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MCS Names Odyssey of the Mind Coaches

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 12/6/24 | 12/6/24

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh school board members named a slate of Odyssey of the Mind coaches and made a slew of personnel moves earlier this month.

At their October 13 meeting, school board members appointed the following Odyssey of the Mind coaches: Maria McGrail, Nichole Calhoun, Lisa Robert, Ryan Pillsbury, Shannon Thayer, Megan Joubert, and Alyssa Pacatte. The salaries are per the current MCSTA contract.

In other personnel moves, board members:

* Named Mikayla Misenhimer to Music of the Knight.

* Appointed Sarah Tomic and Ms. Misenhimer as co-musical choral directors.

* Agreed to increase the hours of cleaner Michael Sherwood from .75 FTE to a 1.0 FTE; effective November 18.

* Named the following support staff substitutes: Kyle Britton, Daniel Dial, Sharon Terzakis, Chloe Barber, Jackson Hughes-Charboneau, Alyssa Warner, and Brian Bagley. Salaries are at the current substitute rates.

* Appointed Staci Kane as the varsity softball coach in the spring.

* Approved Rob Randaisi, RJ Proctor, Dave Mattice, and Randy Nelson as long-term volunteers in athletics.

* Named Heather Schrempf-White as a BOCES tutor, effective September 24 at a salary per the MCSTA agreement.


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Schoharie Chapter NSAR and SUNY Landscaping Class Close Brick Walkway Project for the Winter

Work on the Patriot Walkway at Lasell Hall has been finished for the winter. All available bricks have been placed, and can be seen when the walkway is not snow covered. Please feel free to seek out your patriot if you have purchased a brick. 

Orders for bricks may still be taken, but will not be filled until early 2025. New bricks will be placed in the Spring ahead of our ribbon cutting on May 31, 2025.

Please be aware that the ground around the walkway may be soft and a bit muddy if the ground is not frozen. Use care when walking across the lawn, and avoid the muddiest areas closest to the walkway if possible.


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Newspaper Seeking Motto Ideas

This week we decided to take into consideration a recommendation of our writer Lei Pollard regarding a possible motto for our newspaper. I’m not sure whether we’ll do it, but considering that we’ll also be asking for public feedback for our person of the year to be announced early next year, feel free to get in on this one, too.

If we do adopt a motto and you are the one that recommended it, we’ll send you a complimentary two year subscription! The ones submitted so far are:

-Dig deeper

-Soar to the skies with knowledge

-Unfold your wings, uncover truths, stay informed

-The sheet fit to print

-Involve. Inform. Inspire.

-From the printer to the people

-Accuracy in all things new

-Ready, set, journal

-Here's our two cents

-Where knowledge meets ink


What do you think?

Send us your feedback to: mountaineaglenews@gmail.com or mail it to us at:

The Mountain Eagle

PO Box 162

Schoharie NY 12157

or 

The Mountain Eagle

PO Box 278

Stamford NY 12167


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NYPA Hosts “Holly Jolly Celebration” at the Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center Dec. 14

NORTH BLENHEIM —The New York Power Authority (NYPA) will host its “Holly Jolly Celebration,” a free community event comprised of family-friendly activities at the visitors center for the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project on Saturday, Dec. 14, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Guests will have the opportunity to write letters to Santa and participate in other holiday-themed arts and crafts activities. Santa will be next door at Historic Lansing Manor for free photos.

Additionally, guests will be able to enjoy horse and wagon rides on the grounds surrounding the visitors center. The event will also feature decorated trees that will showcase local clubs and non-profits. NYPA will provide cookies and a free ornament for each child in attendance.

The Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center is housed in a restored 19th century dairy barn and is part of the Lansing Manor complex. The center features a wide range of interactive exhibits on such subjects as: the basics of electricity, uses of electricity, and the operation of the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project. The Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center is open daily for tours between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center is located on Route 30, 17 miles south of Middleburgh, five miles north of Grand Gorge, and approximately one hour from Albany.

Additional events are held throughout the year. Admission to the visitors center and Lansing Manor is always free. School groups and community organizations are welcome. For further information and a complete calendar of events, please call 1-800-724-0309 or visit www.nypa.gov.


