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Sharon Historical Society Seeks Memories of Your Memories

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 3/28/25 | 3/28/25

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sharon Historical Society is working on a new book entitled, “Memories of Sharon Springs.” This book will feature stories and memories of Sharon Springs through the voices of those who know it best - our residents, both past and present. We believe that these personal stories form the backbone of our collective

history, and we're excited to share these personal, social, historic, funny, and heartfelt ta- les with everyone. Saving these memories ensures that valuable stories won’t fade away over time and allows these stories and memories to be preserved for future generations.

Your memories matter!

Memories are more than just stories; they are invaluable resources that connect us to our past. By saving these memories, we ensure that the vibrant history of Sharon Springs is not lost to time. Instead, it is preserved for future generations, allowing them to understand and appreciate the experiences of everyday people who have shaped our community.

Preserves Diverse Perspectives: These stories and memories of Sharon Springs let us hear from individuals that might otherwise be overlooked or forgotten.

Personal Connections: Listening to someone share their story brings a powerful per- sonal touch.

Cultural Preservation: Many customs, traditions, and languages have been passed down through generations. Capturing these stories helps preserve cultural heritage and identity, ensuring that future generations can learn from and appreciate their heritage.

How to Participate

All Sharon Springs residents, both past and present, have a story to tell, and we want to hear yours. We invite you to

contribute your stories to this meaningful project. Here’s how you can get involved:

Reflect on Your Memories: Think back to the moments that stand out from your time in Sharon Springs. These could be significant events, everyday occurrences, or personal anecdotes that have stayed with you.

Read Through the list of Interview Questions: A list of interview questions can be found on our website at: https://www.sharonhistoricalsocietyny.org/copy-of-my-memories-book-project

Reading through this list of questions will help bring back memories and will serve as a guide for you.

Participating in a Live Interview: We can arrange to interview you live, either in person or via Zoom. Just let us know that you would like to be interviewed, and we will contact you to make interview arrangements with you. This would be the preferred way to capture your stories so we can preserve them in a video format as well as written content.

Write Down Your Story: If you would prefer not to do a live interview, you can download the Interview Questions and respond to them. Please try to answer as many questions as possible. If you prefer, you can also draft your memory in a clear and engaging manner. Don’t worry about perfection; focus on authenticity and the essence of your experience.

Submit Your Story or Interview Questions: Once you complete the Interview Questions or write your story, you can submit it to the Sharon Historical Society. You can do this via email, mail, or drop it off in person. Be sure to include your con- tact information so we can follow up if needed.

Share Photographs or Artifacts: If you have any photographs or artifacts that accompany your story, consider sharing them as well. These can enrich your narrative and provide a visual context for your memories. Visual elements help bring personal stories to life, offering readers a deeper connection to the experiences you're describing.

When selecting photographs or artifacts to include with your narrative, look for items that:

Capture a specific moment or emotion

Illustrate a key detail from your story

Provide historical or cultural context

Showcase personal connections or transformations

These visual elements can range from old family photos and per- sonal mementos to historical documents, letters, or significant objects that hold special meaning. Each artifact tells a part of your story that words alone might not fully convey.

Guidelines for Submission

Length: Stories should be concise, ideally between 500 and 1,500 words.

Format: Submissions can be handwritten or typed. If handwrit- ten, please ensure the text is legible.

Content: We are interested in a variety of stories, whether they are historical, humorous, touching, or all of the above.

Contact Information

For questions or to submit your story, please contact the Sharon Historical Society at:

Email: sharonhistoricalsocietyny@gmail.com Phone: (518-860-5513

Address: PO Box 363, Sharon Springs, NY 13459

 

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“Sharon Things - Local Happenings for Sharon Springs”

By Alexis Pencar

Hey Neighbors

The cool down this past week felt much colder after those previously warm days, that was such a treat! There was a bit of snow with no accumulation and plows were even dropping salt mid-week in places due to overnight freezing rain. 

With a shift back to warmer temperatures this weekend, look out for lots of rain through Monday with cloudy conditions throughout the week. Don’t get planting yet since we will still have below freezing lows into next week.

The calendar of events will definitely start picking up this season in the coming weeks so please stay tuned for all the exciting updates for the Spring Awakening in Sharon Springs, Spring Into Summer in Cherry Valley, and the popular Klinkhart Hall Arts Center Summer Concert Series. 

