A Great Day for Fireworks, Families & Fun

STAMFORD - The annual Family Field Day and Fireworks drew a good crowd and perfect weather. 

The Eklund family's hayfield at the top of Mile Hill was packed with vendors and people.

Children enjoyed bounce houses and running the Stamford Fire Department's obstacle course and vendors were doing well as people turned out to enjoy food, free music, some and fireworks.

 

Emma Woodard, 5, of Roxbury, goes up and over the final obstacle to win a gold medal. The obstacle course was created by the Stamford Fire Dept., which sponsored the Family Field Day and Fireworks to keep the kids moving.

 

 

The Flatbed Band kept the crowd entertained at Saturday's annual Family Field Day and Fireworks, sponsored by the Stamford Fire Department.

 

EMS Captain Karen Cole gives a little help to five-year-old Emma Woodard, of Roxbury as she makes her way through the obstacle course at Saturday's Family Field and Fireworks event in Stamford.

Jim Fuller returned to his roots for the third straight year to perform at the annual SFD Family Field Day and Fireworks and brought his own groupies.

 

The crowd begins to thicken at the SFD annual Family Field Day and Fireworks.

 

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CannaBliss Festival Draws Significant Crowd

CannaBliss Festival 2025- July 26th/27th 

 

By Angelica Toumbas

DELHI — This July was the kickoff for a new type of festival that encompasses all things cannabis. Presented for the first time at Maple Shade Farm in Delhi was the CannaBliss Festival. This festival welcomed experts, consumers, and local dispensaries. Perfect for any cannabis enthusiasts, or for anyone looking to check out a unique type of festival. This event is only for those 21 years of age and older. The price to get in was $20 at the door if paying with cash, and for visitors that paid online, the price was a little more at $22. Parking for this event was hassle free and free of charge.

Food: If visitors decided to take part in cannabis festivities, they could expect to become hungry, to which there was no problem due to the wide array of food choices. Ranging from tacos, pizza, ice cream or dumplings, the food selection was great. A handful of local food distributors attended the event, such as Robins Pizza, Ty's Taqueria, Harold's Cold Comfort, and Catskill Momos.

Activities: There were many workshops going on both days of this event to help spread knowledge, and to get involved in fun activities surrounding the theme of cannabis. One activity many enthusiasts greatly enjoyed was being able to create a veggie bong. With this activity, visitors were able to use freshly harvested eggplant, zucchini, or other vegetables to create fully functional one of a kind farm fresh bong. 

Music: The weekend was packed full of great music, keeping the vibe of this festival thriving. The bands that attended were the Herbologists, Sundogs, Caviar & Grits, KidBess, and Magic Ring. 

Meditation: Visitors even had the chance to partake in a blessing circle that encouraged meditation given by the Sisters of the Valley. On day two of this event, the meditation circle was brought over to Maple Shade Farms’ beautiful historic barn. This experience began by finding a quiet place inside the barn, which then led guests to a quieted mind through use of a unique glass sound bowl. Peace was easily able to be obtained as participants were guided through 15 minutes of meditation to aid in gratitude and calmness. Cannabis use was also permitted during this sacred activity, and visitors were left feeling more grounded and at ease.

Purchases: To further explore/purchase any herbal products, visitors must scan a QR code on their phone. Cash was not accepted at this festival when it comes to buying cannabis products. 

There were many different cannabis exhibitors present at this festival that were able to display their products and get to know the customers, while also letting visitors smell/ look at what each vendor had to offer. Exhibitors that came to this event consisted of Alchemy Pure, Aster Farms, Blackbird Gardens, Cornucopia Growers LLC, Flamer, Green Spectrums, Ithaca- Cultivated, Ithaca Organic Cannabis Co, Jenny’s, MFNY, Mighty Lucky, NY Small Farma, Umamii, Supernatural, and Ravens View Genetics. This event even had a ”Grower’s Competition”. The competition highlights small batch, high quality cannabis grown by different small growers. There is a mix of expert judges that determine the best micro businesses in New York State. The competitions include the best sativa flower, best hybrid flower, and best indica flower. There's also Longest Legs award, Turpin Award, Giggle Attack award, People's Choice Award and an Innovator award. 

Crysta L, a Delhi local/ attendee of this event said “I loved the vibes! It was great to get to meet all the vendors to find some new brands I’ve never tried before. I really enjoyed getting to partake in activities while listening to music walking around the farm.”

