Auto Racing News

By Tom Coughlin

Tonight at Dodge City Speedway is a money race for the Senior Clone Heavy division on NAPA Night. Next Friday is a money race for the Senior Wing Champ division on Frank's Heavy Duty Truck Repair Night. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and racing begins around 7:00 p.m.

The annual Madison County Fair in Brookfield is open this week. Tonight, there are gas & diesel truck pulls at 7:00 p.m., Saturday has a demolition derby at 6:00 p.m., and Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. is the tractor pulls.

Utica-Rome Speedway will have Kids Night presented by the Friendly Family of Dealerships and Slade Automotive. Activities for the kids include bounce houses, a backpack giveaway, balloon animals, and more at the "Home of Heroes."

Local Hall of Fame race car driver, author, and Schoharie native Bob Vedder will be on site tomorrow for a book signing of his first published piece of work, "Thoughts to Live By," at the Schoharie Mercantile at 303 Main Street in Schoharie from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

On Saturday, Pangman Outdoor Power will hold its inaugural Garage Sale at their store located at 848 East Main Street in Cobleskill, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. A little bit of everything accumulated over ten years of sales and service will be available, along with raffles, food, and more.

The Sherman’s Park Car Show will take place Saturday, July 26, at 114 East Shore Road, West Caroga Lake, N.Y., from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on the shores of Caroga Lake. If needed, a rain date of Sunday, July 27, will be used. Also happening is a town-wide garage sale.

At Fonda Speedway, the Kids Club will host Christmas in July. The pro stock division will be in the spotlight this week as they compete in their biggest events of the season at the "Track of Champions" during the annual Hondo Classic and the BOBCO Dash. The weekly Amsterdam Truck Center modified division will be off, with the 358-modifieds in their place.

Weedsport Speedway will race Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Saturday is the Super DIRTcar Series-Hall of Fame 100 for the big block modified division. Also on the program are the winged CRSA 305 sprints and street stocks. Sunday, the winged sprint cars of the NOS Energy Drink-World of Outlaws Series make their only New York appearance for the 30-lap Empire State Challenge 2025, joined by the modified division in a 40-lap feature.

Results from last week include Albany-Saratoga Speedway, where in the Next Generation Roofing DIRTcar modified division 35-lap feature, Matt Delorenzo continued his winning ways, followed by Jack Lehner and Kolby Schroder. The Empire Super Sprints 25-lap feature saw Jordan Poirier take the win ahead of Paulie Colagiovanni and Dylan Swiernik. In the Doug Wholey's Excavating DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature, Mike Benson scored the victory over Nick Brundige and Chris Jakubiak. In the Saratoga Masonry Supply DIRTcar pro stock division 25-lap feature, Rich Crane earned the win over Jason Casey and Pete Stefanski. The Haun Welding limited sportsman division 20-lap feature was won by Bodie Marks over Lucas Duncan and Dan Seguin. In the Cornell’s Auto Parts street stock division 20-lap feature, P.J. Cram Jr. claimed the win ahead of Josh Hemming and Chris Murray.

Utica-Rome Speedway was off last week but bounces back tonight with a full program of weekly divisions.

Out west at the Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, the 30-lap modified division feature was won by Mike Maresca, and Bobby Varin finished fifth. Bobby Hackel IV finished second in the 35-lap modified division feature at Accord Speedway, and Alissa Cody finished 20th. The Super Late Models were at Freedom Motorsports Park in Delevan, N.Y., where Tim McCreadie picked up the win in the Pete Loretto Memorial feature. A.J. Miller of Fultonville finished 11th, and Demetrios Drellos finished 13th.

Saturday night at Fonda Speedway, in the Amsterdam Truck Center modified division 30-lap feature, Jack Lehner of Saratoga Springs, driving the Bloomfield's Florist number 85, would earn his first win of 2025 and the fourth of his career at the "Track of Champions." He was able to hold off a great effort from Jessica Friesen and Bobby Hackel IV. In the Empire Super Sprint 25-lap feature, Danny Varin defended his home turf over Dylan Swiernik and Jordan Poirier. In the rain-delayed Swagger Factory Apparel crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature, Josh Coonradt claimed the win. In the regularly scheduled Swagger Factory Apparel crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature, Chip Constantino took the win. In the Leatherstocking Credit Union pro stock division 20-lap feature, it was down to the wire with a photo finish that saw 'Cousin' Luke Horning beat Kenny Gates and Nick Stone. The final tally showed Horning, Stone, and Jim Normoyle completing the top three, as Gates was unfortunately disqualified due to being light at the scales in post-race inspection. In the Montgomery County Office for Aging limited sportsman division 15-lap feature, Jim Mallia earned the win. In the Fonda Fair 4-cylinder division 12-lap feature, the single cam division winner was Kenny Hollenbeck, and in the dual cam division, Jay Ingersoll scored the win.

