“Sharon Things - Local Happenings for Sharon Springs”

By Alexis Pencar

Hey Neighbors!

What a wet warm up this past week. After what seemed like months of bitter cold, we got some relief with the first “thaw” or “melt-off” of the year! With a solid layer of thick ice under most of the snow, it has taken more than just the rain to see the exposed ground again!

Keep hope for Spring through our “second winter” and “spring of deception”, with the Spring Equinox coming up on March 20th! Look out for more variable and changing weather over the next week with 30s expected over the weekend and then highs in the 50s starting Tuesday through Friday!

Sunnycrest Markets is open with more vendors! Visit to see what all the excitement is about! They have groceries, produce, bulk items, ready-made food, furniture, and much more! The nursery will be opening soon for the Spring too! They are located at 7869 NY-10, Sharon Springs, NY 13459, just outside of the Village. Follow @SunnycrestMarkets on social media for updates, sales, and more!

The Sap House at Stone House Farm in Sharon Springs is BACK now through April 19th for their 25th Season of these beloved weekend Pancake breakfasts! For more information on Sap House, please contact (518) 284-2476. They are located at 305 Lynk Road, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. 

Blue Star Farm & Cidery is open on the weekends at their new location on Route 20 near Log House. They are now making and serving their own sweet cider, with more products available for purchase too! The hours are Saturday, 10-5 PM and Sunday, 10-4 PM. Visit them on Facebook for updates and specials!

Wren’s Earth Refillery is now open for business by appointment only through the winter. The shop is located at 277 Stage Coach Road, Sharon Springs, NY. You can shop anytime at WrensEarth.com or call (518) 925-4860 for more information.

Parsons Vegetable Farm has limited seasonal items available like cabbage!! Check out their social media for more info! The Outrageous Snack Snack is closed for the season but we’re already looking forward to fresh donuts in the Spring! 

Sharon Springs Free Library News: Story Time is at 10:00 AM on Thursday mornings and includes a story, craft, and snack. Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays from 1:00 - 6:00 PM, Mondays & Thursdays from 10:00 - 6:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 -1:00 PM, and Sundays - Closed. The new Spring/Summer hours will be coming soon! For more Library information please contact (518) 284-3126.

Sharon Springs Food Pantry

Your local Sharon Springs Food Pantry is an excellent local resource for all! They are located in the United Methodist Church on Route 20, across from the school (511 US Route 20, Sharon’s Springs, NY 13459). They are always accepting donations! If you or someone you know is in need of the Pantry, the hours are Thursday 9:00 -10:30 AM and 5:00 - 6:30 PM. For more information please contact (518) 284-2687 or follow them on Facebook.

Worship Services

The Sharon Reformed Church (6858 State Route 10, Sharon Springs, NY 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 234-2387 for more details.

The Sharon Springs United Methodist Church (511 State Route 20, Sharon Springs, NY, 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 284-2200 for more details.

The St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church (24 Maple Avenue, Cherry Valley, NY 13320) offers weekly mass at 10:00 am. Reminder: confession is available 30 minutes before every mass. Contact at (607) 264-3779 for more details.

The Zion St. John’s Lutheran Church Seward (114 Mesick Ave, Cobleskill, NY 12043) offers weekly service on Sundays at 9:00 am. Contact at (518) 234-3222 for more details.

Cornerstone Baptist Church (7274 Route 10, Ames, NY 13317). Sunday Service is at 10:00 am. All are welcome. Contact (518) 673 3405 for more details.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

Local residents are invited to enjoy good company and a noon-time meal year round (except holidays) at the Schoharie County OFA’s “Spa Ritz” Sr. Congregate Meal Site at the Firehouse at 137 Beechwood Rd. M-W-F. 8 oz of 1% milk is served with each meal. Orders for meals must be called into the OFA office at (518) 295-2001 before 2 p.m. for the following day. Effective January 1st the suggested donation for those 60 years old and older is $5.00 per meal. Under age 60? You’re welcome to participate for a fee of $7.50 per meal.

To share community news, upcoming events, business specials, adjusted hours, birthdays, anniversaries, or even an outstanding resident, please contact me directly at (772) 971-1410 or alexis.pencar@gmail.com. Have a great week! Thanks!

