The Mountain Eagle

6/6/25

Hanford Mills Museum Federal Grants Reinstated for Now

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 6/6/25 | 6/6/25

EAST MEREDITH — On Wednesday, May 21, Hanford Mills Museum (HMM) was notified by email that its two federal grants funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) were reinstated “in accordance with the court’s Preliminary Injunction Order of May 13, 2025, in State of Rhode Island, et al. v. Trump et al., case no. 1:25-cv-00128.” These grants had been awarded in 2022 and 2024 under the agency’s established award process and were among many museum and library grants that were terminated in April by acting IMLS director Keith Sonderling.

“We are delighted that these grants were reinstated,” said Executive Director Kajsa Harley. “While this is great news for us, we are moving forward cautiously because we don’t know if the reinstatements are permanent.” The notices also stated: “For transparency, please note that an appeal of the court’s Preliminary Injunction Order is pending, which may affect the reinstatement of your grant in the future.”

While HMM waits for a more final decision, staff are continuing work on these multi-year projects that allow HMM to complete critical work that will enhance their service to the public: to improve the management and care of its historic objects to ensure that they last for current and future generations, and to create an interpretive master plan informed by community participation that will guide the museum’s activities into the future.

HMM has also opened for its 2025 season, which will move forward regardless of IMLS funds. “The site is busy with field trips this time of year,” explained Harley, “and in June we will start with larger special events.” The museum will host a Free Family Saturday on June 14 and a Summer Celebration Concert on June 20.

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Delaware League Spring Season Academic All Stars for 2024-25

Delaware League Varsity Boys Baseball

Gilboa Conesville – Brayden Carr

Jefferson – Patrick Terk

Margaretville – Hunter Balcom

Roxbury – Jordan Johnston

South Kortright – Evan Smith

Stamford – George Nebesnik

Windham – Jackson Storms

Delaware League Varsity Girls Softball

Andes – Emma Robson

Charlotte Valley – Natalie Amadon, Josephine Butler

Gilboa Conesville – Bailey Hughes

Hunter Tannersville – Ava Byrne

Jefferson – Rose Bevilacqua

Margaretville – Evie Curlew - Siclare

Roxbury – Addy Hynes

South Kortright – Carlee Dropp

Stamford – Natalie Nebesnik

Windham – Abigail Hammel, Erin Klein

Delaware League Varsity Boys Tennis

Andes – Matthew Liddle

Charlotte Valley – Alexa Rae - Seeley

Hunter Tannersville – William Schneider

Jefferson – Riely Poole

Margaretville – Caden Anfimovas

Roxbury – Madison Burgwin

Stamford – Robin Henne

Windham – Selina Li

Delaware League Varsity Boys Track

Andes – Shane Edwards

Charlotte Valley – Noah Pedrick

Jefferson – Mitchell Dorosky

Margaretville – Caden Anfimovas

Stamford – Liam Seeley

Delaware League Varsity Girls Track

Charlotte Valley – Jordan Odell

Jefferson – Kiyah Adams

Margaretville – Lily Landes

Roxbury – Ava Poniros

South Kortright – Aurelia Comer

Stamford – Brooke Cole

Windham – Elizabeth Gonzalez

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Delaware League Varsity Boys Baseball All Stars for 2024-25

First Team: Glboa Conesville/Roxbury – Gavin Bohringer, David Cammer, Garrison Ross

Jefferson/Stamford – Jon Michael Leas, Charlie Miller

Margaretville – CJ Fairbairn

South Kortright – Logan Reinshagen, Cole Thomas, JB Trimbell

Windham – John Garzone

Second Team: Gilboa Conesville/Roxbury – Erik Pettersen, Burton Strauch

Jefferson/Stamford – Caiden Tompkins

Margaretville – Hunter Balcom, Ryan Sanford

South Kortright – Jackson Hudson, Anthony Martinez

Windham – Payton Dempsey, Jacob Schwartz

Honorable Mention: Gilboa Conesville/Roxbury – Brayden Carr, Jordan Johnston

Jefferson/Stamford – Cameron Tompkins

Margaretville – Anthony Maggio

South Kortright – Jack Byrne

Windham – Christian Greene, Devin Schlosser

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Delaware League Varsity Boys Tennis All Stars 2024-25

First Team: Gilboa Conesville/Roxbury – John DeWitt

Hunter Tannersville: Dannielle Galatti, Ian Gilmore, William Schneider

Margaretville: Caden Anfimovas

Windham: Ben Fink, Selena Li, Ronin Mears, Jack Pellettier

Second Team: Andes – Tristan Weaver

Gilboa Conesville/Roxbury – Blake Albano

Hunter Tannersville – Blake Cameron, Teagan Mahoney, Grady Maul

Jefferson/Stamford – Michelle Webster

Margaretville – Chase Norwick, Max Siciarz

Windham – Leo Klein

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Delaware League Varsity Girls Softball All Stars for 2024-25