Be sure to stop in and check out the Fonda Speedway Museum and Hall of Fame. The exhibits are endless and provide a historical and educational perspective of so much that has taken place over nearly a century of time.

On Sunday at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, Lance Willix won the DIRTcar 358-modified division 35-lap feature. In the DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature, Zach Buff took the win. The Yurkewecz Auto Crushers DIRTcar pro stock division 20-lap feature saw "Cousin" Luke Horning earn his second win of the weekend. The SCDRA 4-cylinder Hillman Memorial 30-lap feature was won by Jon Shepard. In the DIRTcar mini stock division 20-lap feature, Jordan Ryder won the dual cam division and William Liberatore won the single cam division. The All-Star slingshot division 15-lap feature was won by Justin House, and Preston Trautschold won the 12-lap Junior slingshot division feature.

The Short Track Super Series kicked off night number one of their LumberJack Swing on Tuesday night at the half-mile clay oval Autodrome Granby in Quebec, Canada. Matt Sheppard would take the win over Stewart Friesen and Felix Roy. Preston Trautschold won the slingshot division feature.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

‘Where’d Our Stone Go?’ to be Cave House Program

HOWES CAVE — Cobleskill Author Dana Cudmore answers the question, “Where’d Our Stone Go?” on Aug. 10 at The Cave House Museum of Mining and Geology in Howes Cave. The free program begins at 2 p.m.

Limestone and cement processed from more than a dozen Schoharie County quarries helped build the engineering marvels of the early 19th Century in New York.  Cudmore’s program identifies the quarries and their customers, including NY’s canal system, bridges on NYC’s East River and numerous important public and private buildings meant to last many lifetimes.

Signed copies of Cudmore’s book on the topic, “Farming With Dynamite: The forgotten Stone Boom in Schoharie County” will be sold, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Cave House museum.

The Cave House, at 136 Blowing Rock Road, will be open that day from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the museum is also free. Donations are appreciated.

The following program in the museum’s summer series will be “Mid-Devonian Extinction Events in Eastern NY,” on Sept. 14 by Alexander Bartholomew, an associate professor of geology at SUNY New Paltz.

The Cave House, adjacent to the original entrance to Howe’s Cave, is where the remarkable story of the famous caverns, quarry, and community begins. The museum is a nonprofit, NYS-chartered educational institution that promotes a greater understanding of the importance that local and regional geology and mining plays in our lives.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

“Sharon Things - Local Happenings for Sharon Springs”

By Alexis Pencar

Hey Neighbors!

This last week we felt a chill familiar to fall and it gave some an early spook! Those cool mornings were welcome by many. Lots of successful haymaking over this last week with some precipitation expected on Sunday. Overall the weather is back to highs in the 70s and 80s with lows dipping into the 60s.

Celebrate Bison Month with Bison Island Ranch this Saturday, July 12th and again on July 26th

from 12 noon until 8 PM at The Ranch located at 194 Engleville Rd in Sharon Springs! There will be live music, beer & wine for purchase, games, crafts for the kids, The Tipi for exploring, and more! The Ranch Store will be open with items for sale like bison meat & steaks, bison art & gifts, and NEW bison tallow products too! Visit their website at www.bisonislandranch.com for more info!

The Klinkhart Hall Art Center Summer Concert Series is in full swing! With an extended season, there is more music than ever before for these free, family-friendly concerts every Wednesday night starting at 6:00 PM until August 13 in the scenic setting of Chalybeate Park in Sharon Springs. There will be food and drink available for purchase too! Here are your next week's line up: July 30th it’s Double Barreled - Upstate New York’s hometown boys deliver high-octane country-rock and boot-stomping fun. Visit the Klinkhart Hall Facebook page for event updates. 