For more details/ information regarding this past event or future CannaBliss events, please visit www.cannablissinthecatskills.com

 

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Arts and Crafts Festival

Davy Russell with Moon and Leaf Magic on the Middleburgh High School lawn for the annual Arts and Crafts Festival organized by Middleburgh Rotary Saturday

 

Marathon for a better life was raising funds for Team Heather. More information elsewhere in this week's edition

Sarah Davies-Griffin (left) with Mountain Eagle author Lei Rowan and Anubis, a two-year-old Cane Corso

The MCS Alumni Association continued its good work serving Middleburgh grads Saturday during Arts and Crafts. Photos by Matthew Avitabile.

 

 

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Fourth Friday Packed in Middleburgh

Kiah Simeon, who helped organize the dunk tank, which splashed me about a dozen times Friday. Not that I hold a grudge. Photos by Matthew Avitabile

Lei Rowan in this hotrod owned by newspaper favorite Harry Rode of Richmondville at the Best House Friday evening

Marathon for a better life was raising funds for Team Heather. More information elsewhere in this week's edition. Left to right: Mary Chichester, Ann Grass, Lisa Bartholemew with Linda Stein in the back. Other team members have been involved, including Brian Chichester, Deb Chichester, Danielle Chichester, Mikey Lent, Jaidyn Rose, Alex Brundege, Fred Quick, Nanette Amendola, Roxanne Marks, Janet Rose.

Mayor Timothy Knight takes aim at a target to dunk former Middleburgh Mayor Matthew Avitabile during the Fourth Friday Celebration. He missed all three times. Photo by Scott Keidong.

Michelle Rivera from Love Shine Tea during the Fourth Friday street fair in Middleburgh in front of the Wandering Mystik on Main Street

Zoe Keidong with this great looking Mustang Friday evening at the Best House during Fourth Friday
 

 

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Kiwanis Holds Great Steak Roast

 

Kiwanis President Indy Jaycox and past president Bob Vedder during Sunday's successful Steak Roast at Lasalle Park Sunday

Barbecue Delights outdid themselves during the great roast, which also offered hot dogs and kielbasa

 

Waiting patiently for his potatoes at the Schoharie Kiwanis annual steak roast at Lasalle Park is Dick Bramer of Schoharie.  Removing a pot of potatoes from the burner is Julie Langan, volunteer, in the foreground, assisting club secretary Vicky Palmatier. Also pictured is volunteer Lynne Greenway.  Standing by is club secretary, Eric Stein.  It turned out to be a good day to have the canopies set up, but nevertheless was a good time with good food for all who attended.

                    There was a long line for good steak Sunday. Photos by Matthew Avitabile

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Book Sale Continues Through Generations at Middleburgh Library

 

 

  Former Trustee, Sonny Ochs, and Trustee Co-President, Diane Stewart greeted Annual Book Sale attendees, offered bags to fill with books, manned the table, and accepted donations for the Middleburgh Library.

Diane Stewart noted there were a lot of children’s books donated this year. Many visitors noticed and happily flocked to peruse the selection during the Sale.

Elizabeth Motschmann, Leo, Isaac, and Levi proudly showcasing a favorite book find at this year’s Annual Book Sale. They’ve been coming to the Middleburgh Library for years, enjoying Storytimes and the annual Homeschool Science Fair. 

By Heather Skinner

MIDDLEBURGH — Standing in the Middleburgh Library’s Community Room on Saturday, July 26th, you could hear the buzz of Annual Book Sale attendees expressing, "Great event, we come every year. Gotta love the library!" and children enthusiastically asking, “Mommy, will you read this to me?”

The Sale is traditionally held the same weekend of the Middleburgh Rotary ‘s Annual Arts and Crafts Festival in July and has been continued over the years thanks to the dedication of many contributors.

Director Teresa Pavoldi (Miss Terry) explained, “Before the "new" library opened in 2004, members of the century club (some of whom were on our board) would hold a book sale on the Dr. Best House & Medical Museum lawn. When the new library was occupied, it was members of the century club who would organize and run the sale - as it was when I started here 17 years ago. The last century club person to run the book sale was Theresa Kahrs.” 

While Trustee Kahrs has unfortunately since passed, Diane Stewart took charge of the annual event after Clerk and Volunteer Director of Local History and Genealogy, Anne Lamont, ran it for 4 or 5 years after Kahrs. 

Pavoldi credited Stewart for making a, “Significant change when she started with the book sale - all items are by donation. This way people can pay what they think is fair or what they can afford. We get some people donating quite a lot and some very little, but it all works out fine!”

Stewart, Pavoldi, Trustees Scott Kiedong and Juanita Reyes, and former Senior Library Clerk Vicki Degroff spent time before the sale sorting and setting up. Due to the amount of storage space available for book donations, The Middleburgh Library weeds through their shelf collection and starts collecting for their Annual Book Sale each May; seeking the donation of gently used books that are not smelly, dirty, or damaged. They also typically don’t accept encyclopedias or Reader's Digest type books. 