First Team: Charlotte Valley/Schenevus – Natalie Amadon, Laila Wheeler, Brinlee Wright

Gilboa Conesville/Roxbury – Caitlyn Ciaravino, Bailey Hughes, Mikayla Wright

Hunter Tannersville – Lily Constable

South Kortright – Neleh Brown

Windham Ashland Jewett – Megan Carroll, Catherine Coe, Hannah Tuttle

Second Team: Charlotte Valley/Schenevus – Autumn Burton, Abby Vroman

Gilboa Conesville/Roxbury – Olivia Ross

Hunter Tannersville – Abigail Dwon, Julia Legg

South Kortright – Carlee Dropp, Annlyse Haynes, Lilly Temple

Stamford/Jefferson – Lillian Eklund

Windham Ashland Jewett – Kylie Jordan, Zeta Pitti

Honorable Mention: Charlotte Valley/Schenevus – Sam Barrett, Amber Burton

Gilboa Conesville/Roxbury – Jacey O’Donnell, Kelly Kalleberg

Hunter Tannersville – Ava Byrne, Saleema Poladian

Margaretville – Miley Balcom, Livy Fronckowiak

South Kortright – Madysen Reeves

Stamford/Jefferson – Rose Bevilacqua, Kaitlyn Stoutenburg

Windham Ashland Jewett – Piper Cohane

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Registration Now Open for Three Creative Summer Camp Opportunities

ROXBURY – Registration is now open for three exciting creative camp opportunities this summer presented by the Roxbury Arts Group. Camp Feathers in a Notebook, which has separate sessions for children and adults, is an outdoor program held in the enchanting Kirkside Park in Roxbury. This camp encourages participants to explore the natural world for inspiration and natural materials that can be used to create their own art supplies. Camp Create, hosted at the Headwaters Arts Center in Stamford, is a lively and flexible day camp designed for children ages 6–13 that features a new creative theme each day. These camps offer a fun and enriching learning opportunity that encourages self-expression through the arts. Programs are affordably priced, and equity pricing options are available for all Roxbury Arts Group programming. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. To sign up, visit https://roxburyartsgroup.org/camps or call (607) 326-7908.

Camp Feathers in a Notebook – Roxbury, NY

Led by artist and botanist Andie Hope, Camp Feathers in a Notebook takes place at Kirkside Park in Roxbury. Campers will learn to create art inspired by the natural environment and even make their own art supplies using natural materials found outdoors.

Separate sessions are offered for youth and adults:

Youth Camp (Ages 6–13): August 4–8, 1:00–4:30 PM
Children will explore the park, engage in nature walks, and learn to observe and respect what they encounter there. Then they’ll put that knowledge to use as they are guided in how to make paper from plant fibers and create natural inks from berries, flowers, and rocks and paint with them.
Adult Sessions: August 4–7, 5:30–7:30 PM
These evening workshops, which can be taken individually or as a four-day series, include topics such as: Paper-making with recycled and plant-based materials; Crafting handmade art tools like brushes, pens, and notebooks; Creating and painting with natural inks

Camp Feathers in a Notebook began in 2024, inspired by the life and work of Ian O'Brien, a beloved Roxbury artist whose practice was rooted in a deep appreciation for nature.

Camp Create – Stamford, NY

Camp Create is the ultimate experience for young artists ages 6–13 to unleash their creativity. Taking place from August 11–14 and August 18–21, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, this flexible camp allows families to register for one day, one week, both weeks, or select dates as needed.

Throughout the sessions, dedicated instructors and guest teaching artists guide campers through hands-on activities that foster imagination, self-expression, and creative collaboration. At Camp Create, the focus is on the creative process rather than the final product, creating a supportive and inspiring environment for all participants.

About the Roxbury Arts Group:

For over four decades, the Roxbury Arts Group has been a cultural beacon in the Catskills, dedicated to enriching the creative spirit of the community through diverse and accessible arts programming. This event is sponsored by Margaretville Telephone Company. All programs offered by the Roxbury Arts Group are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature, the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation, the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, The Community Foundation for South Central New York, the Tianaderrah Foundation, The Delaware National Bank of Delhi, and individual supporters.

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5th Annual Hill People’s Comedy Fest Features Three Days of Stand-up, Improv & Antics

STAMFORD — The Queen of the Catskills’ celebration of silliness returns for its fifth year with stand-up, improv, music and more antics by a slew of hilarious comics from near and far! The 5th Annual Hill People’s Comedy Fest will take place at The Belvedere Inn located at 10 Academy St. Stamford, 12167 from Thursday June 19 through Saturday June 21. Presented by The Party Theater and the Belvedere Inn, all shows will take place under the festival tent alongside the historic bar, and there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy.