 

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AED Demo at Spa Ritz Luncheon

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sharon Silver & Gold Senior Club will hold its next luncheon meeting on Friday, March 14th at the Office for the Aging’s “Spa Ritz” meal site at the Sharon Springs Firehouse at 137 Beechwood Rd.

The Silver & Gold Senior Club positively contributes to the lives of so many! Members of this social club come from surrounding areas including Sharon, Cherry Valley, Cobleskill, Ames, and beyond.

With Seniors of all ages, this group is always open to new members! This is a great place to make new friends and catch up with the community! The after-lunch activities change monthly and are always something to mark the calendar for!

For the March Luncheon, expect a delicious and nutritious meal of white bean chili, mixed vegetables, dinner roll, yogurt, juice, pudding with whipped cream and 1% milk will be served at noon. Following lunch participants will have the opportunity to watch a demonstration of the automated external defibrillator (AED) which was recently installed at the Sharon Springs Firehouse. The AED analyzes the heart’s rhythm and delivers an electric shock to victims of ventricular fibrillation to restore the heart’s rhythm to normal.

The club’s monthly business meeting will be conducted after the AED demonstration followed by some rounds of bingo.

Individuals interested in attending the March 14th Silver & Gold Luncheon must register by calling the Spa Ritz meal site at (518) 284-2883 from 10 AM - 2 PM on March 7, Monday, March 10 or Wednesday, March 12. Area seniors interested in more information about the club should contact Anne Lennebacker, president, at (607) 547-9055.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

Local residents are invited to enjoy good company and a noon-time meal year round (except holidays) at the Schoharie County OFA’s “Spa Ritz” Sr. Congregate Meal Site at the Firehouse (137 Beechwood Road) M-W-F. 8 oz of 1% milk is served with each meal. Orders for meals must be called into the OFA office at (518) 295-2001 before 2:00 PM. for the following day. Effective January 1st the suggested donation for those 60 years old and older is $5.00 per meal. Under age 60? You’re welcome to participate for a fee of $7.50 per meal.

 

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County Scores Big Win In Legal Action vs. State

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY – New York State's current process for assessing the values of solar and wind energy facilities for taxation purposes is unconstitutional, state Supreme Court Judge James Farrell concluded in a March 3 decision and order filed with the Albany County Clerk the next day.

The ruling represents a significant victory for county Supervisor Donald Airey of Blenheim and his colleagues on the board, who filed the action in April of last year against the state, Governor Kathy Hochul and the state Senate and Assembly. Airey and many others have long contended that the discounted assessments for such renewable energy facilities results in unfair and inequitable property tax proceeds for towns, the county and school districts.

And while the decision was welcomed by Airey and other county officials, just how big a victory it represents has yet to be determined, noted Airey, who has dedicated a big part of his life over the last few years to the effort.

"It's been about a two and half or three-year struggle," said Airey in an extensive telephone conversation with this newspaper on Tuesday. "Am I happy with this? Yes, but what would make me even happier is if the governor and the legislature would stop laying the burden of their climate agenda on upstate communities."

He added that he feels it's likely the respondents-defendants will appeal the state Supreme Court ruling to the appropriate appellate court. The gist of Farrell's ruling is the "Legislature has abdicated its constitutional responsibility and has delegated its taxing power to an administrative agency (the state Department of Taxation and Finance) in violation of the New York State Constitution. Accordingly, the court finds that (the applicable law) is unconstitutional."

However, Farrell's decision rules against other aspects of the Article 78 action brought by Airey and the other plaintiffs-petitioners.

"Petitioners' first, third and fourth causes of action are dismissed for lack of standing and the motion is otherwise denied," the judge stated. One of the reasons for his "lack of standing" assertion is that the Town of Sharon is currently the only county municipality with a large solar power facility. The state Office of Renewable Energy Siting is expected to issue a final permit within the next few weeks or months for the 20MW Rock District solar energy facility in Carlisle and Seward.

