Ashland Speaks

By Lula Anderson

Spring has definitely sprung!  Every day different weather, sometimes, every hour different.  My yard was covered with robins last week, and my crocus has finally started blooming.  I have one pansy from last year blooming, and my snowdrops are in full bloom.  Watching the bird feeder, I have seen the return of wrens along with the black birds, including the red winged variety.  It's spring-cleaning time, Open the windows during the nice days, air out the house after the long, cold winter.  I go outside and see all the damage the winds have done, and each day clean up something.  It feels so good to be moving around again.  

As in the past few years, the burn ban is in effect from March 15 through May 15.  Although it seems that we have had plenty of rain/snow this year, the top layer is dry due to the winds, making conditions ripe for fires.  A single spark from your outdoor fire can burn acres of land.  Is it really worth it?  Leaves and branches should be composted to enrich the soil, and papers shredded or recycled.  Please think of others before you light that (illegal) fire.  One of the fires on Long Island was started by a family making s'mores in their backyard.

We have less than a month to get your taxes in.  This year Community Action of Greene County is coming to Prattsville to help several families do their taxes.  There is free help available if you reach out.  Community Action is always a good place to begin.

We welcome Scott Zielono and Jennifer McKeon to the Mountain Top as the new owners of Decker Funeral Home.  John Gulino will be working with them to ensure a smooth transition.  We are glad that they are keeping the name and personal service that we have long had.  John and Jennifer spoke at our last WAJPL meeting, and put many minds at ease.  Jennifer said to feel free to make an appointment with them if you have any questions on existing accounts with them, or to talk.  

Thanks to all who sent cards and called me wishing me well.  I'm improving every day, and am so glad I got to recuperate at home.  With Johanna next door, I have had several visitors from people who had time to wait until their hair appointment and wanted to say "Hello".  

Snow Birds call and check in regularly during the winter, but they're not ready to come home just yet after checking on weather conditions.  Jack Gates and his daughter have been spending time with me.  Good to see him again.

Prayers and get well wishes to Janice Maben and Dot Giordano.  Sympathy to the family of Lois Hunt.

AS I REMEMBER IT

We're in the middle of our annual Maple Syrup Festivals.  All over, organizations are holding pancake breakfasts with real maple syrup.  Sugar Houses are opening to let the public see how sap turns into syrup.  Of course we all have to go home with at least one bottle of that liquid gold.  I had a conversation not too long ago about tapping trees.  First question asked,  how do you know when to tap trees?  Anyone who grew up here knows the right weather conditions.  Sunny days over 34 degrees, and below freezing nights.  A west wind is okay, but a southern wind will not make sap run.  What month do you tap?  Whenever the conditions permit.  Some farmers only tapped during the full moon, others during new moon phase.  Is snow bad for syrup production?  Not really, as it keeps the roots of the trees insulated making the sap search for the warmth.

Back when I was young, the farmers hoped for a snowy spring as they could use sledges to harvest the sap.  Horses would be hitched up and the broad sledge would be drawn from tree to tree in the bush.  First step is to drill the hole and insert spiel, hang the bucket and cover and go on to the next.  Question:  How long does it take for the sap to start running into the bucket?  Hopefully, while drilling, the sap is washing the wood shavings from the hole so when the bucket is hung, it already starts filling.  Every morning we'd go out and remove the ice from the buckets.  Sap takes longer to freeze, so the ice was water.  The remaining liquid would be emptied into a large vat, and on to the next.  Horses were perfect for the job as they didn't need a road to travel on.  If the sled fit, they'd go through.  Back to the sap house and the sap would be put into another large vat which fed into the evaporator.  We all had wood fired arches at the time, so someone had to be around to feed the fire, and check when the boiled liquid was ready to be released from the first arch into the second and so on until the hot liquid reached syrup stage.  Some farmers used the drop of syrup into cold water method, some used the cold spoon method, where a cold spoon would be put in, and you could feel when it felt like syrup, but a candy thermometer was the best choice.  The crucial stage was at the very end when a few minutes could take it from watery syrup to sugar, or worse burnt.  

