram72@cornell.edu.

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Middleburgh Musicians Tom and Geri White to perform at Middleburgh Library

MIDDLEBURGH — Long-time Middleburgh residents Tom and Geri White play traditional folk/roots music with a focus on Appalachian, Celtic and Native American Traditions. They will perform at 4pm, Sunday, October 13th at the Middleburgh Library, as part of the Not So Quiet Concert Series. There is a suggested donation of $15.00 – space is limited, so reservations are required – call 518-827-4953.

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature and administered by CREATE County Council on the Arts.

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Middleburgh Gorge Creek Flood Project Complete, Working Well

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - The $3 million Gorge Creek flood mitigation project, completed last year, is operating and functioning as expected, Middleburgh village board members were told last month.

The project, which was completed with the installation of a large culvert under Main Street last year, has slowed down water coming down the creek, by the old library, under Main Street, and under the high school, Peter Nichols, district manager for Schoharie County Soil and Water told board members at their September meeting.

During the August 28, 2011 flood, water from the creek hit  blockage in the culvert at Wells Avenue and backed up and flooded several back streets of the village. That should not happen again with the reworked creek, much larger culvert, and a  catch basin, Mr. Nichols said.

Previously, the water would come down the creek at a high rate of speed. It was "a shotgun barrel for water," he said.

The reworked creek spreads the water out, slowing it down.

This down not mean that periodic maintenance is not required. The catch basin that was built collects a lot of silt that has to be removed, Mr. Nichols said. The DOT removed about four feet of fil this summer, probably, five times more than was taken out two years ago.

The new five-by10-foot culvert is much larger and does not clog, he added. The culvert, though, should be inspected every year. The pond also needs to be checked annually.

The first 20 feet of the culvert, the DOT right-of-way, collects more silt and there is currently about six to eight inches of sand in it.

Overall, the project has been a success, Mr. Nichols said.

"We're in really good shape. The village is much safer."

He showed board members pictures of the interior of the culvert. A battery-operated, mini-dozier would be a good purchase for the village to clear out the box culvert.

The mini-dozier would cost "a couple of hundred thousand" dollars and could be purchased with funding from grants, along with lights and cameras.

The $3 million Gorge Creek project was paid for by the state after the devastating flood of 2011.

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Middleburgh FD Installs New Officers

MIDDLEBURGH - The Middleburgh Fire Department installed a new slate of officers for 2024-25 this week.

The new new officers for 2024-25 are:

* Chief: Darwyn Gregory

* 1 Asst.: Mike Devlin

* 2 Asst.: Brian Devlin

* 3 Asst.: Kevin Dailey

* Captain: Billy Smith 4th

* Lt: John Shaw Jr.

* 2 Lt: Jason Marsh

* Chief Engineer: Neil Waldron

* Asst. Engineer: Bill Smith 3rd

* President: Don Guest

* VP: Braedon Cronin

* Treasurer: Steve Hoerz

* Secretary: Nikki Smith

* Property Man: Jason Diamond

* Trustees: George Hofmann, Roger Becker, Kitchen Paser, Joe Nelson

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Feeding New York State helps keep food bank shelves filled

By Jennifer Patterson 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced that a record 32-million-pound milestone was reached in the state’s food donation and food scraps recycling program.

Feeding New York State – a nonprofit association of ten Feeding America member food banks statewide – is averaging two million pounds of food donations each month. 

Implemented under the New York State Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law, the program helps provide food to hungry New Yorkers, while reducing waste and climate-altering emissions caused by landfilling.  

The release of methane from the breakdown of organic waste in landfills, as outlined in the draft Scoping Plan for New York State’s climate law (the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act), is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emission in the waster sector. Actions to reduce landfilling of these organics are critical to achieving New York’s climate goals. 

The milestone “marks a significant achievement in the effort to combat food waste and food insecurity in New York,” said Dan Egan, executive director of Feeding New York State. “This milestone is a testament to the hard work and passion that drives us toward a sustainable future and ensures that our most vulnerable neighbors have access to nutritious meals.”

As of August 2024, Feeding New York State reported receiving an average of two million pounds of food donations each month – a significant increase from 300,000 pounds per month the year before, and the 50-60,000 pounds per month when the program first launched in October 2022.

The DEC provided $4.8 million to Feeding New York State and its ten regional food banks through the Environmental Protection Fund beginning in October 2021. The funds were used to deploy staff to grocery stores, restaurants, colleges and other food industry facilities to increase participation in the program and encourage food donations. Money was also used to purchase several vehicles and equipment for the food banks to increase pickup capabilities at food pantries, meal centers and other partner agencies. 

Additionally, the DEC provided $1.6 million directly to emergency food relief organizations, and $5.3 million to municipalities for wasted food reduction, food donation and food scraps recycling programs.