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Old Stone Fort Schedule Announced for 2025

The Old Stone Fort Museum announced its preliminary 2025 schedule.

  • February 22, 2pm: A presentation about Philip Schuyler and his importance during the American Revolution by historian Jon Jasewicz @ the Badgley Museum Annex.

  • March 8, 2pm: A presentation by author Jeff O'Connor on his latest book, Skohere and the Birth of New York’s Western Frontier 1609-1731: Volume III  1703-1731 @ the Badgley Museum Annex.

  • March 29, 2pm: A presentation for the bicentennial of the Erie Canal by David Brooks, the Education Director at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site @ the Badgley Museum Annex.

  • April 5, 2pm: A presentation on the Underground Railroad in Schoharie County by Esperance Town Historian Ken Jones @ the Badgley Museum Annex.

  • April 26, 9am-4pm: Maple Festival @ Cobleskill Fairgrounds

  • May 30, 6pm: Decoration Day @ the Fort

  • May 31: "Loyalty Prevailed Over Every Other Consideration" event with living history demonstrations to bring Schoharie in 1775 to life as news came in from Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill @ the Museum Complex.

  • October 4, 10am-4pm: 3rd Annual Schoharie County Fall Festival


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Operation Christmas Child Collection at Reformed Church

MIDDLEBURGH - Volunteers at the Reformed Church in Middleburgh were busy in November boxing up toys and gifts for needy children throughout the world for the Operation Christmas Child program. 

Middleburgh Reformed Church served as an Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoebox drop-off site during the week of November 18.  It was staffed by volunteers from several area churches.  OCC is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international relief organization.  Church groups, community organizations, and individuals fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and clothing to be distributed to children in more than 150 countries.  Each shoebox is meant to be a tangible representation of God's love to the child who receives it.

More than 2,000 shoeboxes were collected in Middleburgh.  They were transported to a central drop-off site in Latham where they were loaded onto a tractor trailer.  The journey continued on to a processing center in Baltimore where each shoebox is inspected and prepared for shipping. 


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Quick Work Limits Damage From Middleburgh Fire

MIDDLEBURGH - On Saturday, November 23, the Middleburgh Fire Department was dispatched at 7:45pm for a reported structure fire at 136 Wells Avenue Apt. 3. 

Middleburgh fire first unit on the scene at 7:51pm, six minutes later. Members of the interior team quickly noticed fire in stove and a crack heating element in the oven, fire confined to the oven. A quick action from the resident with an ABC fire extinguisher effectively smoldered the fire and fire was unable to spread. Officials said that 11 personnel, Engine Tanker 1232, and Ladder 1281 responded to the scene.


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SCS Building Project Ahead of Schedule - Major Strides Eyed for This Month

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - Even though the cold and snow have come early this year, the huge building project at Schoharie elementary school is ahead of schedule, and major progress is planned for this month, SCS David Blanchard recently reported..

"It's really moving along faster than anticipated," Superintendent Blanchard told school board members at their November 21 meeting.

The teachers and students have been "extremely cooperative" and there have been "minimal interruptions," he notes. "We are well ahead of schedule," and he is very encouraged with the projects.

The first two weeks of December are very pivotal, he said.

Concrete work is planned for December 4, 6, and 9 as the concrete truck will pour floors in several areas including the rebuilt gym, the cafeteria, and the kitchen in the elementary school. Then the walls will go up. The remaining floor in the new cafeteria will be poured on December 12.

The project will have a major impact on the elementary school installing a new gym and relocating the cafeteria and library, among other work.

The district has a very quick timeline and officials are looking to complete the project during the summer of 2025.

The bids were awarded in August and work began in the beginning of September. Construction and break down areas were installed around September 15,

In addition to the work in the elementary school, other areas are seeing upgrades including the high school gym locker room, the training rooms, and the fitness center. The school should have a "viable weight room" by January. Equipment should be coming soon, Mr. Blanchard said. By the middle of the basketball season, students should be able to use the weight room.