The March 3 decision comes three years after a group of state municipalities won a favorable decision and temporary injunction against the then-current system for taxing solar and wind facilities. However, the legislature essentially "mooted" that decision by voting to pass Real Property Tax Law 575-b, the one currently being challenged by Airey and the other plaintiffs.

In the legal challenge, they contend that "assessors have the ultimate authority to select the appropriate method for assessing and valuing property within their jurisdictions and the Legislature cannot impose a specific formula or methodology thereby curtailing the judgment of assessors.

"The statute is arbitrary and capricious because it shifts the tax burden from solar and wind energy systems to petitioners and other taxpayers within the tax levying jurisdiction and/or results in a cut in local government services to offset the loss in tax revenue caused by implementation of this model."

Airey and others who have fought this fight say they aren't looking for solar and wind energy facilities to be assessed at full value but for a reasonable compromise that results in towns, the county and school districts receiving their fair share in taxes from such facilities. One solutilon, he reasoned, is for taxing jurisdictions to negotiate PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreements with solar and wind energy developers.

As an example of the unfairness of the current assessment method, Airey estimated that the 50MW East Point solar energy facility in Sharon results in $400,000 in annual taxes spread between the town, county and school district. If assessed at full value, the facility would result in a total of about $3.5 million in annual tax revenue spread among the three jurisdictions, he estimated.

For the entire state, loss of total tax revenue from solar and wind energy facilities under the current assessment methodology would be somewhere around $1 billion over the next 25 years, Airey said.

"This is a step in the right direction," he said of Farrell's ruling. "In a perfect world, we would come to the table and conclude this current formula results in too heavy a burden for most taxpayers. I'm not against renewable energy, but the way it's being deployed is just awful. It's absurd. This is not a NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) thing. This is a pay me thing. The towns need this revenue."

Nevertheless, Airey and other county officials hope that Farrell's ruling favorable in one big way for them can help result in a more equitable system moving forward.

"I am very proud that Schoharie County and the 16 towns took on the state without any assistance from other counties, and we prevailed," county Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Federice of Conesville wrote in an email to this newspaper.

The state attorney general's office, which represented the respondents-defendants in the matter, did not return a phone message from this newspaper seeking comment.

 

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Sharon Springs Graduate Takes Skills to the Moon - Aids in Major Moon Landing

By Matthew Avitabile

SHARON SPRINGS & MONS LATREILLE, THE MOON — Sharon Springs Central School Graduate Trenton Witham played an important role in the successful Blue Ghost Moon landing earlier this week. Witham graduated from SSCSD in 2016 and from RIT in 2021 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He received an internship at Firefly Aerospace in Austin, Texas four years ago. He started a three month internship with Firefly, before transitioning to a full time role. He makes circuit boards and other duties for the company. He is the lead of the Avionics team for the Blue Ghost project, authorized by NASA.

The Blue Ghost Mission 1, named Ghost Riders in the Sky, launched Jan. 15 of this year and traveled between the Earth and the Moon over 45 days. It landed on the Moon on Mar. 2, attracting international attention. The craft landed at the Mare Crisium near Mons Latreille.

The craft is intended to "help advance lunar research and conduct several first-of-its-kind demonstrations, including testing regolith sample collection, Global Navigation Satellite System abilities, radiation tolerant computing, and lunar dust mitigation. These investigations will help pave the way for humanity’s return to the Moon. The data captured will also benefit humans on Earth by providing insights into how space weather and other cosmic forces impact Earth, among other valuable research," according to the company.

“For Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1, I started as an electronics hardware design engineer.  I was responsible for designing a portion of our in-house avionics system that provides power and data to various payloads, radios, and navigation instrumentation.  When the design was near completion, I moved to the role of avionics lead for this mission where I was responsible for finalizing the designs of all in-house avionics, completing environmental testing to ensure the components could survive the challenges of space, and working with the other sub-system leads to ensure everything on the lander worked together to fulfill requirements and provide the best odds of mission success,” he said.

He is a major component of the hard work necessary for the recent moon landing.

“Many of the specific skills and knowledge come from working in the industry, but all of these concepts build on foundations learned in college, which are built on top of skills and knowledge learned in high school.  My science and math teachers, Sally Lauzon and Ben Jacaruso, were huge inspirations that influenced my interest in the engineering discipline and steered me down this path,” he said.