 “New York State’s Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law is a win-win for our communities facing food insecurity and for our environment,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. “This program is not only just one component of the state’s nation-leading climate agenda, but it also builds upon our longstanding work fighting hunger through programs like Nourish New York, the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs, the 30% NYS Initiative, and so many more.” 

With deer hunting season already underway, the DEC is reminding New York hunters that they can continue to help with food insecurity by participating in venison donation efforts. 

Every year, the DEC partners with the Venison Donation Coalition and Feeding New York State to help provide for those in need. Through a cooperative relationship involving the New York State Department of Health, nonprofit organizations and deer processors, hunters contribute nearly 40 tons of venison each year to families across the state.

For information about Feeding New York State, go to https://feedingnys.org.  

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Fall Foliage Hike at Huyck Preserve

RENSSELAERVILLE - A Fall Foliage Hike will be held on Saturday, October 5 at 10AM at the Eldridge Research Center, Pond Hill Road in Rensselaerville.

Join Stewardship Coordinator Garrett Chisholm for a fall foliage hike to view the beautiful fall colors of the Preserve and learn about seasonal changes in our region's forests.​ Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather.

Registration is required. Suggested donation of $5; Members and children under 12 free ​Inclement weather will cancel this event. ​Event is capped at 20 people.

Other Huyck events include:

* Path Through History Returns on Saturday, October 12 at 11am at the Visitors' Center on Delaware Turnpike.

The Huyck Preserve is again one of the stops on the Albany County Historical Association/Ten Broeck Mansion’s “Path Through History!” Stop by to experience the history of the Huyck Preserve including the Waterbury Mill ruins at the base of the Rensselaerville Falls. Be sure to also visit our neighbors, the Rensselaerville Historical Society, just across the street.

The Preserve’s Visitors’ Center will be open for the event from 11am-4pm. Come talk with Ranger Jakob.

* Last Read and Hike Club of the Year will be held on Sunday, October 13 at 2pm at the Eldridge Research Center on Pond Hill Road.

Come discuss themes of ecology and humanity's relationship with nature with other book and nature lovers in this reading and hiking club. They go on a leisurely hike with stopping points for book discussion. This month's book is Our Moon by Rebecca Boyle.

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Cowtown Scramble Vintage Baseball Tournament This Weekend

BOVINA — Come down to Creamery Field to cheer on the Bovina Dairymen and teams from across the East Coast as they face off at this two-day event. Games begin at 11 am on Saturday, October 5, and continue on Sunday, October 6.

Saturday's games are followed by the official Cowtown Scramble after-party live concert with Micky & the Motorcars ft. Pispoure just up the road at Chico's Barn (124 Bob Hall Rd, Bovina, NY 13740).

Doors open at 6 PM with Baby Smoker will be selling BBQ, so bring your appetite! BYOB.

You can find all of the details at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/micky-the-motorcars-live-saturday-october-5-at-chicos-barn-bovina-ny-tickets-928537228847?aff=oddtdtcreator

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SCS Super: State Push May Not Lead to Mergers

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - New York State is pushing for school districts to share more. That effort may not lead to more school mergers, but not cooperating in sharing may force more mergers, Schoharie school Superintendent David Blanchard believes.

"The state education departments initiative to build regional collaboration is designed to ensure operational efficiency and improve educational opportunities and outcomes," Superintendent Blanchard said last week. "I do not see it as a pathway for merger. I see it as a pathway to support and work with together with other districts to improve our schools. I think we can create effective and efficient programs that will create better school district  finances. I think not working together could lead to merger."

Superintendent Blanchard spoke about the state effort at the Schoharie school board meeting late last month.

State regionalization would improve district effectiveness and efficiency, he told school  board members. The biggest focus is on the social and emotional needs of students.

A report to the state educational department is required by November 1, he said. The administrative team will be meeting to look at data and answering questions. "Are there areas we are missing?"

Regionalization, sharing educational services between or with another nearby school district, will be a focus throughout the new school year, Superintendent Blanchard said, and could be included in a 10-year plan for the district, leading to partnering with neighboring districts.

"Here we go folks," he told school board members.

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Auto Racing News

By Tom Coughlin

The 38th annual Fulton Speedway Outlaw 200 Weekend actually began last night. On tonight's program are the Empire Super Sprints-360 winged sprint cars, DIRTcar pro stocks, 15-lap modified qualifiers, and heats and consolation races for the sportsman division. Gates open today at 5:00 pm. Saturday gates open at 3:00 pm. to begin the night's program leading up to the $20,000 Outlaw 200 for the 358 modifieds and the $2,500 sportsman Shootout.