Parsons Vegetable Farm has all your Summer Gardening needs!! The Outrageous Snack Snack is now open so stop by for delicious fresh donuts! They are also hosting live music events too so check out FB for more info.

Sharon Springs Free Library News: Story Time is at 10:00 AM on Thursday mornings and includes a story, craft, and snack. The Summer Reading Program is starting to wrap up but contact them for more info! The Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays from 3:00 - 8:00 PM, Mondays & Thursdays from 10:00 - 6:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 -1:00 PM, and Sundays - Closed.  Closed on 4th of July. 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!

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Open House for SSCS Clay Target Team

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — This last season, the Sharon Springs Central School Clay Target Team came in first for their Class 2A Conference 6 as Champions! They also had the privilege of qualifying and competing at the state level! These exceptional student athletes represent so much within their communities!

Are you a student and want to see what it is all about? Join for the Open House at 6:30 PM on Monday, August 18th at the home base Sprout Brook Rod and Gun Club, located at 1364 State Highway 163, Canajoharie.

You’ll be able to meet coaches and student athletes too. This is the time to ask any and all questions and meet returning team members!

To participate you must be 12 years old or older and either attend Sharon Springs Central School, or any other school that does not have a current Clay Target Team; homeschool students are also welcome to join!

The team will also be at the NBT Bank in Sharon Springs this Saturday, July 26th hosting a booth during the big Town Wide Garage Sales. Check out the Logo Wear & Gear for Sale and stop on by to say ‘Hi’ and pick up some informational flyers too.

They will also be at the Roseboom Antique (Tractor) Power Days on August 15,16,17 hosting a booth from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM all three days. 

The Fall Season begins with the first practice on September 13th and then competition begins September 27th.  

Interested in finding out more about the team or maybe even joining next year? Check them out on Facebook at SSCS Clay Target Team or on Youtube @SSCSclaytaget.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Town-Wide Garage Sale

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sharon Town-Wide Garage Sale is this weekend on Saturday, July 26th in the Village of Sharon Springs and Town of Sharon. The sales start at 9:00 AM and typically go into the afternoon. 

For shoppers: Start your garage sale hunt at the United Methodist Church (across from Sharon Springs Central School) and get your map to find all the registered sales around town. Those who registered their sales for this weekend benefit the local UMC parish.

As a well-known tradition, this huge sale is usually held on the third or fourth Saturday of July, with many participating each year. Utilize it as an exciting way to explore quaint Sharon Springs while looking for hidden treasures! You can also go around and say hello to neighbors!

Since this is “the sale of the year”, many will also continue  on Sunday as well. Look out for large multi-family sales and sales at the storage units too. Usually, if there are leftovers from the sale, you can find free items at the UMC on Monday morning.

Remember to drive carefully and park courteously!

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to the Sharon Springs UMC on Facebook.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Workshop: Basket Making with Carrie Hill at Iroquois Museum

HOWES CAVE — Join accomplished Mohawk artisan Carrie Hill for a hands-on workshop in traditional Black Ash splint basketry at the Iroquois Museum on Caverns Road, Howes Cave on Sunday Aug. 17 from 10 am to 2:30 pm. Participants will learn about the Akwesasne connection to basket making, the process of preparing splints, and techniques such as simple weaves and curls. Under Carrie’s guidance, attendees will construct a square basket using hand-pounded natural and dyed splints provided by the artist.

Cost: $140 members/$150 non-members (includes materials)

Pre-registration is required by emailing heather@iroquoismuseum.org.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Wanted Man Dies After Being Located by State Police

Staff Report

RICHMONDVILLE - During an ongoing investigation, State Police members identified the location of Kenneth R. Meyers, 31 of Cobleskill. A warrant for Mr. Meyers' arrest had been issued by the Schoharie County Court on June 9 after he failed to appear in court for a scheduled trial for numerous felony level drug possession charges. Mr. Meyers had been released pre-trial with an ankle monitoring device which he had cut off on or about June 9.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on July 17, Troopers responded to the location of 113 Badeau Lane in Richmondville, with the assistance of the State Police Special Operations Team (SORT). Mr. Meyers along with another adult female was inside the residence at the time. At approximately 4p.m. the adult female exited the residence without incident. He did not follow orders to exit the residence and would not speak to State Police members when negotiation was attempted.