Any books not bought by donation after the sale ended were due to be boxed up for Rotterdam’s Book Warehouse to acquire. If you’re wondering what to expect for next year’s Sale, Stewart said each year is different. For example, there weren’t as many nonfiction books donated this year, but you can always expect to find a room full of books, puzzles, DVDs, CDs, and not knowing what you will find among them will be an exciting treasure hunt!

Color Our World Summer Reading Program events for all ages continue through the month of August including August 4th ‘s 11 AM Bubble Mania for kids Pre-K through 2nd grade, Eat the Rainbow Super Salad Bar for kids 2nd through 5th grade on August 6th at 1 PM, and Colorful Characters Storytime: Bluey Bash! For kids ages 2 – 6 August 12th at 10:45 AM. August 7th at 1 PM Teens can join for a Songwriting Workshop with no musical background necessary, and adults can enjoy Tuesday Mahjong from 1 PM – 4 PM and The Not So Quiet Concert Series  with Zach Stevenson on August 24th at 4 PM. Check out Middleburgh Library’s full upcoming calendar of events through their website, registration for all events is required and they are located at 323 Main Street.

September 20th from 10 AM- 1 PM, Our Friends Book Sale and Basket Raffle will take place at the Cobleskill Community Library located at 110 Union Street. If you would like to drop off a basket for the raffle, you have until August 23rd, and if you would like to donate books for their sale you have until September 19th.  Director Kimberly Zimmer confirmed that The Friends have recently obtained Venmo for accepting payments and donations.

Schoharie Library & Sharon Springs Free Library also have annual book sales; watch their Facebook pages and website event calendars for updates. Also, The Community Library has an ongoing sale by donation selection in their basement, and The Middleburgh Library always has some books for purchase by donation in their Book Nook by the circulation desk and offers additional book sales a few times a year in the back hall that they update about on their Facebook page.

 

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Ghanaian Rhythms Sway Schoharie Library

Participants in a West African Drumming & Dance Workshop practice Ghanaian rhythms on traditional drums Wednesday afternoon at the Schoharie Library. Photos by Scott Keidong.

 

Two year old June Lawyer joins in and keeps the beat.

 

Zorkie Nelson drums as Dancer FoFo Nilquaey teaches traditional Ghanaian dance steps to participants in a West African Drumming & Dance Workshop with Zorkie Nelson & Gballoi, held Wednesday afternoon at the Schoharie Library. 

Andrea Lawyer and her two year old daughter June dance to Zorkie Nelson’s West African Drumming.

 

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Shandaken ZBA Hears Contentious Two-Family Home Proposal - Verizon Rehearing Effort Fails

Staff Report

SHANDAKEN – The Shandaken Zoning Board of Appeals heard a contentious proposal for a two-family home on St. Kathrin Drive on Tuesday, with numerous neighbors speaking in vehement opposition, citing the applicant’s past actions and the project's incompatibility with the single-family neighborhood. The board also approved a setback variance for a home addition on Cinder Road.

The board held a public hearing for an application seeking an area variance to construct a “mother-daughter” home on a 5.32-acre lot on St. Kathrin Drive. The property is in a residential 5-acre zone, which does not permit two-family dwellings on a lot of that size.

Multiple neighbors voiced strong objections, arguing that the applicant had a history of disregarding regulations.

“The builder has already demonstrated his total lack of regard for proper procedures by damaging and denuding the property and leaving a scar on our landscape,” another St. Kathrine Drive resident. “I resent the further destruction of the quality of life on our enjoyment of our privacy for the urbanization and commercialization of said property.”

Letters from other residents echoed these concerns, stating that the applicant had previously clear-cut the lot without permits and arguing that a two-family home would be out of character for the area.

“When exceptions are considered in well-established single-family home zoning, it opens up the path for more exceptions and that will forever hurt the value and change the face of the quiet family living our existing owners cherish,” one.

In response, the resident defended his project, stating that the home would have a walk-out basement apartment and that all necessary fill would be taken from the land itself. He argued that existing homeowners should not prevent new construction.

“As soon as they build their home, they want to stop all construction. That’s not right,” Papia said. “It’s not fair for everybody else.”

Following the contentious hearing, the board voted to table the application to allow members an opportunity to visit the property before making a decision.

In a separate, brief public hearing, the board heard an unopposed application for a 23-foot front-yard setback variance to construct an addition at 72 Cinder Road. The board later voted to approve the variance as submitted.