 Starting today the Ranch at Carlisle  will host Snowmobile Grass Drags & Swap Meet. Racing will take place on Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 am. Today’s hours are 10:00 am. until 10:00 pm. Saturday 7:00 am. until 10:00 pm. Sunday gates open at 7:00 am. The awards ceremony for Saturday and Sunday will take place at 5:00 pm. The swap meet is all three days all day long. The Ranch at Carlisle is located at 442 Lykers Road, Carlisle, N.Y. 12035.

 Super DIRT Week is here. The annual transformation of the 5/8 mile Oswego Speedway from the Steel Palace into the Clay Palace in preparations to host Super DIRT Week 52 is complete. The annual event has an adjusted schedule in 2024 and will kickoff on Sunday, October 6th at 9:00 am. with early camper & team load in. That evening at 6:00 pm. at the Lighthouse Lanes directly in front of Oswego Speedway. There will be free pizza, wings, beer specials, and bowling. 

Wednesday, October 9 at noon will be the annual SDW parade, which begins at the pit gate exit of the speedway and traverses throughout the City of Oswego and returns to the speedway.

 Feature events this year will start on Friday, October 11 with the DIRTcar 358 modified Salute to the Troops 150 and the DIRTcar pro stock 50. Saturday, October 12 will start with an autograph session at 1:00 pm. of the top 30 SDS drivers on the front stretch Midway.  That will lead into the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 for the big block modifieds and the DIRTcar Sportsman Chevrolet Performance 75. 

Results from last weekend show that entering into the C.R.S.A. 305 25-lap feature race at Utica-Rome Speedway on Friday. There was a tie in championship points between Kyle Pierce and Tomy Moreau. After redrawing the pole Zach Sobotka led every lap. Sobotka minus the front wing scored his first victory with the C.R.S.A.. Pierce finished third and Moreau fifth and this earned the school teacher Pierce his first championship by four points, as the final point show on Saturday for the C.R.S.A. at Land Of Legends Raceway near Canandaigua was cancelled due to rain.Jeff Trombley of Altamont finished 17th. and Chad Miller of Amsterdam finished 22nd.

 The Short Track SuperNationals-15 Weekend kicked off on Friday with the Short Track Super Series crate 602 sportsman division competing in a 25-lap feature.  Brian Calabrese of Johnstown earned the win over Blaine Klinger and Michael Ballestero. In the 20-lap pro stock feature  A.J. Walters scored the victory ahead of Andy Graves and Ken Griffin. 

In the 20-lap street stock feature Jason Samrov took the win over Josh Samrov and Mark Lester. The slingshots were also on the program with Brody Janczuk taking the 20-lap All-Star division victory and Sullivan Dickey earning the 15-lap Junior division win.

 Stewart Friesen was competing with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the Kubota Tractor 200 at Kansas Speedway, near Kansas City, Kansas. Stewart started in the eighth position and ran towards the front and had a fairly decent race pace until running out of fuel in

the closing laps and finishing a disappointing 24th.

 Saturday afternoon at U-R kicked off with the limited sportsman where Eric Jensen won the 20-lap feature over Jeff Bobilin and Maddy Broedel. In the 20-lap SCDRA/ Fonda Fair 4-cylinder division feature Corey Valade claimed the win.

 The night show saw a good field of modified cars competing in the Short Track SuperNationals 50-lap feature. After 14 different winners The modified feature saw Matt Sheppard lead 49 of the 50 laps on his way to becoming the first repeat winner of the Working Man’s Race.

Stewart Friesen and Tim Fuller filled the podium. For Sheppard it was his 50th. career win on the Short Track Super Series and his 12th of 2024.

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Aspiring Chef at Schoharie School

SCHOHARIE - Schoharie high school senior and aspiring chef Gavin Phillips cuts corn off cobs in the Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus last week.

The Schoharie senior is preparing for a career as a private chef or culinary educator and credits Capital Region BOCES with providing him a full course education.

“There is always something going on, something new to learn,” said Phillips. “It makes learning fun.”

Phillips plans to attend SUNY Cobleskill after graduating in June.

He is among more than 120 students from two-dozen school districts enrolled in the Capital Region BOCES Culinary Arts and Hospitality Technology program this school year.

Students in the two-year program learn the skills necessary to enter the workforce as a chef or pursue additional training in college. Graduates work in restaurants and resorts around the region and beyond, run their own establishments, and even prepare food for professional sporting events.

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The Gallupville House Association presents “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”

By The Puppet People at the Gallupville House, Rt 443 in Gallupville Sunday, October 27th at 2 pm. Free admission/Donations accepted. This show focuses on themes of bullies, jealousy and superstition. It features marionettes, 2 life-sized puppets, special effects, and classical and traditional folk music.  Suggested for ages 5 and up. For more information, visit Gallupvillehouse.org 

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