In August, board members approved four bids for the project. The district received four bids for general construction and approved a bid from Murnane Building Contractors for $9.1 million. There were six bids for mechanical work, and board members approved a bid from Crisafulli Mechanical for $1.5 million. There were five bids for the electrical work and board members approved a bid from SW Burke Electric for $1.4 million. The district received five bids for the plumbing work and board members approved a quote from Tri-Valley Plumbing and Heating for $631,000.

The lights for the tennis courts and softball fields were completed in mid-October.

When completed, the construction would combine the current "1976" gym and elementary school cafeteria into a much larger gym with a stage at one end, move the cafeteria into the current elementary school library, and move the library to the current "1952" gym.  In addition, classrooms will be facelifted and painted, bathrooms will be upgraded and there will be plumbing upgrades in the 1952 wing, Superintendent Blanchard noted.

The $25.9 million project was approved by voters in May 2022. The project does not require any new local taxpayer funds as state aid and the current building reserve will cover the costs.


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SCS Parent Suggests Buildings Should Open Earlier for Students

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - For the first time in weeks, it rained hard and long in the region. Unfortunately for students in the area, some of the heaviest rain was in the morning as they were going to school.

Parent Jody DeJong, who is also a librarian at Middleburgh high school, asked Schoharie school board members earlier this month to have the schools open before 7:55am to let students in.

Ms. DeJong, who is also with the SCS Booster Club, said students had to stand in the pouring rain and that is "not the way to start the day." She wondered if officials could open the buildings 10 minutes earlier to let the children in so they could stay out of the rain.

She noted that the change could also help with the flow of traffic in the parking lot.

Board members listened to the suggestions and had no comments.

*   *   *

In other action last week, school board members:

* Accepted the resignation of Samantha Bellinger as Senior Account Clerk-Typist, District Tax Collector, and Deputy District Treasurer.

* Accepted the resignation of Jolene Mercer as Bus Driver.

* Accepted the resignation of Kristin Eury as  Part-Time Food Service Helper.

* Appointed Amanda Maland as Deputy Treasurer, at no additional compensation, effective November 22 through June 30, 2025.

*Named Bret Fancher as a High School Long-Term Substitute, Salary Step 18 $72,182 according to STA Contract, through 06/27/25.

* Named Isis Brown as a Probationary Full-Time Teacher Aide, Step 3 $18,720 per SCEA Contract.

* Appointed Bettina Fonda as a Probationary Part-Time Teacher Aide, Step 3 $16.08/hour per SCEA Contract.

* Named Hannah Vedder, as Probationary Full-Time Teacher Aide, Step 2 $18,595 per SCEA Contract.

* Named Lisa Roy as Bus Driver, Step 13 $28.82/hour per SCEA Contract, Bus Run - In District.

* Approved a Memorandum of Agreement with the STA and Michele Borst, for reimbursement Processing for Medicaid Services, per stated terms and conditions for the 2024-25 school year.

* Added the following to the SCS substitute list:

12.  Additions to the SCS Substitute List, at current sub rates: Logan Esposito - Non-Certified, effective retroactive to 10/31/24, Olivia Bryant - Non-Certified, effective retroactive to 11/15/24, and Braelynn Sisson - Non-Certified, effective 11/22/24.

* Added six people to Capital Region BOCES Teacher Substitute Calling Service List, at current sub rates, effective 11/22/24.

* Approved a motion to change the salary of Mackenzie Barton to Step 1, $47,634, per the STA contract, effective retroactive to October 22.

* Approved additional stipend for the school year for: Mitchell Barton for global history and geography I, $8,000 per STA contract, retroactive to November 12, and Ron Mastin, global history and geography I, $8,000, per STA contract, retroactive to November 12.

* Heard teacher Michelle Haverly outline happening int he two schools including: the 10th grade going to Philadelphia, first graders voting in their own presidential election, a pet day in the fifth grade, first graders making poppies for Veterans Day, and pre-kindergartners making pumpkin volcanoes in science class.


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SCS Readies for Next Budget Year

SCHOHARIE -  Schoharie school officials are getting ready to start constructing the 2025-26 district budget.

School board members last week adopted the 2025-26 school budget calendar.

The budget calendar includes:

* November 21: Board Meeting: 2025-26 Budget Development Calendar approved by the Board of Education.