Sunnycrest Markets is open with more vendors than ever! Visit yourself to see what all the excitement is about! They have affordable groceries, produce, bulk items, ready-made food, furniture, and much more! The nursery is now open selling seasonal items until the Spring really picks up! 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 and have cider donuts and more 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 - 8:00 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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Spring Awakening Coming Up

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — On Saturday April 12th from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM, check out the shops in The Village of Sharon Springs for the annual “Spring Awakening” celebration! Come out to celebrate Spring and the reopening of shops in the Village with lots of shopping, flowers, and activities! Each shop will have something special and unique for Spring!

Join the community in celebrating the Spring Awakening of our natural surroundings and our ever important local businesses! There will be the annual Easter egg rally, create your own origami flowers, tarot card readings, decorate cookies, dip your own chocolate marshmallows, and so much more! Enjoy spring shopping for decor, gifts and more! There will be plenty to do for everyone!

Make sure to plan for brunch at Brimstone Bakery (reservations recommended) to savor their seasonal delights. Book your Baby Goat Tours at Beekman 1802 by contacting the Beekman 1802 Kindness Shop for more details! Bluebell Vintage Truck & Spring Flowers just in time for your Easter weekend too!

Shop “Spring Awakening” at some of the lovely Sharon Springs businesses including Austintacious (197 Main Street), Beekman 1802 (187 Main Street), Brimstone Bakery (922 Chestnut Street), Black Cat Cafe (195 Main Street), Cobbler & Company (189 Main Street), McGillycuddy’s Naturals (197 Main Street), E.H. Rural Provisions (197 Main Street), Sharon Springs Fine Dried Florals (200 Main Street), and more!

As the flowers begin to bloom and the trees get their leaves, come out to the Village of Sharon Springs for Spring activities and excitement for all! Visit “Spring Awakening Sharon Springs” on Facebook for more information.

 

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SSCS Support Handy and Law in Faculty Basketball Game

 By Tori Edwards 

SHARON SPRINGS — It comes with no surprise that Sharon Springs Central School is community strong. This was expressed on Friday, March 21st  at the SSCS Faculty and Staff Basketball Game. Staff members showed their true colors of Purple and White! In honor of two resilient teachers Mrs. Handy and Mrs. Law who are undergoing cancer treatments. 

The stands were filled with supporters and students that expressed joy, love, and excitement in every cheer for the participants within the crowd! The Grand Announcers were Ava Jump and Thomas Tissiere. Coaches were the outstanding lunch ladies Mrs. Simpson for the Home team and Mrs. Bartlett for the Guest team. Principal Yorke’s Home Team took the final score of 21 to 20. It was a great game with musical intermissions from the cheerleaders Coach Bear, Coach Smith, Coach Korona, Coach Conley, and Coach Bonderoff. What a great way to show respect to these ladies that have an honorable bond to students and staff within the district. Keep up the community pride! Let’s Go Spartans!

 

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SSCS Update

By Tori Edwards 

SHARON SPRINGS — This week students were engaged in Spirit Week to support the Sharon Springs Community Food Pantry. Each day students participated in wearing colors of specific food items to donate such as yellow for Mac and Cheese Day. Donations are greatly appreciated to aid families in need. 

Over the weekend the Futsal Ball Tournaments were held at SSCS with Sharon Springs Boys Varsity with 2 wins and Boys Modified with a win! Thanks for all who made this event a success in Support of The Sharon Springs Booster Club! 

Congratulations to Ava Jump and Yasmin Issa who will be inducted to the FBLA Honor Society in Rochester this April during the FBLA State Leadership Conference! Keep Shining ladies! 

Friday, March 28th The Elementary students will be hosting their monthly Morning Program at 8:20 am. Thursday April 10th Elementary Students will be having their Annual Talent Show at 8:20 am! Kindergarten Registration and Screenings are coming soon! They will begin on Tuesday May 27th and Wednesday, May 28th in the Sharon Springs Auditorium. 

Keep up the Great Community Spirit Students! Let’s Go Spartans!

 

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Summit Holds Unsafe Building Law Hearing

By Karen Cuccinello

The regular March Summit Town Board meeting was well attended by the public and opened with approval of the February minutes and supervisors report.

Highway Superintendent Jim Dibble reported they have been repairing roads and filling potholes. They had to put the plows back on Thursday for potential snow. Will be getting prices for a new pick up truck. The dump truck that was ordered over a year ago might not be delivered until next year.

Assessor, Dave Jones, reported that the exemption season is over and getting ready for the release of the tax rolls May 1st. He asked about getting a new laptop as the office computer has not been working well for a while. The laptop needs to be ordered through Schoharie County, costing $957.80. The Board approved the purchase.