At approximately 7:05 p.m. after multiple failed attempts to contact Mr. Meyers State Police SORT made entry to the home and located Mr. Meyers unresponsive within. He was transported to Cobleskill Hospital and then airlifted to Albany Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition. The New York State Attorney General’s Office was notified at that time.

On July 18 at 6:57 a.m. Mr. Meyers was declared deceased at Albany Medical Center. The New York State Attorney General’s Office has been updated. His cause of death is pending investigation and autopsy.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Schoharie County Land Sale Will Provide More Fairgrounds Parking

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — The Cobleskill Fairgrounds should be getting parking relief soon, courtesy of Schoharie County.

At the Friday, July 18 county Board of Supervisors meeting, the BOS voted unanimously to sell a 3.83-acre county-owned parcel to the Cobleskill Agricultural Society for the nominal sum of $1. The piece of land at South Grand Street and Mineral Springs Road in Cobleskill is close to the Cobleskill Fairgrounds _ which is owned by the agricultural society _ and will be used for more parking for all the events at the thriving Fairgrounds.

At the request of the Supervisors, county Attorney Mike West will put a clause in the conveyance documents stating that should the agricultural society ever decide it doesn't want the land anymore, it would automatically revert back to the county.

"There are events there every week," said Supervisor John Leavitt of the need for more parking at the Fairgrounds. He is very involved and active in many of the events there.

"There's a dog expo there at the end of September that will draw thousands of people," Leavitt added. The Fairgrounds are perhaps best known for the annual Schoharie County Sunshine Fair, which this year will be Aug. 5-10.

In other actions from the July 18 meeting, the BOS voted down by a fairly sizeable margin a motion by Supervisor Harold Vroman — Chair of the Personnel Committee _ to create no new positions for the rest of this year but instead consider them as part of the process for formulating the 2026 budget.

A majority of Supervisors said new positions and new hires are already scrutinized by several committees and then the full board and it just made more sense to continue that policy and consider them on a case-by-case basis.

"There should never just be a blanket no," said Supervisor Philip Skowfoe Jr.

Before the vote, County Treasurer Mary Ann Wollaber-Bryan and Health Department Director Dr. Nicole Blanchard both argued against the motion, saying that their departments need more help this year.

"Our workload has increased exponentially," said Wollaber-Bryan, who announced her retirement at the meeting, effective at the end of July. "The staff we have now is struggling, beyond struggling."

Supervisor Alex Luniewski, Chair of the Finance Committee, was among the Yes votes. He said sales tax revenue running 4 percent behind budget was among several good reasons to tighten the financial belt.

The Supervisors appointed nine members to the Schoharie County Occupancy Tax Board. The are county Supervisors Werner Hampel (to a term expiring when his Supervisor term ends) and John Leavitt (term expiring Oct. 31, 2026); Village of Cobleskill Mayor Rebecca Stanton-Terk (Oct. 31, 2027); Harry Singh (Oct. 31, 2027); April Islip (Oct. 31, 2026); Scott Kelly (Oct. 31, 2027); David Savatteri (Oct. 31, 2026); Christina Hanks (Oct. 31, 2025) and Mary Johnson (Oct. 31, 2025).

Also approved was a resolution authorizing the county's chief elected official to sign a continuation of an agreement between Schoharie, Fulton and Montgomery Counties to comply with implementation requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

County Treasurer Retiring at End of Month

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — Schoharie County's Treasurer has decided to call it a career.

Citing the December death of her husband and other family circumstances, an emotional Mary Ann Wollaber-Bryan announced at the Friday, July 18 county Board of Supervisors meeting her intention to retire at the end of the month. She will be 62 next month.

Wollaber-Byan was first elected to the position in 2019 and reelected in 2023, with her current four-year term expiring at the end of 2027. Her husband, Ken Bryan, died on Dec. 23 after a battle with leukemia.

"Life drastically changed when my husband passed," Wollaber-Bryan said at the July 18 meeting. "Death changes you. I've decided I need to live whatever life I have left to the fullest. That's where my priority is now. I am sorry I won't be able to finish out my full term. Now, all my focus is on my family."

Board members praised Wollaber-Bryan and wished her well.

"Circumstances drive us," Supervisor Donald Airey said. "Sometimes they depress us and sometimes they lift us. Thank you for what you have brought to this county."