I don't know who came up with the idea of connecting the trees to plastic tubing which led the sap to one large collection barrel.  Mad collecting sap so much easier, until the squirrels chewed a hole in the tubing.  Reverse osmosis took the majority of the water out of the sap, shortening the cookoff time.  When you're dealing with hundreds of gallons of sap, it was quite a welcome addition.  When you think that it takes an average of 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup, that's quite a timesaver.  

Very few people still use wood fired arches to boil anymore, but I, for one, miss the mornings when you'd go around and see the steam pouring out of the old wooden sap houses lining the roads.  It really was down time for the farmer, as he, and his crew, got to sit around watching the sap boil and feeding the fire.  Few farm chores are quite so relaxing.

So, go out to a farm, buy a gallon of real maple syrup, and enjoy the history.

 

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McGunnigle Defeats Kashman for Village of Tannersville

By Max Oppen

Tannersville — Former Village Mayor Dr. Lee McGunnigle will return to office on April 7 after running as an Independent and winning the mayoral election. McGunnigle received 179 votes, defeating Deputy Mayor David Kashman, who garnered 117 votes.

McGunnigle previously served as Village Mayor for over two decades before losing to current Mayor David Schneider by a single vote in 2023.

According to the Greene County Board of Elections (BOE), the results of this election remain unofficial. In an email, the BOE stated, "These results are still unofficial as we have three outstanding cures." However, those outstanding ballots will not affect the outcome of the election.

McGunnigle emphasized a smooth transition of leadership. "First of all, we had a respective, constructive meeting with Deputy Mayor David Kashman following the results of the election, and he assured me he would participate or allow me to get up to speed on all the projects that are currently in progress or things that have been on the table so that we can have a smooth transition and the work can continue."

McGunnigle wasted no time engaging with local stakeholders. Following the election, McGunnigle met with Central Hudson to discuss improving pedestrian safety by installing 17 new streetlights in key walking areas. "This is consistent with the needs of the many," he said, noting that the decision came in response to citizen requests.

McGunnigle also met with Village Clerk Robin Dumont, who served under his previous administration. He praised her as a "dedicated, talented public employee" and highlighted her effectiveness during his tenure and under the current administration.

The new Mayor will be sworn in at noon on April 7, with the first Village Board meeting scheduled for that evening at 5:30 p.m. The elected trustees will also take their oaths of office that day.

McGunnigle plans to direct the incoming trustees to Village Clerk Dumont, who will provide them with the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) handbook to prepare them for their roles. "They're freshmen elected officials—they've never been in office before," he said. The handbook outlines their duties, responsibilities, and constraints while in office.

Among the key agenda items for the first meeting is a review of the short-term rental law drafted by former village attorney Bill Simon. "We have a law specific to Tannersville because the Village has zoning," McGunnigle explained, emphasizing that the law is more compatible with a municipality with zoning regulations. Additionally, the Board will consider adopting a new sewer law.

McGunnigle is eager to get to work. "I said I was going to hit the pavement running," he stated, "and we're going to have to get up to speed quickly." He expressed enthusiasm about the high voter turnout, saying, "The participation in this election has been terrific. The community is engaged in the future of Tannersville."

One of his primary objectives is to accelerate stalled projects. "I'm going to light a fire under every project and get them going," he said, reiterating his campaign stance that the Schneider administration moved too slowly and was too focused on village dissolution. "I'm going to put in the time to bring these projects from the DRI grants to fruition."

He also plans to meet with engineers working on the municipal building solarization project. "I want to meet with the company and engineers and see if we can squeeze more energy into the project," he said.

Trustee George Kelly expressed confidence in McGunnigle's leadership. "It was a given for weeks that Lee McGunnigle would be the next Mayor. The residents of the Village have spoken. His win was a landslide."

Following the election, former Village Trustee Gregory Thorpe submitted his resignation but declined to comment on his decision. Mayor David Schneider had a choice to appoint a new trustee while he was still in office or leave it to the new administration. He chose the former. 

Mayor Schneider exercised his right to appoint a replacement for Thorpe's vacant seat. "Following the resignation of Trustee Gregory Thorpe, as Mayor, it was my right to appoint a candidate," Schneider said. "I vetted several potential candidates and chose to wait for the election results to be finalized. After speaking to multiple candidates and previous Board members and consulting with Village residents, I have decided to appoint Kody Leach. I feel that having somebody young and a lifelong area resident will set the Board up for success."