* November and December: meetings with administrators and supervisors and distribution of budget guidelines and associated budget development tools; Initial requests for 2025-26 budget provided to Superintendent and Business Administrator.

* January 16, 2025: Board meeting: presentation of updated long-range financial plan.

* January (tbd): New York State Governor’s Budget Proposal for State Aid during 2025-26 made available to School Districts.

* February 13: Board Meeting: presentation of preliminary 2025-26 budget.

* March 1: Submission of calculation of 2025-26 Tax Levy Limit to the Office of the New York State Comptroller.

* March 20: Board Meeting: Presentation of tentative 2025-26 budget.

* April 2: Publication of first of four Legal Notices of School Budget Hearing (May 6, 2025) and Budget Vote (May 20, 2025).

* April (tbd): State Legislature Adopts 2025-26 State Budget, including preliminary estimates of aid to education.

* April 21: School Board candidate nominating petitions due in District Clerk’s office by 5PM (30 days preceding budget vote).

* April 22: Date of drawing by District Clerk for determination of order for listing Board Candidates on Election Ballot.

* April 23: Board Meeting: presentation of Revised Tentative 2025-26 Budget, leading to adoption of Proposed 2025-26 Budget; Approval of Propositions; Approval of Property Tax Report Card.

* April 24: Submission of Property Tax Report Card to New York State Education Department.

* April 29: Budget Newsletter finalized and sent to printing company.

* April 29: Budget Statement and required attachments made available.

* May 6: Public hearing on proposed 2025-26 Budget.

* May 7: Budget notice and newsletter mailed to eligible voters after the budget hearing, but no later than six days prior to the vote.

* May 20: Annual meeting. Date of voting by eligible residents on 2025- 26 budget; propositions; members of the Board of Education: Noon to 8PM.

* May 20: Board of Education meeting: Board accepts election results after polls close and results are announced.

* June 17: Statewide Budget Revote Day (if necessary).

* June 18: Voter-approved 2025-26 budget finalized and implemented


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SCS Solar Project May be On Line by Next Spring

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - Despite cold and snowy conditions, major work should be done on the Schoharie Central School solar project this month.

The road to the project in the "lower 40" has been installed and significant work by mid-December should be completed, SCS Superintendent David Blanchard told school board members at their November 21 meeting.

All the foundations and structures are going in for the panels, followed by the panels themselves, he said. The project will not be on-line until at least next April when the connecting wiring will be installed.

Once completed, the 148 kilowatt project should save SCS about $150,000 in electric costs, Mr. Blanchard said. The district is also eligible for numerous government rebates.

The solar field is to be built on one acre behind the track in the "lower 40."  The total cost of the EPC was $2,750,000.

The project is part of the district's $25.9 million building project that was approved by voters in May 2022. The district looked at either putting more solar panels on building roofs or on the back property before making a decision.

National Grid has provided 90 percent of the cost for the building of the electric vehicles stations. Any revenue would go to the district. Each station would have two chargers each. The stations were installed last summer and operational by the time school started. Two of the stations were built by the construction area and the rest near the bus garage.

The project does not require any new local taxpayer funds as state aid and the current building reserve will cover the costs.


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Seeking Nominations for Person of the Year

We’re seeking nominations for our annual persons of the year. Next month we’ll announce our person of the year each for Schoharie, Delaware, and Greene Counties, as well as our overall regional person of the year. We’ll also offer special mentions, including for lifetime achievement.

Have a person who stands out? Let us know! Send us just the name or info about them we can publish as a letter to the editor below!

Send us your feedback to: mountaineaglenews@gmail.com, via call or text at 518-763-6854 or mail it to us at:

The Mountain Eagle

PO Box 162

Schoharie NY 12157

or 

The Mountain Eagle

PO Box 278

Stamford NY 12167


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Today is Conglomerate Day in Middleburgh

MIDDLEBURGH - Members of the Middleburgh village board Monday honored one of the oldest businesses as they designated Friday, December 6th, 2024, as Conglomerate Day in celebration of the small business and its dedicated owner Patty Eddy-Beal and her husband Rich Beal. This designation coincides with this year’s Miracle on Main Street festivities.