Added fellow board member Earl VanWormer III: "I want to thank you for all your service. You will not find a smarter, more dedicated person than Mary Ann Wollaber-Bryan."

She has 30 years of public service. Before becoming County Treasurer, Wollaber-Bryan worked for seven years in the Schoharie County Clerk/Department of Motor Vehicles Office and then 17 years in what is now the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

As county treasurer, Wollaber-Bryan took a leading role in county finances, both from a day-to-day basis and on major projects and policies. County BOS Chairman Bill Federice said the likely course of action now is for the board to appoint an interim replacement for Wollaber-Bryan and then have the County Treasurer position put up for election on the November ballot. Wollaber-Bryan's current annual salary in the position is $104,000.

In other actions from the July 18 meeting, the County Supervisors approved several resolutions. One proclaimed the week of July 20-26 as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week. The action recognized community corrections professionals for their achievements.

Another resolution appointed Paul Koopmann of Middleburgh as a member and Bruce Stacey of Cobleskill as an alternate member to the Schoharie County Planning Commission. Koopmann's term will expire on June 30, 2027 and Stacey's on June 30, 2028.

New County Administrator Bryan Best was appointed to the position of Budget Officer of Schoharie County at no additional salary over and above his annual salary of $150,000 as county administrator.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Summit Board Receives Dam Grant, Discusses ATV Road Use

By Karen Cuccinello

SUMMIT – The Summit Town Board announced the receipt of a $36,220 grant for dam repairs and discussed a proposal for ATV use on town roads during its monthly meeting on Thursday, July 17.

The grant, received from the Soil and Water Conservation District, will go toward fixing the Bear Gulch Road dam. Supervisor Harold Vroman stated that the Bear Gulch Lake Association will be responsible for any costs exceeding the grant amount and is working with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on the repairs.

The board also addressed an inquiry from the 607 ATV Club about driving on town roads. Vroman said he spoke with town Attorney Mike West, who will draft a proposal for the board to review. Board members discussed safety concerns, noting the limited road shoulders in the area, and suggested a one-time event might be a possible starting point.

During departmental reports, Highway Superintendent Jim Dibble announced that the new pickup truck is in service and the 550 truck will be ready soon. He noted that the dump truck ordered over a year ago is now expected to arrive in March 2026.

In the public comment portion of the meeting, residents of Drift Hill Road raised concerns about the safety of deep ditches along the road and inquired about widening a seasonal portion of the road. Dibble said the road is the best it can be and offered to meet with the residents to discuss tree planting near the roadway. Another resident inquired about installing a radar speed limit sign on Charlotte Valley Road to deter speeders; Vroman said he would follow up with the county.

The board also heard from Georgia Shafer of the Revitalization Committee, who reported that the local law subcommittee is nearing completion of its site plan review and that the Complete Streets committee is working on a draft.

The board went into executive session to discuss two personnel issues. The next town board meeting is scheduled for August 21.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

A Play About Living: Exploring the Value of Time Through the Magic of Theater By Julie Zimmermann

Actor-Writer Patricia Van Tassel

 

Dorothy Lillian Phelps (Patricia Van Tassel) in a photo by Bo Elfving

 

Dorothy Lillian Phelps (Patricia Van Tassel) photo by Bo Elfving 

 

MARGARETVILLE – “Naps are wonderful!” opines Dorothy Lillian Phelps, “they take you to faraway places where you dream and dance on tightropes!” 

Recent theater goers were not napping but may have been transported by the performance of writer/actor Patricia Van Tassel, a regional favorite with roots in the Catskills. “The Last Day of Dorothy Lillian Phelps” is Van Tassel’s take on one woman’s final day and completion of all of her lifetimes. It recently enjoyed a full production at The Open Eye Theater.

Time plays a significant role in the telling of Dorothy’s remembering: the vignettes of her childhood, the realities and disappointments—and joys—of both her young and aged womanhood. Left alone as a child, Dorothy’s best and most reliable friend becomes the  family’s tall imposing grandfather clock. Mum and Daddy’s vaudevillian career found young ‘Lilly’ imaginatively creative and so the Clock ‘Father Arthur Richard Time,’ is christened and becomes a lifelong constant companion.  