Leach received 112 votes, third place ahead of Stephen Tuomey, who received 72.

Leach expressed gratitude for the appointment. "It is my privilege to be appointed by Mayor Schneider to the Village Board. I am excited to begin my political journey and feel well supported to take on the position of Village Trustee. I want to thank all the voters for their support during and after the election. While the outcome wasn't what I had hoped, my commitment to the future of our Village remains strong."

Reflecting on his tenure, Schneider shared his pride in his administration's achievements. "Serving the Village residents for the past two years has been a pleasure. My administration accomplished so much in a short period of time. It stayed focused on the needs of the Village and Village infrastructure and worked with the Hunter Chamber of Commerce to bring economic development to the mountaintop."

Schneider will now take on a new role. "As I leave my position as mayor, I will be taking on the position of president of the Hunter Chamber of Commerce and hope to bring new and vital economic development to the Village."

Village trustee candidate Stephen Tuomey offered congratulations to McGunnigle and the elected trustees. "I wish you the best of luck down the road. While I am disappointed with the process we went through again in the voting, I still wish you the best of luck. I also wish the Village of Tannersville the best of luck. I'd also like to thank the voters who supported my campaign."

Newly-elected Village Trustee Rebecca Fitting, who received 192 votes, shared her enthusiasm. "This has been an exciting election season here in Tannersville, but I'm thrilled this phase is finally over! Now I'm looking forward to April 7, when the Village administration transitions, and I'm looking forward to working with the new team."

Trustee-elect Gil Adler, who received 149 votes, echoed that sentiment. "I'm excited to help this Village heal from dissolution and begin enacting the mandates from everything I heard from the residents as I was campaigning."

 

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Catskill Mountain Foundation Progresses With New Dance Studios

By Max Oppen

TANNERSVILLE — The Catskill Mountain Foundation (CMF) is making significant progress on its long-awaited expansion project, which is now in the construction phase in the Village of Tannersville. The initiative, supported by a $1.75 million grant from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) secured by the Town of Hunter, has been further bolstered by matching private donations, bringing the total project cost to $3.5 million.

Pam Weisberg, CMF's Director of Performing Arts, confirmed that the funding is being utilized for state-of-the-art technological upgrades at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center and for constructing new, energy-efficient dance studios adjacent to the theater.

The visionaries behind this transformation, CMF founders Peter and Sarah Finn, continue to spearhead the efforts to establish the mountaintop as a thriving arts hub. At a previous gathering inside the Orpheum, they addressed a crowd of local officials, including Daniel Wren from Governor Kathy Hochul's office, Hunter Town Supervisor Sean Mahoney, and Village of Tannersville Mayor David Schneider.

Peter Finn reflected on the Orpheum's evolution from a modest 4,000-square-foot movie theater to a 12,000-square-foot professional performing arts center. Originally designed by renowned architect Hugh Hardy and completed in 2010, the Orpheum lacked essential technical components to attract high-caliber national and international dance troupes. The ongoing upgrades, however, are revolutionizing the venue.

Significant interior improvements include a cutting-edge surround sound system, wireless microphones, and an advanced lighting system that Jean-Claude "JC" Alten of Alten Project Solutions describes as "the latest and greatest available in New York State."

Alten praised Westside Music and other consultants for implementing the 75-plus new lighting components, noting that the system now rivals significant venues in New York City. The new lighting rig includes a hoist mechanism for easier maintenance and repositioning. Additionally, installing four 4K video cameras with pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities enhances the theater's production quality.

A previous article noted that Mayor Schneider echoed this sentiment, calling the upgrades "a tremendous opportunity for the Village to grow economically."

The project is undergoing its next phase, which is the construction of the net-zero, energy-efficient dance studios. This endeavor is a collaboration between CMF, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and expert design and construction teams. Jack Laken of Termobuild, a pioneer in net-zero technology who has worked on sustainable schools in Canada and the Carolinas, is leading innovative energy-saving solutions for the studios.

The new facilities will comprise two buildings—one housing two dance studios and another featuring two floors of office space, storage, dressing rooms, a reception area, and bathrooms. The studios will have full-length mirrors and sprung floors designed to absorb shock and minimize strain on dancers.