We asked him about his influences, to which he responded, “My fiancée Yara.  She pushed me to pursue opportunities after college that I felt were out of my league, moved across the country with me, and has supported me through all of the personal sacrifices we have both made to allow me to work on something this exciting.”

The Avionics Lead is responsible for designing and environmentally testing of the in-house avionics system, as well as ensuring the avionics works with all other subsystems. Avionics is the onboard electronic systems.

Firefly has the contracts for Blue Ghost missions two and three. That mission is planned to go to the far side of the moon in 2026.

“I’ve had a massive amount of support and congratulations from people back in New York, and I can’t begin to express my appreciation.  It is immensely uplifting to hear about people being excited for something I was lucky enough to be a part of,” Witham said.

 

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Snowshoeing at Landis

ESPERANCE — If you have joined us for Sec­ond Sun­day Snow­shoe, you will be look­ing for­ward to the new sea­son. If you haven’t yet par­tic­i­pat­ed, we invite you to join us from 1:00 - 3:00 at the Barn at Landis Arboretum at 174 Lape Road, Esperance on Mar. 9 for a fun event. If there is no snow, the event lead­ers will take par­tic­i­pants on a win­ter hike.

We'll be here for Sec­ond Sun­day Snow­shoe on January 12, Feb­ru­ary 9 and March 9.

Your January leader will be George Steele, Fred Breglia will lead in February, and Susan Strangia is finishing up in March.

Registration: Mem­bers: $5 or mem­ber fam­i­ly $15; Non-mem­bers: $15, non-mem­ber fam­i­ly $25.

Call 518−875−6935 or email info@​landisarboretum.​org for more infor­ma­tion or to reg­is­ter. You can also reg­is­ter online heree using Pay­Pal (small admin­is­tra­tive fee).

 

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SSCS Update

By Tori Edwards 

SHARON SPRINGS — Elementary students at SSCS are having an event filled week with Dr. Suess’ Read Across America week! Kindergarten to second graders participated in activities and themed dress up days in honor of celebrating Dr. Suess’ birthday. 

Friday, February 28th kindergarten students participated in a themed alphabet fashion show. Each student wore a symbol that represented a letter from A to Z. 

The junior class of 2026 is taking orders for the Annual Sub Supper, please order to support the class for pick up on Thursday March 13 from 3-5pm. Tickets are available through dcornwell@sharonsprings.org or contacting a member of the junior class. 

The Makers Faire of 2025 took place on Thursday, March 6 several students showcase their designs and creativity. 

The faculty and staff basketball game to support Mrs. Handy and Mrs. Law will be held on March 31st 2pm. 

On April 10th Elementary students' kindergarten to fifth grade will be able to participate in the Annual Talent Show. Keep up the Great work students! Let’s Go Spartans! 

 

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True American Signs Adjusts Operations

COBLESKILL – To our valued customers, thank you for your continued trust and loyalty during the last 14 years. We are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality products and exceptional service. As you may know the sign shop portion of our business will be down-sizing after March 2025. We will be operating the sign shop at a 1/4 of our normal operations for our existing clients only. Please be patient as we acclimate to our new schedule while focusing only on our wonderful existing clients. We ask that you call or email ahead for scheduling future projects as our availability will be very limited after March 2025.

The sign shop will also be closed May 1st - June 15th as I am undergoing a long awaited total hip replacement.

I'm also proud to announce that beginning June 16th I have accepted a career offer returning to my passion for construction management with a prominent local construction company.

*Susan will continue to be Schoharie County's only official woman owned Blackout Coffee & WeatherTech Accessory Dealer for all your automotive needs.

Thank you, John Stiles - owner

 

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Auditions for Anne of Green Gables

MARGARETVILLE — Auditions are open for Anne of Green Gables, a radio-style play adapted by R.N. Sandberg from the novel. by L.M. Montgomery and directed by Michelle Macau at the Open Eye Theater, 960 Main Street, Margaretville.

Actors responding with an email will be contacted early March 2025.