Introduced by Mayor Timothy Knight and unanimously approved by his colleagues at Monday night’s monthly board meeting, the resolution reads as follows:

Resolution #17-2024 – Establishing December 6, 2024, as “Conglomerate Day”

"Whereas, The Conglomerate is a local business of note in the Village of Middleburgh in the State of New York, presently located at 331 Main Street; and Whereas, The Conglomerate has continuously served Middleburgh and the surrounding community since being established more than thirty years ago by providing excellent customer service and high-quality products to local residents; and Whereas, Patty Eddy-Beal and Rich Beal has supported the local community through altruistic endeavors – particularly in the administration and oversight of the Miracle on Main Street event as part of the Renaissance Council’s leadership – that have made a positive impact

on the Village of Middleburgh. Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Village of Middleburgh, New York, in recognition of The Conglomerate and all its contributions to our community, has established December 6, 2024, as “Conglomerate Day,” and furthermore, Be it Resolved, that this Village of Middleburgh Board of Trustees thanks Patty Eddy-Beal and Rich Beal for being a leader of the Village’s small

business community."


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Upcoming Events at Conkling Hall

R’ville Annual Holiday Concert

Come to join us for the annual Hamlet Holiday Concert featuring Village Voices and Friends. Enjoy a variety of musical performances.

Saturday, 12/7 at 6:30 PM

Admission free. Donations are appreciated.

Go to https://www.conklinghall.org/events for more information.

Conkling Hall, 8 Methodist Hill Rd, Rensselaerville.

Winter Solstice Soundbath

Experience the magic of the winter solstice with our immersive soundbath celebration presented by Wisdom Roots Wellness. Sign up by emailing info@wisdomrootswellness.com.

Saturday, 12/19 at 7 PM

Bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing.

Donations will be welcomed.

Go to https://www.conklinghall.org/events for more information.


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Local Historians Discuss History of Wright, Gallupville

By Bradley Towle

GALLUPVILLE — On Saturday, November 23rd, Town of Wright “lifers” Jim Plue, Chris Claus, Don Van Steele, Jim Wolford, Richard Sherman, Dave Pelepzuck, and Mark Soltzenburg gathered at the Gallupville House for a recorded look back at the town’s history. The roundtable was the brainchild of Gallupville House neighbor Curt Van Steele. Van Steele recorded audio and video, which he will edit and ultimately donate copies to the Town of Wright Historical Society and the Schoharie County Historical Society. 

There were many laughs as the seven men looked back on shared memories and bygone eras of the Wright community as they discussed youthful mischief, summer jobs, local legends, and more. Jim Plue expressed his regret at chopping up a ’57 Chevy at the age of 13 to make a Doodlebug. Richard Sherman recalled joining the Gallupville Fire Department so he could have access to their pool table at 16. They all marveled at the number of businesses that had existed at one time, now long since gone. “There was a lot of commerce in this town,” said one of the men as they recalled the tin smiths, meat markets, gas stations, farms, a funeral parlor, and more. 

All of the men agreed with Jim Plue’s assessment of the arrival of television on the community, particularly The Gallupville House, which they remembered as the central area for the community to gather, a gathering spot impacted by televisions in homes. “I’m not convinced it was a benefit,” said Plue. 

Chris Claus noted that summer reruns also meant a return to community gatherings. Sherman remembered the floor of the Gallupville House bouncing during square dances. They remembered ice skating parties at Echo Pond, signaled by a large bonfire with hot chocolate from “Grandma Westfall.” 

There was talk of softball leagues at Bogardus’s Grove and pickup softball games behind the firehouse with neighborhood kids of all ages (required to complete a roster). 

Looming large over the talk was the presence of Chet Zimmer. They recalled the chicken farmer and historian for his generosity, curiosity, and ingenuity. Zimmer had employed many at one time or another, and it was apparent on this Saturday morning in 2024 that his influence could still be felt in town. It’s likely that a history project, like Curt Van Steele’s would have been right up Zimmer’s alley. The event was open to the public. 


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Email: mountaineaglenews@gmail.com
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Mail: The Mountain Eagle / PO Box 162 / Schoharie NY 12157

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