As construction continues rapidly, anticipation builds for the grand unveiling of the new facilities, marking a milestone for the arts in the Northern Catskills. 

 

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Raindrops Falling on Jewett Road Boss’s Head

By Michael Ryan

JEWETT - He leans more toward the country/folk musical stylings of John Prine, but Jewett highway superintendent Bob Mallory was crooning a different sort of tune during a recent visit to the town sand/salt shed.

Mallory was having a routine work schmooze inside the barn with shop foreman Scott Schoomaker when the strains of an old B. J. Thomas melody suddenly and soggily seized his attention.

The reason wasn’t exactly that raindrops kept falling on his head (as sung by Thomas) but rather, the result of those drops pelting the shed roof.

“It was a month or so ago, standing there talking with Scott, when all of a sudden there was water dripping on us,” Mallory says.

“We looked up and saw the inside of the roof was all brown. The darn thing was rotted. We never realized it before because who looks up there?

“We went around back of the building and saw that a bunch of shingles had blown off. Several hundred square feet were rotted.

“The roof is almost flat so you wouldn’t necessarily see it from the outside,” Mallory says, noting he stood on newly arrived sand piles to snap interior photographs of the leaky spot.

Those pictures will become part of the record as Mallory writes the specifications to ultimately put the job out to bid.

Jewett officials are expected to seek outside funding to help pay for the task which could easily run into six-figures territory.

Mallory, taking his cue from Thomas, isn’t idly whining about the prospect, understanding that construction costs have gone haywire.

“Just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed, nothing seems to fit, those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling,” Thomas sang.

“So I just did me some talking to the sun, and I said I didn't like the way he got things done, he's sleeping on the job,” Thomas sang. “But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red, crying's not for me, 'cause, I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining,” Thomas sang.

At the same time, Mallory isn’t the only one thinking about possibly digging up some dollars somewhere, specifically from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

DEP, in the 1980’s, mandated that watershed counties and municipalities build the sand/salt facilities as part of their own mandate preserve the quality of water in their upstate reservoir network.

The agency financed those projects but all these years later, watershed entities are faced with potentially laying out big bucks for maintenance.

Negotiations are ongoing, related to that economic dilemma, between the Big Apple and the Coalition of Watershed Towns as part of DEP’s water withdrawal permit renewal.

Those talks could lead to DEP agreeing to, or being obliged to, set up a maintenance reimbursement program, perhaps as soon as this year, although multiple other issues are involved.

Roof replacements or repairs will not be simple matters since the structures are quite high and therefore not the kind of labors a small town road crew would want to undertake. “That’ll be the roofer’s baby,” Mallory said.

In the meantime, Mallory says the shed is already filled with materials for next winter, beating the anticipated price rise slated for April.

And plans are continuing for dedication ceremonies at the community’s new veterans monument placed, last year, along Route 23C, directly across from the municipal hall.

An unofficial unveiling unfolded, last November, attended by three Vietnam War era veterans whose names are among the 328 names on the stone.

Invitations have been sent out to State officials and especially members of the Greene County Legislature for the scheduled May 17 event.

County lawmakers made available $35,000 in grants, helping put the fundraising effort over the top ,along with private donations, costing taxpayers in Jewett nothing.

“This respectful gesture is done on behalf of everyone in Jewett,” said town councilman John Giordano, who spearheaded the fundraising efforts.

 

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LEGISLATURE STUFF - A Stratagem Of Sorts

A respectful adieu was afforded Greene County Economic Development, Planning and Tourism director Warren Hart by the Greene County Legislature, last week. Among those taking part were (left to right) legislature chairman Patrick Linger, Mr. Hart, the new Economic Development director James Hannahs, legislative Majority Leader Matthew Luvera, legislative Minority Leader Harry Lennon and county administrator Shaun Groden.

By Michael Ryan

CATSKILL - Over the years, Warren Hart, the director of Greene County Economic Development, Planning & Tourism, has gathered an Easter basketful of respectful other titles.

Hart is supposedly in his final few days as department head and will wince, should he read that flowery reference to his two decades-plus on the job.

So be it. Hart, since coming aboard in the early 2000’s, has helped seed and sow more ventures, that positively and perpetually impact local taxpayers, than any busy little bunny.