REHEARSALS: Mid-April - April 29

PERFORMANCES: April 30 - May 4

All ethnicities are welcome. Actors are paid.

Send an email with “ANNE_GG Audition and your name” as the SUBJECT to michelle@theopeneyetheater.org. Include a headshot and resume and any known conflicts.

General Information:

This is a one-act version of R.N. Sandberg’s full-length adaptation of L.M. Montgomery’s classic tale and further adapted into a radio-play. Performed script in hand, actors portray multiple roles and perform all sound effects. Running time: 90 minutes including a Q&A.

Rehearsals:

Ten-day rehearsal period beginning mid-April. The initial rehearsals will be on Zoom.

Performances: April 30 - May 3 (eight performances): four daytime student matinees over two days; two evening performances; one afternoon matinee; and a radio performance (TBD).

Synopsis:

Orphan Anne Shirley arrives on Prince Edward Island only to learn that her adopters, Mariella and Matthew Cuthbert, proprietors of Green Gables, wanted to adopt a boy to help with farm chores. Despite the initial misunderstanding Matthew and Marilla, who are brother and sister, unmarried, and middle-aged, first tolerate, then accept, and finally love Anne, as their own. The play recreates the significant events from the novel among them Anne’s early journey adapting to her new surroundings, her relationships with Marilla and Mathew, best friend Diana Barry, her fiery outburst towards Mrs. Lynde and her feud with fellow-student and rival, Gilbert Blythe.

Characters:

ANNE SHIRLEY – (Actor to play 12-16). Anne is very talkative, inquisitive, energetic, imaginative, with a fierce temper and a penchant for getting into trouble. She is in every scene.

MARILLA CUTHBERT – (middle age to 60’s) A serious, no-nonsense woman who tries to tolerate Anne’s unusual ways. Though rigidly conservative in her rules, she has a sense of humor and a secret soft side.

MATTHEW CUTHBERT – (middle age to 60’s) Marilla’s shy brother, who runs the farm and has a deep appreciation for Anne’s unique personality. He is her champion.

DIANA BARRY – (Actor to play 12-16) Anne’s best friend and kindred spirit. Diana is well off, happy and amiable. She is a loyal friend.

GILBERT BLYTHE – (Actor to play 12-16) An intelligent student who flirts and infuriates Anne when he teases her about her red hair. Anne is unforgiving and refuses to speak with him.

RACHEL LYNDE – (Middle age to older) A neighbor of Matthew and Marilla, who loves to gossip and give her opinions whether they are asked for or not.

MRS. BARRY – (Adult) Diana’s mother who is proper and expects her children to follow her rules.

MRS. BLAUVERT: (Adult to middle age) mistakenly brings Anne from the orphanage in Nova Scotia and then wants to keep her to care for her children. A strict and mean-spirited woman.

MR. PHILLIPS – (Adult) Anne’s first teacher at Avonlea, strict and not charmed by Anne’s antics.

For further details and information, please visit our website at

www.theopeneyetheater.org

The mission of The Open Eye Theater is to produce high quality theater performances and other educational programming for a diverse population in the Catskill Mountain Region and beyond - enriching the quality of life for theater artists, students, and audiences of all ages.

This program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. It is also made possible by generous grants from The A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation, the S. Irving and Anne Nevard Sherr Foundation, the Nancy Friday Foundation, the Hobson Lucas Family Foundation, Hudson Valley Foundation for Youth Health and generous contributions from many businesses and individual contributors.

 

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DEC Reminds New Yorkers of Strategies to Avoid Coyote Conflicts - Sightings Expected to Increase as Spring Nears

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today encouraged New Yorkers to help do their part to prevent conflicts between people and coyotes. Coyotes are found in diverse habitats across the state, including rural farmlands, forests, and suburban and urban areas. Generally, coyotes steer clear of human contact. However, during the spring denning and pup-rearing period, coyotes may become more territorial and protective, leading to potential conflicts with people and pets. Additionally, if coyotes associate food sources like garbage or pet food with humans, they may lose their natural fear of people, increasing the likelihood of encounters.

To reduce or prevent conflicts with coyotes, DEC recommends the following steps:

Never feed coyotes. 