Thursday 6/19

8pm - Local Voices: Stamford Stand-Up Showcase featuring and hosted by nationally-touring comic Mia Jackson

Friday 6/20

6pm - Free Community Improv Workshop led by Happenstancery Improv (recommended ages 12+)
8pm - Improv, Music & Alt Comedy: Hosted by Heather Craig

Saturday 6/21

3:30pm - Free Kids’ Clowning Workshop (kids 12 and under) at Catskills Junction as part of Family Fun Day
8pm - Stand-Up Special: Hosted by Shaye Troha, this night features Headliner Aiko Tanaka

Come one night or get a weekend pass! The Hill People’s Comedy Fest is a uniquely fun, funky weekend of entertainment featuring: Thursday’s “Local Voices” Show - See your friends for this selection of local comedic talents hosted by and featuring nationally-touring comic Mia Jackson, Friday acts - Happenstancery Improv (Hudson Valley), Crumlik Improv (NYC/Stamford), Bobby Curious (Stamford), featuring physical comedian Paul Valenti (Stamford, CT) hosted by Heather Craig, and Saturday line-up - Michael Agunbiade (Liberty, NY), James Tanford (NYC), Matt Vita (VT/NYC) and Headliner Aiko Tanaka (LA/NYC), hosted by Catskills legend Shaye Troha. All shows are recommended for ages 16+.

Friday and Saturday also feature additional free programming, including: Friday 6pm - Community Improv Comedy Workshop (ages 12+) under the tent led by Happenstancery Improv from New Paltz, and Saturday 3:30pm - Free Kids’ Clowning workshop (kids 12 years and under) at Catskills Junction as part of Family Fun Day.

Tickets are $20/single night or $50/weekend pass- limited seating available, so grab them while you can! More info about the weekend festivities and tickets can be found at: https://thepartytheater.com/hpcf-2025/

T-shirts and tote bags with the festival logos designed by artist MJ Myers will be available on-site and may be purchased in advance with your ticket order.

Make a weekend celebration out of the fest and come early for food and beverages on-site at The Belvedere Inn.

Parking is available on the street or in a large lot that is kitty corner to The Belvedere Inn. E-mail: mrsacrso@gmail.com for questions or accessibility needs.

The Hill People’s Comedy Fest is being co-produced by The Party Theater and The Belvedere Inn with support from the Delaware Tourism Bureau, our HBO Sponsor Upstate Curious, Headliner Sponsors Stamford Coffee, Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties - Debra Danner and Jeanette Torres ,Windstar Realty - Susan Miller, and the Mill Pond Inn, Opener Sponsors Margaretville Telephone Company, Catskill Mountain Shakespeare, Catskill Outpost, Cellar Door Wines and Spirits, Sticky Petal, and Open Mic Sponsors Solinsky's Meats, LionEyesBooks, NBT Bank, and Railroad Avenue Supply Co., Inc (Stamford Ace Hardware).

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Fiction Writing Intensive

ONLINE — Writers in the Mountains (WIM) presents Fiction Writing with Thaddeus Rutkowski, a weekend intensive held online Saturday June 21 and 28, 2025, from to 1 to 4 pm. Once you register and pay, you will be given instructions on how to join the class.

Everyone has a story to tell. Your story may be true or it may be fictional, but you can tell it in a compelling way. You can make your story come alive by using dramatic elements of the writer’s craft. Whether you’re a journeyman polishing a piece or a beginner learning the craft, this workshop has something for you. We will focus on elements of prose writing—plot, character, setting, voice, and beginnings and endings—through prompts and detailed critiques. Exercises and works in progress will be reviewed in class, in a friendly supportive atmosphere. Each writer will receive one-to-one attention. The class is open to everyone. No manuscript submission is required.

Thaddeus Rutkowski is a graduate of Cornell University and the Johns Hopkins University. He is the author of seven books, most recently Tricks of Light, a poetry collection. His novel Haywire won the Asian American Writers’ Workshop’s members’ choice award, and his memoir Guess and Check won an Electronic Literature award for multicultural fiction. He teaches at Medgar Evers College and received a fiction writing fellowship from the New York Foundation for the Arts. He has been a resident writer at Yaddo, MacDowell and other colonies, and has been a sponsored reader in Berlin, Hong Kong and Singapore. He lives with his wife, Randi Hoffman, in Manhattan. His website is www.thaddeusrutkowski.com.

To register, e-mail writersinthemountains@gmail.com. To register online, visit writersinthemountains.org. Class fee is $100. Limited to ten students.

Writers in the Mountains is a 501 ( c ) (3) not-for-profit organization with a mission to provide a nurturing environment for the practice, appreciation and sharing of creative writing. Learn more at writersinthemountains.org.