“It’s all about the team we’ve put together,” Hart said in a chat, in his typical downplay fashion, after county lawmakers gave him a standing ovation sendoff during their regular monthly meeting on March 19.

Some people in a leadership role might say those words because it sounds fanciful. Hart says it from the heart, which is enough of the gooeyness.

He has always preferred getting down to and sticking to business which is why county administrator Shaun Groden calls him what he does.

“Warren is Mr. Detail. He is in the weeds on every project we do here,” says Groden who appreciates Hart’s skills perhaps better than anyone.

In recent years, he has also served as deputy county administrator, being a trusted wingman and giving seamless backup in Groden’s absence.

Hart is not the lone reason, but he is a paramount example of why Groden has become hellbent on dealing with sometimes unwanted inevitables.

“We’ve been in discussion about him leaving for a while, thinking about a successor,” Groden says. “It’s important to have continuity of operations.

“I bring this up to all the department heads, that we need a succession plan, but we will experience a real brain drain with Warren gone.

“He retired last December but you wouldn’t know it. He’s working fifty-hour weeks and Saturdays which is part time for him,” Groden says.

“Warren knows all the procedural rules and governmental procedures we must adhere to, but that’s just the small part of it.

“The county. losing his contacts and his institutional knowledge, will be a difficult thing to overcome,” Groden says.

“When he isn’t in the office just down the hall anymore, I know I’ll be speed-dialing him anyway, asking him who knows what?”

Legislature chairman Patrick Linger similarly has a sobriquet for Hart, and a tip of the cap, describing him as as Mr. Broadband.

The county, led by Hart, committed to extending 21st Century internet and cell connections to every mountain, valley and river resident.

It was a painstaking deal, needing to consolidate historically independent providers, encouraging the legislature to tap federal money for the task.

“Broadband is his baby,” Linger says, having advanced it from covered-wagon coverage to beam-me-up-Scotty, soon to be available to every address in the county.

Hart has likewise been intricately involved with infrastructure necessities such as the new justice center, mental health building and jail.

“Warren has done so much for the county people don’t even know about, but we do,” Linger says. “He’s a planner, that’s his favorite thing. It’ll be noticeably different around here without him.”

The county, putting the continuity of operations plan to its intended use, has chosen James Hannahs, an in-house, young blood 30-year-old, to follow Hart whom Hannahs has nicknamed, “our Remote Consultant.”

Falling in line with Groden, Hannahs has imbedded Hart’s phone number in all his devices, saying, “Warren saw a lot of promise in me I didn’t even see, always uplifting me. How do you thank someone for that?”

Charles Martinez is the ranking county legislator and the budget finance officer, saying of Hart, “I hate to see him go. I honestly do.

“We are really going to miss him,” Martinez says. ‘Warren took a lot of pressure off Shaun Groden, that’s for damn sure.”

Not quite as certain is what Hart will be doing in the lemonade-sipping, hammock-swinging phase of his life.

“Everybody asks that question. I don’t have any grand plan,” says Hart, words that come as a shock to the sensibilities.

On the other hand, “I will spend time with family, do some volunteer work and do more of what people say they’re going to do in retirement,” Hart says, so there is a stratagem, of sorts.

 

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(MORE) LEGISLATURE STUFF - Rethinking Emergency Rescue Reality

By Michael Ryan

CATSKILL -  They call themselves the “Joint Task Force on EMS Response Staffing Configurations,” which in Joe Average terms has to do with the number of workers needed to keep ambulances running smoothly.

A recent White Paper produced by the group is therefore deeply relevant to the discussions being led by the Greene County Legislature linked to potentially creating a unified county ambulance system.

Those talks have been ongoing for several months, prompted by an appeal from mountaintop government officials for county lawmakers to take the lead in addressing persistent issues in emergency medical rescue.

Hilltowners said the existing network, largely operated by municipalities, is unsustainable due to oppressive costs and manpower shortages.

The Joint Task Force lasers in on those two elements, drawing conclusions that may change the current thinking about where this new countywide system, if established, should place primary attention.

In the local talks, response time to the scene of a call is overwhelmingly hailed as the top priority, aiming for as swiftly as humanly possible.

There have been local voices, though, saying response time is not the end-all, be-all factor, especially as it entails staffing configurations and the dollars needed to provide efficient and affordable coverage.