Do not leave food outside. Pet food and garbage attract coyotes and other wildlife, increasing risks to people and pets. Simple strategies to ensure you do not unintentionally feed coyotes include:

Always feed pets indoors;

Prevent access to garbage;

Fence or enclose compost piles; and

Eliminate availability of bird seed, as concentrations of birds and rodents can attract coyotes.

Do not allow coyotes to approach people or pets. If you see a coyote, be assertive. Stand tall, hold your arms up or out to appear larger. If a coyote lingers, make loud noises, wave your arms, and throw sticks and stones.

Appreciate coyotes from a distance and teach others to do the same.

Do not allow pets to run free.  Supervise outdoor pets to keep them safe from coyotes and other wildlife, especially at dusk and night. Small dogs and cats are particularly vulnerable.

Fence yards to deter coyotes.  Ensure the fence is tight to the ground, preferably extending six inches below ground level, and taller than four feet.

Remove brush and tall grass around homes.  Removing brush eliminates hiding spots for coyotes, as they prefer areas where they can remain unseen.

Encourage neighbors to follow these guidelines.  Encourage others to be a good neighbor. Community-wide efforts are necessary to prevent coyote conflicts.

During spring, coyotes are more active and visible. Seeing a coyote occasionally is generally not a cause for concern. However, when coyotes exhibit bold behavior, show little fear of people, or are seen frequently during the daytime near residences, contact the Regional DEC Wildlife Office for assistance. In emergency situations, contact the local police department.

 

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Margaretville Hospital CATCH Art Auction May 17

MARGARETVILLE – Time again to mark your calendar for Margaretville Hospital’s Art Auction, CATCH: Community Art to Community Health, which will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the MTC Community Room, Margaretville. Now in its 5th year, CATCH has raised over $115,000 to benefit Margaretville Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network. We could never have achieved this without supporters like you!   

We are more inspired than ever to ensure that CATCH 2025 is the most successful to date. The evening will feature works of art from artists in the Catskills and beyond, light fare, entertainment and more.   

Please join our community of supporters. Your generosity helps ensure that our families, neighbors and friends will continue to receive high-quality, patient-centered care close to home.   

Here’s how you can get involved:  

Be a sponsor - Sponsorship levels are available for all budgets.  

Advertise in our CATCH Catalog - Promote your business, honor or recognize a hero in your life with an advertisement.  

Be our guest! - Reserve your seats today.  

Contribute with an in-kind donation - Donations of art are welcome.  

Be sure to sign up early; reservations are limited! Register to attend the auction or become a sponsor online at WMCHealth.org/CATCH. Proceeds from this event will support primary care equipment and technology at Margaretville Hospital and the Margaretville Health Foundation. 

For more information, please call 914.493.2575 or email Events@WMCHealth.org. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you on May 17! 

 

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Suspended Driver’s License Arrest

MARGARETVILLE — Sheriff Craig DuMond announced the arrest of a Margaretville man for operating a Motor Vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. 

On the afternoon of February 26th, 2025, while answering an unrelated call, deputies observed Ariel U. Devers, age 35, of Middletown, operating a motor vehicle in violation of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Upon conducting a search of Devers license information, it was discovered that his NYS driver’s licensed has been suspended on several occasions for failure to answer traffic summonses and failure to pay child support. The active suspensions dated back as far as 2020.  

On the Afternoon of February 27th, 2025 Deputies located Ariel at the Middletown Town Court on an unrelated matter.  Deputies subsequently took Devers into custody and charged him with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 3rd degree, a misdemeanor, and issued him a traffic summonses for unlicensed operator. 

Devers was subsequently released on an appearance ticket and traffic summonses directing him to appear in the Town of Middletown court at a later date to answer for the charges. 

Speaking on the arrest, Sheriff Craig DuMond remarked, “here I present you with another rock-star case as a clear representation of New York State’s failed Bail Reform Legislation.  Does anyone with any basic common sense believe this defendant will appear in court following his arrest for previously failing to appear dating back to 2020?.  Just another example of how out of touch Albany is when it comes to the lack of criminal accountability and the impact it has on our local communities”.

 

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