Making a friend of time is a theme of this piece: “its temporality and ungovernable length,” as Dorothy puts it. 

The clock’s precise rhythm becomes the secondary character in this one-woman show. Speaking to the essence of time, Van Tassel breaks down both the expansiveness and brevity of its precision. Her play deals with one woman’s catalogue of memories, gems of wisdom, regrets, and advice on her very last day, the day she has always had the premonition of the appointed time she will cease to exist. 

It’s an important piece for a varied demographic. The play has received great feedback from the ‘talkbacks’ held following each performance to date, from its development at Ancram Center for the Arts through its recent engagements. Understandably, “The Last Day of Dorothy Lillian Phelps” hits home with the over-fifty set, but its writer also made certain there was no age set that could not embrace its many messages.

“It just came to me. It wrote itself and then came thru me. Although Ancram Center’s Lab Artist Residency gave me a base (for this show), The Open Eye and I have a relationship dating back to 1996. Amie Brockway has directed me in many shows, especially solo shows. I learned a lot from Amie over the years. She introduced me to my acting coach Gene Lasco, and others. After first writing this show in 2014, The Open Eye helped me get together a public reading-in 2015. Erwin Karl did the lighting and Amie played the Clock and read the stage directions. Those were our initial performances. On the 100th birthday of the theater’s co-founder Jean Erdman, there was a large public celebration, and I was asked to perform a short segment of it.”

“I’ve now worked with Associate Artistic Director Michelle Macau several times. When I received confirmation of a grant for “The Last Day…” I asked if they would be interested in hosting performances and they were very excited about it. David Hill jumped onboard as designer and performed as the Clock. And we got to work on what turned out to be a very successful experience. Really, I’ve always just felt that The Open Eye is my home theater because of all of the ideas I’ve worked on there as well as the great people I’ve met and had an opportunity to work with.”

“The Last Day of Dorothy Lillian Phelps” was directed by Sandra Boynton who Van Tassel will continue to work with as they take the show to a variety of different venues this fall, hoping to raise discussions about time, facing the end of life and ultimately,  what matters in life. 

Now performing at The Open Eye Theater on Saturday’s is The Hundred Acre Wood, based on stories of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, conceived and directed by Amie Brockway. Opening on July 31 and running through August 10 is Summer Shortcuts XV, featuring six new ten-minute plays, six directors and eleven actors. In late September the world premiere of The Springvale Armadillo by Donald Lofthus will take the stage. The Open Eye Theater is located at 960 Main Street in Margaretville. Tickets for all performances can be obtained at www.theopeneyetheater.org

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Wild Turkeys Triumphant in First Annual New Kingston Valley Association Softball Game

 

Caught between Wild Turkeys Scott Lane and Kev Bewersdorf, Glen Faulkner is OUT.

Nickie Hoffman brings in a home run for the Wild Turkeys as Liz Savicz, catcher for the Whoop De Doos, awaits a throw.

Wild Turkey Allison Andrews makes it to first base as Whoop De Doo Glen Faulkner tries for the out.

Annie Pevear throws a perfect pitch for the Wild Turkeys

Wild Turkey Team Captain Scott Lane at bat

Wild Turkey Annie Pevear at bat

Wild Turkey Captain Scott Lane gets a dunking from Kathleen Conkey of the NKVA after his team takes home the championship trophies. 

The Wild Turkeys with their championship trophies

After seven hard-fought innings, the Wild Turkeys defeated the Whoop De Doos 6-5 in the First Annual New Kingston Valley Association Softball Game on July 19, 2025. Players and spectators enjoyed a beautiful Catskills summer day on the ballfields of the Margaretville Central School.

Following an inspiring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, sung by Stephen Andrews of New Kingston, the words “Play Ball” rang out and the fun began.  NKVA supplied hot dogs, snacks and refreshments.   

The Wild Turkeys players were:  Alison Andrews, Annie Pevear, Connie Birdsall, Fred Margulies, Jacqueline Hart, Jean Lane, Kev Bewersdorf, Sandy Mullin and Scott Lane.  

The Whoop De Doos players were: Carla Sutherland, Caroline Fauvel, Colleen Macklin, David Miller, Dylan Hepburn, Glen Faulkner, Kate Ludwig, Liz Savicz and Renee Zalles.

Nikala Hoffman was the pinch runner for both teams.