The Joint Task Force sees the matter similarly, being composed of people from various national and international organizations including EMS physicians, firefighters and emergency dispatchers.

Their report is titled, “Rethinking Emergency Medical Services: Applying Evidence and Data to Redesign Response Models for a Resilient and Sustainable Future,” sounding right up Greene County’s alley.

It states, “the current emergency medical services delivery model places significant emphasis on short response times and advanced life support (ALS) staffing,” meaning on-board paramedics.

Greene County offers ALS service through its flycar system and in the towns of Catskill and Windham, and it is agreed no one wants to go backwards in current response times.

There is, though, a major problem with patient transport, not provided by the flycars, placing the burden most heavily on municipalities.

Local conversations have centered on combining the two, trying to arrive at the proper number of workers and ambulances that solution would require, a number ranging from 9 to maybe 12 or more ambulances.

Each ambulance, in addition to the vehicle expense, would result in more staffing, more payroll, more health benefits, etc.

It is a vexing question for Greene County, given its varied landscape with dense populations in valley and river communities and much more scattered distribution in rural, mountaintop towns and villages,

The Task Force report states, “contemporary evidence-based research has revealed response times have little to no impact on patient outcomes for the majority of EMS responses.

“Only 6.9 percent of patients accessing EMS require potentially lifesaving interventions,” the report states, an eye-opening low percentage.

Cutting to the chase in their “Conclusions” section, the Task Force states, “EMS systems across America are facing an unprecedented staffing and economic crisis.

“Some systems are failing while others are facing difficult decisions and insurmountable hurdles.

“Many of the reasons for the staffing and economic crisis are unrealistic public expectations based on beliefs that are not supported by contemporary evidence-based data,” the report states.

Strongly recommending that, “significant community education should be undertaken by local community and EMS leaders,” the Task Force report arrives at a surprise determination.

“Right-sizing expectations and EMS delivery based on scientifically proven EMS system redesign - specifically regarding ambulance staffing and  reasonable response times - may have a significant impact on EMS system sustainability in many communities across the country and help preserve an over-taxed, stressed EMS workforce.

“EMS system leaders should analyze response data in their local community and critically evaluate the acuity of patients requesting 911 EMS response,” the report states.

The ultimate goal is, “assuring patients with high acuity medical complaints receive a rapid response, including closest medical response resources with ALS support, and low acuity patients receive alternative responses,” the report states.

Local EMS pros say that distinguishing whether or not an ambulance is needed to drive a person to the hospital, rather than being mandated, regardless of the call, could dramatically ease overall system strains.

But there are presently no options. “There are required State protocols and regulations,” legislature chairman Patrick Linger says.

“We know there are patients who are transported to Hudson [hospital] simply because they need a ride to Hudson,” Linger says.

“If there is a waiting list to get into the Emergency Room, the ambulance has to wait and that is a significant call volume,” Linger says.

Acknowledging that response time is considered Priority #1 by many local EMS personnel, Linger says, ‘my point is that response time isn’t as important as having ambulances to respond in the first place.

“We’ve already lost agencies along the way to the current discussions. There’s no longer nobody there to pick up the slack,” Linger says.

“If we lose any more agencies, somebody isn’t going to get an ambulance when it’s called. We don’t want that to happen,” Linger says.

 

 

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Out Lexington Way

By Christine Dwon

Joan and Taris Charysyn, their daughter Katrina, her husband and grandchild went to the NYC Transit Authority of New York Museum to see the exhibit of 50 Years of New York City Subways.  Years ago, when Joan was working for a company in NYC, she drew, on and off over 3 years, abstract maps of  the NYC subways.  They were known as the Begnelli Maps for which she never received recognition.  Joan did eventually get credit and now these maps are on display in the Museum. Congratulations, Joan!

Friday, March 28, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., is the next Fish Fry Dinner at the Hensonville Hose Company firehouse, 432 State Route 296, Hensonville.  Eat in or take out a delicious dinner of fried fish, or chicken or clam strips, baked potato or french fries, coleslaw, dinner roll, brownie.  You can add extra fish, chicken or clams to any dinner.  Mozzarella sticks are also available for sale.  Dinners will be held through Lent – March 28, April 4, April 11 and April 18.  Dinners are $20.  You may pre-order at 518-734-3040.