The board also addressed its previous denial of variances for a Verizon cell tower. A motion to rehear the application was made but failed to receive a second, leaving the denial in place.

 

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Local History at the Old Stone Fort - Timothy Murphy’s House and Miner’s Hat

Picture of Timothy Murphy's House

The Old Stone Fort’s Clay Edmunds sent us this picture of Timothy Murphy's house taken before 1934 when it was torn down. Murphy was a sharpshooter from Daniel Morgan's Rifle

Brigade and is credited for shooting the British General Simon Fraser during the Saratoga Campaign. Murphy also helped defend the Middle Fort (Fort Defiance) during the 1780 Johnson Raid.

 

Miners Hat

A Miner’s hat had a light source attached to it so that Miners could work in the dark without having to hold a source of light. This particular Miner’s Hat was worn by Jack Dempsey when he lost his life while working in a mine. This was given to the museum by A.K. Thomas.

 

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WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS - Timothy Murphy Playhouse Presents Cabaret

Sometimes, when life is good, people forget to pay attention to the dirge playing right around the corner.  Drinks are flowing, debauchery is at its worst and the world goes by.  So it was in Berlin, Germany, when the Nazi party ripped friends away from friends, destroyed communities, education, religious freedom, art, honest media, music and the good life. The stench of concentration camps stretched across Europe, and fear gripped the moral codes of those who would survive. Jews, Gypsies and the mentally ill were hauled away from their homes, and horrified neighbors and friends stood by, and hoped they wouldn't be next.

The Kit Kat Klub, in downtown Berlin, is a metaphor for the wild and free life that existed prior to the blitzkrieg; all were welcome, and an anything goes atmosphere dripped from the stage lights of the glorified entertainer, Sally Bowles (Stella Beardsley). When an American writer named Clifford Bradshaw (Antonio Brooks) enters her life and the lives of her neighbors, he begins to realize what is happening in Germany and desperately wants to get her out of the country.  Unfortunately, what he begins to witness falls on deaf ears and the neighborhood, as Fraulein Schneider (Isabella Hanu) and Herr Schultz (Roger Christman) are forced apart because they are of Jewish descent.  The growing political tension finds Ernst Ludwig (Mike Foster,), a seemingly friendly German, who is actually a smuggler, develops a friendship with the American writer.  While he is absorbing all the changes going on in Berlin, some are still oblivious to the creeping Fascist Regime.  One such character is Fritzi Kost (Megan Bramer,) a dancer and lady of the night, at the Kit Kat Klub, who is also a boarding house neighbor of Fraulein Schneider. She does what she must to survive, and although others may look down upon her profession, they refuse to see what is happening in their country.

The main character, the emcee (Issak Simeon) embodies the decadent and increasingly dangerous atmosphere of 1930's Berlin. He acts as both entertainer and commentator, while reflecting, through his performances, the encroaching political chaos. His dark humor envelops both the evil that exists in current day society and the escalating danger of what stands looming outside the Kit Kat Klub's door. His own vulnerability and despair demonstrate someone, who understands what is happening in his beloved country, but despite his warnings, through song and dance, is unable to convince his friends and fellow workers of the treachery and extreme evil that awaits.

Heralded as one of the most factual musicals, regarding Berlin's turmoil, just prior to the Nazi invasion, Cabaret stands as a metaphor of people's inability or desire to see what is right in front of their eyes.

This year's musical, proudly brought to our communities by Timothy Murphy Playhouse, now in its 30th year, is perhaps the most difficult musical attempted by this theater group, given the talent needed to sustain all the roles.  The music is riveting, the dances and costumes are reflective of a 1930's cabaret, the orchestra is amazing and each and every actor/actress is phenomenal.  It will be presented Saturday August 2nd and Sunday (two showings) at 2 pm and 7 pm in the Middleburgh Central School auditorium.

 

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Alert Ryan Acknowledged at SCS

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - Schoharie Central School Assistant Principal/Athletic director Carley Ryan was lauded at last month's school board meeting for her quick thinking that saved the district "hundreds of thousands of dollars" after discovering a water leak on school grounds.

Ms. Ryan, a Middleburgh high school graduate, discovered a significant water main break near the soccer field on a Saturday afternoon, Superintendent David Blanchard told school board members at their July 9 meeting.

By alerting the district authorities, Ms. Ryan saved "a great deal of damage," Mr. Blanchard said. A two-inch water line had broken and spread mud across the soccer fields and tennis courts and would have been much worse if not discovered by Ms. Ryan.

The discovery, Mr. Blanchard said, "saved thousands of thousands of dollars."

 

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