Historian Karen Cuccinello reported that the flash drive that the NY Genealogical & Biographical Society sent of the digitized Summit 1820-1830 minutes, has been placed in the archives cabinet. Still hoping to get more information and or photos of old Summit farms for 2026 book, ordered more 2025 Farm books with donation monies and the Maple Festival booklet has the Summit Revolutionary Veterans article in it. Board member Kearney said that the town clerk should have a copy of the minutes flash drive. Cuccinello stated that the clerk has easy access to the flash drive as she has a key to the archives cabinet.

Code Enforcement Officer Jesse Wilcox reported he's keeping up on open building permits, is overseeing two orders of remediation, working on 2025 training classes, issued one new building permit, one research and two building permit renewals.

Board of Appeals chairman, John Foote, reported nothing new.

The Board approved sending a letter to National Grid requesting that they not spray defoliants near homes.

Meeting open to the public, no responses.

Public hearing on Unsafe Building Law opened. It is a law providing for the securement, repair or removal of unsafe buildings and collapsed structures. John Foote gave an overview of the law that updates the Unsafe Building Law of 2012.

Comments from the public.

Dave Knight commented; If a homeowner receives an appearance ticket from the code enforcement officer to repair an unsafe situation the timeline for repairs taking place within 60 days might not be long enough.

Attorney Mike West commented that if the remediation of an unsafe building goes to court, judges are usually more than willing to work with the homeowner. Judges would prefer monies go towards repairs rather than fines.

Jen Stinson supports the law as it has more detail than the 2012 law and hopes that it will help to address home owners that don't live in Summit.

Supervisor Vroman mentioned a letter he received from National Grid that states smart meters will be getting installed within the next two years.

Board member Georgia Shafer gave a report on the Summit Revitalization Committee (SRC). Unified Posting sub-committee on hold. Park sub-committee formed and will work with Summit Neighbors to procure land next to their green space on Rte. 10. Farmer's Market sub-committee working with Caroline Myron of Schoharie County Ag & Markets to survey where markets are needed. Complete Streets sub-committee will make a presentation and will speak about grant possibilities at the April 17 town board meeting. Next SRC meeting April 3 at 7pm.

April 5th will be the first White goods/scrap collection at Summit town hall parking lot 1580 Charlotte Valley Rd. 8-11am. For information call James Morrell 518-701-4049. Will continue every first Saturday of the month until September.

Meeting adjourned 7:40pm and the Board went into executive session with Attorney West.

 

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Local History by Dede Terns-Thorpe - The Lox-Hurst


With Summer around the corner, it’s the time of year that the Mt. Top Historical Society holds its numerous educational programs. Most, but not all programs, are held on the MTHS property; the old Lox-Hurst Hotel (Lynx Forest) later called the  La-Cascade, and owned by Fran Dumas Hoose’s parents. The Lox-Hurst stood proudly on the north side of the crest of Kaaterskill Clove in Haines Falls.  This information was found in a  1918 Road Map of the Catskills and Vicinity, listing the High Peaks and published by Walter Van Loan. The map sold in 1918 for 0.40 cents. (Today’s cost would be about $13.00.  

About the LOX-HURST.  

“It is located at Haines Falls, in the Catskills, at the immediate head of the renowned Kaaterskill Clove, and commands the view through the Clove, across the Hudson Valley. For half a century the Kaaterskill Clove and its surroundings have been known and noted as a region of much singular wildness and scenic beauty, and to include the grandest and most charming scenery of the Catskill Mountains. The site of the house was chosen as the best in the region for a summer boarding house. The elevation is 1,936 feet above the mean tide in New York, as shown by actual measurements.  

THE HOUSE: 

The House was designed as a superior summer boarding house, to be attractive, convenient, and comfortable. It accommodates 100 guests. The piazzas are very broad and long, and a refreshing breeze sweeps across them. A lawn tennis court is provided with a net, and the larger parlor contains a good piano. There are large, open fireplaces in the parlor and dining room. 

Lighted and heated by gas. Recently enlarged. All sanitary improvements. 

Hot and cold water baths may be had. 

The Cottage is situated 50 feet from the main house, to accommodate 25. All improvements.  

GOLF TENNIS 1-8th MILE FROM THE POST OFFICE AND RAILROAD STATION.  

Lox-Hurst, near the pretty Falls,

Terms, $15.00 and upward. 

Is always ready for your calls.

Livery & Garage attached to the house.  

Telephone and Telegraph Communication in the house.” 

Thanks for reading. Be well and stay safe. Summer’s on its way! 

 D. Terns-Thorpe/Town of Hunter Historian

 

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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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