Start your Saturday, March 29 off right with a delicious Maple Weekend Breakfast hosted by the Haines Falls Volunteer Fire Company and Auxiliary.  Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. and goes till 12 p.m. at the Tannersville Rescue Squad Building, 21 Park Lane, Tannersville.  Menu includes real maple syrup, french toast, scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, sausage, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, orange juice, apple juice, water – all for a free will offering.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is annually observed on March 29.  It commemorates the hardships suffered and sacrifices made by nine million Americans during the Vietnam War.  However, the holiday does not only honor the former soldiers, but also their families who supported them before and after the war.  Join TGM American Legion Post 187, 94 Second Street, Athens, for a special Vietnam Veterans Luncheon on Saturday, March 29 at 12 p.m.  Free to all Veterans.

The Mountain Top Parish Churches will be holding a combined worship service on Sunday, March 30 at the Ashland UMC, 12216 Route 23, Ashland at 10 a.m.  A covered dish meal will follow the service.   All are welcomed.

Happy birthday to Paul Dwon on Saturday, March 29.

Also celebrating a birthday on March 29 is Marie Van Patten.

Wednesday, April 2 is Fran Driscoll’s birthday.

Best wishes to everyone.

Wednesday, April 2, at 4:30 p.m. is the next Administrative Council meeting of the Lexington/West Kill UMC in the church hall.

There will be an Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, April 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Hunter Elementary School.  The free Easter Egg Hunt starts at 9:30 a.m. for toddlers through second grade and 10:30 a.m. for third grade and older.  Meet at the Hunter gym prior to start time.  Please come and support the Class of 2027.  Breakfast tickets are $10 each – unlimited pancakes, bacon/sausage and beverage.  For breakfast tickets see any Sophomore or email acameron@htcschools.org.

Tuesday, April 8, 7 p.m., the Ladies Auxiliary of the Town of Lexington Fire/Rescue Company will meet in the Firemen’s Room for the monthly meeting.

The HTC, NHS and NJHS is sponsoring a Blood Drive at the Hunter/Tannersville Middle/High school, 6094 Main Street, Tannersville, in the gym on Friday, April 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  To schedule an appointment, please see a member of HTC, NHS or NJHS.  You may also visit www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code 6433nyp or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

The much anticipated annual Maple Brunch sponsored by the West Kill-Lexington Community Improvement Association, will be held Sunday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Hall, 141 Spruceton Road, West Kill. Tickets are $20 and children under 5 are free.  There will be scrambled eggs, pancakes, grits, potatoes, bacon, sausage and so much more served buffet style.  A wonderful variety of delicious brunch choices, and of course, all the sweet treats too.  Come and enjoy a sit down meal and fellowship.  Tickets sold at the door – cash, check or credit card.  Proceeds benefit the WKLCIA.

The Greene County Senior Nutrition Program for the week of March 31 – April 4 is as follows:  Monday—Sausage and peppers sub, parsley potatoes, Italian mixed vegetables, pears; Tuesday—Soft shell tacos, Mexicali vegetables, Spanish rice, fruit cocktail; Wednesday—Stuffed shells marinara with meatball, Italian mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes, chocolate chip cookies; Thursday—Meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, fresh fruit; Friday—Seafood salad plate, marinated cucumbers and tomatoes, coleslaw, fresh fruit.  All persons 60 and older and spouses, are invited to attend.  Congregate meals served at noon Monday through Friday.  Suggested donations $4 per meal.  Congregate dining reservations are required by noon at least a day in advance.  If you reserve a meal and are unable to attend, please call as soon as you can to cancel.  This helps reduce food waste.  If you have food allergy, please notify us.  Allergen information is available for prepared food items.  The number to call for the Senior Service Center at the Jewett Municipal Building, Route 23C, Jewett is 518-263-4392.

Thank you to all law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, dispatchers, healthcare providers, volunteers, veterans and actively serving military, farmers, truck drivers and so many more.  |

Prayers for all who are dealing with loss, illnesses, healing, difficulties, our country, our military and their families, the world.

Until next week take care, be thankful, be respectful, be safe and please be kind to one another.  Your act of kindness may change someone’s life.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is March 29.  Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

 

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